Lower Mustang & Poon Hill Horse Trek - 14 Days
LOWER MUSTANG & POON HILL HORSE TREKKING HIGHLIGHTS:
- Discover Nepal's hidden treasure "Mustang" and explore the region with your horse.
- Horse trek along the world’s deepest canyon – the Kali Gandaki.
- Immerse yourself in the Nepalese culture and sleep in local tea houses.
- Meet the Thakali families and experience the warm Nepalese hospitality. The Thakali, one of the most famous trading communities in Nepal, have converted their charming homes into trekkers' lodges.
- Impressive suspension bridges swinging high over rivers.
- Breathtaking vistas and spectacular views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Mt. Fishtail, Mt. Manaslu, Annapurna II and many other peaks.
- Visit Muktinath, a famous sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.
- Embark on a scenic mountain flight from Jomsom to Pokhara and enjoy the spectacular views of the Annapurnas.
- Explore Pokhara, Nepal’s adventure capital.
Horse trekking in Nepal is a magical experience. Our Lower Mustang Horse Trek is one of the most exhilarating ways to discover the Mustang region, and gives an exciting mix of adventure and culture.
Day 01. WELCOME TO NEPAL
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our friendly representative will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign displaying your name. He will then drive you to your hotel. At the hotel, you will receive a short pre-departure briefing.
Depending on your time of arrival, you are free to relax or explore the city.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02. DRIVE TO POKHARA
Overnight in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 03. POKHARA - NAYAPUL | HORSE TREK TO ULLERI (1960m)
After breakfast, we will drive to Nayapul. We will meet our horses and enter the Annapurna Conservation Area. We will cross few suspension bridges before reaching Tikhedhunga. Then, we will continue our horse trek to Ulleri, an ancient village of stone houses.
Overnight in Ulleri.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 04. HORSE TREK TO GHOREPANI (2874m)
Enjoy a stunning sunrise with spectacular views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.
After breakfast, we will continue our horse trek to Ghorepani through the rhododendron forest.
Overnight in Ghorepani.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 05. POONHILL SUNRISE VIEW (3210m) | HORSE TREK TO TATOPANI (1190m)
We will wake up around 4 am, and begin our hike to Poonhill at 4:30 am sharp (≈ 1 hour hike). Witness the spectacular Poonhill sunrise over towering peaks. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Mt. Fishtail, Mt. Manaslu, Annapurna II and many other peaks.
We will hike down and enjoy a well-deserved breakfast. Then, we will continue our ride to Tatopani. In the afternoon, we will enjoy Tatopani's natural hot springs. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit!
Overnight in Tatopani.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 06. HORSE TREK TO GHASA (2010m)
We will ride along the Kali Gandaki up to Ghasa, a typical Thakali village. On the way, we will stop at Rupse Chhahara, known for its beautiful waterfall.
Overnight in Ghasa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 07. HORSE TREK TO TUKUCHE (2580m)
We will ride up to Kalopani, a village well-known for its spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I. Then, we will continue our ride to Tukuche, one of the most important Thakali villages in the Lower Mustang region.
Overnight in Tukuche.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 08. HORSE TREK TO MARPHA (2680m)
Today will be a short and easy riding day on a mostly flat trail. We will travel to the lovely stone village of Marpha, known as the apple capital of Nepal. In the afternoon, we will ride to a local distillery to see the process of Marpha Apple brandy.
Overnight in Marpha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
We will ride to Kagbeni, the main gate to the Last Forbidden Kingdom. In Kagbeni, you will witness the great views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peaks, and the Kali Gandaki (the deepest canyon in the world). Visit of Kagbeni and Tiri.
Overnight in Kagbeni.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 10. HORSE TREK FROM KAGBENI TO MUKTINATH (3710m) AND BACK TO KAGBENI
Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will start your ride to Muktinath. Along the way, you will witness stunning views of mountain ranges. You will enter Muktinath. Temples and religious shrines are the major attractions of this holy place. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists. In Muktinath, if you have the courage to do so, you can follow Hindu devotees and take a holy bath under the 108 chilled fountains (Muktidhara).
Then, we will ride back to Kagbeni.
Overnight in Kagbeni.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 11. HORSE TREK FROM KAGBENI TO JOMSOM (2720m) VIA EKLE BHATTI | VISIT JOMSOM AND THE DHUMBA LAKE
After a filling breakfast, you will ride to Jomsom via Chhanche Lhumba, also known as Ekle Bhatti (“Lonely Pub”).
Then, we will visit Jomsom surroundings and the beautiful Dhumba Lake.
Day 12. FLIGHT FROM JOMSOM TO POKHARA
Scenic mountain flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Free time in the afternoon.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 13. POKHARA TO KATHMANDU
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner.
Day 14. DEPARTURE
After a fun-filled trip, our journey ends. We hope you thoroughly enjoyed your trip. We will take you to the Tribhuvan International Airport. If you have time and would like to extend your stay in Nepal, we would be happy to offer our recommendations.
Meals: Breakfast.
Please note: This itinerary is intended to be a guideline; local conditions and weather may necessitate slight itinerary variations. We strongly advise allowing 1 to 2 contingency days in case of unforeseen circumstances.
This package can be extended or customized upon request.
- Rucksack or duffle bag.
- Outdoor clothing: Outdoor clothing should be tough and comfortable. Walking boots & sport sandals are ideal.
- Water Bottle or Hydration Bladder with Water Purification Tablets. We recommend LifeStraw, an advanced water filter bottle.
- Daypack (25-30 liters).
- Trekking Pants & Shorts.
- Horse-riding boots.
- Helmet.
- Flashlight.
- Wash kit and towel.
- Sleeping bag.
- Sun glasses, hat & sunscreen.
- Camera.
- 1 waterproof jacket. Check the weather forecast before you go.
- Swimsuit.
- Medicine (in particular, diarrhea medication): Isotonic Powder/ Basic First Aid Kit/ Diamox/ Oximeter / Ibuprofen for general aches and pains/ Imodium or Pepto Bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
- Copies of important documents (passport, vaccination certificates, travel insurance) & extra passport photos.
- Insect repellent.
- Padlocks.
- Power adapter.
*THIS LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE.
What’s included
- Pre-departure support.
- Airport pick-up & drop-off.
- Professional English speaking trekking guide during the entire trip.
- 1 horse per rider.
- Porter service during the horse trek (20kg baggage max. per porter).
- Ostler / horse-rider with his own horse during the horseback ride.
- Tourist bus transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara and from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
- Flight ticket (Jomsom to Pokhara).
- Accommodation: 3-Star Hotels BB on twin sharing basis (2 nights in Kathmandu and 2 nights in Pokhara) and lodges during the horse trek.
- Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan).
- All necessary permits.
- First aid kits.
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- All government taxes, VAT and service charges.
What’s NOT included
- International flights.
- Excess baggage fees (domestic flight).
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu (except farewell dinner) and Pokhara.
- Tips for porters, guides & others.
- Personal riding boots & clothing.
- Personal expenditures, all bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
- Medical examination (if required) & vaccination costs.
- Visa fees.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything else not specified in the ‘what’s included’ section above.
Accommodation:
Kathmandu: 3-Star Hotel.
Pokhara: 3-Star Hotel.
During horse trek: Lodges.
The rooms in the lodges (tea houses) on the Poon Hill and Lower Mustang trek are simple but comfortable. Hot water for showers are not always available. Most of the tea houses have basic access to electricity (power outages are common at high altitudes) and WiFi is not always available. The rooms do not have heaters; bring a sleeping bag with you for the nights at high altitudes. Toilets are sometimes outside the rooms; tea houses do not always provide toilet paper (at least, not always for free); do not forget to bring a couple of rolls with you.
Meals:
Kathmandu: Breakfasts & Farewell Dinner.
Pokhara: Breakfasts.
During the horse trek: Breakfasts, Lunches & Dinners.
Good health and passion for adventure.
This tour requires good riding skills and knowledge of horses.
Only 1 rider per horse.
The maximum weight we can allow for this ride is 85 kg.
Please note that helmets are mandatory on this ride.
You are required as a condition of booking to have an adequate travel insurance.
Please note: Before your arrival, we will send you a complete detailed brochure regarding Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and how to prevent it. Please read this brochure carefully.
Our local trekking guides are highly experienced in preventing, recognizing and treating altitude sickness. They will monitor your health closely during your horse trek. A proper acclimatization is not only essential but also a necessary life-saving measure.
