Upper Mustang Trek
Overview
The Upper Mustang Trek is a remarkable journey into Nepal’s remote Upper Mustang Restricted Area, often called the “Last Forbidden Kingdom.” Covering approximately 120–170 kilometers depending on the itinerary, the trek follows the ancient trans-Himalayan trade route from Jomsom (2,720 m) through the arid landscapes of the Kali Gandaki Valley to the walled kingdom of Lo Manthang (3,840 m). Trekkers are rewarded with magnificent views of Himalayan peaks such as Nilgiri (7,061 m), Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m), and Tukuche Peak (6,920 m). Major attractions include the medieval city of Lo Manthang, centuries-old monasteries, ancient cave dwellings, colorful cliffs, and sacred sites that reflect the region’s unique history and isolation. The landscape is characterized by dramatic desert-like valleys and high-altitude plateaus, creating a setting unlike any other trekking destination in Nepal.
The trek also offers a fascinating insight into the culture and lifestyle of the Loba people, whose traditions are closely linked to Tibetan Buddhism. Prayer flags, monasteries, chortens, and religious festivals remain central to daily life in the region. Due to the dry climate and high elevation, vegetation is sparse, consisting mainly of hardy shrubs, grasses, juniper, and cultivated fields near villages. Local communities rely on farming and animal husbandry, raising yaks, sheep, goats, horses, and mules that are essential for transportation and livelihood. The surrounding mountains and valleys provide habitat for wildlife such as blue sheep, Himalayan wolves, snow leopards, Himalayan griffons, and other high-altitude bird species. Together, the ancient culture of Lo Manthang, the stark beauty of the restricted Upper Mustang landscape, and its unique Himalayan heritage make this trek an unforgettable adventure and a living window into a timeless mountain kingdom.
Day-by-day itinerary
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Our guides will come to pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the bus station from where we catch our bus to Pokhara. From the bus station, we head towards the west of Kathmandu valley to catch Prithvi Highway and then continue the journey towards west till Pokhara. The bus will stop twice on the way; once for the breakfast and then for lunch. This winding highway along the Trisuli River offers a spectacular view of mountains, rivers, jungle, waterfalls as well as hamlets situated higher up on the hills and amphitheater-shaped terraced field flaunting different seasonal crops. On reaching Pokhara, you check into the hotel, freshen up, explore the city and in the evening stroll around the lakeside. We stay overnight at a lodge in Pokhara.
After having breakfast, you will be transferred to Pokhara Bus station to ride Hilly road experience with the local other passengers and Trekkers to the Mustang - Jomsom. Passing through the world’s deepest gorge, to Jomsom offers a spectacular view of mountains like Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and the Annapurna range. (2,800m/9,186ft)/ 30 Minutes flight and 3 hours walk.
After having breakfast the trail ascends towards the northern valley of Kagbeni and heads towards Tangbe and the towards Chhusang valley. Along the trail you can enjoy a network of narrow lane among the traditional red and whitewashed houses, Buddhist monasteries, red, black and white colored chortens, beautiful apple orchards as well as wheat, barley and buckwheat fields. You will also be blessed with a glowing view of Nilgiri. After crossing several ridges and a stream along the trail, we now leave both Kali Gandaki valley and Manangi culture behind and enter Chele and the Tibetan culture of Lo. This place offers a perfect picture of Tibetan settlement. The night is spent at a lodge in Chele.
After having breakfast, we start our usual day trek, which first hikes up to Taklam La Pass, goes through even terrain to observe Yakawa Kang, Tilicho Peak and Damodar hill. We further walk towards the village of Samar from where the ridge descends into the large gorge, passes chorten and make our way towards Shyangmochen walking through the beautiful valley crossing cool streams and juniper trees. Shyangmochen is a small settlement with a few tea shops. Nearby Shyangmochen, you can also enjoy Rangbyung which is a cave that contains stalagmites in the form of Chorten. This is also considered one of the holiest places in Mustang. From here the trail descends to Geiling, which offer the pleasant view of the extensive barley field. The night is spent at a lodge in Geiling.
- After having breakfast, the trail turns west and continues through the driest part of Mustang, which further passes through the fields that are below Tama Gaon. From here we take a turn towards north to reach Nyi La. Here, the trail steeply descends to Ghyami. Ghyami is the third largest settlement surrounded by large barren fields in the Lo region. On crossing Ghyami River, the trail makes its way along the Mani wall (a sacred wall made by prayer stones) and from the end of the wall the trail takes an eastward turn towards the village of Charang, which is a large spread village situated on the top of the Charang Chu canyon. On the eastern side of this village lie Dzong (fortress) and a Red Gompa (monastery) that exhibits an assortment of exceptional statues and Thangkas. The night is spent at a lodge in Charang.
Before heading toward Lo Manthang, we spend some time exploring the Charang village and the Red Gompa. Then we climb up the valley to explore isolated Chorten, which separates the area of Charang and Lo Manthang. As the trail climbs up to the windy pass of Lo, the trail broadens eventually allowing you the very first glimpse of the walled city of Lo Manthang. This city has only one entrance on the northeast corner of the city; therefore, following the only option we circumambulate the wall to get to the entrance. The night is spent at a lodge in Lo Manthang.
After having breakfast, without wasting our time we start exploring the Lo Manthang. We visit 4 major Gompas like Namgyal Gompa (situated on the hilltop and also used as a local court), Champa Lakhang (God House), Thugchen Gompa and Chyodi Gompa. Other attractions of this area are the ceremonial King’s Palace (a 4 storey building at the center of the city), Tingkhar (a settlement of around 40 houses and the last village to the northwest of Lo Manthang) as well as the panoramic view of towering mountain and pure Tibetan culture. If you are lucky, you can also get an audience with the king or the queen. The night will be spent at a lodge in Lo Manthang.
he trail becomes very windy during the day. Therefore, after breakfast at Lo Manthang, without wasting much time, we start the day earlier than usual. The trail heading southwest passes through the irrigated field before Gekar and then climbs towards the cairn on the pass. At this point you can experience the highest altitude of this trek. From the pass the trail descends to Ghar Gompa, which is another major attraction of this trekking. In the Gompa, we spend some time enjoying the exhibition of paintings and artifacts. After exploring the area of Ghar Gompa, we finally head towards Drakmar for overnight stay.
Trail during the day gets very windy and dusty; therefore, we start early continuing our southward walk. The landscape around feels like a desert. We pass a number of caves during on the way, long Mani wall and the pass before descending to the Ghami village. From here, we first walk up to the Ghiling hill and then down to the Ghiling village. Along the way, we also enjoy very beautiful views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. In the evening, we can spend our time exploring the settlement of Ghiling. The night will be spent in a lodge in Ghiling.
Leaving Ghiling in the morning, the trekking resumes. Enjoying the amazing view of Nilgiri, Tilicho and other peaks and now walking on the spectacular landscape, we continue all the way down to Chhuksang. You can also enjoy villages influenced by Tibetan culture. In the evening, if you have energy, we take a stroll around the settlement of Chhuksang, where you can enjoy the settlement and lifestyle of people in Chhuksang. The night will be spent in a lodge in Chhuksang.
Today is the last day of our trekking. This day’s walk will be the longest walk during the entire trek as we do not stop at Kaagbeni but walk till Jomsom. On reaching Jomsom, you will be we celebrate the success of our trek with other crew members. You can also demand for solitude to reflect upon the journey made during the past few days. You will be loaded with pleasant memories, stories and experiences ready to share and cherish your entire life. The night will be spent at a lodge in Jomsom.
After breakfast,we drive back to Pokhara between the gorge Annapurna and Dhaulagiri is a bonus to feed your soul with lot of memories in the journey.. On reaching Pokhara we check in to the hotel where you can freshen up and then you can explore the lake area. The night is spent at the hotel in Pokhara.
Exactly at 7 am we start our journey from Pokhara to Kathmandu through Prithvi Highway. We stop twice – once for breakfast and the other one for lunch. Once again, you will get a chance to enjoy the pleasant view of Trisuli River, hamlets, and terraced farm on the way to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu, you will be escorted to the hotel (tourist standard). In the evening we host a farewell dinner at one of the best Nepalese restaurants where we will share your experience while having dinner. The night will be spent at a hotel in Kathmandu.
What’s included
Included
- All necessary Nation Park permit and Paperwork.
- All necessary trekking transfers
- The best local tea house accommodation during trekking.
- Experienced license holder guide (English Speaking, first aid, eco-trained).
- A Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served in trekking itinerary days (An item at once).
- Tea/Coffee or Himalayan Sea buckthorn juice in Breakfast
- A complete first-aid medical kit (Handled by Guide/Sherpa)
- All relevant fees, taxes and Levies
- Trekking Maps and Trip Completion Certificate
Not included
- International flight fares.
- Nepal Visa Expenses and worldwide Airfare
- Meals, Extra activities in city.
- Accomodations besides trekking itinerary days.
- Trekking Costs like Drinking Water, Soft & Hard Drinks, Juice, Phon Calls, Web Utilize, Battery, Charging, Clothing, Hot Shower, Gift, Extra Porters etc.
- Individual Trekking Gears and Equipment. (Can be rented from Mt. Mate’s gear rental shop)
- Individual Any Kinds of Health or Travel Insurance. (It is obligatory to decrease the conceivable cost in case of crisis clearing).
- Costs emerges due to hindrance and delays within program schedule due to climate issues or Health problem issues.
- Tipping to trekking crew members (Mandatory) and donating.
- Anything besides in trekking includes.
Packing list
Gallery
Safety & permits
- Mustang Region Permit / TIMS card - arranged by your guide before the trek begins
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