Upper Mustang Trek

Trip Overview

Upper Mustang trek offers a spectacular trekking experience in the remote trans-Himalayan mountain region of Nepal. The 17-day trip begins in Kathmandu with tours of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  Then we drive to Pokhara and fly to Jomsom the next day and begin trekking. Upper Mustang is also known as the Last Forbidden Kingdom because it wasn’t until the 1990s that tourists were allowed to enter the region. While trekking in the Upper Mustang region of Nepal, we can admire the uniqueness of tree-less landscape, rocky trails and views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and other Himalayas. 

Highlights

  • Explore the Tibetan Culture
  • Good views of Mount Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri
  • Rich variety of flora and fauna
  • Unique culture with varied customs

Trip Map

Upper Mustang Trek Map

Short itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,428ft)

Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and trek Preparation

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (827m/2689ft): 5-6 hours

Day 04: Fly to Jomsom (2,700m/8898ft) and trek to Kagbeni (2,810m/9,216ft): 3-4 hours trek

Day 05: Kagbeni to Chele (3,050m/10,004ft): 5-6 hours

Day 06: Chele to Syanbochen (3,475m/11,398ft): 6-7 hours

Day 07: Syanbochen to Ghami (3,520m/11,546ft): 5-6 hours

Day 08: Ghami to Tsarang (3,620m/11,873ft): 5-6 hours

Day 09: Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3,730m/12,234ft): 3-4 hours

Day 10: Explore Lo Manthang/ Acclimatization

Day 11: Lo-Mangthang to Drakmar (3810 m/12,500ft): 6-7 hours

Day 12: Drakmar to Ghiling (3,806m/12,484ft): 5-6 hours

Day 13: Ghiling to Chhuksang (3050m/10,004ft): 5-6 hours

Day 14: Chhuksang to Jomsom (2,700/8,856ft): 6-7 hours

Day 15: Fly back to Pokhara

Day 16: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu

Day 17: Final departure

Detail Itinerary

Detailed itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,428ft)Airport Pick up the transfer to hotel by our representative.

Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing which covers 4-5 world heritage sites with tour guide. Same time we will prepare your special permit for Upper Mustang which is issued by Nepal Immigration office.

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus (827m/2689ft): 6-7 hours:We have quick breakfast then leave for Pokhara. We will spend one night there. Pokhara offers magnificent view of Machhapuchhre (6,993m/22,943ft), the five peaks of Annapurna and others. Overnight in Pokhara.

Day 04: Fly to Jomsom (2,700m/8898ft) and trek to Kagbeni (2,810m/9,216ft): 3-4 hours trek: Today we will take an early morning flight to Jomsom which is famous for its apples, strong winds and the landscape. We begin our trek on an open trail alongside a beautiful valley. We pass through Eaklibatti village before reaching Jomsom which is ideally located at the bank of two rivers. The village is beautiful with flat-roofed houses and also has ruins of an old fortress. Overnight in Kagbeni.

Day 05: Kagbeni to Chele (3,050m/10,004ft): 5-6 hours: We get our permits checked then begin our trek on a trail alongside the Kali Gandaki River. We walk on sand amidst strong winds before ascending on a hill. We reach the Tangbe Village and admire its narrow alleyways, white-washed houses, barley and buckwheat fields, and apple orchards. We continue our walk and pass another village and cross a river on our way. Next, we walk on a ridge before reaching Chele Village. Overnight in Chele.

Day 06: Chele to Syanbochen (3,475m/11,398ft): 6-7 hours: Our trek from today will be a little hard compared to what we experienced before.  Our walk today involves crossing two passes, Taklam La pass (3,624m) and Dajori La pass (3,735). On our way, we enjoy great views of Tilicho, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Danda and pass by Ramchung Cave. We descend further and reach Samar Village. From here we walk on a trail above the village and reach a ridge. Next, we descend on a steep trail to a stream and continue our trek to Syanboche. Overnight in Syanboche.

Day 07: Syanbochen to Ghami (3,520m/11,546ft): 5-6 hours: We ascend to the Yamda La pass at 3,850m. On the way, we pass by a few teahouses, chortens and beautiful villages. We trek through poplar forests and barley fields and reach Nyi Pass at 4,010m. From here, we descend to Ghami which is one of the biggest villages in the Lo region. The village is beautiful with fields surrounding the entire village. Overnight in Ghami.

Day 08: Ghami to Tsarang (3,620m/11,873ft): 5-6 hours: Our trek today begins with a descent through a rough and often slippery trail. We then cross a suspension bridge over the Ghami Khola and begin ascending. The pathway is beautiful with mani walls along the trail. Next, we cross the Tsarang La Pass at 3870m and reach Tsarang village. The village lies atop the Charang Chu canyon with a huge fortress and a red gompa towards its east. Overnight in Tsarang.

Day 09: Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3,730m/12,234ft): 3-4 hours: We begin our trek by descending to a canyon and cross a river before beginning our uphill trek to Lo La pass which at 3950m. From the top of the pass we can admire the beautiful Lo Manthang village. From the pass we descend to Lo Manthang which is a beautiful walled village. From here the views of the Himalayas including Nilgiri, Tilicho and Annapurna I, Bhrikuti Peak as well as Damodar Kunda (pond) is quite good. Overnight in Lo-Manthang.

Day 10: Explore Lo Manthang/ Acclimatization: Lo Manthang is a walled town of the remote Upper Mustang region of Nepal. We spend the day touring three major gompas of the town namely Jhampa, Thupchen and Chhoeda. All of these gompas have undergone expert restoration over the last two decades. We can also trek to Tingkhar which is a beautiful village located north-west of Lo-Mangthang. Overnight in Lo Manthang.

Day 11: Lo-Mangthang to Drakmar (3810 m/12,500ft): 6-7 hours: We trek on a different route when returning from Lo-Manthang. Our trail passes through Gyakar village which houses a century old Ghar Gompa with beautiful rock paintings. According to a local legend, anyone who makes a wish at the Gompa will have it fulfilled. We explore the Gompa and continue our trek to Drakmar for an overnight stay.

Day 12: Drakmar to Ghiling (3,806m/12,484ft): 5-6 hours: We start our trek early to avoid strong winds and descend for the most part of the trek. Our trail passes through a dry plateau and fields before reaching Ghiling. The walk can be relatively difficult as we are most likely to experience strong winds on our face. Ghiling is mostly dry, but we still get good views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains. We can tour the village around the evening. Overnight in Ghiling.

Day 13: Ghiling to Chhuksang (3050m/10,004ft): 5-6 hours: We begin our trek after breakfast. We walk on the same trail as before going up to Lo Manthang. On the way to Chhuksang we can enjoy great views of the Himalayas and small villages we pass en route. Overnight in Chhuksang.

Day 14: Chhuksang to Jomsom (2,700/8,856ft): 6-7 hours: Today is the last day of our trek and it is a long one. After trekking for a while, we come to an end of our Mustang trails and join the trails of the Annapurna circuit. We stop for lunch at Kagbeni. After lunch, we continue our trek to Jomsom for an overnight stay.

Day 15: Fly back to Pokharae take an early morning flight to Pokhara. The airplane passes through a gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains making the flight itself an amazing experience. After arriving in Pokhara, we can spend the rest of the day in leisure. Overnight in Pokhara.

Day 16: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 17: Final departure.

Includes/Excludes

Cost Includes:

  • 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
  • Teahouse accommodation during the trek
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
  • All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
  • Domestic flights (Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara)
  • Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle
  • Entrance fees for sightseeing/monument visits as per the itinerary
  • An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek guide and Porter service
  • Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, domestic airfare, food and accommodation
  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (Special permit, ACAP, TIMS)
  • Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
  • All government and local taxes

Cost Exclude:

  • Nepalese visa fee
  • Excess baggage charge(s)
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
  • International flights
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottled or boiled water, shower, etc.)

Date & Price

Date and price

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Trip Facts

  • Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
  • Best season: February, March, April, May, October, November
  • Per day walking: 6 hours in average
  • Type of trek: Hotel and Lodge
  • General Duration: 17 days
  • Maximum Altitude: 38100m

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