Upper Mustang Trek – 15 days

  • Duration 15
  • Destination Nepal
  • Trip Grade Moderate
  • Starts at Kathmandu
  • Ends at Kathmandu
  • Meals Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • Accommodation Tea Houses/Lodges/Hotels
  • Max. Altitude 3,840 m
  • Activity Trekking
  • Group Type Trekking
  • Group Size 1-12
  • Best Season Autumn (September to November)
Highlights

The absolute crown jewel of the Upper Mustang Trek is Lo Manthang, a 15th-century, medieval mud-walled capital that houses the former royal palace and ancient, massive monasteries like Jampa Lhakhang and Thubchen Gompa, which are decorated with priceless centuries-old Buddhist murals. The journey begins by stepping through the ancient stone alleyways of Kagbeni, the historic gateway village that serves as the boundary into the restricted kingdom. Along the trail, the visual landscape is defined by the trans-Himalayan rain shadow desert, where towering red-rock cliffs, wind-sculpted hoodoos, and the massive, snow-capped massifs of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna create a surreal color contrast against the cobalt blue sky. Another profound highlight is discovering the enigmatic, multi-story Sky Caves of Chhoser and the cliffside Luri Gompa, thousands of prehistoric, man-made chambers carved impossibly high into vertical rock faces that once served as ancient burial sites and hidden meditation retreats. Finally, the journey is bound together by its deep, untouched cultural authenticity, where you trek past the longest Mani walls (stone-carved prayer walls) in Nepal, watch nomadic yak herders, and encounter the distinct Tibetan heritage of the local Loba people, which completely comes to life if you catch the vibrant, masked dances of the Tiji Festival in May.

Upper Mustang Trek – 15 days Overview

The Upper Mustang Trek is a journey into the “Last Forbidden Kingdom” of Lo, a culturally Tibetan sanctuary tucked away in Nepal’s trans-Himalayan rain shadow. Sheltered behind the massive Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, the trail avoids the typical monsoon downpours, leading instead through a high-altitude desert of windswept valleys, striking red sandstone cliffs, and mysterious cliffside sky caves. As a restricted trekking zone that strictly preserves its centuries-old heritage, the route follows the ancient salt trading path along the Kali Gandaki River bed to the fabled, mud-walled capital of Lo Manthang. Along the way, hikers stay in traditional teahouses, pass whitewashed villages decorated with prayer flags, and explore ancient Buddhist monasteries, experiencing an authentic, isolated pocket of the world that remains virtually untouched by modern tourism.

Day to Day Itinerary
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Our Himalayan Treks and Expedition Company Airport Representative will meet you outside the Terminal Hall. Please, look for our Treks and Expeditions play card. Transfer to hotel, introduce your trekking guide and check the necessities. Afternoon stroll Tourist colourful market Thamel down town.

Overnight in Kathmandu at 3 star Hotel with breakfast 

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tours to world heritage sites of Pashupatinath Temple-the holiest Hindu Temple on the bank of sacred Bagmati River, Bodhanath Stupa-the biggest Buddhist Stupa architecture in the world!  Patan Durbar Square is the oldest city in the Kathmandu valley with age old tradition also called Lalitpur-the city of fine arts. The visit covers the Durbar Square, the Krishna temple, the Kumbheswore temple, the Golden temple and many more. Swayambhunath Stupa-the 2000 years old legendary stupa on the hillock also nick-named as monkey temple. Your day tour ends Kathmandu Durbar Square Showcasing living goddess Kumari Temple, Nautale Durbar, the Kaal Bhairav, the Swet Bhairav, the freak Street and more.

Overnight in Kathmandu at 3 star Hotel with breakfast 

After breakfast, transfer to Kathmandu’s domestic airport for a morning flight to Pokhara along the Himalayan Range. Transfer to your hotel, morning free. Afternoon City tour including: Davi’s waterfall, a visit to the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave and the Tibetan Refugee Camp and Craft Centre.

Overnight at 2 star hotel in Pokhara
Meal: Breakfast 

After an early breakfast take the 20min Trans Himalayan flight to Jomsom through the world’s deepest gorge: formed by the Kali Gandaki Nadi that rises in Tibet and continued to cut its gorge southwards as the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himals thrust their way skywards. Meet your porters and trek north.

Jomsom is a large town: the administrative headquarters of the Lower and Upper Mustang region. It is also the major village along the Kali Gandaki Valley, linking the age old Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade route from India to Tibet.  The trail meanders up the broad Kali Gandaki riverbed to Eklai Bhatti: three hours of toil with winds that blow up the valley daily between 11:00 and 16:00.

Another hour’s walk leads to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang. This Buddhist village with Bön influences is worth exploring. Its abundant orchards and fields are irrigated with snow-melt water from the Thorung Khola that flows past Muktinath and enters the Kali Gandaki at Kagbeni.

Overnight at lodge in Kagbeni
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Upper Mustang lies behind the great Himalayan Range and in its rain shadow. From here on, we trek through high, dry, starkly beautiful desert terrain that is an extension of the high Tibetan plateau. All water is sourced from snowmelt with villages sited accordingly.  Altitude and weather conditions limit crop production to a single crop per year: chiefly barley, wheat, peas and mustard. Over aeons deep side valleys have been eroded along the gorge enforcing much up and down trekking.

The route north begins at the Police and ACAP checkpoint: it follows the east wall of the wide river valley, climbing several ridges with picturesque places to rest along this windy route. The first of a group of five Gurung villages is Tangbe (3,060m/10,040ft), with narrow alleys between white washed houses and fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apples. Another hour leads to Chhuksang (2,980m/9,777ft) at the confluence of the Narshing Khola with the Kali Gandaki.

Continue over more ridges, with numerous caves along the cliff walls, before descending to the Kali Gandaki near a huge chunk of fallen conglomerate under which the river has had to tunnel. Cross a bridge at the tunnel and head west into the Ghyakar Khola Valley via a steep climb up a rocky gully to the village of Chele.

Overnight at lodge in Chele
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Beyond Chele we re-enter the Buddhist region and rise above the tree line. The trail rises to a knoll (where a high suspension bridge crosses the Ghyakar Khola to Ghyakar) and continues up the side of a spectacularly steep canyon and on to the Chele La (3,630m/11,910ft). Good views to the southeast include Tilicho Peak, Yakwakang (north shoulder of the Thorung La) and the Damodar Himal’s large cluster of >6,000m/19,700ft peaks.

The trail then descends to the village of Samar: a horse caravan watering point. Three hours of ridge undulations lead to the village of Shyangmochen, and then the path gently rises to the Shyangmochen La (3,850m/12,630ft). Descend past a large black, red and white chorten where three paths meet above the lovely village of Gelling.

Overnight at lodge in Gelling
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today’s trail heads up the centre of the valley, through fields and past chortens to the Nyi La (4,020m/13,190ft): the southern border of Lo. A ¾ hr gentle descent leads to the Ghemi La: a chorten on the edge of a ridge. A steep descent leads to the beautifully whitewashed buildings of Ghemi; the third largest village in Upper Mustang.

The trail then drops to cross the Tangmar Khola opposite cliffs of blue grey and red rock, then crosses the valley and climbs past a vast mani wall to the Choya La (3,870m/12,697ft). From here there are magnificent views of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I and the Damodar Cluster. The trail then gently descends, past prayer flags, to an entrance chorten to the second largest town of Tsarang. A 14thC dzong and gompa overlooks the river gorge (and hydroelectric plant) beyond the town.

Overnight at lodge in Tsarang
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Descend the gorge and cross the river, then climb to a ridge chorten overlooking the Tholung Valley and turn northwards towards the windy Lo La (3,950m/12,960ft). Everywhere, the grey and yellow desert scenery is starkly beautiful. From the La the walled capital, surrounded by irrigation canals can be seen in the valley below. A short descent, a stream crossing, a climb to the plateau and: Lo Manthang.

Overnight at lodge in Lo Manthang
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Within the town: explore the 15thC Champa Lhakhang (God House: climb to the roof for great views) and the red Thubchen Gompa with an impressive entrance hall and huge assembly hall supported by wooden columns. Also visit the town’s ‘main gompa’ – the 18thC Chödi Gompa in the monastic quarter of town plus the nearby ‘new’ Choprang Gompa.

Beyond the city, visit the Namgyal Gompa situated on a nearby hilltop. This is an important monastery for the local community and also acts as a court. The village of Tingkhar in the valley northwest of the town is also worth visiting and is the site of three Gompas and the Raja’s summer palace. Return to the lodge in Lo Manthang by nightfall.

Overnight at Lodge in Lo Manthang
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Trek southwest on herder’s trails, up a side valley to the Chogo La (4,325m/14,190ft). Then traverse around a grassy valley before descending through a gully to cross the Tsarang Khola and climb to Ghar Gompa (House Temple): a 1,200 year old monastery; particularly famous for its collection of painted carved stones – framed on the monastery walls. The trail then climbs a ridge and crosses a valley to a cairn at 4,170m/13,680ft. Continue across alpine meadows before descending through a rough gully between towering walls of red rock to the large village of Drakmar (red cliffs). Numerous caves dot the cliff walls.

Overnight at lodge in Drakmar
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Today’s trail descends alongside a stream, past the walled village fields before climbing a ridge, dropping once more and rising to Upper Ghemi. Walk down to Lower Ghemi, then gradually contour up to the Nyi La (4,020m/13,190ft). Descend into the Gelling Valley but follow the high trail above the village to Jaite, Chhungar and Tama Gaon. Zigzag down a rocky canyon to a stream then climb to a large chorten – and the Gelling trail near the ridge below the Shyangmochen La. Summit, then walk down to Shyangmochen.

Overnight at lodge in Shyangmochen
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Retrace the upward trail through Yamdo and Bhena to Samar, then over the Chele La to Chele and down to cross the Kali Gandaki and follow it downstream to Chhuksang.

Overnight in at lodge Chhuksang
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Retrace the route through Tangbe in time for lunch in Kagbeni.  After Lunch resume the trek to Jomsom; joining the Annapurna circuit trail through Muktinath at Eklai Bhatti. Reconfirm the early morning flight, bid farewell to your porters and enjoy the last evening in the mountains.

Overnight at lodge in Jomsom
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

After early breakfast, take the dramatic 20 minute flight to Pokhara. And, continue drive to Kathmandu along the sub tropical landscape,mountain and river views along the route. The road winds over passes through forested Middle Hill country, linking Hindu villages and farming communities south of the Himalayan highlands. It follows and crosses several major rivers flowing from the glacial peaks to the north; including the Trisuli River, a popular rafting destination. Afternoon free for relax and shopping.

Overnight at 2 star Hotel in Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast and farewell dinner  

Transfer to international airport and fly to onward destination.

Note: Trekking distances and times are approximate: times differ widely from group to group.

Customize Trip
Cost Includes
  • All airport/Hotel transfer-
  • 3 star Hotel in Kathmandu for 2 nights with breakfast
  • Ground Transportations from KTM – PKR
  • Flight Jomsom-Pokhara
  • 2 star Hotel in Pokhara for 1 night with breakfast
  • All necessary paper work and permits ( Annapurna Conservation Permit and Upper Mustang restricted permits USD$ 500.00 per person) 
  • An experienced English-speaking Govt. registered trekking guide and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
  • Full meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) during the trek
  • Supplementary snacks (energy bar, cookies and seasonal fresh fruit) 
  • All mountain accommodation (soft/comfortable private room) 
  • Guide & porter salary, insurance, equipment, food and lodging
  • A comprehensive medical kit
  • All government and local taxes
  • Trekking equipment such as down filled sleeping bag, down jacket, walking poles and duffel bag
  • Pokhara-Kathmandu by tourist bus
Cost Excludes
  • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu/Pokhara
  • Bottle drinks
  • City monument fees
  • Electronic device recharge in Mountain
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance & evacuation
  • Tips
Departure Dates
Useful Info

Planning an Upper Mustang Trek requires navigating strict government regulations designed to preserve this highly sensitive border zone. You cannot trek here completely independently; it is legally mandatory to hire a government-licensed Nepali guide and process your permits exclusively through a registered local trekking agency. The fee structure relies on a flexible “pay-as-you-go” Restricted Area Permit (RAP) system that costs $50 USD per person, per day, allowing you to pay exactly for the days you spend inside the restricted zone rather than being bound to a rigid flat fee. In addition to the RAP, you must obtain an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for roughly $30 USD and a TIMS card for $20 USD. Accommodation along the trail consists of simple, family-run teahouses offering basic, unheated rooms with shared bathrooms and traditional meals like Dal Bhat, though the rapid construction of the motorable roadway now provides the option to substitute sections of the rugged foot trail with a 4WD jeep or motorbike tour.

Booking Price From:$2600USDP/P
We offer group price
   
1 pax $2600
2-5 pax $2500
6-9 pax $2400
10-12 pax $2300
Total Price USD$2600
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FAQs

  • The risk is relatively low compared to other major treks in Nepal. The trail maxes out at 3,840 meters (12,598 feet) at the Marang La pass. Because you spend most of your time walking between 3,000m and 3,800 m the ascent is gradual. While you might feel a bit short of breath or experience minor headaches, severe Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is rare if you stay hydrated and maintain a steady pace.

  • You will be staying in traditional, family-run teahouses (local lodges). The rooms are simple, usually featuring twin beds and shared bathrooms, and they can get quite cold at night since there is no central heating. The food menus are surprisingly diverse but heavily rely on hearty local staples like Dal Bhat (lentil soup, rice, and vegetable curry), eggs, potatoes, pasta, noodles, and Tibetan bread.

  • Yes, but don’t expect blazing speeds. Most teahouses offer Wi-Fi (often powered by Everest Link or local networks) for a small daily fee of $2 to $5 USD, though the connection can drop during windy afternoons or power outages. Electricity is widely available in the villages for charging phones, cameras, and laptops, though some remote lodges might charge a few hundred rupees per device to plug into their solar grids.

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