Trip Highlights
- Forbidden Kingdom: Explore the remote, culturally rich Upper Mustang, once isolated from the rest of Nepal.
- Lo Manthang: Visit the medieval walled city, with ancient monasteries and Tibetan-style architecture.
- Cave Exploration: Discover cliffside caves and ancient dwellings in the Chosar Valley.
- Buddhist Monasteries: Visit key sites like Thubchen Monastery and Jomsom Monastery.
- Tibetan Villages: Experience traditional Tibetan culture in villages like Chuksang and Geling.
- Desert Landscapes: Trek through barren, wind-eroded valleys and canyons, with Himalayan views.
- Lo Gekar Monastery: Explore one of the oldest monasteries in the region.
- Stunning Himalayan Views: Enjoy panoramic views of peaks like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Nilgiri.
- Festivals: Experience local festivals like Tiji in Lo Manthang, if visiting at the right time.
You have not lived the mountain life if you haven’t done three things; first, witness the Sunrise from the mountains; there is no beauty like the first rays of the sun falling on the peaks; Second, relive the day with the most thrilling sunset ever and finally look up at the clear night sky; with a new found wonder as what you witness will leave you to star-struck, literally. Such is the wonder of Upper Mustang also popularly termed as the forbidden kingdom of Nepal.
The Upper Mustang Trek in the Annapurna Region is a unique blend of wonder and mystery at an altitude of 3,810m. Mountains such as the Nilgiri(7,062m), Dhaulagiri(8,167m) and Annapurna(8,091m) will keep us company as we reach the of the Kingdom of Lo in Upper Mustang.
The area in our trek may look inhabitable but the settlements here date back to the centuries. Upper Mustang trek nestled in such a prime position was a trade route during the 16th century. Tibetan neighborhood influences the culture of The kingdom of Lo that is rich in history and traditions. The caves found in top hills across Mustang bear witness to the culture of the people that once inhabited these areas.
Attraction point of Upper Mustang Trek
The fierce Kali Gandaki flows through this region which is famous for ammonites also known as “Saligram”; they hold a spiritual place in the Hindu community and cherished. With a moderate difficulty level, this trek is strenuous for the long walking hours, so we advise that only people in good shape follow this trail. The highest altitude for this trek is 3,806 m.
At Himalayan Summit Treks and Expedition we know that trekking is a serious business. As of our policy, we make sure that you receive the best guiding and porter services in all your Himalayan trekking. Our guides many of whom are locals of the trekking routes are well trained in first aid. Your safety remains our prime concern.
Itinerary
Our team will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel. We will check in and then head out to make preparation for the upcoming trip. Shop for supplies and so on. Overnight at Hotel.
A full day sightseeing around the religiously significant sites in Kathmandu will be followed by a cultural dinner at the end of the day. The Kathmandu sightseeing will take you to culturally and historically significant places, chiefly Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath. Overnight at Hotel.
We start early morning and we drive to Pokhara. Feel pleasure in astonishing views of green landscape and villages. Upon reaching the fascinating city of Pokhara which offers wonderful views of Machhapuchhre (6,993m), five peaks of Annapurna and others (8,091m), we check in to the hotel. Pokhara has many lakes, known as 'Tal' in Nepali which lets you do fishing, boating, and swimming. Walking around the Lakeside streets and discovering it in the evening is entertaining. Overnight in a hotel in Pokhara.
Today we will take an early morning flight to Jomsom, which is a complete change in the landscape. From the bustling city to a high altitude cold desert. From Jomsom, we will make our way to the beautiful village of Kagbeni along the fierce Kali Gandaki River. The village of Kagbeni is like an oasis in the dry surroundings.
Kagbeni has one of the fastest winds in Nepal and has great potential for harvesting it. With the cold winds, we will walk towards Chele. From above we can see the fields of Kagbeni, the crops swaying with the wind performing a beautiful dance with Nilgiri right beside us. On reaching Chele, overnight at guest house.
We will leave early in the morning and make our way to Syanbochen. Right after Chele, we will be climbing one of many steep hills. We will be walking past deep canyons, valleys, and small villages. Through rusty old bridges, we will walk down to Syanbochen. Upon reaching, overnight at a teahouse.
After breakfast, we move to Ghaymi. We will be walking up to Yamda La and crossing few teahouses and small settlements. The houses in upper mustang have a distinct Tibetan influence and beauty. We will see many fields of barley, tress and passes before we enter Ghaymi which rests above the river. Overnight at the teahouse.
After breakfast, we move to Charang alongside the Ghaymi River. Along with this walk to you will see many structures depicting the Tibetan arts and culture. We will see colorful Gompas as we enter Charang with the omnipresent mountains. Overnight at Teahouse.
After breakfast, we move to much-anticipated lo-Manthang. The Nilgiri, Annapurna keeping us company, we will be descending and ascending the hills. After crossing a river, we will reach the Kingdom of Lo. Overnight at Teahouse.
Lo-Manthang was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lo that was ruled by Tibetan kings. The walled city houses many Gompas and is a great place to find some peace and solace. During the festivities, Lo-Manthang sees many rituals and traditional rites performed. With limited permits and being out of touch with much of world, the culture and practices have been preserved in time making it richer and more attractive. Overnight at the teahouse.
After breakfast, we will move from Lo-Manthang to Dagmar following similar paths. Dagmar is a beautiful small village and we will see marvelous sights as we make our way there. On arrival, overnight at a teahouse.
We will follow similar paths and landscapes and make our way to the village of Ghiling. Overnight at the teahouse.
After breakfast, we will take an alternative route to Jomsom than the popular one which is via Chhuksang. We will make our way through bent apple trees, a sign of just how strong the winds are on stone paved streets with fields of barley and potato growing. Upon reaching overnight at Teahouse.
After breakfast, we will leave from Chhuksang and continue the familiar paths to Jomsom. Jomsom is famous for apples and various stone fruits. It also has a special brew and dried apples that are yummy to gorge on.
We will take an early morning flight from Jomsom and reach Pokhara bright and early. After checking in to the hotel, we can spend rest of the day exploring Pokhara. A popular tourist destination, these are much to do and see here.
From Pokhara, we drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Our team will drop you at the airport ending your holiday.
FAQs
The best time for the Upper Mustang trek is during the Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May) seasons.
Autumn offers crisp, clear skies and breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
Spring is equally wonderful, with mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and vibrant landscapes as flowers begin to bloom.
Yes, you’ll need a special Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit to trek in this region. This area was closed off to foreigners for many years to preserve its culture, and it’s still a protected region today. But don’t worry! If you trek with Himalayan Summit, we’ll take care of all the paperwork for you, including the required TIMS card (Trekkers’ Information Management System). Just pack your bags and we’ve got the rest covered!
The Upper Mustang trek usually takes about 14 to 17 days, depending on your itinerary. This allows for enough time to not only complete the trek at a comfortable pace but also to spend time exploring the unique villages, monasteries, and cultural sites along the way.
The journey itself is around 180 km (112 miles).