Damodar Kunda Trek

• Starting Point: Tribhuvan International Airport
• Ending Point: Hotel in Kathmandu

Himalaya Guide Nepal staff will welcome you to the land of the Himalayas with a Khada, garlands, or flowers as you land at Tribhuvan International Airport. He’ll accompany you on the drive to the reserved hotel. You can witness the lively streets of Kathmandu, filled with various shops and kids playing in the alleys. He will drop you off and help you check in at your hotel. You can freshen up, relax, or look out at the valley from the rooftop.

In the evening, you can spend your free time strolling around the streets of Thamel. Watch the beautiful Thangkas, statues, ornaments, and clothes, all made in Nepal. Then, when you feel hungry, head to a nearby restaurant or a famous Thakali place for a delicious set of Dal Bhat.

• Starting Point: Hotel in Kathmandu
• Ending Point: Hotel in Kathmandu

Today, you can have a slow morning. Have a late breakfast, then meet with your guide for a trek brief about the Damodar Kunda route, safety plan, and all the logistics for the trek ahead. You check your permits and gear. After that, you can explore around the gear shops for any missing items. You may enjoy a lunch with the guide if you have all the needed gear.

In the afternoon, you can visit the hilltop Swoyambhunath for the views of the Kathmandu valley. On clearer days, you can also see some peaks like Langtang, Ganesh, Manaslu, Gaurishankar, and Jugal from here. You can also opt to visit the timeless Kathmandu Durbar Square, which used to be a royal complex. It has over 50 temples and monuments. Enjoy the evening dinner and get your bags ready for the adventure that begins tomorrow.

• Starting Point: Kathmandu
• Ending Point: Pokhara

The Damodar Kunda trek journey will start on day three. The guide will pick you up after breakfast for a morning drive to Pokhara on a deluxe tourist bus. Outside the bus window, you can see soft rays of the sun shine on terraced fields, roadside tea stalls, and small bazaars. You can also see distant Ganesh Himal and Annapurna if the day is clear. The drive will stop for lunch at the riverside restaurant, which offers a wide range of menus.

You’ll reach Pokhara by late afternoon, perfect for sunset views on the lakeside. First, check into your hotel and get out for a short stroll near Barahi Chowk or go boating on Phewa Lake. The lake fills your view as its surface catches the gold and pink hues of the setting sun. You can also see a glimpse of the peak reflections (only on a clear day). On your way back, you can explore the market for dinner and relaxation.

• Starting Point: Pokhara
• Ending Point: Kagbeni

You’ll leave Pokhara taking a flight to Jomsom. During the flight, you can see snowy Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna up close with their shadows on the glaciers. 20 minutes later, you reach Jomsom airport to start the trek. As soon as you step out, you can feel the dry air. It’s not hot, but the sun feels closer, and the wind carries a sharp edge even in the morning calm.

From here, the Damodar Kunda trekking route follows the stony bed of the Kali Gandaki River through a broad, barren valley. You can walk past many small villages and chortens (whitewashed monuments) that mark the way and break the monotony of the dusty cliffs. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Kagbeni, where you will spend the night. It is a medieval village filled with stone alleys, spinning prayer wheels, and old doorways that serve as an entrance to the secluded Upper Mustang.

• Starting Point: Kagbeni
• Ending Point: Chele

Leaving Kagbeni, you will walk the windy section of the Damodar Kunda Trek trail as prayer flags flutter. You still follow the Kali Gandaki River, where the gravel glitters in the sunlight. After that, the path weaves past the whitewashed village of Tangbe and Chhusang, situated between cliffs. Here, the barley fields gently sway in the breeze, and yaks move along the path. You can smell woodsmoke and garden flowers in narrow lanes.

As you move above, ancient “Sky Caves of Nepal” cling to the rock faces, whose origins are only whispered in local legends. Here, the air grows drier and the vegetation is sparser until it disappears entirely as the trail narrows between cliffs. You will finally reach Chele by afternoon. It is a small cluster of lodges perched above a deep gorge where the sound of the river fades into the stillness of the high desert of the Mustang region.Tangbe and Chhusang

• Starting Point: Chele
• Ending Point: Syanbochen

On day six, you will start the day climbing steadily along windswept ridges in the crisp and thin air. After a while, you can see the vast Mustang plateau stretching into the horizon. Then the trail shifts constantly from here. The flat lands shift to steep stone steps, rocky trails, and barren and uneven ground. After 3 Hours of walking, you’ll see small, scattered settlements appear briefly, their stone houses blending almost seamlessly into the ochre cliffs.

Then, you can take an optional detour that takes you to Chungsi Cave, a sacred hollow carved into the cliffs. Once you’re inside, dim light reveals ancient carvings and a small shrine. You can smell the mix of incense sticks, butter lamps, and an earthy scent. You will arrive at Syanbochen in the afternoon and stay in one of the lodges nestled among stone ridges, surrounded by the plateau. Here, the only sounds are the flutter of prayer flags and the occasional call of a distant yak, giving you a rare moment of deep solitude.

• Starting Point: Syanbochen
• Ending Point: Ghami

From Syanbochen, the Damodar Kunda trekking route will wind through ochre hills and sun-baked cliffs shaped by centuries of wind and rain. The naked lands look ancient, with deep alleys and rock spires breaking the horizon. You’ll keep seeing stone chortens stand along the route, their faded paint telling stories of countless pilgrims who have passed before. In early noon, the air is dry and the light is sharp, so you need to keep on hydrating yourself here.

Finally, you’ll see whitewashed houses gathered at the base of towering cliffs. That is Ghami village, framed by barley fields and the longest mani wall in Mustang. The wall is like a ribbon of carved prayer stones stretching across the slope. Prayer flags flutter in the breeze, carrying mantras into the open sky. The village feels like a sacred place, with quiet views over the plateau.

• Starting Point: Ghami
• Ending Point: Charang

On day 8, you will walk past the long mani wall you saw the previous day. The terrain will keep shifting from high altitude desert until you reach Charang, perched above ochre cliffs. The village is the second-largest village in Upper Mustang. It has a red-walled dzong and monastery that stand proudly and provide a striking contrast against the nude desert landscape.

As you move closer to this village, you can see the blackened chimneys along the stone lanes. In the mornings and evenings, the dzong and monastery ring the bell as a signal for prayer and ritual time. The guide will take you to places like a Charang Palace and Tsarang Gumba for deep insights. They reflect the history and Buddhist traditions that define life here.

• Starting Point: Charang
• Ending Point: Lo Manthang

It’s finally time to trek to the famous walled city of Nepal, Lo Manthang. You will start with a gentle descent from Charang. The Damodar trek trail will lead you across a barren, high-altitude desert, a landscape of stark beauty and quiet solitude. As you trek on, the vast, open terrain is a constant reminder of the remoteness of this ancient kingdom.

After a steady climb, you will reach the Lo La pass (3,960m), from where you can get the first glimpse of Lo Manthang. This ancient city rises dramatically from the plateau as its whitewashed ramparts, a striking contrast against the ochre cliffs and endless blue sky. With a short descent, you will arrive at the city gates, where you enter a timeless world that has preserved its culture and traditions for centuries.

• Starting Point: Lo Manthang
• Ending Point: Lo Manthang

Day 10 will be reserved for exploration and acclimatization. In the morning, join the guide for a visit to the city’s four most significant gompas: the magnificent Jampa Lhakhang, Thupchen Lhakhang, Chode Gompa, and the royal palace itself, which is a key part of the city’s spiritual and political history. You can witness ancient murals and statues that have been preserved for centuries, giving you a tangible connection to the region’s rich past.

In the afternoon, you can go on a short excursion beyond the city walls. Many trekkers like to explore the mysterious Jhong Cave in the nearby village of Chhoser. It is a multi-story cave complex with more than 40 rooms. Alternatively, you can watch or join the locals walking around the city walls, spinning prayer wheels in a clockwise direction. The sunset here is also beautiful, lighting up the dry plains. You can also enjoy one of the best stargazing experiences at night.

• Starting Point: Lo Manthang
• Ending Point: Yara

Today, you’ll trek from Lo Manthang to Yara. You will start with a short walk back from the walled city to the Lo La pass. You may take one last look at the ancient city before moving into the vast open land. The path becomes very quiet and remote, with only the wind and your footsteps making a sound. However, the landscape changes frequently, sometimes flat and open, and other times it goes down into deep, colorful canyons.

In the afternoon, you will pause in the tiny village of Dhi for lunch and rest. Then the path follows the Dhechyang Khola riverbed, carved deep into colorful cliffs. You will walk between the ochre and red rock walls, sculpted by wind and water into various shapes. With only a few seasonal shelters or small stone houses for herders, the trail is almost empty. You’ll feel like walking in an isolated desert for a while until you see a small oasis of life, Yara village. It is perched above the same river you followed.

• Starting Point: Yara
• Ending Point: Bas Khola (Camp)

Continuing the trek, you will now walk towards a more rugged and high-altitude region. Most trekkers say that this day is one of the most challenging and rewarding days of the Damodar Kunda trek as you climb on the Kyumupani Danda (5,565m) today. Climbing the pass in the thin air, along the heat and the wind, may feel extreme for some. However, the outcome is gratifying. You’ll see a wide view of the mountain ranges of the Damodar Himal, the Annapurna, the Dhaulagiri, and the Mustang Himalayas.

After catching your breath and the scenery, you will have to make a steep descent. You can see the beautiful desert landscape below, finally arriving at Bas Khola (4,800m). It is a remote and isolated campsite, which tells you that you are near the main destination, Damodar Kunda. The guide and porters will help you set up tents and start cooking. With only tents and a few trekkers, the feeling is different as the raw, untamed beauty of the high Himalayas surrounds you.

• Starting Point: Bas Khola (Camp)
• Ending Point: Damodar Kunda (Camp)

Now, it’s finally the time to trek to Damodar Kunda itself. You will begin with a long and steady climb toward the Damodar Danda, a high pass from where you’ll get the first glimpse of your final destination. The terrain is the same: a stark, high-altitude desert, with a silence that is broken only by the wind and your breath. At the top, you’ll see a cluster of pristine turquoise-blue glacial lakes surrounded by Himalayan peaks, the Damodar Kunda.

The descending path is steep and has loose gravel, and you can see the deep lakes below constantly. You must be careful with your footing and very cautious. You can finally relax as you reach the edge of the lakes, where you will spend the night in a tented camp. This experience of camping beside these sacred waters while being surrounded by the giant mountains is a moment you’ll never forget.

• Starting Point: Damodar Kunda (Camp)
• Ending Point: Ghechung Khola

After spending the night in the serene, isolated camp at Damodar Kunda, wake up early to see the sunrise over the Damodar range and the lakes. Take your time and embrace the beauty here because soon after, you need to leave this surreal place and start the return route, beginning with a descent to Ghechung Khola. You’ll feel the air getting warmer and thicker as you continue making gradual descents along the Pekhawa Khola with the Damodar Himal constantly in view.

The path feels less isolated than the day before as you pass by a few small, temporary settlements used by herders. These rare signs of life provide a comforting presence in the vast, open landscape. After some more walking, there is a remote campsite next to the river, Ghechung, where you’ll spend the night. The environment here is more lively, thanks to the flowing Ghechung Khola river and relatively greener landscape.

• Starting Point: Ghechung Khola
• Ending Point: Tangye

Today, you will continue descending from Ghechung Khola to Tangye. However, first you need to climb to a high ridge from where you can view a beautiful panorama of the vast, arid plateau contrasting with the snowy mountains, including distant glimpses of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. Then, the trail rolls gently across the high plateau and drops with a steep, long stretch before reaching the village of Tangye.

Tangye is one of the most striking and remote villages in Upper Mustang. Its whitewashed houses stand out against the barren hills. It also has a long mani wall (among the longest in the Mustang region) that runs proudly through the landscape. For a change, you can see green fields in the village. After a long day of trekking, the quiet beauty of Tangye feels like a reward, offering both peace and space to reflect on the journey so far.

• Starting Point: Tangye
• Ending Point: Tetang

From Tangye, you’ll do a challenging trek to reach the more sheltered, charming village of Tetang. The trek will start with a long, steady climb out of Tangye, passing the village’s iconic mani wall for the last time. Then, the trail rises onto a high plateau, where the vast openness is matched only by the sweeping views, and again, distant views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. However, you still feel far from the modern world, surrounded only by wind, sky, and stone.

Next, you will again climb to Paha Pass (4,210 m) and descend down the steep, winding, and relentless trail towards Kali Gandaki Valley. It winds through jagged rock formations and dry riverbeds of the Kali Gandaki River. From here on, you leave the wide-open highlands and step into the deepest gorge in the world that feels like another realm. Tetang is a hidden village situated between two protective hills that shield it from fierce winds. So, it’s quiet and calm here, a welcome reward after one of the trek’s toughest days.

• Starting Point: Tetang
• Ending Point: Muktinath

Nearing the end of the Damodar Kunda trek, you’ll trek to Muktinath today. It is one of the most exciting and meaningful days of the entire journey. You’ll begin a steady climb toward Gyu La Pass (4,077 m), the final high pass of your trek, and walk into the more familiar trails of the Annapurna region. From the pass, you’ll see a different perspective of the snow-capped Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges spread across the horizon, a dazzling contrast to the dry, ochre hills you’ve been walking for days.

After taking in the views and some photos, the descent is easier, slower, and longer toward Muktinath (3,760 m), a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists. As soon as you reach here, you’ll feel the energy of pilgrims who’ve come from across the world, smell incense, and hear the sound of spinning prayer wheels. This cultural and spiritual journey is the perfect way to close the high-altitude chapter of your Mustang adventure.

• Starting Point: Muktinath
• Ending Point: Jomsom

It is the final trekking day to the bustling town of Jomsom. It’s a long, steady descent, where the scenery and atmosphere shift dramatically. You will leave behind the high-altitude calm and spiritual atmosphere of Muktinath and step into the windy, arid expanse of the Kali Gandaki River Valley again. The route is wide and well-traveled, and you’ll even see jeeps and buses carrying pilgrims to and from Muktinath.

Along the way, you will pass through charming villages that offer one last taste of local life. In Jharkot, you can visit its ancient monastery and see sweeping views of the Dhaulagiri range, which stands as a reminder of Mustang’s deep-rooted culture. You may also pass Kagbeni, the traditional gateway to Upper Mustang, if you prefer to walk further. Otherwise, you may take a direct jeep to Jomsom.

Jomsom is your final stop for the day. Take the rest you need or explore its lively streets, restaurants, and a busy market for souvenirs. You will find a wide range of handmade products and local eateries to fit the end of an incredible trek to Damodar Kunda.

• Starting Point: Jomsom
• Ending Point: Pokhara

Marking the official end, day 19 starts with a walk to the Jomsom airport for an early morning flight to Pokhara. Look out for one last sweeping view of the snow-capped Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs, their peaks glowing in the morning light. In just 20 minutes, you arrive at the Pokhara Airport for a relaxing night at the lakeside.

You can finally wear comfortable shoes and enjoy the end of the Damodar Kunda trip. You can spend the afternoon exploring the sites in Pokhara, like the International Mountain Museum, Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Cave, and the ancient Bindhyabasini Temple. You should not miss the Sarangkot hilltop or nearby World Peace Pagoda for the sunset views over the iconic Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain), Annapurna I, and Hiunchuli, and the entire Pokhara Valley below.

• Starting Point: Pokhara
• Ending Point: Kathmandu

Today, you will return to Kathmandu with a beautiful drive past terraced hillsides, rolling valleys, and the rushing waters of the Trishuli River. Each turn of the road offers a last look at the diverse beauty of Nepal. The journey is long, so you may reflect on the experiences or rest your eyes. It’s a gentle return to city life and a perfect moment to reflect on your Upper Mustang adventure.

You’ll be dropped off at the hotel, and now you get free time for exploring the Kathmandu city streets again. You may enjoy the local dishes like Dal Bhat, Mo: Mo, Roti Tarkari, or snacks like Chatpate, Panipuri for a change. If it’s your last day in Kathmandu, you may also look for souvenirs or a memoir for yourself.