Upper Mustang Trek
The walled kingdom of Lo
- 14 days
- Moderate
- From $12,600
- Duration
- 14 days
- Walking grade
- Moderate
- Highest point
- 4,230 m
- Best months
- Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
- Starts and ends
- Kathmandu
A journey into the old kingdom of Lo, where the monasteries are older than the roads.
- Lo Manthang, the walled capital of a former kingdom
- Cave monasteries and red cliffs
- Four nights at Shinta Mani Mustang
- Private 4x4 support for the long stretches
Upper Mustang kept its own king until 2008 and was closed to outsiders until 1992. Its walled capital, Lo Manthang, still keeps fifteenth-century monasteries painted inside with some of the finest murals in the Himalaya.
You begin and end at Shinta Mani Mustang, a lodge in Jomsom with views of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri. In between you travel on foot and by private 4x4 through a high desert of red cliffs, cave monasteries and villages built from mud and stone. The 4x4 is there for the long, dusty stretches, so your days are spent walking the best parts and exploring rather than covering ground.
The route goes north through Kagbeni, Chele, Ghami and Tsarang to Lo Manthang, where you spend two nights, and returns by a different line past Ghar Gompa and the red cliffs of Drakmar. Sleeping altitudes rise slowly, with two nights in Jomsom first, and never go above 3,840 metres.
This journey suits travellers who love history and landscape more than high peaks, and who want the comfort of a fine hotel at each end. On the trail the lodges are simple family teahouses, warm and welcoming, with shared bathrooms in most villages. Because Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, it is also one of the few journeys that works well in the summer monsoon.
Upper Mustang Trek: the route
8 places · starts and ends in Kathmandu
Your journey at a glance
Choose a day
Highest night 3,840 m at Lo Manthang · highest point 4,230 m
Way upWay backPositions are approximate; peaks are shown for orientation.
Upper Mustang Trek, day by day
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Day 1 Kathmandu Luxury hotel Arrival 1,400 m
Your host meets you at arrivals and walks you to a private car. The rest of the day is yours at your heritage hotel. In the evening your guide comes by to check gear and talk through the days ahead over a quiet dinner.
- Getting there
- Arrival
- Sleeping altitude
- 1,400 m
- Where you stay
- Heritage luxury hotel in Kathmandu (Dwarika's or similar)
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 Pokhara Luxury hotel Flight 25 min 820 m
A short morning flight west to Pokhara, with the Annapurnas along the right-hand windows on a clear day. The afternoon is free by Phewa Lake: a walk along the shore, a boat out to the island temple, or simply rest. Flights to Jomsom leave early, so dinner is unhurried and bedtime is early.
- Getting there
- Flight 25 min
- Sleeping altitude
- 820 m (−580 m)
- Where you stay
- Luxury lakeside or hillside hotel in Pokhara
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Days 3–4 Jomsom Shinta Mani Flight 20 min 2,720 m
The flight to Jomsom threads the Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas and lands in about twenty minutes. You settle into Shinta Mani Mustang, where the windows face Nilgiri. The second day is for acclimatising: an easy walk to Marpha, a whitewashed village of stone lanes and apple orchards, with lunch and back by afternoon.
- Getting there
- Flight 20 min
- Sleeping altitude
- 2,720 m (+1,900 m)
- Where you stay
- Shinta Mani Mustang, all-inclusive
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5 Chele Best teahouse 4–5 h · 12 km 3,050 m
The first day in Upper Mustang follows the wide river north to Kagbeni, a fortress village of mud walls and prayer wheels where the restricted area begins. Permits are checked, and the trail climbs onto the east bank to Chele. The 4x4 can carry you over the dustiest stretch if you prefer. The teahouse is simple and warm, run by a local family.
- Walking
- About 4–5 h, 12 km
- Getting there
- Private 4x4 available
- Sleeping altitude
- 3,050 m (+330 m)
- Where you stay
- Best available teahouse, private room, often with shared bathroom
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6 Ghami Best teahouse 5–6 h · 14 km 3,520 m
A long, high day. You climb out of Chele and over a series of passes above Samar, with views back to Nilgiri and across the red and ochre hills. The air is thin and dry, so the pace is slow. For the last stretch the 4x4 meets you and drives on to Ghami, a village of whitewashed houses and one of the longest mani walls in Nepal.
- Walking
- About 5–6 h, 14 km
- Getting there
- Private 4x4
- Sleeping altitude
- 3,520 m (+470 m)
- Where you stay
- Best available teahouse, private room, often with shared bathroom
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 7 Tsarang Best teahouse 3–4 h · 11 km 3,560 m
A shorter day past the long mani wall of Ghami and over a low pass to Tsarang. The village sits on the edge of a deep canyon, with a large red monastery and the ruins of an old palace above the fields. There is time in the afternoon to visit the monastery with your guide and walk the lanes.
- Walking
- About 3–4 h, 11 km
- Sleeping altitude
- 3,560 m (+40 m)
- Where you stay
- Best available teahouse, private room, often with shared bathroom
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Days 8–9 Lo Manthang Best teahouse 4 h · 11 km 3,840 m
You cross one last pass and Lo Manthang appears below: a walled town of about 150 houses on a wide plateau. In the afternoon you visit the monasteries of Jampa and Thubchen, whose wall paintings are among the finest in the Himalaya. The next day you ride out on horseback to the cave villages and cave monasteries of the Chhoser valley, back for a second night in town.
- Walking
- About 4 h, 11 km
- Sleeping altitude
- 3,840 m (+280 m)
- Where you stay
- Best available teahouse, private room, often with shared bathroom
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 10 Ghiling Best teahouse 3–4 h · 10 km 3,570 m
The way south takes a different line. You pass Ghar Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in Mustang and linked with the teacher Padmasambhava, and the deep red cliffs of Drakmar, then descend to Ghiling. The 4x4 is on hand for the last section. It is the final night in a Mustang teahouse.
- Walking
- About 3–4 h, 10 km
- Getting there
- Private 4x4
- Sleeping altitude
- 3,570 m (−270 m)
- Where you stay
- Best available teahouse, private room, often with shared bathroom
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Days 11–12 Jomsom Shinta Mani Private 4x4, 6 h 2,720 m
A private 4x4 carries you back down the Kali Gandaki valley to Jomsom, about six hours with stops. The comfort of Shinta Mani Mustang after a week of teahouses is real: a hot shower, a large bed and good food. The second day is entirely for rest, with time to sit in the garden facing Nilgiri.
- Getting there
- Private 4x4, 6 h
- Sleeping altitude
- 2,720 m (−850 m)
- Where you stay
- Shinta Mani Mustang, all-inclusive
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 13 Kathmandu Luxury hotel Flights 20 + 25 min 1,400 m
An early flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, then a short connection to Kathmandu. Mountain flights depend on the morning weather, so your host keeps the day flexible. By afternoon you are back at the hotel in Kathmandu, with a farewell dinner in the evening if you would like one.
- Getting there
- Flights 20 + 25 min
- Sleeping altitude
- 1,400 m (−1,320 m)
- Where you stay
- Heritage luxury hotel in Kathmandu (Dwarika's or similar)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 14 Departure Departure
A private transfer to the airport for your flight home, timed so there is no rush. If you would like more time in Kathmandu or Pokhara, we can add nights.
- Getting there
- Departure
- Meals
- Breakfast
Walking times are typical at an unhurried pace and include rests; your guide adjusts each day to the group and the weather.
Is this journey for you?
- Walking
- Five to seven hours a day, sleeping as high as about 4,000 metres.
- Fitness
- Regular exercise and some hill walking before you come.
- Altitude
- You sleep as high as 3,840 m, with acclimatisation built into the route. We send a health questionnaire and talk it through before you book.
- Terrain
- Wide, dusty trails and jeep tracks across a high, dry plateau, with short steep climbs over passes up to about 4,000 metres and strong winds in the afternoons.
The practical details
Where you stay
Named lodges or similar, confirmed in your proposal.
- 3 nights
Luxury hotel
Heritage luxury hotel in Kathmandu (Dwarika's or similar)
Kathmandu · Pokhara
- 4 nights
Shinta Mani
Shinta Mani Mustang, all-inclusive
Jomsom
- 6 nights
Best teahouse
Best available teahouse, private room, often with shared bathroom
Chele · Ghami · Tsarang · Lo Manthang · Ghiling
Best time for the Upper Mustang Trek
- JanJanuary: Not recommended. Cold and clear; snow can close high passes.
- FebFebruary: Not recommended. Cold and clear; snow can close high passes.
- MarMarch: Best. Spring begins: clear mornings, rhododendrons in bloom lower down.
- AprApril: Best. Peak spring season: warm days, flowers, busier trails.
- MayMay: Good. Warmer and hazier, with afternoon cloud as the monsoon nears.
- JunJune: Good. Monsoon: rain most afternoons, leeches low down, mountains often hidden.
- JulJuly: Good. Monsoon: heavy rain and frequent flight cancellations.
- AugAugust: Good. Monsoon: heavy rain and frequent flight cancellations.
- SepSeptember: Good. Monsoon clears late in the month; lush valleys, some cloud.
- OctOctober: Best. Peak autumn season: clear views, festivals, busier trails.
- NovNovember: Best. Clear, stable and cooler; quieter after mid-month.
- DecDecember: Good. Cold, clear and quiet; short days at altitude.
Seasons for this journey: Spring, Summer, Autumn. Choose a month for what to expect.
Comparing prices for the Upper Mustang Trek?
Cheaper treks are usually group departures. Ask any operator:
- Is the guide yours alone?
- Yes. Only your own party travels together, never a group departure.
- How many guides and porters?
- A senior guide and a porter for every two guests.
- Are altitude checks written down?
- Twice a day above 3,000 m, with bottled oxygen on every high route.
- What if someone needs evacuating?
- A standing helicopter agreement, and insurance confirmed before you travel.
Included
- Himkora Host, plus a senior guide and a porter for every two guests
- All hotels and lodges as described
- All meals, including dinners in the cities
- Kathmandu–Pokhara flight, Pokhara–Jomsom flights, Pokhara–Kathmandu flight
- Permits: Annapurna Conservation Area permit; Upper Mustang restricted-area permit
- Porters, private vehicles and every transfer
- Down jacket, sleeping bag and a Himkora duffel on loan
- Treated drinking water every day on the trail
- Twice-daily oxygen and pulse checks, and a full first-aid kit
- Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu as described
- The Himkora Care Standard, in full
Not included
6 items
- International flights
- Nepal visa (US$50 on arrival for 30 days)
- Travel insurance with evacuation cover (required)
- Gratuities and drinks
- Wi-Fi, charging and hot showers where lodges charge for them
- Extra nights or helicopters caused by weather delays (often covered by insurance)
Before you go
Permits we arrange for you
- Annapurna Conservation Area permit and TIMS card
- Upper Mustang restricted-area permit (US$500 for 10 days)
We need a scan of your passport photo page and one passport photo about six weeks before travel. Permit fees are included in your price.
Visa and insurance
- Most nationalities get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, or online in advance. Check the Department of Immigration before you travel.
- Travel insurance is required. It must cover trekking to at least 5,000 m and helicopter evacuation; we check your policy before departure.
How we manage altitude
- Above 3,000 m, sleeping altitude rises by about 500 m a night (never more than 700 m, and then next to a rest day), with acclimatisation days built in.
- Your guide checks blood oxygen and pulse twice a day and carries bottled oxygen and a full medical kit.
- Guides always have the authority to descend, and we hold a standing helicopter-evacuation agreement in Kathmandu.
Getting ready
- Walking grade: Moderate. We send a training plan with your proposal.
- Talk to your doctor or a travel clinic about altitude medication and vaccinations at least six weeks before you travel.
- We send a health questionnaire before booking and talk it through with you.
Mountain flights
- Jomsom flights run early in the morning, before the valley winds rise. Delays are common, so we plan the days around them.
- Your itinerary ends with a night in Kathmandu. If delays run on, we can arrange a helicopter (at cost).
- Domestic baggage is usually limited to about 15 kg including your cabin bag; extra can stay at your Kathmandu hotel.
Weather
- Days are usually bright and mild in season; nights drop below freezing above about 4,000 m.
- Afternoon cloud is normal; mornings bring the clearest views.
- Upper valleys can be windy in the afternoon, especially in Mustang.
We provide
- A Himkora duffel for your porter to carry (up to 12 kg per guest)
- Down jacket and sleeping bag rated to −20°C, on loan
- Water purification, first-aid and the Care Standard kit
You bring
- Broken-in walking boots and four pairs of trekking socks
- Layers: base layers, fleece, waterproof shell jacket and trousers
- Warm hat, sun hat, gloves, sunglasses (category 3 or 4) and sunscreen
- Daypack (25–30 litres), refillable bottles, headtorch
- Personal medicines, and a copy of your insurance policy
A full packing list comes with your proposal.
Money
- Your journey is paid in advance, so you only need cash for drinks, souvenirs and tips.
- Nepali rupees are best on the trail; there are ATMs in Kathmandu, Pokhara.
Connectivity and tipping
- Most lodges have Wi-Fi, often slow and sometimes paid; mobile data works in many villages. Your guide carries a satellite messenger.
- Gratuities are not included and are always your choice. We send guidance for guides, porters and drivers with your pre-departure notes.
Similar journeys
All journeys
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The Tamang villages and glaciers of the Langtang valley, a day's drive north of Kathmandu, with an optional climb of Tserko Ri.
Manaslu Circuit Trek
A full circuit of Manaslu through Nubri villages and over Larke La (5,106 m), with two acclimatisation days, in a restricted area few people visit.
Tsum Valley Trek
A sacred hidden valley below the Tibetan border, its nunnery at Rachen Gompa and the monastery at Mu Gompa: a pilgrim valley of monasteries and mani walls.
Questions guests ask
More answers on our questions page, or write to hello@himkora.com.
How much does the Upper Mustang Trek cost?
From $12,600 per person, for two travelling privately, $11,600 per person for four and $21,900 if you travel alone. The price includes guiding, porters, accommodation, meals and permits as listed. Your proposal gives one clear price for your dates.
How many days is the Upper Mustang Trek?
14 days as we have planned it, from your arrival in Nepal to your departure. Because it is private, we can add rest days or extra nights, or shorten it if you have less time.
How difficult is the Upper Mustang Trek?
We grade it moderate. Five to seven hours a day, sleeping as high as about 4,000 metres. Regular exercise and some hill walking before you come.
How high does the Upper Mustang Trek go?
The highest point is 4,230 m (Chogo La, on the way back via Ghar Gompa), and the highest night is at 3,840 m. The itinerary includes acclimatisation days, and your guide checks your oxygen levels every morning and evening.
When is the best time for the Upper Mustang Trek?
The best months are March, April, October and November. See the month-by-month guide above for the rest of the year.
Which permits do I need for the Upper Mustang Trek?
You will need: Annapurna Conservation Area permit and TIMS card; Upper Mustang restricted-area permit (US$500 for 10 days). We arrange all of them for you and include the fees in your price.
Is every journey private?
Yes. You travel only with the people you choose, on your dates. Your guide, porters and vehicles are yours alone, and the route can be adjusted before or during the journey.
What is included in the price?
Your Himkora Host and senior guide, porters, every hotel and lodge named in the itinerary, meals as listed, domestic flights, permits, park fees and private transfers. International flights, your Nepal visa, travel insurance, drinks and gratuities are not included.
How do deposits and payment work?
A 30% deposit confirms your journey, and the balance is due 90 days before travel. Your proposal sets out the full price and the cancellation terms before you pay anything. Our full booking terms are on the Booking terms page.
How fit do I need to be?
Each journey has a walking grade, explained on its page. Before you book, we send a short health questionnaire and talk through your walking history. If a route isn't right, we will say so and suggest one that is.
How do you manage altitude?
Above 3,000 metres our itineraries raise sleeping altitude by about 500 metres a night, never more than 700 metres and then only next to a rest day, with acclimatisation days built in. Guides check blood oxygen and pulse twice a day, carry bottled oxygen on high routes, and always have the authority to turn back.
Do I need special travel insurance?
Yes. Your policy must cover trekking to the highest altitude on your route (up to 6,000 metres on our high journeys), emergency medical treatment, helicopter rescue and repatriation. We check it before you travel.
What if flights to Lukla are delayed?
Mountain flights depend on the weather, and in busy months they may leave from Ramechhap rather than Kathmandu. Every Everest itinerary keeps a spare day in Kathmandu after the Lukla flight, so a weather delay doesn't cost you any of the trek. If delays run on longer, a helicopter can be arranged at cost.
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