Damodar Kunda Trek - 17 Days

Mustang · 17 Days

Damodar Kunda Trek - 17 Days

· Moderate to Strenuous · Max altitude 4,890m (16,043 ft) at Damodar Kunda Lake · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

17 Days

Max Altitude

4,890m (16,043 ft)

at Damodar Kunda Lake

Grade

Moderate to Strenuous

Lodging

Hotel / Teahouse / Tented camp

Overview

Damodar Kunda is a sacred glacial lake at 4,890m in the eastern Damodar Himal of Upper Mustang - the second most important pilgrimage destination in the Mustang district after Muktinath. For Hindus the three lakes of Damodar (Chakra Kunda, Sun Kunda and Damodar Kunda itself) are associated with Lord Krishna's lila; for Bon and Tibetan Buddhists the site is a circumambulation pilgrimage. The trek combines both traditions on a single 17-day itinerary.

Logistics-wise this is a hybrid of teahouse trekking through Upper Mustang and full camping past Yara into the Damodar valley. The route requires the Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (US$500), uses jeep transport on the road-accessible sections and walks the final five days through high-altitude desert past Charang, Yara and Ghuma Thanti to the lake. A ceremonial day at Damodar Kunda includes ritual bathing in the icy water - the spiritual centrepiece of the trek.

Highlights

  • Reach the sacred Hindu-Buddhist lake of Damodar Kunda at 4,890m
  • Walk the three holy lakes circuit - Chakra Kunda, Sun Kunda and Damodar Kunda
  • Visit Muktinath Temple - the second pilgrimage destination of the trek
  • Cross restricted Upper Mustang from Jomsom to Charang
  • See the painted cliffs of Dhakmar and the cave-monasteries of Luri Gompa
  • Experience the Tibetan Buddhist culture of Lo Manthang
  • Camp at high altitude in the dry Damodar valley
  • Combine cultural pilgrimage with high-altitude trekking
  • Local Mustangi guides from the Lo King's region
  • Jeep transport on road sections - no unnecessary walking on the highway

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m)

🍽 None included

Airport pickup and hotel transfer.

Day 2

Kathmandu sightseeing - Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath

🍽 Breakfast

Half-day heritage tour with guide.

Day 3

Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (850m)

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast

Tourist bus to lakeside.

Day 4

Fly Pokhara to Jomsom (2,720m), drive to Muktinath, sleep Kagbeni (2,810m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning flight, Muktinath darshan, drop down to Kagbeni for the night.

Day 5

Drive Kagbeni to Charang (3,500m)

⏱ 4-5 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Jeep transfer through the painted cliffs of Dhakmar into the central Mustang valley.

Day 6

Trek Charang to Yara (3,650m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk east into the Damodar approach valley.

Day 7

Trek Yara to Ghuma Thanti (4,300m)

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb into open high-desert terrain. First camp.

Day 8

Trek Ghuma Thanti to Damodar Kunda (4,890m)

⏱ 6-7 hours ↔ 12 km ▲ 4,890m 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final climb to the sacred lake.

Day 9

Rest and ritual day at Damodar Kunda

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk the three-lake circuit. Ritual bathing for those participating.

Day 10

Trek Damodar Kunda to Ghuma Thanti

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Return down the approach valley.

Day 11

Trek Ghuma Thanti to Yara

⏱ 6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue descent.

Day 12

Trek Yara to Charang

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final walking day back to the road.

Day 13

Drive Charang to Lo Manthang (3,810m)

⏱ 2 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit the walled capital and overnight inside the city.

Day 14

Explore Lo Manthang and drive to Kagbeni

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning monastery tour, afternoon transfer.

Day 15

Drive Kagbeni to Jomsom, fly to Pokhara

🍽 Breakfast

Early flight before the wind picks up.

Day 16

Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast

Tourist bus return.

Day 17

Departure

🍽 Breakfast

Airport transfer for your onward flight.

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What's included

Included

  • Airport pickups in Kathmandu
  • 2 nights twin-share 3-star Kathmandu hotel
  • 1 night Pokhara hotel
  • Domestic flight Pokhara-Jomsom (one way)
  • All jeep transfers as per itinerary
  • Teahouse lodging where available
  • Tented camp on the Damodar Kunda approach
  • All three meals during the trek
  • Trek leader, assistant guide, cook (camping section), porters
  • ACAP, TIMS, Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit
  • Camping equipment - sleeping tents, mess, kitchen, toilet
  • Half-day Kathmandu sightseeing
  • All applicable taxes
  • HHT duffel bag

Not included

  • International airfare
  • Nepal visa fee
  • Travel and rescue insurance (compulsory)
  • Lunches and dinners in cities
  • Bottled drinks, alcohol
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Tips for guide and porters

Trek guide

The Three Holy Lakes

  • Chakra Kunda - the smallest, said to be where Vishnu placed his discus
  • Sun Kunda - a sun-disc-shaped lake circled by pilgrims for prosperity
  • Damodar Kunda - the largest and main pilgrimage destination, with a small shrine on the shore

The lakes sit in a high-altitude desert basin at 4,800-4,900m. The water is cold year-round and ritual bathing is performed as a single symbolic dip.

Why the Janai Purnima Connection

Janai Purnima is the August full moon when Hindu men replace their sacred thread. Pilgrims have walked from Jomsom to Damodar for centuries; the lake water is considered to wash away the previous year's sins. Today most pilgrims take jeep transport to Charang and walk only the final three days.

Cultural Sites En Route

  • Muktinath Temple (3,710m) - 108 water spouts and the eternal flame
  • Lo Manthang (3,810m) - walled medieval capital with three royal monasteries
  • Luri Gompa - 14th-century cave monastery with original murals
  • Chungshi Cave Monastery - founded by Guru Rinpoche

Acclimatisation

The teahouse section through Lo Manthang gives a natural acclimatisation arc to 3,810m. The Damodar approach climbs from 3,500m at Yara to 4,890m at the lake over four days. AMS is a real concern - we recommend Diamox from Day 8.

Permits

  • ACAP entry
  • TIMS card
  • Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (US$500 for 10 days)

Best Season

  • April-May: Pre-monsoon, clear skies
  • September-October: Post-monsoon, driest
  • August (Janai Purnima): Pilgrim-heavy, crowded camping
  • Avoid June-July (monsoon partially affects upper valley)

Fitness

Moderate-to-strenuous. Daily walking 4-5 hours. The altitude (4,890m at the lake) is the main difficulty. Prior multi-day trekking at 4,000m+ is helpful.

Packing list

Clothing: -15C down jacket, fleece, soft-shell, waterproof shell, 3 trekking shirts, 2 trousers, thermals, 5 pairs socks, beanie, sun hat, gloves

Footwear: Mid-cut waterproof boots already broken in, camp shoes

Accessories: 35L daypack, 60L duffel for porter, -15C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp, polarised sunglasses, 2L water bottles, purification

Documents: Passport with Nepal visa, insurance certificate, 4 passport photos. Hindus may bring sacred thread (janai) for ritual use.

Medical: Diamox, painkillers, blister care, SPF 50+, lip balm

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be Hindu to do this trek?
No - the trek welcomes all faiths. The ritual bathing is optional. Buddhist circumambulation is equally valid at the site.

How cold is the lake water?
2-5C. The ritual dip is brief and immediately followed by drying off in the sun.

Is the trek camping-only?
No - days 1-4 and 13-17 use teahouses and hotels. Only days 7-12 are full tented camp.

How crowded does it get during Janai Purnima?
100-200 pilgrims and several dozen support staff. Camping space at the lake becomes tight - we plan ahead.

Can I combine Damodar with Saribung Peak?
Yes - the base camp for Saribung is near Damodar. Our 24-day Saribung Expedition itinerary includes the lake.

Is the road from Jomsom to Charang reliable?
Yes - the new Mustang road system is open 9 months a year. Winter snow can close it December-February.

How does the altitude feel?
Climbing from Kagbeni at 2,810m to the lake at 4,890m over 4 nights gives a reasonable arc. Diamox is recommended.

Will I see snow?
At the lake almost certainly even in summer - patches in the surrounding ridges year-round.

Are women allowed at the ritual?
Yes - the pilgrimage is open to all genders. Practice varies by tradition.

What is the food like at camp?
Standard trek-camp menu: dal-bhat, soup, pasta, porridge, eggs, bread. Fresh vegetables run out after Day 7.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $2495

per person

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