Lower Mustang Trek

Lower Mustang Trek Highlights

• City Tour in Kathmandu, the LIVING MUSEUM.
• Being at Pokhara (820 m), the beautiful LAKE CITY, the second biggest city in Nepal
• Overnight at Ulleri, the beautiful stone-built cultured Gurung village.
• Excursion to Poon Hill for the exceptional sunrise view with a spectacular panoramic mountain view along with the Kali Gandaki gorge, the deepest gorge in the world.
• Relaxing at a natural hot spring.
• Walk into the ancient SALT trading route of the world’s deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki.
• Being at Marpha village, a timeless treasure in the heart of Mustang, renowned for its whitewashed buildings, apple orchards, and apple brandy.
• Being at Jomsom and getting closer to the stunning snowy Nilgiri range and the world’s 7th highest mountain, Dhaulagiri is another attraction.
• Witnessing another face of Nepal with arid, barren, more like a dried-out ocean land setting is phenomenal.
• Visiting Muktinath, a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists at the foot of the highest pass Thorang La (5,416 m/17,769 feet).
• Adventurous flight through the Kali Gandaki Gorge to the lake city of Pokhara.

Lower Mustang Trek Overview

Lower Mustang trek takes anyone into the deep ravine of the world’s deepest gorge which is phenomenal. This delightful trek gives anyone ample opportunity to witness the majestic Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Nilgiri ranges. Furthermore, it offers appealing views of the spectacular landscape and vibrant hills. It provides a welcoming environment to understand the culture of western Nepal.

This trek takes you to the most amazing settlement of Ghorepani. It is the world's largest Rhododendron-growing forest area with a spectacular panoramic mountain view. The Trek to Ghorepani Poon Hill is one of the most prominent short trek in the Annapurna region which is always overcrowded by both national and international tourists.

After we are done with our excursion to the stunning vantage point of Poon Hill we descend down to the natural hot spring (Tatopani). This natural hot spring will provide you with soothing relief from muscle pain that we normally get after a long descent. The locals believe that this hot spring has medicinal and healing powers.

Shortly after the hot spring Lower Mustang Trek follows the deepest gorge in the world of Kali Gandaki. As you walk along this gorge trail the views of the landscape are simply sensational. However, it is important to note that now there is a motorable roadway built till Muktinath. Trekkers may not fancy walking on these constructed roadways these days but the charm of trekking is still there. We still can skip sections of the road and walk the trekking trail through traditional villages, terraced farmlands, and valleys.

Gradually staying in the beautiful settlements of Ghasa, Larjung, and Marpha, we get to Jomsom, the windy valley of Nepal. From Jomsom, we will further walk to the ancient town of Kagbeni, the gateway to the forbidden kingdom of Upper Mustang. After Kagbeni we will climb to our final destination of Muktinath.

Muktinath, the place of salvation is a highly revered abode for both Hindus and Buddhists. Anyone can witness the harmony between the two different religions very well-reflected in Muktinath. Every year thousands of pilgrims, especially locals and Indians visit this spiritual shrine which bears a great religious and spiritual significance.

However, all these unique features make Lower Mustang Trek one of the exceptional trekking destinations of Nepal. This is a trip that will walk you into the world’s deepest gorge and the ancient Nepal/Tibet salt trading route.

The unique feature of Lower Mustang Trek:

Despite the disagreement over the actual depth of the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the walkthrough is undeniably the most beautiful and unique on its own. The gorge which is said to be older than the mountains dates back to 80 million years. Furthermore, it separates the world’s 7th highest mountain, Dhaulagiri (8,167 m/26,795 ft) on the west and the world’s 10th-highest mountain Annapurna (8,091 m/26,545 ft) on the east.

Kali Gandaki, the source of which has its place in the Tibetan Brahmaputra flows through the forbidden ancient kingdom of Mustang. More to the point, the Lower Mustang trek is as popular as any trekking destination in Nepal. Every year thousands of nature enthusiasts including the pilgrims pick it as their vacation. It's one of the bestselling and the highlight of the Annapurna region. This trek in reality is the dominant section of the great Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Kali Gandaki Gorge (Worlds Deepest Gorge)

The Kali Gandaki Gorge, also known as the "Andhra Galchi" or "Gorge of Gandaki River," is one of the deepest gorges in the world. Located in the region of Mustang of Nepal, the gorge is named after the Kali Gandaki River, which flows through it.

Here are some key features of the Kali Gandaki Gorge:

• Depth and Size: The Kali Gandaki Gorge reaches an impressive depth of approximately 5,571 meters (18,278 feet) at its maximum point. It is the deepest gorge in the world when measured from the top of Dhaulagiri Mountain (8,167 meters) to the bottom of the Kali Gandaki River (663 meters). The gorge is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) long and stretches all the way down to Tatopani (hot spring) at 1200 meters.
• Cultural Significance: The Kali Gandaki Gorge holds great cultural and religious importance for the local people. It lies on an ancient trade route that connects Tibet, Nepal, and India. The route has been used by traders for centuries. The region is also significant for its connection to Tibetan Buddhism and its ample legends.
• Natural Beauty: The gorge offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks, including the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Nilgiri mountain ranges. The landscape features rugged cliffs, deep valleys, traditional villages, and the powerful flow of the Kali Gandaki River. The area is rich in diverse flora and fauna.
• Trekking and Adventure: The Kali Gandaki Gorge offers various trekking routes that showcase the stunning natural beauty of the region. The most well-known trek is the Annapurna Circuit, which passes through this deepest gorge.