Upper Mustang Trek
A 16-day journey into the hidden kingdom of Lo, combining drives and treks through cave-dwelling cliffs, red canyons, and the medieval walled city of Lo Manthang.
- Duration 16 Days
- Difficulty Moderate
- Group Size 12 People
- Max Altitude 3950m
- Region Mustang
Overview
The Upper Mustang Trek is a rare and privileged journey into the hidden kingdom of Lo. The fabled medieval walled city of Lo Manthang is the capital of Mustang, a kingdom within a kingdom, rich in culture and religious heritage.
Lo Manthang's early history is embellished with myth and legend rather than recorded fact. Mustang maintained its status as a separate principality until 1951, and the Lo Manthang king is still recognized by that title today, holding the honorary rank of Colonel in the Nepalese Army.
Closed to the outside world before 1992, Upper Mustang remains an undisturbed land of cave dwellings carved high into cliffs and stunning traditional architecture. The trek offers an enhanced look at the real life of Nepal's mountain people, whose lifestyle closely resembles that of neighboring Tibet.
Road access in the Mustang region has affected the trekking route in places, so this itinerary combines driving and trekking, placing the drives in moderate locations while keeping the walking route focused on the region's major attractions — the King's Palace, monasteries, and enormous caves.
All ground transportation within the mountains, as specified in the itinerary, is provided by locally available vehicles, most commonly Indian-made Mahindra Scorpios and Boleros suited to the region's rugged terrain.
Itinerary
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Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to the hotel.
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Day 2 Fly to Pokhara
A short morning flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
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Day 3 Fly to Jomsom & Drive to Kagbeni
An early, scenic flight through the Kali Gandaki gorge to Jomsom, followed by a short drive to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang.
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Day 4 Drive to Samar, Hike to Chungsi Cave & Syangboche, Drive to Ghami
Drive from Kagbeni to Samar, hike up to the tranquil Chungsi Cave Monastery and onward to Syangboche, then drive on to Ghami.
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Day 5 Trek to Ghar Gompa & Charang
Trek to Ghar Gompa for lunch and monastery exploration, then continue on to the village of Charang, the trek's highest point.
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Day 6 Drive to Lo Manthang
A scenic drive to the medieval walled city of Lo Manthang, capital of the former Kingdom of Lo.
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Day 7 Explore Lo Manthang
A full day exploring the King's Palace, Thupchen Gompa, Chode Gompa (Dragkar Thegchen Ling Gompa), and Jampa Monastery.
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Day 8 Trek to Yara
Trek south from Lo Manthang through a glacial valley toward the small village of Yara.
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Day 9 Trek to Luri Gumba & Return to Yara
Visit the sacred cliffside cave monastery of Luri Gumba, one of the oldest Buddhist sites in the region, then return to Yara for the night.
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Day 10 Trek to Tangye
A long trekking day through remote high-desert terrain to the village of Tangye.
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Day 11 Trek to Tetang
The trek's longest day, crossing rugged, remote terrain to the village of Tetang.
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Day 12 Trek to Muktinath
Cross Gyu La and descend into the Annapurna region proper, arriving at the sacred pilgrimage site of Muktinath.
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Day 13 Drive to Jomsom & Fly to Pokhara
A short drive down to Jomsom, followed by a scenic flight back to Pokhara.
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Day 14 Spare Day in Pokhara
A buffer day held in reserve in case of Jomsom–Pokhara flight cancellation due to weather. Free time to relax at Lakeside if unused.
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Day 15 Drive to Kathmandu
A scenic tourist bus journey back to Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway.
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Day 16 Final Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Cost Details
What’s Included
- Porter service, including insurance
- Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast, 5-star standard, twin-sharing
- Kathmandu–Pokhara flight and all jeep/car ground transport
- English-speaking licensed trekking guide, including salary, insurance, meals, and accommodation
- All local taxes and entry fees
- Pokhara–Jomsom–Pokhara round-trip flight
- Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner with tea/coffee) during the trek
- Teahouse/guesthouse accommodation during the trek
- Guided city tour
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and TIMS card
What’s Excluded
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Tips for guide and porter
- Cold beverages and other personal expenses
- Personal travel and trekking insurance
- Nepal visa fee
Highlights
- Muktinath Temple: A sacred Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site on the descent route.
- Kali Gandaki gorge flights: Dramatic short mountain flights between Pokhara, Jomsom, and back.
- Cave dwellings: Ancient cliffside caves, including the sacred Luri Gumba, carved centuries ago into the region's sandstone cliffs.
- Chungsi Cave Monastery: A tranquil Buddhist site said to have been meditated in by Guru Rinpoche.
- Restricted-area access: A region closed to outsiders until 1992, still limited by permit to protect its heritage.
- Tibetan Buddhist culture: Villages, monasteries, and a way of life closely mirroring neighboring Tibet.
- Trans-Himalayan desert scenery: Dramatic red canyons, eroded cliffs, and arid high-altitude landscapes in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
- Lo Manthang: Explore the medieval walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo, including the King's Palace and its ancient monasteries.
Why Choose This Trek
- Genuine restricted-area exclusivity: Controlled permits keep visitor numbers low compared to Nepal's classic circuits.
- A thoughtfully paced itinerary: Drives are placed strategically so trekking time focuses on the region's most scenic and cultural sections.
- A living medieval kingdom: Few places in the Himalaya preserve an intact walled capital and royal lineage like Lo Manthang.
- Full support included: Guide, porter, all permits, and Pokhara-Jomsom flights arranged throughout.
- Comfortable bookend stays: 5-star Kathmandu hotel and 3-star Pokhara hotels, with a guided city tour included.
- Below-4,000m altitude profile: No high passes exceeding 4,000m, making this accessible without extreme altitude risk.
Essential Information
Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, making it trekkable even during the monsoon (June–August) when much of Nepal is clouded over. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) remain the most popular seasons; winter brings strong winds and cold temperatures.
Rated moderate. Around 2–9 hours of walking or driving per day, with no high-altitude passes exceeding 4,000m. The difficulty comes more from long driving/trekking days, wind, and the dry, dusty trans-Himalayan terrain than from altitude itself.
Teahouse/guesthouse accommodation on a shared, twin-sharing basis during the trek, more basic than the Everest or Annapurna regions, bookended by a 5-star hotel in Kathmandu and 3-star hotels in Pokhara.
Full board meals included during the trek — dal bhat, noodles, soups, and momos are common, along with Tibetan-style dishes reflecting the region's cultural ties. Vegetarian options are widely available at teahouses.
Upper Mustang is a restricted area requiring a licensed guide from a registered agency. As of 2026, solo trekkers may obtain the restricted area permit, though most trekkers still travel in a small guided group.
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP): Priced per person, per day; checked at the Kagbeni checkpoint
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Required as Mustang lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area
- TIMS Card: Trekkers' Information Management System card, required for this restricted area
- Trekking boots: Sturdy, broken-in boots with warm socks
- Wind protection: A strong windproof jacket is essential — Mustang's valleys are notoriously windy in the afternoons
- Dust mask or buff: Useful on dry, dusty jeep-track sections
- Down jacket: Insulated jacket plus thermal base layers
- Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle
- Sleeping bag: Often provided by the trekking agency
- Personal kit: Personal medicines and toiletries
The trek's highest point, Ghar Gompa, sits at 3,950m — well below the passes on many other Nepal treks. Altitude sickness risk is lower here, but the daily jump between Kathmandu (1,400m) and Jomsom (2,720m) still warrants a steady pace and 3–4 liters of water daily.
