Nepal · Trekking

15-Day Upper Mustang Trek in Nepal with Lo Manthang and Kagbeni

15 Days Round trip from Kathmandu 44600 Hard pace
Upper Mustang trek, Nepal
Upper Mustang trek, Nepal
Upper Mustang trek, Nepal
Upper Mustang trek, Nepal

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Do challenging hikes through varying topography
  • 02 Experience Tibetan Buddhist culture in its original form
  • 03 Visit the Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Lo
  • 04 See the natural beauty and nightlife of Pokhara

Sign up for the Upper Mustang Trek to explore the forbidden world of the ancient Buddhist Kingdom of Mustang in the upper Himalayas of western Nepal. This journey offers a perfect blend of trekking adventure, tradition, and culture as you pass through remote villages, dramatic mountain landscapes, and historic monasteries. Savour authentic local dishes such as Thakalikhana, yak meat, and apple wine, and visit the Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Lo. You will also experience the natural beauty and lively atmosphere of Pokhara.

Sign up for the Upper Mustang Trek to explore the forbidden world of the ancient Buddhist Kingdom of Mustang in the upper Himalayas of western Nepal.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 15 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Hard
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Pokhara, Kathmandu, Dhaulagiri, Mustang, Jomsom, Lo Manthang, Charang, Kagbeni
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrive in Kathmandu and Transfer to Your Hotel

  • Meet your tour guide at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Our airport representative will be there to receive you, holding your name on a placard with a pleasant welcome smile.
  • Drive to your hotel in Kathmandu for your stay in the capital.

Overnight stay.

2
Day 02

Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara

  • Have breakfast and begin your journey to Pokhara by road. It will take approximately 6 hours to reach Pokhara, the beautiful city by the lakeside.
  • Start feeling the cool mountain breeze and pleasant weather in Pokhara itself. In the evening, you can go for a walk along Phewa Lakeside and enjoy live music in local pubs.

Overnight stay.

3
Day 03

Fly to Jomsom and Trek to Kagbeni

  • Take a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, the regional headquarters of Mustang. After a 20-minute flight, begin your trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni.
  • Walk north alongside the Kali Gandaki River for 3 hours, and you will reach Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang.

Overnight stay.

4
Day 04

Trek from Kagbeni to Chele

  • Continue your trek along the eastern bank of the Kali Gandaki River, climbing through ridges and heading north to reach the village of Tangbe. To the south of Kagbeni, the majestic Nilgiri stands tall.
  • Walk for 2 hours and cross the Kali Gandaki River, leading you to the village of Chhusang.
  • Climb a rocky red cliff and cross the Kali Gandaki valley to reach Chele. Here, you will notice the transition from Manangi culture to Tibetan culture.

Overnight stay.

5
Day 05

Trek from Chele to Syanboche via High Passes

  • Have breakfast. Today will be a long hiking day as you walk for 6 hours through captivating caves and amazing mountain views.
  • Pass along Taklam La Pass (3,624 m) and Darjori La Pass (3,735 m). To reach Syangbochen, you will walk through Samar village along a steep ridge trail.

Overnight stay.

6
Day 06

Trek from Syanbochen to Ghami

  • Hike gently uphill to reach a pass, then trek down to Gelling village.
  • Continue hiking uphill toward Nyi La Pass.
  • Descend for an hour to reach a trail junction. Taking the trail on the left will lead you to Ghaymi, while the right trail leads to Charang. In Ghami, the houses are clustered and built with whitewashed mud and stones beneath overhanging cliffs.

Overnight stay.

7
Day 07

Trek from Ghami to Charang

  • Trek to Charang, the driest place in Mustang. It is a fairly tiring trek across rough terrain, but the destination rewards you with mind-boggling views of the remote countryside and mountains in all four directions.
  • Rest once you reach Charang, a village situated at the top of Charang Chu Canyon. To the east of the village are medieval forts and Red Gompas that house spectacular statues and Thang-ka collections.

Overnight stay.

8
Day 08

Trek from Charang to Lo-Mangthang

  • Have breakfast at Charang. Today is the most exciting part of your trek.
  • Head towards the ancient capital of Lo (Mustang), Lo Manthang. The city of Lo Manthang was founded in 1380 by Ame Pal and was the walled capital of the Lo Kingdom. The city accommodates around 150 households and residences for lama gurus.
  • Trek to Lo-Gekar, the oldest Gompa in Nepal, older than the Samye Gompa of Tibet. You will have the opportunity to visit the ancient temples and monasteries of the region, as well as the periphery of the impressive Royal Palace, where the royal family resides.

Overnight stay.

9
Day 09

Explore Lo-Mangthang and Nearby Monasteries

  • Lease horses to guide you through the beautiful valley for sightseeing.
  • Begin with a 2-hour visit to Namgyal Gompa, situated on a hilltop and carrying high socio-religious importance. This Gompa serves as a courthouse in the Kingdom of Lo. The villages of Tingkar are situated northwest of Lo Manthang and have around 40 households.
  • Visit Champa Lhakhang, where you will witness mandala paintings on stone walls and a large Buddha statue.

Overnight stay.

10
Day 10

Trek from Lo-Mangthang to Dhamkar

  • Take the upper highland trail towards Gyakar village. The trek is rewarding, with spectacular views of Lo Manthang and the Charang Valley, with snow-capped mountains in the background.
  • Cross the Dhi Pass to reach Dhamkar.

Overnight stay.

11
Day 11

Trek from Dhakmar to Ghiling

  • Have breakfast at Dhamkar and trek through dry terrain and strong winds.
  • Pass through terraced farmlands to reach Ghiling after 5-6 hours of walking. You will get to see amazing views of Mount Dhaulagiri and Mount Nilgiri in the background.

Overnight stay.

12
Day 12

Trek from Ghiling to Chhuksang

  • Continue trekking over steep ridges and high hills. You will reach Tetang, the upper village of Chhuksang, which lies between two hills.
  • Hike for 5-6 hours and notice how people in mountain villages live and survive.
  • Cross many small villages during your hike.

Overnight stay.

13
Day 13

Trek from Chhuksang to Jomsom

  • Pass through Jharkot village and visit the local monastery and the Grand Tibetan Herbal Medicine Center on your last day of the trek.
  • Visit ancient forts and enjoy views of the Kali Gandaki Valley and Kagbeni village while heading to Jomsom.

Overnight stay.

14
Day 14

Fly to Pokhara and Drive Back to Kathmandu

  • Take an early flight to Pokhara from Jomsom.
  • Take a bus ride back to Kathmandu. You will arrive by evening.

Overnight stay.

15
Day 15

Departure from Kathmandu

  • Depart from Kathmandu. Our airport representative will meet you at the hotel and drive you to Tribhuvan International Airport a few hours before your departure.
Lo Manthang walled capital, Kali Gandaki River gorge, Phewa Lake, Pokhara lakeside

Where this trip takes you

Lo Manthang walled capital, Kali Gandaki River gorge, Phewa Lake, Pokhara lakeside

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kathmandu 44600 8 cities · 15 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Airport pickup and drop-off
  • Two nights in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu (Hotel Bliss International or a similar category) with breakfast on a twin-share basis
  • Two nights in a 3-star hotel in Pokhara (Hotel Crystal Palace or a similar category) with breakfast on a twin-share basis
  • Welcome dinner in Kathmandu
  • Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu by tourist bus
  • Pokhara - Jomsom - Pokhara flights with airport tax
  • Accommodation in lodges or tea houses during the trek on a twin-share basis
  • Meals during the trek: breakfast, lunch, and dinner with tea/coffee
  • An experienced, English-speaking, government-licensed Nepal trek leader and assistant trek leader (1 assistant guide for every 4 trekkers), plus a professional insured porter (1 porter for 2 guests), including their salary, meals, accommodation, transportation, and insurance
  • All necessary paperwork and permits (national park permit and restricted area permit)
  • Sleeping bag, trekking pole, and trekking map (sleeping bag and trekking pole are to be returned after trip completion)
  • A comprehensive medical kit
  • All government and local taxes

What's Not Included

  • Nepal visa fee (bring small denomination cash in USD and two passport photographs)
  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu
  • Extra sightseeing activities beyond the itinerary
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu or Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, or early return from the mountain for any reason beyond the scheduled itinerary
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu by private vehicle or flight
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Travel and health insurance - emergency helicopter rescue insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottled or boiled water, showers, etc.)
  • Tips for guides and porter

What to bring

Please check your equipment and hiking clothes before you pack.

Head:

  • Sun hat or scarf
  • Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
  • Sunglasses with UV protection

Lower body:

  • Lightweight cotton long pants or hiking shorts
  • Fleece or wool pants (seasonal)
  • Waterproof shell pants, preferably breathable fabric

Feet:

  • Thin, lightweight inner socks
  • Thick, warm wool hiking socks
  • Hiking boots with spare laces
  • Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)

Upper body:

  • T-shirts
  • Fleece jacket or pullover
  • Waterproof shell jacket, preferably breathable fabric
  • Down vest and/or jacket *

Hands:

  • Lightweight gloves

Accessories:

  • Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F *
  • Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
  • Trekking bags/duffel bag
  • Basic first aid kit
  • Large plastic bags for keeping items dry inside the trek bag
  • Trekking poles *
  • Water bottles
  • Toiletries (small wash towel, toilet paper, etc.)

Toiletries (it's up to your comfort level):

  • 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
  • Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
  • Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
  • Deodorants
  • Nail clippers
  • Face and body moisturizer
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Small mirror

Personal hygiene (it's up to your comfort level):

  • Wet wipes (baby wipes)
  • Tissue/toilet roll
  • Anti-bacterial handwash
  • Diamox (drugs for altitude sickness, if needed)
  • Water purification pills

Extras/luxuries (it's up to your comfort level):

  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Reading book
  • Journal and pen
  • Pencils and small notebooks
  • Travel games such as chess, backgammon, or Scrabble

Know before you go

Which season is best for this trekking?

Upper Mustang trekking in Nepal can be done at any time of the year. However, February, March, and April (spring), as well as September, October, and November (autumn), are the main seasons for this trek. During these months, the weather is clear and there is a good chance of seeing amazing mountain views.

What kind of accommodation do we get during this trip?

We provide a 3-star hotel, "Hotel Bliss International or a similar category hotel," in Kathmandu, located on a peaceful street on the edge of Thamel. During the trek, we provide basic tea houses or local lodges. All accommodation is on a twin-share basis. A single supplement is available at an extra charge of USD 160.

What sort of meals do we get during this trip?

We provide a buffet breakfast in Kathmandu, which is included in the cost. During the trek, we provide three meals per day - breakfast, lunch, and dinner - from the selected menu available in the lodges and tea houses. Food during the trek is not as elaborately prepared as in Kathmandu. However, most of it is prepared by local people using ingredients from their fields. The food is organic, delicious, and quite healthy.

How fit should a trekker be for this trekking?

This trek can be done by people of any age group who are in good health. It does not require previous trekking experience. We do not recommend it for travellers who have suffered from blood pressure issues, disease, or any medical condition within the past year. We highly recommend consulting a doctor before your trek.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Walk Mountain Pvt. Ltd., Chhusya Galli, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tour start
Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 15 days finish where they began, in Kathmandu 44600.

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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,500.00 — $1,600.00
Double Sharing $1,500.00 — $1,600.00

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