SHERPA VILLAGE & FORBIDDEN KINGDOM OF MUSTANG CHARITY TREK
APRIL 2011
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In 2011 Education Elevated & Sherpa Adventure International will lead a trip to Nepal to raise money to rebuild the Chyangba Village school and support students with school uniforms. During the trip we will visit our newly built library and distribute school uniforms to students. Next we will trek to the FORBIDDEN KINGDOM OF MUSTANG.
The Kingdom of Lo in the Mustang Region of Nepal is one of the most remote kingdoms in world. One of the few remaining authentic Tibetan cultures still left in the region, the northern part of this astounding kingdom is open to a small number of fortunate permit holders each year. For the adventure of a lifetime, join us as we explore the dramatic landscape, ancient culture & spectacular mountain scenery of this isolated region.
The founder of Tibetan Buddhism, Padmasambhava, came here in the 8th century to defend Buddhism against the forces trying to destroy it. To celebrate his successful battle, he built the temple of Lo Gekhar that still stands today, surviving along with an unadulterated Tibetan culture that cannot be found elsewhere.
The kingdom of Lo is strategically positioned along the main trade route between Tibet and India. In the 15th-17th centuries traders carried salt and wool to India and spices and grain back to Tibet, following the course of the mighty Kali Gandaki River. The Kingdom of Lo was part of Tibet until it joined with Nepal in 1790.
The kingdom was closed to outsiders in 1960, when eastern Tibetans began their fight against Chinese forces. The region was not reopened to outsiders until 1991; Mustang enjoys a longer trekking season than the rest of Nepal because it lies beneath the rain shadow of the Himalayas. It is not subject to the monsoons that hit other parts of the country and make trekking difficult. Because of the windy plains and arid landscape, this region is more rugged than other trekking areas of Nepal.
This area provides spectacular mountain scenery highlighted by Dhaulagiri at 8167 meters (26,795ft) and Annapurna I at 8091 meters (26,545ft). You will be surrounded by more than 35 mountains over 6000 meters (19,680ft) high. The elevation of the trails rise from 2815 meters (9,233ft) to 3780 meters (12,398ft) above sea level.
Trip Facts:
Trekking Destination: Chyangba Village & Mustang Trek Nepal
Max. Altitude:13,300 feet at Nye La Pass
Trekking Grade:Moderate
Accommodation:Tented Camp & Hotel
Duration Village & Mustang trek:24 Days
Duration Mustang only:17 days
Arrive in Nepal for village & Mustang Trek:April 15th
Arrive in Nepal for Mustang Trek only:April 22nd
Departure Nepal:May 8th
Trip Cost: $ 3750 for Village & Mustang trek.
ITINERARY
April 15th Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
Kathmandu (1310m/4298ft) our airport representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. It is 7km and takes about 30 minutes. Our tour leader will brief the group about the trip at the pre-departure meeting. The briefing will cover the itinerary and re-confirm flight times and what time the city tour will depart on Day 2.
April 16th Day 2: Kathmandu City Tour
Breakfast in Hotel at 8:00 am. Today we explore the culturally diverse city of Kathmandu by private car with a local guide to ensure you receive the best explanations about the amazing sites seen on the tour. These include, Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath, Swayambunath (Monkey Temple) and Patan Durbar Square. It is about 35 Km and takes approximately 6:30 hours. After noon ready for Trek.
April 17th Day 3: Fly to Phaplu
April 18th Day 4: Trek to Chyangba Village
April 19th Day 5: Visit School, Library and distribute school dress to students.
April 20th Day 6: Rest day and visit village.
April 21st Day 7: Trek back to Phaplu
April 22nd Day 8: Fly back to Kathmandu
April 23rd Day 9: Rest day & get ready for Trek
April 24th Day 10: Drive to Pokahara after noon rest.
April 25th Day 11: POKHARA – JOMSOM (2400 m) – KAGBENI (2800 m)
Early morning get to the airport for Jomsom flight. A short flight across the Annapurna range and along the Kaligandaki Gorge, 30 minutes later we land at Jomsom airport. Jomsom is a tiny airstrip; it gets extremely windy during the day. This is the reason to fly early morning. We assemble the team, get our luggage ready and then start the first day trek. Walking across Thak Khola and then further on the banks of Kali Gandaki River, we walk the windy gorge towards Kagbeni. You may also encounter groups of pilgrims heading for Muktinath, above Kagbeni.Kagbeni used to be the capital of a King whose fort can be seen above the village. His people lived by managing and taxing the trade flows through the valley.
April 26th Day 12: KAGBENI – CHELE
Altitude: 3030 m. You walk through police check post to get your permit checked for restrict area. You still walk on the right side of the Marsyangdi River. You reach Tangbe village (2990 m) and have lunch there. This village has a lot of apple and apricot tree. The trail climbs over many ridges as it heads north of Gompa Kang and some caves are seen on the west bank of the Kali Gandaki river. Black, white and red chortens, which justify upper Mustang, appear and Nilgiri (7061m) looms at the foot of the valley. We arrive at Chhuksang (2920 m), a Gurung village, situated at the confluence of the Narshing Khola and the Kali Gandaki. Across the river some spectacular red, eroded, 'organ-pipe' cliffs are seen above the inaccessible caves. The trail leaves Kali Gandaki valley and climbs steeply up a rocky gully to Chele (3030 m) that makes a change from Manangi culture of the Gurung villages to Tibetan culture of Lo.
April 27th Day 13: CHELE – GELING
Altitude: 3440 m. The trail climbs steep to a cairn at 3080m with a view of Ghyakar across s huge canyon and then to a pass (3480 m). We descend gradually to Samar (3290m), from where Annapurna Himal and Nilgiri are visible. The trail climbs to a ridge and then descends to a large gorge and enters into another valley filled with juniper trees. We arrive at Shyammochen. Again the trail climbs up to a ridge at 3800m and descends to Geling.
April 28th Day 14: GELING – TSARANG
Altitude: 3490 m. We climb gently through fields up the centre of the valley to the Nyi La (3,950m) that marks the southern boundary of Lo Manthang. We see Annpurna range, Nilgiri on the south from the pass. The land is more like dry and similar to Tibetan Plateau. The descend from the pass is gentle through blue, grey and red cliffs. You will visit an old monastery of Tibetan structure and style. The trail passes through perhaps the longest and the most spectacular stretch of Mani wall in Nepal and arrives at Tsarang
April 29th Day 15: TSARANG – LO MANTHANG
Altitude: 3780 m. At Charang, there is a huge five storey white dzong (Tibetan style fortress) and red Gompa in Tsarang. The Gompa houses statues and Thanka paintings and other paintings of seated Buddha. From Tsarang, the trail descends gradually, crosses a river and climbs steeply to a ridge to enter a valley. Again the trail climbs gradually passing through a desert-like landscape painted in every hue of grey and yellow to a ridge (3850 m) that offers the first view of the walled city of Lo. After a short descend and a climb we arrive at the plateau of Lo Manthang.
April 30th Day 16: LO MANTHANG
Here at Lo Manthang, explore three important Gompas built in the early 15th century. We will also learn about other vital heritage conservation and education projects. If we are very fortunate our stay here will include an audience with the well-loved and respected king & queen at the four-story palace.
May 1st Day 17: LO MANTHANG – GHAMI
Altitude: 3460 m- Trek back down to Ghami via Lo Gekar. The monastery of Lo Gekar one of the oldest in Nepal, older than the older than the famed Samye Gompa in Tibet lies between bushes and yellow birches. Not only its location is pleasant, the interior is what makes it really the nicest monastery we have visited in Mustang. It’s also one of the oldest and most important gompas. It was here, at the 'Pure virtue of Lo', where the first hidden scriptures of Padmasambhava were found. He hid his teachings all over the Himalayan region, thus making sure that they remained undiscovered in times of danger for Buddhism. Passing through Thamar village, the steep trail finally reaches Ghami.
May 2nd Day 18: GHAMI – SAMAR
Altitude: 3290 m- after having breakfast, we climb to Nyi La and descend through the same route to Samar for overnight camp.
May 3rd Day 19: SAMAR – KAGBENI
Altitude: 2810 m. This is the home of the enterprising Thakali, originally traders of Nepali grain with Tibet salt. Kagbeni is dominated by its impressive dzong (fort) and gompa, a wonderful little village.
May 4th Day 20: KAGBENI – JOMSOM
Trail down from Kagbeni is smooth, easy walk passing little tended fields and a prominent castle. Alder and willow trees cluster where there is an oasis. View of Daulagiri accompanies the descent, and is gradually joined by views of the Nilgiri and Tukuche peaks. The path joins the Kali Gandaki, the river runs through a narrow gorge, and the trail goes across stone. In the noon, the wind develops which sweep up the glacial dust into a fog. Average speed of the wind here is 100 miles an hour. Take a cloth or handkerchief to breathe through. Trekkers will already have encountered mules and some individual horses, which are used both for freight and also for carrying decrepit pilgrims into Muktinath. Jomsom is the point where we started our trip 2 weeks ago. There are plenty of lodges available, we might stay overnight in one of them. Since today is the last day with the crew, the boys will perform dancing and singing program, organize last night celebration. You will forget your tiredness for moment and join them for dances.
May 5th Day 21: JOMSOM – POKHARA
We take our flight back to Pokhara. A day to really relax in this lovely lakeside town, with its many excellent restaurants and bars - time for a little celebration. Wait there are more… You can do boating on the lake or visit Davids fall and Tibetan refugee camps. Overnight hotel
May 6th Day 22: POKHARA – KATHMANDU
After breakfast we take a flight back to Kathmandu, Yes finally little time for your friends and family. All the shops from the little street of Thamel are waiting for your arrival. Overnight hotel
May 7th Day 23 Extra day in case of flight Cancel…
May 8th Day 24: DEPARTURE
Trip Cost Includes
* All domestics’ flight
* All domestics’ transportation.
* Hotel in Kathmandu with B & B
* All meals & lodging during the trek.
* All trekking arrangements including permits and Gov. Fees,
* Guide, porters.
* Cook & Kitchen Staff.
* Insurance for all Nepali staffs.
* City tour & entrance fee.
* Satellite phone for emergency use.
* Oxygen for emergency use.
* Welcome & Farewell Dinner.
Trip Cost Excludes
# International flight to/from Kathmandu
# Your personal insurance (cancellation, accident, health, emergency)
# Nepal visa for 30 days at US $40
# Personal clothing & equipments
# Staffs Tips & Gratuities for services provided on a personal basis
# Other items not listed in “Cost Included" section above.
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