Upper Mustang Trek | Group Sharing Permit 2024-2025

Trip Overview
  • Duration 17 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate or Grade B (**)
  • DestinationNepal
  • Meals & AccommodationBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Trip Start & EndKathmandu-Kathmandu
  • Trip TypeTrek
  • Major AttractionDeepest Gorge of the World, Hidden Kingdom of Lo(Now Mustang)
  • Maximum Altitude4100 Meters
  • Best TimeApril-May-June, September-October-November

 Upper Mustang Trek is the ultimate journey to one of the most isolated regions of Nepal, untouched by any modernization. Nestled in the rain shadow of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Annapurna, Upper Mustang will present you arid landscape surrounded by rocks in all colors and unique formations. Upper Mustang Trekking will take you to the hidden valley, the old Buddhist kingdom of Mustang, also known as Lo. The region was forbidden to traverse for many years, which played a prominent role in preserving the locals' distinctive culture and rich traditions. Everything is still the same as it used to be centuries back. People here call themselves descendants of Tibet. Moreover, Tibetans influenced the locals' lifestyle, culture, traditions, practices, and beliefs. You will find ancient monasteries, gompas, mani walls, and prayer flags throughout the trail.

Mustang region has dry, barren, and arid land like the Tibetan plateaus. The area has no vegetation except a few plants that grow in this place. However, all these features work well together and present spectacular dry scenery. Every year Local people from the upper Mustang celebratethe Tiji festival in the Lo Mangthang monastery.

Have you ever been to a forbidden place?

The forbidden means hid from the public and kept secret. It is always a grand quest to do such visits. You never know what you get to see.   

If you like to make one of such trips, this Upper Mustang Trek is the one for you. On this Upper Mustang Trek, you will visit an ancient banned kingdom of Lo Manthang(3,840m). The place is now open to people around the world. So you’ll unravel people, settlements, the king’s palace, monasteries, caves, nature, and many more. This is just an intro; keep reading.

As said earlier, Upper Mustang Trek is a trek that leads us to a vintage kingdom of Lo Manthang. The kingdom lies on the northern side of the Mustang Region, a part of the Annapurna Region in Nepal. Also, being relatively close to Tibet, the region feels like a Tibetan part. The trek's major highlights are the unique locals, traditional houses, ancient Gompas, moving lifestyle, and distinct culture.

Moreover, you’ll trek through the region to watch the glorious deserted landscapes. The area is more like a desert of heaven as it lies in the rain-shadowed region of Nepal. It will be a worthwhile visit. Similarly, you’ll see towering and whitish mountains such as Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Manaslu. Yet, the most satisfying parts of the trek are the vast deserted terrains. You’ll get lost in the stretch like us. 

We’ll start the journey of  Upper Mustang Trek 17 Days from Kathmandu with an exciting drive to Pokhara. Enjoying the ride with the views of Nepal’s countryside, we’ll arrive in Pokhara to spend an evening there. While in the touristic capital of Nepal, Pokhara, we’ll enjoy the fullest. 

The next day, you’ll leave Pokhara by flying above this beautiful city towards Jomsom. While flying, you’ll see the best visions of surrounding peaks and more. Then we'll land in Jomsom for a while to start the trek towards Kagbeni, the entrance to Upper Mustang. 

Upper Mustang Trek

After Kagbeni night, we’ll move on the beautiful road to Chele in the morning. Passing through the dusty trail, we’ll cross some villages to reach Chele to spend the night. From Chele, you must trek towards Syanboche village by crossing Taklam High Pass and Eklo Bhatti. Throughout the day, we’ll enjoy a fantastic mountain panorama. 

This way, we’ll leave major stops of Upper Mustang Trek, such as Ghami, Yamda La Pass, and Charang to reach Lo Manthang, the forbidden kingdom. We’ll begin exploring the ancient kingdom and the vicinity. Next, we’ll go to Ghar Gompa and Ghilling, the two must-visit places in the Upper Mustang Region. 

Following all of this, we’ll start our journey back to Kathmandu. Starting from Chilling, we’ll reach Chele and then Jomsom. The trek to reach Jomsom is the last day of the Upper Mustang Trek. Having spent two weeks in heaven, we’ll fly back to Pokhara. We’ll have another evening in Pokhara. After all this, we’ll drive back to Kathmandu to end the successful trip.

To sum up, Upper Mustang Trek is a thrilling walk from the green side to the deserted side of the Annapurna Region. It lets us explore civilization and the kingdom, which was forbidden for a long time. You’ll get to travel back in time. What an experience it will be! 

If you want to know more about this trip or book with us, you can reach us anytime. We are forever there to help you by providing the best customer experience. Imagine high mountains, large colorful meadows, unique rocks with a few plants, and scattered stone houses under the bright blue sky. What could be more beautiful than this?

You will explore many mysterious places and caves during the Upper Mustang Trek. The aridity of this region makes it prone to windy storms in the afternoon. Talking about the difficulty level of Upper Mustang Trekking, it is moderate. The trail is not so difficult in technical climbing and includes a few steep sections & landslide areas. However, it would help if you walked in a desert-like area with distinctive food and accommodation. And all these do make the trial challenging. Upper Mustang Trek is perfect for tasting your endurance and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. You will witness a new lifestyle and a new turn to your travel stories. If you have extra time, we recommend you check our professionally designed Nar Phu Valley Trek and Gurung Heritage Trail Trek.

Upper Mustang Trek begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, the second biggest city in Nepal. From here, you will fly to Jomsom, one of the most beautiful regions of Nepal. The flight will present you with stunning views of the Himalayas. Jomsom is the starting point of your trek. Next, you will trek to Kagbeni. Spending a night here, you will ascend to the Lo-Manthang, going through several small and delicate villages like Chele, Syanbochen, Ghaymi & Charang. Finally, you will take a day off in Lo-Manthang. Further, the trail will take you to Ghar Gompa and Ghiling. The path from here onwards will take you back to Jomsom via Chele, and you will fly back to Pokhara.

 Mountain Rock Treks & Expedition have professionally designed our Upper Mustang Trekking itinerary to let you encounter the best of the Upper Mustang region. We assure you that you will go back to your home with lifelong memories with us. Feel free to contact us for any information regarding the Upper Mustang Trek itinerary or the Upper Mustang Trek cost.

If you have a short time, you can do an upper mustang helicopter tour in one day instead of long trekking.

Upper Mustang Trek Highlights

  • Begin with a countryside ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
  • Experience the ambiance and scenery of the touristic capital of Nepal twice.
  • Fly over the Fewa Lake and Pokhara valley and land in scenic Jomsom.
  • Trek via the semi-deserted landscapes of the Annapurna Region.
  • Pass numerous yak pastures, waterfalls, gorges, lakes, and other natural wonders.
  • Walk via the classic villages of the region such as Chele, Kagbeni, Ghaymi, Charang, Syanbochen.
  • Witness the unique culture, lifestyle, and tradition of the Tibetan lifestyle locals. 
  • Reach the region's famous Lo Manthang(3,840m) and Ghar Gompa(3,931m). 
  • Explore the old-aged Buddhist monasteries, gompas, shrines, prayer wheels, and more.
  • Travel back in time to travel once a restricted kingdom and explore its history.

Our Success Trips

We summited the summit and traveled to Nepal with thousands of people. Still, our true victory is to get your destination that brings us to the top with our complete service of trekking, mountaineering, and adventure tours.

Know before you book

Itinerary

Your arrival will be on the first day, and a representative from Mountain Rock Treks will welcome you. The following day, we'll tour the Kathmandu Valley. The following day, after a 7-8 hour drive through picturesque countryside and well-known mountain ranges, we will arrive in Pokhara. We'll take an extremely early morning flight the following morning from Pokhara to Jomsom. We then proceed to walk to Eklai Bhatti to start our trek to Kagbeni after crossing the Kali Gandaki. The following day, we will spend 5–6 hours hiking to Chele. Then, for 6-7 hours, we will hike along the trail toward Syanboche. To reach the Yamda La pass, we will ascent through a few teahouses, Chortens, and nearby villages (3850m).

Then, we'll get to Ghyami. After a leisurely stroll, we cross the Ghaymi Khola and travel for about 4-5 hours to Charang. We will make a 5- to 6-hour hike to Lo-Magthang the following day. We will take advantage of this free day the next day to explore nearby Gombas and viewpoints. After that, we'll travel by early morning foot from Lo-Mangthang to Ghar Gompa. The following day, we will spend 5–6 hours on an early morning hike to Ghiling. We'll return to Chele. The following morning, we set out on foot for Kagbeni, where we pause for lunch. To get to Jomsom, we continue on and join the Annapurna Circuit TrekTrail. We'll catch an early flight back to Pokhara on the fifteenth day. In the lovely city of Pokhara, you can spend the day either exploring or participating in some activities. On the sixteenth day, we'll return to Kathmandu. When we get to Kathmandu, we either unwind in the hotel or wander around Thamel in search of mementos. Then we will have your farewell on our last day together.

Day to Day Info

See All InfoHide All Info

Our airport representative will greet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Then, we will arrange a drop at the Hotel for a private vehicle. Then, you can either take a rest or meet us at our office to know about the details of the arrangements—dinner at the Hotel.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 1320m

You will get the chance to sightsee inside the Kathmandu valley after having breakfast. The city sightseeing tour will lead you through various landmarks: Durbar Square, Syaymbhunath, Bouddha & Pasupathinath, among others. Later, we will brief you about the trek and provide a discussion for exciting queries regarding the trek—breakfast at the hotel.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Free day
  • 1320m

Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which is around 7-8 hours with an elevation of 823m (2700 ft). We will drive off on a tourist bus early in the morning. The scenic countryside and famous mountain ranges accompany us through the journey. Pokhara is renowned for its views of mountain peaks in the Annapurna range. In addition, Pokhara has beautiful lakes like Fewa, Begnas, Rupa, and Rara. Overnight stay at a lakeside hotel.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 7-8 hrs drive
  • 2700 ft

We will fly to Jomsom on an early morning flight on the fourth day. During the 20 minutes flight, the beauty of the 8000ers is sure to delight you. Jomson valley is a major junction for the salt trade route and serves as the headquarters of the Mustang region. Following the trails along the Kali Gandaki River, the trail passes through Ekley-Bhatti village, and an hour's walk from here leads to Kagbeni. Kagbeni holds particular importance as it links Kak Khola with Mustang Khola and forms the great Kal Gandaki river. Overnight stay at Kagbeni.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 3-4 hrs walking
  • 2900m

The next day is from Kagbeni to Chele, which takes around 5 to 6 hours of walking. Next, we need to show the permit to move upwards along the Kaligandaki. The trails are windy and sandy but provide opportunities to view absolute aesthetic sceneries. The uphill and downhill trail will lead us to Tangbe village. The village landscape features whitewashed houses, narrow alleys, orchards of apple, and fields of wheat and barley. Moving on, we reach Chhusang and cross the river. We then see a vast conglomerate tunnel through which Kaligandaki flows. Our day ends with arriving at Chele village after passing small ridges.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 5-6 hrs walk
  • 830m

After a short walk, the trail reaches Eklo Bhatti and ascends to Taklam La Pass (3624m). During the climb, views of Tilicho Peak, Damodar Danda, and Yakawa Kang accompany us. The village of Samar lies a slight downhill along the way. Finally, the trail passes through juniper forests and the famous Ramchung Cave to reach Syanbochen after about three hours. Overnight stay in a lodge.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 6-7 hrs walk

We climb through a few teahouses, Chortens, and local villages to the Yamda La pass (3850m). People in Samar built houses along the way in Tibetan architecture. Passing through Poplar trees and barley fields along the way, the trail leads to Nyi Pass (4010m), where climbing becomes quite strenuous. Down the pass, Ghaymi village is the third-largest in the Lo region, our stay for the night.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 5-6 hrs walk

After a pleasant walk, we cross the Ghaymi Khola and climb to a plateau embellished with a long Mani wall. We follow this wall made by Buddhist followers to head east to Charang, a village with maize fields and stone walls separating houses. Overnight stay at a teahouse.

  • Teahouse.
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 4-5 hrs walk

Dropping to the Charang Chu Canyon, the trail then takes a steep climb which becomes gentler towards the Lo pass (3850m), where views of Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Bhrikuti, and Tilicho peak are magnificent. The valley of Lo-Mangthang looks outstanding from here, with hills towards the Tibetan end. Overnight stay at a lodge.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 5-6 hrs walk
  • 3840m

We spend this leisure day exploring Gombas and viewpoints in the periphery. Namgyal Gompa, a notable monastery that functions as a local court, is situated atop a hill. The village of Tingkhar lies northwest and is the last major settlement. The Tall Champa Lakhang "God house," the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, the Raja's four-story palace, the Entrance Hall, and Champa Lakhang are other attractions of this town.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, we take an early walk from Lo-Mangthang as the dusty route, mainly with the afternoon wind. The Ghar Gompa is more than 1200 years old and is famous for its rock paintings. The presence of Guru Rinpoche, along with legends that wish made here come true, also make this place well known.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 4-5 years

Again, we take an early hike to Ghiling as the afternoon is windy and dusty. After lunch, you can rest and explore the area until the evening when the wind gets low. Overnight stay at Ghiling.

  • Lodge
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 5-6 hrs walk
  • 3570m

The trail back to Chele is pleasant, with beautiful views of the snow peaks passing along small hills and villages. Overnight stay in a teahouse.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 5-6 hrs walk
  • 3100m

Early in the morning, we start our walk to Kagbeni, where we stop for lunch. Further on, we join the Annapurna circuit trek trail to reach Jomsom. Muktinath, a popular pilgrimage destination of the Hindus, is close by where you can visit if you have a day to spare. Overnight stay at a lodge.

  • Lodge.
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 6-7 hrs walk

The early morning flight back to Jomsom is scenic and passes between the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri. Check-in at a lakeside hotel upon arrival in Pokhara. You can spend the day either exploring or taking part in some activities in the beautiful city of Pokhara.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 820m

A 5/6 hours bus ride from Pokhara gets us to Kathmandu. The end of the journey is with a farewell dinner. After that, you can spend your time strolling around Thamel or getting some souvenirs for your loved ones. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 1320m

Departure from Kathmandu. A drop from the hotel to the airport 3 hours before the scheduled flight time in a private tourist vehicle.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast

We are pleased to offer the flexibility of tailoring your journey to your desired duration and places, whether extended or shortened, as our proficient team of locals-cum-guides, porters, and accompanying staff have an in-depth understanding of every location traveled.

customize my trip

Trip Map

Upper Mustang Trek | Group Sharing Permit 2024-2025 map

Cost Details

Includes

  • Airport Pick up and drop-off service by Private Coach.
  • Two nights' accommodation with breakfast at a standard hotel in Kathmandu.
  • Two nights' accommodation with breakfast at a deluxe hotel in Pokhara.
  • There is three-time food in a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) while trekking.
  • Tea House accommodation during the trek.
  • Bothway Flight ticket from Pokhara - Jomsom - Pokhara.
  • Professional English-speaking trekking guide (trained by Ministry of tourism) his food, housing, salary, insurance, equipment, etc.
  • Deluxe Tourist Bus Ticket to Pokhara, then Pokhara to Kathmandu.
  • Annapurna conservation permits & TIMS Permits
  • Tourist service charge, Vat.
  • One map of Ghorepani mustang trekking for the group  

Excludes

  • International airfare and Nepal Visa Fees.
  • Nepal Travel insurance.
  • Food in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Travel/Medical insurance and Emergency evacuation cost if needed.
  • Personal expenses include phone calls, drinks, donations, souvenirs, etc.
  • Expenses occurred due to unavoidable Events, i.e., road wrecks, flight delays, etc.
  • Tips for guide, porter (expected).

Dates & Price

Upcoming Departure

Few Seats AvailableStarts: ThursdayMar 21, 2024
Ends: SaturdayApr 06, 2024
Status: AvailableUS$1600
Few Seats AvailableStarts: SundayMar 31, 2024
Ends: TuesdayApr 16, 2024
Status: AvailableUS$1600

Essential Info

Difficulty Level of Upper Mustang Trek

Upper Mustang Trek is a moderate-level trek that is neither too easy nor too difficult. That means it can be demanding for some sort of trekkers and an easy one for some trekkers. 

More clearly, if you are an experienced trail walker, you’ll have fewer difficulties and vice versa. So the difficulty level of Upper Mustang Trek depends solely on you. Hence, the more expert you are, the nicely you’ll handle the challenges of the trek. 

Generally, Upper Mustang Trek’s difficulty level is defined based on some determinants. Walking duration, total distance, altitude gain, terrain structure, and weather are some of the factors. Let’s talk about them to know how difficult Upper Mustang Trek is.

Walking Duration and Distance of Upper Mustang Trek

Upper Mustang Trek is an extended plan of around 17 days. On a typical day of the trek, you have to trek for approximately 6 to 7hours. Out of 17 days, you will walk for around ten days regularly. If you are not used to regular walking, this trek can be challenging. Otherwise, you’ll have nothing but good times on the walk. And the tour is about 125 km long, all of which you have to cover on your feet. So this also clears the difficulty level of the trek.      

Altitude Gain

Upper Mustang Trek’s highest points are Ghar Gompa(3,931m) and Lo Manthang(3,840m). For many avid trekkers, the altitude of the trek is not a problem. It barely touches 4000m of altitude. However, it can be a bit challenging for novice trekkers. The journey starts from 1400m(Kathmandu) and reaches Lo Manthang(3,8450m). So there is some altitude gain, which can be massive to some and normal to others.    

Terrain Structure

The terrain structure is another factor that defines Upper Mustang Trek’s difficulty level. The trail to Lo Manthang is marked and easy to navigate. However, the uphills, slippery downhills, and dusty landscapes are too regular on the trek. If you are acceptable at walking such routes, you are good to go. Otherwise, it is another challenge for you. 

Weather

Up in the mountains, the weather is cold and unpredictable. In the Upper Mustang Region, cold evenings, dusty days, sunny afternoons, and chilly mornings are daily patterns. The higher you go, the harder the days and nights are. So the trek can be a tricky walk for someone not used to cold weather, especially in Winter. 
 

Upper Mustang Trek for Beginners

Upper Mustang Trek is for every trekker. It’s not that only the expert walkers can attempt this trek. The beginners can also opt for this trek but with good preparation. 

Doing this trek without any preparation can turn nasty for a novice one. So here are some things that you can follow to prepare for the walk.

Physical Training: Physical training is a minor requirement for beginners before trekking in the mountains. On this Upper Mustang Trek, you have to travel for hours on a route full of uphills. To push your body to the top, you need good physical conditions. If you do not have one yet, you can build some by doing various cardio training. Cycling, day hiking, running, swimming, and gym labor are examples.

Choose the Right Time: Selecting the right time for a trek in Nepal is crucial. There are both good and bad times for trekking in Nepal. For example, Autumn and Spring are the good ones, and Winter and Monsoon are challenging ones. A beginner should choose the good times over bad times.

Pack Well: Packing for a trek is another watch you should consider. You should know about things required for a walk. As a beginner, you may not know everything. For this, you can do some search or ask your experienced friends. Or you can call us for the packing list for Upper Mustang Trek.  

Choose the Right Agency: Going voluntarily and solo can turn bad if you are a newbie in Nepal. You do not know the conditions, route, weather, and country's people. The journey can become very hard in that case. So make sure you choose a licensed and reliable travel agency like ours. Travel becomes so much easier.

The guide is a Must: A guide can make the trek easy for a novice trekker. He will lead you on the right path, bring good food to the tables, find good places to sleep, etc. He will even help you know the area and people closely. All of that is pretty difficult to do for a beginner.  

Upper Mustang Trekking Route

On the first day of the Upper Mustang Trip, we’ll leave Kathmandu for Pokhara. It will happen with a scenic drive. Our first night will occur in Pokhara. The next day, we’ll leave Pokhara with a flight to Jomsom, the door of the Mustang Region. It will be a scenic flight of 20 minutes. 

The real adventure begins here after our landing in Jomsom. After the landing, we’ll march on the trail to Kagbeni. The trek starts. We’ll have a short but scenic stroll of 3-4 hours to reach Kagbeni. Following the Kali Gandaki River banks and passing several villages, we’ll get Kagbeni. Our night will happen in Kagbeni.

The next day, we’ll wake up to walk in the direction of Chele. The hike will happen along the river. We’ll have a windy and sandy trek ahead to reach Chele. We’ll cross several traditional villages en route to Chele, such as Tangbe and Chhusang. Our day will end in Chele. 

From Chele, we’ll gradually move towards Syanbochen by walking via Eklo Bhatti and Taklam La Pass(3,624m). We’ll get good mountain and landscape views to watch today. In this way, we’ll arrive at Ghaymi Village, a big village in the region. After Ghaymi, we’ll hike towards Charang by passing various villages, maize fields, stone walls, etc.

Following the night in Charang, we’ll move towards Lo Manthang, the ultimate destination of the trek. We’ll cross Lho Pass and enjoy a fantastic mountain panorama to reach the place. And upon reaching Lo Manthang, we’ll begin to traverse its rich architecture and history.

The next day, we’ll have a full day exploring the forbidden kingdom. The whole day will be around the place. We’ll leave the village the next day only. 

From Lo Manthang, we’ll hike towards Ghar Gompa, an ancient gompa known for rock painting. We’ll spend the night in Ghar Gompa. After visiting all the significant spots of the trek, we’ll now start returning to Jomsom. We’ll trek from Ghar Gompa to Ghiling, Ghiling to Chele, and Chele to Jomsom in three days to reach Jomsom. 

In that way, we’ll be back in Jomsom for a flight back to Pokhara. The 20 minutes flight will drop us in Pokhara. We’ll explore the city and its major sports.  Also, we’ll have a good hangout to complete the trek. And the next day, we’ll drive back to Kathmandu to complete the whole trip.      

Best Time for Upper Mustang Trek

To check the best time for a trip is always a wise thing. It makes your trip successful, pleasant, and easy as well. If you do not have any idea about this, we will help you. 

As you know, Nepal experiences four seasons: Autumn, Spring, Winter, and Monsoon. You can do Upper Mustang Trek in any season. But if you want everything just perfect, Spring and Autumn are the good seasons. Otherwise, you can do the trek in any season. Let’s talk about all four seasons. 

Spring(March, April, May)

Spring is the time of the year when trekkers arrive in Nepal in great numbers. The climate is stable during this season, and the temperature rotates around 16 to 22 degrees during the day. Likewise, it is the right time to enjoy mountain vistas. The clear weather makes it easy for the trekkers. Also, the season is the time for blossoming flowers. That is why trekkers favor Upper Mustang Trek highly in Spring. Hence, it is a good time for you as well.

Summer(June, July, August)    

Summer means hot and wet in Nepal. It is the wettest season of all, and the whole of Nepal remains wet during this season. However, the upper mustang region remains intact. The part lies under the rain shadow region, with no rainfall even during Monsoon. Upper Mustang Trek is the best trek to do in Nepal in Monsoon. Upper Mustang Trek is dry and perfect for trekking when every other trail is slippery and wet. The region's temperature during the daytime is around 16 to 25 during this season.  

Autumn(September, October, November)

Autumn is the best time for Upper Mustang Trek. Yes, the region’s weather is just perfect for walking in Autumn. You’ll have clear and undisturbed mountain views during this season. The temperature is also relatively mild and warm, ranging from around 12 to 20 degrees during the day. Yet, the nights are freezing. It is a busy time for trekking in Nepal. Thus, you will meet a lot of travelers on the trail. Autumn is good in all sense for the trek. 

Winter(December, Janaurary, February)

Like everywhere, Winter is the coldest time of the year in Nepal. It is the time of snowfall in the higher region. The temperatures also drop drastically. That is why the people in the higher parts of the Upper Mustang migrate to the lower parts during this season. The heavy snowfall makes it quite challenging to survive in the mountains. Hence, Winter is a big no for Upper Mustang Trek.                    

Food and Accommodation on Upper Mustang Trek

Talking about Accommodation first, you’ll get places from basic to luxurious ones. When in Pokhara, you’ll find the best accommodation. But as we leave Pokhara and walk into the rural areas, the lodging will turn more basic. However, you’ll find satisfactory accommodation throughout the trek. You have to say yes to the basic lodges only in some places. Overall, you’ll have no problems finding accommodation.

Good food is also available during the trek. The lodges and teahouses around the trail of Upper Mustang Trek are the finest ones. You will get nutritious, hygienic, and organic meals on this journey. The higher you reach, the lower variety of food will be available. You can get meals such as Eggs, Bread, Oatmeal, Toast, Corn Flakes, fruits, pancakes, and others for breakfast. Similarly, you’ll have Dal Bhat, Pasta, Thuka, Noodles, Momo, Sandwiches, Various soups, Pizza, Spaghetti, Desserts, and more. So no concerns related to food as well.         

Upper Mustang Trek Solo/Group Joining

You can do Upper Mustang Trek in various ways: Solo, Group Joining, and Private Group. Let’s start with a solo. In solo treks, you will trek with our private guide on your own time: no need to hurry, no one to catch. A solo trek is an excellent option if you want a hurry-less hike. You’ll experience every bit of the tour. 

Or, if you have a private group of your friends and family, you can do a Private Group Trek. You will get a private guide for your team in this type of joining. The guide will direct thoroughly. You will have a great personal time with your lovely ones. 

Lastly, you can join a group. In group joining, you will join a group of foreigners. You will complete the whole trek with them, getting to know new people and making new friends. If you are good at socialization, this can be your way of doing Upper Mustang Trek.     
 

Last Minute Booking for Upper Mustang Trek

You can book a trek with us at the last minute also. We will try to find a place for you. However, we cannot guarantee you a place. Finding flights and accommodations at the last minute in peak times such as Autumn and Spring is difficult. But we’ll look out our best to manage a seat for you. 

For a last-minute booking, you must pay the package's total amount. Our team will guide you thoroughly. And the entire money will be repaid if we cannot take you on the trek.

There is a lot of kick-in last-minute bookings. So do not wait until the last minute. Decide earlier to avoid last-minute hassles.  

Permits Required for Upper Mustang Trek

You cannot trek on Nepal’s trail without trekking permits. Every trail has different permits. In the case of Upper Mustang Trek, you will need two permits, Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. 

On Upper Mustang Trek, you will trek through the restricted region of the Mustang. So it would be best if you had the first permit. Also, you will trek via Annapurna Conservation Area, a protected site. And for that, a separate permit is needed.  

The first one, the Restricted Area Permit, costs $500 per pax for ten days. You have to pay an extra $50 per day for additional days. Likewise, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is obtainable for $20 per person. There is no need for additional payment for the latter one.

You’ll need a valid passport, visa, and some passport-sized photos to get these permits. If you have them all, we will manage the permits for you.    

Upper Mustang Trek Itinerary

  • Day 1:Arrival in Kathmandu.
  • Day 2:Free day in Kathmandu & trek preparation.
  • Day 3:Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara valley: 7-8 hrs drive
  • Day 4:Fly to Jomsom & trek to Kagbeni, 3-4 hrs walking
  • Day 5:Kagbeni to chele, 5-6 hrs walk(3100m)
  • Day 6:Chele to Syanbochen, 6-7 hrs walk
  • Day 7:Syanbochen to Ghaymi, 5-6 hrs walk
  • Day 8:Ghaymi to Charang, 4-5 hrs walk
  • Day 9:Charang to Lo-Mangthang, 5-6 hrs walk
  • Day 10:Explore Lo-Mangthang
  • Day 11:Lo-Mangthang to Ghar Gompa, 4-5 hrs walk
  • Day 12:Ghar Gompa to Ghiling, 5-6 hrs walk
  • Day 13:Ghiling to Chele, 5-6 hrs walk
  • Day 14:Chele to Jomsom, 6-7 hrs walk
  • Day 15:Fly back to Pokhara & Free relax day in Pokhara
  • Day 16:Drive back to Kathmandu from Pokhara
  • Day 17:Departure from Kathmandu

FAQs

  • Q1. How do we get to Upper Mustang?

    Generally, travellers fly from Pokhara to Jomsom and trek from there. The flight will present you with gorgeous landscape views along with the deepest gorge in the world, Kali Gandaki. This gorge runs between the Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains. From Jomsom, you will ascend following the Kali Gandaki River upstream and reach Kagbeni. Here onwards, the restricted area of the Upper Mustang begins. Trekking in the north, the trail will take you to the last forbidden kingdom of Nepal, Lo-Manthang in a few days. On the way, you will cross many beautiful villages and several passes. You will visit Ghar Gompa, one of the oldest gompa and significant gompas in this region. Further, you will gradually descend through Ghiling and Chele to reach Jomsom. 

  • Upper Mustang is located between the rain shadow area of Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri mountains. This is one of the most secluded regions of Nepal extremely rich in tradition, culture, and its outstanding barren landscape. The entire region is still living back hundreds of years. To protect its raw nature and prominent lifestyle of locals, this region was closed until 1992 for foreign visitors. However, even after that, one needs to get several permits to trek to Upper Mustang. And, not only this, every year only a limited number of foreign visitors are allowed to traverse this region.

  • The Upper Mustang region is one of the restricted regions of Nepal. Similarly, many parts of the trekking trails also come inside the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP). Therefore, non-Nepalis are mandatorily required to get the following permit to trek in this region:

    • Upper Mustang Trek Permit for all foreigners: USD 500 per person for the first 10 days and USD 50 per person per day thereafter.
    • ACAP entry permit fee for foreigners: 2,000 NPR (Approx. USD 20)
    • ACAP entry permit fee for SAARC nationals: 200 NPR

    You can get these permits from Nepal Tourism Board Office on Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu, Tel: +977 1 4256909.

    *If you are travelling with an agency then they will arrange these for you.

  • Yes, Lo-Manthang is part of Nepal. It is a rural municipality in Mustang district in Gandaki Province. Also, known as the walled city of Upper Mustang, Lo-Manthang is situated in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. As the region successfully managed to keep the Chinese outside its borders over the past century, the entire region has preserved Tibetan culture for years.

  • There are a lot of things that can be done in Upper Mustang, however here are our top five things that everyone should do while visiting Upper Mustang:

    • Explore amazing wall and sky caves in Chhusang

    Chhusang is a small village located between Tangbe and Chele on the trekking route of the Upper Mustang. You will get to see colourful cliffs around the village. Similarly, this place has also got the remnants of cave homes high above on the cliffs and hills.

    • Walk past the Deepest Gorge

    Kali Gandaki is the deepest gorge in the world, and the origin of this gorge is Mustang District. Kali Gandaki River makes this gorge. During the Upper Mustang Trek, you will pass by this gorge while enjoying its unique ambience and beauty.

    • Adventurous Sports

    Mustang is the most famous place in Nepal for adventurous sports like rock climbing, cycling, horse riding, mountain biking, and jeep safaris. Because of expensive permits, only a handful of travellers visit this region every year making the trail perfect for such outdoor sports activities. Among all mountain biking is the most popular one.

    • Celebrate Tiji Festival

    Tiji festival is the most important festival in Upper Mustang. This festival is highly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. During the festival, you will get to experience their rich cultural dance and art. The festival lasts for three days. If you want to be part of this amazing event then travel in the month of July. Confirm with your travel agency beforehand so that you don't miss the exact date. Read more

    • Explore Lo Manthang city, and its monasteries

    Lo-Manthang is the main attraction of the Upper Mustang. Here, you will see the royal palace and ancient monasteries built in the early 15th century. You will get to visit monasteries like Dragkar-Thegchen Ling Monastery, Ngonga Chode, Jampa Gompa, Thupchen Gompa, etc. 

  • The Upper Mustang Trek goes up to Gho Gompa(3,930m/11,400ft). You will trek up to 4000 m and return.

     

  • You can do Upper Mustang Trek in Summer, Autumn, and Spring seasons. Except for the Winter seasons, all other seasons are the best times for Upper Mustang Trek.

     

  • Yes, Upper Mustang Trek is doable in Monsoon season as well. The upper part of the mustang lies under the rain-shadowed region. There is no impact of rainfall or monsoon at all in the area. It is a Himalayan desert region. That is why the trek is performable during Monsoon. 

     

  • Upper Mustang Trek is a moderate trek. You do not have to worry much about this trek. Anyone who can walk in the hills can do this trek. Yet, this trek can be difficult for beginners. The trail's nature, extreme weather, steep sections, and rough routes can be some of the challenges.

     

  • The trek’s highest point is around 4000m. You do not have to go above 4000m. Also, you will get enough time to acclimatize. So there is a low risk of mountain sickness compared to other higher treks in Nepal. 

     

  • No, it’s not mandatory to have travel insurance for this trek. But having insurance is always a positive thing when traveling somewhere. It keeps you insured against uncertainties. 

     

  • Charing is available across the trek. The teahouses around the trail are well equipped with charging facilities. You also get wifi services on the expedition, but not the finest one. Most of them are slow. But who knows, you may get good internet access as well.

     

  • Yes, water is available to drink on the trek. You can get both tap water(free) and mineral water(not free) on the trail. The tap water is drinkable by using water purification pills. 

Client Reviews

  • Fantastic Journey

    The walk we took in upper Mustang was incredible; there were stunning natural settings and great people. Mountain Rock Treks and their team did a fantastic job of leading us through the 17-day walk and handling all the logistics of our trip. Mountain Rock Treks is your best option if you want to explore this undiscovered region of Nepal.

    P
    Petrus SjöbergSwedenMay 15, 2022
  • Incredible Mustang

    Great hike with everything included, including beautiful mountains, friendly locals, Tibetan culture, and inspiring monasteries. It was quite enjoyable, and the guide was excellent—very responsible and considerate. Nothing can express gratitude to Mountain Rock Trek for their excellent assistance in completing our trek.

    L
    Lawrence B. EstesUnited KingdomMay 12, 2022
dipak pande
Need Any Assistance?

Our team has extensive knowledge and experience of the Himalayas and can design your dream Trip based on your Expectation, location, time frame, and Budget.

Call us on WhatsApp +977 9851037679 (Dipak Pande)

Similar Trips

Ask a Question