Teri La Pass Trek - 20 Days

Our walking journey begins on the third day as we ascend from Koto to Meta. As the trekkers have their breakfast in Koto, our guides lead you on a 7-hour-long hike to Meta. We need to cover an approximate distance of 14.5 km to reach Meta from Koto and the route also separates from the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Moreover, this section of the trek to Teri La Pass also experiences a significantly lower number of trekkers.

As we begin the journey from Koto, trekkers need to get their restriction area permits for the Teri La Pass trek and Nar Phu Valley trek checked in a police check post just as we exit this village. After that, the route continues and enters the Nar Valley as we cross the suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River. Furthermore, we walk by the Nar River and Soti Khola and also pass through a lush pine and oak forest. Remember that, throughout the Teri La Pass, we need to cross several forests and rivers. Moreover, we also walk on multiple suspension bridges and deep river gorges.

Before reaching Meta, this section of the Teri La Pass Trek journey also stops by another lovely village named Dhramashala. This village arrives just two hours before we reach Meta. Reaching Meta completely changes the surroundings as the trekkers can find themselves standing on a Tibetan plateau while watching the most scenic views of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II.

Dinner and Overnight stay will be arranged by North Nepal Treks and Travels.

As you wake up and have your breakfast early in the morning, our trekking guides will take you on another walking journey in the Teri La Pass Trekking itinerary. This section of the trek is not very difficult and trekkers can also get chances to watch the yaks and other cattle grazing. Witnessing the mountains, walking above the gorges, and taking some amazing glimpses of nature's beauty, we go from Meta to Kyang.

Photo: Kyang Village

As we reach the altitude of 3820 meters above sea level, this is where Kyang sits. Such an amazing settlement where people from higher reasons shift during the excessive snowfall in the winter season. People shift along with their cattle and make temporary houses to live in throughout the winter season. Besides, from this village, we can also get some amazing glimpses of mountain peaks, including, Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Lamjung Himal, etc.

The people living here offer warm hospitality and you also get to taste some of the delicacies prepared with yak milk. Another amazing thing to witness in the Kyang settlement is the huge rocky mountains with unique structures. Also, these hills go deep down to form gorges.

We will spend a night in a tent after having dinner.

The route from Kyang to Phu Gaun is designed differently as it is designed by craving a huge stone and the path passes through the stone. This trail starts just 5 minutes before we leave Kyang after having breakfast and extends for almost 1.5 kilometers.

Photo: Phu Village

As the path passes through the middle part of the huge rock, it is narrow and goes just beside the deep Nar River Gorge. Moreover, we will also come across several landslide-prone areas during this section of the Teri La Pass Trek route. Therefore, we recommend all trekkers be very mindful and cautious while trekking from Kyang to Phu Gaun.

Talking about Phu Gaun, this village is known as a deserted settlement because vegetation and greenery are significantly low in this place. However, people still live here and you can also meet and interact with them as you reach the Phu Gaun.

We will spend the night here in Phu Gaun after having a fulfilling breakfast.

As we have already ascended to an altitude of 4250 meters above sea level, our body requires some rest and time to adapt to the climate and weather. Therefore, on the fifth day, we will have an acclimatization day in Phu Gaun.

This village is very beautiful and offers some magical glimpses of the Himalayas, valleys, deserted lands, and rocky hills. Moreover, you can also interact with the locals and try some of the unique delicacies they prepare. Besides, the locals in this village follow a traditional way of farming and vegetation. Furthermore, Phu Gaun also consists of several Gumpas and monasteries which can be explored in the acclimatization day itself.

Other than that, if the trekkers have energy and want to go for some adventures, our guides can also take you on some short hikes like a day hike to Phu viewpoint. However, as we are trying to adapt to the higher altitude, we strongly recommend the trekkers to go for the Hike to Himlung Base Camp. Himlung Base Camp is a perfect place to visit on this day as it offers the actual feeling of being in the core of the Himalayas. However, remember that we need to pack our lunch from Phu Gaun because there are no tea houses in the route from Phu Gaun to Himlung Base Camp.

By the evening, the trekkers will return to the hotel or lodge in Phu Gaun for dinner and another overnight stay.

Photo: Phu Village from Phu Viewpoint

This part of the Teri La Pass Trekking route is not very unique or different as we retrace the same path from Phu Gaun to Chyakhu. It only takes about 4 hours for any average trekker to reach from Phu Gaon to Chyakhu and the route passes through several suspension bridges, and rocky canyons. Firstly, we reach Kyang from Phu Gaon, have some lunch, and then go towards Chyakhu from Kyang. Chyakhu is known as the winter settlement and is located in the foothills of some tall cliffs. We will spend the night after having dinner in Chyakhu before ascending further on the Teri La Pass trek map.

On the seventh day, we walk on the Chyakhu to Nar Gaon route of the Teri La Pass Trekking map. In this section of the trail, we need to cross a river via a unique and significant bridge over, Mahendra Bridge. So, why is the bridge unique? Well, the Mahendra bridge is built over a 200 meters deep gorge but its length is only about 20 to 25 meters. As we cross the bridge, we enter an ascending part of the route which offers majestic views of several Himalayas like the lower part of Manaslu Himal, and Buddha Himal. Himchuli, and the Kangaroo Himal.

Photo: Nar Village

Just as you continue ascending towards Nar Gaun, you will reach a 100-meter-long old Mani wall before entering the Nar Gaun. Moreover, there are also prayer flags and different sculptures carved on the walls. Other than that, this place also consists of an old Chorten which denotes the traditional and religious value of the Nat Gaon and its surroundings. A little more to walk and then we reach Nar Gaun where you will rest for the night after having dinner.

On the eighth day, we stay back in Nar Gaon itself. This will be one of the best days in the entire Teri La Pass Trekking route. Nar Gaon is a beautiful spot and a monastery on its own. With around 80 houses and 300 people living in the entire village, trekkers can witness many old mud-made houses. Moreover, the lifestyle and vegetation of Nar Gaun are highly influenced by Tibetan culture. You can go for a thorough stroll of this village on this rest day.

However, if you have enough energy and want to go for some adventures, our guides can take you to the Kangla Base Camp (4100 meters). If you go on this side trek, you will see such beautiful scenarios of the mountains along with the yaks grazing in the pasture lands. By the evening, you will return to the hotel in Nar Gaon for dinner and an overnight stay.

From this day, we will start spending the night in camps and tents. We recommend that trekkers charge all their electric gadgets in Nar Gaun because from here, the route becomes intensively adventurous and riskier. Lapse Khola is about 17 kilometers far from Nar Gaun and the route that leads to Lapse Khola is comparatively difficult. However, for real adventures, it is more adventurous.

Photo: Lapse Khola Campsite

In the old days, the route from Nar Gaun to Lapse Khola extended just by the river. However, as this was more prone to landslides, currently the route is a little far from the river. Due to this reason, trekkers need to walk across multiple ups and downs in this section of the Teri La Pass Trek. As we reach Lapse Khola, our guides will set up camps for the trekkers for overnight stays.

Another day is another adventurous trekking route in the Teri La Pass Trekking route. Today we will cover a total distance of 15 kilometers. This trail from Lapse Khola to Lungri takes us very close to the mountains resulting in the drying of the air. So, on this day, there are high chances of the weather being extremely cold. However, on bright sunny days, it will be a little warm for sure.

Photo: Lungri Camp

As the route goes just side-by-side the river on one side and huge mountains on the other side, there are also risks of landslides, especially the falling of huge rocks. However, with North Nepal Treks and Travels, you shall not worry. That is because our guides will lead you with full care and safety ensured.

Talking Lungri, it is a beautiful settlement in the lap of the Himalayas with traditional houses and lifestyle. Due to the rugged land and dry areas, Lungri is not considered as a very good place for camping but with proper planning, we will spend a night here.

On the 11th day of the expedition, we continue the trail ultimately reaching the Teri La Base Camp (5,363 meters). It is also known as the Mustang Himalayan Range. The trail is similar to the day before, passing through narrow paths and landslide areas.

Photo: On the way to Teri La Base Camp

Walking further, we will encounter a steep ascending section that is quite challenging to climb and requires technical skills. Another reason, this portion is considered challenging is because it is a landslide area. After crossing this steep path, the rest of the trail is flat till we reach Teri La Base Camp.

This base camp is quite safe for camping as there is no risk of landslides, strong winds, or sudden changes in weather to the extreme. In addition, the views of the mountain peaks from here are breathtaking. Some of them are Teri Peak, Manang I, Manangu II, Manang III, and the north face of Chulu Peak.

Ascending further for a couple hundred meters, we also get a stunning view of Manaslu, Himlung, and many more. We then set up our camp and accommodated here for the night.

Today, we pass through our core destination of the trip, Teri La Pass (5,577 meters), and then finally reach Phapsu Khola (4,745 meters). The day starts with a stunning view of the mountain peaks from the camp in the early morning.

Photo: Moon Lake

Since we will be passing through the Teri La Pass, so we won't have any place to prep our food in between. Hence, we will prepare our meals for the day and head towards Phapsu Khola.

As we trek towards the pass, we notice the trail is more desert-like in the high mountains as well. The trail today is also quite challenging as the path is mostly gravel with low oxygen levels at such an altitude.

Photo: Teri La Pass

However, as we reach the top of the pass, we get a picturesque view of Manaslu, the north side of Dhaulagiri, and a few peaks of the Mustang Himalayan range. Walking further from the pass, on the deserted mountain, we will see a lake similar to the shape of the moon, also known as Moon Lake.We will be covering a total distance of 22 km today. Therefore, we will be ascending and descending multiple mountains to finally reach Phapsu Khola, where we will set our camp and accommodate for the night.

The trek from Papsu Khola (4,745 meters) to Yakpa (4,315 meters) offers a unique experience, particularly as you navigate the diverse landscape of Mustang. It is a stunning journey through rugged alpine terrain characterized by steep ups and downs. As you transition through this mountainous desert terrain, in the winter months you may encounter icy sections that add extra challenges but also enhance beauty.

In an arid environment, it is essential to carry enough water, as natural resources are sparse. We may find water at 4-5 hours of walking, so pack sufficient supplies to sustain during the trek. We then set our camp, have our prepared meals, and rest for the night.

On this day, we’ll traverse several high ridges before descending to the enchanting Mustang village of Tange (3,338 meters). The village comprises around 20 whitewashed houses built on terraced hills, and livestock, primarily sheep and goats to make a living.

The trek offers breathtaking views of some of the most iconic peaks including Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna I. We pass near the Taange coal mine, which adds an interesting aspect to your trek but is also extra challenging due to the high temperature. We set our camp here and call it the end of the day.

The trek from Tannge(3,338 meters) to Yara(3,600 meters) features a well-maintained trail that allows for a more pleasant walking experience trail above Upper Mustang.

Tannge itself is a beautiful Tibetan village, characterized by its traditional architecture and stunning surroundings. As we move on further, we'll encounter ancient monasteries, Chorten, and the rock formation of Mustang.

While a trail could end at Yara to Jomsom, our customized itinerary continues to Lomanthang, Dhakmar, and Jomsom offering even more opportunities for exploration and adventure. So, for the night we accommodate here at Yara village and explore the rest of the Mustang in further days.

Continuing the same trail from yesterday, with a beautiful landscape, today we will be reaching Lo Manthang (3,840 meters), the capital city of Mustang. Most of the communities here are of Buddhist religion so we will see chorthens, mani walls, monasteries, and gumba on the way.

The trail initially starts with a descent and finally, an ascend to reach Lo Manthang. Walking through the salt drips, narrow canyons, and soaring cliffs we encounter Sumdo or river junction. From here, we take a left turn, passing through a small canyon, we reach the walled city of Lo.

The people here are immersed in traditional Tibetan culture, we can see the reflection of their culture in their homes, lifestyle, food, and sacred places like monasteries and gumbas. For the night we will be accommodating in one of the tea shops or lodges.

After days of trekking in the mountain desert, we need a rest day at Lo Manthang (3,840 m), also known as the Upper Mustang Region. Today, we will explore this capital city and experience its culture, food, and more.

This place holds great historical value for the Tibetan people and is also an important transit and trade point between Nepal and Tibet. We will visit multiple Gumbas built back in the 14th and 15th centuries along with some museums to understand their history.

Ascending a bit further from Lo Manthang, we will find other monasteries and gumbas as well which we can visit. Finally to conclude the day we enjoy the local food and rest for the night.

After a rest day at Lo Manthang (3,840 meters), we continue our trekking and head towards Dhakmar. The path is much better than any other day as it consists of trekking paths.

We start our day by leaving Lo Manthang and ascending to an altitude of 4,200 meters. From this point, we get a mesmerizing view of the mountain peaks. On the way, we will also visit Ghar Gompa, considered one of the older gompas of Nepal.

\Walking further we will see multiple yak farms both modern and traditional way. After walking for a couple of hours further we reach Dhakmar. The landscapes here are unique and fascinating from what we have seen in this entire journey. Known for deep gorges and towering cliffs, Dhakmar is also of great importance in its history and Tibetan culture.

One of the key things about Dhakmar is its red cliff, tourists even compare it with the great Grand Canyon. There is much more to explore in this historical village like Gumbas, monasteries, Thangkas paintings, etc. We will accommodate you here for the night.

On this day, our walking journey finally comes to an end as we go from Dhakmar to Jomsom on a drive. After you have your breakfast in the hotel, our representatives will take you on a drive in a jeep. This will be one of the best drives you will ever enjoy in Nepal.

Passing through the rough and rugged route, watching the dry mountains, we reach Jomsom, the land of apple orchids. Store your backpacks in the hotel and stroll around Jomsom. Furthermore, we also encourage the trekkers to interact with the locals and try some locally prepared food items like apple chips and Marpha.

Today marks the last day of the Teri La Pass Trekking journey. Wake up early in the morning, have your breakfast, and our guides will pick you up from the hotel and take you on a scenic drive to Pokhara.

Share your experiences with fellow trekkers, have fun, and within the next few hours, we will reach Pokhara. From here, the trekkers can take on the bus to Kathmandu if we have enough time.