₹130,000.00

Lo Manthang was the walled capital of the Kingdom of Lo from its founding in 1380 by Ame Pal who oversaw construction of the city wall and many of the still-standing structures. After the Shahs of Gorkha forged Nepal out of numerous petty kingdoms in the 18th century, Lo became a dependency but kept its hereditary rulers. This arrangement continued as long as Nepal remained a kingdom, until republican government began in 2008 and Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista (1933–2016) lost his title. His protector King Gyanendra suffered the same fate, however the Raja or gyelpo of Mustang was 25th in a direct line of rulers dating back to 1380 A.D. Gyanendra was only the eleventh Shah ruler since Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered Kathmandu in 1768.

Lo is culturally and linguistically Tibetan in the north (two-thirds) of Mustang District, while the southern third is called Thak, the homeland of Thakali people who speak a different language and have a synthesis of Tibetan and Nepalese culture.

Recently a series of at least twelve caves were discovered north of Annapurna and near the village, decorated with ancient Buddhist paintings and set in sheer cliffs at 14,000 feet (4,300 m) elevation. The paintings show Newari influence, dating to approximately the 13th century, and also contain Tibetan scripts executed in ink, silver and gold and pre-Christian era pottery shards. Explorers found stupas, decorative art and paintings depicting various forms of the Buddha, often with disciples, supplicants and attendants, with some mural paintings showing sub-tropical themes containing palm trees, billowing Indian textiles and birds.

The village is noted for its tall whitewashed mud-brick walls, gompas and the Raja’s or Royal or King’s Palace, a nine-cornered, five-story structure built around 1400. There are four major temples: Jampa Lhakhang or Jampa Gompa, the oldest, built in the early 15th century and also known as the “God house”; Thubchen Gompa, a huge, red assembly hall and gompa built in the late 15th century and located just southwest of Jampa Gompa; Chodey Gompa, now the main city gompa; and the Choprang Gompa, which is popularly known as the “New Gompa”.

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Description

Duration: 13 Nights 14 days
Region: North of Nepal’s Annapurna Conservation Area.
Highest Elevation: 370 meters
Lowest Elevation: 250m
Rivers: Koshi, Trishuli, Kali, Marshyangdi, Seti, Kali Ghandaki
Mountains:   Fish Tail, Annapurna Ranges, Nilgiri, Tukuche, Dhaulagiri, Langtang, Ganesh, Dorje Lakpa
Meals:  B/L/D Predominantly Nepali & Indian Cuisine with English Breakfast
Accommodation: 3*+ or best available in Twin Sharing basis
Starting Point: Siliguri
Ending Point: Siliguri
Total Distance Covered: ~2100kms
Currency: Nepali Rs, US Dollar, INR only Rs 100 International Credit Cards
Telecommunication: International Roaming, Local Sims (NTC and NCELL) can be purchased at the border with a passport copy and photograph.
Temperature: 25 deg to 0 deg C
Power: 220V
Spoken Language: Nepali, English and Hindi

Itinerary

Day 1: Siliguri to Chitwan: (415m/ 11hrs/ 500kms):
At the crack of dawn (5:30 AM) we ride out from Siliguri and head towards the Nepal border of Kakkarvitta which is 45kms away. Cross the border and complete immigration formalities of the vehicle (please carry original documents). Reset your watches to +5:45hrs (+15mins to IST). Drive whole day crossing the Koshi barrage that sells local fish and arrive at Chitwan at nightfall.

Day 2: Chitwan Free Day:
After breakfast participate in different Jungle activities at the Chitwan National Park. Activities include jungle safari, elephant bathing, canoe ride, Tharu Village Tour and Tharu Cultural Dance program in the evening with Nepali Dinner.

Day 3: Chitwan to Beni (1000m/ 6hrs/ 250kms):
After breakfast, Drive towards Mugling where the road splits to Kathmandu and Pokhara. Drive towards Pokhara beside the Trishuli River flowing downstream. Bypass Pokhara and drive towards Beni with is around 100kms from Pokhara.

Day 4: Beni to Kalopani (2450m/ 5hrs/ 62kms):
After breakfast is when the adventure begins. From Beni start driving north up towards the mountains. The gravel road will give way to offroad where we start ascending beside the Kali Gandaki Gorge the worlds deepest gorge. There is a continuous change in the topography with every twist and turn until our arrival at Kalopani.

Day 5: Kalopani to Jomsom (3710m/ 55kms/4hrs):
After breakfast, set out crossing the Thakali and Magar village of Marpha. From Marpha head towards Jomsom which has heavy winds post midday. From Jomsom the road again becomes pitched towards the last stretch to Muktinath. Offer ones prayers to both Hindu and Buddhist gods and drive down to Jomsom for the night.

Day 6: Jomsom to Ghami (3470m/ 70kms/ 4hrs):
After breakfast, descend to the village of Kagbeni with its medivial architecture, the gateway to Upper Mustang. After completing the permits work we continue our ride to Ghami passing through Tangbe and Chele. Depending upon the weather we will use a combination of high trails and the river bank routes. We use the combination of these trails as also because of the construction of the road to upper Mustang which is still in progress.

Day 7: Ghami To Lo- Manthang (3700m/ 35kms/ 3 hrs):
After breakfast drive to Lo-Manthang through Charang. Lo-Manthang is a medieval walled city on the Tibetan Plateau which served as the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Mustang. Lo Manthang was founded in 1380 by Ame Pal, who oversaw construction of the city wall. The monarchy officially ceased to exist on October 7, 2008 by Nepali Government order.

Day 8: Lo- Manthang Free Day:
The last king (raja or gyelpo) is Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista (born c. 1933), in the direct line of the historic monarchy dating back 25 generations to 1380. The population includes ethnic Lhobas. The major Temples inside the walls are Champa Lakhang (God House) which houses the 45 ft. statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha. Beside these interesting caves it is also famous for the magnificent landscape and Nymphu monastery built on the cliffs.

Day 9: Lo- Manthang to Samar(300m/ 350kms/ 8hrs):
After breakfast we ride back to Samar following the same trail, which is a small village in Mustang that also lies in popular Annapurna Circuit Trek route. It is a fascinating medieval village with closely packed mud brick houses, dark alleys and imposing chortens. Upon arrival Samar, we check in to the lodge and rest of the evening is free to relax and explore around the Village. Note: Lodges in Samar do not have rooms with attached bath. All are standard rooms with common bathroom and toilet.

Day 10: Samar To Tatopani (1200m/96kms/6.5hrs):
After breakfast, continue ride to Kagbeni, via Marpha After the sightseeing tours of Marpha, we head down to Kalopani. After lunch continue ride to Tatopani. Upon arrival at Tatopani check in to the guest house. Tatopani (hot water) offers a natural Sulphur spring to relax and take a dip in the pool.

Day 11: Tatopani To Pokhara (827m/ 115kms/ 4hrs)
After breakfast retrace the route down to Pokhara. In Pokhara check in at the hotel at Sarangkot. Relax at the hotel and enjoy the evening watching Pokhara below.

Day 12: Pokhara Free Day
Wake up and watch the sun rise from Sarnagkot. After breakfast checkout and drive to a hotel at the lakeside. Free day to roam around the city to visit the Shanti Stupa, Devi’s Fall and Gufa and go boating at the Phewa Lake and chill by the lakeside. Adventure activities like Paragliding, Canyoing, bungee jumping and zipline can also be pursued.

Day 13: Pokhara to Bardibas (300m/ 350kms/ 8hrs):
After breakfast drive back towards Siliguri. Cross Mugling and then Chitwan and halt at Bardibas at night.

Day 14: Bardibas to Siliguri (300m/ 350kms/ 8hrs)
Retrace back on this final day towards Siliguri. The broder town of Kakkarvitta/ Panitanki will be reached in 6-7hrs and then the last hr to reach Siliguri town. Head back home with tired bodies but minds refreshed with the adventure of the last 10 days.

Includes

  • Vehicle Permit fees to Nepal
  • National Park Permit Fees ~$550
  • Fuel for Vehicle
  • Jungle Safari and other activities in Chitwan
  • Accommodation on 3*+ or best in the area
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner except Lunch at Pokhara on free day 12

Excludes

  • Personal Sundry Expenses (other food, water and soft drinks, laundry shopping and other expenses)
  • Liability against theft or loss of goods
  • Any rescue cost
  • Personal/ First Party/ Third party insurance
  • Lunch in Pokhara on Day 12
  • Activities/ Adventure activities in Pokhara on day 12
  • Any other items not mentioned in the “Includes” section
  • Extra days/ services provided due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the operators purview.

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