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Upper Mustang Trekking

14 Days
  • Nepal, Restricted Trekking in Nepal
  • 4,230m
  • Moderate
  • Tea House
  • 14 Days
  • 2-10
  • Spring, Summer & Autumn
  • Bus & Flight
  • RAP & ACAP
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • Jomsom-Jomsom
  • Moderate

Trip Overview

Upper Mustang is the continuation of the Mustang district, which you might be familiar with if you have trekked the Annapurnas. With its proximity to Tibet, a special permit is required to enter Upper Mustang. Known as the Last Forbidden Kingdom, or the Kingdom of Lo, a visit to this area is truly extraordinary, as it looks and feels remarkably like Tibet and its people. This is a demanding trek with relatively long days at high altitude. Excellent general fitness is a must. But the rewards for your hard work are many!

Find your adventure in one of the most beautiful treks in Nepal

Upper Mustang begins at Kagbeni, a short walk from Jomson, a big market town with an airport linking it to Pokhara. Kagbeni itself is a fascinating little village, with covered streets and strange clay figures. Look up the valley from the edge of the town - that is Upper Mustang! Already surrounded by high mountains, such as Machhapuchhre (also known as Fishtail) and others of the Annapurna range, when you land in Jomson, Upper Mustang is in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri massif. The air and land are arid and barren, featuring rock cliffs, puzzlingly high caves, and rock paintings. The center of this area was Lo-Manthang, the seat of the King of Lo (or Mustang) until very recently, when Nepal became a Republic. Visit Namgyal Gompa and the King's palace within this walled city, and also, a few hours away, Gyakar with its famous monastery, Ghar Gompa, which is over 1,200 years old. Dedicated to Guru Rinpoche, a renowned traveling Buddhist teacher from many centuries ago, the gompa is famous for its rock paintings.

Trip Highlights

  • Fly into Jomson Airport, in the very heart of the Himalayas
  • Enter a Forbidden Kingdom – something not many have done
  • Marvel at the high cliff dwellings and wonder who lived there
  • Explore Lo-Manthang, home to ancient kings
  • Encounter Buddhism and feel like you are in Tibet itself
  • A photographer's wonderland – from the arid cliffs to the snow-capped mountains
  • Luri Gompa
  • Kagbeni Village

Trek Itinerary

  • Day
    1

    Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (830m).

    We will pick you up from your hotel in Kathmandu and take you to the tourist bus stop, then drive to Pokhara, which takes around 7/8 hours, and transfer you to the hotel in Pokhara. After taking some rest, we will explore around the lakeside at night and spend the night in Pokhara.

    8 hour
    Breakfast
    3 Stars Hotel

    Hotel Lake Star or Same Category.

  • Day
    2

    Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2,720m) then trek to Kagbeni (2,804m).

    The following day, with an energizing flight trip of around 20 minutes, we will reach Jomsom from Pokhara. Additionally, we will have our morning meal on the way. We will begin our stroll on the riverbed of the Kaligandaki River. After walking for 3 to 4 hours on a flat trail that is mostly rocky and sandy, we will reach Kagbeni. On the way, we will appreciate the all-encompassing Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri ranges. Kagbeni is renowned as a traditional town where we will spend the night.

    4 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    3

    Trek from Kagbeni to Chele (3,050m).

    Today, after checking your permit in Kagbeni, the trek to the confined territory of Upper Mustang begins. While in transit, a few caves on the western side of the Kaligandaki can be seen. Additionally, we will walk for 5 to 6 hours, for the most part, on a sandy road that passes through the Gurung village of Tangbe. You can see black, red, and white Chortens in Tangbe. On the way, we will have our lunch in Tangbe. You will cross the Kaligandaki River and move up to reach Chele. Chele is a charming little village where you can stroll around. We will stay overnight there.

    6 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    4

    Trek from Chele to Syangbochen (3,475m).

    Today is the day when we will stroll on a bit of a troubled street with a precarious climb. We will walk for approximately 6 to 7 hours from Chele en route to Syangbochen, crossing the Taklam La Pass (3,624m) and the Dorjori La Pass (3,735m). After Dorjori La Pass, there is only a single village, Samar. There, you will see the Chungsi Cave after walking 2 hours from Samar. You will experience a forest of green bushes and little trees crossing a suspension bridge to reach Syangbochen.

    6 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    5

    Trek from Syangbochen to Ghami (3,520m).

    Strolling for 5 to 6 hours step by step, we will reach Ghilling town after crossing Nyi La Pass (4,010m) and passing through the longest mani wall in Mustang. Essentially, we will cross the small streams and stroll through the terraced fields to reach Ghami.

    5 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    6

    Trek from Ghami to Charang (3,560m).

    With the gradual ups and downs, we will walk for 4 to 5 hours. On the way, we will cross Charang La Pass (3,870m). After passing, we will descend to a wooden bridge over Charang Khola and move up to Charang Village.

    5 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
  • Day
    7

    Trek from Charang to Lo Manthang (3,840m).

    Today, we will begin our hike to Lo Manthang, which is expected to take around 4 to 5 hours. Today, we will walk most of the trail on flat and straight paths. There is a small pass on the way to Lo Manthang, and we will cross the Lo Pass (3,950m). After a descent, we will reach Lo, where the king used to reside, and we will see colorful Buddhist flags. We can see the beautiful mountains Annapurna I, Nilgiri, and Tilicho on the way to this village.

    4 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
  • Day
    8

    Rest day at Lo Manthang (3,840m). Side trip to Chhoser Cave (4,050m).

    Today is our rest day on the trip to Lo Manthang. You can ride ponies or horses to go to Chosar if you want. Afterwards, we will head to the Niphu monastery and explore the ancient caverns, which are approximately 2500 years old. There is a man-made cave in Mustang called Chosar cave that has 40 rooms and is embellished with Buddhist murals.

    6 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    9

    Trek from Lo Manthang to Dhakmar (3,810m).

    Today is the longest day of our trek. We will walk for around 7 to 8 hrs to Dhakmar. There are many sights to see along the way, including the Century-Old Ghar Gompa in Gyakar Village and beautiful rock paintings. After this village, we will cross the pass, Dhi Pass (4,100m), and arrive at Dhakmar.

    7 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    10

    Trek from Dhakmar to Ghiling (3,570m).

    The following day, we will stroll for 5 hours. We will cross through the beautiful agricultural field to Ghiling. This day will be an exhausting one due to the heavy wind, but we will get to see the stunning ranges of Daulagiri and Nilgiri. 

    5 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    11

    Trek from Ghiling to Chhuksang (3,050m).

    Strolling for 6 to 7 hours today, we will cross the rugged mountains and hills to Chhuksang Village. After 3 hours of walking through Tetang, we will reach Pa (Shelter House). On the way, you will cross numerous small passes and arrive at the Chhuksang.

    6 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    12

    Trek from Chhuksang to Jomsom (2,720m).

    Today is the last day of our hike, and we will pass the Upper Mustang and enter the Lower Mustang area. After walking 3 hours, we will arrive at Jharkot Village, where we can see Tibetan Herbal Medicine and ancient fortifications. After this village, we will arrive at Jomsom, passing through the scenic view of Kali Gandaki River and Kagbeni Village. We will prepare for the flight to Pokhara the next day. 

    6 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    Tea House
  • Day
    13

    Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara (830m).

    Today is our farewell day, when we will bid farewell to this beautiful place and fly back to Pokhara. We will catch the early flight, which takes around 20 minutes. After arriving in Pokhara, we will go sightseeing around and take a boating trip on Phewa Lake in the evening.

    20 minute
    Breakfast
    3 Stars Hotel

    Hotel Lake Star or Same Category.

  • Day
    14

    Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,400m).

    After breakfast at the hotel, we will come to the tourist bus park to catch a bus to Kathmandu. The bus departs from Pokhara at 7:30 AM to Kathmandu and arrives around 3 or 4 PM. You will stay at the hotel in Thamel and walk around the streets in the evening.

    8 hour
    Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
    3 Stars Hotel

The Cost Includes

  • International and domestic airport pickup and drop-off services.
  • 2 nights accommodation in Pokhara (Hotel Lake Star or Similar).
  • An English-speaking professional trekking guide for 14 days (including his salary, food, accommodation, transportation, and insurance).
  • Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP).
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).
  • Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by luxurious tourist bus.
  • Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara by flight.
  • Hotel-Bus Station-Hotel transport by car or taxi.
  • Three meals a day during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
  • 11 nights accommodation in mountain tea house lodge (twin-sharing basis).
  • Seasonal fruits after the dinner during the trek.
  • NEST branded water bottles with purification tablets.
  • NEST branded duffle bags for the trek.
  • NEST branded sleeping bags (-20/-25 degrees) during the trek (if required).
  • A pulse oximeter to provide a daily report (SpO2 and bpm).
  • NEST branded Upper Mustang trekking maps.
  • NEST branded warm hats.
  • Trekking poles (if required).
  • All government tax and service fees.
  • First aid kit box.

The Cost Excludes

  • Nepal Visa Fees (15 Days- USD 30, 30 Days- USD 50, and 90 Days- USD 125).
  • Travel Insurance (must include coverage for medical expenses and emergency evacuation).
  • Food and accommodation in Kathmandu.
  • Extra accommodation, lunch and dinner in Pokhara.
  • Flights from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu (The round-trip flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara costs USD 210).
  • Any kind of drinks or bar items during the trek.
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, bar bills, battery charge, boiled water, laundry, hot shower, snacks, and Wi-Fi in the mountain).
  • Additional costs due to flight delays or changes in the itinerary.
  • Porter for the trek (A porter for 14 days costs USD 310).
  • Private jeep or car from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back (The round-trip jeep ride costs USD 400 and a car costs USD 350).
  • Entrance fees at the monasteries during the trek.
  • Tips for guide and porters (Expected).
  • Any additional services not listed in the included section.

Upper Mustang Trek Map

Upper Mustang Trek Map

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to trek Upper Mustang?

The best time to Trek in Upper Mustang is from May to November.

How hard is Upper Mustang Trek?

For Upper Mustang, you should have a normal level of fitness. The trek is primarily designed for individuals who enjoy walking, so incorporating daily walks and exercise can be beneficial.

How difficult is Upper Mustang Trek?

Upper Mustang is a moderately challenging trek, as you have to walk 5-6 hours a day. Although you have to walk for long hours, the trails are not too difficult.

What type of Physical fitness is required for Upper Mustang Trek?

A person with normal fitness can also trek to Upper Mustang, as many people have successfully trekked to Upper Mustang for the first time with normal fitness and returned with positive reviews.

What kind of food is served during the trek?

Typical foods served during the Mustang Trek include Daal Bhat, Noodles, Chapati, and momos.

What are the permit requirements for Upper Mustang Trek?

As Upper Mustang is a restricted area located in the Annapurna region, we require a special permit, as well as the Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). The cost of the special permit is USD 500, and the ACAP permit is Rs 3,000 for foreigners and Rs 1,000 for SAARC countries, inclusive of VAT.

What kind of gear do I need for Upper Mustang Trek?

Basic hiking gear is enough for the Upper Mustang trek. You can read the equipment checklist on our website.

Is there Electricity?

Yes, there is electricity in the Upper Mustang. You can charge your gadgets there and enjoy the trek. However, you will be charged some money for it.

Is there an internet available?

Yes, there is. You can even get the 3G services there. For Wi-Fi, you must pay a fee and can use it whenever you want.

Can I do solo trek in Upper Mustang?

No, solo trekking is not allowed in Upper Mustang due to its restricted area.

NEST Adventure is a locally owned and operated adventure travel company based in Kathmandu, Nepal. We specialize in trekking and outdoor experiences primarily in Nepal, with select expeditions to Tibet and Bhutan.

+977 9851052042 / 9851070401
Thamel Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

nestadventure@gmail.com

Gokarna Photo

+977 9851070401
nestadventure@gmail.com

See it online https://www.nestadventure.com/trip/upper-mustang-trekking/