Over the years, Wilderness in Nepal (WIN), Australia and Keep Walking Nepal have been lending a helping hand to rural and marginalized communities in Nepal though various community projects and medical clinics.

For 2023, we’ve planned a 4 day medical camp at Bhadaure, a remote mountainous village in the Annapurna region. The village lacked basic medical facilities and only recently a basic health center setup was setup with support from WIN.

Bhadaure village is a rural community in Kaski (Annapurna Region). Unlike the surrounding areas around Bhadaure which have benefited from Tourism, Agricultural Development, etc, the village is away from the commercial trail and thus economically deprived. The locals don’t have accessible health care as the nearest hospital is an hour away and public transportation is non-existent. Currently a health post of sorts has been put in place with financial aid from WIN and employs a health assistant to treat minor ailments.

As such, the WIN Bhadaure Medical Clinic 2023 will greatly benefit the village and surrounding community as the the nearest hospital is almost 1.5 hours away.

After the medical camp, you can join the Mustang Overland Tour. You will travel through the stunning valleys of Mustang with scenic mountain views while getting to experience the ethnic culture of Nepal. You will be spellbound as you travel across the desert-like landscape, barren ridges, deep canyons, eroded cliffs and over 4000 meter high passes.

Nestled on the border of Tibet, to the north of the Annapurna range and south of the Tibetan plateau, Mustang was relatively untouched. Till the mid-1960s Mustang was closed to the world, however, in 1992, the Nepalese government reopened the region by special permit.

Upper Mustang is made up of 34 settlements with the most densely populated settlement at Lo Manthang. There are many species of wildlife, many of which are endangered. Much of the Mustang area is made up of high altitude steppe. Vegetation cover is sparse as snow and strong winds accelerate the erosion process. The irrigated alluvial parts are used intensively for cultivation whilst the lower slopes and alpine meadows are used for grazing.

Keep Walking Nepal would be pleased to have you along on this adventure. The program as a whole introduces you to our country and way of life.

Trip Highlights

• Guided tour of UNESCO world heritage sites in Kathmandu
• Scenic scheduled return flights: Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu
• Volunteering at the Bhadaure 2023 Medical Camp
• Fly through the world’s deepest gorge (Kaligandaki Gorge) and over the Himalayas.
• Experience Tibet in Nepal: Upper Mustang with its awe-inspiring magnificent barren landscapes
• Visit Muktinath: An important pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists

Trip Grade - Easy

Trip Summary

• Day 1 :Arrive Kathmandu transfer to hotel Tibet and welcome dinner
• Day 2 :Guided half day tour of Kathmandu
• Day 3 :Fly to Pokhara (25 min) and drive to Bhadaure (1.5 hrs)
• Day 4-7 :Volunteer at Medical Camp
• Day 8 :Drive to Pokhara. Rest of the day at leisure.
• Day 9 :Fly Pokhara to Jomsom (2,743 m; 25 min) and drive to Chuksang (2,980 m) via Kagbeni
• Day 10 :Drive to Ghami (3,540 m; 2.5 hrs). Excursion to Chungsi cave en route (1.5 hrs)
• Day 11 :Drive to Charang (30 min), hike to Ghar Gumba, a.k.a. Lo Gekar Monastery (10 min); drive back to Charang onwards to Lo Manthang (2.5 hrs.)
• Day 12 :Excursion to Chhoser & Kora La
• Day 13 :Drive to Samar (6 hrs)
• Day 14 :Drive via Kagbeni to Muktinath (3.5 hrs) and back to Jomsom (2.5 hrs)
• Day 15 :Morning flight to Pokhara. Full day at leisure
• Day 16 :Morning flight to Kathmandu. Rest of the day at leisure
• Day 17 :Full day at leisure. Evening dinner with KWN.
• Day 18 :Departure: End of trip

Daily Movements

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu transfer to hotel Tibet and welcome dinner

Our representative will pick you up at Kathmandu International Airport and drive you to your hotel. Depending upon what time you arrive, you can enjoy a full day at leisure and go on a welcome dinner with the KEEP WALKING FAMILY.

Look out for the KEEP WALKING NEPAL board behind the railing once you exit the airport terminal.

Hotel Tibet (B, D)

 

Day 2: Guided half day tour of Kathmandu

After breakfast you will get to experience the 2 most important sanctuaries in Kathmandu Valley: Pashupatinath & Boudhanath. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Hotel Tibet (B)

 

Day 3: Fly to Pokhara (25 min) and drive to Bhadaure (1.5 hrs)

After breakfast, you will drive to Kathmandu airport for 25 min flights to Pokhara. Once at Pokhara, you will drive to Bhadaure village and catch up with the local team and crew.

You will then prepare for the medical camp in coordination with the Bhadaure Health Center, local villagers, and crew.

Local Lodge / Tent (B, L, D)

 

Day 4-7: Volunteer at Medical Camp

You will engage in various activities at the medical camp.

Local Lodge / Tent (B, L, D)

 

Day 8: Drive to Pokhara. Rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast you will drive to Pokhara. You have the rest of the day at leisure.

Lakeside Hotel at Pokhara (B)

 

Day 9: Fly Pokhara to Jomsom (2,743 m; 25 min) and drive to Chuksang (2,980 m) via Kagbeni

You will start with an early flight to Jomsom Or Dzongsam meaning “New Fort “and walk to a local restaurant for breakfast (if you haven’t had breakfast at your hotel in Pokhara).

The first leg of the drive to Kagbeni (about 15min) is an experience in itself as most of the time you will be driving on the riverbed canyon while crossing several streams.

At Kagbeni you can visit the Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Gompa, an important Shakya Pa sect monastery found in 1429, the Kag Khar palace, a ruined palace that used to the fortified palace along the “Salt Trade Route” and the Devthen Chorten.

After lunch at Kagbeni, you will head towards your overnight destination for the day to Chuksang and into Upper Mustang.

Chuksang town has 3 separate parts and ruined castle walls on the nearby cliffs making a lovely stop for the night. For those who would like to stretch their legs, we recommend you walk to the nearby picturesque ancient village of Tetang.

Overnight at local lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 10: Drive to Ghami (3,540 m; 2.5 hrs). Excursion to Chungsi cave en route (1.5 hrs)

After breakfast you will drive towards Syangboche (3,800m; 1.5 hrs. drive), a small village with few houses. En route you will have views of Nilgiri on the southern skyline.

You will stop for a visit to the famed Chungsi cave just before Syangboche. The cave is only accessible by foot. The trail is marked by a cairn and steeply descends along the shadow side of the cliff to a gorge. At the bottom flows the Duptak Chu, a tributary of the Mustang Khola.

The Chungsi cave is naturally carved on a side of a cliff. It is said that the great sage Guru Ripomche is meditated on his way to Tibet in the 8th century and fought a fierce battle with a giant demon nearby. On the cave walls are many naturally formed deities which look like paintings. The cave also contains many sacred relics, statues and myths.

After spending some time admiring the natural beauty, culture and relics you will ascend back to Syangboche for lunch and continue the drive towards the beautiful village of Ghami (about 1 hr).
You can either spend the rest of the day at leisure or embark further on to Dhakmar (round trip about 3.5 hrs.)

Dhakmar is a high desert canyon region with astonishingly red cliffs. It is said that Guru Rimpoche had slain the demon Dhak Chhenmaon on request of the Tibetan king Thisong Deuchan, and the demon’s blood painted the cliffs red.

Overnight at local lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 11: Drive to Charang (30 min), hike to Ghar Gumba, a.k.a. Lo Gekar Monastery (10 min); drive back to Charang onwards to Lo Manthang (2.5 hrs.)

En-route you will drive across the Ghami river to reach the Charang La pass. The pass offers majestic view of Annapurna, Nilgiri and Bhrikuti. You then drive across a plateau crossing several mani walls to the old capital of the Mustang Kingdom at Tsarang/Charang.

At Charang you will visit the iconic red Thupten Shedrup Monastery which was built in 1385AD and the former 5 storied Palace built in 1378AD. The Thupten Shedrup Monastery is huge and is perched on the edge of the Kali Gandaki gorge, on the East End of the village.

The ruins of the former palace of the Raja of Mustang is strategically located astride a hill. It’s a steep, short hike up to the palace and although it is now dilapidated, there are great views from here and the small chapel and armory (now a museum) are open to the public. The Palace also has 108 volumes of Kangyur Text engraved in Gold.

Another Upper Mustang destination lies 30 min drive west of Charang and further 10 min hike, Ghar Gompa (Lo Gekar monastery). Ghar Gompa is believed to the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery established by Guru Rinpoche even before the ‘Samye monastery’ in Tibet. After some quick snack at the tea stall you will drive back to Charang and continue onward to Lo Manthang.
From Tsarang the road drops down into a deep canyon before climbing up the other side. The trail then continues along the Thuling Khola on the new dirt road towards Lo. The multi-hued canyons will spread impressively around you.

You will also start to see a few snow peaks ahead of you as you near the Lo La pass; to the south are the Annapurna peaks and the familiar peak of Nilgiri, to the east is a chain of snow-capped peaks, the largest of which is Bhrikuti(6363m/20,877ft). The pass leads through a partial tunnel of rock, flanked on the right strings of Tibetan prayer flags and then climbs to the ridge to the right for wonderful views down to the fabled city Lo Manthang.

Your 2-night stay will give you ample time to explore the old walled city and the village that has spilt outside of the walls of the old town. Prior to the invasion of Tibet, Lo Manthang was a prosperous center for the salt and wool trade. On the first day, you will visit the 4 story Mustang Durbar , Chyodi Gompa, Namgyal Gompa, Tingkhar and Tall Champa Lakhang Gompa.

Overnight at local lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 12: Excursion to Chhoser & Kora La

In the morning you will drive along the Nepal – China Kora La highway to Chooser Valley. The route is beautiful as you drive past ancient ruins and beautiful scenery.

Chooser valley is famous for Garphu and Nyphu Gompas and the famous Chooser caves aka the Zhong cave. It is believed that the cave was built by the escapee monks from Tibet. It is dug right out on a hill like a rabbit’s borough. The cave has around 40 room or openings and served different purpose in different time. Currently it is preserved as a tourist attraction.

After lunch, you can optionally drive to Kora La; one of the oldest trading passes between Nepal and Tibet or drive back to Lo Manthang.

Overnight at local lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 13: Drive to Samar (6 hrs)

Bidding farewell to Lo Manthang you will drive for about 6 hours via Charang and Ghami to the small hamlet of Samar.

There are a few houses at Samar; it’s a desert oasis with a beautiful view point

Overnight at local lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 14: Drive via Kagbeni to Muktinath (3.5 hrs) and back to Jomsom (2.5 hrs)

You will backtrack till Kagbeni and then follow the Jomsom Muktinath highway to the village of Ranipauwa and visit Muktinath, a pilgrimage celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists.

Overnight at local lodge (B, L, D)

 

Day 15: Morning flight to Pokhara. Full day at leisure

Early in the morning you will fly back to Pokhara where you have rest of the day at leisure.

Lakeside Hotel at Pokhara (B)

 

Day 16: Morning flight to Kathmandu. Rest of the day at leisure

You will depart on a morning flight to Kathmandu. The rest of the day at Kathmandu is at leisure.

Hotel Tibet (B)

 

Day 17: Full day at leisure. Evening dinner with KWN.

You have the whole day at leisure. In the evening we will organize a dinner party to commemorate your successful tour in Upper Mustang.

Hotel Tibet (B, D)

 

Day 18: Departure: End of trip

Your journey comes to an end today. A Keep Walking Nepal will drop you to Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight back home.

(B)

Cost Includes:

Cost Excludes: