Upper Mustang Trek

The Upper Mustang Trek is a renowned journey in Nepal that leads you through the remote and historic kingdom of Mustang. Characterized by the barren and arid landscape of the Tibetan plateau, it provides stunning views of the Himalayan range, including the formidable Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks.

Mountain Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters/26,796 feet) and Annapurna I (8,091 meters/26,546 feet) are the highest peaks visible on this route. Additionally, visitors can enjoy vistas of several other mountains exceeding 6,000 meters during their hike.

It commences in Kathmandu, proceeds to Pokhara, and ultimately reaches Lo Manthang, the walled capital of Upper Mustang. Lo Manthang, encircled by a protective wall, is governed by King Jigme Palvar Bista.

Throughout the journey, visitors will explore traditional villages, ancient Buddhist monasteries, and cliffside caves. It is also known for its deep canyons, colorful rock formations, and rugged valleys, providing dramatic contrasts against the towering Himalayan backdrop. Furthermore, there will be opportunities to engage with locals and gain insights into their unique way of life.

Kagbeni, located in Mustang, acts as a gateway to Lo Manthang and the border with Tibet. It is particularly favored by photographers for its magnificent arid landscapes. Despite the challenges, this trek offers a rewarding experience and a deep understanding of Nepal’s remote wilderness including barren, desert like terrain with vast rocky hills and sand dunes.

In the Upper Mustang trekking route, you’ll find a unique mix of wildlife and vegetation adapted to the arid environment. Animals such as blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, and sometimes elusive snow leopards inhabit the area.

Likewise, the flora includes vigorous wildflowers like edelweiss and Tibetan species, as well as resilient shrubs such as juniper and rhododendron. It has predominantly sparse and desert like, with hardy grasses and alpine shrubs dotting the rugged landscape.

Price Per Person for an Upper Mustang trek package.

If you’re wondering to know about what is included and what is excluded on this trip price, kindly check on cost given on a tab button.

Upper Mustang Trek Itinerary details.

To visit Upper Mustang is a classic trek, distinguished from many other walks in the Trans Himalayan region of Nepal. This particular route caters to world travelers with limited time who wish to explore Upper Mustang efficiently. For those who prefer a more leisurely journey to Lo Manthang and back, this itinerary is ideal. For a customized itinerary tailored to your preferences, please contact us via email.

Travel to Pokhara by tourist bus, where you’ll enjoy the scenic beauty along the way, including views of the Trisuli River, famous for its rafting opportunities. As we continue, we will follow the banks of both the Trishuli and Marsyandi Rivers, offering even more stunning landscapes. Upon arriving in Pokhara, we will arrange a private car or taxi transfer to your hotel for your convenience.

Reaching Pokhara, you can hike with a guide to explore the Phewa lakeside to visit Tal Barahi temple by boat. Tal Barahi temple is considered to be a symbol of unity and peace. People from different ethnic and religious backgrounds visit the temple and offer prayers, making it a place where people of all backgrounds come together in harmony.

Visitors to the temple are expected to dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering. This temple is open to visitors throughout the year and is a must visit destination for anyone visiting Pokhara.

In the early morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel before taking a taxi to the Jeep station at Zero Kilometers. From there, board a regular jeep to Jomsom, where we will arrange for necessary porters. After that, our journey continues by jeep to the guest houses in Kagbeni.

Alternatively, you may choose for a flight to Jomsom Airport. However, please note that flights from Pokhara to Jomsom or vice versa have historically not always been fully reliable. Jomsom Airport, situated at an altitude of 2,720 meters, serves as the district headquarters of Mustang. Your Mustang hike will commence immediately upon your arrival at the Kagbeni Lodges on the first day.

Kagbeni fort is the gateway of the Upper Mustang, where you can make your eyes busy with the breathtaking views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche peak, and Dhampus. Kagbeni is the most interesting typical Tibetan village and the entry point of the upper Mustang for an overnight stop.

Our journey follows the east bank of the Kaligandaki River, gradually ascending over a series of ridges as we make our way north toward Tangbe Village. This charming settlement features narrow alleys lined with whitewashed houses, while surrounding fields flourish with buckwheat, barley, wheat, and apple orchards, adding vibrant colors to the landscape.

Meanwhile, the majestic Nilgiri peaks dominate the southern skyline of Kagbeni, creating a breathtaking backdrop. From here, the trail ascends steeply from the Kaligandaki Valley, weaving through a rugged gully before reaching the guesthouses in Chele, where a well deserved rest awaits.

We climb continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the impressive steep canyon to pass and cairn of rock at 3,540 meters. It makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, and descends further into a Samar village.

The Annapurna, still dominated by Nilgiri, is visible far to the south. Will continue to climb sharply up and down over a series of high passes.

From Geling, trekkers need to climb gently to the NYLA pass and descends below the blue, gray, and red cliffs. After crossing a steel bridge over the Tangmar Chu river, we will arrive at a prayer Mani Wall, possibly the longest and most splendid in Nepal. Ascending another pass at 3,600 meters, the route then makes a long, gentle descent to Tsarang.

Tsarang is a village development committee in the Mustang District, Dhawalagiri Zone of northern Nepal. It has huge five story white Dzong and red Gompa are fascinating sites, showcasing collections of statues and Thangka paintings of the seated Buddha.

Descends about 100 meters down from Charang, crosses the Tsarang Chu and climbs steeply up a rocky trail to a cairn on a ridge and continues to climb. Finally, from a ridge at 3,850 meter, there is a perfect view of the walled city of Lo. After a short descent, cross a stream then climb up into the plateau of Lo Manthang. Journey to Lomanthang todays takes around four to five hours normal walk.

Another day in Lo – Manthang gives you an opportunity to explore its many sights; the Tall Champa Lakhang (God house,) the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and the Raja’s Palace. As well as to look at the surrounding panoramic views of the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas. Besides Lo-Manthang there are two other interesting valleys worth visiting.

The western valley Tingkhar, the sight of Raja’s summer palace, Kimling and Phuwa as well as the Namgyal Gompa (The Monastery of Victory) is the newest and most active Gompa in Lo. In the eastern Chosar settlement, also rich in gompas, and the valley is the main trading route to Lhasa.

This is an opportunity to visit two other villages on your hikes on return. Climbs steadily to the pass marked by a cairn, offering a last glimpse of Lo Manthang. Cross the highest pass this entire journey and arrive in Ghar Gompa (3,920 Meters).

Ghar Gompa is very old comparing the Samye monastery in Tibet, supposed to be built around 730 AD. Cross the high pass around 4100 meters, we descend down to Dhakmar village (3,520 meters) to stay for overnight.

From Dhakmar the way goes down to until Ghami at 3,460 meters the huge greenery village in Mustang where we can see the ancient monastery and stupas with. You can see the local houses here like caves. Continue to ascends until Nyi La pass and descends to Samar through the same hiking route.

Today, we trek descend to Chhusang village that offers panoramic red stone cliffs. While you are in mustang hiking, you are surrounded by desert-dry landscapes including beautiful 35+ mountains. After Chhusang, we climb to Tangbe village foothills and finally reach Kagbeni fort for a lunch stop.

Later lunch, we continue our trek to Jomsom airport walking at the bank of Kaligandaki River. Hike especially from Kagbeni to Jomsom is windy in the afternoon thus better to walk with sunglass. As you hike, you can hunt the Saligram fossils in the Kali Gandaki river.

Ammonites were shelled cephalopods that died out about 66 million years ago. Fossils of them are found in the Kali Gandaki river, sometimes in very large concentrations. Therefore, discovering ammonite fossils in the Kali Gandaki valley is very popular in this zone.

Walk further to the Annapurna conservation check post, check out all permits, and a few steps further, we reach our hotel in Jomsom. Interested tourists can hike at Jomsom eco museum for a better view of Kali Gandaki valley and Annapurna peaks after leaving hiking gears at the hotel.

How much is the Upper Mustang trek package price?

It’s a 12 Days Classic Upper Mustang Trek price US$ 1640 is a standard package per person on double occupancy basis. Taking flights to and from Pokhara saves your time and riding the bus minimize the tour expenses.

For the deluxe and luxury Mustang trekking tour plan, we include round trip flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara, along with airfare. Additionally, accommodations are provided in 4 to 5 star deluxe, air conditioned rooms with breakfast included, both in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Furthermore, we ensure comfortable lodging with private toilet and bathroom facilities at select locations along the trekking routes. WE ARE OPEN TO CUSTOMIZING YOUR TOUR AND PACKAGES PRICE AS PER YOUR REQUIREMENTS.

We can organize a group to join Upper Mustang trekking starting on any date but we can also run this private trip if that works for you. Please contact us for more information.

Question: Is pick up service available on my arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal?

Answer: Yes sure. Provide us with your TIA arrival flight details and request for pickup. Our representative will come to pick up you at Kathmandu international airport.

Question: Can I store my luggage/stuff in Kathmandu?

Answer: Yes, you can store your luggage either at your hotel or at our office. We offer secure and complimentary storage for your clothing and belongings at the Gokyo Treks agency office.

Question: Do I need an experience to accomplish this express upper Mustang lodge trek?.

Answer: Trek to Upper Mustang is an ideal for enthusiastic trekkers and walkers who can comfortably cover around 4 to 5 hours of walking each day while carrying a lightweight daypack. If you possess prior experience with high altitudes, aiming for an elevation of approximately 9,000 feet above sea level would significantly enhance your ability to complete the Mustang trek with greater ease.

Question: What kind of accommodation and food can I expect in the lodges?.

Answer: We provides tourist standard lodge accommodation along this trek routes. Rooms are clean with a cozy bed with a nice mattress and blankets. However we advise you to take your own sleeping bag if you have one at your home otherwise, you may rent them while you are in Kathmandu.

Likewise, every guest houses long the mustang trek routes have thier own restaurants where they cook a delicious range of mostly vegetarian foods. Such as Pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, bread, and soups, fresh vegetable rice.

Question: How do I manage to drink water?.

Answer: Tourist can buy bottle mineral water to drink but we advise against buying mineral water in plastic bottles, as currently there are no provisions for disposing of these. Instead, purchase a boiled water or bring Aqua tablets to purify the normal water as the normal water is available at the lodges or tea shops.

Question: Can I charge my mobile Phone and digital camera in my trek?

Answer: Since you are on a lodge based trek, you’ll have opportunities to recharge your phone or Camera. However, we recommend bringing an extra pair and don’t forget to bring your adapters.

Question: Are there any communication facilities?

Answer: Yes, there are communication facilities available along the Upper Mustang lodge trekking routes. It includes the mobile network coverage and internet access at some lodges.

Question: When should I book my trip and what are the payment terms?.

Answer: Since our trips often book up months in advance, we strongly recommend to make your reservation as soon as possible. Nevertheless, we will make every effort to accommodate last minute bookings if possible.

Regarding payment, we require a 15% advance deposit of the total trip price to confirm your reservation before your arrival in Nepal. And, the remaining part of the payment, you can pay us upon your arrival in Kathmandu.

Question: Who will carry my luggage on the Upper Mustang lodge basis trekking?

Answer: We do provide porters to transfer your luggage along the journey after Jomsom Bazaar. As we are a responsible trekking tour operator agency, every porter carries a maximum of 25 kilos of your backpack which means 2 guests (12 kg luggage of each guest): 1 porter basis.

Question: How much distance do I walk each day?

Answer: On the Upper Mustang trek, you will typically walk between 5 to 8 hours each day, covering distances of 10 to 15 kilometers (6 to 9 miles) per day.

Question: Do I need walking poles for my trip to Upper Mustang?

Answer: It is advisable to hike with lightweight walking poles, particularly in the rugged areas of Mustang. You can lean how to use of trekking poles can greatly enhance your balance and stability, whether you’re on sidewalks or trails. These poles are effective in preventing slips and falls. While they are recommended for added safety, they are not compulsory.

Question: How much additional money do I need per day?

Answer: You can allocate US$ 10 to 15 per day to buy bottles of water, chocolates, Tea/Coffee. It depends upon your spending habits. If you plan to stay choosing a comfort rooms including a private toilet/bathroom, manage your daily expenses accordingly. Please take a enough in cash Nepali rupees as ATM in Jomsom often out of cash in high seson and Credit card payment option is not available.