Damodar Kunda-Upper Mustang Trek
Damodar Kunda Trek is another famous trekking itinerary in Upper Mustang. This is after regular Jomsom to Lo Manthang and Tiji Festival Trek. There are no teahouses on the trail to Damodar Kunda. Though small, it is sacred for Hindu and Buddhist devotees. Know more about Damodar Kunda. The trail is same up to Lo Manthang. Depending on the stamina and fitness level, it might need four to five days to complete this side trip. There is a complete absence of the teahouse and camping is not avoidable. Every year on the full moon of August, the festival takes place. Hundreds of Hindu and Buddhist devotees gather there. Mainly Hindus from India dominates the trail. Most of them also prefer a charter helicopter from Pokhara or Kathmandu. We also organize fixed departure trip for Damodar Kunda Trek, every month of August. To know more about details and availability click here.
Similar to the other general itinerary, your trek will start from Kagbeni. A medieval village below the sacred, holy site of Muktinath. Multiple options are available for journeys to Kagbeni from Kathmandu. After Pokhara, you can either take a short flight to Jomsom or drive. Jomsom to Kagbeni is of walking time three hours. There are frequent jeeps as well. We will discuss about the itinerary from Jomsom to Jomsom only. This is because road trip or flight is always of similar experience.
Fixed Departure Dates
| Trip Date | Seats Remaining | |
|---|---|---|
| September 11 - September 25 | 10 Seats Left | Book Now |
Itinerary
Arrival Kathmandu (1275m)
Upon Arrival, in Kathmandu Airport you will be expected to complete your custom formalities (Visa etc.) We suggest you look for our representative who will be waiting for you at the arrival gate with Everest View Treks And Expedition display board you will then be transferred to hotel. include B/B.
:Kathmandu to pokhara (820 m) 6 hrs. drive.
Early morning at around 7 am, we set off for pokhara on a tourist bus. En route we will see more of countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers villages, Farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. Afternoon we reach pokhara pokhara offer magnificent view of Dhaulagiri, Manasulu, Machhapuchre five of Annapurna and others. Pokhara is City of lakes and has numerous Beautiful lakes. We can explore the most accessible and beautiful. Fewa Lake During the afternoon enjoys boating too. Explore Relax and dine by tranquil Lake Fewa. You can even do some shopping during evening hours. Overnight pokhara hotel include your B/B plan.
Fly Jomsom & Trek to kagbeni (2856 m) 4-5 hrs. walk.
After an early Breakfast transfer to the airport for a morning flight to jomsom, a super scenic flight of 20 minutes over the mountains with view 8000 Meter such as Annapurna & Dhaulagiri, brings you at jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang. This is large town, headquarter of the mustang region. It is also a major village on the kaligandaki area linking the age old Trans-Himalayan Salt trade route to Tibet. From jomsom on wards it is very windy in the afternoon continue on the gradual path on the kaligandaki river bed for about 3 hour and finally reaching at Ekley-bhatti village. After good stop here an hour of easy walk takes us to kagbeni, which lies at the bank of two rivers. Kagbeni is an interesting windswept villages situated on the main age old Trans-Himalayan salt trade route to Tibet via Upper mustang area. In kagbeni a major tributary. Kak khola coming from muktinath, meet mustang khola and from there the river is the called kaligandaki. Overnight good lodge at kagbeni. Overnight at Guest house include meal B/L/D.
Kagbeni to Chele [3050 m/10,004 ft] | 5-6 Hrs.
After holding several up and down toward the north of Kagbeni, you will reach the first village of Upper Mustang. Tangbe, it is a small white washed village. There is a narrow alley in between the village. With the view of Nilgiri Peak, you will continue to another village of Chuksang. It is often spelled as Chusang as well. Further north from here you will pass through red conglomerate cliff area. Tomorrow you will have some better view of the Himalayas along the trail. Enjoy the serenity of Chele, your first night in last forbidden kingdom. Overnight Basic Tea house include meal B/L/D.
Chele to Syangboche [3475 m/11,398 ft] | 6-7 Hrs.
We recommend you to start your trek as early as possible. This is because valley will face a strong northern wind every afternoon. You will pass through few settlements in the beginning of the trail. After passing through Ekle Bhatti, the trail follows up toward Taklam La Pass. You can have a better view of some snowy peaks from the top of the pass. Onward you will descend for a while toward the village of Samar. It is another approximate three hour walk from Samar to Syangboche. You will pass through the shadow of the juniper tree. Also Ramchung Cave is located along the trail. Overnight at guest house include meal B/L/D.
Syangboche to Ghaymi [3520 m/11,546 ft] | 5-6 Hrs.
Access to the third largest village in Upper Mustang, i.e. game is little difficult. You have to pass through two successive passes. Yamda La and Ni La Pass. Trail to Nyi La Pass is little longer and difficult. It is at the elevation of 4010 m from sea level. The view is rewarding. As you descend from the top, you will approach village of Ghaymi. It is surrounded by barren field. Hardly people cultivate potato and barley. Adaptation level will be higher today. As you will cross elevation more than 4000 m. Overnight at Guest house include meal B/L/D.
Ghaymi to Charang [3500m/11,480 ft] | 4-5 Hrs
After breakfast, cross the river of the Ghaymi and continue journey to beautiful settlement of Charang. The trail is very pleasant. There is a long Mani wall along the trail. Walk from the right hand side of main wall. From the end of the wall you will head further east toward Charang. There is big red Gompa and Chorten. We recommend you to make a small walk around in the late afternoon. It is very beautiful. After wind does it work, you can walk around. Otherwise, it will be too dusty. By tomorrow we will conquer one of our destinations, settlement of Lo- Manthang. Overnight at guest house include meal B/L/D.
Charang to Lo Manthang [3700 m/12,136 ft] | 5-6 Hrs.
One smaller pass of Lo and you will be in Lo Manthang. From the top you can witness the beauty of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Bhrikuti and Annapurna I. Expect pass to be windy most of the time. All you need now is to descend to capital of upper mustang. There is so much to see in this beautiful village of Lo Manthang. You will be spending two nights here. Today you can just walk around this medieval village. Overnight at Guest house include meal B/L/D.
Exploration Day Lo Manthang [3700 m/12,136 ft].
In the morning you can start with a trip to Namgyal Gompa. It is a very important monastery for locals. Tingkhar, a village on the last edge of Nepal can be a perfect escape from Lo. You can also use the pony service. If you don’t want to go far then just explore a few of the important attractions of Lo. Explore God House and other major Gompa. King’s palace shouldn’t be missed as well. After earthquake palace had developed some cracks and king family was shifted on the tent. This is a very unique building and it is more than seven hundred years old. Overnight at Guest house include meal B/L/D.
Lo Manthang to Yara [3900 m/] | 7-8 Hrs.
Trek back to top of the pass again. This is the final view of Lo Manthang. Take some picture and start descending down. After a while you will leave a main trail of Jomsom Lo Manthang Trek. Continue to the village of Dhi. Further east we will continue passing the Kaligandaki River. There is short yet steep climb up. It is very famous for some of its caves. Along the way you will have views of amazing caves. After a long walk you will find a place to stay for overnight in Yara Village. Overnight at Basic Tea house include meal B/L/D.
Yara to Ghuma Thanti [4800m/] | 6-7 Hrs.
Major highlight of today, Luri Cave and Monastery. It is actually a cave monastery. Also, it is one of the challenging days as you will encounter very high elevation. It is almost at 5000 meters from sea level. Also, there is complete absence of settlement. You might encounter with some group who are attempting Lo Manthang to Nar Phu Traverse. Today you will camp in the middle of nowhere. Tomorrow you will be in the beautiful small glacial lake of Damodar Kunda. The most awaited destination of your trip. overnight tent camp include meal B/L/D.
Ghuma Thanti to Damodar Kunda [4890 m/] | 6-7 Hrs.
It is mostly up and down along the trail. You will be camping at the elevation of 4890 m that is almost 5000 m. The view is very beautiful around the lake. It is three small glacial lakes. But for Hindu and Buddhist devotees, this is a very sacred place. You will have a whole day tomorrow to explore around. There is a small view point above the lake.overnight tent camp include meal B/L/D.
Damodar Kunda Exploration [4890 m/]
Hike up to the nearby viewpoint. You can see Tibetan Plateau as well. Some of the famous climbing peaks in Upper Mustang are located nearby. You might encounter with climbers as well. Those who are traversing to Nar Phu will continue further southeast from here toward the pass campsite. Your adventure ends here and you will be retracing back to Ghuma Thanti tomorrow. This lake is also famous for black fossils. Hindu worships that as a God Vishnu. Many take sacred bath in the lake.overnight tent camp include meal B/L/D.
Damodar Kunda to Ghuma Thanti [4800m/] | 6-7 Hrs
Same trail, same campsite. You will now retrace back to Ghuma Thanti. Same up and down trail. But with new achievement. The trail is overcrowded in August. This is because of the festival. More precisely, on the full moon of August. Otherwise on the rest of the time periods, it remains completely isolated. You won’t be encountering with other trekking group. This is final camping night as well. Because from Yara there is a local village.overnight tent camp include meal B/L/D.
Ghuma Thanti to Yara [3900 m/] | 6-7 Hrs.
Same trail as before. You will be trekking same up and down back to Yara. If you want to explore Luri Cave Monastery again, then you can. You can’t do this in your home. Few more days in Upper Mustang. Once you make it to Muktinath, it is a part of the famous Annapurna circuit trail. Very few people trek here. As it can be made in general Upper Mustang Trek without camping overnight Basic Lodge include meal B/L/D.
Yara to Tange [3240 m/] | 7-8 Hrs
Comparatively it will be longer trail. It is steeply on certain portions as well. After a long walk you will encounter a river originated from Damodar Kunda. Collect some of black fossil. There are many of them! You will have a lunch here. After lunch it is up and down. There are several chorten in the village of Tange. The name of this village very similar to Tangbe, isn’t it? It is less commercialize. Enjoy local things late afternoon. Overnight Basic Tea house include meal B/L/D.
Tange to Tetang [3040 m/] | 6-7 Hrs
You have to leave this beautiful village. Cross the bridge and follow route along the river way. It is steep uphill. Until you find shelter house, you will be trekking uphill. There is availability of water as well. Lunch will be served here. Before reaching village of Tetang, you have to make it to top of small pass. Nilgiri looks very close now. Also the view of Dhaulagiri I is unmatched. Descend to the village of Tetang. Your final overnight in upper mustang. Tomorrow you will merge with the famous Annapurna Circuit Trail. overnight Basic Tea house include meal B/L/D.
Tetang to Muktinath [3700 m/] 6-7 Hrs.
Are you ready? It is all the way up until you can view Muktinath. There is a small main wall in the village before you start your uphill. It is only up and down. From the top, with a view of magnificent Himalayas you will descend down to the town of Rani Pauwa. Most people make mistakes as it is a village of Rani Pauwa not Muktinath. It is only a temple. The trail is busier now. Hundreds of thousands of trekkers every year trek round Annapurna trek. There are a few things to see inside the premises of Muktinath. It is a melting pot of Hindu and Buddhist. You can pay visit to the temple the next morning. Just enjoy now. overnight at guest house include meal B/L/D.
Muktinath to Jomsom [[2700 m/8856 ft]] | 7 Hrs.
You can take a jeep directly to Jomsom. But listen to us explore the village of Jharkot. It is way more medieval than Kagbeni. You can spend some time exploring around the inner alley of the village. There is a big chorten on the middle of the village. If you still want to trek then you can trek down to Jomsom. Skip Kagbeni, just direct to Jomsom. Jomsom is district headquarter. Best thing is try Himalayan Java Coffee. Also, you can buy souvenirs at Jomsom. overnight at Guest house include meal B/L/D.
Fly (30 min) /Drive back to Kathmandu. 6-7 hours
After breakfast, we transfer to the Pokhara airport. It is 30 minutes flight, viewing the fascinating scene. If not, we drive back to Kathmandu, 204 km from Pokhara, takes 6-7 hours, viewing beautiful hill scene and rural life. Overnight at Kathmandu. include B/B.
Farewell To Our Guest.
Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! Everest View Treks And Expedition Nepal escorts you to the airport for your flight time. Approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight, a representative of EVT will droop you off to the international Airpor
Includes/Excludes
- Arrival-Departure by Private Tourist Cab as per itinerary.
- Kathmandu Hotel two nights with bed and breakfast plan.
- Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara- Jomsom then return via private vehicle all the way to Kathmandu
- Best available lodge and tea house accommodation during the trek.
- Full Board Meals(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner) during the trek.
- A trekking or hiking leader - Fluent English speaking, experienced, knowledgeable with assistant trek guide (4 hikkers:1 assistant guide) and needed Sherpa porters (2 trekkers:1 porter) together with their payments, assurance, gears, foods and accommodations.
- All necessary national park fees, permits and paper works (Annapurna Conservation park permits and TIMS) ,Entire administration and local Taxes
- Guide and porter salary, food insurance and Gov taxes.
- All ground transportation
- Fresh Fruit after dinner everyday
- 1 pc snickers or mars chocolate each person every day
- 3 cup tea, or Coffee with meal B/L/D.
- Trek Completion Certificate
- Complimentary Trekking Kit bag
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu
- Damodar kunda trekking map
- First Aid Kit
- Nepal Visa fees on your airport arrival (You should bring accurate USD cash and two passport size picture)
- Personal expenses (Shopping, Laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, mineral water or boiled water, Phone calls, hot shower etc)
- Your Lunch and dinners in Kathmandu (This apply also early come back from trek then the fixed itinerary)
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu than above itinerary
- Tips for guides and porter
- Rescue in case of emergency.