Regd. No. 131741/071/072 WhatsApp No. +977 9841073239 himalayadarshantreks@gmail.com

Himalaya Darshan Treks Pvt. Ltd

"Experience Naturally Nepal With Us"

Upper Mustang Trek - 15 Days

$1950

Per person - All price inclusive

  • Trip Grade:
    Moderate
  • Max-Altitude:
    Lo manthang 3,820m
  • Best Season:
    All season
  • Trip Mode:
    Tea house
  • Group Size:
    Min 2+
  • Destination:
    Mustang Region

Upper Mustang Trek

Rocky highlands, the narrow river, as well as the golden terrain and gorgeous Himalayan range, surround the valley; the magic of Upper Mustang is beyond comprehension. Until 1992, the kingdom was, with a few exceptions, closed to foreigners. The ancient kingdom of Lo Manthang—the trans-Himalayan village of Nepal; the Upper Mustang Trek offers wonderful landscapes and colorful barren hills holding interesting myths. Geographically, Upper Mustang is the perfect place to observe the Tibetan plateau and culture, so visiting Upper Mustang makes you feel like visiting Tibet.

The major highlights of the treks include treacherous paths carved by hand into sheer cliffs, untouched scenery, spectacular views of whitewashed settlements, snow-capped peaks, hinterland enriched with deep canyons, and fabulous 16th-century monasteries. The remoteness and inaccessibility have protected well-defined Tibetan Buddhist cultures, and they remain as flourishing as they were many years ago.

UPPER MUSTANG TREK HIGHLIGHTS:

  • The Upper Mustang hike, also known as Lo-Mantang, takes you into the secret realm of Mustang’s historic Buddhist monarchy.
  • Explore the Himalayan rain shadow region and a dry zone akin to the Tibetan Plateau.
  • Experience the one-of-a-kindness of rocky pathways, the mysteries of sky caves, and a treeless environment.
  • Beautiful monasteries, such as Luri Gompa, Ghar Gompa, and many others, were erected in the 15th century.
  • The Tiji Festival serves as a global call for peace.

Explore Lo Manthang

Finally, the journey to Mustang begins at Jomsom, after a scenic flight from Pokhara. Landing at the airport in Jomsom will be a glorious moment for you. Jomsom is famous for breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, apples, and strong winds. The vital point of this varied and long route is a brilliant week of trekking through a wild and uninhabited area.

We finally reach the upper Kali Gandaki Valley and have several more days to explore the ‘forbidden kingdom’ of Upper Mustang, including a visit to the striking walled settlement of Lo Manthang. If you want to get off the beaten track, try this one!

Tiji Festival Upper Mustang

The attraction of the Mustang region is the Tiji Festival. As you can experience the true life of the real mountain people of Nepal, Upper Mustang Trekking is a rare and privileged opportunity. A special permit is required to travel further from Kagbeni, and on the trek to Upper Mustang, one will be escorted by a government-appointed official.

The trail then leads you to the hidden valley of the ancient Buddhist kingdom. This trek brings a remarkable and rare cultural experience along with an incredible adventure trek, which can make your trip a life-changing experience. The barley fields, whitewashed houses, and chortens decorated with flags add a splash of color to the landscape.

The Upper Mustang Trek’s Best Time

Mainly, the Upper Mustang Trek’s best times are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). The decreasing level of the Kali Gandaki River enables you to take a jeep to further distances. So, it makes it easy for you to trek. It is located in the rain shadow region of Nepal. The trek is also possible in the monsoon season (June to August), but getting to Jomsom or the lower part of Mustang will be hard. Even though the Upper Mustang trek is possible during winter, the cold temperature and snow might not suit everyone.

FAQ’s for the Upper Mustang Trek

How long is the Upper Mustang Trek?

Normally, the Upper Mustang Trek is 13 to 15 days; Himalaya Darshan Treks offers the Upper Mustang Trek with a 15-day itinerary and packages. This trek is flexible, so you can do it according to your vacation time.

How high is Mustang Trek?

The highest point of the Upper Mustang trek is Lo-manthang, 3850m, and you can day hike from Lo-manthang around 3985 meters, so it is the highest point of this trek.

How difficult is the Upper Mustang Trek?

The Upper Mustang trek is not so difficult if you are physically fit and have experience. Normally, you have to walk for 6 to 7 hours a day. It is a 13- to 15-day trek, and there are no adventure high passes, so it is categorized as a moderate trekking trail.

Why is Upper Mustang famous?

The Upper Mustang is very famous because once there was a kingdom of the Mustang king. Ancient and historical monasteries, more than 400 caves, a magical landscape, dramatic clay cliffs, and a unique history and culture make Upper Mustang popular worldwide.

What is the entry permit for the Upper Mustang?

You need two different types of entry permits to visit Upper Mustang. It is a restricted area, so you need a special permit, and it is in the Annapurna conservation area too, so you need an ACAP (Annapurna conservation permit). With these two permits, you are allowed to visit Upper Mustang.

How much does the Upper Mustang trek permit cost?

The government changed the restricted area permit fee. The new upper Mustang permit fee is USD 50 per person, per day (not necessary for a 10-day permit). So now it depends on your trekking days in Upper Mustang, like 5 days, 7 days, or 10 days. The old UMT Special Permit cost is USD 500 per person (for the first 10 days). Similarly, the cost is USD 50 per person for each additional day. The cost increases after the first 10 days. The ACAP permit cost is NRs 3000 per person per entry.

How much does the Upper Mustang trek cost?

There are no exact costs for the trek; different trekking agencies offer different costs with different packages. The cost depends on your group size and the quality of services. Himalaya Darshan Treks offers a 15-day Upper Mustang trek package for $1950 per person.

Why is the Upper Mustang restricted?

The unique culture and history of this region, the magic landscape, the environment, border security, and the desert area of Nepal are the reasons the Upper Mustang is restricted.

Do we need a guide for the Upper Mustang Trek?

Of course, you have to do this trek with a guide; the guide is necessary for restricted areas and special trekking routes like Upper and Lower Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Manaslu, etc.

Are you ready to book this trip?

To book this trip or for more inquiries, click Book this trip on our web page. Likewise, we have many different trekking and tour packages, so you can choose the most suitable trek with us. We suggest early booking so you have enough time to prepare for the trek. We are ready to organize your trek from your travel bucket list. You can also contact us by WhatsApp at +977 9841073239 for quick inquiries.

What do I need to pack for the Upper Mustang Trek?

For the trekking gear and packing list, you can visit this: Trekking Gear.

Itinerary

Day 1, Arrival in Kathmandu Airport (1,400m) and transfer to hotel.

We, Himalaya Darshan Treks, heartily welcome you and your group to Nepal. One of our company staff will take you to your hotel in Kathmandu. The person will be waiting outside the baggage hall of the Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, holding an A4-size paper with your name and our company name. So, you have to look for that person for your pick up from the airport. Your check-in at the hotel.

Day 2, Drive to Pokhara and transfer to hotel.

Our journey begins with a tourist bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Pokhara will take approximately 6 hours to reach by tourist bus. On the trip, you’ll be able to take in the stunning Himalayan scenery. You can explore the charming city of the lake or unwind in a nice hotel after you get there.

Day 3, Flight to Jomsom (2,720m), Trek to Kagbeni (2,810m).

We’ll fly to Jomsom, the district capital of Mustang, from Pokhara airport. If the weather is clear, the 30-minute journey will treat you to amazing views of the hill and mountains. Both Dhaulagiri and Annapurna look spectacular from the airplane. The walk itself begins in Jomsom. To go to Kagbeni, we’ll have to hike for 4 hours. Kagbeni is the gateway to Upper Mustang, located on the banks of two rivers. We need to show/check our entry permit here. Stay at the guest house.

Day 4, Trek to Tsaile (3,050m). Stay at the guest house.

Today, we’ll continue our journey towards the bank of the Kali Gandaki River. Tangbe Village, constructed of whitewashed mud and tiny lanes, will be your destination today. Along the road, you can see the apple garden and buckwheat fields. After crossing the Kali Gandaki Valley, we must ascend to Tsaile. Stay at the guest house.

Day 5, Trek to Geling (3,500m). Stay at guest house.

The morning walk from Tsaile begins with a climb to Gyakar village, followed by a trek across dry and barren terrain to Samar town, one of the most beautiful communities in the Mustang region.

After a short walk from Samar village to Bhena, there is a difficult climb to the ridge top of Yamada La pass at 3,860 meters, which offers a spectacular view of Mustang and the high slopes of Mt. Dhaulagiri. From here, it’s a downward trek to Gelling village.

Day 6, Trek to Tsarang (3,620m). Stay at guest house.

Our journey today begins with a descent down a rocky and generally slick path. We begin ascending after passing a suspension bridge across the Ghami Khola. Along the route, you’ll come across some stunning mani walls. After that, we walk to Tsarang village through the 3870 m Tsarang La Pass. The town is located at the summit of the Charang Chu canyon, with a massive castle to the east and a crimson gompa.

Day 7, Trek to Lo manthang (3,840m). Stay at guest house.

We begin our adventure by going downwards to a canyon and crossing a river before beginning our ascent to 3,950 m. From the top of the pass, you may enjoy a good view of the lovely Lo Manthang settlement. Then it’s down to Lo Manthang, a lovely walled settlement. The views of the Himalayas, including Tilicho, Nilgiri, and Annapurna I, Bhrikuti Peak, and Damodar Kunda (pond), are quite good from this location.

Day 8, Rest Day/ Excursion Day

Lo Manthang is a fortified settlement in Nepal’s remote Upper Mustang area. We spend the day hiking to Jhampa, Thupchen, and Chhoeda, the town’s three largest gompas. Over the last two decades, these three gompas have been expertly restored. We also have the option to visit Tingkhar, a charming settlement northwest of Lo-Mangthang.

Day 9, Trek to Dhakmar (3,810 m). Stay at guest house.

When we return from Lo-Manthang, we’ll take a different path. Our trek passes through Gyakar hamlet, home to the century-old Ghar Gompa, renowned for its exquisite rock murals. Anyone who makes a wish at the Gompa is claimed to have their request granted. We continue our journey to Drakmar after exploring the Gompa.

Day 10, Trek to Ghiling (3,806m). Stay at guest house.

To avoid high winds, we start our trek early in the morning and walk downward for most of the journey. Before arriving at Ghiling, we walk through a barren plateau and farmland. We are expected to meet severe gusts on our faces, making the walk challenging. Ghiling is mostly dry, but the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri mountains are still visible. In the evening, you can go for a walk around the village.

Day 11, Trek to Chusang (2,980m). Stay at guest house.

After breakfast, we set out on our journey. We take the same route up to Lo Manthang as we did before. We may enjoy wonderful views of the Himalayas and little villages we travel through on the road to Chusang.

Day 12, Trek back to Jomsom (2,720m). Stay at guest house.

After breakfast, we set out on our journey. We take the same route up to Lo Manthang as we did before. We may enjoy wonderful views of the Himalayas and little villages we travel through on the road to Jomsom.

Day 13, Flight to Pokhara transfer to hotel.

We get up early in the morning and fly to Pokhara on a lovely trip. Flying through a gorge between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains is an incredible experience in and of itself. After landing in Pokhara, we transfer to the hotel. You can spend your spare time visiting the gorgeous lake city’s streets.

Day 14, Drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus transfer to hotel.

After breakfast, we depart Pokhara’s stunning northern skyline and return to Kathmandu. After arriving in Kathmandu, you can relax or go shopping for souvenirs. In the evening, you will attend a goodbye supper to commemorate the journey’s completion.

Day 15, Final Departure.

This will be the last day of your trip to Nepal. One of our staff will take you and your group to Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, for your final departure. We wish you and your group safe flights with unforgettable memories from your Nepal trip. Hope to see you again.

What is included in this package?

  • Airport pickup and drop-off by private vehicle (domestic/international).
  • Transportation, Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus.
  • Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom to Pokhara for guests and guides.
  • Staff transportation from Pokhara to Jomsom to Pokhara by drive.
  • Experienced guide and staff with salaries, food, accommodation, and insurance (1 porter for 2 trekkers).
  • 3-night hotel in Kathmandu and 2-night hotel in Pokhara with bed and breakfast, twin sharing.
  • Twin-sharing teahouse accommodation and 3 times meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and one cup of tea/coffee with a meal.
  • All government and local taxes.
  • Upper Mustang Trek special permit.
  • Annapurna conservation entry permit
  • First Aid medical kit and an Oximeter to check pulse, heart rate, and oxygen saturation at higher altitude
  • Emergency helicopter service arrangement (if needed), which will be paid by your travel insurance company.
  • We will arrange a Duffel bag, Sleeping bag, Down Jacket, and warm hat (If you don’t have your own.)
  • Himalaya Darshan Treks branded the T-shirt as a souvenir.
  • Upper Mustang trek achievement certificate. If needed
  • Farewell dinner with the culture program.

What is excluded in this package?

  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara than the scheduled itinerary.
  • Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu.
  • Your expenses (Laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, Wi-Fi, bottle or boiled water, hot shower, etc.)
  • Tips for the guide and staff. (Tipping is expected.)
  • Travel insurance.
  • Nepal entry visa fees
  • Desserts: Sweet things like chocolate, cake, pie, pudding, etc.
  • Any other expenses that are not mentioned in the cost are included.
  • Sightseeing in Pokhara and Kathmandu.

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