Upper Mustang Trek

Your Upper Mustang trek begins with the arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,400 m). Once you land, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our agency members and transferred to the hotel in Thamel. Thamel is a great place to explore local shops, rent or buy trekking gear, exchange currency, and enjoy Nepali dishes. Our guide will help you with these activities.

After buying all the stuff required for your trek, we’ll go to the hotel. On the way, you may catch a glimpse of the distant Himalayan views on a clear day. In the evening, we’ll have a short discussion about the preparation for tomorrow’s sightseeing day in Kathmandu.

Today is all about exploring Kathmandu city before we head toward the Upper Mustang. After breakfast, we’ll begin our sightseeing tour with a visit to Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple. Next, we’ll visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu temples in Nepal, located along the Bagmati River.

Around midday, we’ll take a lunch break and head towards Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest spherical stupas in the world. From Boudhha, we’ll head towards Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site which is home to the Living Goddess, Kumari. Throughout the day, you’ll cross busy roads, pass through courtyards, and witness traditional Nepali culture. In the evening, you’ll return to your hotel, where you can have dinner and rest for the upcoming real adventure.

On this day, after having breakfast in Kathmandu, we’ll begin our scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Or you can take a flight if you have limited time. As you leave Kathmandu city behind, you’ll pass through small towns and green hills, crossing the Trishuli River. Around Midday, we’ll take a break for lunch in Muglin or Damauli, where you can relax and enjoy the food.

As we get closer to Pokhara, you’ll see the Seti River, the green hills of the Mid-Western region, and on a clear day even the Machhapuchhre Peak (6.993 m). Upon arrival in Pokhara, we’ll head to the hotel, where you’ll rest and enjoy your dinner, and prepare for the adventurous journey tomorrow.

• Driving distance: 200 km
• Midday stop: Lunch break at Mugling or Damauli

After an early breakfast in Pokhara, we begin our drive towards Kagbeni (2,858 m), the gateway to Upper Mustang. First, we drive along the banks of the Seti River, then ascend towards Beni. Beni is a small town located beside the Kali Gandaki River. Kali Gandaki River is one of the deepest gorge rivers in the world, which flows between the Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna (8,091 m) ranges.

Around midday, we’ll take a break in Jomsom, a town known for its apple orchards and views of Nilgiri (7,061 m). After a short rest, we continue our drive through rocky trails, finally reaching Kagbeni. It is located at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Jhong rivers. In the evening, we’ll check into the guest house where you can rest before the first day of trekking.

• Driving distance: 160 km
• Midday stop: Lunch at Marpha or Jomsom

From today, your actual trekking journey starts. We’ll leave Kagbeni and trek towards Chele (3,050 m). The trail enters the restricted Upper Mustang region, and permits are checked at the checkpoint by a Nepal Immigration Office member. As you climb further, you’ll witness unique rock formations and narrow ridges shaped by the centuries of wind and water. The views of Nilgiri and Tilicho Peak (7,134 m) will still follow you.

After 2-3 hours of trekking, we’ll take a break at Tangbe. You can enjoy a lunch here while observing the beautiful views of rugged landscapes and painted chortens. After resting, we’ll continue the climb towards Chele, crossing the Tangmar River. Upon reaching Chele, we’ll stay in a local guesthouse where fresh, hot meals are served and you can rest under the quiet mountain sky.

• Midday stop: Chhusang (lunch at a local teahouse)

After breakfast in Chele (3,050 m), we begin our uphill trek towards Syangboche (3,475 m). We’ll cross several ridges and canyons carved by wind and water over centuries. Early in the day, you’ll pass through Eklo Bhatti and climb the Taklam La Pass (3,624 m) and Dajori La Pass (3,735 m), where you’ll witness stunning views of Nilgiri and Damodar Himal in the distance.

Around midday, we’ll take a break in Samar, a traditional Mustang village surrounded by poplar trees and barley fields. You can have lunch here and rest before continuing the trail. From Samar, we’ll descend into a gorge and then climb to Bhena La Pass (3,860 m) before reaching Syangboche. In the evening, we’ll stay in a local guesthouse, where warm and fresh food is served, and the mountain air reduces your stress.

• Midday stop: Samar

On the seventh day of our journey, we’ll trek from Syangboche to Ghyami. The trail begins with a climb to Yamda La Pass (3,850 m), offering stunning views of the Mustang Himalaya and the distant Nilgiri and Annapurna ranges. You’ll pass through small, beautiful villages and Chungsi Cave, where ancient meditation caves are still there.

After a few hours of trekking, we’ll take a break at Geling. Geling is a village surrounded by fields and chortens, where you can have your lunch. After lunch, we’ll cross Nyi La Pass (4,010 m) before moving towards Ghyami. Along the way, you’ll witness ancient mani walls (stone prayer walls) and deep canyons formed by the rivers. Once in Ghyami, we’ll check into a guest house, where local food is served and a peaceful night awaits.

• Midday stop: Geling

Today’s journey takes us from Charang, one of the most culturally rich villages in Upper Mustang. The trek starts by crossing the Ghyami Mani Wall, one of the longest stone prayer walls in Nepal, carved with Tibetan mantras. As we walk, you’ll witness red and ochre cliffs and pass by the dry riverbeds made by streams that flow into the Kali Gandaki River. The path opens up with a stunning view of Dhaulagiri far on the horizon.

Around midday, we’ll stop for lunch near Dhakmar. After taking a break here, we’ll continue to walk along the trails, cross many wooden bridges, and climb towards Charang, which is home to the ancient Charang Monastery and palaces. As the sun sets, the landscape turns golden, a natural beauty you’ve never witnessed in your life. We’ll stay in a local guest house, where fresh meals and warm hospitality welcome you for the night.

• Midday stop: Dhakmar

After a comfortable stay at Charang, we’ll trek to the ancient walled city of Lo-Manthang the next day. The trail starts with a walk across a dry valley, where you’ll observe traditional mud houses and the prayer flags fluttering in the wind. We’ll cross the Charang Khola and climb up to Lo La Pass (3,950 m). From the top, you’ll get your first view of Lo-Manthang below, which is surrounded by high walls, and snowcapped peaks like Bhrikuti (6,364 m) and Nilgiri.

We’ll take a break before the final descent into Lo-Manthang, enjoying the panoramic views of the Mustang landscape. You may even spot wild horses grazing on the fields below. As we descend, we’ll pass chortens, mani walls, and rocky ridges that guide us to the gate of the medieval town. Lo-Manthang is home to Tibetan-style houses and ancient monasteries full of history and culture. We’ll stay in a cozy teahouse, where fresh local food is served along with comfortable bedrooms.

• Midday stop: Near Lo-Manthang

Today, we will take a rest from trekking and spend the day exploring the forbidden kingdom of Lo-Manthang. This historical town was founded in the 15th century and is surrounded by high mud-brick walls. You’ll visit centuries-old monasteries like Jampa Lhakhang, Thubchen Gompa, and Chode Gompa, which consists of ancient murals, statues, and prayer wheels.

We’ll take a break for lunch in one of the local teahouses, where you can try yak cheese, thukpa, or Tibetan bread. In the afternoon, you can take a short hike or jeep ride to Chhoser, home to sky caves which are believed to be over 2,000 years old. Along the way, you’ll witness the wide Mustang plains, distant views of Kora La Pass near the Tibetan border. After the full day of exploring, we’ll return to our teahouse where you’ll rest and prepare for the next day.

After enjoying a full day in Lo-Manthang, we’ll begin our return journey by trekking to Drakmar (3,810 m). After leaving the town, you’ll pass ancient chortens and walk through barren fields. We’ll climb up to Marang La Pass (4,230 m), the highest point on the trek, offering breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and Nilgiri (7,061 m) ranges. Along the way, we’ll pass the Ghar Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in Mustang, believed to have been built in the 8th century by Guru Rinpoche himself.

Around midday, we’ll take a break near Ghar Gompa, where you can enjoy lunch and take a rest. After lunch, we’ll descend through narrow trails to reach the Drakmar, a village known for its cave dwelling formed into the mountains. You may even spot blue sheep on the surrounding hills. We’ll stay overnight in a cozy teahouse or lodge, where fresh meals are prepared and served to help you relax after a day of trekking.

• Midday stop: Ghar Gompa

We start the 12th day of the Upper Mustang hike from Drakmar to Ghiling by retracing the same path. The morning trail takes us through valleys, ancient chortens, and dry riverbeds fed by streams that join the Kali Gandaki River (~630 km). The wind picks up by late morning in this region, so we’ll start early and enjoy the clear morning view of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri.

We’ll stop for lunch in a small village like Ghami or Jaite, where you can rest, refill your bottle, and enjoy the food. After lunch, we’ll trek through terraced fields and stone huts before we descend into Ghiling village. Ghiling is known for its traditional houses and local lifestyle. For the night, we’ll stay in a guesthouse, where fresh food is served along with comfortable bedrooms.

• Midday stop: Ghami or Jaite

On this day, we’ll trek from Ghiling (3,050 m) to Chhuksang, descending towards the lower Mustang region. You’ll pass through dry fields, chortens, and mani walls. As we walk, Nilgiri (7,061 m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) peaks remain visible in the distance, where desert-like cliffs and caves vanish slowly. The wind begins to calm, and the trail becomes greener as we drop lower.

Around midday, we’ll stop at Samar or Chele to rest and enjoy lunch. After our break, we’ll continue our downhill journey, crossing wooden bridges and walking beside tributaries that join the Kali Gandaki River. As we approach Chhuksang, the land becomes more fertile with apple trees and barley fields. We’ll stay in a local guesthouse where fresh, home-cooked meals and warm hospitality welcome us for the night.

• Midday stop: Samar or Chele

Today we leave Chhuksang and go for our final trekking descent towards Jomsom (2,700 m). The trail passes through the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. You’ll pass through Kagbeni, where we first began our Upper Mustang trek, and it’s a perfect place to look back at the route that you’ve been through. We’ll stop in Kagbeni for lunch and enjoy a break in this ancient village.

After lunch, we’ll continue walking towards Jomsom. We’ll pass by prayer wheels, mani walls, enjoying the beautiful Nilgiri mountain to the east. Before reaching Jomsom, we’ll take a detour to visit the Muktinath temple. Muktinath is a sacred pilgrimage site revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. As we approach Jomsom, the atmosphere opens up, and the presence of people and activity increases. In the evening, we’ll stay in a guesthouse where warm, freshly prepared food awaits as you celebrate the end of your journey.

• Midday stop: Kagbeni

After breakfast, we return to Pokhara. The drive takes around 8-9 hours, following the Kali Gandaki River. You’ll pass through towns like Marpha, known for its apple orchards, and Tatopani, famous for its natural hot springs. We’ll take a break for lunch in Beni, a town where the Myagdi River meets the Kali Gandaki.

After lunch, we’ll continue our drive along the Prithvi Highway and finally reach Pokhara. Once we reach Pokhara, you’ll check into your hotel, where you can rest and be fresh. In the evening, you can enjoy a walk along the Lakeside, explore local shops and Phewa Lake, and watch the sunset view over Machapuchhre Himal (6,993 m). If you have extra time, then you can visit the World Peace Pagoda or enjoy a boat ride on the lake to complete the day.

• Driving distance: 160 km
• Midday stop: Beni

On this day, we’ll drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by completing our Upper Mustang trek journey. The road passes through the Seti River and Trishuli River, offering beautiful views of green hills, terraced farms, Mount Manaslu (8,163 m), and Ganesh Himal (7,422 m).

We’ll have a lunch break near Muglin or Malekhu, where you can enjoy fish dishes and drinks. After the break, we’ll continue our drive towards Kathmandu. Once back in the capital, we’ll stay in a hotel, have dinner, and take a rest after a long drive.

• Driving distance: 200 km
• Midday stop: Lunch break at Mugling or Malekhu

Today is your final day in Nepal. As per your flight schedule, our driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) about 2-3 hours before your departure. Before leaving, you’ll have a small farewell gathering to thank you for joining the Upper Mustang Trek with us and to wish you safe travels ahead.