Upper Mustang Trekking - Nepal

Upper Mustang Trekking - Nepal

Enjoy mountain desert with Tibetan like locals

Trekking to hidden paradise of Mustang is fabulous tour that gives an experience of ever best holiday trip in Nepal. Upper Mustang; described as a mystique valley and the last forbidden kingdom, was just opened for foreigners in 1992. This semi-autonomous area is heavily influenced by Tibetan culture and lifestyle so it is also known as a ‘Mini Tibet of Nepal’. Government of Nepal, Department of Immigration started to issue only a small number of special trekking permits since 1992. Before 1992 the region was banned to visit for foreign travelers.

Upper Mustang is a perfect destination where generous scope is offered for travelers, such as visiting Buddhists Monasteries, witnessing heavenly beautiful Trans-Himalaya landscape and interact with Tibetan like people. Trek to Lo-Manthang is through an almost treeless barren landscape so it is often described as “Mountain Desert". Beside this the trail offers up and down hill, mind-blowing panorama of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several others peaks make your trek spectacular with lifetime experience. The trekking tour to Lo Manthang- isolated region is an incredibly satisfying one for those who want to experience the hospitality and warmth of the locals living in this remote region.

Trek begins from Jomsom - reachable by a scenic flight and accessible by walk from Ghorepani-Poon Hill-Tatopani-Jomsom and Kali Gandaki Valley trekking route.


  • Destination: Upper Mustang Trekking
  • Activities: Cultural / Tour Trekking
  • Duration: 17 days
  • Grade: Moderate
  • Mode of Trip: Lodge Trekking
  • Maximum Altitude: 1,460m/4,788ft
  • Transportation: Flight/drive
  • Accommodation: Teahouse / Tent
  • Group Size: 2+
  • Season: September to April

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,428ft)

Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and trek Preparation

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (827m/2689ft): 5-6 hours

Day 04: Fly to Jomsom (2,700m/8898ft) and trek to Kagbeni (2,810m/9,216ft): 3-4 hours trek

Day 05: Kagbeni to Chele (3,050m/10,004ft): 5-6 hours

Day 06: Chele to Syanbochen (3,475m/11,398ft): 6-7 hours

Day 07: Syanbochen to Ghami (3,520m/11,546ft): 5-6 hours

Day 08: Ghami to Tsarang (3,620m/11,873ft): 5-6 hours

Day 09: Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3,730m/12,234ft): 3-4 hours

Day 10: Explore Lo Manthang/ Acclimatization

Day 11: Lo-Mangthang to Drakmar (3810 m/12,500ft): 6-7 hours

Day 12: Drakmar to Ghiling (3,806m/12,484ft): 5-6 hours

Day 13: Ghiling to Chhuksang (3050m/10,004ft): 5-6 hours

Day 14: Chhuksang to Jomsom (2,700/8,856ft): 6-7 hours

Day 15: Fly back to Pokhara

Day 16: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu

Day 17: Final departure

 

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,428ft)
After landing at the Tribhuwan International Airport, we will drop us off at our hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu

Day 02: Kathmandu
Sightseeing and trek Preparation We tour Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa and Bouddhanath stupa which are all world heritage sites. The Durbar Square reveals the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath temple is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple and Baudhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (827m/2689ft)
5-6 hours We have breakfast then leave for Pokhara, also known as The Lake City owing to the large number of lakes in the city. Upon our arrival in Pokhara, we are rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri (8,167m/26,794ft), Manaslu (8,156m/26,759ft), Machhapuchhre (6,993m/22,943ft), the five peaks of Annapurna and others. We then check-in to our hotel and take a rest. We enjoy boating in the Fewa Lake and stroll in the city’s quaint streets. Overnight in Pokhara.

Day 04: Fly to Jomsom (2,700m/8898ft) and trek to Kagbeni (2,810m/9,216ft)
3-4 hours trek Today we will take an early morning flight to Jomsom which is famous for its apples, strong winds and the landscape. We begin our trek on an open trail alongside a beautiful valley. We pass through Eaklibatti village before reaching Jomsom which is ideally located at the bank of two rivers. The village is beautiful with flat-roofed houses and also has ruins of an old fortress. Overnight in Kagbeni.

Day 05: Kagbeni to Chele (3,050m/10,004ft): 5-6 hours
We get our permits checked then begin our trek on a trail alongside the Kali Gandaki River. We walk on sand amidst strong winds before ascending on a hill. We reach the Tangbe Village and admire its narrow alleyways, white-washed houses, barley and buckwheat fields, and apple orchards. We continue our walk and pass another village and cross a river on our way. Next, we walk on a ridge before reaching Chele Village. Overnight in Chele.

Day 06: Chele to Syanbochen (3,475m/11,398ft)
6-7 hours Our trek from today will be a little hard compared to what we experienced before. Our walk today involves crossing two passes, Taklam La pass (3,624m) and Dajori La pass (3,735). On our way, we enjoy great views of Tilicho, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Danda and pass by Ramchung Cave. We descend further and reach Samar Village. From here we walk on a trail above the village and reach a ridge. Next, we descend on a steep trail to a stream and continue our trek to Syanboche. Overnight in Syanboche.

Day 07: Syanbochen to Ghami (3,520m/11,546ft)
5-6 hours We ascend to the Yamda La pass at 3,850m. On the way, we pass by a few teahouses, chortens and beautiful villages. We trek through poplar forests and barley fields and reach Nyi Pass at 4,010m. From here, we descend to Ghami which is one of the biggest villages in the Lo region. The village is beautiful with fields surrounding the entire village. Overnight in Ghami.

Day 08: Ghami to Tsarang (3,620m/11,873ft)
5-6 hours Our trek today begins with a descent through a rough and often slippery trail. We then cross a suspension bridge over the Ghami Khola and begin ascending. The pathway is beautiful with mani walls along the trail. Next, we cross the Tsarang La Pass at 3870m and reach Tsarang village. The village lies atop the Charang Chu canyon with a huge fortress and a red gompa towards its east. Overnight in Tsarang.

Day 09: Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3,730m/12,234ft)
3-4 hours We begin our trek by descending to a canyon and cross a river before beginning our uphill trek to Lo La pass which at 3950m. From the top of the pass we can admire the beautiful Lo Manthang village. From the pass we descend to Lo Manthang which is a beautiful walled village. From here the views of the Himalayas including Nilgiri, Tilicho and Annapurna I, Bhrikuti Peak as well as Damodar Kunda (pond) is quite good. Overnight in Lo-Manthang.

Day 10: Explore Lo Manthang
Acclimatization Lo Manthang is a walled town of the remote Upper Mustang region of Nepal. We spend the day touring three major gompas of the town namely Jhampa, Thupchen and Chhoeda. All of these gompas have undergone expert restoration over the last two decades. We can also trek to Tingkhar which is a beautiful village located north-west of Lo-Mangthang. Overnight in Lo Manthang.

Day 11: Lo-Mangthang to Drakmar (3810 m/12,500ft)
6-7 hours We trek on a different route when returning from Lo-Manthang. Our trail passes through Gyakar village which houses a century old Ghar Gompa with beautiful rock paintings. According to a local legend, anyone who makes a wish at the Gompa will have it fulfilled. We explore the Gompa and continue our trek to Drakmar for an overnight stay.

Day 12: Drakmar to Ghiling (3,806m/12,484ft)
5-6 hours We start our trek early to avoid strong winds and descend for the most part of the trek. Our trail passes through a dry plateau and fields before reaching Ghiling. The walk can be relatively difficult as we are most likely to experience strong winds on our face. Ghiling is mostly dry, but we still get good views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains. We can tour the village around the evening. Overnight in Ghiling.

Day 13: Ghiling to Chhuksang (3050m/10,004ft)
5-6 hours We begin our trek after breakfast. We walk on the same trail as before going up to Lo Manthang. On the way to Chhuksang we can enjoy great views of the Himalayas and small villages we pass en route. Overnight in Chhuksang.

Day 14: Chhuksang to Jomsom (2,700/8,856ft)
6-7 hours Today is the last day of our trek and it is a long one. After trekking for a while, we come to an end of our Mustang trails and join the trails of the Annapurna circuit. We stop for lunch at Kagbeni. After lunch, we continue our trek to Jomsom for an overnight stay.

Day 15: Fly back to Pokhara
We take an early morning flight to Pokhara. The airplane passes through a gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains making the flight itself an amazing experience. After arriving in Pokhara, we can spend the rest of the day in leisure. Overnight in Pokhara.

Day 16: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
After breakfast, This will be a journey along river banks with wonderful views of terraced hills and the rural Nepalese lifestyle. After reaching Kathmandu, we take a rest . To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 17: Final departure
A representative will take us to the airport approximately three hours before the scheduled flight. On our flight back home.

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 17 Day
Destination Nepal
Trip Grade Moderate - B
Transportation Private Vehicle
Accomodation Hotel + Lodges + Tent
Starting Price US$
Trip Type Tea House Trek
Meals Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Max. Altitude 1,460 Meter

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