Upper Mustang Tour (Drive In Drive Out)

This day we have to prepare the upper Mustang permit. In the mean time we can get the chance to do sightseeing in the nearby places of Kathmandu. We will get visit the different places which are listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath today. Stay overnight at hotel.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: (World Heritage Site): Kathmandu Durbar square is one of the popular place which is liked by many visitors due to its exquisite architecture and artistic embellishment. It consists of Huge Royal Palace with different temples dating back from the 15th to the 18th century. The house of the living goddess, the ferocious Kal Bhairav, the red monkey god, the Hanumandhokha palace, the Ashok Binayak temple, Kasthamandap, the Temple Taleju and hundreds of erotic carvings are some few examples of the sights at the square. All woodcarvings, statues and architecture in this area are exceptionally fine.

Swoyambhunath: Swoyambhunath is one of the most glorious Buddhist stupa. It is said to be 2000 years old. Swoyambhunath is, perhaps, the best place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. The stupa is among the most ancient in this part of the world and its worshippers are diverse from Newar nuns, Tibetan monks and Brahman Priests to lay Buddhist and Hindus. Swoyambhunath provides an excellent view of the Kathmandu valley.

Bouddhanth: Boudhhanath stupa is one of the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. The Stupa 100 meters in diameter, was built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels by the Lichchivi King Mana Deva in the 15th century. The pinnacle of this stupa represent the stages of enlightenment, symbol of royalty, compassion, knowing and nirvana. There are many myths about the origins of the Stupa. Early morning and evening are the times to visit Bouddha to join the local residents in Kora. There is an enclosure with several monasteries of the different schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Pashupatinath: Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred temples in Nepal. The temple of Pashupatinath is a large double roofed pagoda of brass and gilt gold; the gateway is plated with silver. There are linga images of Shiva along with statues, shrines and temples dedicated to other deities in the temple complex. There are rows of Shiva shrines and Hindu pilgrims from all over South Asia offering worship to Shiva, the Lord of Destruction. Entrance to the temple precinct is permitted to the Hindus only. However, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the vantage point across the bank of the Bagmati River.

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Pokhara via Bandipur by private jeep. Bandipur having an altitude of 1005 m is situated 8 km above Dumre Bazaar (highway). This place is inhabited by Newar and Magar ethnic communities surrounded by artistic houses, pagoda-styled temple, The Siddha Gupha and etc. In this place, you can see beautiful mountain views of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu and Annapurna and Marshyandi valley. We’ll have lunch over there and after lunch we’ll drive to Pokhara. Stay overnight at hotel.

Early morning, we’ll drive to Sarangkot to see the sunrise and great panoramic view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Range and return back to hotel for breakfast. After having breakfast, we’ll head towards Tatopani passing along the Kaligandaki River. It will take 5-6 hours drive to reach Tatopani. In Tatopani, there is hot spring where you can dive over there and there is a belief that all your skin related disease will be eradicated when you dive in that hot spring. Stay overnight at lodge.

Early morning, after having breakfast, we’ll head towards Kagbeni passing along the world’s deepest gorge lying between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Mountain range and then we’ll reach beautiful village, Lete. It is surrounded by beautiful mountain views. On left right, you can see Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peak whereas on right side, you can see Nilgiri and Tilicho peak. After crossing this beautiful views and landscape, we’ll reach Kagbeni. From there we will head towards Muktinath to visit the holy temple of Hindus as well as Buddhist. It is better to visit Muktinath as it will be best for the acclimatization. On the way back we will visit the Jharkot monastery and return back to Kagbeni. Stay overnight at hotel / lodge.

After breakfast, we will drive towards Geling.  On the way we will pass through the Tangbe (3040 m) village and then Chusang (3980 m). Then, by passing the Kaligandaki river we will reach at Chele. We will explore the Chele village and monastery and have lunch there. Along the way you can have good view over the Kali Gandaki Gorge.  After lunch, we will drive to reach Geling by crossing the Samar, Behana and Syangbochen village (3800 m). We will also explore the monastery in Syangbochen. From here we will drive towards Geling. In evening, we will visit the Geling Monastery. Stay overnight at lodge.

After breakfast, we will drive towards Lo Manthang. In between we will visit the monastery in Ghemi. In between we will visit the monastery in Ghemi and Dhakmar monastey. We can go by jeep to Dhakmar. It is an ancient historic popular monastery among Tibetan Buddhists. The actual name of the monastery is Lo-Ghyakar Gumba (3950 m). According to "Wangju" priest it is about 1300 years old (or built during 8th century). It is the only one Ngingmapa monastery of Upper Mustang whose patron was the former King Jigme Palbar Bista. Then we will drive towards Charang, visit Charang village and monastery there and have lunch. Then we will drive to Lo Manthang. Here we can explore the wonderful treeless barren landscapes and the view of mountains. In evening, we will explore the Buddhist art school, King Palace, and Lo Manthang village. Stay overnight at lodge. 

This day we will walk / jeep ride towards Chosar which is nearby the Lo Manthang. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Chosar by vehicle. We will visit the famous Chosar Cave, Gharpu and other monasteries there which has very interesting history, and also have a chance to see religious ceremonies around monasteries. If we go by jeep then we can explore around Namgyal and Thingaar monastery. We will return back towards Lo Manthang in the evening. Stay overnight at lodge.

This day we will drive for 8 hours through the sideways of the Kaligandaki River to reach Jomsom. Stay overnight at lodge.

This day we’ll day full day sightseeing which includes visiting some famous places and landmarks such as World Peace Stupa, Gupteshore cave, David fall, Seti gorge, boating in Fewa lake, Visiting Tal Barahi temple, Pokhara Regional museum, Bindubasini temple and Tibeten refuse camp. Stay overnight at hotel.

This day we will have breakfast in Pokhara hotel. We will drive by private vehicles which takes 5 hours to reach Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel.

Enjoy your last day on Kathmandu before departure. At your mentioned departure time our correspondent will pick you up from hotel and transfer to airport and depart you with warm hearts.