In the morning, we take a scenic flight to Pokhara (25 minutes flight) passing over the deep valley and rivers of central Nepal and taking views of the Ganesh, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himals.

Upon our arrival in Pokhara we are rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri (26,794 ft), Manaslu (26,759ft), Machhapuchhre (22,943 ft), the five peaks of Annapurna and others. After check in at the hotel, we start our tour we visit the famous International Mountain Museum (IMM) that records, documents and chronicles the past and present development of mountaineering activities in the world and the Himalayas in particular. We also tour the Tibetan refugee camp and witness how the refugees keep themselves busy by producing and trading woolen carpets and other handicraft items. Overnight Hotel (B)

This morning, weather permitting, we will board an early flight from Pokhara up the Kali Gandaki Gorge, flying between the majestic peaks of Dhaulagiri (26,804 ft) and Annapurna (26,538 ft) to land at the small airstrip in Jomsom (8,922 ft), in full view of Nilgiri (23,160 ft) to the south. Jomsom is the administrative center of the once-isolated Mustang district. After disembarking, we will collect our gear and prepare for our jeep ride to Chhuksang (9,774 ft) via the medieval-looking village of Kagbeni (9,184 ft), which is also the northernmost area that foreigners can visit without a permit. We will be driving along the rocky trails of the Kali Gandaki River, named after one of the Hindu goddesses (“Kali”) and said to be one of the holiest rivers in Nepal.  At the end of Kagbeni village, we will go through administrative formalities at the check post and enter the forbidden kingdom of Mustang.

We will then drive through the village of Tangbe (10,037 ft), where we will take in our first views of the uniquely colored chortens and landscapes of the Upper Mustang, where beautiful red, yellow, and brown sandstone pillars rise from a barren, desert-like terrain. We will continue driving to Chhuksang at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Narshing Khola rivers. From here we will get off the jeep and start hiking north. We will cross the Kali Gandaki before a short steep climb brings us to the village of Chele (10,168 ft), from where we will have a magnificent view of the southern valley of the Kali Gandaki. We then continue west from Chele. The climb from here is steep, leading us to a cairn from where we will see the village of Ghyakar (11,683 ft) and its fields across a massive canyon.  After crossing a ridge, the trail enters a large side valley, gradually descending to Samar.

Overnight Camp / Lodge. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we take an alternative route to the main trail in order to visit an ancient cave that houses the Rhangchung Chorten (meaning "the chorten that built itself or appeared by a miracle"), hidden away in a deep canyon. We take a sharp descent to cross a ravine, then we deviate off the main trail, cross an even deeper ravine then start up the long hike up to a pass from where we will have a great view of the canyon to our north and east and of the snowcapped mountains to the south. After the pass a narrow traverse flanked by juniper bushes brings us to another lower pass from where we get the distant view of Syangmochen (12,464 ft) After a very steep descent, we finally reach the cave monastery, which seems to be growing out of the vertical wall. The cave, decorated with khatas (ceremonial scarves), numerous chortens and other ritual items is believed to have been visited by Padmasambhava, the Indian saint who brought Buddhism to Tibet. After visiting the cave, we head north to Syangmochen. After a gradual and long climb we arrive at Syangmochen where we stop for lunch.

After lunch we will head to Jhaite.  Overnight Camp / Lodge. (B,L,D)

From Jhaite, we will climb across the Nyi La pass (13,186 ft) and descend to the large village of Ghami (11,513 ft).  We will then follow the trail across the valley to cross the Dhakmar Chu river over a suspension bridge and pass the most impressive and longest stretch of mani wall (boulders with carved Buddhist prayer inscriptions) in Upper Mustang. After the mani wall we will leave the main trail and descend down to the secluded village of Dhakmar (12,529 ft) situated under the magnificent red sandstone cliffs dotted with numerous cave openings. After crossing a stream, we climb up a rocky gully then we arrive at the Muila pass (13,677 ft), from where we get our first view of the famous Ghar Gompa, our camp.  This is the oldest monastery (Nyingma sect) established in the 8th century by Padmasambhava, in an effort to pacify the 'demons' that were hindering the construction of the Samye monastery in Tibet. Overnight Camp / Lodge. (B,L,D)

From Ghar Gompa after crossing several valleys we reach the Chago La pass (14,800 ft), highest pass on the entire trek. After a long gradual descent, we finally get our first view of the wall city of Lo Manthang in the distance, set amongst the fields and poplar trees. From here a steady downhill brings us to our camp.  Overnight Camp / Lodge. (B,L,D)

Today, we will step off the trail and take the day to explore Lo Manthang, known as "the Kingdom of Lo" or "Mustang." We will start with visits to its two major 15th-century monasteries: Thubchen Gompa and Champa Gompa. Due to their remoteness, the monasteries have remained unaffected by modernity.

Thubchen Gompa, located near the center of town, contains fine Buddhist murals in its massive assembly hall, supported by 35 tall, wooden columns. Sakyamuni, the main deity of Thubchen, is depicted with other deities such as Avalokiteshwora and Padmasambhava. The three-storied Champa Gompa opens to a central courtyard supported by carved wooden pillars containing a 50-ft-tall clay image of Maitreya, the future Buddha, sitting on a pedestal that occupies the entire ground floor. The walls here are painted with intricate mandalas. Overnight Camp / Lodge. (B,L,D)

Leaving Lo Manthang, the trail leads us south towards Charang. We will climb up the pass overlooking Lo Manthang and continue for some time before walking down towards the Kali Gandaki Gorge. The final section of the trail drops sharply to the village of Dhi (11,119 ft), situated by the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. Just like most of the settlements along this river, Dhi is also marked by a patchwork of fertile fields and trees. After a well-deserved break at Dhi, we will hike up to the village of Yara to camp. Just before reaching Yara, we will see an incredible series of gigantic 300-foot-high wind-scoured cliffs resembling giant organ pipes. The cliffs are dotted with numerous cave openings and offer one of Upper Mustang’s most spectacular sights. Overnight Camp/Lodge  (B,L,D)

From Yara, the trail leads south to Dhechyang Khola, winding steeply uphill before opening to magnificent views of landscape below. We will then continue downhill into the village of Tangge, a small hamlet whose homes form a fort nestled below cliffs eroded into massive columns. The view of the settlement with its groups of chortens and mani walls of various sizes and shapes is stunning! Our camp is constructed in a walled compound to protect us from the dry winds of Mustang. Overnight Camp/Lodge. (B,L,D)

On our way out of Tangge, we will take a walk past narrow rows of houses, under buildings and up alleys through town, past the mani walls and chortens to join the trail leading down to the Tangge Khola, where we will cross a wooden bridge. We will hike above the village and then descend again to the wide rocky plain of the Yak Khola. After one more river crossing, we will begin a steep ascent, allowing the horizon to widen between Charang, Lo Manthang and Nepal’s northern border. Once we reach the prayer flag-adorned summit of Pha, we will take in our first view of Dhaulagiri. Tonight, we will camp below the other side of the pass near the only water source on this part of the trek. Overnight Camp/ Lodge. (B,L,D)

Today, the trail winds uphill, opening to exceptional views of the whole of Mustang valley, extending far to the northern border beyond Lo Manthang. Care must be taken here, as the scenery is so dramatic you may be tempted to venture too close to the edge of the 3,000-foot gullies dropping down to the river below. Some sections of the trail are fairly narrow. Soon, the trail veers away from the rim and opens to the extraordinary southern view of the Kali Gandaki valley below as it cuts between the Annapurnas, Nilgiris and Dhaulagiri. To the east, an array of peaks surrounds the famous Thorang La pass (17,764 ft). From this viewpoint, our descent begins down a steep and rough trail with loose scree. Eventually the trail flattens out on a plateau and splits in two. The right fork leads to Chhuksang, while the left one (our route) leads on through gullies to Tetang. Tonight, we will camp near a chorten below the village of Tetang. Overnight Camp / Lodge. (B,L,D)

Today’s walk is a long day, so we will start early and trek to Kagbeni finishing the upper Mustang trails and join the normal Annapurna circuit trek. After lunch at Kagbeni, we will head on to Jomsom. Overnight Camp/Lodge. (B,L,D)

After breakfast we fly back to Pokhara. This is a 30 min flight to Pokhara and then catch the connecting flight back to Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel. (B)

If the Jomsom flight is not delayed, we will begin our day in Kathmandu with a morning tour of Boudhanath Stupa, and the Durbar Square. The afternoon is free to relax or do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing on your own. Overnight Hotel (D)

Transfer to the International airport.