Join us to explore the Last Forbidden Kingdom - Upper Mustang, a semi-arid landscape in the northern-west part of our country. Upper Mustang Trek is a unique adventure that takes you into the heart of the ancient Tibetan kingdom in the shadows of the giant Annapurna range. The journey offers stunning desert landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and colorful rock formations with rich Tibetan culture and tradition to experience. Accessible to visitors for only about three decades, this destination has quickly become a favorite for those looking to experience a journey back in the modern era.
Come along on an extraordinary 17-day Upper Mustang Trekking adventure and explore one of Nepal's most stunning remote terrains. This incredible journey offers a rare glimpse into ancient Tibetan cultures and breathtaking landscapes.
Upon arriving in Nepal, you will be welcomed by one of our team members at Tribhuvan International Airport. They will escort you to your designated hotel and assist you in checking in at the hotel. The schedule afterward does not include any activities so you may rest or spend the remaining day at your convenience.
The next day, you’ll travel to Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna region, before taking a scenic flight to Jomsom. This marks the beginning of your adventure into the mystical realm of Upper Mustang, and notice a distinct change in scenery from the green valley to the deserted valley of Kagbeni.
This dramatic change in landscape continues as you ascend from Kagbeni to Chele and onward to Gelling. Wind-eroded cliffs, deep gorges, and shades of brown in all sorts of rock formations create an otherworldly panorama that will leave you in awe. The same scenery can be witnessed while trekking to Charang, another ancient town on this exciting journey.
Departing from Charang, you enter Lo Manthang, the former capital city of the Kingdom of Lo, which remains still equally significant to the people of this region. Known as the walled city, this ancient medieval town is encircled by a high earthen wall adorned with square towers, or dzongs, at each corner. Inside these formidable walls lies a tightly-knit settlement of traditional earthen structures, preserving the town's historic charm.
Within this compact settlement, visitors can find several centuries-old monasteries and the palace of a former ruler. Besides historical monuments, several rows of chhortens and mane walls give you a glimpse into their deep-rooted faith. Do pause to admire the intricate murals and religious artifacts that adorn these glorious monuments.
The journey from Lo Manthang continues to Namgyal Gompa where you will once again get to experience deeper insights into the rich Buddhist heritage of the region. As you make your way back, you will pass through Drakmar and Syangmochen where you will get to see red cliffs and vast valleys.
From Syangmochen, the trek continues to Muktinath, a pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus. Every year thousands of visitors visit this sacred temple for various reasons and it is quite a unique experience to witness beliefs and rites towards their respective deities. A visit to Muktinath is truly a peaceful and rejuvenating experience that one must not miss.
With a visit to Muktinath, the trekking portion culminates at Muktinath and you will descend to Jomsom for the flight back to Pokhara. From Pokhara, you will drive back to Kathmandu, enjoying the passing scenery along the way. The trip concludes the following day, and one of our team members will accompany you to the airport for your journey back home.
Throughout the trek, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture of the Loba people, witness ancient traditions, and admire some of the dramatic sceneries in the world. Do become part of this incredible spiritual journey where one connects with Mother Nature and the cultural essence of this remote territory.
The first day marks your arrival day in Kathmandu. Clear all the visa requirements and customs clearance if any at the arrival section of the airport. As you come out, you will find a representative from World Alpine Treks waiting for you holding a board with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel at Kathmandu. The representative will shortly inform you about the plans ahead.
The second day is a day tour just to warm up before your trekking journey. Kathmandu is a city enriched with artistic palaces, beautiful monuments, ancient temples, and other constructions of historical and cultural importance. No wonder, the city has seven out of ten UNESCO-listed world heritage sites. Today, you will be guided to the UNESCO-listed heritage sites in Kathmandu. These heritages are perfect examples of the rich history, fine culture and architectural treasures of Nepal. At first, you will be taken to Kathmandu Durbar Square. The art, crafts, and carvings in the palaces, temples, and other monuments of the Durbar Square are excellent. After that, you will be escorted to Swayambhunath stupa (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhanath stupa respectively. (Inclusive of breakfast)
In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel for a drive to the lakeside city of Pokhara. Today, we take a scenic drive along the Prithvi highway for around six to seven hours to Pokhara. We pass through some amazing landscapes throughout the journey. In the first half portion, we will be able to get some stunning views of the Trishuli River along with hills and villages. In the second half, the countryside landscape and the greenery will keep you engaged. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a hotel in Pokhara. Check in to the hotel and rest for a while. In the evening, we can walk down the lakeside and enjoy some fascinating views of lakes and mountains. Tonight, we stay at a hotel in Pokhara (inclusive of breakfast and lunch)
Early in the morning, you will be escorted to the Pokhara airport for an early flight to Jomsom. The flight to Jomsom is filled with wonderful mountain views. You will be rewarded with the astonishing views of Annapurna massif that rise above eight thousand meters. Jomsom is a wonderful town popular for its apple orchards, picturesque landscape, and hostile people. We begin our trek today from Jomsom. We follow the trail that opens up to a Kagbeni. Kagbeni is a beautiful village and the main gate to Upper Mustang. In the 14th century, it used to be a checkpoint for traders. Now, there is a checkpoint that records the trekkers traveling to Muktinath and Mustang region. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse in Kagbeni. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
After breakfast in the guesthouse, we follow a trail that goes through the eastern bank of the Kaligandaki River. We traverse through several ridges on the way to Tangbe village. It is a beautiful village with narrow alleys and traditional whitewashed houses. We walk through the fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat, etc as we pass the village. The view of Nilgiri Himal from the village is stunning. Leaving Tangbe, we pass the village of Chhusang and climb up a huge rock. We ascend to come out of the Kaligandaki valley and further climb up steep to Chele. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Chele. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Following the trail to the Upper Mustang, we leave the village of Chele and climb up towards Samar village. As we move ahead, we can notice a change in the atmosphere. As we move up, we traverse into a dry, arid, and treeless area. We climb up steep to a rock cairn enjoying some wonderful views of the Mustang region. A long descent from the cairn leads us to Samar village. From the village, we climb up to a ridge enjoying the majestic views of Nilgiri Himal. Further, we descend and continue towards a valley. We follow a route that goes up to another ridge and descends to Shyangmochen. We continue our walk until we reach the village of Geling. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse in Geling. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Leaving Geling, we climb up to the pass of NYI and descend to the cliffs. We cross a steel bridge over the Tangmar Chu River and continue our walk until we come across a long mani wall in the Mustang. We ascend to a pass at an elevation of 3600 meters and make a long descent down to the Charang village. In the village, we can visit an old five-story dzong and a red gompa. The collection of statues, thankas, and paintings in these dzongs and gompas is fascinating. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse in Charang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
From Charang, the trail ascends steeply to Lo Gekar. In Lo Gekar, there is an old gompa whose existence is older than the Samye Gompa in Tibet. We visit this old gompa and continue our journey up towards the upper Mustang. Today, we take a trail to Lo Manthang along a well-defined path with some minor climbs on the way. Lo Manthang is marked by a long wall at the entrance. From the entrance, we take a short descent down and cross a small stream on the way. We further climb up to the plateau of Lo Manthang. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Lo Manthang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Today, we spend our day exploring around the village of Lo Manthang. After breakfast, we walk up to a hilltop to visit Namgyal Gompa. It is an important monastery in the village that serves as a local court. After visiting the gompa, we head towards Tingkar. It is the last village that lies northwest of Lo Manthang. The village has nearby about 40 houses. The villages resemble that of the Tibetan villages. Even we can notice the dominance of the Tibetan Buddhist religion and culture in this place. Tonight, we return to our guesthouse in Lo Manthang. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Leaving Lo Manthnag, we take a trail that ascends steadily to Chogo La. As we climb up, we can enjoy some stunning views of the entire Lo Manthang. The Chogo La at an elevation of 4210 meters is the highest point of this trek. From the pass, we descend to Charang River and cross a bridge over the river. We further climb up to Lo Gekar and head towards Ghar Gompa. It is a small old monastery on the way. We then climb up a ridge and cross a valley to alpine meadows. The trail further drops down along an eroded path to Drakmar. Tonight, we return to our guesthouse in Drakmar (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
From Drakmar, we follow a trail that drops down and passes some stone walls and fields along the village. We climb up a ridge and again descend to the lower part of Ghami and then to Jaite. We again descend to Chhung Kah via Jaite. Finally, we start walking to Tama Gaon and continue our descent down until we reach Shyangmochen. Tonight, at a guesthouse in Syangmochen. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
After all the long day walks down, we follow a stream that flows all the way down to Chhusang. There is an alternative route to Chhusang via Samar village. You can take that route if interested. You will be able to visit a Ranchung cave if you take that route. However, you will have to walk for around half an hour if you opt for that route.
Today, we ascend to Muktinath. Muktinath is a very popular spiritual hub of the Annapurna region. The place holds a high value amongst Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims. Many Hindu pilgrims visit this place early with high dedication and devotion. At first, we ascend to Khingar and continue along with a fortress-like village to Jharkot. We further follow a trail that takes us to Muktinath. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse/ lodge in Muktinath. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Early in the morning, we walk to Muktinath for amazing views of mountains in the Annapurna range. Appreciating the glories of the mountains, we descend to Jomsom. Tonight, enjoy your time in Jomsom with the warm hospitality of the local people. (Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Today, we take an early flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. Enjoy your time at the hotel in Pokhara. In the evening, you can walk to the lakeside and enjoy the serenity in the environment. (Inclusive of breakfast).
Concluding our trip, we drive back via the same route along the Prithvi Highway to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Tonight, we are staying at a hotel in Kathmandu. (Inclusive of breakfast and lunch).
Before a few hours of your scheduled flight, you will be transferred to the international terminal of Tribhuwan International Airport. (Inclusive of Breakfast).
Best Season
The best time for trekking in Upper Mustang is during the Spring, from March to May, and Autumn, from September to November. Spring is a fabulous time of year to trek as the weather starts to warm up, and generally, the days are clear and sunny. It is at this time that wildflowers bloom, adding vibrant colors to the landscape, and visually, the trek becomes stunning. The day temperatures are mild, while the nights are still very cold, especially above 3,000 meters. This is the best time for photography and enjoying the surrounding scenery.
This is also the perfect time for trekking because the monsoon rains generally clear up by mid-September and leave crystal-clear skies behind, making the visibility of the surrounding mountains excellent. During autumn, the weather is stable: pleasant daytime temperatures can drop dramatically at night.
Since this is the trekkers' favorite season, trails are busier, but trekking conditions are at their best. December to February sees adverse weather with heavy snowfall; it too is not advised. Generally speaking, in spring and autumn, the conditions of trekking are most suitable; therefore, it is the best time to head towards the Upper Mustang.
Accommodation
The primary form of lodgings found on the Upper Mustang Trek are teahouses or lodges. These are very simple but decent lodges owned by families and for trekkers, they provide clean, warm accommodations after a day of trekking. Accommodation is usually basic with a bed, two blankets, and occasion, a small table and twin beds. Attached bathrooms are severely in the minority while most accommodations offer some form of shared toilet arrangements.
For bathing, some teahouses provide solar-heated showers while hot water is not available in some places, especially those in the higher elevation. The farther up one goes, the fewer and more primitive the facilities are. As for charging devices, electricity is provided almost everywhere, but for some extra charge, of course. It is also important to note that heating is limited and therefore lodges may be extremely cold especially during the night and at higher altitudes.
The teahouses do offer meals although most of the time, they are part of the price charged for the accommodation. The menu offered includes Nepali meals such as dal bhat, momos, and Tibetan bread among others while also having simple meals from other countries for instance noodles and pancakes.
The option of upgrading the lodges is probably feasible in some areas depending on availability and cost, but flexibility is more of a necessity than a luxury since options are very limited.
Food on the Upper Mustang Trek is simple and nourishing, and most meals are served in teahouses or lodges along the trail. Dal Bhat, a common Nepali meal of lentil soup, rice, and vegetables served with pickles, is the usual staple meal that trekkers have. It is liked by trekkers because this much-needed plate of food is filling and free of refills, hence appropriate for long trekking days.
Apart from dal bhat, you'll have other local food items that include momos, Tibetan bread, and thukpa, which is a heavy noodle soup. These are filling meals and provide a great taste of the local cuisine.
Most of the teahouses also offer some familiar international dishes including noodles, pasta, fried rice, etc. Breakfast will also include pancakes, porridge, or eggs. The standard of the food is simple but freshly prepared; enough to maintain energy for trekking.
Vegetarian options are highly available because, at higher altitudes, meat becomes very scarce. For the same reason, it is suggested to maintain vegetarian food in order to avoid problems with the hygiene and freshness of the meat.
The Upper Mustang Trek is a moderately difficult trek that takes one into the most remote and culturally rich parts of Mustang in Nepal. The trail itself is not technically difficult, but the altitude, rugged and dry, and windy conditions often make the trek very challenging. The trek reaches heights of up to 4,200 meters (13,779 feet), which might give some trekkers problems with altitude sickness. Therefore, proper acclimatization is highly recommended.
The routes are usually quite well-marked with gentle ups and downs. However, the trekkers will face steep rocky parts, especially in crossing mountain passes like Nyi La Pass. The landscape is usually dry and desolate with little or no vegetation to offer protection against strong winds and sun, especially in the afternoon.
Trekking people need to get ready for long days of walking, 5-7 hours a day. Basic physical fitness is required since this trek needs many endurance activities in order to tolerate higher altitudes and long walking hours.
This trek is unquestionably accessible to most people with good preparation despite its rather demanding nature. No previous technical climbing experience is required, and it is thus suitable both for experienced trekkers and for determined beginners in good physical condition with some trekking experience at lower altitudes. In general, the Upper Mustang Trek is an impressive journey with beautiful landscapes and rich Tibetan-influenced culture.
Upper Mustang Trek Permit
To trek in the Upper Mustang, two permits are required: In this context, one can talk about the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).
The Restricted Area Permit is compulsory due to the geographical location of the Upper Mustang as the restricted area. The cost of this permit cost is US $ 500 per person for the first 10 days and $50 extra for every consecutive day thereafter.
It is prohibited to hike alone so you must join any one of the recognized groups and be accompanied by a licensed agency. The RAP can be obtained only through permitted trekking companies in Nepal.
Further, an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is required since the place is located in the ACAP region. Currently, the fee payable to the ACAP is NPR 3000, about 25 USD for foreign nationals while for the SAARC citizens, the fee is NPR 200. This permit helps in the conservation of the region.
Thus, both of these permits must be acquired before the trek and usually arranged by the trekking agencies. To apply for this program, you will require your passport and two passport-sized photographs. Such permits do not only permit people to access Upper Mustang but also encourage the preservation of its untouched geography and rich anthropology.
A typical day on Upper Mustang Trek
A regular day of a trek to the Upper Mustang region begins right after dawn, you will wake up at 6.30 Am to have a hearty meal which may include Tibetan bread, porridge, and tea. And by 8:00 in the morning, you are packed and immediately set for the day’s trek.
A cool morning enables one to cross the dry, desert type of terrain throughout the region as the Himalayan mountains loom large in the distance.
Daily, you will engage in hiking activities that will take 5 to 7 hours per day on different terrains of gradual slopes, rocky surfaces, and high-altitude passes. As a way, you will witness small typical villages, ancient monasteries, and even cliffs with dwellings. There’s also the chance to communicate with the locals, who still retain some features of the Tibetan way of life.
At around midday, you will take a lunch break at a teahouse where you will find simple trekking food like dal bhat, noodles, or soup. The afternoon part can be a bit tougher because of stronger winds but your goal is to get to the next stop by around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. When one hires a lodge or teahouse, there is time to either explore the village or simply rest.
Dinner usually begins at around 6:30 PM or 7:00 PM with meals originating from the local culture. This time is often spent reading, chatting with fellow trekkers or planning the next day’s activities.
Bathroom Facility & Hot Shower
Regarding facilities on the Upper Mustang Trek, bathroom arrangements are pretty basic. Shared bathrooms, normally with squat toilets though some will have Western-style toilets, are to be found in most teahouses and lodges.
As the elevation becomes higher and farther from the start of the trek, accommodations become even more rustic, which also means even fewer modern facilities.
Hot showers are limited and not always available, depending on the location of the teahouse. The teahouses in the lower regions may be able to offer solar-heated showers, but this in itself does not ensure that hot water is available every day.
As you trek higher, the chances of getting a hot shower lessen. You will most likely have to take a cold shower. Where there is availability of hot water, it usually comes with a minimal fee: USD 2-5, depending on where it is.
Wet wipes or dry shampoo are also helpful if hot water is unavailable to maintain personal hygiene. These bathroom and showering facilities are pretty basic; however, for the purpose of the trek, they will be satisfactory, and most individuals adapt quite easily to the simpler conditions on the trek itself.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness, popularly known as Acute Mountain Sickness, or AMS, has been one of the more prevalent concerns on the Upper Mustang Trek because the elevation goes as high as 4,200 meters, which is 13,779 feet. The low oxygen level at such altitudes affects trekkers who often ascend upward too rapidly without sufficient acclimatization.
Symptoms can be witnessed in altitude sickness, like headache, dizzy feelings, shortness of breath, nausea, loss of appetite, and inability to sleep. Severe cases may result in high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) or high-altitude pulmonary edema ( HAPE) both life-threatening, requiring immediate descent by the trekker.
This reduces the risk of developing altitude sickness. Acclimatization must be achieved by going up gradually and not reaching more than 500 meters daily over 3,000 meters. Rest days will help your body adapt to different altitudes.
These symptoms can be relieved if trekkers keep their bodies hydrated, avoid alcohol and intake food. Some trekkers administer medications like Diamox to prevent altitude sickness, but it is always recommended to consult a doctor before the trek.
Network & Internet
In the region of Upper Mustang, networks and access to the internet are pretty limited. Major Nepali mobile providers, such as Ncell and Nepal Telecom, cover very minimal areas in Lower Mustang and around some major villages. However, in remote areas, it usually becomes pretty weak or unavailable as you ascend higher.
A few of the teahouses and lodges will have Wi-Fi, but it is very slow and intermittent anyway, as the speed depends lodge’s resources. Sometimes, there is a small charge, whereas other places provide this service free as a complementary service. if you decide to use mobile data, then you have to be prepared for extremely poor internet speeds, particularly higher up, and use it very sparingly in order not to go over your allowance.
In case of any problems with connectivity, it is always a good thing to let family or friends know of one's plans as far as trekking goes. Also, one could consider downloading maps, documents, or entertainment for use in offline mode. Overall, while some of the options for connectivity are available, it is highly recommended to prepare oneself in advance for being totally offline during the trek.
Length and Terrain
It usually covers 12 to 15 days, with an estimated length of 150 to 200 kilometers, considering the variation of route and side trips one will take. The trek usually begins in Jomsom and ends in the centuries-old walled city of Lo Manthang, passing through major stops.
The topography has some dry landscapes, having rocky trails with rugged hills. Much of the trek is over dry, desert-like terrain, generally without vegetation, or mostly shrubs and grasses. The trekkers pass along rocky, irregular trails that demand good footwork, particularly in the cases of ascents and descents when crossing high passes.
The trail crosses several rivers and streams quite frequently and requires much navigation across rocky riverbeds and fords. The route has opportunities for resting in traditional villages and diving into the culture at ancient monasteries.
The trek does not demand technical difficulties; however, in the light of varied terrain and altitude, good physical fitness and proper acclimatization are crucial for the comfortable management of these challenges. Generally speaking, the Upper Mustang Trek offers something special in terms of stunning landscapes and rich cultural experiences, making it an exciting adventure for trekkers.
It generally takes 12 to 15 days depending on which route is followed, and considering the extra side trips.
Major attractions are the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang, Ghar Gompa, the Royal Palace, stunning landscapes, unique rock formations, and traditional Tibetan villages
Dress modestly, obtain permission before photographing local people, and respect customs, particularly in monasteries.
No, independent trekking is not allowed as it lies in a restricted area of Nepal. You will need to join a registered trekking group with a licensed guide.
Key festivals include Tiji in May, a victory of good over evil, and Lhosar, the Tibetan New Year, usually celebrated in February or March.
Yes, it is highly recommended that you have travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking, medical emergencies, and evacuation.
Moderate physical Condition is required, as the trek involves long days of walking at high altitudes. Prior trekking experience is beneficial.
Yes, the weight limit is typically 15 kg although there might be a small additional fee for excess weight.
If you have some bad feelings, it is always necessary to inform your guide. You will go down to a lower altitude or probably seek medical attention for the stipulated problem that you will be experiencing.
Some areas, especially religious sites, may have restrictions, though normally photography is allowed. However, permission needs to be sought from the person concerned.
No, flying drones are generally forbidden on the Upper Mustang without special permits due to local regulations and issues of privacy.
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Generally speaking, for the guide and porters, you may give around 10% of the cost of your trek, however, it also depends on how well the service was taken by you.
Yes, it will be worth it to carry some extra cash for emergencies since the availability of ATMs is uncommon, and not all places accept cards. It's also good to have a small amount of Nepali rupees available for tipping and small purchases
