About Upper Mustang Trekking

An escape into the remote Trans-Himalayan mountain region, Upper Mustang Trek is one of the most adventurous trekking in Nepal consisting of 13 days and 12 nights. The entire region stretching from Kaligandaki, a deserted region, to Kagbeni on the Tibetan south border, is known as Upper Mustang.

A combination of scenic beauty and a religious monastery that ages more than thousands of years. The route starts from the world's deepest gorge, Kaligandaki region, into the world's highest region Lo-Mangthang valley. The trek starts from Jomsom to Kagbeni, the entry point of the Upper Mustang Region. Follow the banks of Kaligandaki River upstream to get to Lo-Mangthang, the capital of the Upper Mustang. The route offers panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several other peaks. The trek also passes through high passes, glaciers, and alpine valleys.

Influenced by the Tibetan culture, the entire region has its unique traditions and culture. The thousand years of isolation have kept the culture, lifestyle, and heritage uncorrupted by modernization. A majority of the settlements are made up of stone and sunbaked mud bricks. The city wall and the four-storied palaces in Lo-Manthang are some of the beautiful architectures of the Mustang region. The Trans-Himalayan Mustang Region is also known as the Last Forbidden Kingdom. The Upper Mustang region was restricted to outsiders until October 1991. There is strict control in obtaining a special permit from the Department of immigration to protect their tradition from outside influence to protect their environment.

Trip Highlights

  • Visit Pashupatinath Temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Witness the age-old Buddhist culture at Boudhanath Temple.
  • Visit the centre of fine art and Buddhist and Hindu culture in Patan.
  • Walk along the Lower Mustang trails in the Kali Gandaki Valley.
  • Enjoy the incredible Himalayan panorama of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Mt. Nilgiri among others.
  • Explore the spirituality of Buddhism in the monasteries like Chhairo Monastery and Ghar Gompa.
  • Visit to pagoda-style temple of Lord Vishnu at Muktinath (3760 m) via Thorang La Pass (5416 m).
  • Enjoy the Upper Mustang Tiji festival, which is celebrated 3 days long in the restricted area of Upper Mustang, Lo-Manthang.
  • Views in the sky burials in the caves at Lo-Manthang.
  • Ruins of the ancient palace of the King of Upper Mustang, remote village and ancient monasteries.
  • Celebrate trekking in Jomsom.
  • Visit to Lakeside and attractions of the old bazaar in Pokhara.
  • Return to Kathmandu for a sightseeing tour and some last-minute shopping.

Itinerary

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Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and drive to your hotel.

Our airport representative will be in Kathmandu international airport with your name card or our agency's name card. When confirmation of your arrival is done, you will drive from airport to Kathmandu hotel. After check in, you will be freshen up and go to visit agency office to collect flights tickets and other information. If you have missed to bring any trekking equipment then you can buy just next to hotel. You will have welcome dinner in the night and drop back to the hotel and overnight at Kathmandu hotel.

  • Meals: Dinner
  • Accommodation: Kathmandu Hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1300

Today after having breakfast, you will visit the Kathmandu Valley in private vehicle. You will have lunch and visit UNESCO Heritage site in Kathmandu Valley like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath Temple, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), etc. Our guide will be explaining everything about the places you will be visiting. At the same time you can visit to Thamel shop for some trek preparation and if you have forgotten to bring anything you can buy there. Overnight stay at Kathmandu Hotel.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Kathmandu Hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1300

Today you will wake up early in the morning and get ready for the drive to Pokhara. You will go to Pokhara by tourist bus , which will depart at 6:30 am from Thamel. You will reach Pokhara in about 6-7 hours. After you reach there you will explore Pokhara city. Overnight at Pokhara hotel.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Pokhara Hotel
  • Place: Pokhara
  • Altitude: 820

The day starts with flight to Jomsom(the district headquarters of Mustang) from Pokhara. The 20 minutes flight over the mountains offers a splendid view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Range. Jomsom is a large village linking the age-old Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade route to Tibet. Our guide will take you from Jomsom along the riverbed of Kali Gandaki until you reach Ekley-bhatti. You will head towards Kagbeni which is an interesting village situated on the main Trans-Himalayan salt trade route to Tibet via Upper Mustang area. Overnight in Kagbeni

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Kagbeni
  • Altitude: 2810

The journey begins from the riverbank of Kaligandaki. Your first destination in this journey is Tangbe village which is characterized by whitewashed houses, fields of Buckwheat, Barley, Wheat and Apple orchards. Your route will lead you to Chhuksang before you reach Chele. Overnight in Chele.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Chele
  • Altitude: 3050

You will trek to Syanbochen which is about 6-7 hours from Chele. The route passes through Ekley-bhatti and climb towards Taklam La Pass (3,624m/11,923 ft). The journey is through plateau and narrow stretches with views of Tilicho Peak, Yakawa Kang, and Damodar Danda. Through the Samar village, the trial will lead you to Syanbochen. You will come across a cave famously known as Ramchung cave. Overnight in Syanbochen.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Syanbochen
  • Altitude: 3475

On this day you will trek to Ghayami, the third largest village in the Lo region. Ghayami is surrounded by large fields most of which are barren. Through Chorten and Tibetan cultured villages, you will trek towards Yamda La. You will cross mountain passes, and an avenue of poplar trees and fields of Barley. The climb to Nyi Pass (4,010m/13,193ft) would be a little longer. Overnight in Ghayami.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Ghaymi
  • Altitude: 3520

After crossing Ghayami Khola, the trail ascends towards a plateau and passes beside a very long Mani wall, a sacred stone wall made by the Buddhists. The trail heads east to the village of Charang characterized by maize fields, willow trees and houses separated by stone walls. There is also a huge white Dzong and red Gompa. Overnight in Charang.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Charang
  • Altitude: 3620

Lo-Mangthang offers magnificent views of Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I and Bhrikuti peak. The trail first descends to Charang Chu Canyon. Further the trail ascends gently to the 3,850m windy pass of Lo, from where the entire Lo-Mangthang Valley comes to sight. It will take you about 5-6 hours to reach your destination. Overnight in Lo-Mangthang.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Lo Mangthang
  • Altitude: 3730

Today you will explore Lo-Mangthang. You can visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar. Namgyal Gompa is situated on a hilltop. It serves as an important monastery for the local community. It is also a local court. You can otherwise visit Tall Champa Lakhang "God house" ,the red Thugchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa and the Entrance Hall, all of which happens to be major attractions of this town. Overnight in Lo-Mangthang.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Lo-Mangthang
  • Altitude: 3720

You will trek to Drakmar via Gyakar. Gyakar houses Ghar Gompa which is more than 1200 years old. The Gompa is also famous for its rock paintings. According to the legend, anyone who makes one wish at the Ghar Gompa, their wish is fulfilled. Overnight in Drakmar.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Drakmar
  • Altitude: 3810

You will trek back to Ghiling which is about 5-6 hours away from Drakmar. Upon arrival, you will explore the area. Ghiling offers panoramic views of the green hills against the snow-capped mountains. The village is beautiful and the prevailing culture is adopted from the Tibetans. Overnight in Ghiling.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse37838
  • Place: Ghiling
  • Altitude: 3806

On this day you will trek to Chhuksang. It will take you about 5-6 hours to reach the destination. Most of the route is narrow that encircles around green hills. You will have wonderful scenery during the journey of the Himalayan range. Overnight in Chhuksang.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Chhuksang
  • Altitude: 3050

Today will be the longest walk of the whole trek for about 6-7 hours from Chhuksang to Jomsom. The trail passes through Ekley-bhatti and Kagbeni. After walking along the riverbed of Kali Gandhaki , you will enter the village of Jomsom. Overnight in Jomsom.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Jomsom
  • Altitude: 2700 m

On this day you will fly to Pokhara. The 20 minutes flight over the mountains offers a splendid view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Range. Upon arrival at Pokhara, you will be transferred to your respective hotel. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful and vibrant city as you please. As optional, you can get the roadway transportation towards Pokhara. Overnight in Pokhara

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Pokhara Hotel
  • Place: Pokhara
  • Altitude: 820

On this day our representative will drive you to Kathmandu. The journey to Kathmandu is pleasant and offers views of green hills, silver-river running along most of the route, pretty settlements and terraced farms. Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your respective hotel. You will have the rest of the day to yourself. You can either rest or go shopping and explore the city. Overnight in Kathmandu.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Kathmandu Hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1300

It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a city stroll, and/or souvenir shopping. A representative will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport for your return flight home. It's good to be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1300

Cost Details

Cost Includes

  • Arrival and departure by private vehicle
  • Kathmandu sightseeing by private car with tour guide
  • Kathmandu and Pokhara hotel with breakfast
  • Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by tourist bus
  • Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara flight fares
  • Restricted area permit
  • TIMS
  • Annapurna conservation permit
  • Trekking guide (food, accommodation, salary, insurance)
  • Teahouse accomodation in mountain
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during trekking
  • First aid tool box

Cost Excludes:

  • Bar bills
  • Entrance fee for Kathmandu sightseeing
  • Visa fee
  • International flight fare
  • Travels insurance
  • Trekking equipment 
  • Tips
  • Lunch and Dinner except trekking time