Horse Riding in Upper Mustang

Duration: 16 Days   |   Based on 3 Reviews Trip MapVideoPhotosDownload

Horse riding holiday in the Upper Mustang region will be a unique and unforgettable experience for those adventure lovers who wish to explore the Trans Himalayan region without a challenge. Mustang, situated in the northern central part of Nepal, and at the top of the Kaligandaki River where the languages, culture, and traditions are alike to those of the Tibetan people.

This area is considered one of the most interesting and picturesque places in Nepal. The whole area has an isolated and mystical feel to it, enchanting and inspiring visitors to this region. The upper Mustang is dominated by an endless expanse of yellow and grey rolling hills made smooth by the wind. We traverse this lonely landscape on horseback via several passes (The highest being the Nyi-La at 3990m), camping in villages nestled in their green irrigated oasis until we reach the spectacular walled town of Lo-Monthang. Visually, this is an extraordinary place and home of the Mustang Raja (King) as well as some beautiful temples and monasteries. The people of Upper Mustang are always curious about new arrivals and we can expect children, with scary windblown hair and apple red cheeks, will gather to confront the spectacle of foreign visitors. The abrasive lifestyle required to survive is easily evident here.

Horse riding in Upper Mustang starts after a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom on the upper Kali Gandaki River between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, this holiday to Mustang allows us to explore a weird and wonderful landscape of eroded conglomerate cliffs, coloured by natural earth pigments - reds, yellows, browns, and blues. Horse riding trekking across passes of up to 4100m, we will also be riding through a succession of picturesque white painted Mustang villages and Tibetan monasteries, set against a backdrop of the distant snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. We have a day to explore our ultimate destination for an excursion in Lo Manthang, a fairy-tale walled city and the capital of Mustang which is quite unlike anything else in Nepal.

This enlightening horse riding adventure to Mustang in Nepal will surely appeal to those looking to explore a very special part of the Himalaya and finally by flight from Jomsom to Pokhara or continue trek to Ghorepani Poon hill and ending Himalayan adventure trip at Pokhara. 
 

Highlights

  • Board on a thrilling and scenic Mountain flight to Jomsom and explore the spectacular views of the Annapurna Himalayas 
  • Endeavour into one of the most pristine regions in the Himalayas 
  • Explore the restricted and hidden treasure of the Lost Kingdom Upper Mustang known as  a little Tibet 
  • Enjoy Horse riding along the world’s deepest Canyon – the Kaligandaki valley
  • Explore Chhosar and the mysterious Sky Caves which remains one of the world’s greatest Archaeological mysteries.
  • Explore the white-walled city of Lo-Manthang, the capital of the Forbidden Kingdom, the most preserved medieval fortresses in the Himalayas 

Outline Itinerary

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Day 01:Arrival in Kathmandu (1350m), TIA Airport Nepal

We pick you up at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and escort you to a hotel in Thamel. Overnight at a standard hotel in Kathmandu on a bed and breakfast basis. 

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:BB
  • Place:Kathmandu
  • Maximum Altitude:1,350m

Join a full-day tour of Kathmandu Valley visiting Pashupatinath Temple- the most sacred of the Hindu temples in Nepal dedicated to Lord Shiva, built-in 1696. Boudhanath Stupa- the world's largest stupa, Monkey temple and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Overnight at the hotel. 

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:BB
  • Place:Kathmandu
  • Maximum Altitude:1,350m

After breakfast, drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, 200km, 6 hours drive enjoying the beautiful countryside. Overnight at the hotel in Pokhara. Flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara option is also available if you have a limited time or would like to skip the long bus journey. 

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:BB
  • Place:Pokhara
  • Maximum Altitude:9,10m

Relishing the stunning view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, we take a 25-minute flight to Jomsom. Upon landing in Jomsom, we meet the guide, helper, and our team of horses and their horseman and begin our ride to Kagbeni. Riding our horses along the Kali Gandaki River, we pass beautiful Ekleybatti village with small houses and old fortresses and reach Kagbeni after 4 hours of riding. Overnight at a lodge in Kagbeni.

  • Accommodation:Guest House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Place:Kagbeni
  • Maximum Altitude:2,810m

Registering our permit at a checkpoint, we ride our horses along the bank of Kali Gandaki River and reach Tangbe village. We ride along a couple of Buddhist monasteries and Chortens before we enter Chhusang village. We then ride on rocky ridges for a couple of hours and reach Tsaile, where we will spend our overnight at a lodge in Tsaile. 

  • Accommodation:Guest House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Place:Tsaile
  • Maximum Altitude:3,050m

We ride our horses uphill to Ridge canyon and continue our ride on steep terrain to Taklam La Pass (3624m). Enjoying the mesmerizing view of Nilgiri Himal (7061m), Yakawa Kang (6482m), and Tilicho Peak (7134m), and Damodar Danda (4975m), we pass several lush forests, water streams, and villages to reach Rachung Cave. From Rachung Cave, we ride for a couple of hours and arrive at Syangboche. Overnight at a lodge in Syangboche.

  • Accommodation:Guest House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Place:Syangboche
  • Maximum Altitude:3,800m

We leave Syangboche for Drakmar with a beautiful panorama of Dhaulagiri ranges behind us. On our way, we come across many monasteries, Chortens, small villages, and lush Himalayan forests. After riding for 5 hours, we reach Drakmar. Overnight at a lodge in Drakmar.

  • Accommodation:Guest House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Place:Drakmar
  • Maximum Altitude:3,820m

Leaving Drakmar, we ascend on a steep trail and pass a couple of lush Himalayan forests of Juniper. We then ride downhill and then climb a ridge to reach Ghar Gompa. Ghar Gompa is the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mustang that is also known as Lo Gyaker which means “Pure virtue of Lo”. From Ghar Gompa, we ride and trek to Marang-La Pass (4230m) which is the gateway to Lo-Manthang and all the way downhill riding until reaching Lo-Manthang. Lo-Manthang is the walled capital of the Kingdom of Mustang and is composed of colourful desserts and rugged houses. Overnight at a lodge in Lo-Manthang.

  • Accommodation:Guest House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Place:Lo-Manthang
  • Maximum Altitude:3,810m

We take a day of exploration on horseback riding and hike up to Chosar village and Jhong Cave which is the largest man-made cave in Upper Mustang. We relish the panorama from Chosar and return back to Lo-Manthang. Overnight at a lodge in Lo-Manthang. 

  • Accommodation:Guest House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Place:Lo-Manthang
  • Maximum Altitude:3,810m

Riding along a steep sandy trail, we climb Lo-La Pass (3950m) which leads us to Tsarang. We ride our horses along Tsarang Khola (Khola means River) and cross an iron bridge over it to reach Tsarang. We then explore Tsarang Palace and monastery. Overnight at a lodge in Tsarang.

  • Accommodation:Guest House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Place:Tsarang
  • Maximum Altitude:3,560m

We come across many Mani walls, Chortens, and Buddhist monasteries before reaching Ghami. From Ghami, we climb Ghami-La Pass (3250m) and Nyi-La Pass (3932m) which leads us to Tamagaon. We ride along streams to reach Syangboche. Overnight at a lodge in Syangboche.

  • Accommodation:Guest House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Place:Syangboche
  • Maximum Altitude:3,800m

Riding and climbing Yamdo-La (4010m), we descend down to Bhena. We then ride along streams and pass Samar, then Tsaile. From Tsaile, we follow the flow of Kali Gandaki River and finally reach Chhusang after 7 hours of riding and trekking. Overnight at a lodge in Chhusang.

  • Accommodation:Guest House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Place:Chhusang
  • Maximum Altitude:2,980m

On our last day of the horseback riding adventure in the Forbidden Land, we move on a rocky trail till we reach Tangbe. We then ride along small streams on a steep trail and pass beautiful small villages. After 6 hours of ride and trek, we reach Jomsom. Overnight at a lodge in Jomsom.

  • Accommodation:Guest House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Place:Jomsom
  • Maximum Altitude:2,720m

In the morning at around 7 AM, we fly off to Pokhara with a splendid view of the Himalayas. Reaching Pokhara airport, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the time will be on your own, exploring the beautiful lake city visiting lakes and caves. Overnight at the hotel. 

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:BB
  • Place:Pokhara
  • Maximum Altitude:9,10m

After breakfast, drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu, 200km, 6 hours drive. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu. 

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Meals:BB
  • Place:Kathmandu
  • Maximum Altitude:1,350m

After breakfast in the hotel, we drop you at Tribhuvan International Airport for your scheduled flight back home. Wish you have a safe and sound journey back home. 

    Inclusion

    • All the necessary pick up and drops
    • Necessary accommodation in KTM and Pokhara with breakfast 
    • Special permit for Mustang and other normal permits
    • Horse with horseman, horse diet, horseman salary, horse equipment. 
    • Both way flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and then Jomsom to Pokhara with a guide
    • Food (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with 3 cups of tea/coffee on daily basis) with best available lodges accommodation during the riding days.
    • An English speaking guide and helpers to carry your backpacks (our porter can carry up to 20kg) including their food, salary, insurance, and transportation. 
    • Guide and porter’s insurance, salary, shoes, jackets, food and guest houses. 
    • Company’s service charge and all government taxes.  
    •  Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
    • Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and Pokhara. 
    • Any bottled drinks including mineral water, alcoholic barrage and etc... 
    • Your insurance and personal expenses.
    • Tips for guide, porter and horseman.
    • Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu flight fares 
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    Costs and Dates

    Fixed departure dates for Upper Mustang Horse Riding Trek for 2022 and 2023. If the above dates are not suitable please let us know your own date, we will be happy to organize the trip as per your needs and requirements.  

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    Useful Information

    The above information is just a guide and a standard pattern of what we provide. The trip can be tailored at your request to accommodate your specific requirements. On adventure trips of this type, weather, transport or a multitude of other factors beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered; if alterations are needed the person in charge will make a decision on what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does arise, we do everything we can to reduce its effect, but we cannot be liable for the results of changes or delays.

    Why Choose Us?

    Alpine Eco Trek is aware that there are many companies seeking your business as you plan your adventure holidays in the Himalayas. We believe we offer the very best value for money and take your safety, comfort and ultimate holiday experience very seriously. Read more

    Further Information 

    Our Website contains as much information as possible about this trip. However, if you have any questions regarding the trip, please feel free to contact us. We answer all inquiries within 24 hours. If you want to book a trip, you can send us an email or contact us directly by phone: 0977 98510 36844 (Ram Kumar Adhikari). 

    Client Reviews

    Judy P90
    United States

    Adventure horse riding trip to Upper Mustang on our late 70s

    Our trip to Nepal was certainly a highlight of the year for me. There were many new experiences and challenging adventures. And above all spending time with Ram, Saroj, Shambu and Amit, and others we met there made it most meaningful. I always speak highly of Alpine Eco Trek and I am happy to tell others about the unique region of Upper Mustang. I am happy to talk to any potential customers who want to know more about our experience. Besides email, they can call me at 1 845 679 5750. I have not planned to travel anywhere this coming year. I must focus on completing some major repairs on my house. I hope to see Polly in the spring or summer. She lives about 8 hours drive from me. Right now she is very busy with her dog sledding business, taking people on a day or overnight trips on the frozen lakes in the state of Maine in the Northeast of the country with her dogs pulling sleds. There is a lot of snow there already and the lakes have frozen. There is snow here too where I live in the Catskill Mountains of New York. I am not likely to see Judy since she lives on the other side of North America, in Canada, a great distance from here. But she sends many emails and she is just as active as usual. Quite an amazing woman. I don’t know if I sent you any of my photos taken on our trip so I will send some in a separate email. I send best wishes to you and your family and to Saroj, Shambu and Amit …I hope this year will bring you many visitors and that your lives will be happy and healthy. I hope good fortune for all of Nepal, a land of great diversity, stunning landscapes and warm friendly people. Namaste. 

    Smarij P
    Canada

    Horseback riding from Jomsom to Lo Manthang (upper Mustang)

    3 of us were on a horse each, led by a horseman most of the time. We were accompanied by a young couple who trekked the whole way. They were a delightful pair who were in medicine and doing an internship at a hospital near Katmandu. The scenery was spectacular. Sometimes we would have to walk up or down some very steep places to ease the strain on the horses. It gave us a good stretch from the saddle also. Ram provided a good crew to look after us and the horses. 

    Merle C
    United States

    A unique horse riding trip to the Upper Mustang region of NEPAL

    My friend who had been on several horse riding trips in wilderness areas suggested I join her on a trip to the remote Upper Mustang Region of Nepal. I was impressed immediately when Ram Kumar responded to each of my questions and provided detailed information regarding our proposed trip, clearly defining the expenses and accommodations. Our group was comprised of three friends (two of us in our late 70's) and two mid-twenties medical students from Europe. Ram met each of us as we landed in Kathmandu and brought us to the hotel that he had chosen for us. Ram selected Saroj, one of his main guides, who brought along 2 assistants (porters). They had all worked together many times and were friends from Ram's village. Since we were riding we also had two horse-men. Together we became a family as Saroj suggested we would be in order to ensure a successful and happy expedition. Saroj was in touch with Ram daily, our route was adjusted as we traveled from village to village and every detail and need was attended to. An added benefit to our trip was spending time before and after the journey with Ram. Both he and our guide, Saroj, had so much passion for their country, extensive knowledge of the history and culture, and a genuine interest in us as their clients. I highly recommend Alpine Eco Trek to provide professional, experienced and personal service to create an excellent expedition. 

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    Ram Kumar Adhikari
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    Mr. Ram Kumar Adhikari

    +977 98510 36 844 (Call/Whatsapp/Viber/skype)