Stage 4

Lo Manthang to Konchok Ling- 29.1 km +1063m -1063m

Lo Manthang to Konchok Ling

Stage 4: Lo Manthang → Konchok Ling (4100m) → Nyiphu → Garphu → Nyamdo → Tinggar (4030m) → Namgyal (3910m) → Lo Manthang.

Today is a loop run to the north of Lo Manthang on a mixture of terrain, from grazing pastures to surreal arid landscapes. If it were anywhere else in the world, it would make a classic trail race on its own.

mustang-konchokling-cave-lizzy-hawker
Lizzy Hawker absorbing the captivating landscape

Leaving Lo, we descend to cross a river before making a long steady climb along the road that heads for China/Tibet. The trails from here are level, crossing rivers and winding from ancient village to ancient village and onto the caves. But first we divert along a dry valley to its head to perhaps the only check point on a race with cave paintings in the Tibetan Buddhist style.

Konchok Ling, ‘discovered’ in 2007, is one of a remarkable series of caves sheltering some fine and extremely old paintings. (See more images here.)

Turning back down the valley, the next checkpoint is in perhaps the first skyscraper, a 5-story system of caves built into a cliff. This is close to the the famous cave villages of Nyphu and Garphu.

Nyphu Gomba, Mustang Nepal
Nyphu Monastery, Mustang, Nepal.

The trail continues into the northern reaches of Mustang onto smooth trails through grazing pastures which return, after a small climb, to Lo Manthang on a slight downward slope. This is perfect running terrain.

 at Mustang Trail Race
Joyous landscape!

Stage data

Two check-in, check-out points in two caves, one painted, one cooked in.

MetricImperial
Distance29.1 km18.1 mi
Elevation gain/loss↑ 1063m ↓ 1063m↑ 3,488ft ↓ 3,488ft
Highpoint4093m13,428ft
Biggest climb 347m1,138ft
Start Finish elevation 3820m→3820m12,533ft→12,533ft

Elevation Profile

Stage 4 elevation profile chart

Stage Profile! Some short steep climbs through the day, but in general a very runnable stage! Just the 4000m altitude will slow you down!

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