Upper Mustang Trek is one of the most popular treks in the Annapurna Region. During this Trek, you reach Mustang – the last forbidden kingdom and lost region of Nepal. You get a rarechance to travel Nepal’s most beautiful, deserted land with dotted human settlements.
Your Trek to Upper Mustang commences with a 20 min flight from Pokhara to Jomsom – a great place with diverse sceneries and ethnic people with their cultures. Then, strolling along the Kali Gandaki River gorge, you reach Kagbeni. Upper Mustang Trek makes you feel like being in a different world – Kagbeni, Muktinath, Kali Gandaki River and gorge – the deepest gorge in the world, Chele, Lo Manthang, and many more.
In addition, you pass through rocky, dry, and narrow ridges, cross streams, walk through green fields, orchids, villages, and forests. You meet people from various ethnic communities – Gurungs and Magars in the lower regions of the Kali Gandaki, Thakalis around Jomsom, and people with strong Tibetan roots, the Lopa, around Muktinath and up in Mustang. You observe their lifestyle, enjoy their culture, and receive their organic hospitality.
Geographically, Upper Mustang is a part of the Tibetan Plateau. So, you can mostly see and enjoy people enjoying the Tibetan lifestyle, traditional Tibetan culture, and religion. You get a chance to explore and experience trekking on the unexploited trails, experiencing the typical lifestyle and culture of the people who had no contact with the outer world for over 100 years.
You also get some astonishing views of the mountains during your Trek – Niligiri Himal, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna massifs, and many more. When you reach Lo Manthang, the region’s capital, you feel blessed after seeing encircled settlements. You can hire a pony if you desire to ride.
Upper Mustang opened to non-Nepali trekkers15 years ago, and you need a special trekking permit and must be accompanied by a government-appointed official. Being Himalayan rain shadow and dry, you can trek during monsoons as well. However, winter treks are best avoided due to windy, dusty, and harsh weather.
Book your Upper Mustang Trek with Nomadways Adventure We promise you to provide the best quality trekking services, security, proper guidance, and assistance. So be ready to collect the most beautiful memories, natural-thrilling moments, and life-changing activities.
You will meet our representative when you land at the Tribhuvan International Airport. He/she will greet you, drive to our luxury Nepali authentic restaurant, and assist you in checking in at Thamel. So, please keep your eyes on someone holding a placard with your name or our company’s name – Nomadways Adventure.
In the evening, we arrange a short introduction meeting. After that, you will meet your guide, and our trekking expert will provide you with all the detailed information about the Trek.
We offer you a welcome dinner, and you simply take a rest at the restaurant. Then, overnight, you stay at our restaurant and restore your energy to accomplish your upcoming adventurous trip – Upper Mustang Trek.
Today, you are going to enjoy the Kathmandu Valley Tour – the city full of World Heritage Sites, Nepali culture, and many more to explore.
Early morning, we offer you a warm breakfast, and your sightseeing starts with our city guide. At first, you visit Pashupatinath Temple – the holiest Hindu Temple on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, then move to Boudhanath Stupa – the most significant Buddhist Stupa architecture in the world. After that, we will drive you to Patan Durbar Square. In addition, we take you to Swayambhunath Stupa – the 2000 years old legendary stupa on the hilltop also nick-named monkey temple. Finally, we come to Kathmandu Durbar Square, observe Kumari Temple (living goddess temple), Nautale Durbar, the Kaal Bhairav, the Swet Bhairav, the freak streets, and more.
Your exciting city tour finishes in the evening. Then, you take a delicious dinner and rest, collecting energy for the upcoming adventure.
Early in the morning, we take a warm breakfast. Then, we start our lovely trip to Pokhara via a luxury tourist bus. On the way, you witness the picturesque green landscapes, farm terraces, and rows of settlements on both sides of the road. Also, capture the beauty of distant mountains, close gigantic hills, rural settlements, fast-flowing rivers (Trishuli, Narayani, and Marsyangdi).
If you feel tired of a long bus journey, then you have the option of flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara (about 25 minutes) at an extra cost. The choice is yours.
Ultimately, you reach Pokhara – the city of lakes, multi-culture, and the main tourist hub. We will transfer you to the hotel. You get up and take a rest. Then, you can go for an evening walk around the lakeside city and explore vivid Pokhara in the evening.
Before you go to bed, you will receive a short briefing about thePokhara – Ghorepani – Ghabdruk Trek.
After early breakfast, we drive you to the Pokhara airport and catch the flight to Jomsom. During 20 minutes flight, enjoy the scenic view of Annapurna,Machhapuchhre,Dhaulagiri, and massif mountain ranges.
You land at Jomsom airport. Jomsom is a great place with different landscapes and Himalayan ethnic cultures.
From Jomsom, you start trekking towards Kagbeni – a beautiful place on the bank of Kali Gandaki River in the Upper Mustang. First, we walk along the Kali Gandaki River on the barren, rocky, and arid salt trading routes used by the trekkers of ancient times. Then, we reach Kyanjin Gompa – a beautiful village and the gateway to Upper Mustang. In addition, this place is famous Yak Cheese factory, huge red Gompas, and green fields.
Overnight, we stay, enjoy and rest at Kagbeni.
On this day, our trek heads to Chele. We submit Trekking permit at check-post, then ascend towards north leaving riverbed. This high route offers more panoramic scenery and accessible accommodation than the riverbed route. Climbing ups and downs on several ridges above Kali Gandaki River, then passing through narrow alleys and green orchards, we reach Tangbe – a finely decorated agricultural village.
Our trails continue to Chhuksang – the convergence of Kali Gandaki and Narshing Khola (river). Ahead, we cross Narshing Khola and go down to the red hill, leave Kali Gandaki River and climb rocky gorge. During the journey, we pass through 5 Gurung villages with their traditional houses, visiting ancient Gompas and natural caves along the paths.
Finally, we each Chele, and spend overnight here.
Today, be ready to conquer one of the longest and difficult trails of the Trek– cross several passes, walk-ups, and downs through the ridges and rocks.
After a warm breakfast, we climb the steep, rocky, and dry trails. Crossing the canyon to traverse, we come to Dorji (3,630m). Enjoying the picturesque scenery from the pass, the trail descends steeply down to green Samar village. You witness Nilgiri Himal appearing close and the gigantic Annapurna in the distance.
Ahead, we go down the stream and then climb to the ridge of Bhena La Pass (4,010 m). Then, again, we descend to Syangboche and climb up to Syangboche La Pass. Finally, we reach Gelling after crossing several bridges.
Overnight, we stay and take a rest here at Gelling.
Enjoying a lightearly breakfast, we start hiking to Tsarang from Gelling. First of all, we pass through wide pastureland and then climb to Nyi La Pass (4,020m). Further, we climb another pass – Ghemi La and descend to the largest barren land of Lo: Ghemi.
From Lo: Ghemi, we slopedown to the trail to Tsarang. We continue following the trail Tsarang descending from blue, grey, and red cliff to suspension bridge; and climb to the ridge of Choya La (3,870m).
Be careful! The path from Choya La to Tsarang is one of the most challenging trails of thehike. However, when you reach Tsarang, you forget all the hardships after witnessing the monastery built in the 14th century, a five-story white fortified building, and a few more Gompas. Also, you see the mysterious hand of the monk in Garuda’s (mythological bird) claws.
Overnight, we stay and rest here at Tsarang.
On this day of your Trek, you feel easier to proceed and shorter time to walk. After having breakfast, we can visit the monastery and fort of Tsarang. After spending some good moments here, we descend and cross Tsarang River before climbing over the ridge.
Further, the trail from the ridge ascends to the Lo La,from where you can observe the first glimpse of Lo Manthang. Finally, you trek through the trail, cross a stream irrigation canals and reach the plateau of Lo Manthang. At Mathang, we can enter inside 750m long, 9 m high, and 14 towering walls of Lo Manthang.
We spend the whole night at Lo Manthang.
Today is the rest and exploration day. Being culturally and historically rich, Lo Manthang is the main highlight of the Trek. Here, we explore and visit many beautiful sites, Gompas, and historical caves in the region.
Also, we visit the four main monasteries (gompas) of Lo Manthang: Jampa, Thupchen, Choden, and Choprang. In addition, the ancient, fortified caves are of great attractions at Lo Manthang.
We also go to Mosaic Museum at Lo Manthang and travel to Lo: Tingkhar – the most beautiful village.
Overnight, we stay and rest at Lo Manthang.
This day, we follow an alternative route from Lo Manthang. First, we pass the irrigation canal and irrigation fields. Further, we follow the herders’ trail and climb steeply up a ridge. From the ridge, enjoy the beautiful view of Lo Manthang village. On the way to Lo Gekhar, we cross the highest Pass, Chogo La (4,325m).
Next, we follow the traildown to the grassy valley and then climb another ridge. After that, we descend steeply down to Lo Gekhar. We stop here for a while and visit Ghar Gompa – one of the oldest gompas in the region. Then, we continue ascending to another ridge and take the final steep descent through an eroded gully to Drakmar.
Overnight, we stay and take a rest at Drakmar.
Taking a warm breakfast, we descend from Drakmar for a few minutes. Then, we ascend to a ridge and go down to a small stream. From the stream, we climb to another ridge and reach Upper Ghemi.
From Ghemi, weclimb steeply up to Upper Ghemi La and Nyi La, and then we go down to Gelling valley. Further, we pass through orchards and several villages such as Jaite, Chhungar, and Tama Gaon. After crossing Syangmochen La, we reach Syangmochen village.
Overnight, we stay and take a rest at Syangmochen.
On this day, enjoying alight breakfast, we start trekking from Syangmochen to visit the most attractive Chungsi monastery (Gompa). Then, we follow the trail from Syangmochen descending to Samar village. On the way, we enjoy the fantastic view of Nilgiri Himal and Kali Gandaki River.
Steeply, we descend to Chhuksang – the beautiful village with orchards. After walking for a few hours, we reach Chhuksang – our last shelter for today’s night.
Today, you feel a rush and tired – be ready for the longest Trek for your whole journey. From Chhuksang, we catch the trail and descend to several Mustang villages passing through the apple orchards, ridges, and narrow alleys. Then, after 7-8 hours of the uphill-downhill routes, the trail traces back to Kagbeni and Jomsom.
Overnight, we stay and take complete rest at Jomsom.
On this day, our journey to Upper Mustang concludes. From Jomsom, we fly back to Pokhara.
In Pokhara, we enjoy a warm breakfast. Then, we drive you back to Kathmandu in a luxury tourist bus. On the way, you want the scenic pastoral landscapes, terrace farming, green rolling hills, fast-flowing rivers, and rows of settlements on both sides of the road.
After 6-7 hours of a comfortable journey, you reach Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. You can take a rest or explore the streets and markets in Kathmandu. Even you can enjoy various cuisines at different restaurants in Thamel – Nepal’s No. 1 tourist city.
On this final day, offering you a light breakfast, we transfer to the Tribhuvan International airport via our private transportation. We bid you a happy ‘Goodbye’ and wish you a safe flight.
Trekking requires careful selection of gear to ensure comfort, safety, and efficiency on the trail. Depending on the conditions (terrain, weather, duration), the equipment you need may vary, but here’s a comprehensive list of essential trekking gear:
Upper Mustang is a restricted area in Nepal, known for its Tibetan culture, ancient monasteries, and stunning landscapes. It is located in the Mustang District and is often called the "Last Forbidden Kingdom" due to its historical isolation from the outside world until the 1990s.
The journey to Upper Mustang typically starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Jomsom, the gateway to Mustang. From Jomsom, you can either trek or take a jeep ride to reach the upper regions.
Visitors can explore ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, caves with centuries-old paintings, traditional villages, and spectacular desert-like landscapes with dramatic cliffs, rock formations, and the distant snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. The culture is strongly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism.