Trek to upper Mustang is typical experience of Himalayan kingdom of Nepal with typical Tibetan landscape and peoples of Tibetan cultures. You can join our group trek or choose your own private group trek. There should be minimum two persons to ubtain Upper Mustang restricted area permit.
Upper Mustang is remote and isolated region of the Nepalese Himalayas. Area is still highly restricted for non tourist. Restricted area permit from Nepal government is applied for this area. Upper mustang is perfect destination to explore beautiful landscape, Himalayas, typical cultures and century’s oldest monasteries. Trekking in upper mustang is similar to trekking in Tibet. Geographically upper mustang is part of Tibetan plateau and living style of peoples of the area is influence from Tibetan cultures. Some part of Mustang is cultures of Thakali peoples whose cultures combine Tibetan and Nepalese. They mostly are well established in tourist services owing to their house as tourist standard tea houses.
Our 16 days Upper Mustang Trekking includes one day sightseeing in Kathmandu valley by expertise of Nepal Highland Treks. Third day is starting your trek by reaching at natural city Pokhara. After 15 minutes of flight, you will reach at Jomsom on forth day. Gradually up walking trail start after that. Trekking trail is not particularly difficult. It is slowly reaching at high altitude. The maximum altitude in this trek is 3800 miter which is Lo-Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang. When mustang was a separate kingdom within Nepalese boundary a king was ruling from Lomanthang. Local king palace lies still in here. Hundred of Chortens, oldest caves and Buddhist monasteries are important visit sites. You will have one full day to sightseeing around Lo-Manthang.
More suitable for trekking in the upper mustang is in monsoon season (month of June, July and August). Because, the land is rain shadow areas. Spring (month of March, April and May) and autumn (month of September, October and November) is still good seasons to trek. Mustang is cold and upper trekking trails are full of ice in winter. Area is windy after late morning throughout the year. Local tea houses have build as tourist standard accommodation. Same tea houses provide hygienic foods too. Your guide from Nepal Highland Trek chooses best available accommodations on the way. Trek back is normally on same way. We also can trek back another way of Upper mustang but those areas do not have local tea houses, thus camping trek is required.
The expert team of Nepal highland Trek can provide you other information and more details if you need. Upper Mustang Trekking need at least 2 peoples to obtain trekking permit. If you are single, we can make you join in any of our suitable group. Please feel free to write put us an email.
Upper Mustang is also possible to explore with motorbike, Moountain Bike and with 4wheel Jeep. Upper Mustang during Tiji festival is another best experience. Tiji Festival Tour to Upper Mustang is in different dates every year as per the Tibetan calender. Those who are looking for luxury way to to explore Upper Mustang in short days, can choose Helicopter tour to Upper Mustang.
Day 01:Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel. 1300m
Day 02:Day in Kathmandu, sightseeing and trek preparation, fly to pokhara for overnight
Day 03:Early flight to Jomsom (15 minutes) and trek to Kagbeni (2810m). 3 hours. Overnight at tea house
Day 04:Trek kagbeni to Chele (3050m) 6 hours. Overnight at tea house.
Day 05:Trek Chele to Shyangboche (3800m) 7 hours. Overnight at tea house.
Day 06:Trek Shyangboche to Tsarang (3560m) 7 Hours. Overnight at tea house
Day 07:Trek Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3800m) 5 Hours. Overnight at tea house.
Day 08:Exploration Lo Manthang. Overnight at tea house.
Day 09:Trek to Dhakmar (3800m) 6 hours. Overnight at tea house
Day 10:Trek to Ghiling (3570m) 6 hours. Overnight at tea house.
Day 11:Trek to Samar (3550m) 6 hours. Overnight at tea house
Day 12:Trek back to Kagbeni (2810m) 6 hours. Overnight at tea house
Day 13:Trek back to Jomsom (2750m) 3 hours. Overnight at tea house
Day 14:Fly back to Pokhara and half day sightseeing around. Overnight at Hotel
Day 15:Fly back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. Free time in Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel
Day 16:Departure and farewell friends
Our Itinerary for Upper Mustang Trekking is general one. You can change it as per your interest; itinerary can be also changed on the way. Guide from Nepal Highland Treks is always flexible and suggest you better option once he knows your interest and walking style. If you are joining with group, itinerary can be change as per main group interest. For your kind information, Upper Mustang restricted area permit cost is US dollar 500 per person. If you stay more than 10 days in side restricted area, US dollar 50 per day per person is extra only for permit. Restricted are begins after Kagbeni and end at Kagbeni. Minimum group size most be two persons to obtain permit.
Cost is based on tourist bus to and from Pokhara. If you choose private transportation or flight to and from Pokhara, cost will be extra change. Your visa cost of Nepal is also not including in the cost. It is USD 50 for one month multi entry visa which you can get on arrival.
Join small group joining trekking to Upper Mustang
Nepal Highland Treks can make you join in our small group trekking to Upper Mustang. We will have fixed departure dates from March to October. Every dates of departure can have different itineraries and services. Please make sure about it before booking your trek.
Day 1Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel. 1300mRepresentative of Nepal Highland Trek will pick up you from international airport and transfer to hotel. If time permits, talk and little preparation of the trek. We can assist you to buy trekking equipment around Thamel.
Day 2Day in Kathmandu, sightseeing and trek preparation, fly to pokhara for overnight Sightseeing in major historical places of Kathmandu valley. Our guide will lead you two major heritage sides inside Kathmandu valley. Bouddhanath stupa and Bhaktapur durbar squire. We plan to set meeting your trekking guide and talking about the trip in breakfast time. Back to Hotel and drive to domestic airport for flying to Pokhara. It is 25 minutes flight. pickup from the airport and drop to the hotel and overnight
Day 3Early flight to Jomsom (15 minutes) and trek to Kagbeni (2810m). 3 hours. Overnight at tea house Jomsom flight is always at early in the morning. We wither pack out breakfast from hotel or take early breakfast to drive Pokhara airport. Only 15 minutes flight is with tiny aircraft. Land at jomsom airport and start walking to Kagbeni. Your trek is via Kaligandaki river valley with view of Nilgiri, haulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges
Day 4Trek kagbeni to Chele (3050m) 6 hours. Overnight at tea house. It is interesting to explore small Chorten and monasteries in Kagbeni. You will reach at restricted area after permit check point at the end of Kagbeni village. Most of the route of trek follows Kaligandaki river valley. Small villages are crossing with field of Apple, barley and wheat. Mount Nilgiri shows during full day in different snaps. Reach Chele which is starting of Tibetan style village
Day 5Trek Chele to Shyangboche (3800m) 7 hours. Overnight at tea house. Trek through Narrow Street with the view of Damodar Kunda, Tilicho peak and Yakawa Khang. Continue climbing at plateau land cross Samar village. We also pass 3600 miter Taklam La pass. We can enjoy day with cool stream and Jupiter trees. Small Chorter and Ramchung cave on the way are other memories of the day
Day 6Trek Shyangboche to Tsarang (3560m) 7 Hours. Overnight at tea house Start gently climb to the pass which is 3770 miter and decent to Geling village. Trek route passing few tea houses and Chortens. The Tibetan styles houses and long mani walls are interesting to view and take pictures. Reach Tsarang, if time permits visit white Dzong and red Gumpas around
Day 7Trek Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3800m) 5 Hours. Overnight at tea house. Today is the day of reaching at head of Upper Mustang. Trail goes very fine with minor climb. We visit an oldest monastery called Lo-Ghekar gumba on the way. The magnificent view of Annapurna, Bhrikuti peak, Nilgiri and Tilicho are picturesque from land of plateau. Lo Manthang is walled city touch Tibetan boarder
Day 8Exploration Lo Manthang. Overnight at tea house.Today explore Namgyal gumpa which is situated at hilltop of valley and an important for the local peoples. Your tour continue to Tingkhar village. Tingkhar village is the last village and main village of Lo Manthang. If time permits visit another attraction of four stories of King Palace with panoramic Himalayan view surroundings
Day 9Trek to Dhakmar (3800m) 6 hours. Overnight at tea house We trek different route from Lo Manthang than we trek up before. Route is passing via Gyakar village and Ghar Gumba. Gumba is about 1200 year old. Strong legend about Ghar Gumba is, those wish their wishes there will be fulfilled. Reach at Dhakmar and evening exploration around
Day 10Trek to Ghiling (3570m) 6 hours. Overnight at tea house. Trek to Ghiling village passing through Ghami La pass. You will reach earlier today and can explore surroundings at the evening
Day 11Trek to Samar (3550m) 6 hours. Overnight at tea houseContinue follow up hills and downhill. Reach at Samar by crossing Chhuksang village
Day 12Trek back to Kagbeni (2810m) 6 hours. Overnight at tea house The same way back to Kagbeni
Day 13Trek back to Jomsom (2750m) 3 hours. Overnight at tea houseA short day of trek at last day. You can reach Jomsom early and take rest. Or option to visit famous Marpha village. Have return at Jomsom for overnight for your next day early morning flight to Pokhara
Day 14Fly back to Pokhara and half day sightseeing around. Overnight at HotelEarly morning walk to Jomsom airport and fly back to Pokhara. Check in hotel and plan to visit major sites of Pokhara. Boating at Fewa Lake, visit international mountain museum and evening walking at lakeside is good idea
Day 15Fly back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. Free time in Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel After your breakfast in Hotel, drive to Pokhara airport and fly back to Kathmandu. It is 25 minutes flight. Pickup from the airport and transfer you to Hotel. Free to for you
Day 16Departure and farewell friends Drive you to International airport for your final departure
Our fixed departure date for Upper Mustang Trekking can be worthful if you are single traveller. We at least need two trekkers to ubtain restricted permit for Upper Mustang Trekking from Nepal government. You can choose your own date if you are at least 2 pax or more. Let us know if you want your own new date. We may not be updated with our other fixed departure dates, so please send us email for details and other fixed departure dates in you want to join.
Accommodation in the trip
Our package is including 5 nights hotel in Kathmandu and in Pokhara. It is 3 star category hotels with breakfast and twin sharing. Accommodation in entire trekking is in local tea houses (Local guest house) on twin sharing. You will get rooms with inside toilet in Kagbeni and in Jomsom only. Rests of the overnights are room without toilet inside. All the tea houses are providing common toilets outside your room. Upper Mustang trekking region have limit tea house accommodation, at the time of main season it may have over flow of trekkers. In that situation, you may share common room with other trekkers. But it is less chance
Foods in the trip
Kathmandu and Pokhara have lots of restaurants to choose for your Lunch and Dinner. Breakfast is including in the package that is provided by same hotel you are staying. During your trekking, same tea houses you are going to stay provide you breakfast and Dinner. Lunch is on the way at suitable place. All the foods during trekking is including in the packages. Hotel and restaurants provide you international standard foods in entire Upper Mustang.
Guide and Porter
Your guide and porters to Upper Mustang Trekking are from Kathmandu. He is the one who will be our regular guide more responsible, friendly, and helpful English speaking. You will meet him in Kathmandu before starting your trek. There will be 1 porter for every two trekkers. He is able to carry total 25 kilogram. Both guide and porters are fully equipped, insured and package including their foods, accommodation on the way. Trekking guides are those who can communicate with you and local peoples and having enough knowledge of local places, peoples, their cultures and having knowledge of high altitude sickness.
Drinking water during Trekking
Drinking water is extra cost from package. During the trek it is available bottled mineral water, boiled water fill in your own bottle from every tea houses or can use even normal water from Tap. Bottled mineral water is available in every guest houses, shops in entire Upper Mustang. As you hike high altitude, cost of bottled mineral water and boil filtered water increase. Water from local taps can be also used as drinking water by purification with purification tablet and filter it yourself. Most of the trekkers are drinking bottled mineral water and boiled filtered water. Trekkers are using local tap water rarely.
Equipment list
You do not need to bring whole equipments from your home country. Good trekking equipments with reasonable cost are available in Kathmandu. We can suggest you to buy those after we check it in hotel before starting of trekking. Representative from Nepal Highland Treks or your guide can provide you good suggestion. Our itinerary has enough time to be prepared with your proper equipment.
Clothing List
Round cap to protect from sun during sunny day
Warm head cover cap
Muff to cover mouth from heavy wind and cold
2 pairs warm inner thermal and inner trouser
1 pair warm outer trouser
1 pair warm wind proof warm outer trouser
One pair light and warm jacket or sweeter
One pair down jacket
One pair wind proof jacket
2 pairs light shocks
2 pair warm shocks
1 pair light shoe or sandal
1 pair warm water proof trekking shoes
2 pairs light trouser or half paint for walking during day and hot temperature
3 to 4 pairs of light t-shirt
Warm glove
Rain coat (cover body and backpack)
20 litter polar bag for trekking, carrying yourself (Trekking bag pack)
Duffel bag or big polar bag to hand over with your goods to our Porter *
Down Sleeping bag with its Inner * (* = Nepal Highland Treks provide in returnable based)
Other accessories
Head lamp with enough battery
Camera and its battery
Battery charger
Trekking stick
Phone and charger
lip care
Sun cream
Toilet papers
Hand wash lotion
Thoth brush add paste
Washing shop and bath shampoo
Quick dry towel
First Aid Kit Medicines
In every trekking package, our guide will carry first aid kit box containing medicines of anti altitude, anti Diarrhea, pain relief, Antibiotic, anti cold, anti vomiting, anti headache, fever, bandages, handplast and anti septic lotion . If you are taking any regular medicine that is compulsory to bring yourself.
Some Dos and Dont’s during Upper Mustang Trekking
Upper Mustang route is sensitive land which is one of the restricted areas. It is unspoiled and exotic land which is sensitive. Treat the land and local peoples with care and respect. Try your best to keep environment clean and show appreciation for culture and traditional religious beliefs.
Make Upper Mustang region litter free: Do not through any litter; put it in dustbin fixed by national park or in local tea houses. Sanitary napkins and tampons should be wrapped properly and through it right place. Take batteries back to your home country for safe disposal or reuse.
Respect local cultures, custom and peoples: Route of Upper Mustang is combination of different cultural ethnic group of local peoples. Their culture, customs, living style and any function is typical and it is important for them. So respect all these while you are there. You can involve respectfully in those function.
Take your guide with you in every hiking and climbing: our guide will be always with your while trekking every days. You are trekking and hiking in remote areas with maximum altitude. Few days in the itinerary are as acclimatization day and hiking around for recovering stamina. Take your guide with you in all these activities. It is Himalaya and do not be more exited, take advice from guide to take any decision.
Do not through foods after order: Foods are all carried from Pokhara or from Kathmandu. It takes a week time to reach all the foods in the area of Lo manthang. It is important that you order only sufficient food which you can finish. Do not waste any foods in the region. Meet items are not fresh in the high region. The land is out of scarifies any animals, and meets are all carried from out of region. This is the reason meets are not fresh.
Hemanta of Nepal Highland Treks arranged it all and even found me a trekking mate so he and I could comply with the Upper Mustang permit requirement. This worked out very well. Guide and porter were very good and pleasant company. Everything went smoothly; where unforeseen circumstances occurred like cancellation of our Pokhara-Jomsom flight due to weather conditions, Hemanta was flexible and immediately did the necessary to enable us to continue
- Peter, Netherlands