Lower Mustang Trekking - Nepal

Lower Mustang Trekking - Nepal

The Mustang region occupies the southern fringes of the Tibetan plateau and is dominated by Himalayan peaks such as Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. This classic and rewarding trek takes us to the border of one of the most remote kingdoms on earth, within a reasonable timeframe and without ascending to extreme altitude. Trekking in this region is an adventure in wonderland. Astonishing altitude variations and ecological diversity make this area overflow with natural beauty. Trek across sacred valleys surrounded by enormous peaks and encounter people from diverse ethnic backgrounds who have carved a lifestyle out of the steep terraces and barren plateaus of the area for thousand of years. Witness the breathtaking views from Poon Hill, experience the hot natural springs in Tatopani and encounter Tibetan traders as you trek to the pilgramage centre of Muktinath, where Buddhists and Hindus alike make the spiritual journey. A fascinating and rewarding Himalayan trek.


  • Destination: Lower Mustang Trekking
  • Activities: Cultural / Tour Trekking
  • Duration: 16 days
  • Grade: Easy
  • Mode of Trip: Lodge Trekking
  • Maximum Altitude: 3795m
  • Transportation: Private vehicle & flight
  • Accommodation: Tea House Trek
  • Group Size: 5-6 paxs
  • Season: Autumn and Spring

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu [1345m/4411ft] and transfer to Hotel.

Day 02: Sightseeing at Kathmandu

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara [914m/2997ft]. [6 hrs drive]

Day 04: Drive to Nayapul [1050m/3444ft] & Trek to Ghandruk [1950m/6396ft] [2 hrs drive & 4-5 hrs walk]

Day 05: Trek from Ghandruk to Thadapani [2590m/8495ft] [4-5 hrs of walk]

Day 06: Trek from Thadapani to Ghorepani [2874m/9426ft] [5-6 hrs of walk]

Day 07: Early Morning hike to Poon Hill [3210m/10528ft] and back to Ghorepani.
Trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani [1190m/3903ft] [ [7-8 hrs of walk]

Day 08: Trek from Tatopani to Ghasa[2010m/6592ft] [6-7 hrs of walk]

Day 09: Trek from Ghasa to Marpha[2670m/8757ft] [6-7 hrs of walk]

Day 10: Trek from Marpha to Kagbeni[2800m/9184ft] [5-6 hrs of walk]

Day 11: Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath [3795m/12447ft] [4-5 hrs of walk]

Day 12: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom [2713m/8898ft] [4-5 hrs of walk]

Day 13: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara. Free day at Pokhara for sightseeing.

Day 14: Drive from Pokhara back to Kathmandu.

Day 15: Free day in Kathmandu

Day 16: Transfer to International Airport for departure

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu [1345m/4411ft] and transfer to Hotel. 
Our airport arrival and departure representative will be at Tribhuvan International Airport on your arrival schedule. You will be transferred to hotel and our staff will help you until check-in procedure ends at Hotel.

Day 02: Sightseeing at Kathmandu
It is not possible to visit all world heritage sites in Kathmandu within a day. So you can choose at least 3-4 places for a day sightseeing. 

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara [914m/2997ft] [6 hrs drive]
After breakfast, we will take a six hours drive to Pokhara which is situated about 200 kilometres west of Kathmandu. We will drive over Prithvi Highway along the banks of Trisuli River and head upstream to its junction with the Marsyangdi River. Our drive passes through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes us directly into Pokhara. Having pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to fall in love with its beauty. 

Day 04: Drive to Nayapul [1050m/3444ft] & Trek to Ghandruk [1950m/6396ft] [2 hrs drive & 4-5  hrs walk]
We drive for another one and half hour to reach Nayapul - the starting point of our trek. From Nayapul we start our trek along the sub-tropical Modi Khola river valley towards Birethanti. At Birethanti we make a stop at the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)'s checkpoint. After completing the permit check process our trail heads north up the Modhi Khola valley over a rough dirt road trail that ends at Kimche. From there we will climb the stone paved trail all the way upto Ghandruk. The village is inhabited by Gurung tribe communities and is an amazing example of stonework. There are several tea houses and other services at Ghandruk. 

Day 05: Trek from Ghandruk  to Tadapani [2590m/8495ft] [4-5 hrs of walk]
From Ghandruk we will follow the main trail that heads from the northwestern end of the village towards Tadapani. Our trek is a gradual climb through dense forest filled with rhododendron and oak trees where we will have opportunity to spot several species of birds and wild animals. We will arrive at a place called Bheri Kharka where there are few tea shops. The area is a paradise for bird lovers as we trek along with mesmerizing sounds of birds chirping. We will continue our trek until we arrive at Tadapani for our overnight stay.

Day 06: Trek from Tadapani to Ghorepani [2874m/9426ft] [5-6 hrs of walk]
From Tadapani we will follow the trail that starts with a short descend to cross over a small stream and climb uphill towards Banthati where there are few tea houses and other facilities. We continue our trek with several ascends and descends through beautiful oak forest to reach the village of Ghorepani. From here we will have magnificent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre (Fish-Tail) and other fascinating snow-capped peaks.

Day 07: Early Morning hike to Poon Hill [3210m/10528ft] and back to Ghorepani. Trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani [1190m/3903ft] [ [7-8 hrs of walk]
We will make an early morning hike up to Poonhill for enjoying the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri 8167m, Annapurna South 7219m, Machhapuchhre (Fish-Tail) 6997m, Tukuche Peak 6920m, Hiunchuli 6441m, and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks. Then, we continue our trail downhill passing through Ghar Khola and head towards Tatopani. Magnificent view of Mount Nilgiri can be seen from Tatopani. On our route we can see variety of wild animals, birds with eye-catching waterfalls and sceneries along the way. At Tatopani, we can enjoy and relax at the natural hot spring bath where the water is approximately about 60 degrees hot.  

Day 08: Trek from Tatopani to Ghasa[2010m/6592ft] [6-7 hrs of walk]
From Tatopani, we will trek on a broad motor road trail that can be quite dusty. Our trek goes along the Kali Gandaki river. We will gradually ascend passing through the magnificent waterfall of Rupche Chahara. We continue to trek along the dusty trail that leads through deep gorges where we can hear the huge flows of the river stream and continue trekking to reach the village of Ghasa.  

Day 09: Trek from Ghasa to Marpha[2670m/8757ft] [6-7 hrs of walk]
Leaving Ghasa we will follow the trial that goes through forest along the banks of Lete river and head towards Lete. From there we trek along the east side of Kali Gandaki Valley to reach Larjung village. We will continue our trek until we arrive at the apple garden of Marpha. Marpha is a picturesque stone flagged village surrounded by apple orchards from which the locals produce cider and brandy.

Day 10: Trek from Marpha to Kagbeni[2800m/9184ft] [5-6 hrs of walk]
From Marpha we will follow a broad trail that goes along the east bank of the river towards Ekla Bhatti. From here we will continue to trek along the bottom of the valley to reach the village of Kagbeni. Kagbeni is a settlement of narrow flagstone paved paths and houses with flat rooftops. Beyond the village we can enjoy stunning views of the gompa with Nilgiri, Tilicho Peak, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri rising above us. 

Day 11: Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath [3795m/12447ft] [4-5 hrs of walk]
Leaving Kagbeni we will follow the trail that ascends steeply to the upper valley with magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak and the Kali Gandaki Valley. We will pass through one of the oldest village in the region - the village of Jharkot where the culture and tradition is largely influenced by Tibetan culture. From there we will climb all the way to reach an important pilgrimage site for Buddhist and Hindus - Muktinath. The holy shrine is a Buddhist gompa and a pagoda style temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. From here we can enjoy magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak and other chains of snow-topped high peaks.

Day 12: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom [2713m/8898ft] [4-5 hrs of walk]
From Muktinath, we will follow the trail that leads to Jharkot. From here we will avoid the motor road by following a small irrigation stream to reach Khingar. However, here onwards we will have to follow the road route that will lead us all the way to Jomsom. Jomsom is the main administrative center and headquarter of Mustang. After arriving at Jomsom, we will celebrate the completion of our wonderful Lower Mustang Trek.

Day 13: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara. Free day at Pokhara for sightseeing. 
We take an early morning scenic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Pokhara is home to thick forest, emerald lakes and a place of remarkable natural beauty. The reflection of the Machhapuchre (Fish-Tail) Himal over the serene Fewa Lake makes this place truly magical. Besides, visiting sacred places and sightseeing around the city in Pokhara could be a good way to spend your day.

Day 14: Drive from Pokhara back to Kathmandu.
It takes approximately four to five hours drive to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara. We drive along Prithvi Highway which offers scenic hilly zigzag roads through the banks of Trishuli River. The daily activities of the local people can be seen along the road when we pass through many villages and towns.

Day 15: Free day in Kathmandu
You would surely like to see as much of Kathmandu as possible. The world heritage sites inside Kathmandu, if not visited on the second day of the trip can be visited on this day. An early start is practical to visit the temples of Kathmandu. Also, walking around the shopping area of Thamel is worth spending quality time at Kathmandu. We will have a final meal together in the evening.

Day 16: Transfer to International Airport for departure
Our representative will drop you at the International Airport as per your flight schedule.

Cost Includes

  • Airport pick up and drop upon arrival and departure In trekking; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 3 meals per day and overnight accommodation at tea house lodge.
  • Transportation- KTM-Lukla-Lukla fight
  • Necessary trekking permit, conservation and TIMS fee.
  • Trained trekking guide and porter, necessary insurance, and accommodation meals allowance and salary
  • 4 Nights hotel in Kathmandu (BB Basis)
  • One day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu

Cost Excludes

  • Extra day hotel stay in Kathmandu
  • Foods self lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
  • Personal expenses are laundry, telephone, alcoholic beverages, bottled drinks (including cold drinks and mineral/hot water), tips for guide & porter etc.
  • Personal travel insurance and emergency evacuation cost. Extra cost for if in case trek effected by natural calamities
  • Personal trekking equipments for the trek.

Trip Facts

Trip Duration 16 Day
Destination Nepal
Trip Grade Easy - A
Transportation Private Vehicle
Accomodation Hotel + Lodges + Tent
Starting Price US$
Trip Type Tea House Trek
Meals Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Max. Altitude 3,795 Meter
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