Nepal·April 18 - 30 2024

Secret Nepal: Trek to The Forbidden Kingdom and see tigers in Bardia

Magnificent Mustang: Trek to the Forbidden Kingdom of Lo Manthang and See Tigers in the Wild in the Beautiful Bardia National Park

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Overview

One of the most beautiful treks in the world, one of the most secluded and certainly the most mysterious. This Upper Mustang trek in to the remote Trans-Himalayan Region of this semi-independent Tibetan Kingdom offers an epic itinerary along the lesser traveled Eastern Route, with spectacular hiking through striking semi-arid desert with colourful rock formations, deep ravines and snow-capped peaks until you arrive to Lo Manthang. Known as the ‘Last Forbidden Kingdom’ because tourists only started visiting the region in 1992, and numbers are strictly limited; Upper Mustang, Nepal is famous for undisturbed Tibetan Buddhist culture with ancient monasteries, traditional villages and cave dwellings high up on the cliffs, as well as the stunning architecture on view at the walled city of Lo Manthang. The history, culture, myth and legend blends perfectly with the stunning scenery; Mustang has a long, rich and complex history that makes it one of the most interesting places in Nepal. After trekking to the Forbidden Kingdom, explore the Bardia National Park of lowland, western Nepal with its plethora of wildlife, including Asian elephants, rhino, freshwater dolphins, leopard and of course, the mighty yet elusive Bengal tiger.

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Highlights

One of the Most Beautiful Treks in the World

One of the Most Beautiful Treks in the World

Tourists only begun visiting this secretive corner of the world in 1992. Known as the "Forbidden Kingdom', tourist numbers are strictly limited.

See Tigers in the Wild in Bardia National Park

See Tigers in the Wild in Bardia National Park

Bardia is home to some of the most incredible wildlife on earth including Asian elephants, Asian rhino, Bengal tigers, fresh water dolphins and leopards.

Meet Your Guide

Oliver Browne (UK) - Expedition Leader

Oliver Browne (UK) - Expedition Leader

Oliver is a qualified Mountain Leader and the Founder of True Summit Adventures. He grew up in a small village in rural Hampshire, UK and started traveling extensively from his late teens, solo traveling through Mozambique in the aftermath of the civil war and flooding there when he was 18.


Oliver has competed in many marathons, duathlons and climbed many mountains of 4, 5 and 6000m including European Classics, Mont Blanc and Grand Paradiso, Andean Classics, Vallunaraju, Cotopaxi, Antisana and Chimborazo, Toubkal and Kilimanjaro in Africa, Lobuche East and Mera Peak in Nepal as well as touching Camp 3 on Mount Everest in Spring 2021, before becoming unwell with Covid19.


6 weeks after leaving hospital in Kathmandu he won the NOMAN, Barcelona to Ibiza rowing race in 93 hours and came second in the 2022 edition of the Talisker Atlantic Challenge in the 8th fastest time of all time.


Oliver was previously a professional player at Guards Polo Club.


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Tashi Lakpa Sherpa (Nepal) - Expedition Manager

Tashi Lakpa Sherpa (Nepal) - Expedition Manager

Tashi comes from one of the most preeminent families in mountaineering and expedition management in the world. Tashi holds the record for the youngest person to climb Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen (in 2005 aged 19) and has been to the summit 10 times in total, while his brothers Mingma and Dawa have each climbed all 14 mountains above 8000m; the first Nepali's, and the first brothers to do so.   


Tashi has also completed the Seven Summits and alongside his brothers became the first Nepali to ski to the South Pole.


In May 2023, his 17 year old son Nima became the youngest person to have completed the Everest and Lhotse double summit, having also become the youngest person to summit Manaslu the previous October.  


Tashi is one of the best and most experienced expedition managers in Nepal, if not the nicest. His family also own Heli Everest, meaning their fleet of A-350 aircraft is always on hand and available to our clients.

Behrouz Moghaddasi (Nepal) - Expedition Doctor

Behrouz Moghaddasi (Nepal) - Expedition Doctor

Behrouz is a physician, search and rescue instructor, first aid instructor and expert naturalist, a trainer of  survival, high altitude medicine, wilderness medicine and disaster management courses.

The Best Route to the Forbidden Kingdom

The Eastern Route

The Eastern Route

There are three main trekking routes in Upper Mustang – The Classic, Western and Eastern Routes. 

The Classic Route largely follows the road, with off-road detours here and there. The Western Route is essentially a 1-2 day alternative off-road section between Ghami and Lo Manthang via Dhakmar and Ghar Ghompa. 

But we prefer the entirely off road Eastern Route for its outstanding natural beauty and seclusion.

Itinerary

The Trip of a Lifetime

Previous

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Day 1: Arrival in Kathandu, 1400m

Arrival in Nepal

Welcome dinner: Krishnarpan restaurant, Dwarika's - traditional Nepalese tasting menu.

Overnight: Dwarika's, the best hotel in Kathmandu.

KTMmed

Day 2: Rest Day in Kathmandu, 1400m

Rest and preparation day in Kathmandu.

Dinner: Le Sherpa

Overnight: Dwarinka's

Activity: See UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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Day 3: Fly to Jomsom, 2760m

Private charter to Jomsom from KTM: see the 8000m peaks Dhaulagri and Annapurna close up.

Flight time: c. 1hr

Aircraft: Twin Otter

Dinner: Shinta Mani Mustang

Overnight: Shinta Mani Mustang

Activity: Explore Jomson

Kagbeni

Day 4: Trek to Kagbeni, 2810m

Trek to Kagbeni

Distance: 10.7km

Time: 4hrs

Altitude: 2810m

Overnight: Tibetan Lodge or Luxury Nepalese Camp

Activity: Visit century-old monastery, Kag Chode

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Day 5: Trek to Muktinath, 3040m

Trek to Muktinath

Distance: 12km

Time: 5hrs

Altitude: 3800m

Overnight: Tibetan Lodge or Luxury Nepalese Camp

Activity: Explore the revered Muktinath Temple, a significant pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists.

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Day 6: Trek to Chhusang via Gyu La Pass, 4077m

Trek to Chhusang

Distance: 14km

Time: 6hrs

Altitude: 3040m

Overnight: Tibetan Lodge or Luxury Nepali Camp

Activity: Visit Tetang, the first village inside Upper Mustang and its monastery.

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Day 7: Trek to Tangge, 3240m

Trek to Tangge via Paa Pass, 4210m

Distance: 20km

Time: 9hrs

Altitude: 3240m

Overnight: Tibetan Lodge or Luxury Nepali Camp

Activity: Visit Syanboche and Ghiling along route.

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Day 8: Trek to Yara, 3900m

Trek to Yara

Distance: 13km

Time: 7hrs

Altitude: 3900m

Overnight: Tibetan Lodge or Luxury Nepali Camp

Activity: Explore Yara Village

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Day 9: Trek to Luri Gompa and back to Yara, 3900m

Trek to Luri Gompa and back to Yara

Distance: 13km

Time: 7hrs

Altitude: 3900m

Overnight: Tibetan Lodge or Luxury Nepali Camp

Activity: Visit incredible monasteries  Luri Gompa, and Tashi Kabung.

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Day 10: Trek to Lo Manthang, 3810m

Trek to Lo Manthang

Distance: 12.5km

Time: 7hrs

Altitude: 3810m

Overnight: Tibetan Lodge or Luxury Nepali Camp

Activity: Explore the Forbidden Kingdom of Lo Manthang and its different monasteries Chhyode Gompa, Jampa Lhakhang, and Thubchen Gompa along with the Royal Palace.

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Day 11: Explore Lo Manthang and helicopter to Jomsom, 2760m

Explore Lo Manthang and helicopter to Jomsom

Altitude: 2760m

Overnight: Shinta Mani Mustang

Activity: Explore Lo Manthang

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Day 12: Fly to Nepalgunge, 150m Tiger Safari

Private charter to Nepalgunge from Jomsom: see the 8000m peaks Everest, Lhotse and Makalu.

Flight time: c. 1hr 20 mins

Aircraft: Twin Otter

Dinner: Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge

Overnight: Tiger Tops

Activity: Tiger safari

Bardia

Day 13: Safari, Bardia National Park

Safari

Dinner: Karnali Lodge

Overnight: Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge

Activity: Safari in Bardia National Park

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Day 14: Safari, Bardia National Park

Safari

Dinner: Karnali Lodge

Overnight: Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge

Activity: Safari in Bardia National Park

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Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu and home or overngiht in KTM

Private charter to Kathmandu.

Flight time: c. 1hr

Aircraft: Twin Otter

Dinner: Hard Rock Cafe

Overnight: Dwarika's

Activity: Celebration Dinner

Where you'll be staying

Dwarika's

Dwarika's

The best hotel in Kathmandu.

Shinta Man Mustang

Shinta Man Mustang

One of the best hotels in Nepal.

Tiger Tops, Karnali Lodge

Tiger Tops, Karnali Lodge

The best luxury camp in Bardia National Park.

What's Included

What's Included

Private Charter Flights

All Transfers Inside Nepal

All Accommodation

All Meals

All Porters and Guides

All Entrance Fees

International Flights

Nepalese Visa

Travel Insurance

Tips

Alcoholic Drinks

Reviews

DmitryTokarev

My go to man for hiking adventures! Ollie has led several personal expeditions for me including the Dolomites and Kilimanjaro, and more recently a corporate team building activity in Scotland. The bespoke trips that True Summit Adventures offer are ideal for my friends and I who have intensely busy schedules and are located all over the world. Ollie navigates around the availability, geographical and varying fitness level hurdles with patience and still manages to provide an all-encompassing, breath taking itinerary of hiking and fun activities along the way. The trips have provided memories for a lifetime, thank you Ollie. I look forward to Everest Base Camp next year!

Dmitry Tokarev, Founder and CEO, Copper Technologies

KappKrew

TOP NOTCH! Top notch; First class; Unparalleled; Exceptional. Choose your superlative and True Summit Adventures meets and exceeds it! My sons and I recently returned from another trip with them, this one trekking and mountaineering in the high Himalayas. Oliver and his team are not only world-class expedition leaders, they are superb and charming hosts who provide a level of personalized service and attentiveness rarely found in such operations. They really make an effort to ensure the team bonds, and usually lifelong friends are the result. TSA turns a memorable trip into the trip of a lifetime. I cannot recommend TSA enough!

George Kappaz, Single Family Office

Secret Nepal: Trek to The Forbidden Kingdom and see tigers in Bardia

Nepal· April 18 - 30 2024· 12 nights

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