Upper Mustang Trek

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m / 4,600 ft)

On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport, received by Namaste Nepal guide and staff with a traditional welcome of garland, and then transfer to respective hotels. After a refreshing rest then join with other members of Upper Mustang at the meeting hall of the hotel for briefing. Where our group leader will provide you with necessary information regarding the trek, culture, and much more. Where you can ask questions if in doubt.

For the meeting please make sure you bring your passport, 2 copies of passport size photos, and your travel insurance policy copy (if you haven’t sent them by email before).  And sign the legally binding trip form as well as the non-liability disclaimer. Then head out and visit one of Kathmandu's cultural highlights. In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes.

Drive / Flight to Pokhara (822m / 2,697 ft)

Morning either by tourist coach or private vehicles as per group size, the drive takes you to cover 220 km distance to reach Nepal Mid-West at beautiful Pokhara.

During overland journey following the Trisuli River for some time and then heading further west, on leaving the river Trisuli with grand views of Manaslu and Lamjung Himal, as the drive gets closer to Pokhara views of Annapurna Himalaya. 

On reaching Pokhara by its serene Phewa Lakeside, where most good hotels are located, and then transfer into your hotel rooms. With time for a stroll along the lakeside.  

Pokhara, the second largest township in Nepal with a beautiful setting beside the large lake of Phewa, Rupa, and Begnas. Where one can enjoy magnificent views of the Annapurna mountain range with Mt. Machhapuchare the famous fishtail peak.

(Options by air from Kathmandu to Pokhara of 30 minutes scenic flight)

Fly to Jomsom (2, 715 m / 8,907 ft) and Trek to Kagbeni (2,810m / 9,219 ft)

Early morning depart from the hotel after a good breakfast to Pokhara airport a short drive of 20 minutes. Board in a small aircraft Dornier / Twin Otter or similar a flight of less than half-hour, with amazing views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range of peaks on both side of the plane. As it lands at Jomsom airport perched on a shelf of Kaligandaki River.

From the airport walk to Jomsom town, headquarter, and administrative center of the Mustang region. Here get organized after meeting the rest of our field staff and porters, we also use mules sometimes for this trek to Upper Mustang.

From Jomsom, the trail leads on the Kali-Gandaki plains in the rainy season the road diverts to the right bank of the river plain, the walk is pleasant with few ups and down most of the way to the place of Ekali Bhatti (lonely inn) where there are three or four tea-houses at present, the route splits from here the higher leads to Muktinath, the other heads towards Kagbeni and beyond to Upper Mustang.

An easy short walk on gradual winding trails to reach Kagbeni village for overnight. The interesting village the houses and people resemble more like Tibetan, as this is the main route to Tibet border and Upper Mustang.

Trek to Chele / Tshele (3, 045 m / 9,990 ft)

After an enjoyable overnight in Kagbeni, enter the restricted area towards Upper Mustang, as walk heads for out the overnight destination to Chele village.

Starts with a short climb to reach a wide valley enclosed with a high canyon and towering eroded cliffs as trek leads to Tiri-Gaon village.

Walk around scenic terrain with short up and down then on winding path to Chele village for the overnight stop, Chele also spelled as ‘Tshele’ a moderate size village here from onward into more Buddhism culture similar to Tibetan traditional life.

Trek to Syangbochen (3,800 m / 11,811 ft) visit Samar Ramchung Cave

From Chele or Tsele village, morning climb towards Gyakar village within a wide and barren terrain and then reach at Samar village, a lovely village on the way with time to visit an interesting meditation Cave called RAfter a refreshing stops walk continues to a small place of Bhena, from here a steep climb to cross over a high ridge of Yamda-La pass at 3,860 m, offers grand views of Mustang valley and high Mt. Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountain range. 

From here descend all the way to Syangboche village for the overnight stop.

Trek to Ghami (3, 600 m / 12,467 ft)

From Syangbochen our route climbs gradually through the fields up the center of the valley, passing below the Tama Gung settlements, the walk continues a long climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La pass 3, 932 m, the highest point of this trek. The pass itself happens to be the southern boundary of Lo. From here a gradual descend for half-hour brings to a junction; the right path leads directly to Tsarang while the left leads to Ghami village out overnight stop and one of the main major village of Lo region.

Trek to Charang / Tsarang (3, 520 m / 11,548 ft)

With an enjoyable overnight stop at Ghami village, the morning starts with a climb up in the middle of a vast valley, as walk leads past Tama Gung settlements, continue a long climb across the head of the valley to the highest Nyi La pass of the adventure at 3, 932 m and 12, 900 feet high.

The pass forms a barrier with its southern boundary of Lo and other areas of Upper Mustang. From here descend for a half-hour to a junction; where a right path leads straight to Charang / Tsarang. A major village of Lo and Upper Mustang. 

From here head down below within blue, grey, and red cliffs across the valley to a steel bridge across the Tangmarchu River, the path climbs past to a long and magnificent stretch of Mani a prayer wall, one of the longest around Nepal Himalaya region. The Trek leads to the last climb of the day towards 3,600 m pass, from the top a gentle descent brings you to Charang / Tsarang for the overnight halt.

An interesting village with a maze of fields, willow trees, and a huge five tiers of white-painted Dzong/fort, with a red Gomba / monastery located on the edge of the Kali Gandaki gorge. The village has its own electricity system run by a local hydro plant from a nearby stream.

Trek to Lo-Manthang (3, 840 m / 12, 600 ft)

After a wonderful stop in Charang, an interesting village of Lo and Upper Mustang, from here towards the walled former kingdom of Lo-Manthang.

Walk drops below the blue, grey, and red cliffs across the valley to a steel bridge across the Tangmarchu River, the path climbs past to the long and magnificent stretch of Mani wall, probably the longest one in Nepal. 

From here the final climb of the day brings to 3, 600 m pass, after the last pass a gentle descent leads to the overnight stop at Charang, a lovely and interesting village with a row of maze of fields, willow trees, and huge five-storied white Dzong and a Red Gompa located on the edge of Kali Gandaki gorge.  

From here our direction heads straight north with a gentle climb, as walk ascends to a large Chorten that symbolizes the boundary between Tsarang and Lo-Manthang. From the top heading to a great wide windswept landscape, and then end the day trek on reaching the walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang. The only entrance to the town-village, using the northeast corner, where walk leads to a short circuit around the wall to reach the main entrance gate.

Entering inside head straight to our lodge and guest-house for afternoon refreshment and rest, and enjoy browsing inside the walled kingdom where nice houses, impressive monasteries, and shops are located.

Rest and exploration at Lo-Manthang (3, 840 m / 12, 600 ft)

Within the walled town-village inhabits more than 150 houses with some residents of the monks and lamas/head priest. Houses are closely linked, and the palace and monasteries are located at the bottom portion of this vertical part of ‘L’ shaped houses. The school, health post, police post, and several important Chorten are located outside the walls on the north gate, with the eastern monastic part of the city. 

Although the native apparent looks and features of Lo Manthang, the village is quite prosperous and maintains a strong sense of community. 

The locals call themselves Lobas, people of Lo, with strong Tibetan influence and practice of cultural economy. Before strong trade with Tibet was disrupted, all of the salt and wool trade on the Kali Gandaki passed through Lo Manthang, and this brought a substantial amount of money to this great village town. 

The Mustang late Jigme Parbal Bista Raja's / Kings palace stands an imposing 4 storied building in the middle of the walled city. 

Enjoy the visit of important four grand monasteries Namgyal Gompa, Champa Lakhang (God House), Red Thubchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and its Great Entrance Hall. Tour of the historical and cultural center one of the main attractions of Lo-Manthang.

Trek to Drakmar village (3, 810 m / 12,500 ft)

After a marvelous and interesting time around the walled kingdom of 

Lo-Manthang, morning walk leads back on the same route for some time on a gradual walk up to Marang village. 

From here turning right towards west on an old path to reach overnight stop at Drakmar village, around this area afternoon time is very windy with dust so starting early in the morning is highly suggested. 

Trek to Ghiling (3,806 m / 12,500 ft)

From this lovely village Drakmar, walk towards the longest and spectacular series of Mani walls (Sacred-Holy prayer stone wall which is built by locals and Buddhist pilgrims) and then crossing a bridge over Ghami Khola reaching at Ghami village, from here trek for a couple of hours heading towards south reaching at Ghiling for the overnight stop with time to visit Ghiling monastery and water rotated prayer wheel.

Trek to Chusang / Tsusang (3,050 m / 10,006 ft)

Morning walk starts with a gradual climb to Syangboche village, then towards a small pass of Yamda-La at 3,860 m with superb views of snow-capped peaks and of Mustang vast landscapes, from here downhill walk through small villages of Bhena and Samar. Walk follows a stream leading all the way to Chusang / Tsusang village for the overnight stop via Gyakar and Chele / Tshele villages.

Trek to Jomsom (2, 715 m / 8,907 ft)

After an enjoyable adventure around Upper Mustang with fascinating and impressive villages, from here down to Lower Mustang as today's walk leads to Kagbeni. On the same scenic route past Chele village to reach at Mustang Khola, from here on the gradual path between towering canyons and eroded high cliffs to reach Kagbeni after a great time on Upper Mustang.

From Kagbeni last day trek of the adventure, from Kagbeni on gradual downhill walks to reach windswept Kaligandaki River valley and then back to large town at Jomsom, where Annapurna Circuit meets at Jomsom, home to indigenous Thakali people, the main tribe of Lower Mustang and Kaligandaki valley interwoven to Buddhism religion. The area around Kaligandaki is famous for juicy and delicious apples as well the products straight from the apple orchard.

Fly to Pokhara (822m / 2,697 ft)

Enjoying overnight in a lovely hotel and lodge at Jomsom, morning short walk to the airport terminal, after bidding farewell to trekking staff and loyal porters.

The flight time to Pokhara, schedule in the morning because of strong wind in the afternoon, sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason beyond our command. 

Depending upon the flight time make way to the terminal for security check, this scenic flight from Jomsom takes about 20 minutes to reach Pokhara, facing the panoramic view of high snow mountains from the plane.

On landing at Pokhara airport, transfer to your respective hotels by the calm Phewa Lake, with time for individual activities and a tour of Pokhara around its natural wonders.

Drive / Flight back to Kathmandu(1,400m / 4,600 ft)

Morning departs from the hotel for an interesting overland journey to Kathmandu, where a drive leads past towns and farm villages, and then following Trisuli River for some time. On leaving the river behind as drive climbs to the outskirt of valley and then enter the hustle, bustle busy Kathmandu city reaching your hotel.

after a glorious time and wonderful experience on Upper Mustang Adventure In the evening to celebrate the successful completion of our journey, the farewell dinner will be served in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances.

(Options by air from Kathmandu to Pokhara of 30 minutes scenic flight)

Depart Kathmandu for international flight homeward bound

Last day in the country of Himalayan wonders and fascinating culture. Depart from the hotel, our Namaste Nepal staff/guide transfers you to the airport for a flight homeward bound, after a marvelous experience on Upper Mustang Adventure. On the way to your home, you have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful land of the mystic Himalayas.