Tour overview

Upper Mustang is known as one of the most favored destinations for tourists. The Last Forbidden Kingdom, 1000s of tourists visit there every year to explore the unique and undisturbed Tibetan Buddhist culture, oldest monasteries, traditional Tibetan villages, and stunning ancient architecture. The arid river valley that runs north-south off the upper corner of the Annapurna circuit. It is one of the restricted areas of Nepal and is located in the rain shadow of the Himalayas. To enter the Upper Mustang area, the gateway is further north of Kagbeni, trekkers must be accompanied by a government-appointed officially.
The most common way to start the Upper Mustang trek is to Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom and start the trek from there. The flight through the deepest gorge in the world is itself an adventure before the trek, the Kali Gandaki River runs between the mountains of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. We follow the common trail through kali Gandaki river beds via Kagbeni.
We will follow the northern trail from Kagbeni which leads towards Lo Manthang in 4/5 days. We cross the passes of 3500m and 4000m, and we can return via Dhakmar by crossing 2 asses around 4200m, where we can see the oldest Tibetan monastery in the world, the Lo Gekar Monastery which was built in the 8th century by Guru Rinpoche. And it is mythically believed that the rocks of the monastery were painted by the blood of the demon.Upper Mustang is a restricted area, up till 1992 it was forbidden for tourists/trekkers to enter the Lo kingdom valley. But now, trekkers are welcome to Upper Mustang.

Best Season to travel Upper Mustang

As upper mustang is situated in the Himalayan region of northern Nepal, it gives the sightseeing views of the local culture and tradition in the region. It can be travelled throughout the year and is the alternative for the great monsoon trek. The best season to travel in this region is March to November.

Highlights of March to November

  • Low chance of rain due to the rain shadow area of Himalayan
  • Stable weather and climate offer the best trekking experience of upper Mustang
  • Views will be stunning and can see from every angle
  • Low chance of flight delay (from/to Pokhara Jomsom)
  • Offer the chance to experience the biggest Tiji festival of Mustang 

Permit for Upper Mustang Trek

  • Special Permit
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
  • TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System)

Mode of Transportation to getting there and away

  • Flights or Private Jeep or Local Bus

Highlights

  • Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, Tilicho, Khrikuti Peak, and Damodar Kunda
  • Forests and beautiful villages
  • Unique culture and tradition
  • The Last Forbidden Kingdom
  • Pokhara and Kathmandu city

 

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (2800m/3 hours)
Day 2: Trek to Chele (3050/ 7 hours)
Day 3: Trek to Syangboche (3800m/5-6 hours)
Day 4: Trek to Ghemi (3500m/ 5 hours)
Day 5: Trek to charang (3560m/4 hours)
Day 6: Trek to Lo Manthang (3840m/4-5 hours)
Day 7: Explore Lo Manthang valley
Day 8: Trek to Dhakmar (3820m/7-8 hours)
Day 9: Trek to Syangboche (3800m/5 hours)
Day 10: Trek to Chhusang (2980m/ 5-6 hours)
Day 11: Trek to Jomsom (2720m/6 hours)
Day 12: Fly to Pokhara (25min)

Day 1: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (2800m/3 hours)

We will take an early flight to Jomsom, the headquarter of Mustang. A short scenic flight through the world deepest gorge Kali Gandaki is the beginning of the adventure and rejoicing the close view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.
After the short scenic flight, we will continue our trek to Kagbeni alongside the Kali Gandaki River. Kagbeni is a quaint and beautiful village situated on the bank of two rivers.
Enjoy your night stay by exploring the views of stunning Mt Nilgiri towards the south of Kagbeni.
Overnight at Kagbeni

Day 2: Trek to Chele (3050/ 7 hours)

Today, we trek through the east bank of Kali Gandaki and ascend through many ridges and reach north to the Tangbe, a village of narrow alleys amid whitewashed mud and stones houses and Terraced of buckwheat field and apple trees.
We will continue our pace towards Chhusang Village for 2 hours then we will ascend the huge red mass of Conglomerates. We will continue ascending the trek to Chele by crossing the Kali Gandaki Valley. Within 2 days of trekking, we can feel that the culture from Manangi in Jomsom, Kagbeni and is the transition to Tibetan culture.
Overnight at Chele

Day 3: Trek to Syangboche (3800m/5-6 hours)

We will trek through the steep barren land via the copper-red canyon, which makes the Mustang valley unique.
We will hike downhill to reach Samar village, and stop for lunch.
In-between the trek we will pass the 4 colored Chortens and continue ascending to pass Yamada La, 4010m.
After passing the descending from the pass we will reach to Syangboche.
Overnight at Syangboche

Day 4: Trek to Ghemi (3500m/ 5 hours)

Today we will trek through wavy terrains by crossing two passes. We start the trek by ascending from the Syangboche Pass at 3850m, alluring the views of the Landscape of Upper Mustang.
We will descend to Gelling by passing through different Chortens on the trail and slow ascent to Jaite to Nyi La Pass, 4020m the gradually follow the descent trail to Ghemi.
Overnight at Ghemi

Day 5: Trek to Charang (3560m/4 hours)

Today we will pass one of the longest Mani walls of Mustang and a group of Chortens on the way. And gradually follow the ascending trail up to Pass (3820m), from here we can see a desert barren hills, no vegetation, and no residents. We will be welcomed by the red-painted Charang stupas and Monastery of Tsarang amid fields, a broad trail led us to the second largest village of Mustang Charang.
Overnight at Charang

Day 6: Trek to Lo Manthang (3840m/4-5 hours)

Today we will trek to Lo Manthang, the major highlights of Upper Mustang Trek. We start the trek through Tsering Thupten Shedrub Dhargyeling Monastery, the home of 40-50 monks and one of the oldest Monastery.
From here we cross the Cherang River which splits Cherang and Lo valley, then we will reach to Lo Manthang, the capital city of the Forbidden Kingdom. To explore the beautiful valley we can hire a horse.
Overnight at Lo Manthang

Day 7: Explore Lo Manthang valley

The Beautiful valley offers a lot of places to explore like Mustang Kings Palace, Namgyal Gompa, Tigkar village, Jampa Lhakhang, Chosar, Nyphu cave Monastery.
Overnight at Lomanthang

Day 8: Trek to Dhakmar (3820m/7-8 hours)

Today we will follow the upper highland trail to bid farewell to the beautiful valley, Lo Manthang. Which offers stunning views of both Lo Manthang and Charang valley along with the snow-capped mountains in the backdrop. In between, we will visit the oldest Tibetan monastery, Ghar Gompa.
Form here, we cross the last pass of the trek, Dhi Pass at 4100m, onward we will reach to Dhakmar.
Overnight at Dhakmar

Day 9: Trek to Syangboche (3800m/5 hours)

Today we will retrace our way back to Syangboche, by exploring the Landscape which we missed before and visit Rangchyung Chorten, one of the holy places of Mustang.

Day 10: Trek to Chhusang (2980m/ 5-6 hours)

We will continue our trek back and stop at Samar for lunch after we will follow the descending trail to Tetang located between two hills of Chuksang village.

Day 11: Trek to Jomsom (2720m/6 hours)

We will continue trek back on the southern trial via Jharkot and explore the Monastery, Tibetan Herbal medicine center, and ancient fortress (the late palace), then we will leave the restricted zone of Upper Mustang and trek to Jomsom via Kagbeni.
Overnight at Jomsom

Day 12: Fly to Pokhara (25min)

We will take an early morning flight to Pokhara, where you can enjoy or relax on your own.
Overnight at Pokhara