MILIUS EXTREME
MARCUS GRÖNHOLM WINTER EXPERIENCE
BEYOND ADVENTURE
UPPER MUSTANG
Upper Mustang is the area that used to commercially connect Tibet and India. This secluded kingdom is one of the wonders of the world. The ancient “Forbidden Kingdom”, also known as the Land of Lo, remains as one of the last strongholds of traditional Tibetan life, which nobody could have a glimpse of until 1992. This highly preserved region is one of the most culturally appealing places on the planet. Add to this the Himalayas, spacious caves, rich wildlife, all in all unbelievable nature and amazing people… Yes, Upper Mustang is a remote jewel.
BEYOND ADVENTURE HIMALAYA - UPPER MUSTANG – Your Upper Mustang off-road adventure is all about exploring stunning valleys, spectacular mountain views and the unique ethnic culture of Nepal. Upper Mustang is vast, arid, and one of the few places left on earth where one might truly escape to an authentic Tibetan enclave.
Get ready for a tough drive, desert landscapes, barren ridges, deep canyons (including the deepest canyon in the world), eroded cliffs and moraine valleys to reach the ultimate destination – Lo Manthang, capital of the Mustang region.
On your way, you will go back in time in the historic capital of Nepal, reach tiny remote villages with spectacular views, tackle more than 4,000 m high Himalayan passes and drive through specially guarded regions where only a few car tires have left their marks before.
Experience your Driving Adventure in the region of the highest mountain peaks in a specially selected 4x4 vehicle.
EXCELLENCE PAIRED WITH PASSION, ADVENTURE AND PRECISION
Beyond Adventure Himalaya is all about exploring the world on passionate and unique driving adventures. Getting from A to B shall become your experience not just transport. We offer you the opportunity to explore some of your “bucket-list” destinations. All behind the steering wheel of a 4x4 vehicle.
Beyond Adventure Himalaya is a product of 2 strong forces joining. Dharma Adventure Bhutan and Jan Kalmar Beyond Adventure will jointly run these adventures. All will be done in the same high-quality standards which both are individually
known for.
We dare to motivate you to go where no-one normally goes and we want to exceed your expectations with our one-of-its-kind concepts. Redefine automotive adventures and target via a distinctive customer teamwork to also extend your network and to create friendships. When joining Beyond Adventure Himalaya you will become part of a passionate team and will immediately feel our uniqueness in how we do create experiences.
Dharma Adventures Bhutan has had for years a unique position in the Bhutanese high-end travel industry and beyond reaching further into the entire Himalayan region. Jan Kalmar Beyond Adventure was established by Jan Kalmar – an adventurer, petrol head and extreme driver who is constantly exploring the planet on four wheels and has achieved World Records in this process.
INDIVIDUAL APPROACH
Freedom is paramount, therefore we run a unique Classic Rally-Style Driving Concept, not competing for the fastest time but instead for the most precise timing. This means you drive and navigate by yourself independently. Of course, the support team is always close by and for the most challenging stages, the entire group stays together.
YOUR TEAM
The passion for adventures is deep within our joint Beyond Adventure Himalaya team. We will ensure the best possible comfort. In case of an emergency, break down or a simple puncture, there is always support close by. So, although you drive solitary, you are never alone, even in the most remote areas. On special adventures a paramedic is present to ensure premedical assistance in an unlikely event of an emergency.
There is always a local guide present to explain about the area and inform about local habits and traditions, simply to widen your horizon. Behind the scenes, a team of travel experts is on stand-by from start to finish following you via GPS tracking for your safety and comfort - always ready to support if needed.
The experience starts already when signing in, from that moment on you may always rely on our experience to assist you with all aspects of the entire project. Surely most wishes can be sorted.
The true adventure starts at the arrival airport. From here all is taken care of all the way to the departure airport - get ready to explore the world you never knew existed... the extraordinary world!
Let the Himalaya adventure begin,
Kinley Tshering Jan Kalmar
DAY 1
You arrive in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Your Beyond Adventure Himalaya starts already at the airport where our team awaits you to shuttle you comfortably to the hotel. As the journey to Kathmandu may have been an adventure in itself, and the altitude is significant, take your time to acclimatize. Relax by the hotel pool and appreciate the spa facilities. In the evening, join the welcome briefing followed by a welcome dinner.
Total KM: 0
DAY 2
Get up and explore the historic capital of Nepal! Without a doubt it will be an overwhelming experience, a riot of sights, sounds and smells that can quickly lead to sensory overload. Experienced local guides will assist you to fully enjoy this ancient city, its monasteries and temples. Kathmandu is a museum that comes to life, so seize the opportunity to travel back in time and to relive the history.
Step into the world of Kathmandu and see its wonders with your own eyes - the royal Durbar Square, the calm Garden of Dreams, the monumental Boudhanath Stupa and many more.
Prepare for a dramatic landscape change tomorrow!
Total KM: 0
DAY 3
You start your day with a flight to Pokhara, known for being one of the greatest photo spots in the world. There you meet your vehicles - get to know them and have a taste of the region’s rather special traffic conditions. Explore Pokhara through one of these special activities - paragliding over the city or a boat ride at Fewa Lake, surrounded by a panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks. Or simply enjoy the spectacular scenery on a small hike in the area. The choice is yours. Get ready for your exciting Driving Adventure starting tomorrow.
Total KM: 0
DAY 4
Get into your car and navigate from Pokhara right into the Himalayas. Your destination is the tiny Thasang village, the most spectacular location in Nepal (and possibly in the world) that can be reached with a vehicle. Literally right above the village the imposing Dhaulagiri massif rises to its 8,167 m. From your overnight lodge you will have an undisturbed view of this Himalayan giant, including its mind-blowing icefall.
Total KM: 155
DAY 5
You will climb beyond 2,800 m altitude today! Rough paths will take you to a small cozy village called Jomsom while driving along the Kali Gandaki River. Witness the diverse landscapes and cultures, which give you marvelous insights into the way of life of rural Nepali people.
Look around and see how the landscape is changing! Feel the Tibetan flavor as you enter the remote Upper Mustang region. A special destination lies ahead of you! Only with special permits you will be able to get past the police post that guards the isolated beauty of Kagbeni town from the outside world.
One of the most remarkable places in the world sits at the bottom of Muktinath Valley, scattered with abandoned settlements and irrigation fields. No one knows exactly when or why these places were abandoned. However, legend has it that Kagbeni was founded when two of these villages were destroyed by a demon that had the head of a lion and a body of a serpent. The surviving villagers came together and built a new village, which is modern-day Kagbeni. Your overnight stay will be right in this village to get the full experience of this spiritual place.
Total KM: 60
DAY 6
Get up early as you have an extensive climb ahead of you! Rough paths will take you up to the small village of Thangbe. Explore their carefully tended terrace fields and how they are irrigated in a landscape that is otherwise dry and barren wilderness.
Heading up north your next stop is Charan, the second largest village of the Upper Mustang area. Take a hike up to the fascinating Ghar Gompa! Like many Buddhist monasteries, Ghar Gompa sits atop a hill and offers spectacular views of the Mustang region.
Tackle the final 4,000 m high mountain pass of the day and you arrive in the legendary Lo Manthang, the town (large village actually) of less than 200 homes and around 875 people. Enjoy your well-deserved rest in this magical place.
Total KM: 90
DAY 7
You wake up in the walled capital of Upper Mustang – Lo Manthang. It is one of the last places on earth that still lives by and practices Bonpo – the oldest and deeply spiritual form of Tibetan Buddhism.
Explore this remote region and its preserved nature via routes that are barely touched by car tires! Until about a year ago the area was only accessible on foot, by yak or pony trains, but since then the tracks have been widened to take 4x4 vehicles.
Total KM: 40
DAY 8
Prepare yourself for a real challenge - an endurance drive from Lo Manthang to Jomsom. Head along the Kali Gandaki river while crossing it 72 times! The rough journey will reward you with picturesque views of the mighty Himalayan peaks like Nilgiri South Peak and Dhaulagiri.
Savor your last moments of this unique environment!
Total KM: 110
DAY 9
Time to say good-bye to the blessed and unexampled Upper Mustang region while enjoying its thrilling views from the sky: helicopters are arranged for you, including a short stop at the Annapurna base camp before heading back to Kathmandu.
When in the capital, select some authentic handcrafts from this eclectic city. The Classic Rally results will be announced and celebrated at our well-deserved farewell dinner. It is the time to say “see you next time” to all the similar-minded adventurers, whom you have shared this unique experience with.
Total KM: 0
DAY 10
As all good things come to an end, the Beyond Adventure Himalaya finishes today. This marks the end of this once-in-a-lifetime endeavour, however we do not say “goodbye”, but “see you soon on your next Beyond Adventure”!
Depending on your flight schedule you will be shuttled to the Airport in Kathmandu or you can enjoy and explore magical Nepal on your own.
UPPER MUSTANG IS:
• Last chance to go before the roads are paved
• Camp Adventure
• Nature pure
• Tibetan Plateau via the deepest gorge in the world
• Going where very few have ever been
UPPER MUSTANG IS NOT:
• Constant 5* accommodation
• Suits and dresses
• Gourmet food
• Is not always GSM coverage
• Is not highways
DURATION AND DATES:
10 days (5 driving days) | ~ 455 KM - subject to changes based on final location check.
Do not be disappointed with the driving distances. The average speeds are very low on the routes we plan to visit.
CARS:
• Rental 4x4 SUV
PRICES PER PERSON:
Price indications upon request - after the final location check the final prices are being communicated.
Including:
• Beyond Adventure with great food and top class accommodation
• Local guiding
• Shuttles from and to airport
• Classic rally organization
• All non-alcoholic drinks
• GSM / Satellite data connection
* Excluding flights to and from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport to and from your home destination.
MISC:
Please check with your doctor for altitude issues as we will be over 4,000 m.
More waves possible if needed to cover demand.
CONTACT:
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at olga@jankalmar.com or call: +48 667 938 320 (also available on WhatsApp).
