The Upper Mustang trek takes you to a hidden Buddhist kingdom called Mustang or Lo. It's a remote place in the Himalayas, close to Tibet, with a strong Tibetan influence in its culture, people, and a dry, rocky landscape.
The journey starts in Kagbeni, the entry point to Upper Mustang, and goes through a dry area under the massive Dhaulagiri mountains, eventually reaching Lo-Manthang, the historical capital of Mustang.
During the trek, you can explore caves, old rock paintings, monasteries, and learn about the local culture. You'll also enjoy breathtaking views of famous Himalayan peaks like Nilgiri, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri.
Once in Lo-Manthang, you can dive deeper into the local culture by visiting places like Namgyal Gompa, Tingkhar village, and the King's palace. There's also an Amchi museum and school that teach about ancient Tibetan healing methods and their modern adaptations.
A short walk from Lo-Manthang takes you to Gyakar, where you'll find the famous Ghar Gompa, more than 1,200 years old. It's dedicated to Guru Rinpoche and is known for its rock paintings. People believe that making a wish here will come true.
Keep in mind that the trek happens at high altitudes, between 3,000m and 3,800m, and the dry air can make it more challenging. Locals can move quickly, but it's advisable for visitors to take it slow to avoid altitude-related problems. You'll walk for about 5 to 7 hours a day, and some paths can be windy and dusty.
This incredible journey through the secluded Upper Mustang region, partly following an ancient salt route, will create unforgettable memories.
The Upper Mustang Trek in Nepal is a fascinating adventure. It was a hidden place for a long time, only welcoming tourists since 1992. They keep it protected to safeguard its unique culture and environment, so you need a special permit to visit.
Upper Mustang is sometimes called the "Forbidden Kingdom" because it used to be its own kingdom with a king. It has kept its traditional Tibetan culture and architecture very well.
The landscape here is different from most of Nepal. Instead of green hills and forests, you'll see a dry, desert-like place with deep canyons, colorful rocks, and caves in cliffs. It's like another world.
The area is rich in culture with many old monasteries, Buddhist stupas, and cave homes. Two important monasteries are the Ghar Gompa and Luri Gompa.
The Tiji Festival is a big cultural event in Upper Mustang. It's a three-day celebration with traditional dances and rituals. They even symbolically get rid of demons. It's a colorful and exciting festival.
There are also amazing caves, like the Sky Caves of Nepal. They have ancient paintings and things that are over 2,000 years old.
The villages in Upper Mustang have a special style. They're painted white, have flat roofs, and colorful window frames, which is typical of Tibetan architecture.
The trek can be tough with high mountain passes and rough paths. But the views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges are incredible.
Accommodations here are simple, so it's a good idea to book ahead.
In short, the Upper Mustang Trek is a journey into a remote and protected place with its own culture and natural beauty. It's a great experience for those who want to discover Nepal's hidden treasures.
The Upper Mustang Trek is a challenging journey due to the high altitude and dry air. While you may struggle to breathe and wonder why the locals move easily, remember they were born in such conditions. Just like the Sherpas in the Everest region, the people of Upper Mustang have adapted to the low oxygen and dry air.
Like most treks in the Nepal Himalayas, this one has its share of steep climbs and descents. You'll need to cross high passes and navigate steep slopes. However, the incredible mountain views and the unique experience of being in the Kingdom of Lo make it all worthwhile.
As for the weather, this trek is in a rain shadow, so you can do it almost all year round. It's best to avoid winter when heavy snow can make the trails tough. Many locals even leave for Pokhara or Kathmandu during this time. Surprisingly, you can do this trek during the monsoon season (June to September) without worrying about rain and muddy trails.
Just like with any trek in Nepal, it's important to be in good physical shape. Spend some extra time at the gym or on hiking trails before you go. Work on your cardiovascular fitness and leg muscles. And when you get travel insurance, make sure it covers high-altitude trekking.
Upper Mustang is a special place near Tibet, and because of that, it's called a Restricted Area. To go there, you need a permit, which is a bit expensive. It's $500 for 10 days, and if your trip is longer, it's $50 extra for each additional day. This permit starts when you leave Kagbeni for your trek and ends when you come back to Kagbeni. For the Holiday Planer Treks Upper Mustang Trek, you only need the 10-day permit.
You also have to pay $20 for the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), and this is valid for the whole trek.
Remember, you can't do this trek alone. You have to be in a group of at least two trekkers, and you need to go with an authorized trekking company.
The Upper Mustang Trek costs US$1980 per person. This adventure takes you into the heart of Nepal's "Forbidden Kingdom," offering a unique journey rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. The price includes important things like permits, guides, accommodations, and meals, ensuring a well-organized and fulfilling experience for all trekkers.
While it might sound like a lot of money, this cost not only covers the trek's arrangements but also helps protect Upper Mustang's special environment and culture. Investing in this trek means more than just money; it's a commitment to explore one of Nepal's most incredible places and support the conservation of this remote and culturally significant region.
Welcome to Nepal, a beautiful country in the Himalayas. When you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, our friendly team will be there to greet you and take you to your hotel in Kathmandu. After you've had some time to rest and unwind, in the evening, we'll gather for a special welcome dinner at a real Nepalese restaurant in the center of Kathmandu. During this meal, we'll also give you important information about your upcoming adventure. You'll spend the night at the hotel.
After you've had breakfast, we'll start our day with a guided tour of the cultural World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley. You'll get to visit important Hindu pilgrimage places like the Pashupatinath Temple, the huge Bouddhanath Stupa, the Swoyambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, and the historical Kathmandu Durbar Square. This area is filled with temples, unique buildings, and you might even see the Kumari, a young living goddess, right in the center of Kathmandu. Later in the evening, we'll have a meeting to discuss the upcoming trip, and you'll get to meet the other members of our trekking team.
After eating breakfast, we start our trip to Pokhara early. The road takes us out of the Kathmandu Valley, following the Trishuli River. We'll stop for lunch when the land becomes flatter. On the way, we might see people doing rafting on the river (maybe an idea for your next adventure). You'll also catch glimpses of faraway mountains. When we get to Pokhara, you'll see even more stunning mountains. One mountain really stands out, and that's Machhapucchre, also known as Fishtail, which is incredibly tall at 6,993 meters. Once you're settled into your hotel, you'll have some free time. You can explore the lakeside area, maybe go for a boat ride on Fewa Lake, check out one of the many lakeside bars, or just relax before dinner.
We kick off our day early by catching a short flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, a thrilling plane ride through the mountains to this intriguing market town in the Mustang region. After arriving in Jomsom, we will walk through the town, cross a small bridge, and then start on a relatively easy and fascinating hike to Kagbeni. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to explore Kagbeni, a small and exceptionally unique village. Its narrow, walled paths are decorated with peculiar clay sculptures. For those who are up for it, there's an option to take a hike up a nearby hill. From there, you'll enjoy a splendid view, looking out over the Kali Gandaki River, with Upper Mustang visible in the distance. You can even spot the winding trail that leads over the opposite hill to Dolpo.
After breakfast, we start our adventure into Upper Mustang! We walk beside the Kali Gandaki River, where strong winds blow through the valley. When we reach Tangbe Village, you'll see white-painted houses surrounded by fields of crops like buckwheat and barley, along with apple orchards. We continue along a ridge until we reach Chele Village.
Today's hike is a bit tougher as we tackle not one but two mountain passes: the Taklam La pass at 3,624 meters and the Darjori La pass at 3,735 meters. While it might make us work a little harder, the towering mountain views and intriguing caves we come across along the way make it all worthwhile.
As we descend into Samar Village, we'll get a glimpse of local life and culture, which adds to the richness of our journey. From there, we continue along a ridge with fantastic panoramic views and then follow another steep trail leading to Syangmoche. This part of the trip offers both a physical challenge and beautiful scenery, creating lasting memories.
Today, we've got more exciting challenges on our trek. First, we'll tackle the Yamada La pass, which stands tall at 3,850 meters. As we continue, you'll spot chortens (Buddhist shrines) and some interesting villages located among fields of golden barley. These places give you a glimpse into the local way of life.
Our journey takes us through forests, and there's another mountain pass to conquer, the Nyi Pass, towering at 4,010 meters. It's a bit of a climb, but it's worth it for the views.
After reaching the Nyi Pass, we head down to Ghami, where we'll spend the night. Ghami is a larger village in this region, and it's in a gorgeous spot, surrounded by fields and natural beauty. It's the perfect place to take a break and enjoy the scenery. This part of the trek is all about beautiful landscapes and learning about the local culture.
Today's trek begins on a challenging path that may be a bit rough and even slippery at times. We'll descend until we reach a suspension bridge that crosses the Ghami Khola. Along the way, you'll come across mani walls, which are walls made of stone with Tibetan mantras carved into them. Our journey includes crossing the Charang La Pass, which is at an altitude of 3,870 meters.
At the top of the Charang Chu canyon, you'll arrive at the village of Charang. This village is not only beautiful but also boasts a fortress and a red gompa situated to the east. Once we've had lunch, you'll have plenty of time to explore and appreciate the rich culture and history of this place. It's a day full of adventure and a chance to discover the local treasures.
As we descend into a canyon, cross a river, and then climb to reach the Lo La pass at 3,950 meters, we get our first glimpse of the enchanting village of Lo Manthang.
Lo Manthang is an ancient walled village and has a special place in history as the traditional home of the King of Lo. It remains a vibrant center for various lively Buddhist festivals. The village is surrounded by beautiful mountains, including Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I, and Bhrikuti Peak, which adds to its unique charm.
Today is a day for exploration in Upper Mustang, and you're in for an unforgettable adventure. We start with a short trek to the Chhoser area, where you'll uncover a fascinating secret: the Jhong Caves, often called the Sky Caves.
These caves are quite a sight, built into the cliffs and rising up to five stories high. Even experts are still puzzled about who built them and why. They might have been used as places for burials, hiding, meditation, and later turned into monasteries, but the true story behind these incredible caves remains a mystery.
During our visit, we'll explore some of these caves, and we'll bring a packed lunch to enjoy the unique ambiance of the caves, the lunar-like landscape, and the surrounding mountains as we take a break and reflect. After our cave exploration, we'll head back to Lo Manthang, where we'll spend the night. It's a day that will leave you in awe and wonder.
Today, we're in for a longer trek, but it's full of interesting things to see. We will reach Gyakar Village, home to the ancient Ghar Gompa, which has incredible rock paintings that have lasted for centuries. It's a tradition to make a wish here, and we'll take some time to explore this lovely gompa before we move on to Dhakmar. This part of the trek is filled with valuable cultural and historical discoveries, making it a truly enriching experience.
This part of the trail is famous for its strong winds, so we begin our day early in the morning. We trek downhill across a dry plateau and pass by fields used for farming until we arrive at Ghiling village. It can be a bit tough and exhausting because of the constant wind, but the magnificent views of the Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains more than make up for it. These awe-inspiring mountain views will make your hard work feel rewarding and leave you with unforgettable memories.
Today, we will walk through charming little villages, giving us a chance to see how the local people here live. As we walk, we'll also get to enjoy the beautiful mountain views all around. It's a day to learn about the local culture, take in the beautiful scenery, and experience how the people here go about their lives.
Today is the day we leave Upper Mustang and head to the lower part, often called Lower Mustang. It's our last day of trekking, and we'll have lunch in Kagbeni. You can explore a small monastery there and look back up at the Kali Gandaki gorge, thinking about the past 10 days in the Kingdom of Lo.
From Kagbeni, we continue to Jomsom, where we rejoin the Annapurna Circuit Trek. It's a mix of emotions as we switch from one trek to another.
Today, we'll wake up early to catch a morning flight to Pokhara. The mountains we've seen from different angles during our trek now have a special meaning to us.
After reaching Pokhara and settling into your hotel, you have the freedom to explore the city, do some shopping around Lakeside, or enjoy the vibrant nightlife. You can have a few drinks and dance at local Nepali or Western-style clubs or simply relax by Fewa Lake, admiring the beautiful city lights. It's a day to unwind and savor the charm of Pokhara.
Wave goodbye to the magnificent Fishtail and Annapurna mountains as we kick off our journey back to Kathmandu. During the drive, take the chance to rest up because you won't want to miss our farewell dinner later!
Before the farewell dinner, you'll have free time to explore the lively Thamel area. Whether you're in the mood for shopping, a relaxing massage, or just sipping coffee at one of the many cozy cafes and restaurants in town, the day is yours to enjoy and unwind in Kathmandu.
The best time to do the Upper Mustang Trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the weather is favorable and the skies are clear.
Yes, a special permit called the "Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit" is required for the Upper Mustang Trek. It is issued by the Government of Nepal and can be obtained through a registered trekking agency.
The duration of the Upper Mustang Trek is typically around 10-14 days, depending on the itinerary and your walking pace.
The highest point of the Upper Mustang Trek is the Lo Manthang village, which sits at an altitude of 3,840 meters (12,598 feet) above sea level.
There are no specific age restrictions for the Upper Mustang Trek, but it is recommended to be in good physical health and have prior trekking experience due to the challenging terrain.
Accommodation along the Upper Mustang Trek is basic and typically consists of teahouses or lodges with shared facilities such as bathrooms and dining areas.
Yes, it is important to respect the local culture and traditions. Dress modestly, ask for permission before taking photographs, and be mindful of local customs and practices.
Yes, it is possible to extend or customize the Upper Mustang Trek itinerary according to your preferences. You can discuss this with your trekking agency or guide.
Yes, it is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers trekking activities, including emergency medical evacuation, in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
The Upper Mustang Trek is considered to be a moderate-level trek. It involves walking for several hours each day on rugged terrain, so a good level of fitness and prior trekking experience is recommended.
The cost of the Upper Mustang Trek can vary depending on factors such as the duration of the trek, the services included, and the trekking agency you choose. It is best to contact a reputable trekking agency for specific pricing details.
There are no strict age restrictions for the Upper Mustang Trek, but it is important to be in good physical health and have the ability to walk for several hours each day. It is recommended to consult with a doctor before undertaking the trek, especially for older individuals.
The Upper Mustang Trek requires a special permit and is a restricted area, so it is mandatory to have a registered guide with you. A guide will not only ensure your safety but also provide valuable insights into the local culture and help with navigation.
Trekking gear is essential equipment and clothing required for safe and comfortable trekking in various terrains and weather conditions. Having the right trekking gear can significantly enhance your trekking experience and ensure your safety on the trails. Here's a list of basic trekking gear that you should consider carrying for your trekking adventure:
Backpack: A durable and comfortable backpack with proper shoulder straps and waist belt to carry all your gear during the trek.
Trekking Boots: Sturdy and waterproof trekking boots with good ankle support to protect your feet and provide stability on uneven terrains.
Moisture-Wicking Socks: High-quality moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry and prevent blisters.
Trekking Pants: Lightweight and quick-drying pants that are comfortable for trekking. Convertible pants that can be converted into shorts are also useful.
Trekking Shirts: Moisture-wicking and breathable shirts that provide protection from the sun.
Insulating Layers: Depending on the trek's altitude and weather, carry insulating layers such as a fleece jacket or down jacket.
Rain Jacket: A waterproof and breathable rain jacket to protect you from rain and wind.
Hat and Gloves: A wide-brimmed hat to shield you from the sun and cold-weather gloves for higher altitudes.
Trekking Poles: Lightweight and adjustable trekking poles to provide stability and reduce strain on your knees during descents.
Headlamp/Flashlight: A reliable headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries for night trekking or power outages in lodges.
Sleeping Bag: A high-quality and warm sleeping bag suitable for the expected temperatures during the trek.
Trekking Towel: A compact and quick-drying towel for personal hygiene during the trek.
Water Bottles/Hydration System: Carry reusable water bottles or a hydration system to stay hydrated during the trek.
Sunscreen and Lip Balm: High SPF sunscreen and lip balm with UV protection to safeguard your skin from the sun's rays.
First Aid Kit: A basic first aid kit with essentials like adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and blister treatment.
Personal Toiletries: Carry biodegradable soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and other personal hygiene items.
Camera and Binoculars: Optional but great for capturing memories and observing wildlife during the trek.
Trekking Map/GPS: A detailed trekking map or GPS device to help you navigate the trails.
Reusable Trash Bag: To minimize your environmental impact, carry a reusable trash bag to pack out any waste.
Remember to pack light and choose high-quality gear that suits the specific trekking conditions. The type of gear required may vary based on the trek's difficulty, altitude, and climate. Before embarking on your trek, consult with your trekking agency or guide for a comprehensive packing list tailored to your specific trekking destination.
The best times to trek in Upper Mustang, Nepal, are spring (April to early June) and autumn (late September to early November). Here's a simple breakdown:
You can also trek in late winter (February to March) and late autumn (November to December), but expect colder weather and possible snow in some areas during these times. Avoid trekking during the monsoon season (June to early September) because of heavy rain and muddy trails.
Keep in mind that mountain weather can be unpredictable, so check the latest conditions before your trek.
