12 Days Upper Mustang trek from Pokhara
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Trip Facts
Overview
The 12-day Upper Mustang trek from Pokhara is an exciting journey into the restricted Mustang region, where you will explore historic monasteries and temples and visit the hidden kingdom of Mustang. During this trek, you can experience Tibetan culture, traditional villages, and amazing landscapes. The best season for this trek is September-November because in these seasons the weather and temperature are suitable for trekking with clear skies and views of the mountains and surroundings. Trekkers can experience local foods, culture, and daily activities of local people. Trekkers should have a proper level of physical fitness due to long walk and high-altitude places. They should carry their required things like: a first aid kit, comfortable clothes, trekking shoes and boots, trekking poles, a sleeping bag or camping tent, snacks, and a water bottle.
The journey to the Upper Mustang begins from Pokhara by flight to Jomsom. From Jomsom, the hike starts from Kagbeni(2810m), which takes around 3-4 hours of walking. Likewise, the trek continues for 12 days from Kagbeni to Jomsom (2720m) with incredible views of the Chele, Syangboche, Ghami, Tsarang, Manthang, Dhakmar, Ghilling, Chhusang, and back to Pokhara. The interesting part of this trek is that you can explore caves, royal places, and wind-eroded landscapes. You can also experience a horse ride and cultural attire. You will explore Lo Manthang for one day, the day for acclimatization.
Trip highlight
- Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom.
- Trek along the Kali Gandaki River to Kagbeni and visit the Kagbeni monastery
- Experience the view of red cliffs, apple farms, and the bridge that will help you reach the chele.
- Trek through the Samar village and Syangboche with the beautiful views and scenery.
- Pass through barley fields and mani walls.
- Walk through the rocky path and visit the royal palace.
- Visit nearby caves like Chhoser caves.
- Experience a horse ride to nearby villages.
- The mesmerizing view of wind-eroded landscapes.
- Route with the views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri.
- Walk through the dry landscapes and the Tibetan villages.
- Visit the oldest monasteries known as Ghar Gompa.
- Acclimate in Lo Manthang to avoid high-altitude sickness.
- Return to Jomsom using the following pathway from the Kali Gandaki River.
Itinerary
Your Journey, Step by Step
Trek from kagbeni to chele(3050 m)
After staying one night in Kagbeni, you will continue your trek to Chele, which takes around 5-6 hours. You will enter the restricted area of Upper Mustang. You will pass through Tangbe and Chhusang villages with beautiful views of red cliffs and apple farms. In the end, you have to cross the bridge to enter Chele Village, a beautiful village for a night stay and dinner.
Trek from chele to syangboche(3800 m)
The trek continues from Chele to Syangboche through the deep rocky gorges and the plateau. In this trek, you will walk through Taklam la Pass (3624m) and Dajori la Pass ( 3735m). After taking a short break, the last village before reaching Syangboche will be Samar village. This trek takes around 6-7 hours, so you have to be prepared for a long walk. You can carry some snacks and drinks with you for quick breaks.
Trek from Syangboche and Ghami (3520m)
With the incredible scenery, the trek continues to Ghami by passing through the Yamada La Pass(3520m) and the Nyi La Pass (4010m), where you can take a break and watch the mesmerizing views of the mountains. Moving forward, you will pass by barley fields before reaching Ghame, which is famous for its ancient mani walls. You can see the Mani flags all over the valley and their culture. This trek takes around 5-6 hours of walking.
Trek from ghami to Tsarang(3620m)
After having breakfast early in the morning, you can start your trek from Ghami to Tsarang with different views of nature along the way. The path of this trek is rocky terrain, and you have to cross the Tsarang La pass (3870m). After refreshing yourself and taking a quick break, you can visit and explore the Tsarang monastery and ancient, historic caves, and watch the sunset in the evening.
Trek from Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3840 m)
After staying overnight in Tsarang, you will start the trek from Tsarang in the early morning. After breakfast, this trek takes you to the stunning place, which is the walled capital of Upper Mustang. Moving forward, along with the breathtaking landscape and views, you will also get to visit the ancient monastery and the royal palace of Mustang. This trek takes around 4-5 hours of a day, which combines nature, historic places, and monasteries.
Explorer to Lo Manthang (Acclimatization day)
You will take an acclimatization day in Lo Manthang to adjust to the higher altitude places. You can visit nearby places like Chhoser caves, Nyiphuk monastery, and Namgyal Gompa. You can also experience a horse ride to nearby villages, which is optional. In the evening, we can walk through Lo Manthang for more cultural experiences and different activities, or you can just rest in the hotel/teahouses for relaxation.
Trek from Lo Manthang to Dhakmar (3820m)
After acclimatizing one day in Lo Manthang, you can start your trek from Lo Manthang to Dhalmar, which takes around 6-7 hours of walking. As you walk forward, you will visit Gompa Ghar, one of the oldest monasteries, where you can see historic things like statues and art. You will experience trekking through red cliffs and wind-eroded landscapes, which is amazing and unbelievable. Likewise, you will reach Dhakmar to rest and have dinner.
Trek from Dhakmar to Ghiling (3570m)
The trek from Dhakmar to Ghiling takes around 5-6 hours. You have to walk through dry landscapes and caves. The trek gets harder as you walk forward. During this trek, you will witness the breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri hills. The walk can be difficult due to heavy wind. As you reach the Ghiling village, the traditional Tibetan-style house and barley fields add more adventure to your trek.
Trek from Ghiling to Chhusang(2980m)
After staying one night in Ghiling, you will continue your trek to Chhusang, which will take 5-6 hours. You will pass through dry landscapes and a small village, crossing the Kali Gandaki River. After walking through different villages, you will reach Chhusang, a beautiful village that lies between the Kali Gandaki and the Narshing River. The village is surrounded by the rock formations of the peaks.
Trek from Chhusang to Jomsom(2720m)
The trek begins from Chhusang with stunning landscapes of the upper Mustang. This trek takes 6-7 hours of walking. You will trek through small communities with incredible views of the Kali Gandaki River. The wind gets heavier as you reach towards Jomsom. The landscapes of Jomsom are dry and it is a Tibetan-influenced culture with amazing views of the Himalayas.
Flight from Jomsom to Kathmandu
After completing the 12-day trek of Upper Mustang, you can take the morning flight from Jomsom to Kathmandu. The flight is 25 minutes long and offers views of the Himalayas, rivers, hills, and landscapes, making it an unforgettable trekking experience. After landing in Kathmandu, you can explore the city if you want.
Customize this trip with help from our local travel specialist that matches your Interests.
Customize This TripInclusions
What’s Covered in Your Adventure
- Two nights in a standard hotel in Pokhara with breakfast.
- Two-way flight ticket from Pokhara-Jomsom and Jomsom-Pokhara.
- Pickup and drop service from the airport including airport tax.
- Trekking lodge facilities (tea house) during the trek.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry permit.
- Special upper Mustang permit.
- Meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trek.
- Tims trekker information management system.
- Assistant guide group size above 10+ people.
- A highly experienced, helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, English-speaking guide with all of his salary, food, drinks, lodging, transportation, and insurance covered.
- Taxes and official costs will be paid to the government.
- Oximeter to check your pulse, oxygen saturation, and heart rate twice a day ( very helpful to check for signs of altitude mountain sickness or AMS). This will make sure that your trek is in the safest hands possible, no matter how experienced you are, and with basic medicines.
- Certificate of completion of the trek.
- The food that you will eat in Pokhara for lunch and dinner.
- The cost of a visa to enter Nepal is USD 30 for a 15-day start,30 days- $50, 90 days - $125.
- Your insurance for travel and medical care. International airfare.
- .Your personal expenses.
- All of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic cold and hot drinks you buy on the trek(along the way and in the tea houses at night)
- The tea houses have showers and places to charge your phone which will cost you about 2$ to 5$.
- All of the sweet desserts, like chocolate, cake, pie and pudding.
- You can use a sleeping bag, or a down jacket(if you don't have your own, you can rent one in Pokhara)
- Tip to the guide, the porter, and the driver. (Tipping is expected)
- Excess baggage of more than 15 kg for a Jomsom flight.
- One porter for two people. (max 25 kg) 260$.
Maps
Navigate Your Journey
Good to Know
Your Journey, Step by Step
How do I reach Pokhara from Kathmandu?
You have two convenient options to travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara:
By Flight:
A quick 25-minute domestic flight is the fastest way to reach Pokhara.
Cost: Approximately USD $100 per person.
Ideal for those with limited time or who prefer comfort.
By Luxurious Tourist Bus:
A comfortable ride taking about 7–8 hours, offering scenic views of hills, rivers, and villages along the way.
Cost: Around USD $15 per person.
Departs early morning and includes scheduled stops for meals.
Tip: For the best experience, we recommend flying to save time and returning by road to enjoy the landscape at leisure.
FAQs
Your Questions, Answered
Food and Drinking water
During the Upper Mustang trek, food and drinking water are important elements for a comfortable trek. Tea houses and lodges do offer different types of food along the route of Upper Mustang. Usually, they serve different Nepali dishes and Tibetan food like Thukpa, momos, tsampa(roasted barley flour), and dal bhat, which are typical Nepali foods. Some teahouses do offer breakfast options like porridge, pancakes, boiled eggs, and tea biscuits. As you walk towards higher altitudes, the food gets a little expensive since there is a poor transportation system and limited supplies of food products. Few lodges may have a limited option for meat but the meat is not fresh due to lack of fridge and cold store. However, trekkers are advised to avoid meats for digestion at high altitudes.
Drinking water is another important element for the Upper Mustang trek. Some teahouses sell mineral water but it gets expensive as you walk at higher altitudes due to a lack of transportation services. For a more budget-friendly option, you can use reusable bottles, or tap water with the use of purification tablets or filtration objects. Some teahouses and lodges offer boiling water for a low cost which is safer than tap water. Staying hydrated is important for preventing higher altitude sickness. Trekkers should drink 3-4 liters of water every day.
Lastly, food and water are available in Upper Mustang, but the prices are expensive, so better to carry energy bars, snacks, water, and extra food products during the trek.
Electricity and Internet access in Upper Mustang
There is a lack of electricity in remote areas of Upper Mustang. Most of the village has a limited electricity supply which is generated from small hydropower sources and solar panels. The power supply differs from place to place. At higher altitudes, electricity is very low because there is limited infrastructure. Trekkers may have to pay extra money to use electricity services like charging phones; some teahouses provide electronic device charging stations. Trekkers are advised to carry their own power banks or solar chargers with them all the time as a source of power for cameras and phones. It is difficult to find power access during this trek. Places like Kagbeni, Tsarang, and Lo Manthang have a chance to have electricity in comparison to other places along the trekking journey.
In Upper Mustang, the internet services have been improved in the past few years. It would be better if you bought a local SIM card with a data package. It will be beneficial to have internet access through mobile networks such as NTC and Ncell, while some locations have good network connections but most of the remote villages have poor and unstable network connections. However, there are stable internet connections compared to other areas in Lo Manthang. Along the journey, some teahouses and lodges do offer wifi for a money, but the signal can be unstable, especially during bad weather.
Upper Mustang Trek Difficulty
The Upper Mustang trek is not difficult for experienced trekkers, but it might be difficult for beginners. The highest altitude of this trek is 3840 meters, which is not high in comparison to the Annapurna Circuit trek. However, the windy air and rocky path make it challenging and difficult, especially on sunny days. The average daily walk during this trek is 5-7 hours. You need high physical strength and energy to complete this trek.
Safety and security during the trek
The trek to Upper Mustang is safer because the people of this region are known for their kind and friendly nature. There are very few chances of theft and criminal activity. For more safety of trekkers, Trekking is only permitted in restricted areas with permit documents and a registered guide. The guide helps trekkers if any trouble or in emergencies. To avoid any health issues during trekking, you need to have proper acclimatization and drink water to stay hydrated.
You need to carry a first aid box. The weather in the Mustang region is unpredictable so you can carry extra clothes and your required things like an extra power bank, clothes, snacks and toiletries.
Permits for Upper Mustang trek
The 12-day Mustang trek is a restricted trek in Nepal. You need to have the following permit with you during the trek:
- Restricted area permit (RAP): Trekkers need to have a certified guide and two two-person groups should be a minimum. The first 10 days will cost USD 500 per person and additional days cost USD 50 per day.
- Annapurna Conservation Area permission(ACAP): The path passes through the Annapurna region, so trekkers need to get an ACAP. Foreigners need to pay about 25 dollars, but SAARC citizens only need to pay NPR 1000.
After having every permit, trekkers can explore their journey from Pokhara to Upper Mustang with a certified guide with them.
Travel Insurance
Each trekkers are suggested to have travel insurance as the upper Mustang region is remote and does not have any advanced medical facilities. There are only a few health posts which is located in Jomsom and Lo Manthang. Helicopter evacuation may be needed in a situation of serious illness. If the insurance is not done then it can cost you thousands of dollars. you need to carry your insurance information and emergency contact during trekking.
Accommodation and Acclimatization on the Upper Mustang trek
The upper Mustang trek takes to the Nepal desert regions. Most of the accommodation options during Upper Mustang are teahouses and lodges, which are affordable and suitable for trekkers. Teahouses offer basic rooms with double beds, blankets, and shared bathrooms in places like Lo Manthang, Kagbeni, and Tsarang. In lower altitudes, you will get better facilities in comparison to high-altitude lodges. Some lodges offer Wi-Fi and hot shower facilities, depending on the location’s altitude. However, sometimes due to electricity instability, you might not be able to use wifi. The price of lodges and teahouses may also differ from location to location. For meals, as trekkers need enough energy for trekking the most common meal option is Nepali food, which is Dal Bhaat Tarkari.
For acclimatization, to avoid altitude sickness, you need to stay one day and one night in Lo Manthang. Trekkers have to trek for 12 days which requires proper acclimation, even though the trek is not as tough as the Everest base camp. Your body needs to adjust to low-level oxygen with the help of taking rest and keeping your body hydrated. During acclimatization, some trekkers use to go for short hikes in nearby places to keep their bodies more flexible. For a safer and more adventurous journey to Upper Mustang, you should plan with proper knowledge about altitude sickness symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Altitude sickness during Upper Mustang Trek
However, the Upper Mustang trek is less difficult in comparison to the Everest base camp and the Annapurna Circuit trek. In higher altitudes, there is a chance of acute mountain sickness(AMS). Though the Upper Mustang trek is not difficult, there is a possible chance to suffer from AMS. Lo Manthang has the highest altitude during this trek, which is 3840 meters. Even though there is less chance of altitude sickness people do suffer from headaches, Nausea, and dizziness. To prevent AMS and maintain lower oxygen levels you need to acclimate. You also need to stay hydrated at least you need to drink 3-4 liters of water per day during trekking.
Money Exchange
Before starting the trek, it will be better to exchange money. You can easily exchange money in Pokhara because there are very few money exchange services along the upper Mustang trek. You can also exchange your money easily from ATMs or banks. ATMs provide affordable exchange rates for currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP. As many teahouses and lodges do not accept digital payment or foreign currencies, you need to carry Nepalese currencies. It is necessary to have enough NPR cash in hand.
Packing Lists for Upper Mustang Trek
1. Clothes
- Base layer jacket
- Down jackets
- Sweaters
- Full sleeve t-shirt
- Trekking pants
Waterproof jacket - Gloves
2. Footwear
- Trekking boots
- Socks
- Slippers and comfortable sandals
3. Sleeping equipment
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
4. Accessories
- Trekking poles
- Duffel bag
- Lamp
- Water bottle
- Bag pack(for snacks and sleeping bag)
- Water purification filters or tablets
- Camera
- Suncream and body lotion
- Sunglasses
5. Personal belongings
- First aid
- Toiletries (brush, soap, toothpaste, face wash)
- snacks (energy drink,chocolate bars,potato chips)
- Cash(NPR)
- Power banks
- Extra bags(for carrying extra things)
Group size in Upper Mustang Trek
The ideal size of the group for the Upper Mustang trek is 2 to 6 people. The trekking transportation and personal preferences depend upon the size of the group for the Upper Mustang trek. A smaller group of people will be easier for lodging arrangements and meals. It also makes it easier to communicate with porters and guides; it also improves acclimatization. A large group of people will be harder to manage, it might cost less by splitting the money, but it will be more difficult to manage the lodges, guides and porters as it is a remote area. Solo trekking is not allowed without permission.
Upper Mustang cancellation policy
1. Cancellation by the Guest
- 30 days before departure: Complete reimbursement except for the bank transfer fee.
- 10 days before departure 30% of the entire trip cost is refunded.
- Five days or less before departure there will be a 50% refund.
- There won’t be any additional fees or postponed costs if you have to cancel your trip at the last minute.
- After the trek begins no refund will be made for any reason (e.g., personal illness, injury, or early return).
2. Cancellation by the Company
You have the following options if the trek is canceled due to any events, natural disasters, or political unrest:
- Get a complete reimbursement of the trip price.
- Reschedule your trek to a later date.
3. Cancellations Due to Weather or Flight Delays
- We will try to reschedule your trip at no extra cost. If necessary, your trekking area will be modified.
- If you decide to cancel, you will receive a full refund of 30% of the total cost of your trip, excluding service fees for transportation, hotel reservations, and permits.
4. No-Show Policy
- If the guest unexpectedly fails to show up on their stated departure date,there will be no refund.
5. Travel Insurance Requirement
- It is strongly advised to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, evacuation costs, and trip cancellations.
Booking for Upper Mustang trek
1. Advance Payment & Booking Confirmation
- A 30% down payment of the total trip cost is required to reserve your spot.
- The remaining amount can be paid when you get to Kathmandu.
- Another option is to pay the full amount up front.
- To complete the reservation, you must send:
- The reservation fee
- A digital version of your passport
- Extra information that is needed, such as an emergency contact or travel insurance information.
2. Payment Methods
We offer a range of payment options for your convenience:
- Online Payment: To make a safe online payment, use the payment gateway on our website.
- Debit/Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, and other payment methods are accepted (a 4% bank service charge applies). Send funds directly to our bank account via bank or wire transfer(Transaction fee).
- Cash or Check: If you are in Kathmandu, you can choose to pay with cash or a check.
3. Final Payment
- Before departure, the remaining 70% of the trip cost must be paid.When you arrive, you can pay with cash, a card, or a bank transfer.
4. Booking Modifications & Rescheduling
- Please give us at least 30 days’ notice if you must change the date of your trek.
- Depending on the circumstances, date adjustments may be contingent upon availability and additional fees.
5. Travel Insurance Requirement
All trekkers must have comprehensive travel insurance covering high-altitude, medical emergencies, evacuation, trip cancellations, and delays.
6. Last-Minute Booking
You can make a last-minute booking (up to 48 hours before departure) for the trek. But during peak months like September-November, it may not be available.
It is highly recommended to book in advance for the availability.
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