What to Expect

  • Adventurous short flight from Pokhara to Jomsom.
  • Follow an ancient caravan trade route of Nepal and Tibet to Lo-Manthang.
  • Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries and interesting villages with unique Buddhist culture.
  • Forbidden walled city Lo-Manthang and wind stripped Tibetan plateau.
  • Colorful barren hills, sky caves and deep gorges.
  • Sacred Chortens and Panoramic view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna along the way.

About Upper Mustang Trekking

The Upper Mustang Trekking journey there will be an astonishing adventure of high elevation desert landscape with surrounding peaks soaring into the blue skies. Upper Mustang is referred to as The Lost Kingdom for its remoteness and isolation. Upper Mustang lies on the border with Tibet and is part of an ancient trade route. The area was opened to foreign tourists in 1992. The strikingly beautiful landscape receives a handful of trekkers each season compared to the Annapurna Region just south of it.

If you are looking for an otherworldly adventure full of wondrous natural beauty and an ageless lifestyle, then the Upper Mustang Trekking is ideal for you. The residents of this highland area follow a Buddhist culture and traditional customs.The first section of this journey follows ties together with the Annapurna Circuit Trail before branching north to up the remote and restricted upper Kali Gandaki River Valley. Beyond the ancient gateway village of Kagbeni, you will experience a unique way of life and spectacular scenery of The Lost Kingdom.

The Upper Mustang Trekking journey takes trekkers off the beaten pathand offers cultural interaction and insights that cannot be found on the busier routes. The path travels through a starkly beautiful landscape that will be unforgettable and a lifetime highlight.

The area was once part of the Tethys Sea 140 million years ago.Relics of this sea, ammonite fossils are still abundant in Upper Mustang.Hindu pilgrims believe these fossils represent Lord Vishnu.

The residents in the Upper Mustang area have strong cultural ties Tibet and their customs and traditions adhere to a Buddhist way of life in the arid tranquil highlands. Along the trails are exquisite monasteries, mani prayer walls, and prayer flags and other icons of Buddhist faith along with high elevation pack animals, the yak!

The journey to Upper Mustang begins with a short flight above the picturesque landscape of the Kali Gandaki Valley. We then hike north up Kali Gandaki River with a lot to explore along the way including magnificent monasteries.

Lo Manthang is our ultimate destination and a highlight of the Upper Mustang Trek. Lo Manthang is the capital of Upper Mustang and home of the former royal family. The settlement is surrounded by an earthen wall and the former royal family is still very involved in community affairs. Visitors are often given a chance to meet the ex-king during his daily office hours with the public.

There is a lot to explore in the area including sacred caves and elegant monasteries. This Upper Mustang Trekking is ideal for adventure seekers looking for something truly unique. It can be easily combined with the Annapurna Circuit if you have the time and interest and would like to extend your journey to this area.

Please Note: Our Upper Mustang Trek has set departure dates from both Pokhara and Kathmanduand this trek can be personalized to accommodate your specific wishes and timetable.

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 1Arrival at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 2Trek preparation day (Sightseeing optional). Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 3Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Driving 7 hours. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 4Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2,720 mt.) and trek to Kagbeni (2,810 mt.). Walking 4 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 5Kagbeni to Chele (3,050 mt.). Walking 5-6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 6Chele to Syanboche (3,475 mt.). Walking 6-7 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 7Syanboche to Ghami (3,520 mt.). Walking 5-6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 8Ghami to Tsarang (3,575 mt.). Walking 4-5 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 9Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3,760 mt.). Walking 4-5 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 10Rest day for acclimatization and exploration. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 11Lo-Manthang to Dhakmar (3,810 mt.). Walking 6-7 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 12Dhakmar to Ghiling (3,806 mt.). Walking 5-6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 13Ghiling to Chuksang (2,980 mt.). Walking 5-6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 14Chuksang to Muktinath (3,800 mt.). Walking 7 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 15Muktinath to Jomsom. Walking 5 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 16Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 17Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 18Transfer to Airport for your final departure from Nepal.
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What's Included

Price Includes

  • Pick up & Transfer to and from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to your hotel in Kathmandu.
  • Three nights accommodation at 2/3 star hotel in Kathmandu (breakfasts included).
  • Two nights accommodation at 2/3 star hotel in Pokhara (breakfasts included).
  • Transportation to and from trek starting point (including airfare).
  • Tea-house lodging during the journey.
  • Standard Meals during the journey (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
  • Expert Guide (registered and licensed by the government) with accompanying porters (generally, one porter for every two clients). (High Camp Adventure covers the staffs’ meals and accommodations as well as wages, transport, insurance, and essential gear.)
  • Equipment (Sleeping bag, Down jacket, Walking poles).
  • Conservation Area and National Park entry fees.
  • Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card.
  • Trekking Map.
  • Medical kit.
  • Government taxes.
  • Our service charge.
  • Farewell Dinner in Kathmandu the eve of your international departure.

Price Excludes:

  • International plane ticket to and from Nepal.
  • Major meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (other than breakfast).
  • Personal Expenses including laundry, telephone calls, recharging electronic equipment, bar bills, drinks, and snacks.
  • Personal clothing and gear.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Tips for Guides, Porters and Staff.
  • Expenses incurred by cancellation and events beyond our control, for example, weather delays, trail detours, political unrest, illness, and et cetera.
Departure note

Please take a look at our fixed departure dates for this Upper Mustang Trek. If they do not fit with your schedule, then please let us arrange an itinerary that is more suitable to you and your requirements.

Useful Information

Accommodation

All the accommodation as per the itinerary is included in the package cost. We have chosen the 2/3 star hotel in the cities for your comfort and safety. The hotels can be upgraded to more deluxe ones upon your request. While trekking in the Mountain, our guides will choose the best available lodge of the village from their past experience. As some villages have limited number of lodges, in a peak season like in Spring and Autumn, you may have to share a room with some stranger trekker as well. Comfortable two men tent with mattress and four seasons sleeping bag will be provided for the camping trek. Our crew will try to set the camp in a scenic place. All the hotel and camping accommodations are as per twin sharing basis unless you are of different gender.

Meals

Nepal is such an easy place to get several vegetarian options so no worries if you are a vegetarian or vegan. You can enjoy typical Nepali food as well as continental, Italian, Indian and Tibetan. Freshly cooked and hygienic dinner and breakfast are served at the camp and lunch will be served on the way to the next destination which will be prepared by our own chef. Only breakfast is served in Kathmandu whilst farewell dinner on the eve of your international departure is served from our side. All the meals (B/L/D) are on full board basis during the trek.

Trekking Crew

An experienced and licensed Guide and necessary porters will assist you during the trek. In a group with more than 8 clients, 2 guides will be provided for the betterment in service. In a teahouse trek, generally, one porter is provided for every two clients who carry between 15 to 20 kg. However, on a camping journey, more porters are required. All the camping equipment such as kitchen, dining, dome and toilet tents, kitchen equipment, fuel, and all consumable goods has to be carried from Kathmandu which needs more manpower. All of our guides and porters are fully insured so you don't' have to worry about them in case of emergency. Our team believes that our customer care is the first priority.

Physical Fitness and Experience

Upper Mustang Trek is a moderate trek which is fit for those who has the ability to walk 5-6 hours of walking uphill and downhill in a day carrying a personal day pack. Some days are longer with 7- 8 hours of walking as well. Upper Mustang Trek is high altitude trek which demands more physical, however having strong determination, positive vibe and average physical fitness can complete this trek. Some time mental aspect also plays a vital roll in an altitude. Doing some physical exercise a few weeks prior to the trip is better but technical skill is not required for this trek. If you are taking medicine for heart, lung or blood diseases, please kindly consult your doctor and inform to High Camp Adventure.

Travel Insurance

This is a real adventure in high altitude so obtaining a travel insurance is always a good idea for your safety and is highly recommended too. Your travel insurance policy should cover helicopter evacuation and medical expenses in an emergency. There is not any Nepalese insurance company to sell travel insurance policy so you better buy the good one from home. There are some insurance policies which covers only in low altitude below 4000 mt. and some only in high altitude above 4000 mt. So before you purchase it, please double check the policy what it covers and where are you going.

Best Seasons

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best months for Upper Mustang Trek. Where normally days are sunny, the temperature is perfect, the sky is clear and Mountain remains crystal. This trek can be done in Monsoon (June to August ) but you should not expect the great weather and Mountain view. You can do it in Winter (December to February) if you are used to with extreme cold temperature.

Domestic Flights

Add a cushion of a few extra days in your onward travel schedule, advised as a margin of safety for your international flight from Nepal. Air travel between Jomsom to Pokhara is frequently delayed due to weather conditions and poor visibility. Flights often get behind schedule and delays can even last for days. Under these situations, High Camp Adventure will do its best to re-schedule flights to and from Jomsom at first availability. However, the possibility of postponements of flights and even cancellations is a real possibility. We, therefore, advise that you schedule at least an extra two days cushion in your itinerary to avoid conflicts with international flights out of Nepal. In that case, We can arrange activities with your additional days in Kathmandu before your flight home.

Ground Transportation

Highway in Nepal is safe, however, sometimes transport can be halted due to landslide, strike or by political unrest. Add a cushion of a few extra days in your onward travel schedule, advised as a margin of safety for your international flight from Nepal. We, therefore, advise that you schedule at least an extra days cushion in your itinerary to avoid conflicts with international flights out of Nepal. In that case, High Camp Adventure can arrange activities with your additional days in Kathmandu before your flight home.