Lomanthang to Muktinath Trek

On an earlier day meet with guests to all things set up and brief them about Lo Manthang to Muktinath Trek via Tangbe and Tetang route information. And today, we drive to Pokhara on a tourist bus. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the natural beauty of the Trisuli River, which is one of most popular rafting destinations in Nepal. You will follow the banks of both the Trisuli and Marsyangdi Rivers, and upon reaching Pokhara, guide will arrange you a private transfer to your hotel located in the center of Phewa Lake side.

Experience this thrilling journey with a private Jeep drive from Pokhara to Kagbeni takes you through an amazing landscapes. Pass through the picturesque villages especially Tukuche and Marpha Valley, winding along rivers, terraced fields, and remote villages.

A private Jeep lets you travel at your own pace. Stop for photos and enjoy the scenery without public transport restrictions. Rough terrain and mountainous roads make this an adventurous yet comfortable option, perfect for travelers seeking both convenience and authenticity. Along the journey, you’ll cross river gorges, high ridges, and desert-like landscapes, giving you a true sense of Mustang’s unique geography.

Upon arriving in Kagbeni, you’ll be ideally positioned to begin your trek deeper into Upper Mustang. Rest in this charming village before continuing your adventure. With a private Jeep, the drive becomes more than just transportation—it’s the first memorable leg of your Mustang journey.

While in Kagbeni, take time to explore its ancient fort near the check post and immerse yourself in the village’s rich history. Follow the east bank of the Kaligandaki River, climbing over several ridges as it heads north toward Tangye Village. Tangye features narrow alleys lined with whitewashed houses, surrounded by fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat, and apple orchards.

Mount Nilgiri peaks dominate the southern skyline of Kagbeni, towering impressively at the valley’s foot. Leaving the Kaligandaki valley behind, the trail ascends steeply through a rocky gully to reach Chele at 3,030 meters. As you walk, you’ll have a dramatic views of the peaceful surrounding Himalayan landscape.

You’ll ascend along teh step uphill via treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to pass and cairn of rock at 3540m. It makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, and then the trail descends further on a pleasant trail to Samar. Mount Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. Climb above Samar to a ridge, then descend into a large gorge and the trail goes into another valley field, crosses a stream, and climbs up to a ridge at 3800 meters. The route climbs sharply up and down over a series of high passes, before the final descent to Geling.

First section of your journey right after Geling, is a gently uphill to the NYLA (pass) and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After crossing a steel bridge of the Tangmar chu (river), we will arrive at a MANI (Prayer WALL) perhaps the longest and most spectacular stretch and main wall in Nepal.

Climbing over another pass at 3600 meters the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang. A huge five stock white Dzong and red Gompa is an interesting visit to observe collections of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings of seated Buddha.

Today, your trek starting from Tsarang to Lo Manthang takes approximately 5 hours through the heart of barren landscapes. Along the route, you’ll pass traditional Tibetan-style villages, ancient monasteries, and open fields dotted with barley, buckwheat, and apple orchards.

Additionally, you’ll have stunning views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks and the expansive Mustang valley. Upon arrival, the walled city of Lo Manthang welcomes you with its unique architecture, narrow alleys, and rich cultural heritage. This short but memorable trek provides a perfect blend of scenic landscapes, history, and local culture.

Another day in Lo Manthang, you’ll have a chance to explore its many sights such as Tall Champa Lakhang (God house), the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and the Raja’s Palace. Likewise, you can see the surrounding panoramic views of the Tibetan Plateau and the remote Himalayan landscapes.

Besides Lo Manthang itself, there are two other interesting valleys worth to visit. Western valley Tingkhar, the sight of Raja’s summer palace, Kimling, and Phuwa as well as the Gompa of Namgyal (The Monastery of Victory) is the newest and most active Gompa in Lo.

In the eastern valley lies the Chosar village has chosen a cave and the valley is the main trading route to Lhasa.

For the first part, we ascend up to a glacial valley with views of reddish brown historical wall city during the return back. From here we get an unforgettable image of Lo. Along the mountain ridge after one hour the trail descends down to the village of ‘DHI’. On the way, you will see the meadows of farming fields of Dhi village near the riverside.

After Yara village (3,838m) the trail follows the riverbed but in the monsoon, it winds up the hills to a final steep climb to the top. It looks like a natural sandy castle in front of you when you are atop the Yara hills. In some places, you will find a kind of salty dust like mineral on the hill.

We head down to visit Luri Gompa which was founded in the 13th century, it is also called Kagyukpa cave monastery. Here, you will find sacred Lama scriptures inscribed in gold. Later on, this path continues toward the Duyung River, which originates from Damodar Kund, a revered site for Hindu pilgrims.

It is an area of land from where the water runs down into the Kali Gandaki river. Popular for its black ammonite fossils, which pilgrims collect and revere as sacred embodiment of Lord Vishnu.

Leaving Yara, you’ll have a high winding path that leads down to the Dhechaeng river which runs from the Damodar Kund. Just crosses the small river of melting ice water and then we climb up for around 2 hours to Dhey along the winding desert mountain path to the Lo-Pa village of Tangye.

Buddhist inhabitants are mostly busy with local businesses; the small foothills roll away to distant horizons sheltering the villagers from the gentle winds coming in from the valley. You turn your face to the north to see some sandy cliffs over several hundred years old and finally, you’ll reach at Tangye.

Pack your lunch and ascend some steps to cross the suspension bridge following the trail to right side. Soon, you’ll reach Yak river before climbing a terraced hill station of 4,230m, a highest point of the Upper Mustang trip. Roughly it will take 2 to 3 hours to reach the summit point.

From here, you’ll have a majestic view of Damodar Himal, Saribung Himal at (6,346m) and as well as amazing landscapes. No houses but only the ruins remain here but drinking water sources are available. Now the trail descends down the hill, and right in time, you can see the village either Chhukhung or Tetang where we stay tonight. 

Today, gradually we trek up till Gyu La pass 4,077m. It is one of those beautiful days and we take it easy on our walk. We will pass through Kharkas where we can see grazing domestic animals as well as wild mountain goats. It’s peaceful up the valley as we reach the top of Gyu La.

From the pass, you can see panoramic views of Thorong peak, Nilgiri, Tukche peak & the lovely Muktinath valley. We reach Muktinath via Chhenkar village.

Muktinath is a very beautiful spiritual place that connects with the Annapurna round trek. Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage people from all over the world are visiting here for Salvation. Behind the main shrine, there are 108 waterspouts resemble water flowing from taps where the visitors can take a quick bath.

People believe that taking bath in those 108 taps purifies their body and soul, washing away sins and leading them closer to liberation. After the sacred bath, you may visit the eternal natural flame beside the main shrine, a divine wonder that inspires deep reverence and awakens the spirit.

Early in the morning, we take a regular bus/van in a sharing basis to return to Pokhara via Kaligandaki River valley which is also known as the windy valley. During the drive, you’ll have an impressive mountain view of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, and of course the Fish Tail.

It marks the final day of your upper Mustang circuit trek. Upon arrival at the bus station, your guide will arrange a private taxi transfer to your hotel at Phewa Lakeside in Pokhara. This is also the perfect opportunity to express your appreciation by tipping your guide and porter for their dedicated support in making your trek comfortable and memorable. You are free to stay in Pokhara for as long as you wish. After dropping you off, the guide and porters will return to Kathmandu by tourist bus, bringing the trip to a graceful conclusion.