Upper Mustang Trek
Trek to the forbidden kingdom of Lo Manthang, a walled medieval city in the high-altitude Trans-Himalayan desert of Mustang.
Mustang · Gandaki Province
Duration
10–14 days
Distance
110 km
Max elevation
4,010 m
Permit cost
$500
Overview
The Upper Mustang Trek explores the former Kingdom of Lo, a high desert plateau in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs that preserves one of the last living Tibetan Buddhist cultures. From Jomsom the trail follows the Kali Gandaki into a landscape of ochre cliffs, eroded canyons, ancient cave dwellings and walled villages crowned by the medieval capital of Lo Manthang (3,840m). A restricted-area permit and registered guide are required. Graded moderate by altitude but long, the trek is rewarding year-round, including the summer monsoon when the rest of Nepal is wet, since Mustang lies in the Himalayan rain shadow.
Highlights
- check_circleLo Manthang walled city
- check_circleTibetan Buddhist culture
- check_circleAncient cave monasteries
- check_circleTiji Festival (May)
- check_circleDesert canyon landscapes
- check_circleMuktinath Temple
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Fly Pokhara to Jomsom (2,720m), trek to Kagbeni (2,810m)
Early mountain flight then a windy valley walk to the gateway village of Kagbeni.
Stay: Teahouse, KagbeniMax alt: 2,810 mWalking: ~4 hMeals: BLD - 2
Kagbeni to Chele (3,050m)
Enter the restricted area, passing Tangbe and Chhusang to Chele.
Stay: Teahouse, CheleMax alt: 3,050 mWalking: ~6 hMeals: BLD - 3
Chele to Syangboche (3,800m)
Cross Taklam La and Dajori La passes with widening desert views.
Stay: Teahouse, SyangbocheMax alt: 3,800 mWalking: ~6 hMeals: BLD - 4
Syangboche to Ghami (3,520m)
Descend past Ghiling to Ghami beneath red eroded cliffs.
Stay: Teahouse, GhamiMax alt: 3,520 mWalking: ~5 hMeals: BLD - 5
Ghami to Tsarang (3,560m)
Pass the longest mani wall in Mustang to the old royal seat of Tsarang.
Stay: Teahouse, TsarangMax alt: 3,560 mWalking: ~5 hMeals: BLD - 6
Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3,840m)
Climb to the walled capital of the Kingdom of Lo.
Stay: Teahouse, Lo ManthangMax alt: 3,840 mWalking: ~4 hMeals: BLD - 7
Lo Manthang exploration day
Visit Jhampa, Thubchen and Chodey gompas and the surrounding cave villages.
Stay: Teahouse, Lo ManthangMax alt: 3,840 mWalking: ~5 hMeals: BLD - 8
Lo Manthang to Dhakmar (3,820m) via Ghar Gompa
Visit the 8th-century Ghar Gompa and the red cliffs of Dhakmar.
Stay: Teahouse, DhakmarMax alt: 3,820 mWalking: ~6 hMeals: BLD - 9
Dhakmar to Ghiling (3,570m)
Return south across the plateau passes.
Stay: Teahouse, GhilingMax alt: 3,570 mWalking: ~6 hMeals: BLD - 10
Ghiling to Chhusang (2,980m)
Descend toward the Kali Gandaki.
Stay: Teahouse, ChhusangMax alt: 2,980 mWalking: ~6 hMeals: BLD - 11
Chhusang to Jomsom
Final walk out via Kagbeni to Jomsom.
Stay: Teahouse, JomsomMax alt: 2,720 mWalking: ~6 hMeals: BLD - 12
Fly Jomsom to Pokhara
Morning flight back to Pokhara.
Stay: Hotel, PokharaMax alt: 822 mWalking: ~1 hMeals: BLD
Teahouses & homestays
Lodging and food along the route. Book ahead in peak season; availability and prices vary.
Kagbeni
2,810 mFood: Dal bhat, Tibetan bread, apple products, hot drinks.
Lodging: Atmospheric medieval village lodges with attached baths.
Ghami
3,520 mFood: Simple menu; local barley and buckwheat dishes.
Lodging: Basic Lo-pa family lodges and homestays.
Tsarang
3,560 mFood: Dal bhat, Tibetan staples; limited fresh produce.
Lodging: Basic lodges near the old palace.
Lo Manthang
3,840 mFood: Best menu in Upper Mustang; bakeries and Tibetan cuisine.
Lodging: Several guesthouses inside and outside the city walls.