Lowest Altitute 827 m
Highest Altitute 3810 m
Diffuculty Moderate
Duration 14 Days
Best Season March-May, September-November
Cost $ 1326 / Person
Group size
Upper Mustang trek; takes you to the walled city of Lo Manthang. A medieval town and the forbidden kingdom of Mustang. It is deeply rooted in Tibetan culture and the practice of Buddhism in its purest form. Upper Mustang is a restricted region where a special permit is required. This ancient Buddhist Kingdom has only been opened to tourists since 1990. Upper Mustang is located in the rain shadow region of Nepal, on the border with Tibet. It used to be the old salt caravan route for local people for trade with the small villages of Marpha and Tukuche which were the center of business trading on that old salt route.
Upper Mustang trek takes you to the maximum height of 4,500 meters and begins from Jomsom after a scenic flight from Pokhara, following the route running along the rocky bed of Kali Gandaki, a valley lying between two towering peaks, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Along the route you enjoy the vast diversity of landscapes that change drastically every day with breathtaking, arid landscape, with preserved ancient Tibetan culture and leads you to the kingdom of Thakali. A community ruled by a local king, though he has not much power but taken as a revered figure whose blessings are taken as holy and sacred. We then enter the classic town of Lo manthang. encircled by huge walls with inestimable and the finest wall paintings. It gives one the sensation of entering a different world, where houses are built in Tibetan style and follow the pristine Tibetan culture and religion.
Itinerary Overview
Day 01:Arrival on Kathmandu
Airport pickup.
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara
As you climb out of Kathmandu valley, you descend to the Trisuli River, which flows upstream to join with Marsyangdi River. Overlooking the Marsyandi, which gushes over a canyon with tall steep cliffs on its side, you drive through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to Seti River. It goes straight to Pokhara. Pokhara, with pleasant weather, and natural and cultural heritages such as lakes, caves, mountain views, temples, etc., is a beautiful place to spend afternoons in.
Day 03: Drive to Jomsom and Trek to Kagbeni
You board the early morning drive to Jomsom, which is pretty short and gives a good view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range.
From Jomsom, you head north along the bank of Gandaki. As you’re trekking towards the rain shadow region, the trail is pretty dry and barren. Although dusty, it is pretty flat, which makes the walk very easy. Surrounded by captivating views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Tukuche, you reach Kagbeni. You need to complete the necessary paperwork and documentation, as you are now entering the region which is restricted to protect its precious heritage. Kagbeni, allures you at the very first glance with narrow alleys, tunnels, mysterious-looking houses, green fields, and also a large red Gompa. An interesting information post has been put up by ACAP, which displays exquisite photographs and artifacts of the region.
Day 04: Trek to Chhusang/ Tsele
The trail along the river bank widens out to vast sandy lands. Several caves lie on the western bank, along with the monastery of Nyingmapa sect, the Gompa Kang. You stop for lunch at the little town of Tangbe, where closely spaces whitewashed houses enclose narrow alleys, among fields of buckwheat, barley, and apple orchard. After a 2 hour walk from here, you reach Chuksang, surrounded by cliffs with ruined castle walls. The Nilgiri continues to dominate the skyline.
Day 05: Trek to Samar/ Syangboche
The settlements turn distinctly scattered, and smaller as you move ahead. You pass a tunnel, formed from a huge rocky conglomerate. A steel bridge spans the river just in front of it. The trek now leaves the valley and climbs steeply to the village of Chele, and continues upwards along a steep canyon to a pass. Beyond the pass, you descend on a pleasant trail to Samar, situated in a grove of poplar trees, which is also a major stop for horses and mule caravans.
Day 06: Trek to Gelling
You climb above Samar to a ridge and descend into a large gorge past a Chorten. Once you descend to the valley full of Juniper trees, you cross a stream to climb a pass and descend down a ridge to Shyangmochen. The trail climbs gently from here to a big village and descends to Gelling. Like other Mustang settlements, the white and ochre-painted houses show basic construction with mud, stones, and twigs.
Day 07: Trek to Ghami via Ghami La
From Gelling, the trail climbs gently through fields above settlements of Tama Gun. You then begin an arduous climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La [3840m]. However, the descent from the pass is quite gentle to Ghami. Ghami is a large village, sheltered by overhanging cliffs.
Day 08: Trek to Charang
You might find yourself constantly panting today, as the walk is through one of the driest regions of Mustang. However, the view of mountains and vast blue skies through the rugged contour is enough to keep you going. Finally, you come to Charang, a large spread-out village at the top of the Charang Chu canyon. It is famous for the gompa at its eastern end, which displays a great collection of statues and Thankas.
Day 09: Trek to Lo-Manthang [Mustang]
After spending the morning exploring in and around charing, you start your gradual climb to a large isolated Chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. The trail then broadens to the walled city of Mustang. You walk all the way round to the only entrance on the North-East side.
Day 10: Rest day at Mustang.
The fascinating city of Lo Manthang is untouched since the 14th century and has a lot to offer for explorers. There are four major temples within the city and one of these, Champa Lhakang, is famous for its huge clay statue of Buddha with elaborate mandalas painted on the walls. You take a day to fascinate yourself in this dry terrain.
Day 11: Trek to Ghami
You continue your journey on the highland route, crossing alpine meadows before dropping down a steep eroded alley to Dhakmar. After lunch, you climb a ridge and descend back to Ghami.
Day 12: Trek to Chhusang
You trek through desert-like places, spotted rarely with green thorny bushes. You trail along a river and cross some streams to reach Chuksang.
Day 13: Trek to Muktinath
You trek through dry lands, enjoying the beautiful deserted landscape, caves, old Tibetan Style Villages, apple Garden, Yaks Herds, and sheep herds, straight up to Muktinath. You walk about twenty minutes to the Muktinath Temple, where you can enjoy a holy bath, originating from 108 Taps. You also visit the Monastery, Natural flaming, and a Hindu Temple.
Day 14: Trek to Jomsom
An easy trail gradually ascends to Eklebhati at Kali Gandaki River valley and walks for another two hours in the sandy region to arrive at Jomsom.
Day 15: Fly to Pokhara
The short flight early morning gives clear views of the sky and also the land below.
Day 16: Drive back to Kathmandu
Enjoying the mountain views, green sceneries, and terraced fields, you make your way back to Kathmandu. You could also choose to fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, which takes almost 25 minutes.
Day 17:Return Flight
we Drive back you to airport according to your scheduled flight.
Day 01:Arrival on Kathmandu
Airport pickup.
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara
As you climb out of Kathmandu valley, you descend to the Trisuli River, which flows upstream to join with Marsyangdi River. Overlooking the Marsyandi, which gushes over a canyon with tall steep cliffs on its side, you drive through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to Seti River. It goes straight to Pokhara. Pokhara, with pleasant weather, and natural and cultural heritages such as lakes, caves, mountain views, temples, etc., is a beautiful place to spend afternoons in.
Day 03: Drive to Jomsom and Trek to Kagbeni
You board the early morning drive to Jomsom, which is pretty short and gives a good view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range.
From Jomsom, you head north along the bank of Gandaki. As you’re trekking towards the rain shadow region, the trail is pretty dry and barren. Although dusty, it is pretty flat, which makes the walk very easy. Surrounded by captivating views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Tukuche, you reach Kagbeni. You need to complete the necessary paperwork and documentation, as you are now entering the region which is restricted to protect its precious heritage. Kagbeni, allures you at the very first glance with narrow alleys, tunnels, mysterious-looking houses, green fields, and also a large red Gompa. An interesting information post has been put up by ACAP, which displays exquisite photographs and artifacts of the region.
Day 04: Trek to Chhusang/ Tsele
The trail along the river bank widens out to vast sandy lands. Several caves lie on the western bank, along with the monastery of Nyingmapa sect, the Gompa Kang. You stop for lunch at the little town of Tangbe, where closely spaces whitewashed houses enclose narrow alleys, among fields of buckwheat, barley, and apple orchard. After a 2 hour walk from here, you reach Chuksang, surrounded by cliffs with ruined castle walls. The Nilgiri continues to dominate the skyline.
Day 05: Trek to Samar/ Syangboche
The settlements turn distinctly scattered, and smaller as you move ahead. You pass a tunnel, formed from a huge rocky conglomerate. A steel bridge spans the river just in front of it. The trek now leaves the valley and climbs steeply to the village of Chele, and continues upwards along a steep canyon to a pass. Beyond the pass, you descend on a pleasant trail to Samar, situated in a grove of poplar trees, which is also a major stop for horses and mule caravans.
Day 06: Trek to Gelling
You climb above Samar to a ridge and descend into a large gorge past a Chorten. Once you descend to the valley full of Juniper trees, you cross a stream to climb a pass and descend down a ridge to Shyangmochen. The trail climbs gently from here to a big village and descends to Gelling. Like other Mustang settlements, the white and ochre-painted houses show basic construction with mud, stones, and twigs.
Day 07: Trek to Ghami via Ghami La
From Gelling, the trail climbs gently through fields above settlements of Tama Gun. You then begin an arduous climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La [3840m]. However, the descent from the pass is quite gentle to Ghami. Ghami is a large village, sheltered by overhanging cliffs.
Day 08: Trek to Charang
You might find yourself constantly panting today, as the walk is through one of the driest regions of Mustang. However, the view of mountains and vast blue skies through the rugged contour is enough to keep you going. Finally, you come to Charang, a large spread-out village at the top of the Charang Chu canyon. It is famous for the gompa at its eastern end, which displays a great collection of statues and Thankas.
Day 09: Trek to Lo-Manthang [Mustang]
After spending the morning exploring in and around charing, you start your gradual climb to a large isolated Chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. The trail then broadens to the walled city of Mustang. You walk all the way round to the only entrance on the North-East side.
Day 10: Rest day at Mustang.
The fascinating city of Lo Manthang is untouched since the 14th century and has a lot to offer for explorers. There are four major temples within the city and one of these, Champa Lhakang, is famous for its huge clay statue of Buddha with elaborate mandalas painted on the walls. You take a day to fascinate yourself in this dry terrain.
Day 11: Trek to Ghami
You continue your journey on the highland route, crossing alpine meadows before dropping down a steep eroded alley to Dhakmar. After lunch, you climb a ridge and descend back to Ghami.
Day 12: Trek to Chhusang
You trek through desert-like places, spotted rarely with green thorny bushes. You trail along a river and cross some streams to reach Chuksang.
Day 13: Trek to Muktinath
You trek through dry lands, enjoying the beautiful deserted landscape, caves, old Tibetan Style Villages, apple Garden, Yaks Herds, and sheep herds, straight up to Muktinath. You walk about twenty minutes to the Muktinath Temple, where you can enjoy a holy bath, originating from 108 Taps. You also visit the Monastery, Natural flaming, and a Hindu Temple.
Day 14: Trek to Jomsom
An easy trail gradually ascends to Eklebhati at Kali Gandaki River valley and walks for another two hours in the sandy region to arrive at Jomsom.
Day 15: Fly to Pokhara
The short flight early morning gives clear views of the sky and also the land below.
Day 16: Drive back to Kathmandu
Enjoying the mountain views, green sceneries, and terraced fields, you make your way back to Kathmandu. You could also choose to fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, which takes almost 25 minutes.
Day 17:Return Flight
we Drive back you to airport according to your scheduled flight.
Cost Included
- Airport pickup and drop up.
- Insurance, food, accommodation and fees for porter and guide for whole trek.
- Rescue help.
- First aid and medical for guide and porter.
- All government TAX.
- Annapurna National park permit and TIMS (Trekking Information Management System).
- Specaial restricted area permit of upper Mustang for minimum 10 days and two persons (per person USD 500).
- All help to find the best and cheapest accommodation and food during the trek and stay in Nepal.
-tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Jomson.
Cost Excluded
- Accommodation, Meals and drinks during the treks and your stay in Nepal.
- Personal, medical and evacuation insurance
-Cost raised by re-routing, cancellation, political disturbance etc.
- Any other expenses which are not mentioned above.
-Entrance fees for monastry, caves and museum in Upper Mustang.
<p>To enjoy your trip more you need to be comfort and breathability all day long, for that you need to put emphasis on equipment’s that are necessary. The following list includes items that are necessary which can also be hired. Backpack: During your trip you need to be careful to make the weight of your clothing equipment down to minimum. Your packed trek bag, should weigh no more than 15 kilograms (33 pounds.) Sleeping Bag: Sleeping bag rated to at least 15-degrees Fahrenheit (Optional/ Sleeping bag is provided by us if necessary) Duffel Bag Flash Light (Head lamp) Sun glass Water purifier Feet Trekking boots Lightweight sandals Woolen socks (3 pairs) Clothes While packing your clothes, you need to be careful to not to pack heavy clothes. It’s rather good to go on layers than in bulky clothes. Hat (For warmth) Lightweight long sleeve trekking shirts Long sleeves are good for sun protection. Light weight makes for easy wash material Fleece Jacket or pullover Underwear (4 pairs) Fleece or wool trouser/ Pants Gaiters (Optional) Thermal Clothing (As per the Season) Lightweight rain Jacket Warm Gloves or mittens Sports bra Miscellaneous Items Sun block Toilet articles and towel Small Knife First-aid kit (containing all drugs prescribed to you) Batteries backup</p>
Food
You would be offered breakfast, Nepali meal at homestay during time at Kathmandu while on trekking you would be provided Nepalese meals three times a day during trek.
Accomodation
You would be accommodated at Nagarjun homestay with facilities of hot water, western toilets, electricity, television, free WIFI during Kathmandu stay. And offered to stay at teahouses with facilities granted by teahouses during trek.
