Upper Mustang Trek

Duration

18 Days

Difficulty

Moderate

Max. altitude

4230 M

Group Size

2-15

Trip Starts

Kathmandu

Trip Ends

Kathmandu

Group Style

Private & Group

Best season

March - Nov

Overview and Highlights

The Upper Mustang Trek takes you to an isolated and remote hidden paradise situated in the Trans-Himalayan region of Nepal. It is also known as ‘The Last Forbidden Kingdom’ because it was restricted until the Nepalese government opened it to foreigners only in 1992.

The Upper Mustang trek gives the trekkers an unforgettable, unique experience of the closely tied Tibetan culture and tradition, with the warm hospitality of the local people. Stupas, Chhortens, Kaanis, Prayer flags, and centuries-old monasteries are commonly seen along the treeless, barren landscape, offering a panoramic view of the Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Tilicho, and several other snow-capped peaks. Because of the loneliness and isolation for a long time, trekkers will have the opportunity to explore the lifestyle and cultural heritage that have remained almost unaffected for centuries.

The Upper Mustang region is an ideal trekking destination in Nepal for anyone who is highly interested in Tibetan Buddhism. There are centuries-old monasteries in every village. One of the most prominent and important monasteries in the Upper Mustang is Ghar Gompa(Lho Ghyekar) of Marang Village. It holds a high place in Tibetan Buddhism because it is an 8th-century monastery older than the Samye Gompa of Tibet, built on the recommendation of Guru Rinpoche. Another place of high interest is the long mani wall of Ghami, which is believed to be the intestine of a demon killed by Guru Rinpoche.

Our 18-day Upper Mustang Trek Itinerary starts from Jomsom by taking a scenic and short flight from Pokhara. Another option is to walk from Ghorepani-Poon Hill-Tatopani-Jomsom. The best time to trek is between August and October and between April and June. The best thing about this place is that it is equally possible to visit during the monsoon, as it receives little or no rainfall because of its location. The highest altitude in this trek is 4230 meters.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1350 M)

Arrive at Kathmandu airport. One of the members of our team will take you to the hotel. You can rest for the day, and in the evening, you will meet with the guide in your hotel lobby. He will brief you on further programs

Accomodation: Hotel

Day 2: Preparation for trek and Kathmandu valley tour

You will go on a guided sightseeing tour to several UNESCO World Heritage sites. You will visit one of the holiest temples of Hindus, the Pashupatinath temple. Nearby this temple is located the largest in Nepal, the Boudhanath stupa. After visiting these places, you will head to Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. In the evening, you will meet with your trek guide, who will brief you about the trek.

Accomodation: Same Hotel

Day 3: Drive to Pokhara (825 M)

After having breakfast, you will drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The drive will be scenic and long. Enjoying beautiful views of lush green hills, rivers, waterfalls, terraced fields, and small settlements, you will reach Pokhara, welcoming you with excellent views of Mt. Fishtail, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and Mt. Annapurna. In the evening, you can stroll in the Lakeside market and also do boating on tranquil Fewa Lake.

Drive: 4 hours

Accomodation: Hotel

Day 4: Fly to Jomsom (2720 M) and trek to Kagbeni (2850 M)

An early morning scenic flight will take you to one of the most gorgeous places in Nepal, Jomsom. After reaching here, you will begin trekking alongside the lovely valley. You will reach Ekalbatti, and further, the trail from here will take you to Kagbeni.

Élévation gain: 250 m

Elevation loss: 50 m

Accomodation: Lodge

Day 5: Trek to Muktinath (3760 M)

Leaving Kagbeni behind, you will begin ascending toward one of the holiest sites of Hinduism, the Muktinath Temple. The trail will pass by small villages and present you with a beautiful landscape view.

Elevation gain: 960m

Elevation loss: 50 m

Accomodation: Lodge

Day 6: Trek to Chele (3050 M) via Gyu La (4077 M)

You will visit Muktinath Temple early in the morning. After that, you will have breakfast and continue trekking towards Chele. The trail ascends to the Gyu La Pass (4077 M). From here, you will descend through Tetang, Chhuksang village, and cross a bridge over the Kaligandaki River, then, after a short climb, you will arrive at Chele.

Elevation gain: 540 m

Elevation loss: 1250 m

Accomodation: Lodge

Day 7: Trek to Syanboche (3800 M)

Today, you will take an alternative route as the old and short route has been damaged by road construction. You will slowly ascend to Ghyakar village by crossing Ghyakar Khola and from there to Samar village via Dajori La pass (3735 M). You will take our lunch here, enjoying the view of the Annapurna massif. From here, you will need to make a short descent and ascend about 3/4 times until Chungsi Cave by crossing the rivulets three times. You will spend some time here, and then continue trekking to Syanboche through a small gorge.

Elevation gain: 1180 m

Elevation loss: 500 m

Accomodation: Lodge

Day 8: Trek to Dhakmar (3820 M)

After having a warm breakfast, you will begin trekking towards Dhakmar. You will make a gradual ascent on a rugged path to Nyi La pass (4010 M) via Tamagaun, Chhungar, and Jhaite village. From the pass, you can see the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. And then, you will descend to Ghami village via Ghami La Pass (3765 M), where you will have our lunch. After lunch, you will continue your trek to Dakmar by crossing a wooden bridge over Ghami Khola. While walking, you can see the longest Mani wall of Upper Mustang on a hill opposite to our trail. Then you will arrive at Dhakmar after making a short ascent. Dhakmar is a small, peaceful village situated in front of huge red cliffs.

Elevation gain: 680 m

Elevation loss: 780 m

Accomodation: Lodge

Day 9: Trek to Lo Manthang (3810 M) via Mui La (4170 M), Ghar Gompa (3934 M) and Chogo La (4280 M)

After breakfast, you leave Dhakmar and ascend Mui La Pass (4170 M) and then descend to Ghar Gompa while passing through the alpine meadows. Ghar Gompa is the oldest monastery in Nepal and Tibet, which was built by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century. After having lunch in Ghar Gompa, you will cross a wooden bridge over Tsarang Khola and gradually climb up to Chogo La (4280 M), and finally descend to the walled capital of Lo-Manthang.

Elevation gain: 825 m

Elevation loss: 750 m

Accomodation: Lodge

Day 10: Explore Lo Manthang

Today, you will explore Lo Manthang, the capital of Mustang, which contains about 150 houses and has some of the largest and finest Tibetan Buddhist gompas in Nepal. It is a fascinating place with four major ancient Monasteries, which are impressive, and an enormous 14th-century palace, imposing a 4-story building in the center.

Day 11: Trek to Yara (3650 M)

From Lo- Manthang, you will ascend towards the Lo La Pass. From here, you will leave the main trail and descend to Dhi village via Dhi La Pass, where you will have our lunch. Then, by crossing a bridge over the Kaligandaki River, you will ascend on a narrow trail until reaching Yara. The trail passes through a beautiful landscape with caves on the hills opposite the trail.

Elevation gain: 640m

Elevation loss: 800 m

Accomodatiin: Lodge

Day 12: Excursion to Luri Gompa and back to Yara

After having breakfast, you will go on a short excursion to nearby areas. You will trek to Luri Gompa by passing through Ghara village. While exploring this gompa, you will visit Luri Caves as well, which are believed to be linked with Tashi Kabum caves. After spending some time, you will take another route to Yara through the Puyung Khola and Tashi Kabum Gompa.

Elevation gain: 540 m

Elevation loss: 550 m

Accomodation: Lodge

Day 13: Trek to Tange (3340 M)

Leaving Yara behind, you will trek on the off-the-beaten path and cross a bridge over Dhechyang Khola. There we can see the new settlement and community apple farm in a big valley above the Dhechyang Khola bank. The settlement was started by the people of Dhey village because of the scarcity of drinking water in their old village. Then you will ascend for the next 2 hours, descend, and then walk on the flatlands for the next 2 hours, finally reaching Tange village. It’s a small village located on the bank of a river.

Elevation gain: 800 m

Elevation loss:1000 m

Accomodation: Lodge

Day 14: Trek to Chhusang (2980 M)

Today you will need to take a packed lunch as there are no settlements until Chhusang. You will start the trek by crossing a bridge near the village and another one a little bit further. From here, you will ascend to Pa Bhanjyang (4200 M), where you will get to see the superb views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Tilicho Peak, Thorong Peak, and the Upper Mustang valley. You will have a packed lunch here. The trail then descends to Chhusang. This is one of the most challenging days of this trek.

Elevation gain: 1200 m

Elevation loss: 1550m

Accomodation: Lodge

Day 15: Trek to Jomsom (2720 M)

After a quick breakfast, you will begin descending towards Jomsom. The trail will present you with gorgeous views of nature. Passing by small villages, you will descend to Jomsom village for a night’s stay.

Note: Today, we will need to walk mostly through the rugged vehicle road. There is no other option as the trekking trail has been completely covered up by the rugged vehicle road.

Elevation gain: 100m

Elevation loss: 300m

Accomodation: Lodge

Day 16: Fly back to Pokhara (825 M)

Today, early in the morning, you will fly back to Pokhara. The flight will be short with an outstanding landscape view. Upon reaching Pokhara airport, you will head to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore around.

flight: 20 minutes

Accomodation: Hotel

Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu (1350 M)

After having breakfast, you will drive back to Kathmandu following a scenic route. In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner organized by the company.

Accomodation: Hotel

Day 18: Final departure

Today, you will fly back to your home. As per your flight departure time, you will be taken to the airport.

INCLUSIVES

All airport transfers and ground transportation by private vehicle as specified in the itinerary.

Domestic flights as described in the program.
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis with breakfast Bed & Breakfast.
Accommodation during the trek in comfortable teahouses/lodges as detailed in the day-by-day itinerary.
Full-board meals during the trek, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Afternoon tea with biscuits is served upon arrival at each lodge whenever available.
An experienced English-speaking or French-speaking Nepalese trekking guide throughout the trip. A French-speaking guide is guaranteed for groups of four or more participants.
A complete trekking team, including a licensed guide, one assistant guide for groups of four or more participants, and one porter for every two trekkers.
Porter or animal services for transporting luggage during the trek where required.
Luggage transport 13 kg maximum per person during the trek
All necessary trekking permits, national park entry fees, and restricted area permits as applicable.
Comprehensive first-aid kit carried by the guide.
Insurance coverage for all trekking staff.
All local and government taxes.

EXCLUSIVES

International flights.
Nepal entry visa fees.
Entrance fees for sightseeing sites in Kathmandu.
Personal travel insurance, including medical expenses, emergency,helicopter evacuation, hospitalization, and repatriation insurance trip cancellation, interruption, baggage loss.
All personal expenses and trekking equipment.
Sleeping bag (if not provided). But if you need 1-2 $ per Sleeping Bag per day
Any services not specifically mentioned in “The Price Includes.”
Airport transfers if you have booked your international flights independently or if you arrive or depart on dates different from the rest of the Group.
Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara: approximately $/€ 5–10 per meal.
Entrance fees to temples, monasteries, and monuments during the optional sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley: approximately $/€ 15–25 per person, depending on the sites visite.
Hot showers in teahouses: approximately $/€ 1-2 per shower.
Beverages and bottled water.
Wifi, Device Charge $/€ 1-2 each time