Syangboche: The High Plateau Stop Between Chele and Dhakmar

Last updated 9 October 2026.

Syangboche, in Upper Mustang, is a high plateau stop at 3,800 m, one long day beyond Chele. It is not the Syangboche above Namche Bazaar in the Everest region. Same name, different place. On our Upper Mustang Trek, 10 days you sleep here on the third night, after a hard day over several passes.

Short answer: Syangboche is at 3,800 m (12,467 ft). Chele to Syangboche takes 5 to 6 hours and about 15 km, over the Taklam La (3,624 m), the Dajori La (3,660 m), the Bhena La and the Yamda La, which is about 4,000 m. The next day goes on to Dhakmar in 6 to 7 hours and about 17 km.

Syangboche at a glance

Where does Syangboche sit on our Upper Mustang treks?

It is the night of day 3 on the 10-day trek, and the night of day 5 on the 15-day trek via Pokhara and Jomsom. The day before is Chele, at 3,055 m. The day after is Dhakmar, at 3,820 m. On the way back, the trail passes Syangboche again between Ghami and Samar, but you do not sleep there.

What is the day from Chele to Syangboche like?

This is the demanding day of the first half of the trek, with real height gain. From Chele the trail crosses the Taklam La (3,624 m) and the Dajori La (3,660 m), then drops to Samar, a village in a poplar-lined valley where we stop for lunch. After Samar it climbs again, over the Bhena La and the Yamda La, which is about 4,000 m and the high point of the day. The ground turns barren. The cliffs are red and grey, shaped by wind and water into towers and canyons. Then Syangboche appears on a high plateau, with views of Nilgiri, Tilicho and Dhaulagiri.

Chele is at 3,055 m and Syangboche at 3,800 m, so you finish the day about 745 m higher than you began, after crossing 4,000 m in between. Plan for a slow pace. Start with a good breakfast and carry water.

What is the day from Syangboche to Dhakmar like?

You head north through high desert and cross the Nyi La at 4,010 m, the highest point of the trek so far. The path then descends towards Ghami, passing cave dwellings cut into the cliff faces. We do not stop at Ghami on the way in. We walk on to Dhakmar, a quieter village below dramatic red cliffs, with a small gompa and a few guesthouses.

What are the lodge and food like at Syangboche?

A simple guesthouse, with meals cooked for you. Budget means shared rooms, no meals included and no porter. Standard means private rooms, all trek meals and one porter for every two trekkers. Luxury means a private deluxe room, all meals plus fruit and nuts, and a dedicated porter for each trekker. The rooms are not the reason to come. The plateau is.

How do you handle the altitude at Syangboche?

Syangboche is the first night above 3,500 m on the trek, and it follows a day that crosses 4,000 m, so it is worth taking seriously. Sleeping at 3,800 m after having been at about 4,000 m in the afternoon is a standard way to acclimatise, because you climb high and sleep a little lower. Drink plenty of water, eat the full dinner and tell your guide if you wake with a headache. Buy travel insurance at home with helicopter rescue and evacuation cover. The rest day comes later, at Lo Manthang.

What do you need to know about permits and the road?

Upper Mustang is a restricted area. The permit is USD 50 per person per day, and you also need the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. All three are included in our price. A licensed guide is compulsory, solo travellers can book since 22 March 2026, and there can be at most 7 trekkers per guide. You cannot walk apart from your guide. We need at least 48 hours in government working days to file the permit.

As of 7 October 2026 the Beni to Jomsom road is closed for repairs, with reopening expected in mid-October. We check 48 hours before departure, and if the road is not open we move your dates free. My guide on distance and difficulty shows the whole route.

When is the best time to cross to Syangboche?

Spring, March to May, is clear and warming, and autumn, September to November, is the other main season. Upper Mustang is in the rain shadow, so it also works in the monsoon. Bring a windproof layer on the passes. See the monsoon guide if your dates are in summer.

Questions people ask

How high is Syangboche in Upper Mustang? Our itineraries give 3,800 m, which is 12,467 ft.

Is it the same as Syangboche near Namche Bazaar? No. That is a different place in the Everest region. This Syangboche is a plateau stop between Chele and Dhakmar in Upper Mustang.

How long is the walk from Chele to Syangboche? 5 to 6 hours and about 15 km, with lunch at Samar halfway.

Which passes do you cross to reach Syangboche? The Taklam La (3,624 m), the Dajori La (3,660 m), the Bhena La and the Yamda La (about 4,000 m).

What can you see from Syangboche? Nilgiri, Tilicho and Dhaulagiri from the plateau, and eroded red and grey cliffs on the way.

What comes after Syangboche? Dhakmar, 6 to 7 hours and about 17 km on, over the Nyi La at 4,010 m.

Is the trek to Syangboche suitable for a first Himalayan trek? It is a long, remote route with several high passes, so I would ask about your fitness first. Message me and we can talk it through.

Group size is 2 to 20, and you can also trek solo. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 7 days notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients.

How do you plan this with us?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, how many of you there are and any trekking experience you already have. I will tell you which tier and which route I would choose, and send you the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.