Itinerary
- Day 1
Transfer to Pokhara
You'll be transferred to Pokhara by tourist bus, which takes about 7 to 8 hours from your starting point. After arriving, get settled into your hotel for the night and rest up before the adventure begins.
- Start point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Pick up, 09:00 - 23:00)
- Day 2
Pokhara to Jomsom to Kagbeni
Head out early in the morning for a taxi transfer to the airport, where you'll catch a flight to Jomsom. From there, trek along the Kaligandaki River for roughly 3 hours until you reach Kagbeni village. In the afternoon, check out the red-painted Gompa, which locals say dates back around 1000 years, though keep in mind it's not always open to visitors.
Included Activities
- Trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni along Kaligandaki River
Optional Activities
- Visit red-painted Gompa in Kagbeni
Landmarks/POIs Kagbeni Gompa - Day 3
Kagbeni to Chhuksang to Tsaile
After breakfast, register your Restricted Area Permit at the checkpoint. Then trek along the Kaligandaki River through Tangbe village on a 2.5 hour easy walk, continuing to Chhuksang for lunch. Visit the 800 year old monastery across the river and wander through the old village with its red cliffs and hundreds of caves carved into the rock. The trek continues with views of an iron bridge and tunnel section before a steep climb to Tsaile village, about 1 hour from Chhuksang.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek from Kagbeni to Tangbe via Kaligandaki River
- Trek from Tangbe to Chhuksang
- Trek from Chhuksang to Tsaile
Optional Activities
- Visit 800-year-old monastery near Chhuksang
- Explore old village near Chhuksang cliffs
Landmarks/POIs Tangbe village Chhuksang Chhuksang Monastery Tsaile village - Day 4
Tsaile to Samar to Syangboche to Ghiling
Start by trekking along a recently built road, then transition to the original trek route, climbing a steep cliff to a small pass. Descend to Samar village around 2.5 hours in, then continue to Syangboche village over 3 hours, crossing a pass at 3950m/12,960 feet where you'll have lunch. After that, trek up over another small pass and descend to Ghiling, a Tibetan village with a large Chorten and two red painted Gompas, about 1.5 hours from Syangboche.
Included Activities
- Trek from Tsaile to Samar
- Trek from Samar to Syangboche
- Trek from Syangboche to Ghiling
Landmarks/POIs Samar village Syangboche Ghiling - Day 5
Ghiling to Ghami to Tsarang
Start early to see the most dramatic part of Mustang. Ascend gently to Zaite village in about 1 hour, then work up to Nyi-La Pass at 4020m/13,189 feet to enter the Lo region. After descending, cross a high pass at 4930m/16,171 feet with views of barren valleys, reaching Ghami village where you'll spend at least 30 minutes looking around. See the longest Mani wall in Mustang, and consider a 2 hour optional trip to Dhakmar village under red cliffs. Trek to Tsarang pass at 4000m/13,123 feet with views of Damodar Himal and colorful mountain desert, arriving at Tsarang after 3 hours from Ghami. You'll see a large monastery complex and the old king's palace. Packed lunch is provided, and you'll reach altitudes up to 5000m/16,404 feet today.
- Meals
- Lunch (Packed lunch)
Included Activities
- Trek from Ghiling to Zaite village
- Trek to Nyi-La Pass and Lo region entry
- Trek to Ghami village
- Visit longest Mani wall of Mustang
- Trek from Ghami to Tsarang
Optional Activities
- Visit Dhakmar village and red cliffs (2 hours round trip)
Landmarks/POIs Zaite village Nyi-La Pass Ghami village Mani wall of Mustang Dhakmar Tsarang Damodar Himal - Day 6
Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (walled city)
Follow an easy trek through the road via a desert like environment to reach the walled city of Lo-Manthang. Climb Lo La Pass at around 3950m/12,960 feet, from where you can see the walled city and the Tibetan plateau stretching north.
Included Activities
- Trek from Tsarang to Lo La Pass
- Trek to Lo-Manthang walled city
Landmarks/POIs Lo La Pass Lo-Manthang 
- Day 7
Lo-Manthang
Spend the day exploring the walled city of Lo-Manthang at your own pace, visiting the many monasteries and checking out the royal palace if it's open. There are two optional hike choices if you want to get out: Chhoser Village with caves and a cave monastery takes 7 to 8 hours round trip and you'll need a packed lunch, or Namgyal Monastery runs 3 hours round trip from the village. Later in the day, walk through other monasteries in Lo-Manthang.
Optional Activities
- Visit monasteries in Lo-Manthang
- Visit royal palace
- Hike to Chhoser Village and caves (7-8 hours round trip)
- Visit Namgyal Monastery (3 hours round trip)
Landmarks/POIs Lo-Manthang Monasteries Royal Palace of Lo-Manthang Chhoser Village Namgyal Monastery - Day 8
Lo-Manthang to Dhi to Yara
After breakfast, head up to Lo La Pass taking about 40 minutes, where you'll get your last look at the walled city. Follow a narrow path east climbing gently to 4100m/13,451 feet through nice scenery. Reach Dhi village at roughly 3600m/11,811 feet after 3 hours for a lunch break at a lodge. From there, cross the Kaligandaki River and walk to Yara village along the river bed in about 1 hour, where you'll see countless caves on the stone walls.
Included Activities
- Trek from Lo-Manthang to Lo La Pass
- Trek to Dhi village
- Trek to Yara village
Landmarks/POIs Dhi village Yara village - Day 9
Yara to Luri Gompa
Trek just a short distance to the dramatic Luri Gompa. Follow a narrow gorge with many caves and a cave monastery that's mostly closed to visitors. After roughly 2 hours, reach camp at the base of the monastery complex. Visit the lower monastery first, then climb steeply for 30 minutes to reach the Luri Cave Monastery at 4005m/13,140 feet, one of the oldest and most well known cave monasteries in Mustang, built in the 5th century. Inside you'll see a large Old Chorten and many images and statues of Protectors and Deities.
Included Activities
- Trek to Luri Gompa
- Visit lower monastery
- Visit Luri Cave Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Luri Gompa Luri Cave Monastery - Day 10
High altitude trek with glacier crossing
Begin early in the morning with a short steep section, then follow a barren valley after crossing a high pass at 4930m/16,171 feet with a gentle ascent but long distance. Bring a packed lunch since cooking options are limited here. The trek is easy but long, climbing to 5000m/16,404 feet, so pace yourself carefully. From the pass, follow the glacier and watch for crevasses. After 1 hour at roughly 5750m/18,865 feet, exit the glacier on the left and follow moraine for about 4 hours. Camp at around 5100m/16,732 feet or at a better spot near a river at 4950m/16,240 feet for water access. This is a very long day taking 11 to 12 hours if climbing the peak, or 8 to 9 hours if only crossing the pass.
- Meals
- Lunch (Packed lunch)
Included Activities
- Trek to high pass at 4930m
- Glacier crossing
- Day 11
Frozen river gorge to high pass and red desert
This is a relatively short but dramatic trek. Start by following the mostly frozen river gorge, then climb gently to a pass at 5300m/17,388 feet with views of Damodar Himal mountains and the distant Dhaulagiri. Descend mainly along a red desert, a unique and unusual landscape. Camp in a deep gorge close to a small river.
Included Activities
- Trek through frozen river gorge
- Trek to pass at 5300m
- Trek through red desert
Landmarks/POIs Damodar Himal Dhaulagiri - Day 12
High altitude trek to Damodar Kund sacred lake
The trail starts very steep and it'll be cold in the shadow at high altitude in the morning. After the steep section, the path continues more gently to a high pass at roughly 5450m/17,880 feet with great views of the north side of Damodar Himal and many glaciated peaks over 6000m/19,685 feet. Slowly descend for 1 hour to reach a plateau. Cross the river and in about 45 minutes reach the high altitude Damodar Kund, a sacred lake for Buddhists and Hindus, which is actually 3 small ponds. A large barrack is nearby where porters will stay. Camp at the tented site.
Included Activities
- Trek to high pass at 5450m
- Trek to Damodar Kund sacred lake
Landmarks/POIs Damodar Kund Damodar Himal - Day 13
Damodar Kund acclimatization day
You have a free day to explore the surrounding hills around the sacred ponds of Damodar and acclimate to high altitude. There's an optional side trip available if you want: climb a steep narrow path north to reach a plateau with incredible views at roughly 5450m/17,880 feet, which takes about 4 hours round trip from camp.
Optional Activities
- Explore surrounding hills around sacred ponds
- Climb to plateau viewpoint at 5450m (4 hours round trip)
Landmarks/POIs Damodar Kund - Day 14
Trek to Damodar Himal base camp
Take a short trek that's good for acclimatization. Walk along the basin to the east up huge moraines that are visible from a distance. The base camp sits at the base of a huge glacier descending from many peaks of Damodar Himal. Camp at the tented site.
Included Activities
- Trek to Damodar Himal base camp
Landmarks/POIs Damodar Himal - Day 15
Trek to high camp
Begin early in the morning to trek to high camp. This trek is very hard due to moving rocks at the beginning and snowy terrain later, and deep snow can make route finding difficult, though in good conditions it's manageable. Climb very slowly while gaining altitude. You'll see huge glaciers and beautiful icy peaks. Camp is on a narrow moraine on the east side of the glacier. Only 6 to 7 tents can fit here, so start early if other groups are on the mountain.
Included Activities
- Trek to high camp
Landmarks/POIs Damodar Himal - Day 16
Saribung Peak summit attempt
This is an extremely long and hard day. Wake up early and leave camp around 4:30 AM. Follow moraine to the end and move to the glacier at roughly 5850m/19,193 feet at the base of the pass. From high camp to Saribung Pass at 6040m/19,816 feet takes about 3 hours on easy glacier with crevasses, though glacier equipment is mandatory including crampons, ice axe, and rope. From the pass to summit takes roughly 2 hours with fairly easy ascent that can be strenuous in deep snow; it'll be very windy and cold at the summit. From the top see endless snowy mountains in all directions. Return to the pass takes 30 minutes. From there follow the glacier watching for big crevasses. After 1 hour at roughly 5750m/18,865 feet, exit the glacier left and follow moraine for about 4 hours. Good camping is at roughly 5100m/16,732 feet or better at 4950m/16,240 feet. Very long day: 11 to 12 hours if climbing the peak, 8 to 9 hours if only crossing the pass.
Included Activities
- Trek to Saribung Pass
Optional Activities
- Climb Saribung Peak (2 hours from pass)
Landmarks/POIs Saribung Pass - Day 17
Saribung to Phu Gaon (Lost Valley)
After breakfast, trek from camp through barren valleys and desolate places with constant views of snowy peaks until reaching Phu Gaon in one of the unique Lost or Hidden Valleys. You'll see remnants of unique and very old Tibetan culture where people depend on subsistence agriculture, animal breeding, and seasonal migrations. Visit Tashi Lakhang Monastery, one of the greatest Buddhist monasteries, believed to be the last constructed by Karmapa Rinpoche. There are great views of Himlung Himal and other snow peaks. Camp at a tented site or lodge if available.
Included Activities
- Trek to Phu Gaon
- Visit Tashi Lakhang Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Phu Gaon Tashi Lakhang Monastery Himlung Himal - Day 18
Phu Gaon to Meta
After breakfast, pass the kani gate at the end of the village and drop down into a narrow valley to arrive in Kyang. Check out the remnants and ruined forts of the Khampa settlement, where Khampa refugees from Tibet once captured and lived illegally, particularly at places like Jhunam, Chyakhu, and Kyang. Continue trekking to Meta with dramatic views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal. Lodge accommodation.
Included Activities
- Trek from Phu Gaon to Kyang
- Visit Khampa settlement ruins
- Trek to Meta
Landmarks/POIs Kyang Annapurna II Lamjung Himal 
- Day 19
Meta to Koto
Trek steeply downhill for about 1 hour, then walk through pine forest passing many streams and waterfalls near Dharmashala. Cross numerous suspension bridges and arrive in Koto, a village on the Annapurna Trail where the wild section of the trek ends. Lodge accommodation.
Included Activities
- Trek from Meta down to Koto
- Cross suspension bridges to Koto
Landmarks/POIs Koto Dharmashala - Day 20
Koto to Timang to Dharapani
Trek on level trail through pine forest passing small villages until Timang, around 2 hours in, where you can see a brief glimpse of Mt. Manaslu and other snow peaks. Drop down to Dharapani. Lodge accommodation.
Included Activities
- Trek from Koto to Timang
- Trek from Timang to Dharapani
Landmarks/POIs Timang Mt. Manaslu Dharapani - Day 21
Dharapani to Chyanje to Kathmandu
Start early in the morning and follow the lower part of the Annapurna trail up to Chyanje village. Take a private jeep from Chyanje to Kathmandu, arriving in the late evening.
Included Activities
- Trek from Dharapani to Chyanje
Landmarks/POIs Chyanje - Day 22
Kathmandu (Final day)
You have a free day to relax until your departure or to start any additional trips or activities you may have booked. If you're heading home, you'll be transferred to the international airport in time for your return flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Kathmandu
- Additional trips or activities (if booked)
