Upper Mustang/Lo-Manthang Excursion (Luxury) -11 Days

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Welcome, meet, assist by our Going Nepal representative & transfer to the hotel. Welcome drink followed by tour briefing at the Hotel. Later in the evening Welcome Dinner at a traditional city restaurant and overnight at the Hotel.

Situated 5 km east of Kathmandu, the temple of Lord Shiva is considered one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. The two-tiered pagoda with golden roofs and silver doors houses the sacred linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva. Chronicles indicate the temple existed before 400 A.D. Near the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River lies Guheswari, where, according to mythology, a portion of Sati Devi, Lord Shiva’s consort, fell when a grief-stricken Shiva wandered aimlessly across the earth carrying her dead body on his shoulders following her self-immolation.

Situated 8 km to the east of downtown Kathmandu, Bauddhanath is one of the most imposing landmarks in Kathmandu, visible as soon as you land at the Tribhuvan International Airport. It is the largest stupa in the Kathmandu Valley and is the center of Tibetan Buddhism.

Mountain Views: Pokhara is blessed with stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna range which forms its backdrop. The mesmerizing Machhapuchhre also called Mt. Fishtail dominates the scenery because of its proximity to the valley and can be seen from anywhere in Pokhara. Stretching from east to west, the Annapurna massif includes Annapurna 1 to IV and Annapurna South. Further away are seen the giants, Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Manaslu (8,163m).

Phewa Lake: Pokhara owes its popularity to the enchanting Phewa Lake, and along its eastern shore has grown the Lakeside or Baidam, a thriving resort town of hotels, restaurants, bars and souvenir shops that allow travelers to relax and enjoy. Phewa Lake is the largest and most beautiful of the three lakes, attracting a large number of visitors who enjoy boating on its placid waters. Boats can be hired, and many visit the island temple of Barahi in the middle of the lake.

Jomsom is a great place to start trekking. The diverse landscape and culture found along this trekking route give marvelous insight into the way of life of Nepali people of various ethnic groups. The highlight is a trek through the deepest gorge in the world carved by the Kali Gandaki River, which originates in the Tibetan plateau to eventually flow into the Ganges in India. The area is a perfect place to find fossilized ammonites, known locally as Shaligram, which are found all along the upper reaches of the Kali Gandaki. This part of Nepal is inhabited by Gurungs and Magars in the lower regions of the Kali Gandaki, Thakalis around Jomsom and people with strong Tibetan roots, the Lopa, around Muktinath and up in Mustang.

Not too far from Jomsom, you find Muktinath, the famous pilgrimage site for Buddhists as well as Hindus. To Hindus, Muktinath is a sacred place of salvation. They believe that bathing in the waters here guarantees salvation after death. The Hindu god, Brahma, is said to have lit the eternal flames that burn at Muktinath. To Buddhists, Muktinath is a place where the great sage Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) who brought Buddhism to Tibet, came to meditate.

Breakfast and ready to drive towards Lo-Manthang packing all of the stuff. It takes about 5-6 Hours to reach Lo-Manthang. After a long hour of the drive once you reach Lo Manthang. Check into the Hotel and rest enjoying a butter tea from the area. You will see a different geography after coming to Lomanthang. Later in the Afternoon or Evening explore around Lo Manthang area. Dinner and overnight at the Guesthouse/ Hotel. In the evening special traditional folklore is performed by Local women and men and serving local liquor made of Waa (kind of barley), and local special dishes will be served. Elevation of Lo Manthang: 3840m Transportation: Private jeep Driving distance: 5-6 hours

Mustang is of Tibetan origin not only because of the fact that it was once a special kingdom, but mostly because of its location and culture. Upper Mustang is north of Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna (8091m) and nestled between huge 6000m peaks to the west and the Damodar Himal to the east. It was once part of Tibet and is still closely linked to the former motherland. Until 1992, Upper Mustang was forbidden to travelers because for many years it was the residence of Tibetan resistance fighters. Mustang is also the source of the Kali Gandaki River, which flows into India through the world's deepest gorge, and ancient trade route. We also visit the old royal city of Lo Manthang, surrounded by a medieval wall, with old monasteries and the old royal palace. The High Mustang is a wonderful gift with distinctive scenery, ancient vibrant Tibetan culture and extremely friendly people, and other various diversities.

Have breakfast at Hotel/Lodge, check-out, put your luggage in the Jeep and carry your personal stuff and small backpack, and trek to Ghami, visit an ancient monastery at Lo-Ghekar, and have lunch at Ghekar prepared by local people. After lunch continue to Ghami, explore Ghakar village, and have tea/coffee. Our Jeep will be waiting for us, drive to Chuksang village for Dinner and Overnight. Elevation of Chuksang: 3040 M Transportation: Private Jeep / Trekking Distance: 5/6hrs depending on the situation Driving distance: 2 Hrs.

It is believed that the Lubra people who built the village in the late 12th century retained their traditional way of life. This includes ancient Bon practices. There are only fourteen households in Lubra Village, which is one of the few fully Bon villages in Nepal. According to local legends, the Bon Lama Yangdun Tashi Gyaltsen came to Lubra village via Dolpo, subdued the local unruly spirit and made the area a place suitable for human habitation. He planted a walnut tree as divination to determine whether a village would prosper there. This old, knobby walnut tree survives to this day Elevation of Ludak: 3210 M Transportation: Private Jeep / Trekking Distance: 2/3hrs depending on the situation Driving distance: 1 Hrs.

After Breakfast at Hotel in Jomsom checkout and walk down about 10min to Jomsom Airport and catch a flight to Pokhara which will take around 25 Min. As soon as you reach Pokhara drive to hotel. Check in and proceed for Half day sightseeing around Pokhara City like- Bindabasini Hindu Temple, Davis Fall, Tibetan refugee camp, and Seti Georg and at the end of the day Boating on Phewa lake for an hour. rest of the day you can enjoy on your own exploring around lakeside or use the facilities inside the hotel, overnight at the hotel.

Devi’s Fall: Locally known as the Patale Chango, Devi’s Fall is a fascinating waterfall located about 2 km south-west of Pokhara Airport on the Siddhartha Highway

Barahi Temple: Located in the middle of Phewa Lake, Barahi Temple is one the most important monuments in Pokhara. The two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima who represents the female force, Shakti. Sacrifices take place here, and the largest crowds of devotees are seen on Saturdays.

Seti River: An amazing aspect of Pokhara is the vanishing river, Seti, which goes underground and disappears in many places along its route through the city. At various points Seti is barely 2 m wide but its depth reaches an astonishing 20 m! A good spot for watching the river is Mahendra Pul at Bhimsen Chowk, a bridge near the old Mission Hospital. Here the river can be seen in all its ferocity gushing down the deep gorge that it has carved over millennia.

Breakfast at the hotel and proceed for flying to Kathmandu. The flight will be for about 25 Min. As soon as you Kathmandu. Drive for Half day Kathmandu Sightseeing to Swayambhunath Stupa which is a Buddhist stupa situated at the Top of the hill from where Kathmandu valley can be seen clearly below you. After spending some time in Swayambhunath drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square- Kathmandu Durbar Square arranged at the focal point of Kathmandu. The antiquated Illustrious royal residence of Kantipur Realm, the Durbar Square houses chronicled landmarks, Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries, yards. The Kasthamandap sanctuary, comprised of wood of the single tree, Kumari Ghar, the place of virgin goddess Kumari, a monster stone sculpture of Kal Bhairav, Ganesh sanctuary is a principal fascination of Kathmandu Durbar square. After finishing the trip drive back to the hotel, Overnight at Hotel.

SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Resting on a hillock 3 km west of Kathmandu, it is one of the holiest Buddhist Chaityas in Nepal. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was created out of a primordial lake more than 2,000 years ago. This stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal and has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises.

KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Situated in the heart of old Kathmandu city at Basantapur, Kathmandu Durbar Square never fails to impress first-time visitors with its ensemble of palaces, courtyards and temples built during the Malla period. The Durbar Square includes the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace, the historic seat of the royalty; the magnificent Taleju Temple towering more than 40 meters; Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Living Goddess, Kumari; Ashok Vinayak, also called Kathmandu Ganesh, a temple without a filial; and Kal Bhairav, the God of Wrath. The capital takes its name from the giant pagoda of Kasthamandap, which is said to have been built out of a single tree. Since the time of the Malla kings, the Durbar Square has been the city’s social, religious, and political focal point.

After Breakfast at Hotel, leave for Bhaktapur Durbar Square Tour, return to Patan Durbar Square for a visit, Lunch at a City restaurant, Visit Orphanage play with Children at DOCS Foundation Nepal. Rest of the day for Leisure. Refresh and later in the evening Farewell dinner at City restaurant with Folklore Traditional Music. Overnight at the hotel.

PATAN DURBAR SQUARE (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Like its counterpart in Kathmandu, Patan Durbar Square is located in the heart of the city and was once the palace of the kings of Patan. The square is an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples – a display of Newari architecture that had reached its pinnacle during the reign of the Malla kings. Among its numerous courtyards, the renovated Keshav Narayan Chowk has been converted into a bronze artifact museum. The Sundari Chowk with the sunken bath of Tusha Hiti is a showcase of exquisite woodcarvings, and stone and metal sculptures. The magnificent Krishna Temple with its 21 gilded spires, built-in 1637, and the Manga Hiti, the sunken stone water spout, found in the palace complex are but a few examples of its opulence. The Krishna Temple, built entirely of stone, is said to be the first specimen of Shikhara-style architecture in Nepal.

Among the three durbar squares, the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is by far the most elegant with its large open space facing south. The 15th century Palace of 55 Carved Windows and the palace entrance, the Golden Gate - a masterpiece in repousse art - have added splendor to this palace square which consists of buildings dating from the 13th century to the 18th century. The extraordinary Durbar Square with its extraordinary monuments reflects the glory days of the Malla dynasty when art and architecture thrived in the three cities of the valley. In front of the palace, buildings are innumerable temples and architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla mounted on a giant stone pillar, and the Batsala Temple. The stone temple of Batsala Devi is full of intricate carvings and is a beautiful example of Shikhara-style architecture.

The Destitute and Orphan Children Safeguarding Foundation Nepal (DOCS Foundation Nepal) is a Non-Governmental Organization, a non-political and non-profit organization, established in the year 2002. DOCS Foundation Nepal – The Organization DOCS Foundation Nepal was registered with the District Administration Office Lalitpur in 2002 and Social Welfare Council as a non-profit making social organization

Breakfast and drive towards Tribhuwan International Airport for your onward destination.