Upper Mustang Trek - 12 Days

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Our team will greet you with traditional khada scarves and transfer you to your hotel in Thamel. After settling in, attend a comprehensive trek briefing where we'll explain the unique aspects of Upper Mustang trekking, discuss the restricted area permit requirements and regulations, review the cultural sensitivities and Buddhist etiquette you'll need to observe, explain the flight contingency planning (Jomsom flights are weather-dependent), and answer all your questions. Upper Mustang is different from other Nepal treks - it's primarily a cultural journey through living history rather than a high-altitude mountain trek. We'll provide background on the Kingdom of Lo, Tibetan Buddhism, and what to expect in this isolated region. This is also when you can rent any equipment needed, though less gear is required than for high-altitude treks. Evening free to explore Thamel or rest.

Option 1 - Fly to Pokhara: Take a scenic 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The flight offers spectacular mountain views on clear days including the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges. Arrive mid-morning and transfer to your lakeside hotel. Free afternoon to explore Pokhara. Option 2 - Drive to Pokhara: Take a tourist bus or private vehicle (6-7 hours) through beautiful countryside. This option is more economical but takes all day. Arrive evening in Pokhara. Attend an evening briefing about tomorrow's flight to Jomsom and final trek preparations. Jomsom flights are highly weather-dependent and often delayed or cancelled - we'll explain the contingency plans. Rest early as you need to wake at 5 AM for the morning flight.

Wake at 5 AM for transfer to Pokhara airport. The flight to Jomsom (2,720m) is one of the world's most spectacular mountain flights, taking 20 minutes through the deepest gorge on Earth - the Kali Gandaki Valley between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. The tiny Twin Otter aircraft flies at eye level with the peaks. Note: Jomsom flights are extremely weather-sensitive and frequently delayed or cancelled by morning winds. Upon arrival at Jomsom's windswept airport, meet your trekking crew and begin walking north up the Kali Gandaki valley. The landscape is dramatically barren - you're now in the rain shadow creating a high-altitude desert environment. Walk on jeep tracks through Ekle Bhatti. After 3-4 hours, reach Kagbeni (2,810m), a stunning medieval village that marks the gateway to Upper Mustang. The village feels frozen in time with its narrow alleyways, traditional architecture, ancient monastery, and the restricted area checkpoint. Register your Upper Mustang permits at the checkpoint. Explore Kagbeni's lanes and visit the Red Monastery.

Today you officially enter Upper Mustang restricted area! Cross the bridge over the Kali Gandaki and begin ascending into a different world. The trail climbs gradually through increasingly barren landscape. Pass through Tangbe (3,060m), a beautiful village with whitewashed houses and a monastery perched on cliffs. Continue to Chhusang (2,980m) where you cross the river on a suspension bridge. The landscape becomes more dramatic - colorful rock formations in reds, grays, and ochres tower above. Climb steeply to the village of Chele (3,050m) which sits on a hillside overlooking the valley. Buddhist chortens and mani walls line the trails, prayer flags flutter in the constant wind, and the architecture is distinctly Tibetan with flat-roofed whitewashed houses. The landscape and culture feel completely different from lower Nepal - you're now in a Tibetan cultural zone.

Today involves several steep climbs and descents as the trail winds through dramatic landscape. Climb steeply from Chele on a rocky trail to Taklam La pass (3,624m) with prayer flags and spectacular views. Descend into a gorge and climb again to Dajori La pass (3,735m). The terrain is incredibly rugged and beautiful - colorful eroded cliffs, deep canyons, and desert plateaus. Descend to Samar (3,620m), a large village with a monastery and teahouses where you'll stop for lunch. From Samar, the trail descends into a canyon before climbing again over another pass. Pass through Bhena village and finally descend to Geling (3,570m), a beautiful village spread across a plateau. Geling has an important monastery (Tashi Choling Gompa) dating back centuries. The village is surrounded by fields where locals grow barley, buckwheat, and potatoes using ancient irrigation systems.

Continue through the heart of Upper Mustang. Descend from Geling and cross a river before climbing to Nyi La pass (4,010m), the highest point on the trek to Lo Manthang. From the pass, enjoy spectacular views of the Mustang plateau and distant Himalayas. Descend across desert-like terrain passing several large chortens and sky burial sites. Reach Ghami (3,520m), one of the largest villages in Upper Mustang with extensive farmland and the longest mani wall in Nepal - over 500 meters long with thousands of prayer stones. Stop for lunch and visit Ghami Gompa. Continue climbing gradually across the plateau with stunning rock formations. Pass through smaller settlements before descending to Tsarang (3,560m), the second largest town in Mustang after Lo Manthang. Tsarang has an impressive monastery complex perched on a cliff, a ruined dzong (fort), and traditional architecture. Visit the monastery to see ancient murals, statues, and thangkas.

Today you reach the highlight - Lo Manthang, the ancient walled capital! The trek is relatively short but full of anticipation. Climb gradually from Tsarang across the windswept plateau. Cross Lo La pass (3,950m) decorated with prayer flags and chortens. From here, get your first glimpse of Lo Manthang in the distance - a walled city rising from the desert plain, utterly surreal and beautiful. Descend gradually across the plain toward the city. Enter Lo Manthang through the north gate in its massive walls. The city, founded in 1380, is remarkably preserved with its 6-meter-high mud brick walls still intact. Inside, narrow alleyways wind between whitewashed houses with carved wooden balconies. Check into a homestay with a local family or a basic guesthouse. Spend the afternoon exploring - visit Champa Lhakhang, Chyodi Gompa, and Thugchen Gompa with their incredible 15th-century murals. If fortunate, you may meet the King of Mustang. Walking Lo Manthang's medieval streets at sunset is magical.

Spend the full day exploring Lo Manthang and surroundings. Option 1 - Explore Lo Manthang thoroughly: Visit all three main monasteries. Champa Lhakhang (built 1447) contains a magnificent two-story clay statue of Maitreya Buddha. Thugchen Gompa (built 1472) features Buddhist cosmology murals. Visit the Royal Palace. Walk the city walls for panoramic views. Explore alleyways observing daily life. Option 2 - Day hike to Chhoser Cave: Trek 2-3 hours north to the Chhoser Cave complex, an incredible site with 2,500-year-old caves carved into vertical cliffs. Thousands of caves on multiple levels were used as meditation cells. Option 3 - Visit Tingkhar and surrounding villages. Attend the daily 4 PM prayer session at Thugchen Gompa where monks chant accompanied by drums and cymbals. Enjoy a traditional Mustang dinner with your homestay family.

Begin the return journey taking a different route for variety. Trek east from Lo Manthang across the high plateau with stunning views of the Damodar Himal range to the north. Pass through Kimaling village and continue to Yara, a remote village with an impressive cliff-top monastery. From Yara, trek to Tangge, another isolated settlement. Continue to Drakmar (3,810m), also called "Red Cliffs Village" for the dramatic red and white striped cliffs that tower above it. The cliffs are geological wonders. The village sits beneath these cliffs in a dramatic setting. Visit Drakmar's small monastery and explore the village. The locals here are incredibly welcoming. The remoteness and beauty of this route showcases Upper Mustang at its finest.

Continue the alternative return route. Trek from Drakmar across the high plateau passing dramatic landscapes and small settlements. Pass through Ghara and continue to Syangboche (3,800m), a small village that sees few trekkers. The remoteness creates special experiences - locals are curious and welcoming. Syangboche has basic teahouse accommodation. Enjoy the final night at high altitude in Upper Mustang's stark beauty. The sunset over the desert plateau with distant snow peaks is spectacular. Reflect on your journey through the forbidden kingdom.

Descend from the Upper Mustang plateau back toward Kagbeni. The trail retraces part of your route up, passing through Chele, Samar, and other villages. The descent is easier on the lungs. Reach Kagbeni by afternoon, returning to the gateway village. Check back through the restricted area checkpoint - your Upper Mustang trek is officially complete. Spend the evening in Kagbeni exploring areas you might have missed on Day 3, or simply relaxing and celebrating. Enjoy views of Nilgiri North looming above the village.

Trek downvalley from Kagbeni to Jomsom (2-3 hours), a pleasant walk on jeep tracks. Arrive Jomsom around 10-11 AM. If weather permits, take the scenic 20-minute flight back to Pokhara through the world's deepest gorge. Arrive Pokhara and transfer to your lakeside hotel. Afternoon free to enjoy Pokhara - walk along Phewa Lake, get a massage, or simply relax. Celebrate the successful completion of your Upper Mustang trek with your guide over dinner. Note: If Jomsom flights are cancelled due to weather, you may need to stay an extra night in Jomsom. This is why contingency days are essential.

Fly or drive back to Kathmandu. If flying, enjoy final mountain views on the 25-minute scenic flight. If driving, take the tourist bus through terraced hills and river valleys. Arrive Kathmandu and check into your hotel. Free afternoon for last-minute shopping in Thamel, visiting temples, or relaxing. Optional farewell dinner.

After breakfast, free time until your international flight. Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites, shop for souvenirs, or relax. When it's time, transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight. Take with you unforgettable memories of the forbidden kingdom - the walled city of Lo Manthang, ancient monasteries with priceless murals, warm hospitality of Mustang people, and landscapes that look like another planet.