The Upper Mustang Trek - 15 Days

The drive from Kathmandu (1,400m) to Pokhara (820m) takes 7–8 hours via the curving Prithvi Highway and includes  200  kilometers of  Nepal's diverse nature. As we go down, you'll see terraced fields,  rural communities,  and green hillsides,  and you'll also be able to see the Himalayan foothills in the distance. This beautiful road takes you from the busy metropolis to the lakeside setting of Pokhara. The long trip shows off the natural beauty and cultural rhythm of central Nepal.

As you get closer to Pokhara, you'll see the majestic Annapurna range, which is a wonderful way to get ready for trekking. Bring some small snacks and be ready to stop for tea and pictures now and then.

Advice:
 If the weather is lovely, choose a window seat to see the mountains.
 If you are looking to save time, you might consider taking a flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu (25  minutes).

The trip from Pokhara to Kagbeni is beautiful and full of surprises. The road goes through settlements in the foothills before going down into the deep Kali Gandaki Gorge, leaving behind Pokhara's subtropical plants. The paved road stops at Beni, and after that, the trail turns into a rocky track that has been cut into the rocks. Tatopani is a major cultural stop where you may rest in natural hot springs next to the roaring river. This attraction will be part of the itinerary following the Upper Mustang Tour Complete. Rupse Falls is another highlight along the journey. It's a strong waterfall that flows right close to the road.

The environment changes dramatically into a rain-shadow desert after Tatopani. Wind-shaped cliffs lead to the famous Apple Village of Marpha. Whitewashed streets and apple fields, where you can enjoy local cider and pie, characterize the small town. The last part of the journey takes you along a wide, rocky riverbank to Kagbeni, an old mud-brick entrance to Upper Mustang. The winding lanes and the old gompa that looks out over the meeting of two rivers make you feel like you're in a medieval past. The forbidden kingdom of Lo stretches to the north.

Start your day by leaving the historic settlement of Kagbeni (2,800m) and following the Kali Gandaki River upstream into the restricted region of Upper Mustang.  The path takes you through a landscape that gets smaller and drier, with magnificent gorges and cliffs shaped by the wind and traditional Tibetan-style villages. You'll go past the town of Tangbe, which has unique whitewashed buildings,  apple orchards, and old chortens.  Then you'll follow the riverbank, where you'll get great views of Nilgiri Peak, which stands out on the southern horizon. You will reach Chele (3,055m) after 5–6 hours of hiking, around 14 kilometers (8.7 miles), which will take you 255 meters higher.

This traditional community is high up on a mountain, giving you your first real taste of Upper Mustang's unique culture and scenery. Prayer flags flutter in the dry mountain air along the path, and historic monasteries line the way. This trek gives you a taste of the area's unique Tibetan Buddhist heritage. As the sun sets over the rough terrain, you'll be able to see how the lower valleys change from being greener to becoming more like a desert in Mustang.

Your adventure goes on with a challenging but rewarding climb from Chele (3,055m) through some of Mustang's most beautiful landscapes. The route progressively rises to Taklam La Pass (3,624m), where you can see the Nilgiri, Tilicho, and Yakawa Kang peaks in all their glory. 

Next, descend to the picturesque town of Samar, framed by trees and barley fields. After that, you'll go back up via Juniper Woodlands. The road goes by old chortens and mani walls with Buddhist prayers carved onto them. The scenery changes into a harsh, stunning desert at a high altitude. When you arrive at Syangboche (3,930m), you'll see a tiny group of traditional teahouses in this secluded high-altitude village. The community has amazing views of the  Mustang's rough mountains and deep valleys, and the air is thinner at this height.

The peaks around you light up in colors of orange and pink as the sun sets, making the place feel genuinely wonderful. This day's adventure will not only challenge your physical strength, but it will also give you a greater understanding of the distinctive Tibetan Buddhist culture that distinguishes the Upper Mustang region. This 5- to 6-hour hike covers approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) and gains 875 meters in elevation. It's hard on your body, but you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the mountains as you go.

Your adventure goes on with a hard but rewarding climb from Chele (3,055m) through some of Mustang's most beautiful landscapes. The route progressively rises to Taklam La Pass (3,624m), where you can see the Nilgiri, Tilicho, and Yakawa Kang peaks in all their glory.

Next, you'll go down to the pretty town of Samar, which is flanked by poplar trees and barley fields. After that, you'll go back up via Juniper Woodlands. The road goes by old chortens and mani walls with Buddhist prayers carved onto them. The scenery changes into a harsh, stunning desert at a high altitude. This 5- to 6-hour hike covers approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) and gains 875 meters in  elevation.  It's  hard  on  your  body,  but  you'll  be  rewarded  with  breathtaking  views  of  the mountains as you go.

When you get to Syangboche (3,930m), you'll see a tiny group of traditional teahouses in this secluded  high-altitude  village.  The  community  has  amazing  views  of  the  Mustang's  rough mountains and deep valleys, and the air is thinner at this height.

The peaks around you light up in colors of orange and pink as the sun sets, making the place feel genuinely wonderful. This day's adventure will not only challenge your physical strength, but it will also give you a greater understanding of the distinctive Tibetan Buddhist culture that distinguishes the Upper Mustang region.

The route from Ghami to Tsarang is one of the most interesting and culturally rich places to stroll in Upper Mustang. The first thing you do in the morning is to walk down the spectacular Ghami Khola canyon, where tall cliffs show off beautiful geological formations in red, brown, and gold. You'll cross a few tiny creeks and go through traditional farming areas where people have been growing barley and buckwheat for hundreds of years. The best part of the morning is getting to the Ghami La Pass (3,770m), which has stunning views of the whole Mustang valley and the Damodar Himal range in the distance.

As you go on, the route takes you past more and more stunning vistas, including old cave houses cut high into the cliff walls. These are proof of Mustang's deep and enigmatic history. When you arrive close to  Tsarang,  you'll see a beautiful five-story royal palace and the huge  Tsarang Monastery, which is one of the biggest and most important in the area. The last part of the trip down to Tsarang (3,505m) takes you through beautiful fields that are watered by an old water system that is still in use today. This unexpected oasis emerges from the high desert.

When you arrive there, you'll be amazed by the maze of small streets, whitewashed cottages, and the beautiful Royal Palace that stands above the town.  The air is filled with the smell of juniper incense and the sound of monks chanting from old monasteries. This day is not just a place to go; it's also the end of your journey to one of the Himalayas' best-preserved cultural treasures, where Tibetan customs have stayed the same for hundreds of years.

Your last approach to the old kingdom starts with a moderate drop from Tsarang through broad, dry valleys. You follow the same path that salt dealers and pilgrims used to use. As you slowly climb toward the Lo La Pass (3,950m), you will reach the entrance to the forbidden city.

The route gives you stunning vistas of faraway snow-capped peaks and strange rock formations. From the pass, you can see Lo Manthang's beautiful walled city for the first time. It's a spectacular sight that makes the morning's work worth it. The last part of the trip down into the valley takes you through traditional farms and past old monasteries until you reach the historic gates of Lo Manthang  (3,810m). This trip is 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) long and takes around 5 hours. The height gain is 305 meters. When you go within the city gates, you'll feel like you've gone back in time. The narrow cobblestone alleys, whitewashed  Tibetan-style buildings, and beautiful four-story Royal Palace have all been the same for hundreds of years. Your arrival signals the end of an amazing journey to one of the best-preserved cultural treasures in the Himalayas.

Today is all about discovering the mysterious walled city of Lo Manthang, which is the cultural and historical center of Upper Mustang. After breakfast, our guide will take you to the city's most important sites. Start at the 14th-century Jampa Lhakhang (Maitreya Temple), which is famous for its huge clay figure of Maitreya Buddha and beautiful mandala murals. Go on to Thubchen Gompa, a huge monastery with amazing paintings and old woodwork that shows off the area's rich creative history.

In the afternoon, you may choose from several alternatives to make your experience more personal. You may either go to the Royal Palace and look at the outside (you can't get inside) to see traditional Tibetan architecture, or you can check out the city's lively local market. If you want more adventure,  you may climb to the sky caves of  Chosar,  where you'll find ancient meditation rooms and monasteries cut into the sides of cliffs. Instead, get to know the locals by talking to them and seeing them do traditional crafts like weaving carpets and painting thangkas.

As the day comes to an end, you'll get to see the ageless rhythms of Lo Manthang. Monks will be singing in old courtyards, the smell of juniper incense will fill the air, and the sunset will send a golden glow over the city walls. This day off will not only help you recuperate physically, but it will also give you a chance to fully experience the culture,  which will be one of your best recollections of the Himalayas.

As we leave  Lo  Manthang via its large main gate,  you say goodbye to the old kingdom in a melancholy way. The path initially returns you across the elevated plateau before veering off in the direction of the quaint community of Dhi. There, you'll see some of the best-preserved chortens and many walls in the area. The trail then takes you via the stunning Sato Pass, where you can see the walled city one more time before going down into the wide Ghami Valley. The 15 km (9.3 mile) hike takes around 6 to 7 hours and has a net fall of 290 meters, with a few challenging climbs along the way. While you walk, you'll see how the shifting light and direction change the way you see the same mountains and valleys that you thought you knew. They now look different.

The trip back lets you see the small things you might have missed on the way up, including the complex rock formations, the secret caverns, and the fragile environment of this high-altitude desert. When we get to Ghami (3,520m), you're going back to an old settlement. The familiar sight of the village's old monastery and the warm glow of the teahouse lights make you feel at home. You'll have time to think about the deep cultural experiences of Lo Manthang while watching the stars come out over the Mustang mountains.

The day starts with a tough ascent from Ghami (3,520 m) over the harsh, high-altitude terrain of Upper Mustang. The wind will sweep you through wide valleys and plateaus as you follow old trade routes. The Nilgiri and Annapurna ranges, in all their glory, will be visible along the way. The 6–7 hour hike covers approximately 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) and gains 180 meters in elevation over time.

This is one of the longest but mostly flat walking days of the circuit. When you get to Samar (3,700 m), you'll see a quiet community surrounded by poplar trees. The buildings are whitewashed, and there are prayer flags flying in the mountain air. This old town is a key stop on the Mustang trade route. It has basic teahouses and great views of the mountains around it.  When the sun goes down behind the dry hills, you'll admire the raw beauty and spiritual aura of this isolated Himalayan area.

Today, your trek is a steep drop as you leave the high, dry plateaus behind and follow the track down into the deep Kali Gandaki Gorge.  The route goes through beautiful canyons and past intriguing rock formations. With each step down, the air gets warmer and heavier.

You'll drive through traditional villages like Syangboche and Chhunggar, where you'll see the scenery change and get one more stunning look at the Nilgiri peaks rising above. The trek takes 5 to 6 hours and goes down 720 meters, which is a big drop in height. This offers a refreshing change in scenery and a refreshing shift in pace. When you get to Chhusang (2,980 m), you see a settlement that is really well-placed at the meeting point of the Kali Gandaki and a big tributary. The cliffs that surround the region are a beautiful shade of crimson and ocher. This old town is an important cultural and geographical change point in the Mustang area.  The sound of the rushing river and the sight of historic mud-brick cottages carved into the cliffsides make for a great place to relax and think on the day's many contrasts.

You start this remarkable day by slowly climbing out of the Kali Gandaki Valley. You leave the dry landscapes of Lower Mustang behind as you head toward one of Nepal's most holy destinations. The route goes up through various landscapes, including the historic settlement of Kagbeni, which is the entrance to Upper Mustang. The village has a medieval feel and is located on a stunning cliffside. 

 As you ascend higher, the scenery changes from sandy, worn-out gorges to more alpine areas. The Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri peaks tower over the horizon the whole time. This difficult 6–7 hour hike takes you up 780 meters in elevation, ending at this holy pilgrimage site. Getting to Muktinath (3,760m) is good for both the body and the soul. Hindus and Buddhists both hold this holy site in high regard. It has an everlasting flame that burns next to natural water springs, which is a strong combination that attracts visitors from all across the Himalayas. 

After a long day of climbing, you may visit the temple grounds, spin prayer wheels, and take in the deep spiritual ambiance.  When  the  sun  goes  down  behind  the  Annapurna  range,  you'll experience a great feeling of satisfaction for getting to this important stop on your Himalayan 
trek.

Today's hike takes us down into the Kali Gandaki Valley, which is the deepest valley in the world. You'll follow a well-defined track that goes slowly down through dry terrain, past old villages, and get new views of the Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri peaks along the way.

The 5-hour trek takes you down 1,040 meters, which is a big drop in height. This is a pleasant break for your body as you go from the high  Himalayan environment to the  more moderate climate of the valley level. Along the route, you'll see how different the harsh, windswept cliffs are from the lush green plains that the Kali Gandaki River feeds. You will be in the bustling heart of the Mustang region when you reach Jomsom (2,720m). The afternoon winds that are common in this valley make the place feel quite dramatic. 

 This administrative headquarters and transit hub has pleasant lodgings, stores, and a place to enjoy the end of your hiking circle. As you get comfortable, think about your trip from the high passes to the river valley and how much you've enjoyed seeing the many landscapes and civilizations along the way.

Going back from Jomsom to Pokhara is a delightful trip down the world's deepest gorge. It's like repeating your steps but with a different view. You leave the high desert and head south, passing through the apple orchards of Marpha and the holy blue waters of Dhumba Lake. You enjoy the last views of the austere, wind-sculpted terrain. The rough path goes back down into the Kali Gandaki Gorge, which has steep sides and a lot of humidity in the air. The sound of the river getting louder is also noticeable. Tatopani is your main stop again. The natural hot springs there are a wonderful way to relax and wash off the desert dust before the last push.

The change from dry canyon to lush green hills happens quite quickly. After Beni, the bumpy road turns into solid pavement, and terraced fields of rice and corn come back, clinging to the colorful slopes. As you go down, the temperature rises a lot, and the last part along the Seti River takes you back to the calm, familiar spirit of Pokhara's lakeside. When you get back to 820 meters, the trip feels like it has come full circle. You traveled from subtropical lowlands to the Tibetan plateau and back again on one of Nepal's most famous road excursions

Your last day starts with a beautiful journey from the peaceful lakeside city of Pokhara (820m) back  to  the  lively  Kathmandu  Valley  (1,400m),  which  is  the  center  of  Nepal.  The  210  km (135-mile) trip takes around 7 to 8 hours over the winding Prithvi Highway, which follows the banks of the Trishuli River as it cuts through beautiful valleys and terraced slopes.

You will pass through traditional villages, busy market towns, and expanses of woodland. You will also see the peaks of the Himalayas in the distance, which will be the last time you see the mountains that have been with you on your journey.

As you climb 580 meters into the Kathmandu Valley, the view changes again, from the quiet countryside to the busy city of Kathmandu. When you arrive, you'll be taken to your hotel, where you can reflect on all the amazing things you've done and seen during the last two weeks, such as high mountain passes, sacred temples, calm lakes, and ancient cultures. This trip through the heart of Nepal may be coming to a close, but the tales and images will stay with you long after you go home.