Trip Duration
18 Days
Trip Difficulty
Difficult
Group Size
1-16
Max. Altitude
3,850m. /12,631 ft.
Accommodation
Hotel/ Lodge /Tea House
Best Seasons
Mar-May/Sept-Nov
Activity per day
Trekking
Start/End
KathmanduTrip Overview
As you might know, the Upper Mustang region of Nepal is one of the most untouched, uninfluenced, and restricted areas of Nepal. It borders the Tibet region and has been deeply influenced by ancient Tibetan Buddhism practices, culture, and tradition. The surroundings there are barren with deep gorges, high cliffs, and distinctive formations of rock that deserve a photo.
The region highly showcases the influence of Tibetan Buddhism with its chortens, mani walls, gompas, and daily practices. The ancient monasteries in the region follow the traditional Tibetan architecture, while some are a mix of Nepalese and Tibetan style. The lower region of Mustang is dominated by Gurung communities, while the highlands belong to the Thakali people.
Unlike other trekking destinations in Nepal, the permit to enter the restricted Upper Mustang area costs a whopping $500, which is valid for 10 days. If you spend more time than allotted, you will have to pay $50 for every single extra day you spend up there. To be honest, it is a high price, but to ensure the inclusivity of the restricted area, it is important to do so.
Throughout the Upper Mustang Trek, we will get to see many different peaks, visit a bunch of ancient gompas, and experience the vastly different nature of the Mustang region compared to the rest of Nepal. It has the world’s deepest gorge, which is 5,571 meters deep, and also one of the top 10 highest peaks in the world, Annapurna I (8,091 meters). It’s a versatile landscape that is unmatched by any.
For a successful trek, there are many things that should go right. While we handle all your logistics for a great experience, we expect you to deeply understand what this amazing trek is about. Here’s a detailed version of the Upper Mustang Trek package, just so you know all the details of the trek before you actually decide to go on this journey.
Highlights of Upper Mustang Trek
- Visit the famous walled capital of Lo Manthang and visit all its major Gompas that are centuries old.
- Witness the striking red cliffs of Dhakmar, the deep Kali Gandaki Gorge, and the high Taklam La Pass.
- Experience the Tibetan Buddhist culture and its daily practices that shape the Mustang region.
- Climb a bunch of other mountain passes, including Yamada La Pass, Dajori La Pass, Chogo La Pass, Mui La Pass, Tsarang La Pass, and more, for scenic views of the entire Mustang surrounding.
- Stay in traditional countryside villages, taste their local specialties, and witness their self-sufficient lives.
Itinerary of Upper Mustang Trek
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
The Upper Mustang Trek starts on the day of your arrival in Kathmandu. As your flight touches down on the tarmac of the Tribhuvan International Airport, one of our representatives will be waiting for you at the terminal. But before you leave the terminal, you must get your tourist visa approved at the immigration booth nearby.
To have your visa approved, you need to fill out a visa application, pay your visa fees, and submit a couple of documents along with it. These include a proof of residence, proof of return tickets, your valid passport, and two passport-sized photos.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 02: Explore Kathmandu
Today is a day full of sightseeing attractions around the valley of Kathmandu. We will start the day with a lovely breakfast at our last night’s accommodation before getting on a private vehicle to roam the valley. We will start the exploration day with a visit to cultural and religious sites like Swayambhunath Stupa, Bouddhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath, and also visit historical buildings like Hanuman Dhoka, Kumari Ghar, Patan Durbar Square, and more.
Some of the sites we visit during this day might have entry tickets, which will be covered by our Upper Mustang Trek cost.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Day 3 of the Upper Mustang Trek takes us to the stunning city of Pokhara. Leaving Kathmandu, we will go over winding roads to get to Thankot, and from there, the Tribhuvan Highway starts. We will soon reach Naubise, which marks the start of the Prithvi Highway. This highway connects the two cities and spans over 200 km. We will be on the road for about 8 hours, including the stops we will make along the way.
The meals/snacks you will have on the road today are not a part of the Upper Mustang Trek cost. We will only cover your daily meals during the trekking days.
Activity: Drive
Max. Altitude: 822m./2,697ft. (Pokhara)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 04: Drive from Pokhara to Kagbeni
It is a 160 km ride from Pokhara to Kagbeni on the 4th day of your Upper Mustang Trek. Depending on the traffic flow and the road conditions, it can take us 6 to 7 hours to get there. The road condition is in great condition, much better than yesterday’s highway ride. From Pokhara, we will first reach Beni, followed by Tatopani, Ghasa, Jomsom, and finally Kagbeni. As we near Kagbeni, there’s a short dirt road section to get to our accommodation for the night.
We will take a 4WD Jeep there since they are generally faster than buses. The meals along the way are considered your extra expenses.
Activity: Drive
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 05: Trek from Kagbeni to Chele
Today’s trek is about 12 km long and takes us to a final elevation of 3050 meters above sea level at Chele, also known as Tsaile. From 2800 meters high Kagbeni, we will gain about 250 meters of altitude after about 5 hours of trekking.
First, we will get on the trail to Tangbe, following the Kali Gandaki River upstream. This part of the trek takes about 2 hours. Then, we will get to Chhusang village in about 2 additional hours of trekking. Finally, we will arrive at Chele after 2 more hours of trekking from Chhusang.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3050m./10,007ft. (Chele)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 06: Trek from Chele to Zhaite
Day 6 of the Upper Mustang Trek spans almost 12 km and takes about 8 hours to cover. We will reach a final altitude of 3730 meters above sea level at Zhaite. Today will be a hard trekking day since we will be crossing the 3624 meters high Taklam La pass and the 3735 meters high Dajori La pass.
On the way today, we will get to see a great scene of the beautiful Damodar Danda along with Yakawa Kang and Tilicho peak. We will make a short visit to the Ramchung Cave as well.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3624m./11,890ft. (Zhaite)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea house
Day 07: Trek from Zhaite to Charang
Today’s Upper Mustang Trek takes you to a final elevation of 3560 meters, losing about 200 meters of elevation. However, we will be passing the 3850 meters high Yamada La Pass, and the Tsarang La Pass at 3870 meters above sea level before descending down to Charang, also known as Tsarang.
The surrounding settlements now resemble the traditional Tibetan houses after passing the high passes. While Zhaite was more in line with traditional Gurung and Thakali architecture. It might take us north of 6 hours to complete the physically demanding trek of the day.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3562m./11,686ft. (Charang)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea house
Day 08: Trek from Charang to Lo Manthang
The 8th day of the Upper Mustang Trek starts at 3560 meters of elevation and ends at 3810 meters at Lo Manthang. The total distance to be covered is 12 km, which calls for a 5-hour trekking session, gaining 250 meters of elevation.
Leaving Tsarang, we will first get to Charang Chu Canyon, after about 1.5 hours of descent. From there, the path ascends gently through barren surroundings and takes us to the climb of 3850 meters high Lo La Pass. Crossing the pass, we will gently descend to Lo Manthang.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3810m./12,500ft. (Lo Manthang)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea house
Day 09: Explore day in Lo Manthang
Lo Manthang was once a kingdom of its own, but it was later made a part of Nepal after the unification campaign led by Prithvi Narayan Shah. Much of the buildings and culture there still remain the same as it was before unification.
To make the most of our time there, we will visit the Jampa Lakhang, also known as Jampa Monastery. This is the oldest monastery in the region, which has been around since the 14th century. We will also visit the Chode Monastery along with Thubchen Monastery, which was built back in the 15th century.
After that, we will visit the Chhoser Village, a popular settlement in the region, particularly for its ancient caves that were used by monks and Tibetan refugees of the past. Lastly, we will visit the stunning Namgyal Monastery, which offers a great view of the region since it is located on top of a hill.
Activity: Rest
Max. Altitude: 3810m./12,500ft. ( Lo Manthang)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea house
Day 10: Trek from Lo Manthang to Dhakmar via Lo Gekar
Today’s trek is about 15 km long, takes about 6 to 7 hours to complete, and gains us 400 meters of elevation by the end of the day. The 3820-meter-high village of Dhakmar will be our final destination of the day, it is at a similar altitude to Lo Manthang.
First, we will leave Lo Manthang and ascend to our first mountain pass of the day, the 4280-meter-high Chogo La Pass. This is also the highest point of the Upper Mustang Trek. From there, we will descend to Lo Gekar (3930 m) and get on the ascent to Mui La Pass, which reaches 4170 meters of elevation.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3820m./12,533ft. (Dhakmar )
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea house
Day 11: Trek from Dhakmar to Geling
Geling, also known as Ghiling, is our starting point for the 11th day of the Upper Mustang Trek. Today’s trek takes us down to 3570 meters, losing about 250 meters of elevation, and requiring a 6-hour trek.
From Dhakmar, we will first pass Zhaite village and continue the descent to Chhunggar. Afterwards, we will reach Tamagoan, which is the last village before we reach Ghiling. The traditional clay houses, the pink and white blankets of buckwheat farmlands, and the serene monasteries make this village an aesthetic site to remember.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3570m./11,713ft. (Geling)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea house
Day 12: Trek from Geling to Chhusang
From 3570 meters high village of Geling, we will get all the way down to 3050 meters of elevation at Chhusang. The total distance is around 17 km and takes about 6 hours to cover. Leaving Geling village, we will get on a gently descending trail and reach the ascent of Syangboche La Pass. This part of the trek gets us over 3850 meters of elevation and descends us back to Chungi Cave Monastery.
From the Chungsi Cave Monastery, we will descend to the village of Samar, where we will stop for a much-needed lunch break. After a long break, we will cross the Dajong La pass and the Taklam La pass to get to Chhusang. The passes offer a great view of the arid landscape of the Mustang region, along with a couple of peaks in the distance.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3050m./10,007ft. (Chhusang)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea house
Day 13: Trek from Chhusang to Muktinath
Day 13 of the Upper Mustang Trek is a long trekking day as we have to cover over 15 km and be on the trail for more than 6 hours. This day trek gains us about 700 meters of elevation, taking us to Muktinath, sitting at 3760 meters. Leaving Chhusang, we will follow the Kali Gandaki River and get up to Tetang village (3040 m).
From there, we will climb the Gyu La Pass, reaching as high as 4077 meters. It is a rugged climb with views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks. After some time at the pass, we will get down to Jhong village, followed by Muktinath temple.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3760m./12,336ft. ( Muktinath)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 14: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom
We will go for an early morning prayer session before leaving Muktinath to get to Jomsom. The total distance is about 20 km, and the time taken to cover the distance is about 6 hours; needless to say, it is a long trekking day. By the end of the day, we will have lost about 1000 meters of elevation.
Leaving Muktinath, we descend a barren trail that offers scenes of the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri range. This path takes us to Kagbeni village, our starting point for the Upper Mustang Trek. The village of Kagbeni is home to the Kag Chode Monatsery that is said to be from the 15th century. From there, we will go along the Kali Gandaki River to get to Jomsom. This is how the last day of trekking in the Upper Mustang Trek ends.
Activity: Trek
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 15: Drive from Jomsom to Pokhara
Jomsom and Pokhara are connected by a 158 km long highway. This long distance will keep us on the road for about 6 to 7 hours. Initially, we will move northwest from Jomsom village to get to a junction from where we will take the left. This road follows the Kali Gandaki River and passes the Jomsom airport. Continuing the drive, we will first get to Syang village and reach the Beni Jomsom highway.
The road still goes along the Kali Gandaki River and takes us down to Marpha, where we will take a little refreshment break. From Marpha, we will pass Chhairo, Chokhopani, Larjung, and Kalopani to get to Ghasa. We will then cross the Ghasa bridge, drive down to Kabre, and reach Beni. From there, it’s a mostly plain ride all the way to Pokhara.
Activity: Drive
Max. Altitude: 822m./2,697ft. ( Pokhara)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 16: Exploration day in Pokhara
After a successful Upper Mustang Trek, we are now going to explore the charming city of Pokhara. There are a lot of places to visit in Pokhara, and we will take you to the best destinations within the city. First off, we will enjoy a scenic sunrise from the top of the viewtower in Sarangkot. This is going to be a memorable sunrise.
After that, we will visit the aesthetic Bindabasini Temple with a backdrop of the Annapurna Himalayan Range. Sitting atop a hill, this temple provides a scenic and religious experience. From there, we will head straight to the Barahi Temple in the middle of the Fewa Lake. We will drive to Barahighat and rent a boat to get there.
Our next destination is the World Peace Stupa sitting on a place atop the Pumdikot Hill. This serene and calming destination has been standing tall as a sign of peace within the city. We will then go a little higher and reach the Pumdikot Shiva Statue. We will take a short break after that to grab a quick lunch. Since the trekking days are now over, the Upper Mustang Trek cost no longer covers your lunch and dinner expenses.
Activity: Rest
Max. Altitude: 822m./2,697ft. (Pokhara)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu
Today is the day we go back to Kathmandu, there is nothing exciting about this day. All you can do is remember all the exciting moments and fun you had on the Upper Mustang Trek. We will take a bus ride after breakfast to the Fewa Lake.
We will ride on the Prithvi Highway from Pokhara, and the scenes of the hills and river on the left will accompany us for the most part. It will take us about 8 hours to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara, including the refreshment breaks and meal breaks we will take along the way. We will be riding a tourist bus, which is the most comfy ride option you can choose.
Activity: Drive
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. ( Kathmandu)
Meal: Breakfast, Launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 18: Depart from Kathmandu
This is officially the last day of the Upper Mustang Trek. We will have a brief farewell event to congratulate you on a successful trek and say our goodbyes. Then, we will drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Includes/Excludes
What is included?
- All arrival, departure transfers as per the itineary by car, van or coach.
- Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with English speaking guide, transport and entry fees.
- Domestic airfares and road transportation according to your choice.
- All hotel accommodation with breakfast.
- All meals (3 meals each day) during camping or tea-house trek.
- Full service from our guides, cooks, and porters.
- All camping and kitchen equipments and camp site fees.
- Staff salary, transport and insurance.
- Annapurna Conservation Area entry fee
- Restricted Area permit fee
- Necessery government taxes.
- Company ground handling charges.
What is not included?
- International flights to Nepal.
- Meals not mentioned above or in the itinerary.
- Travel and medical insurance including evacuation.
- Nepal entry Visa fee.
- Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, bar bill, telephone calls etc and tips for staff.
- Any additional activities not in the itinerary.
Route Map & Altitude Chart
Trip Information
How does our trip start?
Our Upper Mustang Trek starts with your arrival in Kathmandu. We will pick you up from the airport and take you out for a short meeting with the guides, porters, and drivers who will be assisting you throughout the trek. This introductory meeting will be very short and precise, as we do not want to keep you for long; we understand you might be tired from the long hours of flight to Nepal. After the meeting, we will take you to your hotel for the night.
The next day, we will take you around the Kathmandu valley for a cultural sightseeing day tour. This trip will make your visit to sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and more. If you have some sites you want to visit, we can also include them on the itinerary, or you can design an itinerary yourself if you know what you are doing.
Difficulty
Adventure Tansen’s Upper Mustang Trek is a difficult trekking experience that is not suitable for beginners; only intermediate and well-experienced trekkers are welcome to join this trek. The itinerary that we have discussed above requires us to climb a bunch of different mountain passes, including the Chogo La Pass, reaching 4280 meters high, the Mui La Pass, which reaches 4170 meters, Gyu La Pass, reaching 4077 meters, Syangboche La Pass (3850 m), and a couple more.
Climbing all these passes and more that require trekking over steep ascents is not a feat everyone can achieve. Plus, the high elevation means less oxygen in the atmosphere, which translates to getting tired faster while trekking. All of these aspects make it 8 out of 10 on a difficulty scale, as per the trek guides at Adventure Tansen.
Best seasons
This trek can basically be done whole year round since the Upper Mustang region is barely affected by the change of season, it’s sunny and clear of clouds throughout the year. However, the lower trekking regions are affected by the traits of different seasons, which is why we must choose a suitable season for this trek.
The best seasons for this Upper Mustang Trek are autumn and spring. During the spring season, the lower trekking region is fully rejuvenated with new buds, blooming flowers, and fresh green leaves on trees, making the forests and hills appear lush. However, the lower valley region is a little wet during spring, following the rains of the monsoon period.
The other best option is the autumn season, which is a lot drier in comparison to spring. The skies are clear even in the lower region, and the air quality offers excellent visibility to enjoy the scenes of the landscape.
Altitude Sickness
There is basically zero chance of altitude sickness during this trek since we will be spending most of our nights below 4000 meters of elevation. Altitude sickness generally happens during the night, after you get to a considerable height quickly and go to sleep without practicing the preventive measures. This illness usually starts from 3500 meters above sea level, but at such a trivial elevation, you will barely feel its effects. The real deal shows up once you reach 500 meters of altitude.
Accommodation, Food, and Drink
Accommodation during your trekking days is limited to local lodges, inns, homestays, and tea houses. Our main priority will be tea houses since they are a crucial part of a Himalayan trekking experience. You can also opt for the other options, but we recommend tea houses. Homestays are aesthetic and popular, but they are not very practical since it is someone’s literal home, meaning the services they have will not match the ones at tea houses.
Traditional dishes made by Thakali and Gurung people are a must-try on this Upper Mustang Trek. Food options like sandwiches, spaghetti, noodles, pasta, etc., are available at most of the eateries, but you will find these all over the world; you should stick to Nepalese options. Drinks available on this trek are limited to hot chocolate, coffee, seasonal fruit juice, canned juice, and different types of warm tea.
Transportation
Transportation is a crucial part of this trek since we have to go around cities, travel from one city to another, and start/end the trek with a drive to and from the nearest city. All the ground transportation required by the itinerary is covered by the Upper Mustang Trek cost; you do not have to pay for any transport expenses unless you want to tip the driver.
Permit
The Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit and the Restricted Area Permit for Upper Mustang are the only two permits you will need for this trek. The expenses related to these permits will be covered by the Upper Mustang Trek cost.
Trip preparation and fitness
Our Upper Mustang Trek is definitely a difficult trekking destination, which requires a lot of physical preparation. On average, we want you to be able to trek 6 hours a day without any issue, which ensures that you are capable of handling the physical demands of this trek. We recommend trekkers to work on their endurance training, focus on cardio exercises, and go on short hikes to nearby hills, if possible.
You do not have to lift heavy weights to prepare for this trek. Just some light exercises, running on a treadmill, using the stairmaster machine, and cardio exercises should be enough.
Alternative routes
18-day Upper Mustang Trek
Day 1: 8-hour drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Day 2: Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni
Day 3: Trek from Kagbeni to Chele
Day 4: Trek from Chele to Geling via Chungsi Cave
Day 5: Trek from Geling to Dhakmar via Ghami
Day 6: Trek from Dhakmar to Tsarang via Lo Gekar
Day 7: Trek from Tsarang to Lo Manthang via Marang La Pass (4,230 meters)
Day 8: Explore Lo Manthang
Day 9: Trek from Lo Manthang to Yara via Dhi
Day 10: Trek from Dhi to Tange via Dhey Khola
Day 11: Trek from Tange to Tetang via Pa Pass (4183m)
Day 12: Trek from Tetang to Muktinath and drive to Marpha
Day 13: Drive from Marpha to Pokhara
Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu
Short 15-day Upper Mustang Trek
Day 1: Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom (2,700 m) and trek to Kagbeni (2,810 m)
Day 2: Trek to Chele (3,050 m)
Day 3: Trek to Ghiling (3,570 m) via Chungsi Cave
Day 4: Trek to Dhakmar (3,520 m) via Ghami and the longest Mani wall
Day 5: Trek to Tsarang (3,500 m)
Day 6: Trek to Marang (3,810 m) and visit Ghar Gompa
Day 7: Trek to Lo Manthang (3,700 m) via Marang La Pass (4,230 m)
Day 8: Explore Lo Manthang and visit Chhoser, Jhong Caves, and monasteries
Day 9: Trek to Yara (3,650 m) via Dhi village
Day 10: Trek to Tange (3,340 m) via Dhey Khola
Day 11: Trek to Tetang (3,200 m) via Pa Pass (4,183 m)
Day 12: Trek to Muktinath (3,800 m) via Gyu La Pass and drive to Marpha (2,600 m)
Day 13: Drive to Pokhara and exploration day
Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu
Day 15: Departure from Kathmandu
Cost & Budget
The Upper Mustang Trek cost depends on the upgrades and the specific modifications that you may request at the booking phase. However, the standard Upper Mustang Trek package will cost you USD __________ per head. At this price point, we will make sure to cover major expenses such as transportation costs, accommodation, permit fees, daily meals during the trekking days, sightseeing tour expenses (except meals), local taxes, and more.
Gadgets charging & Internet
Electricity will be available throughout the trek, but a stable internet connection is a myth at most of the villages we will visit, as per the Upper Mustang Trek itinerary.
Your Extra expenses
Things like your visa fees, international flight expenses, dinner and lunch in city areas, emergency evacuation services, personal travel insurance, medical insurance, laundry fees, hot shower fees, etc., are not a part of the Upper Mustang Trek package.
Things to Remember Before Trekking Upper Mustang Trek
- The Upper Mustang region is heavily restricted, which means that individual permit applications are not usually accepted.
- Getting your permits for the trek takes about 1 to 2 business days.
- The afternoon winds in Mustang carry a lot of dust, so beginning the day trek as early as possible is the best way to go.
- Carry at least 15000 to 20000 Nrs cash with you to pay for extra expenses along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a beginner should not join the Upper Mustang Trek under any circumstances. You should have at least some level of experience before you decide to go on this one.
It gets pretty cold during the nighttime, make sure that you have a 0°C sleeping bag with you. During the daytime, the temperatures are very mild, which calls for normal clothing that is breathable. You must make sure that your clothes are moisture-soaking.
To avoid altitude sickness, we recommend that trekkers drink about 2 to 3 liters of water every day. You will lose a lot of water in the form of sweat so make sure that you recover that loss by drinking lots of water throughout.
