Nepal·18 - 30 April 2024
Magnificent Mustang: Trek to the Forbidden Kingdom of Lo Manthang and See Tigers in the Wild in the Beautiful Bardia National Park
COMING SOONOne 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.
Tourists only begun visiting this secretive corner of the world in 1992. Known as the "Forbidden Kingdom', tourist numbers are strictly limited.
Bardia is home to some of the most incredible wildlife on earth including Asian elephants, Asian rhino, Bengal tigers, fresh water dolphins and leopards.
Kami Rita Sherpa is one of the foremost mountaineers in history and holds the record for the most ascents of Mt. Everest and the most ascents of mountains above 8000m.
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.
Kami Rita Sherpa is one of the foremost mountaineers in the world and has the most ascents of Mt. Everest (28) in history.
Kami Rita also holds the record for most 8,000 meter summits, with 38 in total.
In addition to his Everest completions, his totals include Cho-Oyu eight times (2001, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2016), Lhotse once (2011) and K2 once (2014).
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 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
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.
The Trip of a Lifetime
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Arrival in Nepal
Welcome dinner: Krishnarpan restaurant, Dwarika's - traditional Nepalese tasting menu.
Overnight: Dwarika's, the best hotel in Kathmandu.
Rest and preparation day in Kathmandu.
Dinner: Le Sherpa
Overnight: Dwarinka's
Activity: See UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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
Trek to Kagbeni
Distance: 10.7km
Time: 4hrs
Altitude: 2810m
Overnight: Tibetan Lodge or Luxury Nepalese Camp
Activity: Visit century-old monastery, Kag Chode
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.
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.
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.
Trek to Yara
Distance: 13km
Time: 7hrs
Altitude: 3900m
Overnight: Tibetan Lodge or Luxury Nepali Camp
Activity: Explore Yara Village
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.
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.
Explore Lo Manthang and helicopter to Jomsom
Altitude: 2760m
Overnight: Shinta Mani Mustang
Activity: Explore Lo Manthang
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
Safari
Dinner: Karnali Lodge
Overnight: Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge
Activity: Safari in Bardia National Park
Safari
Dinner: Karnali Lodge
Overnight: Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge
Activity: Safari in Bardia National Park
Private charter to Kathmandu.
Flight time: c. 1hr
Aircraft: Twin Otter
Dinner: Hard Rock Cafe
Overnight: Dwarika's
Activity: Celebration Dinner
The best hotel in Kathmandu.
One of the best hotels in Nepal.
The best luxury camp in Bardia National Park.
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
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
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
