Upper Mustang Trek
Mustang Region, Nepal
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Duration
17 Hours
Tour Type
Trekking & Hiking
Group Size
15 persons
Location
Nepal
Overview
Upper Mustang Trek Overview
✅On high scenic Upper Mustang once a forbidden kingdom opened since last few decades
✅Panorama of Western Himalayan mountains beyond the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range
✅Exploring rural farm villages of interesting Buddhist culture, traditions, and colorful custom
✅Walking on the beautiful windswept country into the high country to the walled village of Lo-Manthang
✅One of the most scenic and picturesque countries on the Old Trans Himalaya Trade Route Trail
Trip Introduction
Upper Mustang Trekking, one of the few scenic and cultural destinations around Far northwest Nepal Himalaya never to be missed if you are planning an adventure holiday in Nepal. Truly a fascinating adventure that leads you to a high vast wide and scenic country, actually an extension of South West Tibetan plateau which is the largest and highest in the world, where this trek offers the utmost scenery of snow-capped mountains to high eroded windswept cliffs and canyons of wide colors.
Upper Mustang was closed to the outside world since it was opened in the late 1980s where travelers can witness its vast treasures of beautiful country and its traditional villages of immense Buddhist and Bon culture with views of the Dhaulagiri-Annapurna-Mustang Himal with Damodar Himal range.
Starting our wonderful journey with a scenic short flight from beautiful Pokhara city heading towards North Far West to land at Jomsom Airport (headquarter and administrative town of Mustang district).From Jomsom town the home of Thakali people the original tribe of Kaligandaki River valley with a long history of trade with Tibet on this old Trans-Himalayan Salt / Caravan route of Nepal and Tibet beyond upper Mustang.
The walk begins from Jomsom heading into the picturesque country of eroded cliffs and canyons of varied colors that change with sunlight then past the charming villages of Kagbeni-Tsusang-Chele-Tsarang to reach our goal destination at walled Lo-Manthang, once a forbidden kingdom of Lo and Upper Mustang.
With a marvelous time exploring the medieval period in the large village of Lo-Manthang visiting its important monasteries and palace of the former Mustang Raja/king, then heading back on the same route to Jomsom, which allows you more opportunity to marvel at this beautiful country before flying back to Pokhara. Ending our wonderful adventure in Pokhara, with a flight from Jomsom for last overnight by the serene Phewa Lake with a fantastic time and experience on Upper Mustang Trekking.
Included/Excluded
All transport in a private vehicle including airport transfers.
Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a star-category hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara
Flight Ticket Pokhara/Jomsom/Pokhara
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara with Deluxe tourist Bus
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu with Deluxe tourist Bus
Three daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
Unlimited Chlorine treated safe drinking water
Drinks (Tea and Coffee)
Best available twin-sharing room for accommodation during the trek.
Snacks for energy bars and seasonal fresh fruits during the trek
One highly experienced, helpful, and friendly government license holder guide, Porters (1 porter for 2 people), and their food, accommodation, salary, and equipment. Accident insurance for all staff
All Necessary paperwork and permits / ( (ACAP and TIMS Permits ) and Upper Mustang restricted permits
Duffel bag for trekking
Trekking route Map
First aid medicine kit
Government taxes
Farewell dinner (Nepali Typical food)
Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
Lunch and Dinner in Pokhara
Boiled water
Bottle drinks
WI-fi
Electronic Device recharge
Personal Travel insurance
Snacks and other personal expenses
Hot showers during the trek
Personal trekking equipment
Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers
Itinerary Expand All Close All
On arrival by respective airlines where our guide and staff receive you for a short drive to your hotel in the hub of busy Kathmandu, with hotels in a quiet environment after getting a refresher in your rooms our guide will brief you on treks-hotels with necessary information. The evening includes a group dinner in a nice Nepali restaurant with the Culture and folk dance of Nepal to go with your meals.
At Kathmandu a free day to join in for an exciting sightseeing tour of great interest where our city and tour guide will show you around Nepal's most important world heritage sites for a few hours and then back to hotel preparation for the Upper Mustang trek.
Morning an exciting overland journey to Nepal Mid West at Pokhara on the country's most busy And interesting highway with a drive of six hours, on reaching Pokhara transfer to your hotel by Phewa Lakeside, with time for short walks around the lakeside full of good restaurants-shops-and stores with excellent hotels.
Early morning transfer to Pokhara airport for a scenic short flight to Jomsom of less than 30 minutes with the grand panorama of Dhaulagiri-Tukuche-Nilgiris with Annapurna and Machhapuchare Himal. After an exciting view airborne reaching Jomsom, the headquarter town of Mustang district is located around Kaligandaki River valley. Herewith is time to get organized with refreshments starting our first day walk to Kagbeni towards North West for our first overnight at Kagbeni. An interesting village where you can observe local culture similar to the Tibetan traditional way of life, Kagbeni is the gateway to Upper Mustang, where all foreign visitors require special permits to enter the forbidden kingdom of Upper Mustang.
The morning walk leads into high Upper Mustang with a slow uphill and exposed valley enclosed within colorful eroded canyons and high cliff edge dotted with small caves, as our route leads on a gradual path with glorious views of Nilgiris-Dhaulagiri and Mustang Himal, with short rest in between and then reaching at the first village of inner Upper Mustang at Chussang often spelled as Tsusang also.
A farm area within a few tree lines of Willow-Juniper and Poplars that surrounds the village, the only species that survive in this harsh arid climate, here with time to enjoy and visit a local village.
From this village, the walk leads to cross a stream past broken and eroded canyons which look like ruined castle walls within high surrounding cliffs, as the walk lead past Chussang with views of colorful and brilliant red eroded cliffs above mouths of inaccessible caves. After a steady walk of one hour reach Chele / Tshele village for short brief stops and observe the village's old traditional life. From Chele, the village walk gets steeper for an hour with a climb to a ridge of above 3,130 m high with grand views of Gyagar across a huge canyon. Trek continues with a slow climb on this windswept terrain till a small scenic pass is reached at 3,540 m. From here a gradual descent leads to Samar for an overnight stop in a nice local lodge or guest house.
Walk today starts with a short climb above Samar village to reach a ridge top, and then downhill heading towards a large gorge past a prayer Chorten of red, black, yellow, and white color. The adventure continues to reach another scenic valley with sparse vegetation of juniper trees, after crossing a stream, the walk leads uphill to a ridge above 3,800 m high, and then climbs over to another pass, from here our route descends to Shyangmochen. This is a small settlement with a few small tea shops at above 3,710 m high, after a nice and pleasant break continues with a gentle climb over a pass at 3,770 m to enter a huge valley on a downhill path towards our overnight stop at Gelling with its large fields of barley that surround this pretty village.
After a wonderful and pleasant overnight in Gelling, the morning begins with a gradual slow climb past crop fields within the center of the valley, walk leads below Tama Gung settlements, and continues with a long climb across the head of a valley above Nyi La pass 3,950m. The top rewards you with a stunning panorama of Mustang terrain with white snow-capped peaks and this is the highest point of the adventure and the southern boundary of Lo. From here a gradual downhill brings to a junction; the right path leads directly to Tsarang while the left leads to Ghami village one of the main majors of the Lo region. Our route leads below within blue, grey, and red cliffs across a valley to cross a steel bridge over the Tangmarchu River, path climbs past to a long and magnificent stretch of Mani (prayer) wall, probably the longest series of prayer wall in whole Himalaya region.
From here with the last and final climb of the day above a 3,600 m high pass, from here a gentle descent leads to Tsarang or Charang for the overnight halt, an interesting village with a maze of fields, willow trees, and a huge five-story high of white-colored Dzong and a Monastery known as Gompa situated on the edge of the Kali Gandaki gorge, around Tsarang with its community electricity system.
Today toward our final and most awaited main highlight destination to Lo Manthang, the morning starts with a short downhill to cross Charangchu River, and then with a steep climb to a ridge passing Tholung valley. Here our trail diverts towards the north with a gradual climb to reach a large Chorten, which marks the boundary between Tsarang and Lo, the climb follows a stream and then reaches a great wide windswept valley. As the walk finally reaches the top 3,850 m high pass offers a grand view of the walled village of Lo Mananthang, taking a short descent towards a stream that outlines the walled village, from here a short climb leads you to the southern wall of Lo Manthang village.
The only entrance to the village from the North-East corner, so one has to walk around the wall to reach the main entrance gate sometimes. On entering the former forbidden kingdom of Lo Manthang, transfer into a local lodge and guesthouses with time to browse around its alley and narrow streets with shops and stores.
Rest day at Lo-Manthang, once the capital of Lo (Mustang district), one of the largest villages with more than 150 houses includes several residents for the priest, monks, and lamas, houses are closely packed with palace and monasteries located in the bottom section around vertical part of L shaped houses. The school, health post, police post, and several important Chorten are located outside the walls to the north of the gate and east of the monastic areas of this large village. Despite the apparent squalor of Lo Manthang, the village is well-off and maintains a strong sense of community. Here people call themselves Lobas, people from Lo. Interwoven with strong Tibetan Buddhism practice of culture and economy, before strong trade with Tibet where all salt and wool trade within Kali Gandaki passed through Lo-Manthang and this brought a substantial amount of economy to this great village town.
The Mustang raja's palace stands as an imposing 4 story building in the center of the city. It is the home of the former Raja (king), Jigme Parbal Bista, and the Rani (queen), who is from the noble family of Lhasa and Shigatse in Tibet. We have reserved a day for you to relax with a tour of famous monasteries Namgyal Gompa, Champa Lakhang (God House), Red Thubchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and the great Entrance Hall with special permission to visit the palace interior.
With an exciting and enjoyable time in Lo-Manthang, depart from this mystical and legendary kingdom starting with a descent and a few short climb to Ghami. As the morning walk leads outside the walled Lo-Manthang village, our route leads to a steady climb to a pass offering a last glimpse of Lo-Manthang, walk from here on is more or less gradual with downhill slopes most of the way to Ghami village for overnight stop, Ghami another important village of Upper Mustang region.
Trek today follows the same route towards Nyi La, climbing to the ridge and then contouring upwards, and then reaching the road coming from Tsarang. From the top of the ridge, a steep descent to Gelling Valley. The trail continues bypassing Gelling to a lone teahouse and then a gentle downhill to a small settlement of Tama Gung. A steep switchbacks trail leads to a stream; the trail climbs to a large painted Chorten and then on a straightforward route to our overnight stop at Samar.
Our route from Samar leads on a downhill trail in the same direction for a few hours past Chele village to reach Mustang Khola, from here walk leads on a gradual path in between great canyons and eroded high cliffs to reach back at Kagbeni for the last overnight within Upper Mustang.
From Kagbeni our last day of the great adventure on Upper Mustang Trek, as morning leads on the same route to Jomsom with easy gradual downhill reaching back at Kaligandaki river valley, walking on vast windswept Kaligandaki river valley to reach Jomsom, the headquarters town of the Mustang region with a small airstrip above Kaligandaki River. An afternoon with time for a walk around Jomsom town, home of Thakali people within Kaligandaki River valley famous for apple orchards and garden as well for delicious apples and products like cider, brandy, and juice a delightful town for walks around the street with shops and stores.
From Jomsom, a morning short and scenic flight ending our final day of the great adventure, with an exciting flight to reach beautiful Pokhara for an overnight stop by the clam Phewa Lake. Pokhara is a popular touristic destination blessed with natural beauty and picturesque scenery of mountains-hills and lakes.
Morning an early drive back to Kathmandu on an interesting highway with the exciting journey as the drive leads through rural farm villages and towns with views of mountains after a six-hour drive ending at Kathmandu, then transfer to your respective hotels.
Your final and last day in amazing Nepal in the country of high Himalayas with remarkable time and adventure on Upper Mustang trekking, depart from the hotel for your onward destinations flying homeward bound.
Travel Styles
Cultural
Nature & Adventure
Independent
Activities
Festival & Events
Special Interest
Facilities
Entry Permits
FAQs
Do I need permit to go Upper Mustang trek?
Yes, you need a permit for the Upper Mustang Trek. The Upper Mustang region is a restricted area and only a limited number of trekkers are allowed to visit each year. The cost of the Upper Mustang permit varies depending on the length of your trek, normally around $500 for a 10-day permit. The Annapurna Conservation Permit (ACAP) TIMS Card is required for trekking in this area, It is important to note that you must be accompanied by a licensed trekking guide in order to obtain the permit. This is to ensure that the local culture and environment are protected and to provide support in case of an emergency.
Can I take flight to go Upper Mustang trek?
Yes, you can take a flight to go on the Upper Mustang trek. The nearest airport to the Upper Mustang trek is Jomsom Airport, From Jomsom, you can start your trek to Upper Mustang. Taking a flight to Jomsom is a popular option for many trekkers, as it allows you to save time and energy that would otherwise be spent on a long and strenuous road journey.
Are there any difficulties during the Upper Mustang trek?
Yes, the Upper Mustang trek can present some difficulties, but the upper mustang trek is a moderate adventure, The trek takes you to high elevations, which can cause altitude sickness in some people. The trek is in a remote and isolated region, so medical facilities and help may not be easily accessible in case of an emergency. But you will have a very good dirt road during the whole trip to transport in emergency cases the Upper Mustang trek offers a unique and rewarding experience, with breathtaking landscapes and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditional Tibetan culture. It is recommended to be well-prepared and to seek advice from experienced trekkers or local tour operators before embarking on the trek.
How is the drinking water during the upper Mustang trek?
Drinking water during the Upper Mustang trek can be a concern for the trekkers. Boiling water is the safest and most effective way to purify it. Water filters Portable water filters and purification tablets are effective at removing bacteria and other contaminants from water. Mountain eco treks provide water purification tablet which is safe for a drink.
It is important to note that the water quality can vary along the trek, so it is always advisable to check with local villagers or your trekking guide for the most recent information on water quality and sources.
What type of meals available during the upper Mustang trek?
Most items served at teahouses are freshly prepared and healthy.
For breakfast, they serve oats, Tibetan bread, chappati, bread, hash browns, and eggs in different styles. You will also have a choice of tea or coffee.
For lunch and Dinner, there are plenty of dishes available, like fried noodles, traditional dal-bhat (typical Nepali food) Sherpa stew, steamed or fried Mo: Mo (dumplings with vegetable or meat filling), pasta, pizza, paratha, burgers, and more. Those who are vegan will be pleased to hear that the food available on the trek is suitable for your dietary needs.
What accommodation facilities are available in upper mustang trek?
During the upper Mustang trek, trekkers have a variety of accommodation options available, including Basic lodges that provide basic amenities like a bed and meals. They are common along the trekking routes and are a great way to experience the local culture. There is available luxury accommodation as well. The type of accommodation selected will depend on personal preferences and budget. It is important to note that the availability of these options may be limited during the peak trekking season.
Can I go upper mustang trek with overland tour?
Yes, you can go on the Upper Mustang trek with an overland tour. Overland tours usually involve traveling by road, you can take the whole trip with the overland tour as well. An overland tour offers the advantage of being able to see more of the surrounding countryside and villages, as well as having a more flexible schedule and the option to stop and explore along the way. Overall, the choice between an overland tour and a trek-only option depends on personal preferences and travel goals.
Can I go upper mustang trek without guide?
while it is technically possible to go on the Upper Mustang trek without a guide, But A special permit is required to enter the Upper Mustang region, and it is only possible to obtain this permit with the help of a local trekking agency. also, it is not recommended due to the challenging and remote nature of the trek, and the potential safety and cultural sensitivity issues. It is always advisable to hire a local guide or join a guided trekking group to ensure a safe and enjoyable trekking experience.
Can I obtain upper mustang permit myself?
The Upper Mustang region is considered a restricted area, and the Nepalese government regulates access to the region to ensure that it is preserved and protected. The permit is necessary to enter the region, and it can only be obtained by working with a local trekking agency, so you cannot obtain the Upper Mustang permit yourself.
Is there network for cell phone and Wi-fi service in upper mustang trek?
Cell phone and Wi-Fi coverage in the Upper Mustang trek is limited and unreliable. While some trekkers have reported being able to get a signal in some areas, it is not a guarantee and often depends on the service provider and the location it is recommended to check with your service provider about international roaming options or to purchase a local SIM card.
Can you get high altitude sickness during Upper Mustang trek?
Yes, sometimes it is possible to get high altitude sickness during the upper mustang trek. The trek takes you to an altitude of 3840 meters Lo-man thang at its highest point, which is above the altitude at which many people may begin to experience symptoms of altitude sickness. So it is possible to get high altitude sickness during the Upper Mustang trek. High altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a common condition that can occur when you rapidly ascend to high altitudes, such as those found in the Upper Mustang trek.
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