Upper Mustang Trek
- 17 Days - 16 nights
The Upper Mustang Trek is among the most coveted trails in Nepal. Because it is a restricted area, few people have the opportunity to take on this mystical journey. For those who do, the experience is highly cherished. The exotic piece of land leads up to the Tibetan border on one side (connected to the expansive Tibetan Plateau), and the grand Himalayas on the other side. After spending days trekking along the Kal Gandaki River, the trail diverts and leads into the barren rolling hills of Upper Mustang. The highlight of the trek is reaching Lo-Manthang, the former capital of the ancient Lo Kingdom.
Spend days at a time hiking through this truly remote terrain. You will feel as if you are entering a hidden kingdom, away from the grasp of development. In fact, until 1950, this area was a separate kingdom, not part of Nepal. Though it has been opened to trekkers and tourism, so few outsiders visit that it has retained its faraway feeling.
The adventure starts in Jomsom after relaxing and kicking back in the lovely lakeside city of Pokhara. We make our way along the Kali Gandaki river valley. The area is dry and desolate, with pockets of bright green oases. As we climb higher, we start to see orange-brown cliffs with tiny caves dug high into the walls – a mysterious sight. After several days of trekking through gorgeous, out of this world landscape, we arrive to Lo Manthang. It is estimated that this well-preserved medieval fortification was built in 1440 by the legendary warrior Ame Pal. Behind the stone wall barrier lies magnificent monasteries and brilliant palaces. The residents of Lo Manthang are descendants of Tibetans (called Lhobas).
After an amazing couple of days in Lo Manthang, we head down to Muktinath, a famous pilgrimage destination where thousands of Hindus across India and Nepal pay homage to each year. Take a ritual bath in the sacred waters and soak in the mountain views. The trek ends with a pleasant walk again through the Kali Gandaki valley to Jomsom. Enjoy one last day chilling out in Pokhara before heading to Kathmandu.
The trail is not very difficult and the highest altitude reached is about 3800 meters. All are welcome to take the Upper Mustang Trek. Do note that the permit for Upper Mustang is $500 USD for 10 days and $50 per day thereafter. However, the experience you will have and the memories made are priceless and are well worth the one-time fee of $500.
The Upper Mustang Trek can be taken anytime of the year. It is one of the few treks in Nepal that is perfectly fine to do during the monsoon season. The trail lies in the rain shadow, so no need to worry about getting too wet. Daewoo Travels & Tours Pvt. Ltd. handles the complete with complete management. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns!
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01:Arrival at Kathmandu airport and transfer to hotel.
- Day 02:Sightseeing of Kathmandu valley.
- Day 03:Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (823m).
- Day 04:Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (2858m). – 3-4 Hours trek
- Day 05:Trek from Kagbeni to Chele (3050m). – 5-6 hrs.
- Day 06:Trek from Chele to Syanbochen (3475m). – 6-7 Hours
- Day 07:Trek from Syangbochen to Tsarang (3500m). – 7-8 Hours
- Day 08:Trek from Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3730m). – 5-6 Hours
- Day 09:Explore Lo-Manthang; acclimatization day.
- Day 10:Trek from Lo-Manthang to Ghiling (3800m). – 7 Hours
- Day 11:Trek from Ghiling to Samar (3700m). – 5-6 Hours
- Day 12:Trek from Samar to Chuksang (2980m). – 4-5 Hours
- Day 13:Trek from Chuksang to Muktinath (3710m). – 6-8 Hours
- Day 14:Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2740m). – 5-6 Hours
- Day 15:Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara.
- Day 16: Drive back to Kathmandu.
- Day 17:Departure from Nepal.
Cost Details
Cost Includes
- Transportation to and from Tribhuvan Airport.
- Three nights in a 2-3 star hotel in Kathmandu, breakfast included.
- Two nights in a 2-3 star hotel in Pokhara, breakfast included.
- Transportation to and from Pokhara.
- Local guest house accommodation on the trail.
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) Permit
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit
- Government-authorized, experienced guide and porters
- Insurance, food, accommodation, and wage for guides and porters
- Hygienic meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
- All equipment (sleeping bag, warm layers, etc.)
- First Aid Kit
- Service charge and government taxes
Cost Excludes:
- International airfare
- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (besides breakfast)
- Your personal expenses, shopping, etc.
- Sightseeing entry fees
- Shower and electronic charging fees at guest houses during the trek
- Alcoholic drinks, chocolates, tea and coffee
- Tips for guide and porter
- Extra accommodation and meals outside of itinerary
- Costs from unexpected occurrences (i.e. cancellations, weather problems, damages of property, illness, etc.)
Detail Itinerary
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Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu airport and transfer to hotel.
Upon arrival to Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from Daewoo Travels & Tours will welcome you at the airport and take you to your hotel. In the evening, we brief you on the upcoming trek. Overnight at hotel.
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Day 02: Sightseeing of Kathmandu valley.
After breakfast at the hotel, we take you on a sightseeing tour around Kathmandu including some the UNESCO World Heritage sites (Boudhanath, Swayambunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Pashupatinath). Spend the rest of the day preparing for your upcoming trek and exploring the city. Overnight in hotel.
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Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (823m).
Leave the hotel early in the morning for a scenic drive to Pokhara. The Prithvi Highway weaves around terraced hillsides and along the Trishuli River. After 6-7 hours of driving, arrive in the gorgeous lakeside city of Pokhara. Check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day sightseeing and making some final preparations for the trek. Overnight at hotel.
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Day 04: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (2858m). – 3-4 Hours trek
The quick, gorgeous 20-minute flight leads us to Jomsom - the district headquarters of the Mustang region. The town links Nepal and Tibet via an ancient salt trade route. Get amazing views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges during the flight. Trek along the Kali Gandaki River, with occasional glimpses of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Dhampus and Tukuche peeking into vision. Then, we make a slight descent to Kagbeni, a Tibetan village located at the edge of two rivers. Overnight in guest house.
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Day 05: Trek from Kagbeni to Chele (3050m). – 5-6 hrs.
After breakfast, proceed along the eastern edge of Kali Gandaki River before climbing uphill to Tangbe Village. Following the tapered alleys amidst the houses and fields of apples and wheat, we arrive to the lovely village of Chhusang. Later, we cross the everpresent Kali Gandaki River on a steel footbridge before climbinganother hill to Chele village, located on a ridge above the gorge. Overnight in guest house.
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Day 06: Trek from Chele to Syanbochen (3475m). – 6-7 Hours
Have a nutrious and delicious breakfast in Chele before ascending further into the arid, hilly landscape. Traverse the Taklam La Pass (3624 meters) for a panoramic view of rugged peaks, including the majestic Tilicho Peak. From the pass, head downward past some chhortens to Samar Village. The trop drops into a large a gorge. Trek from another 3 hours through incredible landscape to Ramchung Cave. Take a moment to visit before reaching Syangbochen, today’s destination. Overnight in guest house.
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Day 07: Trek from Syangbochen to Tsarang (3500m). – 7-8 Hours
Have a filling breakfast before moving deeper into the unspoiled hills of the Upper Mustang. Hike to and through Tibetan villages, admiring the unique architecture and Buddhist shrines. Soon, make it to Yamda La, the first pass of the day. Take it slow throughout the day and appreciate the glorious views and pristine beauty of the trail. Move past cultivated fields of barley to the Nyi Pass (4010 meters), the second and last pass of the day. Descend to Ghami, a charming village surrounded by alpine landscape. Not far after Ghami is Tsarang, atop the Tsarang Chu Canyon and mostly inhabited by Lhobas – descendents of Tibetans who moved to the area long ago. Overnight in guest house.
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Day 08: Trek from Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3730m). – 5-6 Hours
After breakfast, we begin our journey to Lo-Manthang – a highlight of the trek. Descend to the Tsarang Chu (river) and cross it. Climb back uphill and see amazing views of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I, and Bhrikiuti peaks. For another couple of hours, hike up and down mellow hills to finally reach the plateau where Lo-Manthang rests. Overnight in guest house.
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Day 09: Explore Lo-Manthang; acclimatization day.
The climax of the trek is wandering around this ancient kingdom. We rest and wander around the monasteries and medieval palaces whose infrastructure remains. Check out the western valley of Tingkhar, where the old summer palace of the Raja still exists. It offers incredible views of Kimling, Phuwa and the Namgyal Gompa, which we visit later. Overnight in guest house.
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Day 10: Trek from Lo-Manthang to Ghiling (3800m). – 7 Hours
Today marks the first day of moving back toward Jomsom. However, to keep things new and exciting, we take a different path. Stop at Drakmar and visit the majestic Ghar Gompa, said to be around 1200 years old. The wind in the valley gets powerful in the afternoon, so we get as early of a start as possible. Take lunch with a precious view and continue to Ghiling. Overnight in guest house.
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Day 11: Trek from Ghiling to Samar (3700m). – 5-6 Hours
After breakfast, we start towards Samar. It is a pretty easy day with mild ups and downs. There is lots to see, so take your eyes of the trail and look up and the scenery. After having a lunch midway, we arrive to Samar. Overnight in guest house.
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Day 12: Trek from Samar to Chuksang (2980m). – 4-5 Hours
Today’s pathgoes south, meeting up with the Kali Gandaki River. You’ll find some people selling shaligram along the way, which is a cool souvenir to have. Keep going down and soon enough we arrive at Chuksang for the night. Overnight in guesthouse.
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Day 13: Trek from Chuksang to Muktinath (3710m). – 6-8 Hours
Today is a one of the most exciting days ofthe trek. We reach Muktinath, a village high in the hills with stunning mountain views. Immediately around us is the unique, arid landscape of the Mustang region, while behind that, we are surrounded by a ring of Himalayan peaks. We’ll the famous Muktinath temple, a vibrant place where people from all over India and Nepal come to make their pilgrimage. Overnight at guest house.
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Day 14: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2740m). – 5-6 Hours
A full day of descending along the Kaligandaki River drops us back off at Jomsom. Along the journey, we trek through several quiant villages. After arriving at Jomsom, we can drop off our bags and head further to Marpha, where guesthouses serve apple pie, apples, or even apple brandy. Then head back to Jomsom. Overnight at guest house.
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Day 15: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara.
The 20-minute flight from Jomsom Airport through the gap between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri will take us to Pokhara. There will be enough time to spare to unlock the mysteries of Pokhara. In the evening, we will stay overnight at one of the hotels in lakeside.
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Day 16: Drive back to Kathmandu.
Have breakfast and begin the drive back to Kathmandu. Taking the same highway as before, check out any sights and sceneries that you missed the first time. The typical hilly region village lifestyle can be observed from the vehicle. Arrive in Kathmandu in the afternoon and take the rest of the day to rest and/or sightsee. There are infinite things to see and do in Kathmandu! Overnight at hotel.
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Day 17: Departure from Nepal.
We take you to Tribhuvan International Airport about 3 hours before your international flight. We hope you enjoyed your time with Daewoo Travels & Tours, and see you next time!
- Destination Nepal
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Trip Difficulty Moderate -
Activity Trekking - Accommodation Hotel and Teahouses
- Transportation Car/Bus/Flight
- Transportation: Car/Bus/Flight
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner in Trekking
- Max Elevation: 3800 meters