Highlights
Hotel/ Guest Hosue
April To September
- Visit the Palace of Jigme parwal Biste (former king) in Lo-Manthang and the walled city (the lost forbidden kingdom of Tibet)
- Explore 13th century Luri Gumpa
- Amazing view of Upper Mustang valley, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annaurna South, Dhaulagiri
- Tibetan culture and tradition, historical caves
- Visit Damodar Kunda (the holy lake) and cultural wonders.
- See the longest Mani wall in Nepal
- Worlds deepest gorge Kaligandaki valley and the beauty of Annapurna Himalayan range.
Damodar Kunda Trek Overview
Damodar Kunda Trek, Nestled behind the mighty mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, the valley is known as Upper Mustang is one of the best tourist destination, also known as a little Tibet in Nepal. Today, Upper Mustang is a highly renowned destination for both foreign and domestic tourists. The area's stunning Himalayan vistas, arid ridges, and the sparse, scattered settlements with their unique culture and traditions are truly captivating. The local people practice Buddhism. The village of Lo Manthang was the capital of Mustang, and until the monarchy ended in Nepal, the local people continued to honor the descendants of their kings as royalty. Even today, the locals show immense respect and honor to the king's descendants.
These days, the Upper Mustang region offers good lodge facilities for food and accommodation, similar to other trekking areas in Nepal like Everest region, Langtang and Annapurna. Additionally, services like electricity, internet, and security and health-related services are also available. In this region, one can still see the ancient rocky caves where Hindu and Buddhist masters meditated nearly two to three thousand years ago. Furthermore, the opportunity to observe ancient monasteries and converse with lamas about life and the world makes the journey even more fascinating.
East of Lo Manthang lies the sacred Damodar Kunda trek (Lake). This lake is considered a holiest site for Hindus, who believe that bathing in its waters washes away all sins. It is also believed to be the source of the Shaligram (ammonite) stones. To reach Damodar Kunda, one can travel by jeep from Lo Manthang to Yara village. From Yara, it requires a two to three-day trek on foot.
Alpine Asian Treks have been arranging guides, permits, porters, and other logistic services for tourists for a long time. If you are planning a visit to Damodar Kunda for tourism or pilgrimage, you can remember us. We will provide you with services that will make your journey a memorable experience for a lifetime.
Best season to Damodar Kunda Trek:
The best window for the Damodar Kunda Trek is from May to September, when weather and trail conditions are most stable. Be prepared for cold temperatures and potential rain showers..
Meal and accommodation in Damodar Kunda Trek:
Enjoy comfortable twin-share rooms in local lodges with shared bathrooms. Your lodge will provide all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) from a standard and delicious menu.
Trekking Gear in Damodar Kunda Trek
Required equipment varies by season. Essential items include proper clothing and rain gear. For a complete packing list, visit our website or contact our trek manager.
Ready for your adventure? Contact us to book or learn more!
Our Hotel in Kathmandu; Green Eco Resort
Day to Day Itinerary
Welcome to Kathmandu, Nepal
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), our representative will be waiting to warmly welcome you and your team to Nepal. You will be greeted with traditional floral garlands as a symbol of our hospitality.
From the airport, you will be privately transferred to your hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned car or van. The remainder of your afternoon is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure.
In the evening, you will be treated to a special welcome dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant. Enjoy an authentic vegetarian feast while experiencing a captivating cultural performance. You will then return to your hotel for a restful night's stay.
Service Details:
Transportation: Private air-conditioned car/van
Activities: Free time to relax in the afternoon; cultural dinner in the evening.
Host: AATE representative
Timing: Arrival transfer is based on your flight schedule.
Meals Included: Welcome dinner at a traditional cultural restaurant.
Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing & Trek Preparation
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before we begin our guided tour of Kathmandu's iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today's journey will take us to the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, the ancient Patan Durbar Square, and the magnificent Bouddhanath Stupa.
In the afternoon, we will welcome you to our downtown office for a comprehensive trip briefing. This is a great opportunity to meet your trekking guide, ask any final questions, and ensure you are fully prepared for the adventure ahead. We will also review your equipment; should you need to rent or purchase any last-minute trekking gear, our team will be happy to assist.
You will then return to your hotel for a restful evening.
Service Details:
Accommodation: Hotel in the city center
Transportation: Private air-conditioned car/van
Activities: Guided sightseeing tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Approximate Timing: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Meals Included: Breakfast at the hotel.
Scenic Flight to Pokhara
Following breakfast at your Kathmandu hotel, you will be driven to the domestic airport for a breathtaking 25-minute flight to Pokhara. Enjoy stunning aerial views of the Himalayan range on a clear day.
Upon landing in Pokhara, you will be transferred to your hotel. After time to refresh, your trekking guide will accompany you on a leisurely walk around the beautiful Lakeside area.
The evening is free for you to explore at your own pace. We recommend enjoying dinner at one of the many charming restaurants overlooking Phewa Lake before returning to your hotel for the night.
Service Details:
Transportation: Scenic domestic flight & private vehicle transfers
Activities: Leisurely guided walk around Lakeside; free evening.
Host: Your trekking guide
Meals Included: Breakfast
Note: If you would like to drive (6-7 hr), we can arrange a car/ tourist bus.
Transfer to Kagbeni via Jomsom 2700m
Following an early breakfast, we depart by private 4WD jeep for Kagbeni. The journey via Jomsom is an adventure in itself, following the Kali Gandaki river valley and providing magnificent views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs.
Upon arrival in Kagbeni—the historic gateway to Upper Mustang—we will take a guided tour of the village. Key sites include the ancient Sakya-Pa Sect Buddhist Monastery and the unique chhortens and mani walls that define the landscape.
The remainder of the day offers time to absorb the dramatic mountain scenery. Overnight at guesthouse.
Approx Driving : 6-7 hours
Transportation: Private 4WD Vehicle
Services of: Professional Trekking Guide
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinne
Note: there are flight to Jomsom, if you wish to take a flight we can manage that.
Drive To Lo-Mangthang 3840m
Journey to the Forbidden Kingdom: Lo-Manthang Awaits
Today, we embark on the final leg of our journey to the legendary walled city of Lo-Manthang, the ancient forbidden kingdom deeply rooted in Tibetan culture. After breakfast, we board our 4WD vehicles for a spectacular 5-6 hour drive through the surreal, high-desert landscape of the Upper Mustang valley.
The route is an adventure in itself, offering ever-changing, breathtaking panoramas of the Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I, and Bhrikuti peaks. We'll make stops to explore picturesque villages and capture stunning photographs.
The journey's climax is crossing the windy Lo La Pass (3,850m), where the entire Lo-Manthang valley unfolds before you, offering magnificent views stretching all the way to the Tibetan border. After a short descent, we arrive at the majestic city gates.
After checking into our guesthouse, we’ll explore the historic heart of the kingdom: the ancient Royal Palace and revered monasteries, which are believed to be the cradle of Buddhism in this region. Overnight in a local guesthouse.
Activity: Scenic 4WD journey to Lo-Manthang
Guided By: Experienced Trekking Guide
Drive Time: 5-6 hours
Meals: All Included (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner from the guesthouse menu)
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse
Explore Lo-Mangthang
This is one of the big day in this trekking. Visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar. Namgyal Gompa, situated on a hilltop serves as an important monastery of the local community and also as a local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa continue the tour to Tingkhar, the last main village to the northwest of Lo-Mangthang and back. Or you may have another option to visit the Tall Champa Lakhang "God house" the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the Entrance Hall which are the main attraction of this town. Another attraction is the king's palace. King palace is an imposing building in the center of the city and is occupied by the former king and Queen. The king of Lo-Manthang, is highly respected by the locals and consult about the major issues, within Upper Mustang area. Night rest at Guest House.
Activities: Expore Lo-Manthang
Take care by: Trekking guide
Meal Included: BLD from guest house menu.
Drive To Yara 3850m:
The trekking trail and circumstances will be different from today. You will encounter rare trekkers and village. Just before arriving to Yara you will see uncountable caves in the rock and wall. The trail goes gently descending down before reaching Dhe village, steep down hill to reach Dhe Village. After lunch you will cross the river drive through the bank of the river. Gradual ascending up arrive to Yara. The accommodation will be in local guesthouse.
Accommodation: local guesthouse
Activities: Drive to Yara
Take care by: Trekking guide
Meal Included: BLD from local lodge
Drive time: 4-5 hrs
Trek To Ghuma Thanti 4890mk Via Luri Gumpa 4000m:
Your crew will serve you a tea at your tent. After breakfast Pack your gears the gears and proceed to Guma Thanti. On the way climb to Luri cave monastery Gumpa (ancient Gumpa, Ningma Pa sect). Luri Gumpa is one of the amazing mysterious Gumpa in this high barren valley. Follow the barren valley after crossing 5100m pass. Night rest at a local lodge.
Activities: Trek to Ghumua (Guma) Thanti
Take care by: Trekking guide and porter
Meal Included: BLD from the lodge menu
Trekking time: approx 7 hrs
Trek To Parsye Khola 5000m:
After breakfast, pack your gears and continue your trek to Parsye Khole. Today you will cross another pass of 5200m. After the pass start descending down for 2 hours to Parsye Khole. Overnight at Parsye Khola at lodge
Activities: Trek to Parsye Khola
Take care by: Trekking guide
Meal Included: BLD from the lodge menu
Trekking time: approx 7 hrs
Trek To Damadar Kunda (4800m) And Explore Around
The most important day of this trekking. The trek starts after breakfast as other days. First the trek descends down about 3 hours then hike up to 5600m, the highest point of the trek. Finally two hours descends will bring you to Damodar Kunda, the entire destination. You will stop over night next to the lake. Over night at lodge.
Activities: Trek to Damodar Kunda
Take care by: Trekking guide
Meal Included: BLD from local lodge
Trekking time: approx 7 hrs
Accommodation: local lodge.
Trek Back To Guma Thanti 4800m
After breakfast, you will return back all the way same way back to Guma Thanti. . Crossing over the 5600m high passes trail again ups and down same like before.
Activities: Trek to Ghumua (Guma) Thanti
Take care by: Trekking guide
Meal Included: BLD from lodge
Trekking time: approx 7 hrs
Accommodation: local lodge.
Trek To Yara:
Today also you come back all the all same route climb ups and down which we have done before. The trail continues downhill until reaching Yara Village.
Accommodation: local guesthouse
Activities: Trek to Yara
Take care by: Trekking guide
Meal Included: BLD from lodge
Trekking time: approx 7 hrs
Drive To Muktinath 3800m
After breakfast continue your journey through the village after passing the scenic Mani wall. Then start climb up to the wide valley. Driving through the plateau, you will keep ascending until reaching the small pass from where can see the high mountains and magnificent view of Muktinath. Then, drop down to the small stream and cross the river . After that, enter in the village of Chhyongsar and continue to Muktinath village. Guest house at Muktinath.
Accommodation: Local guest house.
Activities: drive to Muktinath
Take care by: Trekking guide
Drive time: approx 7 hrs
Drive to Pokhara
Enjoy the last breakfast in the mountain and drive to Pokhara along the Kaligandaki river side and mountains in the back drop. Arrive in Pokhara and Check in to Hotel. Night rest at Hotel.
Drive Time: 6-7 hr
Overnight: Hotel in the lake side.
Meal included: Breakfast and lunch
Flight back to Kathmandu
After breakfast take easy morning around lake side. later we will transfer to domestic airport and take a flight to to Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel and free in the evening. Night rest at hotel.
Accommodation: Standard hotel/ deluxe hotel
Transport: Domestic flight
Meal included: Breakfast
Drive To Airport And Fly Back To Home
Enjoy the last breakfast at your Hotel in Nepal. Take an easy morning and last minute shopping around your hotel. Later we will transfer to airport and take a flight to home. See you in your next trip to Nepal. Bye bye.
Meal included: Breakfast
Departure transfer: by private vehicle
Whats Included?
Accommodation
- 3 Nights Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on BB basis
- 2 Nights hotel accommodation in Pokhara on BB basis
Meals
- Full Board Camping with meals (Breakfast Lunch & Dinner) while on trek in camping
Transportation
- Arrival and departure transfers from International airport, Kathmandu.
- Guided Kathmandu sightseeing by car/ van
- Domestic Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom to Pokhara
- Land transportation Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu by Tourist coach
Other
- Mustang Special Trekking Permit Fee for 15 days
- Annapurna Conservation Area ( ACAP) Permit fee and TIMS and monastery entrance while in Lo-Manthang
- Necessary camping equipment (two men tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent etc.)
- Supporting staff (a professional trekking guide and porter(s), cook, kitchen boy (s)
- Kitchen and utensils
- Wages, insurance, meals, transportation and allowances of the crew
- Clients allowed taking only 15 kg. Personal luggage while on trekking.
- Local telephone SIM Card with minimum balance, battery charger
- Alpine Asian Treks service charge and government tax.
Whats not Included?
Not Included
- International airfare and Nepal visa
- Monuments entry fee in Kathmandu and Pokhara while on sightseeing.
- Personal trekking equipment( Note: Additional cost applies for single tent on camping trek)
- Lunch and dinner while in the city ( Kathmandu and Pokhara)
- Travel / medical insurance and emergency evacuation costs
- Personal expenses such as telephone calls, alcoholic beverages, bottled drinks (including cold drinks and mineral water/boiled water), laundry
- Excess baggage will be charged if exceeds 20 kg
- Tipping and donation (5-10% is normal)
- Single supplement for hotel accommodation
- All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evacuation fee, transport, extra hotel night, food etc.)
- Internet date package, Hot shower, battery charging.
- Any other services which is not specified in the 'Cost includes'
Trip Reviews
recommend company in Nepal
We were recommend this company from our friend. Best Tour operator in Nepal Thanks a lot for Alpine Asian Treks, we feel much adventure trekking tour through this company, Our guide was friendly and very helpful. We recommend this company to this trekking.
Germany, 2023
Exceptional and Truly Exciting and Fulfilling
“Exceptional and Truly Exciting and Fulfilling”
The Pilgrimage trek to Damodar Kunda and Lo-manthang in Upper Mustang in Nepal has been exceptional and truly exciting and fulfilling. The trip was made comfortable and enjoyable by the excellent services rendered by the staff of Alpine Asian Treks & Exp (P) Ltd who took special care of each one of us to make it a life time experience for all of us.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The northern upper part from classic Annapurna circuit (Northers part from jomsom to Muktinath)to the Tibetan border is declared as a controlled area or require a special trekking permit. Only a government licensed company can apply a trekking permit. The permit fee is US$500 for 10 days and after US$50/ additional day.
Jomsom airport is situated at the bank of Kaligandaki River in between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains. The flights goes in a clear morning with good visibility. If by any reason the flight could not go to Jomsom you have to wait to tomorrow morning or drive by jeep to Jomsom. It will take one and half day to arrive to Kagbeni from Pokhara by chartered jeep.
The people in Upper Mustang (upper northern part from Jomsom Muktinath) are called Bhotias. They are more like Tibetans. The culture, tradition and religion are also more like Tibetan.
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