Upper Mustang Trek

2 Reviews

Our wonderful Upper Mustang trek starts from Jomsom after taking a scenic flight from Pokhara, leading you to the hidden Shangri-La of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Mustang, also called Lo.  Lo used to be part of the Tibetan empire, and is therefore closely connected to Tibet.  Tibetan Buddhism is still being practiced in a very pure form and villages are built in Tibetan style, with white-washed houses with firewood tucked on the roofs. Until recently you could only come to Upper Mustang with a fully organized camping trek. However, nowadays some villagers have opened up small guesthouses and you can stay in a guesthouse in overnight place. While staying there, you are welcome to sit with them in the kitchen. In Tibetan culture, the kitchen is the center of the house and is built like a kind of living room. So there is no better way to learn a bit about daily life than spending time in the kitchen!

Not only the culture and tradition but also the landscape is very much related to Tibet. Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri and you walk in a completely desolate landscape, surrounded by rocks in all kinds of colors and bizarre formations.  In this barren landscape, the villages with their bright-colored fields are like oases. The trail follows the salt caravan route of the old days, during which the people of Mustang traded Tibetan salt with grain from the lowlands. The goal of the Upper Mustang trek is the capital of the Upper Mustang, LoManthang. Lo Manthang is a medieval old town, surrounded by a huge town wall. From the pass Lo La (3950 m) you can see the town shimmering in the distance in the barren landscape.  Entering LoManthang through the town gate you enter a different world. It is just wonderful to wander through the narrow alleys. On several corners of the street, you can find small groups of women spinning wool and discussing the news of the day. 

At the end of the afternoon, big herds of goats are being let through the city gate and the narrow alleys, back to their sheds, which are inside the town. In Lo Manthang you can find the palace of the king, a huge 4-story high building. When the king is at home, you can even visit him sometimes. The king doesn’t have any real power anymore but is of course still highly respected by his people. Besides, there are a few beautiful big monasteries, for example, the ThugchenGompa, built in the 15th century. Or visit the Amchi Museum and Amchi School. An amchi is a traditional Tibetan doctor. There are 2 amchis living in Lo Mangtang, who are also the official doctors of the king. They founded a school to preserve this ancient wisdom. Also interesting is a ride by horse to Chhoser, where you can visit a small monastery and a century-old cave dwelling, situated high in the rocks.

Getting There

The most convenient way to get to Upper Mustang is to fly from Pokhara to Jomsom and start the trek from there.  The flight is an attraction in itself, flying through the deepest gorge in the world, between the Dhaulagiri and the Nilgiri. You follow the famous Kali Gandaki River upstream, partly walking in the river bed itself, to Kagbeni. 

Itinerary

Upper Mustang Trek Itinerary will be 10 to 14 days long depending on your time frame and interest plus you will have to add transportation days in the duration. From Kagbeni the restricted area of Upper Mustang starts. The trail goes northwards and brings you in 4 to 6 days to Lo Manthang. You cross pass after pass, which are all between 3,500 and 4,000 m. You can return partly by a different way via Dhakmar, crossing 2 passes of around 4,200 m.  Close to Dhakmar you can find the oldest Tibetan monastery in the world, the Lo Gekar Monastery.  Lo Gekar Monastery was built in the 8th century by the famous Tibetan magician Guru Rinpoche.  He had to kill a powerful demon first and the blood of the demon painted the rocks around Dhakmar bright red.

Upper Mustang Trek itinerary with an extended version of the alternative route via Yara - Luri Gompa:

After visiting Lo Manthang there is an alternative route via Yara – Tangbe - Muktinath in the west. This route is very demanding but offers a much better landscape view and visiting a Luri Gompa is worth it. This route is also can be done as a teahouse trek with no camping required and good to avoid dirt roads but this route can be challenging for novice trekkers.
Lo Manthang to Yara, lunch at Dhi Gaun
Excursion to Luri Gompa
Trek to Tangbe
Trek to Tetang
Trek to Muktinath
Trek to Jomsom/Marpha

Upper Mustang Permit Cost

Upper Mustang has been a restricted area and was forbidden until1992 for foreign visitors to enter the kingdom. Nowadays foreigners are allowed, but to go into Upper Mustang visitors have to buy a permit of US$ 500 per person (to be arranged through a registered trekking agency and valid for 10 days, each additional day costs US$ 50). Plus you will need an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit which costs NPR 3000 (about USD 30) per person.

Trip Highlights

  • Kali Gandali Valley and it’s gorge which is deepest in the world.
  • Classic Tibetan Kagbeni village. Kagbeni is one of the beautiful villages in the word. 
  • Lo-manthang, the wall city and centuries old Tibetan Buddhsit Monasteries. 
  • Chhungsi Cave, 1200 years old Ghar Gompa, Khanpa Caves in Chhoser Valley. 
  • Trans Himalaya which is said to be under the rain shadow in the world. 
  • Give you the feeling and and experience that you are in Tibet. 

Itinerary

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1
Day 01: Fly to Pokhara. Pokhara sightseeing or rest and relax in Pokhara.

Shuttle from your hotel in Kathmandu and take a flight to Pokhara. Your guide will accompany you from this day. You have choice to relax in Pokhara or have a sightseeing or walk around beautiful Phewa Lake. Overnight in Pokhara. Accommodation included today in Pokhara. Meals on your own.

Cost Includes:

  • Government certified English speaking friendly local guide.  
  • An assistant guide if the number of participants are above 6 people.
  • 1 Sharing porter for two trekkers during the trek (weight limit 25kg).
  • 2 Nights deluxe room in 2** hotel in Pokhara with buffet breakfast.
  • Domestic fight fare between Kathmandu and Pokhara.  
  • Pokhara – Jomsom - Pokhara round flight worth of USD 320.00 per person.
  • Round flight of your guide. 
  • Trekking lodge accommodation on twin bed sharing basis during the trek.
  • .Meals: 12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches and 11 Dinners during the trek.
  • All necessary upper Mustang trekking permits.
  • Guide and porters fee with all their expenses.
  • Taxes and paper work charges.  

Cost Excludes:

  • Transfers, accommodation, meals and sightseeing in Kathmandu.
  • Meals in Pokhara except breakfasts
  • Bar bills, beverages like coke, fanta, sprite, mineral water, can juice etc.
  • Personal nature expenses, toiletries, hot shower, laundry, internet and phone calls.
  • Personal travel insurance and rescue operation charge in case of emergency.
  • Expenses of extra adventure, donations in monasteries (your choice).
  • Tips for your guide and porters.

Dates & Prices

We are local tour operator based in Kathmandu so we guaranty small private group departures any dates that suits your date and time. Please kindly contact us for your customized departure date, itinerary and the price. Thank you and Namaste!

Start Date End Date Availability Price  
23 March, 2024 06 April, 2024 Guaranteed US$ 1899
30 March, 2024 13 April, 2024 Guaranteed US$ 1899
Rated 5/5 based on 2 reviews
  • Teri La Pass Trek with Upper Mustang
    Switzerland

    Teri La Pass Trek with Upper Mustang

    Rating:

    We as a couple did this wonderful camping trek in April/May 2016. Everything was perfectly prepared. Pradip and his crew (guide, cook, porters) were awesome. They did everything to make it comfortable. They always had a plan b if there was an issue. We can strongly recommend him to organize all kind of treks and we will hire him again next time we come to Nepal. This trek started in Jomsom. After driving from Kathmandu to Pokhora we had a short flight to Jomsom. After 5 walking days we arrived at Lo Manthang. From there we continued to Yara and further to the Teri La Pass. After the pass we were hiking down the Nar Phu Valley to Nar. This region before and after the pass is very remote and we did not see anybody for a week. From Nar we went to Koto, Meta and finally we arrived at Dharpani. From there we had a Jeep to Besi Sahar. The trek including rest days in Kathmandu was almost four weeks. We can recommend this trek to people who like to be in a remote area without lots of tourists. But you have to be prepared for some long days with max. ascent up to 1600m. It was a great experience and a pleasure to be with this professional and friendly crew!

  • Upper Mustang Trek 2016 Review
    United Kingdom

    Upper Mustang Trek 2016 Review

    Rating:

     We had a great trip to Upper Mustang. Mustang is incredible, the landscapes are otherworldly. Our guide and porter were both incredibly helpful and sorted out all of our admin, meals and look after our every need - we never had to worry about anything. The only improvement is our guides english was limited and he was not very familiar with back trials and the history of the area (although we are irritatingly curious). I would strongly recommend getting a paper guide to Mustang to support the tri, but everything else is covered by the Wilderness Excursion team. Thanks Guys! Tom and Kate.

Trip Map

Upper Mustang Trek Map

Useful Info

Trek to Upper Mustang Permit Costs USD 500 .00 per person for first 10 days then USD 50.00 each extra day per person and ACAP Permit is necessary that cost NPR. 2000.00 Per person. No TIMS Card is required for this trek. Your trek must be organized with Nepal Government authorized local trekking agency in Nepal. A licensed Nepalese trekking guide mandatory to accompany you and there must be minimum two parties to get the Upper Mustang Trek Permit. Wilderness Excursion offer fixed departure and offer a join group for individuals and solo trekkers. This trip can be customized as per visitor’s need that meets your budget and time frame. The trip price will be according to Deluxe, Standard, Budget and group size so please kindly provide us your details for tailor made program. To trek through alternative Upper Mustang circuit route, w will have to camp at Paha as there is no lodges available between Tangge and Tetang. Many people take pack lunch from Tannge and begin the day early to make to Tetang in one day that may take 10 hours. Horse rent is available at Tangge. Rivers may affect the trail during monsoon time (Mid June to Mid September) and there is no bridge at Dhye and will have to take the shoes off and cross the river.

Trip Price: US$ 1899
  • Trip Duration 15 Days
  • DestinationNepal
  • Trip Difficulty Moderate
  • Trip StyleTrekking
  • AccomodationTeahouse and Lodge
  • Transportation: Domestic Flight
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max Person: 12 People
  • Min Person: Minimum 2 Pax
  • Best Season: Spring and autumn
  • Highest Point: 4200m
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