Mustang Teri La Pass and Nar Phu Valley Trek
- 26
days
Mustang Teri La Pass and Nar Phu Valley Trek is an ultimate trekking adventure in Nepal's Mustang and Manang region. Also, it takes you to the restricted area of Upper Mustang and Nar Phu Valley, which requires special permission. After trekking in the Upper Mustang, you will set off to the Nar Phu Valley, located in the northeast of the Annapurna Circuit. En route, you will be crossing Teri La Pass, which lies at an elevation of 5,577m or 18,297ft.
The trek will reward you with a soul-stirring view of the Himalayas. The unparalleled landscape with colorful canyons, the wall of red rocks, and the distinct erosion structure set Mustang apart from other regions. Trekking in Upper Mustang and Nar Phu valley is recently opened to foreigners. Since it has remained in seclusion, they have developed unique cultures and traditions. Tibetan descendants who settled here centuries ago inhabit the region.
The sheer experience of immersing into the ancient Tibetan culture and getting a sneak peek into the diversified traditional practices will be overwhelming. In addition, you will be trekking in remote Nepal and will experience camping and tea house trekking in a single trek.
The trip's price depends on the type of services chosen by our clients and the group size. The cost of each trip we organize is different because we see travelers as individuals having their own particular needs and preferences.
Get ready for an incredible journey tailored to your interests and preferences, whether you're looking for a budget-friendly adventure or a luxurious getaway. Leave the planning to us as we take care of all the details, ensuring your dream trip becomes a reality. You can relax and focus on creating unforgettable memories that will stay with you forever.
Nathanaël Burgin
|
March 23, 2020
Seamus Taylor
|
November 25, 2019
Henry Wynne
|
November 19, 2019
Steven Labit
|
October 27, 2019
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) - Transfer to Hotel and Trek Preparation |
| Day 2 | Kathmandu Sightseeing |
| Day 3 | Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (800m/2,624ft) – 6 to 7 hours drive |
| Day 4 | Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom (2,743m/8,999ft) and trek to Kagbeni (2,804m/9,199ft) - 25 minutes flight and 2 to 3 hours trek |
| Day 5 | Trek from Kagbeni to Chaile (3,150m/10,334ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek |
| Day 6 | Trek from Chaile to Geling (3,570m/11,712ft) - 6 to 7 hours trek |
| Day 7 | Trek from Geling to Chharang (3,620m/11,877ft) - 6 to 7 hours trek |
| Day 8 | Trek from Chharang to Lo Manthang (3,840m/ 12,598ft) - 4 to 5 hours trek |
| Day 9 | Excursion day at Lo Manthang |
| Day 10 | Trek from Lo Manthang to Yara (3,900m/12,795ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek |
| Day 11 | Hike from Yara to Tangbe (3,240m/10,629ft) - 6 to 7 hours trek |
| Day 12 | Trek from Tangbe to Yak Kharka (4,100m/13,451ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek |
| Day 13 | Trek from Yak Kharka to Samena Khola (4,220m/13,845ft) - 4 to 5 hours trek |
| Day 14 | Acclimatization at Samena Khola |
| Day 15 | Trek Samena Khola to Teri La Base Camp (4,630m/15,190ft) - 6 to 7 hours trek |
| Day 16 | Trek from Teri La Base Camp to High Camp Teri La (5,100m/16,732ft) - 4 to 5 hours trek |
| Day 17 | Trek High Camp to Teri La Phedi (5,000m/16,404ft) via Teri La Pass (5,577m/18,297ft) – 6 to 7 hours trek |
| Day 18 | Trek Teri La Phedi to Labse Khola (4,800m/15,748ft, 5 to 6 hours) - 5 to 6 hours trek |
| Day 19 | Trek Labse Khola to Yak Kharka (4,600m/15,091ft) - 6 to 7 hours trek |
| Day 20 | Trek Yak Kharka to Nar Gaon (3,490m/11,450ft) - 5 to 7 hours trek |
| Day 21 | Trek Nar Gaon to Kyang (3,800m/12,467ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek |
| Day 22 | Trek Kyang to Phu Gaon (4,080m/13,385ft) - 4 to 5 hours trek |
| Day 23 | Trek Phu Gaon to Meta (3,560m/11679ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek |
| Day 24 | Trek Meta to Koto (2,600m/8,530ft) - 5 to 7 hours trek |
| Day 25 | Drive to Besisahar (760m/2,493ft) then Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) - 9 to 10 hours drive |
| Day 26 | Final Departure from Kathmandu |
Mustang Teri La Pass and Nar Phu Valley Trek take you to the dry and arid desert-like landscape which resembles Tibetan plateaus. You will be trekking amid an almost barren and stunning landscape near the Nepal-Tibet border. Savor the breathtaking view of towering mountains and hills with sparse vegetation.
The trek is culturally enriching as well. You will be exploring the forbidden kingdom of Lo Mantang, which remained isolated for a long time and has a unique culture and traditions. Moreover, you will be visiting the less frequented Nar Phu Valley that is untouched by modernization. You will be hiking past ancient caves, centuries-old monasteries, medieval villages, and breathtaking mountain landscapes that will have a lifelong impact.
The 26 days begin with your arrival in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. The next day, you will explore Kathmandu and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site listed Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Further, you will be taking a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by another domestic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. Your trek starts from Jomsom and ends at Dharapani. En route, you will be trekking past lush green forest, waterfalls, and streams and crossing suspension bridges.
Moreover, you will be crossing the quaint villages of Kagbeni, Chaile, Geling, and Chharang before reaching the walled city of Lo Manthang. The region remained in seclusion for a long time, where you can witness well-preserved Tibetan culture and tradition. You will be trekking past chortens, stupas, prayer wheels, and mani walls, important Tibetan Buddhism elements.
A trek past villages of Yara, Tangya, Yak Kharka Samena Khola will take you to Teri La Base Camp. You will be spending a day acclimatizing at Samena Khola. Then, you will continue trek to Teri La Base Camp and High Camp Teri La. On the following day, you will be crossing the high pass, Teri La Pass, which is also the trek's highest point. A trek further will take you to Nar Gaon and Phu Gaon, where the locals' daily lives haven’t changed much.
You will see Tibetan Buddhism's presence and pay a visit to gompas and Lhakhang to know more about the local culture and traditions. Finally, a trek from Meta to Dharapani via Koto marks the ends of your trek. Then, you will be driving back to Kathmandu via Besisahar. On the following day, you will be boarding an international flight and flying out of Kathmandu with lifelong memories.
Mustang Teri La Pass And Nar Phu Valley Trek Map
Enjoy the view of the snowcapped Himalayas peeking from the clouds, along with the view of verdant hills and the beautiful view of the valley as you fly into Kathmandu. Our representative will come to receive you at the airport.
Check into your hotel and take some rest before exploring the streets of Thamel in the evening. The tourist hub, Thamel, is filled with various restaurants serving different cuisines, cafes, and pubs.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Swayambhunath Stupa
Today you will be sightseeing in Kathmandu with a guide. You will be visiting three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Climb the stone staircases on your way to Swayambhunath, situated on the hilltop. It is also famous as Monkey Temple due to the presence of many monkeys in the area and is also a good viewpoint to see the city.
Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is the living example of the fine craftsmanship of ancient times. It features palaces, temples, and edifices of a bygone era. Pay a visit to the revered Hindu temple of Pashupatinath dedicated to Lord Shiva situated on the bank of River Bagmati. After sightseeing, you will have a pre-trip meeting and discuss your trek with a guide.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
You will be leaving for Pokhara from Kathmandu after breakfast. Enjoy a scenic drive where you will get to see the stunning view of snowy mountains, verdant hills, terraced farmlands, and hilltop villages.
Moreover, you will be driving alongside the meandering Trishuli River, a glacier river flowing from the Himalayas. You will be taking Prithivi Highway on your way to the popular touristy city of Nepal, Pokhara.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Wake up early to catch a morning flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. Enjoy a scenic flight where you will be flying above Kali Gandaki George. Also, you will get to savor the outstanding views of mountains like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
Moreover, you will be trekking from the windy town of Jomsom to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang. Walk on an easy trek and enjoy the gorgeous views of mountains like Tukuche, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri. Kagbeni, a Tibetan village, is located on a clifftop.
Overnight in Kagbeni.
Today you will be entering Upper Mustang, which is also a restricted area. You will be following the trail situated on the eastern bank of River Kali Gandaki.
Moreover, you will be ascending many ridges on the northern side before arriving at Tangbe, a Gurung village. Trek past the village of Chhusang, cross the Kali Gandaki and walk on a steep trail on the way to Chaile village.
Overnight in Chaile.
Walk on a trail that extends along the steep and leads you to the pile of stones. Upon crossing a stream and hiking down, you will reach the holy Rangchung Cave Monastery. It is one of the sacred places of Mustang.
The monastery is adorned with colorful prayer flags, and a rushing stream adds pleasantness while ascending the stone steps to the cave. You will see mani inscriptions carved on the walls and see thankas in the monastery. Hike past a gradual ascend from Syangboche, and after trekking downhill, you will reach Geling village. The village features a big chorten and two gompas.
Overnight in Geling.
The trail from Geling to Chharang is steep uphill, and you will be trekking past farmlands. En route, you will come across Gurung and Tamang villages. Continue climbing to the top of the valley up to Nyi La Pass, located at an elevation of 3,950m or 12,959ft. Nyi La Pass is the second-highest point of the Lo Manthang trek, and it overlooks the spectacular view of mountain vistas.
The trail descends, and after walking down for a while, you will reach Chharang. The beautiful village of Chharang resides on Chharang Chu Canyon, and you will see a big fort of medieval times on the eastern side of the village.
Overnight in Chhaarang.
Today you will start the trek by climbing up, and you will be trekking past many picturesque villages and big chortens. The chortens lie on the boarder of Chharang and Lo Manthang.
After walking for a while, you will see the forbidden kingdom of Lo Manthang. You will be entering Lo Manthang from the northerner side, and you need to circle the walls before entering the village. On your way, you will get to witness the astounding views of high mountains like Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I, and others.
Overnight in Lo Manthang.
Today you will be exploring the walled capital of the kingdom of Lo, Lo Manthang. It was established in the 1380s by Ame Pai. Lo Manthang’s main attractions are its high whitewashed mud and brick walls, monasteries or gompas, and the King’s Palace. The oldest edifice of Lo Manthang is the King’s Palace build in the 1400s. The palace is situated in the center of the city where the king and queen reside. Despite being a ceremonial king, locals consult him on different matters.
Exploring different gompas or monasteries of Lo Manthang will give you an insight into their unique culture and traditions. It is one of the few places where you will see Bon culture, which predates Buddhism. You will also observe the presence of Tibetan Buddhism in this region. Pay a visit to Thukchen Monastery, which features 108 wall-painted mandalas- one of a kind in the world. One of the important festivals in the Himalayas, Tiji, is celebrated in Thukchen Monastery.
Visit Thubchen Gompa, the 15th century classical Tibetan style gompa with a large red assembly hall. Moreover, the walls of Thubchen gompa have mural paintings. Go to Namgyal Gompa is a wonderful hilltop gompa that is socially, religiously, and legally significant in the region and operates as a local courthouse. Visit Tsechen Shedrubling Monastic School that trains young monks of the area, and it is also a part of the Monastic Museum.
Pay a visit to Choprang gompa, New Gompa, giving you a sneak peek into the local culture and tradition. Further, hike to the popular Champa Lakhang with a large statue of Buddha and wall-painted Mandalas.
Overnight in Lo Manthang.
You will be ascending in a glacial valley with a reddish-brown view of Lo Manthang. Moreover, you will gradually climb and cross two small passes Lo La and Dhi La, before reaching Dhi village. The trail descends further, and you will be crossing Puyung Khola and walking alongside the river on your way to Yara.
When trekking in the dry season, you will get to enjoy the view of the natural sandy castle from the top of Yara hills.
Overnight in Yara.
Trek on a meandering trail to the small town of Tangbe. You will be ascending and then descending up to Dhechaeng Khola. After crossing the river, the trail climbs, and you will be walking past grasslands. On the way, you will find Shaligram, a black-colored stone with fossils, Ammonoid fossils on the river bank.
Upon crossing the town of Dhi, you will be walking on the trail filled with centuries-old sandy precipices. Continue your trek to Tangbe. En route, you will see the breathtaking view of the Himalayas.
Overnight in Tangbe.
Today you will be trekking from Tangbe to Yak Kharka. Walk through the barren land, which will take you to the meadows where domesticated yaks graze.
Yak Kharka means the grazing area for yaks. You will also see temporary huts built by yak herders.
Overnight in Yak Kharka.
Walk on flat terrain on your trek from Yak Kharka to Samena Khola. You will be trekking in a comparatively easier trail today. You will also notice old farmlands before reaching Samena Khola.
The main highlight of the trek is the sound of the choppy river of Samena Khola on an arid terrain.
Overnight in Samena Khola.
Today you will be acclimatizing at Samena Khola before moving to a higher altitude.
Explore the area and soak in the stunning mountain landscape. You can either choose to go on a leisurely walk or hike.
Overnight in Samena Khola.
Today you will be leaving Samena Khola, trekking to Teri La Base Camp, and returning to Samena Khola. You will climb uphill and walk on a trail that leads you to a sparsely vegetated area alongside Yak Khola.
A trek further will take you to Teri La Base Camp, which offers astounding views of Teri Himal and neighboring mountain peaks. When trekking at a high altitude, it is best to hike to a higher elevation and return to the lower elevation.
Overnight in Teri La Base Camp
Trek from Teri La Base Camp to High Camp Teri La; you will see the stunning mountain views on the way. The high altitude will add difficulty to the trek. You will be crossing Yak Kharka and following the trail alongside Rijung Chwa Khola, which flows on the foot of Teri Himal.
You need to be cautious for the trek ahead as you will be walking on a steep moraine trail before arriving at High Camp Teri La. The High Camp offers an uninterrupted view of mountains like Purung Himal and Damodar Himal ranges.
Overnight in High Camp Teri La.
A trek to Teri La Phedi from High Camp is one of the toughest days of the trek. You will be crossing the high pass of 5,577m or 18,297ft, which is also the trek's highest point. If you start your trek early, you can catch an unparalleled sunrise over the Himalayas from the top of the pass.
Teri La Pass offers soul-stirring views of mountains like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Purkung. Bask in the incredible mountain views before descending to another side of the pass to Teri La Phedi.
Overnight in Teri La Phedi.
You will be walking downhill before reaching a plain land. A trek on the plain terrain of Nar Phu Valley will lead you to the Labse Khola.
Enjoy a comparatively easy trek than yesterday and savor the wonderful views on the way. When trekking in mid-summer, you will see animals grazing like yaks and sheep.
Overnight in Labse Khola.
Today you will be walking through the wilderness on your way to Yak Kharka. Further, you will be walking downhill and following Labse Khola on your way to Yak Kharka.
En route, you will come across few temporary huts built by the shepherds. Moreover, you will be walking on lush pastureland where cattle graze, especially the yaks.
Overnight in Yak Kharka.
You will be trekking on a descending trail on your way to Nar Gaon. Moreover, you need to be utterly cautious while going downhill. The name of Nar Gaon is said to have derived from Nar Khola, and the village is situated on the northern side of the Annapurna Trekking Trail.
Pay a visit to local monasteries and get an insight into the local culture. Moreover, you will get to know more about the local culture if you interact with the locals.
Overnight in Nar Gaon.
Today you will be walking on a comparatively easier trail. You will be trekking downhill; however, you must be cautious. Moreover, you will be trekking past the Mani wall and trekking downhill to Phu River.
Further, you will be ascending to Kyang village, which is situated above Phu River. You will be sharing the trail with mules.
Overnight in Kyang.
Today you will be walking past Buddhist chortens and steams and will also get to enjoy the astounding views of the high Himalayas. Walk on a rocky path and follow Phu River on your way to Phu Gaon, which lies across the Phu River.
Moreover, you will be trekking past Lakhang Monastery, which is claimed to be one of the oldest monasteries in the world. The Lakhang is also known as the blessed house of gods in Phu Gaon.
Overnight in Koto.
Upon leaving the hidden valley of Phu Gaon, you will be walking on a trail that descends up and down. On your way to Meta, you will be crossing many suspension bridges and streams.
The trek will reward you with stunning views of mountains like Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II. Also, you might get a chance to spot the blue sheep.
Overnight in Meta.
Koto Village
You will be walking on a descending trail. It will be a relatively easier trek to the village of Koto. You will be trekking through the lush green pine forest, and crossing steams on your way to Koto. Moreover, you will be walking past cascading waterfalls near Dharmashala.
A walk further will take you to the quaint village of Koto, which offers a gorgeous view of Annapurna II. Get to know about the local culture with a visit to the monastery in Koto.
Overnight in Koto.
You will be driving back to Kathmandu via Besisahar. Enjoy a scenic drive on a meandering hilly highway, driving past snowy mountains, verdant hills, terraced farmlands, hillside villages, and rivers. Relax in your hotel room in Kathmandu after a long drive. In the evening, you can stroll in the lively streets of Thamel and do souvenir shopping before your international flight the next day.
Overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu.
Today you will be taking an international flight back to your home with wonderful memories. A representative from Third Rock Adventures will drop you at the airport. You are advised to reach the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled flight.
Mustang Teri La Pass and Nar Phu Valley Trek are doable all around the year. However, the best time to do the trek is from March to November. When trekking in these months, the daytime is pleasant, while the temperature might drop significantly at night. Since the trek in the Upper Mustang region lies in a rain shadow region, it is possible to trek even in monsoon. It is one of the few places in Nepal where the monsoon trek is enjoyable.
Avoiding a harsh winter trek is advisable as the high passes might be impassable due to snow. Also, winter is the time of the year when even locals migrate to the lower region to escape the cold. The weather in Upper Mustang gets windy and dusty in the afternoon, and it is pretty cold after sunset. Therefore, it will be best to begin the trek early to avoid trekking in dusty and windy weather. Wear windproof and warm clothes to keep your body warm.
Mustang Teri La Pass and Nar Phu Valley Trek are graded as difficult to challenge trek. Therefore, it is best for those searching for a Himalayan adventure in the wilderness. You will attain the highest altitude at Teri La Pass, situated at an elevation of 5,577m or 18,297ft. Moreover, you will be crossing mountain passes over 5,000 meters, including Nyi La Pass, Lo La Pass, Dhi La Pass, and Teri La Pass.
You will be trekking in a remote area and will be trekking on a rugged trail. Moreover, you need to be physically fit to do this physically demanding high-altitude trek. Experienced trekkers will enjoy this trek, and having experience in high-altitude trekking will be beneficial. You will be trekking for a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 7 hours in a day. On average, you will be trekking for 5 to 6 hours per day.
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