Upper Mustang Trek – 17 Days

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17 Days

Trip Duration

Difficulty

Moderate

Activities

Trekking

Group Size

Min 2 People

Max. Altitude

4210m./13812ft.

Destination

Nepal

Meals

17 Breakfast
13 Lunch
13 Dinner

Accommodation

3-star hotel at Kathmandu and Pokhara
Guesthouse during trekking

Transportation

Private Vehicle
Flight

Highlights of Upper Mustang Trek – 17 Days

Take a scenic flight to Pokhara, admiring the beautiful landscapes and crisp mountain air.
Before embarking on your excursion, take a nice walk near Fewa Lake to soak in the peaceful atmosphere.
Take a magnificent flight to Jomsom and see the breathtaking Himalayas from above.
Enjoy local dishes such as Dal Bhat (lentil soup with rice), curries, and more.
Make a quick stop at Namgyal Gompa, which is located on a mountaintop and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Explore fascinating caves and monasteries, and converse with local monks to gain a better spiritual understanding.
Explore the forbidden realm of Lo-Manthang.
Visit Muktinath Temple, a sacred destination for both Hindus and Buddhists, and experience the powerful spiritual energy that emanates from this location.

Trip Overview of Upper Mustang Trek – 17 Days

Upper Mustang Treks, often referred to as the “Forbidden Kingdom,” which is a remote and culturally significant region located in the north of the Annapurna region of Nepal. It is situated in the rain shadow area of the Himalayas, nestled between the Tibetan Plateau and the high peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

The landscape of Upper Mustang is characterized by rugged terrain, deep gorges, barren valleys, and eroded cliffs sculpted by wind and water. The region’s elevation ranges from around 2,800 meters (9,186 feet) to over 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) at some peaks. It shares a strong cultural affinity with Tibet due to its historical ties and geographical proximity. The people of Upper Mustang are predominantly of Tibetan descent and follow Tibetan Buddhism.

Upper Mustang is a restricted area for tourism, requiring a special permit from the Nepalese government to visit. The most popular way to explore Upper Mustang is through trekking which begins from Jomsom and follows the Kali Gandaki River valley, passing through traditional villages, ancient monasteries, and dramatic landscapes. The Lo Manthang, which is also known as capital of Upper Mustang ,is a major attraction with its ancient monasteries, traditional mud-brick houses, and the iconic Royal Palace. The Tiji Festival, celebrated annually in Lo Manthang, is a vibrant three-day event featuring masked dances, rituals, and ceremonies aimed at dispelling evil spirits and ensuring prosperity.

Trekking in Upper Mustang offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, rugged canyons, and unique geological formations and several ancient Buddhist monasteries, including Thubchen Gompa, Choser Cave Monastery, and Ghar Gompa, which hold religious and historical significance. The stark beauty of the landscape, combined with the region’s cultural richness, makes it a popular destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers.

Why choose Upper Mustang Trek?

The Upper Mustang Trek provides a unique combination of cultural diversity, historical complexity, and breathtaking natural beauty. Nestled in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks, this journey offers a diverse scenery of parched deserts, stunning rock formations, and ancient caves, in contrast to Nepal’s lush greenery. The region, largely influenced by Tibetan culture, is home to ancient monasteries, rural villages, and the historic walled city of Lo Manthang, which served as the capital of the mediaeval Kingdom of Mustang. Trekkers are immersed in a lifestyle largely unaffected by modernity, providing a unique peek into an ancient way of existence. The trek’s isolated and less-traveled pathways guarantee a tranquil and authentic experience, devoid of the crowds of more popular routes. The tough terrain, high passes, and deep gorges enhance to the sense of adventure, drawing experienced trekkers looking for new thrills. The region’s position as a restricted area requiring a special authorisation contributes to the preservation of its distinctive ecology and culture. Furthermore, the rain shadow environment makes it a great location

Detail Itinerary of Upper Mustang Trek – 17 Days

Day 1: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu

You will be welcomed at the airport by one of our staff members and transferred to your hotel for check in. Our airport representative will explain further details of the program.

Activity & Duration

30 mintues drive

Highest Altitude

1335m. (Kathmandu)

Meals

Breakfast included

Accommodation

3-star hotel

Day 2: Free Day

Today, you can take rest for the trek and we issue the special permit for Upper Mustang.

Activity & Duration

Free day

Highest Altitude

1335m. (Kathmandu)

Meals

Breakfast included

Accommodation

3-star hotel

Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (910m/3020ft) Duration: 25 min flight

You will be met by your guide early in the morning and go to Airport for our destination to Pokhara. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Pokhara hotel for check in. In the afternoon, you can enjoy boating on Fewa Lake , sightseeing in pokhara and you might wish to photograph the reflection of Mount Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna Range on the serene water.

Activity & Duration

25 mintues flight

Highest Altitude

910m. (Pokhara)

Meals

Breakfast included

Accommodation

3-star hotel

Day 4: From Pokhara fly to Jomsom (2700m/8855ft) & Trek to Kagbeni (2800m/9185ft) Duration: 3 hrs

Early in morning, we will fly between the snow covered peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to Jomsom. The sights of towering massifs rising to more than 8,000 meters, and the river with the deepest gorge on the planet are just mind-blowing. At Jomsom we will start our Upper Mustang trek to Kagbeni. This is the main gate to Upper Mustang, situated at an altitude of (2,800m), Kagbeni village dates from around the 14th century when it was a check post for traders from Nepal. There is still a checkpoint to control the groups departing for Muktinath and Mustang.

Activity & Duration

20-25 mintues flight and 3 hour hike

Highest Altitude

2800m. (Kagbeni)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 5: Kagbeni to Chele (3110m/10200ft) Duration: 5 - 6 hrs

The trail takes us to the east bank of the Kaligandaki river. We traverse several ridges to Tangbe village. This village is a labyrinth of narrow alleys amongst white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat and apple orchards. We can take in the view of the Nilgiri peak which dominates the southern skyline of Kagbeni. Beyond Tangbe we will reach Chhusang village after about one and half hours walking. We cross the river and continue climbing to a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliffs above, forming a tunnel through which the Kaligandaki flows. We leave the Kali Gandaki valley and climb steeply up a rocky gully to Chele.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours hike

Highest Altitude

3110m. (Chele)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 6: Chele to Geling (3500m/11480ft) Duration: 5 - 6 hrs

Today we will ascend the treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass a rock cairn at 3540m. The trail then makes a long gradual descent to Samar village. The Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. We’ll climb up above Samar to a ridge and descend into a large gorge. The trail continues through another valley field, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at 3800m. The route traverses another pass, follows a ridge and descends to Shyangmochen. From here, we gently climb to a pass at 3770m and descend into Geling Village.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours hike

Highest Altitude

3500m. (Geling)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 7: Geling to Charang (3620m/11875ft) Duration: 4 hrs

From Geling, the trail climbs gently up to the interesting pass of NYI La and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. We cross over the steel bridge of the Tangmar Chu (river) and arrive at the longest Mani wall in Mustang. We climb over another pass at 3,600 m and start the long gentle descent to Charang village. The large five-storey white Dzong and red Gompa are impressive attractions here. We can also observe the collections of statues, Thankas and other large paintings of the seated Buddha.

Activity & Duration

4 hours hike

Highest Altitude

3620m. (Charang)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 8: Charang to Lo - Manthang (3840m/12595ft) Duration: 3 hrs

Our trail ascends steadily until Lo-Gekar. Lo-Gekar Gompa is older than Samye Gompa in Tibet. It is in fact one of the oldest Gompas the region. After visiting Lo-Gekar, we continue our upper Mustang trek to Lo-Manthang. The trail to Lo-Manthang is well-defined with some minor climbing. We will pass the walled city of Lo along the trial, then make a short descent, cross a stream and climb to the plateau of Lo-Manthang.

Activity & Duration

3 hours hike

Highest Altitude

3840m. (Lo- Manthang)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 9: Exploration of Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar and return 4 - 6 hrs

We will hike for two hours to Namgyal Gompa. This is situated on a hilltop and here is an important monastery for the local community. It also supports a local court. After our visit to Namgyal Gompa, we continue our tour to Tingkhar. This is the last village to the northwest of Lomanthang with around 40 houses. After visiting both places we will return to Lomanthang.

Activity & Duration

4-6 hour hike

Highest Altitude

3840m. (Lo-Manthang)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 10: Lo-Manthang to Drakmar (3820m/12530ft) 6-7 hrs

Today our trail ascends steadily and offers a last glimpse of Lo Manthang before climbing a ridge at 4070m and continuing to the Chogo La (4210m/13810ft). This is the highest point on our Upper Mustang Trek. The trail then advances to a short, steep descent and crosses the Charang River. We will climb to Lo Geker and arrive at Ghar Gompa, a small monastery. We then climb the ridge, cross a valley and alpine meadows, and then drop down a steep eroded path to Drakmar.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours hike

Highest Altitude

3820m. (Drakmar)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 11: Drakmar to Shyangmochen (3800m/12465ft) Duration: 5 - 6 hrs

The trail now descends, passing the stone walls and fields of Drakmar before climbing to a ridge. It further descends to the lower part of Ghami and then to Jaite (3820m), dropping again to Chhung-Kah. We continue to Tama Gaon (3710m) and down to Shyangmochen.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours hike

Highest Altitude

3800m. (Shyangmochen)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 12: Shyangbochen to Chhusang (2980m/9775ft), Duration: 6 hrs

Our long hike now follows a stream all the way down to Chhusang. We will walk past the Bhena La Pass (3,830m) and Yamdala Pass (4,010m) and reach Samar village. Onward, we will go through Chele and continue to Chhusang village, surrounded by substantial red-orange cliffs. We can also take an alternative route to Samar visiting Ranchung Cave. The alternative route is just 30-minutes longer.

Activity & Duration

6 hour hike

Highest Altitude

2980m. (Chhusang)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 13: Chusang to Muktinath (3800m/12465ft) Duration: 7 hrs

Today we will follow the stream, pass Chhusang village and make a short steep ascent onto the valley floor. We keep ascending until we reach a small pass from where we can see Muktinath and the red painted Buddhist Monasteries. After traversing the pass, we drop down to the stream and cross via a suspension bridge. We ascend for a while and walk through the villages to Muktinath. This route is very popular for the Fossil stone “Saligrams” which is mainly found between Tetang and Gyu La Pass (4077m).

Activity & Duration

7 hours hike

Highest Altitude

3800m. (Muktinath)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 14: Muktinath to Jomsom (2700m/8855ft) Duration: 6 hrs

Muktinath is one of most important destinations for Hindu pilgrims and it is also an important place for Buddhists. In the morning, we will visit Muktinath Temple. We can enjoy the magnificent views of Dhaulagiri peak from here. There are water spouts which channel into the stream running above the temple. There is also a Buddhist Monastery nearby.

Our trail descends through the village of Jharkot where we can explore the Jharkot monastery; this is both a Tibetan herbal medical center and an old fortress. We continue our trek back to Jomsom. The views of the Kaligandaki valley and Kagbeni village along the way are truly overwhelming. We pass by Ekle Bhatti and finally arrive at Jomsom where we can celebrate the completion of the trek with all the trekking staff.

Activity & Duration

6 hours hike

Highest Altitude

2700m. (Jomsom)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 15: Jomsom to Pokhara

Early in the morning we will take the return flight to Pokhara. The afternoon can be spent exploring this picturesque lakeside town as your fancy takes you.

Activity & Duration

20-25 mintues flight

Highest Altitude

910m. (Pokhara)

Meals

Breakfast included

Accommodation

Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 16: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu

Today we will fly back to Kathmandu by flight. Once you land in Kathmandu, you drive to the hotel where you can freshen up. Afterward, you can indulge in some souvenir shopping, selecting lovely gifts for your friends and family to cherish. In the evening, you’ll join the farewell dinner hosted by Hike Holiday Treks, where you’ll receive your achievement certificate in recognition of your trekking journey.

Activity & Duration

30 mintues flight

Highest Altitude

1335m. (Kathmandu)

Meals

Breakfast and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 17: Farewell

Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, a representative from Hike Holiday Treks will bid you farewell after taking you to the International airport. You will take away your photographs and memories of a truly remarkable adventure.

Activity & Duration

30 mintues drive

Highest Altitude

1335m. (Kathmandu)

Meals

Breakfast included

Includes and Excludes

What is included?

Airport Pickup and drop off by Private vehicle.
Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Pokhara
Round trip flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu, Pokhara to Jomsom and Jomsom to Pokhara including departure taxes
Full board meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek
Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek
An experienced English-speaking (trekking guide), porter to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
Farewell Dinner at a typical Nepalese restaurant with traditional music and dance
Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, Hike Holiday Treks duffel bag, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)
All necessary paper work and permits (ACAP, Special trekking permit), please bring 3 passport size photos for permit
A comprehensive medical kit
All government and local taxes

What is excluded?

Meals not specified in the ‘Meal Inclusions’ in the itinerary’
Travel insurance
International airfare
Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
Cold drinks, water, snacks and other personal expenses
Hot shower during the trek
Personal trekking equipments
Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get Visa to Nepal?

Nepal has been facilitating ‘On Arrival’ Visas to those flying to Nepal. The Visa procedure is very simple and quick; however, you may need to queue during peak tourist season. You can also obtain your Visa to Nepal from the Nepalese Embassy based in your home country if you wish to avoid the airport queue. But please remember that visitors who have obtained a Visa from the Embassy must travel to Nepal within six months of their Visa issue date.

Travellers from Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Syria and refugees are requested to get their Visa from the consulate offices of Nepal in their region.

If you are entering Nepal through the borders with Tibet or India, you can get a Visa at the border crossing points.

Will somebody come to pick me up at the airport upon my arrival?

One of our airport representatives will be at the airport to welcome you. He will be carrying the Hike Holiday Treks placard with your name underneath. He will take you to your hotel and help you to check in.

Do you offer an airport drop-off service?

Our airport representative will come to your hotel approximately three hours before your scheduled flight. He will take you to the airport for your flight back home.

Are all the departure dates guaranteed?

All the trekking dates we have published are guaranteed to operate. Hike Holiday treks have multiple dates within the same months because we want to offer our trekkers the flexibility to choose the dates that suit them best so that they can travel whenever they want.

Can I upgrade my hotel to a luxury hotel in Kathmandu?

Definitely, you can upgrade your hotel to a luxury hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara also . There are several luxury hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. You may either inform us of your preferred hotel or we shall give you our options. Either way, we shall comply with your request.

What safety equipment do your guides carry with them on the trek to deal with sickness/accidents?

Our guides carry an oximeter with them to regularly check the oxygen level in the blood, a first-aid box for minor injuries and Diamox for the prevention of altitude sickness.

What is Hike Holiday Treks’s cancellation policy?

Upon cancellation of your trip, we will refund your money (excluding the booking deposit), if you have paid the full amount. The booking deposit (20% of the trip cost) is non-refundable, as much of it will be used for the advance booking of services that you will be needing during your trip. Most service providers do not offer a cancellation refund, so we won’t be able to get back the amount used to book those services.

What do you recommend if we have multiple free days?

If you have multiple free days, then we would recommend a three-day and two-night trip to Chitwan or a short trip to Pokhara, or else an adventurous activity such as bungee jumping, white river rafting, paragliding, zip lining and cultural heritage tours, and much more.