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Upper Mustang Trek – 16 Days

Upper Mustang Trek – 16 Days

Walk into the walled city of Lo Manthang, the old Kingdom of Lo

5.0/5 · 6 reviews From $1,899 per person
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Duration
16 Days / 15 Nights
Region
Mustang Region
Max altitude
4,010 m (Nyi La)
Difficulty
Moderate
Best season
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Group size
Up to 15

Overview

A journey through the Himalayas

A walk through a high desert to Lo Manthang (3,810 m), the walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo. Red cliffs, cave dwellings and 15th-century monasteries make this the most cultural trek in Nepal.

From Pokhara you fly into Jomsom and walk to Kagbeni, the gateway to the restricted area. The trail follows the Kali Gandaki north through Chele, Syangboche, Ghami and Charang to Lo Manthang, with a full day to explore the city and nearby caves. You return south via Ghami and Syangboche to Chhusang, then via Muktinath to Jomsom before flying back to Pokhara.

Distances and times are approximate and change with wind, dust and jeep sections. Anyone fit enough for 5–7 hours a day on dry, windy trails can do it. Altitude stays under about 4,100 m (Nyi La), so it suits first-timers who want culture. Mustang sits in a rain shadow — one of the few treks you can walk in June–August.

Why book with us: we arrange the Upper Mustang restricted-area permit, a licensed guide who speaks English or Spanish, and monastery entrance in Lo Manthang.

Highlights

What you will see and experience along the way

  • Entering the former Kingdom of Lo and walled Lo Manthang
  • Desert-like trans-Himalayan landscapes north of the Annapurnas
  • Ancient caves, chortens and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries
  • Crossing passes such as Nyi La on the Mustang trail
  • Kali Gandaki corridor and the gateway town of Kagbeni
  • Restricted-area culture with less monsoon cloud than southern Nepal
  • Traditional Mustang villages and flat-roofed mud architecture
Difficulty & fitness Moderate

5 to 7 hours a day with some steep sections. Suits active beginners.

Day By Day

Your itinerary

Trek route Tap a pin for the day stop
Altitude profile Highest point: 4,010 m
1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 Day 1: 1,400 m 1 Day 3: 2,810 m 3 Day 4: 3,050 m 4 Day 5: 3,800 m 5 Day 6: 4,010 m 6 Day 7: 3,560 m 7 Day 8: 3,810 m 8 Day 9: 3,810 m 9 Day 10: 3,810 m 10 Day 11: 3,800 m 11 Day 12: 3,800 m 12 Day 13: 3,800 m 13 Day 15: 1,400 m 15 Day 16: 1,400 m 16 4,010 m

Highest point reached each day, taken from the itinerary. Gradual gains give your body time to acclimatize.

Airport pickup and hotel check-in in Thamel. Meet your guide, check your gear and finalise the Upper Mustang restricted-area permit paperwork. Nepal requires a licensed guide and at least two trekkers for this region.
  • 1,400 m
  • Hotel in Thamel
About 200 km and 6–7 hours by road to Pokhara (a 25-minute flight is possible). Evening free by Phewa Lake; on a clear day Machapuchare rises above the water.
  • 822 m
  • Hotel in Pokhara
  • B
Early mountain flight (~25 minutes / ~90 km air distance) between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna to Jomsom (2,720 m), then an easy walk up the wide Kali Gandaki riverbed to Kagbeni (2,810 m), the gateway to Upper Mustang. About 1.5–3 hours on foot depending on start time and wind.
  • 2,810 m
  • Teahouse in Kagbeni
  • B, L, D
About 18 km and 3–4 hours (or a little longer with photo stops). Permit check at Kagbeni, then north along the Kali Gandaki past Tangbe and Chhusang — whitewashed houses, apple orchards and red cliffs — before the short climb into Chele. The landscape turns into high desert.
  • 3,050 m
  • Teahouse in Chele
  • B, L, D
About 14 km and 6–7 hours over two small passes, with views back to Nilgiri and Annapurna. You pass Samar, cave dwellings, chortens and wind-carved cliffs. Syangboche sits high and exposed — dusty and windy, with big sky over the Mustang plateau.
  • 3,800 m
  • Teahouse in Syangboche
  • B, L, D
About 10 km and 5–6 hours. Climb to the Nyi La (4,010 m), the highest point of the trek, then descend toward Ghami (3,520 m). The village has one of Mustang’s longest mani walls, barley fields and a strong Tibetan Buddhist character.
  • 4,010 m
  • Teahouse in Ghami
  • B, L, D
About 6 km and ~3 hours past red cliffs and long mani walls to Charang (Tsarang). Visit the old palace ruins and the monastery if time allows. A shorter day that gives you room to explore.
  • 3,560 m
  • Teahouse in Charang
  • B, L, D
About 12 km and 4–5 hours. Cross the Lo La and watch the walled city of Lo Manthang appear below — mud-brick houses, prayer flags and the former royal capital of the Kingdom of Lo. Afternoon walk through its lanes.
  • 3,810 m
  • Teahouse in Lo Manthang
  • B, L, D
Sightseeing day of about 8–10 km and 4–6 hours. Visit the Jampa and Thubchen monasteries inside the walls, then hike or take a local jeep/horse toward the Chhoser sky caves near the Tibetan border. Dust, wind and big light — bring a buff and sunglasses.
  • 3,810 m
  • Teahouse in Lo Manthang
  • B, L, D
About 18 km and 5–6 hours south from Lo Manthang back toward Ghami (3,520 m). A long, open desert day with chortens, herders and wide views across the Mustang plateau as you leave the walled city behind.
  • 3,810 m
  • Teahouse in Ghami
  • B, L, D
About 10 km and 5–6 hours retracing high ground to Syangboche. Expect wind on the ridges and another night in a simple lodge before the long descent toward the Kali Gandaki.
  • 3,800 m
  • Teahouse in Syangboche
  • B, L, D
About 30 km equivalent of trail time in 5–6 hours as you drop over the small passes and descend to Chhusang (2,980 m) on the Kali Gandaki. Red cliffs, riverbed walking and a warmer night than the high villages.
  • 3,800 m
  • Teahouse in Chhusang
  • B, L, D
About 35 km and 3–4 hours by a mix of trail and local jeep: continue to Muktinath (3,800 m), the sacred temple town with 108 water spouts, then down the Kali Gandaki to Jomsom (2,720 m). Afternoon wind is strong — we keep an early schedule.
  • 3,800 m
  • Teahouse in Jomsom
  • B, L, D
Morning flight (~25 minutes) from Jomsom to Pokhara. Afternoon free to rest by Phewa Lake, or visit the World Peace Pagoda if energy remains.
  • 822 m
  • Hotel in Pokhara
  • B
About 200 km and 6–7 hours by road back to Kathmandu (or ~25 minutes by flight). Free evening in Thamel; this day can also absorb a Jomsom flight delay from the day before.
  • 1,400 m
  • Hotel in Thamel
  • B
Buffer morning for shopping or a short visit to Boudhanath or Swayambhunath, then transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. Kept flexible for weather or flight delays on the mountain sector.
  • 1,400 m
  • B

Good To Know

What's included

Included

  • Airport pickup and drop-off
  • 2 nights in a Kathmandu hotel and 2 nights in a Pokhara hotel, with breakfast
  • Tourist bus or private vehicle Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu
  • Flights Pokhara – Jomsom – Pokhara
  • Licensed trekking guide (English or Spanish)
  • 1 porter for every 2 trekkers
  • Teahouse rooms on the trek, twin sharing
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trek
  • Upper Mustang restricted area permit
  • Annapurna Conservation Area permit
  • Entrance to Lo Manthang monasteries
  • First-aid kit and pulse oximeter
  • Staff wages, food, gear and insurance

Not included

  • International flights
  • Nepal visa
  • Travel insurance with helicopter rescue (required)
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Jeep or horse hire for side trips around Lo Manthang
  • Optional flights Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu
  • Drinks, hot showers, Wi-Fi and charging
  • Tips for guide and porters
  • Extra nights from flight delays or weather

Best Time To Go

When to trek

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
  • Best
  • Possible
  • Monsoon, not ideal

Recommended: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov. We run this trek on the dates you choose. Tell us when you would like to go and we will check conditions for you.

Make It Yours

Tailor this trek to you

This itinerary is a starting point. Tell us what matters to you and we will shape the trip around it.

  • Private departure on the dates you choose
  • Extra rest or acclimatization days
  • Your choice of hotel level in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • A guide who speaks Spanish or English
Customize this trek

Read before you go

Guides related to this trek

On The Map

Full route map

Day stops and the trail overview for this package. Exact paths on high trails can vary with conditions.

Open in Google Maps →

Questions

Before you go

It is a restricted area near the Tibetan border. The government requires a special permit, a licensed guide and at least two trekkers; we arrange all of it.
Yes. Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Annapurnas, so June–August is mostly dry and clear. Dust and wind are the main discomforts. Flights into and out of Jomsom can still be delayed by cloud lower in the Kali Gandaki, which is why we keep a buffer day in Kathmandu.
Tiji, a three-day Buddhist festival in Lo Manthang, usually falls in May. Ask us for the year’s dates; teahouses fill early.
Simple family lodges with twin rooms and shared toilets. It is windy and dusty, so bring a buff and sunglasses.

Reviews

What our travellers say

Rated 5.0 out of 5 by 6 travellers

My trekking experience in Nepal was absolutely incredible. From arriving in Kathmandu to the mountains of the Himalaya, everything was perfectly organised. The guides were professional, attentive and very knowledgeable about the region. I felt safe at all times, even travelling alone. Without a doubt, I recommend this...
C Carlos Martínez Spain
I went on a solo trekking adventure to the Everest region with Unique Nepal Treks and Expedition, and it was life-changing! The itinerary was perfectly planned, and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly. From arranging flights and hotels to transportation and trekking support, everything was seamless. I felt safe...
R Rohan Sharma Delhi, India · Everest Region
From the moment I landed in Nepal, everything was taken care of with professionalism and warmth. As a solo female traveler, I felt completely safe and supported throughout the trek. The landscapes were breathtaking, and the experience was life-changing. I highly recommend this agency — they are truly the best in Nepal...
Sophie Laurent Sophie Laurent France
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