Upper Mustang Trek | 15 days

Today, a private car with a driver will take you to Pokhara, the charming town situated on the banks of beautiful Lake Phewa. On the way, you’ll stop at a lovely spot along the river for lunch (lunch not included). Upon arrival in Pokhara, you’ll have free time to explore: take a lovely walk along the riverbank and watch the Aarti ceremony by the fire as dusk falls.

✈️ Prefer not to travel by road?

The drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara takes about 7 to 8 hours over a sometimes bumpy road. If you prefer to travel faster and more comfortably, a domestic flight is a good alternative. Feel free to indicate your preference in your travel request – we are happy to adapt the itinerary to your wishes.

Together with your guide, you’ll take an impressive flight along the Himalayas to Jomsom. Jomsom is the capital of the Mustang district and the starting point of your trek. Once you arrive in Jomsom, you’ll set off on your trek. It is an easy day’s walk offering spectacular views of the peaks of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak and Dhampus. You will walk to Kagbeni (2,850 m), a typical Tibetan village and the gateway to Upper Mustang.

✈️ About the Pokhara – Jomsom flight
The domestic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom is a quick and spectacular way to travel into the mountains. Please bear in mind, however, that these flights are weather-dependent and may therefore be regularly delayed or cancelled, particularly in the low season or if there is cloud cover in the morning.

If a flight is cancelled, we will arrange alternative transport by road so that your journey can continue without too much delay. We monitor the situation closely and will communicate any changes in good time.

Once your trekking documents have been checked at the checkpoint, you’ll enter the protected Upper Mustang region. The day begins with a lovely walk along the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. You’ll stop at various points to take in the surroundings and enjoy the beautiful views. You’ll pass through the village of Tangbe with its narrow streets and white houses. You’ll walk past fields of buckwheat and grain and through apple orchards. You’ll continue on to Chhusang and cross the river. You’ll walk along narrow ridges until you reach Chele.

Today, you first walk through steep, dry terrain and a spectacular deep gorge. When you reach 3,540 meters, the path gradually descends to some chortens on a mountain ridge. You continue descending to an easier path toward Samar. The Annapurna mountain range, with the massive Nilgiri peak, is visible far to the south. After a climb, you arrive in Samar. Afterwards, you descend again and walk through a wide gorge. The path then enters another valley, surrounded by streams and juniper bushes. You then ascend again to an altitude of 3,800 meters. Before reaching Syanboche (3,475 m), you visit the Ramchung cave.

After breakfast, you continue your trek to the Yamda La Pass (3,850m). Today, you pass by various chortens and walk through charming villages with white Tibetan houses. You will also walk through the cozy village of Ghilling. Afterwards, you continue walking to cross the Nyi La Pass (4,010m) and descend further to Ghami (3,520m), a small village protected by overhanging rocks and surrounded by large dry fields. In the afternoon, you see the driest part of Upper Mustang. This, combined with beautiful rugged mountain views to the East and West, provides magnificent panoramic views. When the cattle return to Ghami for the night, the village fills with goats and cows returning to their homes through the narrow streets. A true spectacle!

You start your day with a walk along a long Buddhist Mani wall. The path then leads you via a gentle descent to Charang. Today you enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas of your trek: the view of the Nilgiri ice wall. Charang (3500m) is a large village inhabited by the Loba people. The village is situated at the top of the large Charang Chu Gorge. Prayer flags flutter between the beautiful white-painted houses. Trees, fields, and houses are separated by low stone walls. To the east of the village lies a beautiful, large monastery near the gorge of the Kali Ghandaki River.

What an exciting day today: your main destination for this trek is drawing closer! You follow the path to Lo Manthang and enjoy stunning views of the Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I, and Bhrikuti along the way. The path first descends into the Charang Chu gorge. You cross the river and follow the steep path upwards. You continue climbing to the windy Lo Pass at 3,850 meters. From this point, you look out over the entire Lo Mantang valley. During the descent to the hidden city of Lo Mantang (3,700m), you have an impressive view of the walled city with the Tibetan mountains behind it. In Lo Manthang, you visit the three authentic Tibetan monasteries and the palace of the former king.

🕍 Did you know that…
Lo Manthang was a kingdom within Nepal until 2008 ? It had its own king, Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista, who was respected as a spiritual leader until his death in 2016, even after the monarchy was officially abolished. The walled city still exudes this royal and historical atmosphere, with old palaces, monasteries, and narrow alleys that make you feel like you are traveling back in time..

Whereas you already visited the city of Lo Manthang yesterday upon arrival, today you will take a fascinating day hike around Lo Manthang. The Western Valley of Tingkhar, the site of the Rajas’ summer palace, and the panoramic mountain views are well worth seeing. You will hike to the villages of Kimling and Phuwa, as well as see the Namgyal Gompa. In the Eastern Valley, we see the village of Chosar, also known for its typical Gompa. Incidentally, an ancient trade route to the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, runs through this valley.

🎉 Cultural tip: experience the Tiji Festival.
Want to add an extra dimension to your trekking experience? Plan your Upper Mustang trek around the Tiji Festival , an ancient Tibetan Buddhist festival in Lo Manthang . During this colorful three-day festival, which usually takes place in May , you will witness impressive masked dances, rituals, and spiritual ceremonies that symbolize the victory of good over evil. A unique opportunity to experience the rich culture of Mustang up close!

From Lo Manthang, you return today via a different route. You first walk through the green yak fields and cross the Morang La Pass at 4,230 meters. After the pass, the landscape changes and becomes drier again. You walk past the authentic village of Drakmar (3,810m), where the imposing Ghar Gompa, over 1,200 years old, stands. Guru Rinpoche is the most important figure, and the Gompa is also known for its beautiful rock paintings. According to legend, you can be certain that whatever you wish for at the Gompa will actually come true. You continue steadily to today’s endpoint in Ghami (3,490m).

On today’s trek, you retrace your steps: you take the path down that you climbed at the beginning of the trek. It is a fairly tough trekking day today because you climb quite a few sections and cross two passes. Before lunch, you cross the Nyla La Pass (4010 m), after which you hike down to Syanboche, where you have lunch. After lunch, you climb for an hour to the second mountain pass, Vena La (3860 m). Next, you descend to the river and cross it. After a final 15-minute effort, you climb steeply up to the village of Samar.

Today the path leads you to Chusang. It is a pleasant walk down to Chhusang (3000m). Along the way, you enjoy the beautiful scenes that rural life has to offer. You can clearly see that the lifestyle and culture here are Tibetan. In the late afternoon, you go to the fortified town of Tetang (2950m), where you watch the beautiful sunset and visit an old monastery.

After breakfast, you continue your trek. You first ascend steeply to a plateau where you walk at a leisurely pace and enjoy the surroundings. Next, the path climbs quite steeply for about three hours. After the climb high above the valley, the path suddenly turns to the right and you see the Gyu La Pass (4077m). From the pass, the snow-capped peaks seem incredibly close: the Thorung, the Tilicho, the Annapurna, and the Nilgiri. Snow-covered glaciers lie on the flanks of the mountains. You cross the pass and walk along an easy path that descends and ascends only very slightly towards Muktinath. Along the way, you have beautiful views of the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna. You pass through a green valley, and here and there houses stand along the path, which means you are approaching Muktinath. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus. There are 108 natural springs in and around Muktinath. Bathing in them is said to bring good luck. A small temple was built around the legendary eternal flame that was said to emanate from a rock.

Today is the last day of your trek. In the early morning sun, the imposing Dhaulagiri turns orange and yellow. You hike from Muktinath to your final destination in Jomsom via a higher route. From the heights, you can see the village of Kagbeni. The final part of the way takes you along the river. You have the rest of the day free in Jomsom. Relax while you reminisce about the wonderful adventures you experienced during your trek in the stunning Upper Mustang region.

Today you fly back early on a domestic flight to Jomsom. During the flight, you can still enjoy the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. You have the rest of the day free in Pokhara. If you want to relax, there are plenty of options for massages and spa treatments. Or enjoy a drink on a terrace along the shores of the lake. If you want a bit more action, you can head out and visit a number of highlights around Pokhara: the World Peace Pagoda, Davis Falls, Mahadev Gupteswor Cave, or the International Mountain Museum.

The end of your Upper Mustang trek has arrived. Today, you will travel back to Kathmandu in a private vehicle with a driver. Along the way, you can observe daily Nepalese life. You will stop for lunch at a restaurant by the river, where you can sample the local fish.

The trek is moderately strenuous. The paths are easily passable, but you will be walking an average of 5 to 6 hours a day at an altitude between 2,800 and 4,200 meters. You don’t need to be a mountaineer, but decent fitness and some preparation are recommended – especially given the altitude and dry air.

✅ Tip for travelers over 55: Build up some hiking fitness beforehand, and include sufficient rest days in your itinerary.

The best time for this trek is from mid-March to mid-November. Because Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, it remains largely dry – even during the monsoon (June–August). July and August are therefore surprisingly good travel months for this Upper Mustang trek!

🎉 Tip – Combine with the Tiji Festival:
A special time to do the Upper Mustang trek is during the Tiji Festival , which takes place every spring (usually sometime in late April, early May) in Lo Manthang. This centuries-old Buddhist festival, full of colorful rituals, masked dances, and spiritual ceremonies, is a unique opportunity to experience the rich culture of Mustang up close. Keep in mind that permits and accommodations fill up quickly during this period, so booking early is recommended.

Yes. The Upper Mustang is located in a restricted access zone, which means you need a special permit and some additional rules apply:
– Minimum of 2 participants
– Upper Mustang Trek Permit costs USD 500 per person for 10 days (then approx. USD 50 per extra day)

In addition, you also need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card.
If you book through us, we will arrange all these permits for you.

Please note – original passports required:
We require the original passports to apply for the special permit for Upper Mustang. We will collect these from you personally upon your arrival in Kathmandu. Obtaining the permit takes at least one full working day, making it necessary to allow at least one extra day in Kathmandu before departing for Pokhara or starting the trek. Please take this into account when planning your trip!

The trek goes above 3,000 meters. Although the elevation change is gradual, it remains important to:
– Drink plenty of fluids
– Walk at a steady pace
– Listen carefully to your body
– Take an extra rest day if necessary

Your guide is trained in recognizing symptoms and knows what to do if you do not feel well.

Flights to and from Jomsom are regularly delayed or cancelled, primarily due to weather conditions. Since the mountain flights are entirely dependent on clear visibility and favorable wind conditions, flexibility is important.

We take this into account in the travel plan. If the flight is cancelled after all:

On the way there, we arrange an alternative route by jeep overland via Beni and Kagbeni. This is a long, adventurous drive, but you will still reach the starting point of the trek.

On the return journey, we can take you back to Pokhara by jeep (approx. 10 to 12 hours driving), so that you can continue your journey without major delays.

It is possible that this will result in an additional cost for you.

We closely monitor the situation on the ground and adjust the program in consultation with you, so that you get the most out of your trip – even if the weather isn’t cooperating.

You will stay in simple but comfortable lodges (teahouses). Do not expect luxury, but rather private rooms with basic amenities and often beautiful views. Bathrooms are usually shared, and hot water is limited.
Many lodges offer local dishes, herbal tea, and a cozy atmosphere.

You will receive a comprehensive packing list with your booking. However, some important items to bring are:
– Sturdy, well-broken-in walking shoes
– Layered clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, windproof and waterproof jacket)
– Sun protection (cap, sunscreen, sunglasses)
– Earplugs, toilet paper, water purification tablets or a bottle with a filter
– First aid kit, personal medication

Your luggage is carried by a porter; you only carry a daypack. Your porter carries a maximum of 18 kg of luggage, which is the luggage of 2 trekkers.

There is sporadic mobile coverage and limited Wi-Fi in some places (for a fee). We recommend making all offline arrangements in advance and letting family and friends know that you will not be constantly reachable.

In case of emergencies, your guide is always reachable via local networks.

In our program, you travel to Pokhara in a private car with a driver. If you prefer to do this leg by bus or domestic flight, that is also possible.
The trek itself starts in Jomsom. You reach Jomsom by domestic flight via Pokhara. Therefore, it is necessary to stay one night in Pokhara before and after the trek.

✈️ Domestic flights are short, but dependent on the weather. So please take possible delays into account. That is why we schedule at least 1 night in Pokhara before and after the trek regardless.

Yes. Shorter routes or adjustments with jeep transfers are available for those who do not wish to walk long distances every day. Discuss this when booking so that your trip perfectly matches your wishes and physical capabilities. Please keep in mind, however, that the permit is applied for for at least 10 days and therefore always costs 500 USD, even if you are traveling in the region for a shorter period.

The construction of the road in the Upper Mustang region is a mixed reality. On the one hand, it represents a significant improvement for the local population: goods can now be delivered more easily and quickly, and the transport of people between villages and to hospitals runs more smoothly.

For trekkers, the road unfortunately also has a downside. On some stretches, the traditional walking path has disappeared or is crossed by the road. This can disturb the sense of remoteness and natural tranquility.

We make every effort to take alternative walking routes away from traffic wherever possible. There are still beautiful side paths through authentic villages and rugged landscapes. However, at certain times it is unavoidable to walk (short) stretches along or across the road.

For travelers who are aware of this and are open to the unique character of Upper Mustang – a region where tradition and modernization intersect – it remains an unforgettable experience.