Lower Mustang Trek via Poon Hill 2022

After breakfast, you will be picked up by our tour guide at around 9 AM for a guided tour of Kathmandu city. The tour begins with a holy visit to Pashupatinath Temple which is the famous Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva at the bank of the holy Bagmati River. We continue to Boudhanath Stupa also known as Monkey Temple, which is a giant Stupa in Asia and a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Kathmandu. Then, we drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square where Nepalese Kings used to get Throne. Interesting places to see here are Taleju Temple, Statue of Kal Bhairabh and Hanuman, Temple of Jagannath (Erotic Temple) and Kastamandap Temple from which Kathmandu got its name. We visit Kumari Temple and pay homage to the living goddess, Kumari and also walk around the Freak streets which were famous during Hippie Era in the 60s and 70s. Overnight at the hotel. 

Our guide will pick you up at the hotel at 6:30 am and take you to the tourist bus station. The bus leaves at around 7:30 am from Sorkhutee near Thamel. The scenery along the road is dramatic and you will see the river, valleys, cascading rice terraces and rocky gorges. Upon arrival, check in the hotel, in the evening, you may enjoy leisure boating on the scenic Phewa Lake and see the reflection of the Fishtail Mountain and Annapurna Range on the crystal clear water of the Lake. Overnight the at hotel.

Our guide and helpers come to your hotel at around 8 AM and drive to Nayapul, 2 hours on a private vehicle, we reach Nayapul and after a short 15-minute walk along the banks of the Modi Khola, we will reach Birethanti, a large village with many shops and teahouses. Here, your guide will show the permits at a check-post to get permission to enter the ACAP. From here, the trail continues through the village and follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi River. The trail climbs steadily up the side of the valley to Hille and after a short climb; we reach Tikhedhunga where we will have our afternoon meals. From Tikhedhunga the trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge and the trail ascends a steep stone staircase which is about 3500 steps to the large Magar village of Ulleri at 2080m. Overnight at a guesthouse.

After breakfast, we start our trek at around 8 AM and the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields. There is a campsite for a rest and a cup of tea stop one hour’s walk above Ulleri. The trail crosses two glistening streams before making a short, final climb to Nangethanti village where we stop for our afternoon meals. In the winter this village can be covered with snow. From here, we will climb to Ghorepani village, today’s destination for our overnight stay. From Ghorepani village, we can see the spectacular panorama of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, and more. Overnight at a guesthouse.

Wake up early in the morning around 4 AM and hike to Poon Hill, from this viewpoint we will see a great view of the sunrise and a panoramic view of the Himalayas, including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Fishtail, and others. After enjoying the sunrise event at Poon Hill, we will come back to the guesthouse, have a hot breakfast, and continue walking to Tatopani. Overnight at guesthouse.

After breakfast, the trek starts up the Kali Gandaki valley, which is said to be the deepest gorge in the world. Here we will enjoy a beautiful day’s walking along the Kali Gandaki riverside, gradually ascending into sub-tropical vegetation. We will cross the Bhalu Khola on a high suspension bridge before arriving at Dana (1450m). Around 30 minutes from Dana we will see a very high waterfall: Rupse Chhahara (which translates as beautiful waterfall). From there we will continue through the steepest and narrowest part of the Kali Gandaki valley, where much of the route is cut through solid rock. We will cross the river again on a 120m long bridge to the east side. We will continue on to Ghasa, an ethnic Thakali village and this marks the southernmost limit of Tibetan Buddhism in the valley. Overnight at a guesthouse.

After breakfast at Ghasa, the trail follows the Kali Gandaki River, passing through a narrow gorge before reaching Thakali traditional villages. Today we will cross the gorge and river numerous times via long suspension bridges, which make great photo opportunities. We will pass a couple of villages such as Lete, Kalopani and Kokhethati. On the way, we can see the top of Mount Dhaulagiri peeking over the west side. We will end our day in the village of Tukuche. Overnight at a guesthouse.

After breakfast, we start an easy and lovely day’s walking where we will first see the village of Khobang, which has narrow alleyways and tunnels connecting houses. We can make a short side trip to the Kanti Gompa (a Buddhist temple). Then our route continues to Marpha, one of the most important places for Apple. We can see a wine-brandy distillery here and walk through the orange orchard street. We will continue our trek for another 2 hours before reaching our day’s final destination at Jomsom where we will have our afternoon meals then continue the trek along the Kaligandaki River passing through Eklai Bhatti to Kagbeni. Overnight at a guesthouse.

After breakfast, we will ascend around 1000 meters to Muktinath Temple which is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindu and Buddhists. We will first walk through Khingar (3400m) and then onto Jharkot (3500m), which is an impressive fortress-like village.

We will continue our way to the first part of Muktinath which is known as Ranipauwa, where we will sleep today’s night. There will be time to explore the area and see some of the holy Hindu places like an eternal flame coming from natural gas next to a spring which is considered holy as well. Overnight at a guesthouse. 

After breakfast, we trek from Muktinath Temple to Jomsom via Kagbeni and Ekle Bhatti. Overnight at the hotel in Jomsom.

After early breakfast, walk from the hotel to the Jomsom Airport and take a 20-minute flight to Pokhara. Transfer to the hotel. The rest of the time will be rest and relax. In the evening, walk around the Lakeside market. Overnight at the hotel. 

After breakfast, drive back to Kathmandu or take a flight (30 minutes flight) or extend your trip to Chitwan National park. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Final transfer to Kathmandu Airport and fly back home.