Retreat in Mustang and Pokhara

Your trip begins the moment you land at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport (KTM). From there, you have two great options to get to Pokhara. You can choose a scenic, 6- to 7-hour drive that winds through hills and valleys, offering a beautiful look at Nepal's changing landscape. Or, for a much quicker journey, you can take a domestic flight. To see if flying is a better option for you, read our guide on traveling from Kathmandu to Pokhara by air. Both journeys show you the unique character of Nepal as you head west towards the tranquility of Pokhara.

Morning/Afternoon: Get to Kathmandu. Your guide will meet you at the airport. They will help you get ready. They will make sure your bags are safe. Then, you will start the drive to Pokhara. The car will be comfy. You can watch the world go by. You might see local people working in their fields. You might see small shops by the road.

Evening: Check into your hotel. Your hotel is in the Lakeside part of Pokhara. This area is known for its calm feel. Walk by Phewa Lake. The lake is large and still. You can see boats on the water. The air is cool and fresh. Eat dinner at a good restaurant. There are many choices, from local food to other kinds. You can find places with lake views. This helps you get used to the place. You can enjoy the calm air. The lakeside is a great spot to relax after your trip. It is a good way to start your adventure.

Get ready for an exciting morning. You will take a short but amazing flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. Jomsom is the main town in Mustang. This flight is only about 25 minutes long. Your small plane will fly between the tall peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. These are some of the highest mountains in the world. You will see incredible views right outside your window. The mountains look huge and close. You might even see snow on their tops. When you land in Jomsom (2,743 meters), the dry, flat land will tell you that you are in a new world. It looks like the Tibetan plateau. The air here is thin and crisp. You will feel the wind. The landscape is very different from green Pokhara.

Morning: Take the early 25-minute flight to Jomsom. Flights leave early because the weather is best then. The views are clearest. It is a good idea to book this flight in advance. The small planes fill up fast.

Afternoon: From Jomsom, you will get into a 4x4 jeep. The road is bumpy but pretty. It is a 1.5-hour drive to Muktinath (3,800 meters). The jeep ride takes you through a dry, rocky land. You will see small villages made of stone. You might see some local animals like yaks. The landscape is very different from Pokhara. The colors are mostly brown and red.

Evening: Check into your guesthouse in Muktinath. Rest. Get used to the high air. This is important for your health. Drink plenty of water. Move slowly. Your guide will help you. They will tell you how to stay safe at this height. Do not rush any activities.

Today is about visiting holy places. You will go to the Muktinath Temple. This place is very important for faith. Both Hindus and Buddhists honor this temple. You will see 108 water spouts. Cold water flows from these spouts. People believe these spouts wash away bad deeds. You will also see a fire that never goes out. This flame burns from natural gas. It is a wonder. The temple complex is large. You will see many small shrines and prayer wheels. After your visit, you will drive down to Kagbeni (2,800 meters). Kagbeni is a cool old village. It has a long history. It was once a stop for traders. They used the old Salt Trade Route. This route connected Tibet and India.

Morning: See the Muktinath temple area. Spend time walking around. Feel the peace of the place. Learn about its history. Your guide can tell you stories about the temple. You might see pilgrims from all over.

Afternoon: Drive to Kagbeni. The road down is less steep. Kagbeni is a charming village. Its entry gate is very old. Spend the rest of the day walking through its small streets. They are narrow and winding. See the old church. Its walls are made of mud bricks. The houses are built in a unique style. Many have flat roofs. The village has great views of the Nilgiri peak. The peak stands tall against the sky. You can feel the old spirit of the place. It is like stepping back in time.

After breakfast in Kagbeni, you will drive to Marpha. Marpha is known as Nepal's apple town. It is famous for its tasty apples. It also makes apple products like brandy, cider, and pies. Marpha is a clean, pretty village. It has stone streets and white houses. The village is very neat. People here take pride in their homes. Apple trees grow all around. The air smells sweet. You will see many apple orchards.

Morning: Enjoy one last walk through Kagbeni. Take some photos. Say goodbye to this ancient place. You might want to buy a small souvenir.

Afternoon: Drive to Marpha (2,670 meters). The drive is short and pleasant. See the village. Walk through its clean streets. Notice the neat rows of houses. Visit the local church. It is a quiet place for thought. Make sure to try some apple pie. It is fresh and delicious. You can also try apple cider or local apple brandy. These are special to Marpha. They make great gifts. You will stay the night in Marpha or near Jomsom. Both places offer comfy guesthouses. You can find good local food there.

You will go back the way you came. Take an early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. The flight back is just as beautiful. You get another chance to see the huge mountains from the sky. The morning light makes them look grand. After landing, you will check back into your hotel in Pokhara. You will have the rest of the day to see the amazing sights of Pokhara. This gives you time to relax and explore the city's charm. You can enjoy the warmer weather.

Morning: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara. The airport in Pokhara is small and easy to use. Be ready for early morning check-in.

Afternoon: Start seeing Pokhara.

• Devi's Fall: This is a strong waterfall. Water rushes down into a deep hole. It then flows into a hidden path underground. The sound of the water is loud and calming at the same time. You can feel the spray in the air. It is a natural wonder. There is a small park around it.

• Gupteshwor Cave: This is a holy cave. It sits across from Devi's Fall. Inside, you can see rock shapes. The air is cool and damp. There are lights to guide your way. You can feel the ancient earth around you. A shrine is inside the cave.

• Boating on Phewa Lake: Take a traditional boat called a doonga. Go out on the lake. The lake water is calm. The mountains reflect in it. It is a peaceful ride. You can rent a boat for an hour or more. Visit the Tal Barahi Temple. This temple sits on a small island in the lake. It is a pretty white temple. You can light a candle there. The boat ride offers great photo chances.

An early start brings a great reward. You will drive to Sarangkot (1,600 meters) before the sun comes up. This hill offers the best views. You will see a stunning sunrise over the Himalayan mountains. You will see Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). The sky changes colors from dark blue to pink and gold. The mountain peaks glow. It is a sight you will remember for a long time. The air is cool and fresh. Many people come here for this view.

Morning: Drive to Sarangkot for sunrise. Be there before the sun rises. Dress warmly. After this, you can choose to go paragliding. This is an extra activity. You fly through the air with a parachute. You are with a trained pilot. It gives you a great view of the valley and the lake from high above. It is a thrilling way to see Pokhara. If you do not want to paraglide, you can enjoy breakfast with mountain views.

Afternoon: Visit the World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa). This white tower sits on a hill. It gives you amazing views of the lake, the city, and the mountains. It is a quiet place. You can feel a sense of calm here. Walk around the pagoda. Enjoy the wide views. You can see the whole Pokhara valley.

Evening: Have a last dinner in Pokhara. Enjoy the city lights. Many places offer live music. It is a nice way to end your time in Pokhara. You can reflect on your trip.

After breakfast, you will take the nice drive back to Kathmandu. This trip lets you think about the amazing places you saw. You can think about the fun things you did in the last week. The scenery on the drive back is still lovely. You will see how the land changes again, from hills to cities. You can remember the dry lands of Mustang and the green lakes of Pokhara. From Kathmandu, you can catch your flight home. Or you can keep traveling in Nepal. Your guide will help you get to the airport on time. This marks the end of your Mustang and Pokhara trip. You will carry many memories with you.