Upper Mustang Trek
- Duration
- 16 days
- Max altitude
- 4,100 m
- Difficulty
-
Moderate
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Monsoon (Jun–Aug) · Spring (Mar–May) · Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $1,890.00
Overview
Behind the Himalaya, in the rain shadow, the old Kingdom of Lo. Red cliffs, cave dwellings cut into them, and the walled city of Lo Manthang. Because it sits beyond the main range it stays walkable through the monsoon, when most of Nepal does not.
Every departure is private and led by a government-licensed Nepali guide, so the plan flexes to your party and to the mountain. Permits, park fees and local taxes are inside the price you see.
Read our full Upper Mustang Trek guide for what Lo Manthang actually involves, the restricted-area permit, and why this is one of the few routes that stays walkable through monsoon.
Trip highlights
- The walled city of Lo Manthang
- Cave monasteries in the cliffs
- Walkable in monsoon, unlike most of Nepal
- Restricted area permit, limited visitors
Day by day
The itinerary
-
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m) and transfer to your hotel 1,400 m Hotel
Our airport representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport with a signboard outside the terminal and takes you to your hotel in a private vehicle. Your guide briefs you on the route and collects the passport details for the restricted area permit.
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Day 2: Tourist bus to Pokhara (820 m), 7 to 9 hours 820 m Hotel B
We pick you up at 6:30 am for the tourist bus, which leaves around 7:30. Pokhara sits on Phewa Lake with Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas to the north, quieter and greener than Kathmandu, and the jumping-off point for the Jomsom flight.
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Day 3: Fly to Jomsom (2,720 m), drive to Kagbeni (2,810 m) 2,810 m Teahouse B/L/D
An early 30-minute flight up the Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge on earth, between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. In Jomsom you meet the rest of the trekking team, then it's a short drive of about an hour to Kagbeni, the walled village at the gateway to Upper Mustang, where the restricted-area permits are checked.
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Day 4: Kagbeni to Ghami (3,520 m) via Samar, Chungsi Cave and Syangboche 3,800 m 3 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A full day mixing jeep and foot. Two to three hours by jeep to Samar for lunch, then a two to three hour walk to the Chungsi cave monastery, a shrine built inside the cliff, and a half-hour climb to Syangboche (3,800 m). From there the jeep takes us on to Ghami through the dry, eroded landscape that defines Mustang.
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Day 5: Ghami to Charang (3,560 m) via Ghar Gompa (3,950 m) 3,950 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Three and a half to four hours on foot to Ghar Gompa, also called Lo Gekar, one of the oldest monasteries in the region and linked by tradition to Guru Rinpoche, with its famous painted rock carvings. An hour to look around, then two to three hours on to Charang for the night.
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Day 6: Drive from Charang to Lo Manthang (3,810 m), 2 to 3 hours 3,810 m Teahouse B/L/D
A short drive of two to three hours to Lo Manthang, the walled former capital of the Kingdom of Lo. The afternoon is free to wander inside the walls.
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Day 7: Explore Lo Manthang: the royal palace and the great monasteries 3,810 m 3-4 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A full day in the walled city on foot, three to four hours of gentle walking. We visit the royal palace, Thubchen Gompa, Chode Gompa and the Champa Lhakhang, whose wall paintings are among the finest surviving examples of Tibetan Buddhist art, and look out to the cave dwellings cut into the cliffs nearby.
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Day 8: Lo Manthang to Yara (3,650 m) over the Dhi pass (4,100 m) 4,100 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
We leave by the quieter eastern side of the valley. A climb to the Dhi pass at around 4,100 m, the highest point of the trek, then down to Dhi, one of the most prosperous villages in Lo. We cross the river and follow its bank to Yara. Harder than the way up, and much more rewarding.
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Day 9: Day trip to Luri Gompa (3,880 m) and back to Yara 3,880 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
About three hours each way to Luri Gompa, a cave monastery built into a cliff above the valley, with painted chambers and natural sandstone pillars inside. One of the most remarkable sites in Mustang. Back to Yara for the night.
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Day 10: Yara to Tangye (3,340 m) 3,340 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
About two hours along a river fed from Damodar Kunda, which usually has to be waded since there's no bridge, then a steep climb to a pass of around 3,850 m over bare, treeless hills. A fast descent brings us to Tangye, a tight cluster of about thirty connected houses with firewood stacked on the rooftops and some striking old stupas.
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Day 11: Tangye to Tetang (3,040 m) 3,040 m 8-9 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
The longest and most remote day of the trek, across high, open ridges with no villages between Tangye and Tetang. Carry plenty of water and snacks; your guide sets a steady pace and keeps the group together. Tetang sits above Chhusang near the Kali Gandaki.
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Day 12: Tetang to Muktinath (3,760 m) 3,760 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
The last walking day. Up through the village past its mani walls, across a high plateau and over a small pass with the first view of Muktinath and the mountains beyond. Muktinath is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike, with its 108 water spouts and an eternal flame; we walk around the temple before settling in.
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Day 13: Drive to Jomsom and fly to Pokhara (820 m) 820 m Hotel B
An early jeep down to Jomsom, about an hour, for the morning flight to Pokhara. Jomsom flights are weather-dependent: if ours is grounded, the next day is our buffer, or we drive to Pokhara by jeep and refund the airfare difference.
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Day 14: Spare day in Pokhara 820 m Hotel B/D
Held in reserve for a delayed Jomsom flight. If the flight ran on time, it's a free day in Pokhara, by the lake or out on the water. Farewell dinner in the evening.
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Day 15: Tourist bus back to Kathmandu (1,400 m), 6 to 7 hours 1,400 m Hotel B
The morning bus back to Kathmandu and a transfer to your hotel.
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Day 16: Departure 1,400 m B
Our airport representative takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $2,270.00 | Comfortfrom $2,678.60 | Luxuryfrom $3,291.50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village | Premium lodge where the route has one |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load | Extra porter, carry almost nothing |
| Transfers | Shared | Private | Private, throughout |
What's included
Included
- Included: In Kathmandu: two nights in a comfortable 3-star hotel with twin-sharing rooms and breakfast, one before the trip and one after
- Included: In Pokhara: three nights at a lakeside hotel with breakfast, one before the trek and two at the end, including the spare day
- Included: During the trek: carefully chosen mountain lodges with twin-sharing rooms throughout
- Included: Full board meals during the trek: breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
- Included: Tea or coffee up to three times a day on the trail
- Included: Fresh fruit after dinner each evening
- Included: A farewell dinner in Pokhara
- Included: Airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu
- Included: Tourist bus between Kathmandu and Pokhara, both ways
- Included: Flights between Pokhara and Jomsom, both ways, with the drives from Jomsom to Kagbeni and from Muktinath back to Jomsom. If weather grounds the return flight, we drive to Pokhara instead and refund the airfare difference.
- Included: Jeep transfers on the sections of the route shown as drives in the itinerary
- Included: All monastery and monument entry fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Included: Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
- Included: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Included: An experienced, English-speaking, government-licensed guide with extensive knowledge of Mustang
- Included: One porter for every two travellers, carrying up to 25 kg combined, with fair wages, meals, accommodation, equipment, insurance and medical support for the whole team
- Included: Medical supplies carried by the guide, including an oximeter, water purification and basic altitude medicine, with daily health checks
- Included: Warm jacket and sleeping bag on loan for the trek (3 to 4 kg)
- Included: A 70-litre trekking duffel bag for each traveller
- Included: Keepsake set with an Upper Mustang trek map, T-shirt and cap
- Included: Trek completion certificate
- Included: All government taxes, permits and service charges
Not included
- Not included: Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Not included: Travel insurance
- Not included: International airfare
- Not included: Nepal entry visa (on arrival at Kathmandu airport: USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days)
- Not included: Cold drinks, bottled water, snacks and other personal expenses
- Not included: Hot showers during the trek
- Not included: Personal trekking equipment
- Not included: Tips for trekking staff and drivers
Meeting & logistics
Getting there & back
30 am for the tourist bus to Pokhara, which leaves around 7:30 and takes seven to nine hours. From Pokhara you fly to Jomsom and drive to Kagbeni, where the trek starts. At the end you drive from Muktinath to Jomsom and fly back to Pokhara, with a spare day there, then take the tourist bus to Kathmandu. If weather grounds the return flight, we drive to Pokhara instead and refund the airfare difference.
Our airport representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport with a signboard outside the terminal and takes you to your hotel. Your guide briefs you on the route and collects the passport details we need for the restricted area permit.
Know before you go
Suitability & requirements
Upper Mustang is a restricted area, so a licensed guide is mandatory and the permit, which is a large part of the price, is applied for through a registered agency. We do that for you. Since March 2026 the permit is issued to solo travellers too, so you no longer need a second person to go.
Some sections between villages are driven by jeep rather than walked, because a road now runs up the valley; the itinerary shows which. The Yara to Tangye day usually involves wading a river with no bridge, so bring sandals.
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $2,270.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $1,890.00 | $380.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $1,775.00 | $495.00 |
| 7 or more | $1,665.00 | $605.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Monsoon (Jun–Aug)Wet and cloudy on most routes, though Mustang and Dolpo sit in the rain shadow behind the main range and stay walkable.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)Cold and quiet, with the clearest skies of the year at lower altitude. High passes and very high routes are best avoided.
Questions
Asked about this trip
Can I go to Upper Mustang on my own?
Yes. Since March 2026 the restricted area permit is issued to solo travellers too, so you no longer need a second person. A licensed guide is still mandatory, and is included.
Which permits do I need, and who arranges them?
The Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. We apply through our registered agency. The restricted area permit is a large part of the price and needs your passport details, so send us your dates early.
Do we walk the whole way?
No. A road now runs up the valley, so some sections between villages are driven by jeep, and the itinerary shows which. The Yara to Tangye day usually means wading a river with no bridge, so bring sandals.
How high does it go?
The highest point is the Dhi pass at 4,100 m, and the nights are between about 2,800 and 3,800 m. Your guide carries an oximeter, water purification and basic altitude medicine, and checks everyone daily.
Who carries my luggage?
One porter for every two travellers, carrying up to 25 kg combined. You walk with a day pack.
When can I do this trek?
We run it in every season. Tell us your dates and we will tell you honestly what to expect.
How does booking confirmation work?
Because every trip is private and arranged around your dates, bookings are confirmed by our team rather than instantly. You will get written confirmation and your private trip link once your guide and permits are secured.
Can I pay a deposit and settle the balance later?
Yes. Choose the deposit option to secure your dates, and we will send a secure payment link for the balance before departure, or you can settle by bank transfer.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation, less the bank transaction fee charged by the payment provider, which is non-refundable. Full terms are in our published cancellation policy.
Traveller reviews
What travellers say
Good to know
FAQ & policies
Can I go to Upper Mustang on my own?
Yes. Since March 2026 the restricted area permit is issued to solo travellers too, so you no longer need a second person. A licensed guide is still mandatory, and is included.
Which permits do I need, and who arranges them?
The Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. We apply through our registered agency. The restricted area permit is a large part of the price and needs your passport details, so send us your dates early.
Do we walk the whole way?
No. A road now runs up the valley, so some sections between villages are driven by jeep, and the itinerary shows which. The Yara to Tangye day usually means wading a river with no bridge, so bring sandals.
How high does it go?
The highest point is the Dhi pass at 4,100 m, and the nights are between about 2,800 and 3,800 m. Your guide carries an oximeter, water purification and basic altitude medicine, and checks everyone daily.
Who carries my luggage?
One porter for every two travellers, carrying up to 25 kg combined. You walk with a day pack.
When can I do this trek?
We run it in every season. Tell us your dates and we will tell you honestly what to expect.
How does booking confirmation work?
Because every trip is private and arranged around your dates, bookings are confirmed by our team rather than instantly. You will get written confirmation and your private trip link once your guide and permits are secured.
Can I pay a deposit and settle the balance later?
Yes. Choose the deposit option to secure your dates, and we will send a secure payment link for the balance before departure, or you can settle by bank transfer.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation, less the bank transaction fee charged by the payment provider, which is non-refundable. Full terms are in our published cancellation policy.
Why book with us
Every trail, one licensed team
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