Poonhill & Upper Mustang Jeep Tour

Welcome to the throbbing heart of Nepal, Kathmandu. The capital city extends from the elevation of 1,400 meters above sea level and is the prelude to an amazing journey amongst cultural affluence and scenic opulence that makes up Nepal's geographies. You will be received by our friendly team and transferred to your hotel.

Enjoy the rest of your day leisurely, letting yourself rest and recover from perhaps some jet lag, or should you feel up to it, head into Thamel to enjoy the busy streets with their plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Your adventure starts tomorrow, so get a good night's rest!

After breakfast, you’ll go on a day tour in Kathmandu Valley, home to a variety of cultural sites. Start your day at Swayambhunath, where you can see a wide view of the whole city. Visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest shrines of Hindus in the world; daily religious activities will give an insight into the way of life in this region and the devotion Nepalese people carry in their hearts. No visit to Kathmandu would be complete without a visit to the imposing Boudhanath Stupa, a tranquil place of Buddhism worship.

We finally visited the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square, listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was said to have been an ancient palace complex of the royalty. In it is a maze of courtyards, temples, and statues which open up into vistas wherein the history of Nepal converses with its vibrant culture. And as day parts to pave way for night, one reaches back to the hotel, carrying along memories that bring about the feeling of timeless beauty and deep spiritualism, which is Kathmandu.

After breakfast, drive to Pokhara, the beautiful valley 822 meters above sea level. En route, one will get glimpses of the rural environment of Nepal: the terrace fields and traditional villages climbing up the valleys, with the mighty Himalayas sprawling out in the backdrops.

You will feel the change in atmosphere right on arrival at Pokhara—the laid-back ambience and stunning natural surroundings. Check into your hotel, then walk down to the lakeside for some evening relaxation in Phewa Lake, accompanied by its cafes, shops, and views of the panorama of mountains.

Today, travel into the heart of the Himalayas starts from Pokhara, and we begin our drive toward Ghorepani at an altitude of 2,874 meters. Beautiful views of green, terraced hillsides—with its charming villages—of the Gurungs dot the way. The higher one climbs, the crisper the air grows, and mounting ramparts rise to the sky.

Ghorepani is a fine overnight stop for trekkers en route to Poonhill. The village offers brilliant views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. Get ready for an early morning tomorrow at the lodge.

Very early in the morning, after an ideal, short hike (about an hour) to Poonhill, 3,210 meters, observe the most beautiful sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. Appreciate the views before descending back down to Ghorepani for breakfast, then drive on to Muktinath, situated at an altitude of 3,800 meters.

The trail twists and turns through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, said to be the deepest gorge in the world. The scenery changes; dramatic changes in vegetation takes only a few hours: as we leave behind the lush forests of the Tropics and enter into an almost arid, rock-strewn terrain, Muktinath is one among many in Nepal.

Today's itinerary goes as far as the mystical land of Upper Mustang, at 3,840 meters. Along the way, we stop at Chungsi Cave, an ancient retreat site for meditation in rough carved cliff walls. Inside these few caves, many legends and spiritual energies are contained and one can still visualize glimpses of the way of living by the monks that were striving to be enlightening.

We drive further into Upper Mustang, another bone-dry and wind-swept landscape that folks compare to being part of the Tibetan Plateau. Red cliffs, bare hills, and in-your-face dramatic peaks of the Himalaya soar. Overnight at a lodge in Mustang in a traditional village.

Here today, take a walk down in history to the ancient walled city of Lo-Manthang and its surroundings. Lo-Manthang lies at the altitude of 3,840 meters above sea level and stands as a living museum full of medieval palaces, monasteries, and mud-brick houses. We will also go to Chhoser and explore the caves that have existed for thousands of years.

Our journey now takes us to the top, the border of Korala, at an altitude of 4,660 meters—the highest point on our journey. This classic trade route offers remarkable views over a forbidding landscape of Himalayan peaks stretching away into the distance between Nepal and Tibet. It's a befitting finish to your Upper Mustang adventure, with ancient cave explorations and the beauty of high-altitude frontiers.

We drive to the village of Yara, lying at an altitude of 3,607 meters. Again, it's a very desert-bound drive, straight out of Mustang, with all its weird lunar landscapes—dry, barren, and utterly captivating. Next, we visit one of the oldest religious sites, important because of its good maintenance of frescoes, with mysterious roots:Luri Cave Monastery. As is the case with the cave, the remoteness enhances the spirituality of this place. Hence, Upper Mustang is a place where any visitor shall look at least once. After visiting the cave, we spend the night at a local guest house around Yara, enjoying the calm atmosphere of this isolated region.

Say goodbye to this land of mystic landscapes and drive back to the green valleys and the lakes of Pokhara. This journey makes the thought process rewind to a fantastic experience right from the holy Muktinath temples to the age-old caves of Lo Manthang in this last one week. Opposite to that will be the relaxed style of Pokhara and its beauty, making Mustang's rugged terrain incomparable. Evening is at leisure in Pokhara with a lakeside meal. One can enjoy the sunset over the Himalayas.

Today we say goodbye to the peaceful Pokhara and drive back to the hustle and bustle of the city—Kathmandu. Relive the beautiful drive with great views once again en route: green sceneries merging into the landscape leading to busy towns. Have some time this evening to explore, shop, or simply relax at your hotel in Kathmandu. As your adventure is slowly coming to an end, take some time and rethink the high points of this journey, from Poonhill sunrise to the ancient caves of Upper Mustang.

As your incredible journey through Nepal comes to an end, our team will ensure your timely transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Reflect on the diverse experiences, the breathtaking landscapes, and the rich cultural encounters that have made this trip unforgettable. Whether you’re heading home or continuing your travels, you’ll leave Nepal with memories that will last a lifetime and a deep appreciation for this beautiful and diverse country. Safe travels!