The Upper Mustang Trek to the hidden paradise of Mustang is a fabulous journey that visitors experience as their ever best holiday trip in their life in Nepal. Upper Mustang, described as a mystique valley and the last forbidden kingdom in Nepal was just opened for foreigners in 1992.
The Upper Mustang is an arid river valley that runs north-south of the upper corner of the Annapurna Circuit. Both culturally and geographically it’s more similar to Tibet than Nepal and used to form its own kingdom with the capital Lo Manthang (the turnaround point of your trek). Lying in the rain shadow of the Himalaya and officially in one of Nepal’s restricted regions, this trek is known for its desert beauty and harsh, cliff-faced landscapes.
Trek to Mustang allows the travelers to witness heavenly beautiful Trans-Himalaya landscape, ancient Tibetan Buddhist shrines such as Stupas, Chhortens, Kaanis, Prayers walls, centuries old monasteries and interact with Tibetan people which makes the trip most lifetime memorable.
Upper Mustang Mustang Trek – Permits & Requirements
A minimum of two trekkers accompanied by a Nepal guide with a valid license issued by the government of Nepal is required for a permit. You can’t go independently on this trek.
Upper Mustang Trek Permit costs USD 500 for the 10-days per person. But if you spend more than USD 50 each extra day per person. ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) The NPR cost allowance is also required. About USD 30 per person. You do not need a TIMS card for Upper Mustang Trek.
Best Time to Trek Upper Mustang – Weather and Seasons
Upper Mustang is located in the Himalayan rain shadow, making it a great monsoon trek and open year- round for trekking.
The best season for this trek is from mid-February to late November. It is impossible to trek in December and January due to extreme cold and heavy snowfalls. In addition, the Tiji Monsoon Festival is highly recommended. The festival is bound to be one of the most memorable treks in the Upper Mustang.
Pre-monsoon / spring (March to May) and post-monsoon / autumn (October to November) are the best time for visiting and trekking in many places in Nepal. But Upper Mustang is the best during the Tiji festival, unlike many other destinations in Nepal.
How Much Does It Cost to Trek Upper Mustang?
Upper Mustang Trek cost is from USD 1785 to USD 3500 per person. Various companies offer varying costs for the Upper Mustang trek package, depending on the services they provide. Upper Mustang trekking permit is expensive so that travel costs are considerably higher than elsewhere.
The cost of trekking tours depends on the time you begin and how you get there. Group fee for fixed date check date and space availability quite cheap. When you’re looking for a budget trip in Mustang, try Lower Mustang Trek. Private Upper Mustang trekking is very expensive but highly recommended for a lifetime experience.
Upper Mustang Trek Difficulty – Is it doable?
The terrain is moderate on another route. It’s well marked to walk, so you don’t have to suffer. Marang la 4230 meters above sea level is the highest point reached by trekkers during the upper mustang trek.
Lo Manthang and Chhoser are the main attractions of the region, with a height of 3810 meters and 3900 meters. The atmosphere has a low oxygen level and low air pressure.
This way most of the travelers get tired after the trek. Gorgeous landscapes, Tibetan art, culture, the lifestyle of the Himalayan mountains make it easy to forget stress and tiredness.
Upper Mustang Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal (1400m)
Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport after completing your custom visa formalities, etc. Pick up your luggage and look for our Himalaya Discovery airport representative who will show your name on the board at the gate of arrival. You are welcomed by our representative and transferred by a private tourist vehicle to the hotel. Overnight at Kathmandu hotel.
Day 2: Free / Preparation day
Today is free day in Kathmandu. We prepare your trekking permits for the Upper Mustang. You may want to visit Durbar Square in the heart of the old town, where the old Royal Palace is located.
The whole area is a maze of temples and images. The narrow alleys leading from the square in all directions, with the most amazing variety of shops and stalls. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites, including the historic Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the famous Swayambhunath Monkey Temple and Buddhist Shrine Buddhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world. If you have to rent or buy equipment locally, it is time to do this today.
Included meals: Optional
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (822m): Approx. 7 hrs
We have breakfast and leave for Pokhara, also known as Lake City because of the large number of lakes in the city. When we arrive in Pokhara, we are rewarded with wonderful views of the Himalayas, including Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Manaslu (8,156 m), Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Annapurna ‘s five peaks and others. We check in and take rest a at our hotel. Stroll down the quaint streets of the city. Overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Fly to Jomsom (2,700m) and trek to Kagbeni (2,810m): 3-4 hrs.
Today we fly to Jomsom early in the morning, famous for its apples, strong winds and scenery. We start our trek on an open path next to a beautiful valley. We pass through the village of Eaklibatti before we reach Jomsom, ideally located on the banks of two rivers. The village is lovely with flat-roofed houses and has an old fortress ruin. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Trek to Chele (3,050m): 5-6 hrs.
We check our permits and then begin our trek along the Kali Gandaki River. We walk on sand in strong winds before climbing a hill. We reach the Tangbe Village and admire its narrow alleys, whitewashed houses, buckwheat and barley fields and apple orchards.
We continue our walk and pass another village and cross a river. Next, before we reach Chele Village, we walk on a ridge. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Trek to Syanboche (3,475m): 6-7 hrs.
Our journey from today is a bit hard compared to what we have experienced before. Today’s walk includes two passes, Taklam La Pass 3,624 m and Dajori La Pass 3,735 m.
On our way, we have great views of Tilicho, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Danda and pass through Ramchung Cave. We descend further down to Samar Village. From here we walk on a path above the village and get to a ridge. Then we go down on a steep path to a stream and continue our trek to Syanboche. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Trek to Ghami (3,520m): 5-6 hrs.
We ascend to pass Yamda La at 3,850 m. We pass a few tea houses, chortens and beautiful villages on the way. We trek through poplar forests and barley fields and reach Passo Nyi at 4,010 m. From here we go down to Ghami, which is one of the biggest towns in the Lo region. The village is beautiful with fields that surround the whole village. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Trek to Charang (3,620m): 5-6 hrs.
Today our trek starts with a descent on a rough and often slippery trail. Then we cross the Ghami Khola suspension bridge and start to ascend. The path is lovely with mani walls along the path. Then we cross the Tsarang La Pass at 3870 m and reach the village of Tsarang. The village is located on top of the Charang Chu Canyon with an enormous fortress and a red gompa to the East. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Trek to Lo-Manthang (3,730m) 3-4 hrs.
We start our trek by going down to a canyon and crossing a river before we start our uphill trek to Lo La pass at 3950 m. From the top of the pass we can admire the beautiful village of Lo Manthang.
From the pass we go down to the lovely walled village of Lo Manthang. From here you can admire the views of the Himalayas including Nilgiri, Tilicho and Annapurna I, Bhrikuti Peak and Damodar Kunda. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Discovery day at Lo Manthang / Acclimatization
Lo Manthang is a walled town in Nepal’s remote Upper Mustang region. We spend the day touring the city’s three main gompas, Jhampa, Thupchen and Chhoeda. All these gompas have been restored expertly in the past two decades. We can also trek to Tingkhar, a lovely village in the north west of Lo-Mangthang. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Trek to Yara village (3900m) via Dhi village (3300m) 6-7 hrs.
In the morning, the trek continues on the same route taken few days ago. The trail leaves the road and starts to head into the less travelled valleys towards Yara.
A gradual drop leads to the Kali Gandaki River and then undulates by the bank of the river to the village of Dhi. After crossing the river, the trek now enters another narrow valley following Puyung Khola and reaches Yara. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Trek to Tsarang (3570m) 5-6 hrs.
The trek starts to move down with Kali Gandaki River and crosses the river and other smaller tributaries on the day more than couple of times. After a while, the trail now slowly starts to go uphill after crossing one of the tributaries. The climb slowly turns into leveled terrain and then starts to drop towards Tsarang. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Trek to Syangbuche (3475m) 6-7 hrs.
Today is our long day from Tsarang to Syangbuche. After breakfast, we have to follow the road until Tsarang La Pass 3870m where we can see the dry plateau (mountain dessert) and the Himalayas. Descending to the trail we can find the longest Mani walls of Mustang. After crossing the suspension bridge over Ghami River we will reach at Ghami village where we will have our lunch.
Ascending the small trail until a motorway and continuing until Nyli La Pass 4010m. Descend and turn left where we will find the trail that leads us towards Ghilling. Visit around the Ghilling village & Buddhist Monastery. Because of the motor way we will trek to Syangbochen La Pass & descend 10 minutes to reach Syangbuche village. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Trek to Chhusang (2950m) via Chungsi Cave 7 hours
Descend approximately one hour down where the path is on a narrow canyon. On the right side of the hill we will find the mysterious Chungsi cave. Need climbing up the stairs for a while to see the natural Chungsi cave. It was said that the famous Bodisatwa Padhmasambhava (Guru Rimpochhe) had meditated in this cave.
After crossing the small river and following the right-side trail where we ascend until the top we have enjoyed the different Himalaya views and have seen the Samar village. Continue towards Samar village, on the way we need to cross two gorges and after that we will reach at Samar for lunch. Follow the small and dusty trail until Chele village.
Down to the Tsele village there are the 16 caves where the Kaligandaki river flow through the rock tunnel. There is a bridge near to the tunnel, after crossing the bridge we need to walk 45 minutes ahead to reach the Chhusang village. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Trek to Jomsom (2743m) 6 hrs.
Today is the last day of our trek and it is a long one. After trekking for a while, we come to an end of our Mustang trails and join the trails of the Annapurna circuit. We stop for lunch at Kagbeni. After lunch, we continue our trek to Jomsom. Overnight at guesthouse.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16: Fly / Drive to Pokhara (822m) 25 mins
We fly to Pokhara early in the morning. The aircraft flies through a gorge between the mountains of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, making the flight an incredible experience. After arriving in Pokhara free and rest. Overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 17: Drive back to Kathmandu (1400m)
We leave for Kathmandu at approximately 7.30 am by tourist bus. We arrive back in Kathmandu at approximately 2- 3.00 pm. In the evening we have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 18: Free day / Shopping
Today is rest and relax throughout the day. If you get interested to take some gifts from Nepal for friends and relatives, visit to some nearby shops or go out in Thamel, Kathmandu for typical Nepalese goods.
Day 19: Departure from Nepal
The trip concludes! our airport representative will drop you to the Kathmandu International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
Why the Upper Mustang region is restricted?
Until 1992, Upper Mustang was a restricted demilitarized area, making it one of the world’s most protected areas due to its relative isolation from the outside world. From the top of the Annapurna Circuit, the valley runs south to north and reaches the border with Tibet, so most of the people still speak traditional Tibetan languages.
Why is the Upper Mustang trek more expensive?
Our price is based on using 2 domestic flights (Pokhara – Jomsom – Pokhara), but it is possible to travel by road, which would drop the cost, but the main reason the trek is more expensive is due to the permit cost.
Conclusion
With all the above information, there is no doubt that Upper Mustang Trek is a very costly trek. However, let us remind you that this should not be your reason to be discouraged.
The Upper Mustang Trek is once in a lifetime experience and is worth every penny you pay for. Mustang attracts more and more trekkers each year because of its untouched natural beauty and cultural lifestyle. We therefore highly recommend that you visit Mustang and be a part of the journey you’ve never experienced before. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
