Upper Mustang Trek - 17 Days

Upper Mustang
Trip Facts
  • Trip Duration17 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • Maximum Altitude 4230m (Chogo La Pass)
  • Activity Trekking
  • Starts/Ends Kathmansu / Kathmandu
  • Best Season March to November
Highlights
  • Ancient walled city of Lho Manthang: The trail takes you right into the heart of Mustang, where you will visit Lho Manthang, the historic walled village that served as the kingdom's capital for centuries. Lho Manthang has many historic places, monasteries which demonstrate the area's long history of religious and cultural significance.
  • Unique landscapes: In contrast to the verdant forests and gently sloped terrain of other trekking routes, the Mustang region is noted for its desolate and arid environments. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna are just some of the Himalayan peaks you'll see as you make your way through deep gorges, rough terrain, and barren valleys on this incredible trip.
  • Ancient Buddhist monasteries and caves: Many historic and culturally significant Buddhist caves and monasteries can be found in the Upper Mustang area. The hike provides an excellent opportunity to see these interesting places and find out more about the local culture.
  • Tiji Festival: If you're lucky enough on our trip in May, you can attend the Tiji Festival, a three-day Buddhist celebration of victory over evil. In addition to the music and ceremonies, the event is known for its vibrant masked dances.
  • Local culture and traditions: The Loba people, inhabitant of Mustang area, are one of the many ethnic groups in Nepal with their own unique culture and way of life. There will be great opportunities to meet and talk to locals during the trek, allowing you to get insight into and experience their rich culture and kind hospitality.

Known as the "Last Forbidden Kingdom" of Nepal, the isolated and barren landscapes of the Mustang region are explored on the famous Upper Mustang Trek in Nepal. Upper Mustang, comprising the northern two-thirds of the Mustang district, is a more remote and culturally distinct region. Characterized by its arid, desert-like landscape, eroded cliffs, and vibrant rock formations, Upper Mustang feels like stepping back in time. The region was a restricted area until 1992, which has helped preserve its unique Tibetan Buddhist culture and traditions, making it a "living museum." Explore old Buddhist caves and temples, learn about the fascinating culture of the local people, and take in breathtaking vistas of the Himalayas on this incredible journey. 

The tremendous beauty of the Annapurna Region of Nepal can be observed on the Upper Mustang Trek, which passes from lush forest to desert landscape. Annapurna range, Dhaulaigir, Nilgiri, and many other mountains can be seen from this vantage point. Discover the hidden subculture of Mustang and its unique medieval and Buddhist arts. Discover the new setting and amaze at the striking differences it displays from the rest of the Annapurna area. Travel along the famous Kali Gandaki River in Nepal to discover a tranquil paradise complete with a museum, school, monasteries, and caves.

  • Lo Manthang (3,810m): The ancient walled capital of the Kingdom of Lo, Lo Manthang is a fascinating town with narrow alleyways, traditional mud-brick houses, and significant monasteries, including the Mustang Royal Palace. The town's architecture and layout reflect its rich history and cultural heritage.
  • Tsarang (3,505m): A village with a large dzong (fortress) and a prominent red monastery, Tsarang offers insights into the region's historical and religious significance.
  • Ghami (3,520m): Known for its long mani wall (a wall adorned with prayer stones) and the ancient Ghakar Gompa, Ghami provides a glimpse into the local religious practices and artistic traditions.
  • Syangboche (3,800m): A smaller settlement offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape and a traditional way of life.
  • Chele (3,050m): Often the first village encountered when entering Upper Mustang, Chele is characterized by its unique rock formations and traditional architecture.
  • Ancient Cave Dwellings: The cliffs of Upper Mustang are dotted with numerous ancient cave dwellings, some dating back thousands of years. These mysterious structures are believed to have served various purposes, including habitation, storage, and burial.
  • Monasteries and Gompas: Upper Mustang is home to several ancient and significant monasteries, such as Lo Gekar Monastery (said to be the oldest in Nepal) and Ghar Gumba, which house invaluable religious artifacts and murals.

The upper mustang trek Nepal starts with a flight to Jomsom, followed by trekking northwards through Kagbeni and into the restricted area. The mustang trek altitude in Upper Mustang ranges from around 2,800m at Kagbeni to a maximum of about 4230 m in Lo Manthang, with several passes. Acclimatization is crucial during this trek to prevent altitude sickness. With experienced guides from Moon Himalaya Adventure, you can safely travel and experience the wilderness and natural beauty of the Upper Mustang Trek with the confidence that you will have a wonderful time. Upper Mustang is a great place to meet Tibetan people, discover the hidden city of Lho Manthang, and enjoy the friendly hospitality of the locals.

ItineraryDay to Day Itinerary
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  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Max Altitude:1310m

Upon your arrival, representative from Moon Himalaya Adventure will be at Tribhuvan International airport to receive you and will transfer you to Hotel. In the evening, detail information regarding the Upper Mustang Trek will be briefly described.

  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Max Altitude:1310m

On second day after having your breakfast our guide will brief you about the Upper Mustang Trek and cross check the required gears you need for the trek. In case if you miss out some gear you can buy or rent it. If you want then you can visit around the world heritage sites (Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath, Swoyambhunath) but you have to pay entry fees on your own.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Max Altitude:822m
  • Duration:6/7 hrs drive

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in the early morning and will depart to Pokhara in a private vehicle. The route follows alongside Trishuli river. After reaching Pokhara you will be transferred to the hotel. Then you can take shower and can walk around Fewa lake. You can see Mount Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna Range reflected in the crystal-clear water of Fewa Lake.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Max Altitude:2800m
  • Duration:20 minutes flight & 3 hrs trek

From Pokhara, you'll take a short morning flight to Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang, where you'll be treated to a breathtaking panorama of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri as you pass through the world's deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge. After arriving in Jomsom, you'll begin the walk to Kagbeni, the entry point to Upper Mustang, through the historic salt trade route. After lunch in Kagbeni, you'll have an unforgettable tour of the village's historic sites.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Max Altitude:3100m
  • Duration:5/6 hrs

As of this morning, we will be officially in Mustang. We will walk along the Kali Gandaki River, crossing various suspension bridges, and enjoying the stunning scenery. Tangbe, a small traditional village with chortens and traditional houses can be reached after three hours walking from Kagbeni. The traditional Tibetan settlement of Chele, renowned for its spectacular red cliff vistas, can be reached after a continue walk from Tangbe.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Max Altitude:3800m
  • Duration:4/5 hrs

After having our breakfast, we will head to Syangboche. The trail you will follow today passes through a narrow canyon filled with fascinating rock formations and caves. We can clearly see and feel the shift in culture and customs. You can visit a Buddhist monastery at Syangboche after passing through the village of Samar.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Max Altitude:3510m
  • Duration:4/5 hrs

The higher you go, the more the scenery dries out and looks like a desert. Yamada La, at 3,850 meters, is today's major challenge. Along the way, you'll see chortens and fascinating villages with barley fields. After crossing Nyi Pass, which is 4,010m high, we will make our way down to Ghami. Ghami is situated in a particularly picturesque setting, surrounded by farmland. Ghami is famous for its traditional architecture and breathtaking natural scenery.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Max Altitude:3560m
  • Duration:4/5 hrs

As we begin today's hike, we'll be descending to a suspension bridge across the Ghami Khola. We will be walking through a high desert plateau where we will come across chortens (Buddhist stupas) and mani walls (stone inscriptions). Along the way, we'll be crossing the 3,870m high Charang La Pass. Tsarang is a traditional small village situated high above the Tsarang Chu canyon. 

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Max Altitude:3840m
  • Duration:4/5 hrs

The fortified city of Lho Manthang, the journey's ultimate goal, will finally come into view today. Cross the Lho La Pass after a long day of hiking over the desert, and then head down into the Lho city. The ancient and legendary kingdom of Lho had its capital located within the fortified city of Lho Manthang. Learn about Tibetan history and culture by visiting the King's Palace and sacred monasteries. You will be amazed by the local culture, traditions, and lifestyle.

 

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Max Altitude:3840m
  • Duration:4/5 hrs

Lho Manthang is a great place to go for a walk if you want to be surrounded by fields of barley, mustard, and buckwheat. Take a walk through the winding alleys of this historic district, and you're sure to run into some people who are either returning from the fields or the square outside the royal palace. Visit a historic monastery if you enjoy looking at paintings and mandalas. Chhoser cave, closer to the Tibet border, it's worth a visit for it's caves and it's half-built monastery perched on a rock.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Max Altitude:3820m
  • Duration:5/6 hrs

After taking in the sights of Lho-Manthang, we'll begin our trip with a strenuous ascent of the 4,230-meter Chogo La. You will have a fantastic journey across the amazing mountain pass. The pass winds through a magnificent balcony with a splendid view of the high summits of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. As soon as we come across the pass, we'll be heading down the path that will bring us to Lo Gekar which is very famous for Ghar Gompa, a major attraction of the area. Ghar Gompa is the oldest gompa, dating back to the 8th century. Following the trail to Mui La Bhanjyang for awe-inspiring vistas of the mountains and them we continue to Dhamkar. 

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Max Altitude:3620m
  • Duration:5/6 hrs

The trail turns to dry and arid land passing through agricultural field to reach the village of Samar. The view as you approach the village and its farms is breathtaking. Explore the recently discovered monastery and walk around the chortens at Samar.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Max Altitude:2980m
  • Duration:4/5 hrs

Today, there will be lot of ups and downs on the trail. The trail descends into the gorge for a short distance and then ascends "dry" at 4100 meters to the Paha pass, which takes about four hours to reach. It takes about three hours to reach the settlement of Chhuksang from Paha Pass (4220m), where the "Nepalese dish" is served. It's a gorgeous day, and the environment is just stunning, with vivid colors and unique rock formations. 

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Max Altitude:2720m
  • Duration:5/6 hrs

Today the trail passes through Gyu La Pass (4077m). Gyu La Pass is a stunning gateway to the sacred place Muktinath which is worshipped both by Hindu and Buddhist. The ascent is strenuous, but the views are worth it. Our hard work is rewarded by the amazing view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna from the pass. After descending, the trail follows a balcony all the way to where it meets up with the trail coming from Thorong La Pass. The walk of the day ends upon reaching Jomsom.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Max Altitude:822m
  • Duration:20 minutes flight

Taking an early morning flight from Jomsom, we will head towards Pokhara. You will be transferred to your hotel in Pokhara, where you can rest for a day or stroll around the lakeside of Fewa Lake.

  • Meals:Breakfast & Lunch
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Max Altitude:1310m
  • Duration:7/8 hrs

Early in the morning, after having breakfast, we will head back to Kathmandu in a private vehicle, following the Trishuli River and seeing the beautiful hills and villages.

  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Max Altitude:1310m
  • Duration:45 Minutes Drive

According to your flight, a representative from Moon Himalaya Adventure will drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for your final departure three hours prior to your flight.

Cost DetailsWhat's Included
  • Airport pick up and drop
  • Three-night hotel in Kathmandu.
  • Two night hotel in Pokhara.
  • Transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara in car, jeep, van or tourist bus.
  • Transportation from Pokhara to Kathmandu for in car, jeep, van or tourist bus.
  • Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and Jomsom to Pokhara for our client.
  • Three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek.
  • Accommodation during the trek.
  • Special Permit to enter restricted area.
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
  • Trekkers’ Information Management system (TIMS) card.
  • Ground transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara and from Pokhara to Kathmandu for the guide and porter.
  • Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and Jomsom to Pokhara for our client.
  • English speaking government license holder Trekking guide.
    (For 1 to 4 clients there will be 1 guide and above 5 clients we provide assistant guide)
  • For 2 clients there will be 1 Porter.
    (The baggage of 1 client should be 10 to 12 kg only)
  • Food, accommodation, salary and trekking insurance for the guide and porter.
  • First aid kit.
  • All necessary government taxes.
  • Certificate of accomplishment of the trek.
  • Arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service which will be paid by client’s travel insurance company.
What's Excluded
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
  • Client travel insurance.
  • Nepal entry visa fee (can be obtain upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, requires 2 copies of passport size photos)
  • All specialty drinks (mineral water/coke/fanta and alcoholic beverage) while trekking.
  • Hot shower, battery charging and wifi during the trek.
  • Entry fees in monastries, temples, Museum.
  • Your personal expenses, shopping, donations to monasteries or schools, wifi, laundry etc.
  • Tips for guide and porter.
  • Things that goes beyond "cost includes" list.
Useful InformationGood to Know
  • Altitude sickness: You should be aware of the risks of altitude sickness and take necessary precautions, such as acclimatizing properly, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding alcohol and smoking. Moon Himalaya Adventure has prepared the Upper Mustnag itinerary with proper time to acclimatize starting gradually from low altitude to high altitude during the trek. However, if you realize any symptoms such as headache, feeling and being sick, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite and shortness of breath then immediately inform to your guide as soon as possible. 
  • Weather: During February to May and September to Mid- December the weather is generally dry and stable however it is important to be prepared for the cold and the possibility of snow or rain.
  • Medical History: Please let us know if you have any medical history that might bring complication in your Upper Mustang trek such as knee or leg sprain, fractures, major surgeries or other serious health concern.
  • Medication: Please inform us about any medicine that you use daily so that our guide can help remind you about your medicines while trekking.
FAQsUpper Mustang Trek - 17 Days FAQs

  • The Upper Mustang Trek is a moderately difficult yet rewarding adventure. The average daily walking time is 5 to 7 hours, with some challenging ascents and descents along the way.

  • The Upper Mustang Trek is at its best between the months of March and November, when the climate is dry and the skies are clear.

  • Yes, you need special permit to do trek in Upper Mustang Trek as it is restricted area. Along with that you also need Annapurna Area Conservation permit (ACAP) and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card.

  • Along the trail, you will find simple lodges and teahouses, but don't expect much in terms of amenities.

  • As the Upper Mustang Trek lies in the restricted areas you are not allowed to do the trek alone. There must be minimum of two tourists to do trek in Upper Mustang.

  • Yes, it is mandatory to take a licensed guide to do a trek in Upper Mustang.

  • Jomsom is where the Upper Mustang Trek begins, and you may get there by taking a short flight from Pokhara.

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