fitst go to ptan durbar squar
then move to bhaktapur

Tranfer to the hotel.

Morning yoga and meditation. After breakfast we visit the former royal city of Patan. This developed into a religious and secular centre with Durbar Square and its Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries, with its penetration of palaces and religious places of worship characteristic of the cities of the Kathmandu Valley. Here you can experience the everyday life of the people, especially that of the artisans. Lunch at an exclusive restaurant in the Patan Museum. In the evening we visit the large stupa of Bodhnath, the center of Tibetan Buddhist life in Kathmandu. The foundation dates back to the 5th century AD. With a height of 36 meters, the stupa is one of the largest of its kind. Buddhists circle it at dusk in a clockwise direction (kora). You are welcome to join. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Morning Yoga and Meditation. After breakfast, drive to Pokhara, where we can enjoy the subtropical hills lined with rivers. In the late afternoon we walk along the shore of Lake Feta and have the opportunity to buy or rent the missing equipment for the trekking. Overnight in Pokhara.

Flight to Jomson (2713 m). From there we walk about 4 to 5 hours (easy hike) along the Kali Gandaki River. The riverbed of the Kali Gandaki, which lies between the mountain giants Dhaulagiri (8167 m) and Annapurna (8091 m), leads us to Kagbeni (2900 m), the gateway to the kingdom of Mustang. Here, Lower Mustang merges into Tibetan-influenced Upper Mustang. The historic part of Kagbeni is characterized by narrow streets. The houses are built so closely together that you move as if through tunnel-like corridors that hardly offer space for more than one person. Buddhism is still firmly anchored in the hearts of the people here. We visit, among other things, the Buddhist monastery of the medieval fortress city, founded in 1429, which is known for its beautiful view. 

We leave the village of Kagbeni early in the morning and hike up the valley of the Kali Gandaki through a gentle hilly landscape and through the village of Tangbe at an altitude of about 3050 meters. There we see a beautiful large Chörten, a whole series of small Chörten and the ruins of a fortress. From here you have a particularly good view of the deep valley of the Kali Gandaki. Tangbe will be remembered for a long time by the impressive view of the mountains and the spiritual buildings. From Tangbe we continue through the village of Chhusang, in the immediate vicinity of which there is a monastery and a temple, both of great cultural and historical importance. To our destination for today, the village of Chele with a beautiful view of the route so far, we hike a total of about 7 hours up to an altitude of 3200 meters on this day. 

Our destination today is the village of Giling. From Chele we hike uphill through treeless landscape. The efforts of the ascent are rewarded with wonderful views of the gorges of the Ghyakar Khola as well as the village of Ghyakar. After about 3 hours, the village of Samar surprises us with lots of greenery. Trees line the beautiful view of the Annapurna and Nilgiri mountains. From Samar we cross a pass (Bhena La) at an altitude of 3830 m. From here we enjoy a beautiful view of the mountains Tilicho and Nilgiri before we reach the idyllic Giling (3510 m) after a total of about 7 hours of hiking, guided by numerous prayer flags. In Giling, the southernmost major settlement of Upper Mustang, you will find extensive greenery and a monastic complex that can be visited. 

From Giling we hike further up to the Nyi La pass (4000 m). From there you have a beautiful view over the entire Mustang area. The descent to Ghemi (3520 meters) leads past colorful geological rock formations. It is worthwhile to take a closer look at it when walking through the Torchörten of Ghemi. At the famous, approx. 240 meter long mani wall of Ghemi we climb again up to the Tsarang La Pass (3870 meters). From there you can already see our destination for the day Tsarang (3550 meters) on the other side, the center of which is determined by a large chorten. After about 8 to 9 hours, today's hike ends and we have time for sightseeing. We visit the former royal palace and the monastery with murals, a large collection of scroll paintings (thankas, mandals) and statues. 

We leave Tsarang and hike to Lo Gekar. There we visit what is believed to be the oldest sacred building in Mustang, the historic Ghar Gompa, whose foundation in the 8th century is attributed to Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche), who was on his way to Tibet at the time. The Ghar Gompa is located at an altitude of 3940 meters and could even be older than the famous Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, whose foundation is also attributed to Padmasambhava. We hike over the Marang La pass (4230 meters), which leads directly to Lo Manthang, the capital of Mustang (3800 meters), with the possibility of a short stop at the Samdruling Gompa. The day hike takes about 9 hours.

Lo Manthang, the capital of Mustang, was founded around 1441. Surrounded by large pastures, with wonderful mountain panoramas, the city has largely retained its original appearance. It is protected by a fortified city wall and characterized by narrow streets and rows of houses. The ensemble of Lo Manthang is special and unique. 

We visit the city: The Jamba Gompa Monastery (Temple of Mandalas) with wonderful images of large-scale Buddha representations on the inner walls of the approx. 17 meter high building, the throne and a statue extending over two floors, which was probably completed in 1448. It is possible that the foundation stone of the Jamba Gompa was laid before the city was founded. Another attraction, the Temple of Mahamuni (Thubchen Lhakhang), is dedicated to the historical Buddha and was founded in 1468. Its assembly hall is supported by 35 pillars. The temple itself is decorated with religious sculptures. We also visit the Shakya Chyodi Gompa, the "new monastery". It was created by merging two sanctuaries: Choprang Gompa and Dhakar-Thungling Chhoede Gompa. The newer buildings contain classrooms, kitchen, dining hall, library and pharmacy. In the center of the complex are two assembly halls of the older temples with beautiful sculptures. On our city walk we also see the Royal Palace and of course the fascinating, traditional mud houses. We observe the inhabitants of the former kingdom in their everyday work, which has hardly changed since the Middle Ages. We get into conversation with people. 

A day trip takes us to the Chhosar Valley, famous for its cave culture. In Nyiphu, about six kilometers away from Lo Manthang, is the cave sanctuary Nyiphuk Namdrol NorbuLing, the "Cave of the Sun". It is said to have been built in the 16th century. The exterior of the sanctuary is fascinating, the landscape beautiful. Not far from Nyiphu is the multi-storey cave system of Jhong Cave. The tour is possible with the help of ladders and gives an insight into the way of life of the former inhabitants.

Today we leave the capital of Mustang in the direction of Jomsom, this time we take the eastern route. This path, which is also very scenically fascinating, leads us up the 3950-meter-high Lo La at the beginning. At the top of the pass we can take a last look at Lo Manthang, say goodbye once again. We hike for about 6 to 7 hours via the village of Dhi Gaon, where the Puyung Khola flows into the Kali Gandaki and which lies between rock massifs and fields, to Yara (3550 meters), which looks like an oasis. Yara greets us with impressive rock walls that look like giant organ pipes. From here we will visit the sanctuaries of Luri tomorrow.

After breakfast we hike for about 1.5 hours first to Ghara, a higher village on a tributary of the Puyung Khola, then on to the Nyingma Gompa of Luri, which is located at an altitude of 4060 meters. According to tradition, the meditation site is said to have been built about 800 years ago. It contains paintings of extraordinary beauty. After visiting the gompa of Luri, we return to Yara. In the afternoon, our 6 to 7 hour hike leads to Tangge. Among other things, we cross a pass height of about 3900 meters. From there you have a good view of the western side of the valley of Kali Gandaki. The townscape of Tangge is dominated by Chörten, Lhatos, prayer cylinders and Mani stones.

The path from Tangge to Chhusang is the longest day hike on our tour, on which the mountain massifs of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri will impress us. We cross the Tangge-Khola, with its refreshing, cool water. We also climb the Narsing La (4110 meters). Later we hike on a timidly downhill mountain trail. Among other things, it passes impressive erosion landscapes. On the last stage, the steep descent to Chhusang, we can get a wonderful view of Tetang.

Our hike (approx. 6 to 7 hours) leads from Chhusang past Tetang, the Gyu La Pass (approx. 4000 meters) up to Muktinath (approx. 3800 m). Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Temples of both religions bear witness to this, among other things. The entire complex of the old town was built around the 18th century AD.

In Muktinath we can observe the rituals of the believers and participate in them ourselves. We visit, among other things, "Mumuniksetra" – the "great holy place of the 108 springs" and the Temple of the Holy Fire. In the latter, escaping natural gases combine with the oxygen content of the air to form a flammable mixture. We get to talk to people, have the opportunity to meditate and can review the hike of the past few days. We enjoy the time walking, with good food and coffee.

The last trekking stage takes us over Jharkot at an altitude of 3550 meters with buildings of cultural and historical importance. The origin of the Sakya Gompa of Jharkot is dated to the 15th century. In the center of the village there is a large prayer cylinder and on some of the windows and doors of Jharkot you can guess the great past of the place due to the wood carvings. The hike takes about 8 – 9 hours. Our destination today is Jomsom. 

After breakfast in Jomsom, we fly back to Pokhara (915 m), where we have time in the afternoon, e.g. for a stroll and a stay at the lake.

Morning Yoga and Meditation. In the morning we enjoy a three-hour program in the Ayurveda center. A blessing, especially after the eventful trekking. Through the treatments we get to know the effects of Ayurveda. The rest of the day is at leisure in tranquil Pokhara. We can rest, take a rowing boat trip or buy small souvenirs and gifts.

After breakfast, flight along the Himalayan range to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Drive to the airport in the morning.