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Upper Mustang Trek

  • Duration 16
  • Trip Grade Moderate Trek
  • Starts at Kathmandu
  • Ends at Kathmandu
  • Meals All Inclusive
  • Accommodation Included
  • Max. Altitude 4010 m
  • Activity Jeep Tour & Hike
  • Group Type Private
  • Group Size 2-16
  • Best Season Spring & Autumn
Highlights
  • Trek to Lo Manthang and explore the ‘forbidden kingdom.’
  • Enjoy the glorious views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
  • Visit Nyiphu, Garphu, and villages in the north of Lo Manthang.
  • Explore the culture, traditions, and cuisine of Thakali and Tibetan people living in Mustang.

Upper Mustang Trek Overview

Upper Mustang Trek explores across the arid lands that border the Tibetan territory and reflect similar cultural attributes. Stretching across the northern parts of the Kali Gandaki River Valley, this trek goes along the rain shadows of the Dhaulagiri Himalayas. Likewise, the culture of the Loba ethnic group and their cultural heritage is the prime attraction on the trek. The panorama of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains also offers a mesmerizing memory.

The starting point in this trip is Kathmandu, where you make initial preparations for the trek. Then, you can choose to either take a bus or a flight to Pokhara. From Pokhara, you will fly to Jomsom, where the real trekking begins. As you follow the Kali Gandaki River upstream, the trail reaches Kagbeni and enters the Upper Mustang region. You will trek past Tangbe to settle at Chhusang.

Further, you head deeper along the arid trails to take a detour to Chungsi Cave. Also, the trail reaches Syanboche and continues north to Tsarang. As the altitude keeps on increasing, the windy conditions and steep trails make the trek more challenging. Further, you Lo La Pass (3950m) and reach the ancient capital of Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang. At Lo, you will spend a day exploring the cultural heritage and traditions of the locals. The three significant monasteries of the walled city Dragkar-Thegchen Ling Gompa, Jampa Gompa, and Thupchen Gompa are the main attractions here.

Similarly, the Garphu, Niphu, and Chooser caves are some popular destinations to visit. Meanwhile, you can also get insight into the lives of the locals. After some exploration, you begin the return trek. On the way back, you walk to Dhakmar and follow the trail south to Samar. The final part of the trek will take you to Jomsom, where you take a flight back to Pokhara.

At Brown Bear Trails, we aim to provide you with the best resources and trekking guides to make this trek safe and one of the best experiences you ever have. You can mail us or contact us if you have any queries regarding this trek.

Day to Day Itinerary
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As soon as you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, our staff will be there to receive you and drop you to your hotel. If you wish to visit any other places, you can inform us, and we will take you there. Moreover, you can buy or rent trekking equipment while you are in Kathmandu.

  • Tea 3*** Hotel
  • All Inclusive

We will leave early to Pokhara, depending on whether you opt to go by road or by flight. If you choose to take the flight, you will have a lot of time to explore Pokhara. If you choose to go by road, you will be leaving early in the morning across the Prithvi highway and reach in the late afternoon. Some of the famous locations to visit in Pokhara are Davis Falls, Mahendra Cave, World Peace Stupa, and Phewa Lake, among many others.

  • Tea 3*** Hotel
  • All Inclusive
  • 6-7 hours

After an early breakfast, you will head to Jomsom by flight. This will be a very short flight where you will be able to see the beautiful landscapes and the grand Annapurna mountain range. From Jomsom, you will begin your first trek to Kagbeni. This is a relatively more comfortable trek as it takes only a couple of hours and less effort. You will reach Kagbeni in the afternoon and can explore this small village with its walled passages and strange decorative walls.

  • Tea 3*** Hotel
  • All Inclusive
  • 6 hour
  • 200 km

Now, you shall begin your real trek to Upper Mustang. You will leave Kagbeni and head to Chele along the river Kali Gandaki. You might experience the region to be a bit windy along the way. You also may notice this region had an abundance of barley, buckwheat, and apples. We stop by the village of Tangbe for lunch and head to Chele. Overnight stay in Chele.

  • Tea Guest House
  • All Inclusive
  • 8 hours
  • 150 km

After breakfast, you will be leaving for Syanboche early in the morning. We will be passing through Taklam La pass (3,624m) and the Darjori La pass (3,735m) with a fantastic view of mountains and fascinating caves along the way. As you reach Syanboche, it is advised to take complete rest during your leisure time because of the rigorous trek.

  • Tea Tea House
  • All Inclusive
  • 2 hours
  • 20-25 km

The next day we begin our trek to Tsarang, which is also a strenuous trek. You will be crossing the Ghami river, and head across slippery trails. You will also make your way pass Yamada La pass (3850m) and Ghami village along the way. You can also see very antique walls that still have Tibetan carvings drawn on them. The Tsarang village lies on top of the Tsarang Chu canyon and is well known for its fortress and red gompa.

  • Tea Tea House
  • All Inclusive
  • 3-4 hours

After breakfast, you will begin your trek to Lo Manthang. Lo Manthang is of historical significance since it was an ancient kingdom of Lo. A lot of Buddhist festivals are still held in this place. We cross canyons and onto the Lo La pass (3950m) from where we can get a magnificent view of Lo Manthang. After descending from the pass, you will reach Lo Manthang. For the rest of the day, you can explore around and visit some local heritage.

  • Tea Guest House
  • All Inclusive
  • 2-3 hours
  • 17-20 km

On this day, we will be exploring various sites in Lo Manthang that are well known, such as Nyiphu. Nyiphu is a famous Buddhist monastery in the Nyiphu village located northeast of Lo Manthang. Similarly, Garphu is another small village which is at a small distance from Lo Manthang, and it is well known for its inner cave monasteries. Some other villages you can explore for the day are Namdo and Chooser villages.

  • Tea Tea House
  • All Inclusive
  • 2-3 hours
  • 17-20 km

After breakfast, another long day of trek awaits us. As such, the trek to Dhakmar is filled with exploration of different caves and views of mountains covering the Mustang region. On the way, you will also visit Ghar Gumba (Lo Ghekar monastery), known for its beautiful rock paintings. Descending past the Mui La Pass (4170m), you will reach Dhakmar.

  • Tea Tea House
  • All Inclusive
  • 3-4 hours

After the overnight stay in Dhakmar, we will begin early the next morning on our way to Ghiling. The trek is easy as we are going downhill now onto the plainer parts. On the way, you also cross a few tributaries of the Mustang Khola. Once we reach Ghiling, you can see a beautiful view of Nilgiri (7061m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m).

  • Tea Guest House
  • All Inclusive
  • 6-7 hour
  • 37 km

You will now begin your trek to Samar, which is a nearby village, Ghiling. Samar is one of the alternative routes used by trekkers to enter Jomsom via Kagbeni. Samar is still on almost the same altitude as Ghiling so, we can enjoy the views of Annapurna and Nilgiri ranges from here as well.

  • Tea 3*** Hotel
  • All Inclusive
  • 3-4 hours
  • 150 km

You will begin your direct descent from the hilly regions to Kagbeni after your breakfast. Leaving Samar, the trail crosses Ghyakar River and goes over the Mani La Pass (3800m). Then, you head across the Dhununpa Danda and follow the trail to the east of the Chhokam Lake. Once you reach Kagbeni, you can enjoy the local hospitality and surrounding Himalayas.

  • Tea 3*** Hotel
  • Breakfast
  • 5-6 hours
  • 200 km

After your breakfast, we will head to Jomsom which lies in the lower Mustang area. The trek on this day will be a short one as you follow the Kali Gandaki River and reach Jomsom. In your leisure time, you can interact with the local Thakali people living in the area and enjoy their cuisine in the evening. Overnight stay at Jomsom.

  • Breakfast

There are no direct flights to Kathmandu from Jomsom, so first, you will need to change flights from Pokhara. Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara is hardly 30 minutes, and so is the flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, you will be free to explore the city for the rest of the day.

This is your free day in Kathmandu, and you can do whatever you wish. If you are feeling tired, you can rest, or if you want to explore more cultural sights, you can visit Swayambhunath temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and other world heritage sites. During the evening you can visit places like Thamel or Basantapur, which has a soothing vibe.

It will be our responsibility to make sure that you reach the airport on time so that you can catch your flight. We hope you have a safe journey and Namaste!

Altitude Chart

Our team guides, porters and accompanying staff are locals with a broad knowledge about each and every location that we travel through.

Customize Trip
Cost Includes
  • All arrival and departure from the airport to hotel and back on private cars, coach or
  • buses as per the group size.
  • Accommodation in tourist standard or 3 star class hotels on bed and breakfast basis as
  • well in twin sharing basis rooms.
  • Domestic air flights from pokhara – jomsom and jomsom-pokhara-kathmandu .
  • Full board on trekking with breakfast-lunch-afternoon refreshment with dinner includes
  • twin sharing rooms in lodge on route treks and long tours.
  • Applicable Trekking Information Management Systems permits (TIMS) with
  • Conservation .
  • All tour and treks accompanied by guides-staff and porters all wages, meals,
  • accommodation, transportation facilities with Insurance against medical and accidents.
  • In some high-altitude treks we provide sleeping bags and down jackets also with
  • comprehensive medical kits carried by our guides and staff.
  • Sleeping bags, and down jackets might include depending upon trip cost.
  • First Aid and Comprehensive Medical Kit carried by our guides on all treks and climb.
  • Special Permits on Restricted Areas Treks.
Cost Excludes
  • International air-fare, Personal medical / travel insurance and Nepal visa fees.
  • Expenses of individual nature drinks, laundry, telephone bills, gratitude and meals in city
  • areas Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • On treks, laundry, recharge of electronic items and hot-showers.
  • Personal Trekking-Climbing gear and equipment’s including down jackets-sleeping bags.
  • Single Supplement on hotel rooms as well on trek in lodge where clients should inform
  • ahead on booking with extra charge on booking single private rooms where available.
  • Emergency evacuation by any means of transportations including immediate Helicopter
  • services if required on accidents, sickness and personal problems.
  • Early return from the tour or treks will not be entertainment with refund, where client
  • should borne all the expenses incurred including accompany guide-porters services.
  • Gratitude / Tipping at the end of treks and climbs.
Departure Dates
  • We have daily departures for this trip from March to May and from mid-September to mid-December. You can type in the number of passengers to book a reservation and select a date that is convenient for you. Due to group size, we never cancel a trip once you’ve made a reservation. If you would rather join the group, we will add more travelers on the selected date. You can let us know once you make a reservation or earlier.
Useful Info

 Clothing

✅ Base Layer (Moisture-wicking & Breathable)

  • 2-3 quick-dry trekking T-shirts (synthetic or merino wool)
  • 2 pairs of thermal base layers (top & bottom)

✅ Insulation Layer (Warm & Lightweight)

  • Fleece or down jacket (essential for cold mornings and evenings)
  • Insulated vest (optional)

✅ Outer Layer (Wind & Waterproof Protection)

  • Windproof & waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex recommended)
  • Windproof trekking pants

✅ Trekking Pants & Shorts

  • 2-3 pairs of trekking pants
  • 1 pair of lightweight hiking shorts (for lower elevations)

✅ Gloves & Hats

  • Warm gloves (fleece or wool)
  • Lightweight gloves (for mild weather)
  • Warm hat (wool or fleece)
  • Sun hat or cap (for protection from strong sunlight)
  • Buff or scarf (protects against wind and dust)

Footwear

✅ Trekking Boots (Broken-in, waterproof, and with good ankle support)
✅ Camp Shoes or Sandals (For relaxing in tea houses)
✅ Thick Hiking Socks (4–5 pairs, wool or synthetic)
✅ Gaiters (Optional but useful for dusty trails and keeping debris out of boots)

Sleeping Gear

✅ Sleeping Bag (-10°C to -15°C rating recommended)
✅ Sleeping Bag Liner (Optional for extra warmth and hygiene)
✅ Pillowcase or Inflatable Pillow (Optional)

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Shekhar Rayamajhi

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FAQs

  • The Upper Mustang Overland Tour takes travelers on a thrilling journey through a remote, semi-arid desert region in northwestern Nepal. This area is unique due to its Tibetan-influenced culture, ancient monasteries, and dramatic landscapes resembling the Tibetan Plateau. The region is less influenced by modernity, preserving its distinct culture, language, and customs. Unlike other areas of Nepal, Upper Mustang is largely untouched by mainstream tourism, offering an authentic and raw cultural experience, combined with stunning views of the Himalayas, including the iconic Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

  • Upper Mustang earned the title “Last Forbidden Kingdom” because it remained closed to foreigners until 1992, preserving its ancient culture. During the tour, visitors can explore historical sites like the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang, the royal palace, monasteries, and caves carved into cliffs. These cultural highlights showcase Tibetan Buddhist heritage, with intricate frescoes, statues, and rituals still practiced today. Additionally, you’ll encounter locals in traditional attire, and the region’s unique language and customs remain largely untouched by modern influences, offering a rare glimpse into an ancient kingdom’s way of life.

  • The best season to visit Upper Mustang is from late spring to early autumn (April to October), when the weather is clear and dry, offering optimal conditions for exploring. During the tour, visitors may also encounter vibrant festivals like the Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang, which celebrates the victory of good over evil with traditional dances, rituals, and music. Religious sites such as the monasteries of Lo Manthang and the ancient caves in the region are also important cultural experiences, offering insight into the spiritual practices of the Tibetan Buddhist community in Upper Mustang.

  • The Upper Mustang region is considered a restricted area, and visitors must obtain a special permit. The cost of the permit is approximately USD 500 for a 10-day stay. This permit is required for all tourists, and it ensures that the local culture and environment remain protected from over-tourism. The area is managed by the Nepalese government to preserve its unique culture, ecology, and history. The restricted status adds a layer of exclusivity to the experience, making it a rare and sought-after destination for travelers seeking adventure and cultural exploration.

  • Yes, the Upper Mustang Overland Tour itinerary can be customized to suit individual preferences and travel schedules. While the tour primarily involves overland driving, there are also several hiking opportunities, especially around Lo Manthang, where visitors can explore the ancient caves, monasteries, and local villages on foot. You may choose to extend the trek to visit more remote areas of the region or take shorter hikes to enjoy the stunning landscapes, wildlife, and cultural sites. The flexibility of the itinerary ensures a personalized experience, combining adventure and cultural immersion.

  • The Upper Mustang Overland Tour is suitable for most people with a moderate level of fitness. However, due to the high altitude of the region (up to 4,000 meters), there is a risk of altitude sickness. It is recommended to acclimatize properly, take it easy during the first few days, and stay hydrated. The overland nature of the tour means you won’t be engaging in strenuous hiking, but it’s important to be aware of the physical demands of the altitude. If you have concerns, consult with a doctor before the trip to ensure you’re prepared for the journey.

  • Yes, travel insurance is highly recommended for the Upper Mustang Overland Tour, especially since the region is remote and healthcare facilities are limited. Insurance should cover emergency evacuation, medical treatment, and trip cancellations. In case of emergencies, the tour operators are well-prepared to handle unforeseen situations. They will coordinate with local authorities and use available resources to ensure the safety of travelers. For extreme emergencies, evacuation by helicopter is available, though it is a costly service, so ensuring appropriate coverage through travel insurance is essential.

  • The overland tour typically uses 4WD vehicles, such as jeeps or Land Cruisers, which are ideal for navigating the rugged, remote terrain of Upper Mustang. These vehicles provide a comfortable and reliable means of transport, even on challenging roads. Accommodations during the tour range from basic tea houses and guesthouses to a few more comfortable lodges in Lo Manthang. The accommodations are simple, with clean rooms, shared bathrooms, and hearty meals. While basic, they offer an authentic experience, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in the region’s culture and hospitality.

  • The food available during the Upper Mustang Overland Tour consists mainly of Tibetan and Nepali dishes, including momo (dumplings), dal bhat (lentil soup with rice), and thukpa (noodle soup). The food is simple but nutritious, often prepared using locally sourced ingredients. Charging electronic devices may be limited in some remote areas, but guesthouses in Lo Manthang and other larger towns generally offer charging facilities, though power may be scarce or limited to specific hours. It’s advisable to bring a power bank for backup in case charging is unavailable in more remote regions.

  • During the Upper Mustang Overland Tour, access to mobile networks and Wi-Fi can be limited, especially in the more remote areas. However, some guesthouses in Lo Manthang and other larger settlements offer basic internet services or Wi-Fi. It’s best to manage expectations and prepare for a digital detox. The local people in Upper Mustang are known for their warmth and hospitality. Travelers will have ample opportunities to interact with locals, learn about their unique culture, and participate in everyday activities, offering a rich and rewarding cultural exchange.

  • Yes, you can visit the royal palace in Lo Manthang, which stands as a historic symbol of the former kingdom of Mustang. The palace offers fascinating insights into the region’s royal past and the traditional lifestyle of its rulers. Additionally, Upper Mustang is home to ancient caves and monasteries, such as the caves of Chhoser and the Buddhist monasteries of Lo Manthang. These caves are carved into cliffs and contain ancient wall paintings, sculptures, and religious artifacts, making them significant cultural and archaeological sites. The tour offers a rich mix of history, culture, and adventure.

  • Upper Mustang is a paradise for photography enthusiasts, with its dramatic landscapes, unique architecture, and vibrant cultural life. The region’s natural beauty, including the barren, desert-like terrain and the towering snow-capped mountains, provides fantastic photo opportunities. The local people also offer colorful cultural experiences, which can be captured in their traditional attire and festivals. However, travelers should be respectful of cultural norms. Avoid photographing religious rituals or individuals without permission, as some locals may prefer to keep their spiritual practices private. It’s essential to be mindful of local customs to ensure a respectful experience.

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