Trip Facts
- Tourist Bus-Jeep-Car
- 2 to 8
- 3840 meter/12595 feet
- Hotel-Lodge-Homestay
- Less Active
- Kathmandu
- Kathamndu
- Autumn (March to May) & Autumn (Aug to Nov)
- In Person
- Restricted Region Trek
- Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
- English/Chinese/Hindi
- 5
- 78
The people, their lifestyle, culture, tradition, cave on the trail and the surrounding nature gives, trekker plenty to see in their trekking to Upper Mustang. Daily life of people living there is simple, unique and interesting for trekkers; herd of cattle coming back home in the afternoon, yaks grazing In the field, horses and mules carrying supplies up and down the trails.
This part of Nepal is geologically located in the Tibetan Plato, a completely deserted area within Nepal Himalaya – resembles Tibetan Landscape.
Difference in between Upper Mustang Trek vs. Upper Dolpo trek
- Physical Requirements/ Upper Mustang Trek Difficulty
Upper Mustang trekking is similar to Upper dolpo trek in many ways. Landscape, people, culture and tradition of people from Upper Dolpo and Upper mustang are similar. In the history – during 6th to 8th century, Upper Dolpo used to be a part of kingdom of Lho. Kingdom of Lho used to have its palace at Lo Manthang village and Upper Dolpo was once captured by King of Lho. This historical proof alone is enough to prove, why upper mustang and upper dolpo are similar?
Apart from similarity in between these 2 rain shadow zone of Nepal Himalaya, there are differences in between Upper Mustang trek and Upper Dolpo trekking. Firstly Upper dolpo trekking has high passes and it is physically demanding trekking Nepal, whereas Upper mustang is an easy flat trekking in Nepal.
Altitude of Upper Mustang trek do not rise and fall quickly but it has a constant increase on ascend and similar in descend. In case of Upper Dolpo trek there are two high passes in route. Trekking to Upper dolpo need high pass trek over Saldang La pass (4,785m) and Jeng La pass (4,369m) whereas; highest altitude on trekking to upper mustang is 3840m.
One of the major differences in between these two famous trekking destination; Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo is trekking accommodation. Upper Mustang trek is a tea house trekking whereas Upper Dolpo trekking is mixed with Camping trek and home stays. Another major difference is the development of road and use of jeep in need.
Upper Mustang has wide road for Jeep and if trekkers need to be rescued then it is not an issue, however the trekking trail has alternative route. In contrast Upper Dolpo trek is a remote trekking with no road facility.
As the trek to Upper mustang already start from 2600 meters and do not rise above 3840m above the sea level, clearly states its level of difficulty. In a day, trekkers trekking to upper mustang need to walk 5 to 7 hours in average, which means trekking is normally flat terrain thus is not challenging but outstandingly beautiful.
- Beauty of Upper Mustang Trek
In comparison to the rest of the trekking destinations in Nepal, Upper mustang is completely different trekking from many prospective. Geographically, Upper Mustang lies near to Tibet and it is a part of the Tibetan plate, thus the mountains of this region are similar to Tibetan dry mountains.
Unlike to trail of Everest base camp, Annapurna Base camp and Langtang valley; Upper mustang has no jungle. But the dry landscape with brown mountains looks awesome.
But still, Upper mustang trekking also serves the beauty of snow-capped mountains to the far end. Trekkers can see Mt Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri mountain range, Annapurna mountain range as well. This combined view of dry landscape with White Mountain is admiring view. Upper mustang trek is not comparable with beautiful trail of Everest or famous Annauprna base camp trek.
Landscape is different and the people we see in route to upper mustang are different. Sherpa’s of Everest are also Tibetans in the far history, but people from Upper Mustang have very young history to prove themselves in relation to their Tibetan ancestors. Also because of the isolated geological boundary, Upper mustang is still untouched and culture and tradition of the region is still preserved to its purity.
Below is a suggested itinerary for Upper Mustang Trek, it can be customized as per your wishes.
Please note! Upper Mustang is a restricted region; therefore, we need your original passport, to arrange for a special permit – prior to your Upper Mustang trip. Saying that, 2nd day in Kathmandu or early arrival on the 1st day is mandatory for upper Mustang Trek. For more Information, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Outline itinerary for Upper Mustang Trek 18 Days
- Day 1 – Arrival
- Day 2 – Special Permit Preparation day
- Day 3 – Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Day 4 – Drive to Jomsom
- Day 5 – Trek to Kagbeni; 5 hours
- Day 6 – Kagbeni to Chele (3100m); 5 hours
- Day 7 – Chele to Syangbochen (3780m); 6 hours
- Day 8- Syangbochen to Ghami (3520m); 7 hours
- Day 9 – Ghami to Charang (3560m); 6 hours
- Day 10 – Charang to Lo Manthang (3840m), Lo was a state of Tibet centuries ago.
- Day 11 – Rest, sightseeing day at Lo Manthang, visit different Monasteries.
- Day 12 – Lo Manthang to Dhakmar (3820m); 7 hours
- Day 13 – Dhakmar to Syangbochen(3780m); 6 hours
- Day 14 – Syangbochen to Chhusang (2980m); 7 hours
- Day 15 – Chhusang to Jomsom(2743m); 6 hours
- Day 16 – Drive Jomsom to Pokhara
- Day 17 – Drive to Kathmandu by Tourist bus.
- Day 18 – Departure
Detailed itinerary for Upper Mustang Trek 18 Days
• Altitude – 1350 meters
• Special – Happening Thamel street
• Time – 30 minutes hotel transfer time
• Activity – Relax at the hotel
On arrival our company representative will greet you at the airport and transfer to you hotel, and tell you about Upper Mustang Trek meeting venue and time. Enjoy your free time tonight in Thamel. Thamel offers good selection of restaurants, cafés, shops and bars.
• Altitude – 1350 meters
• Activity – Special permit preparation
We need a special permit to enter the restricted Upper Mustang Region. To obtain the special permit we need to have your original passport. While our office staff will work on your permit, you will have a rest day or you can join our day tour activity.
• Altitude – 1400 meters
• Special – Scenic view of surrounding
• Time – 8 hours
• Activity – Travelling in Bus
During the monsoon season, rain in Pokhara is common. This is a challenge to get out of the rain and into the rain shadow zone to Upper Mustang.
• Altitude – 2743 meters
• Special – Scenic view from bus
• Time – 8/9 hours
• Activity – Travelling in bus
Stay overnight at Jomsom and chill at the entrance of rain shadow region of Nepal, “Upper Mustang”.
• Altitude – 2804 meters
• Special – Dry landscapes and local villages
• Time – 5 hours
• Activity – Trekking
Trekking from Jomsom to Kagbeni is dry mountain walking. We might need to face the wind and dust today, be prepared with mask or buff and sun glasses. Dry landscape of Upper Mustang region starts from here.
From today until the last day of the trekking you will explore villages, and stay at the local owned tea houses. There will be a menu at every eating place from which you will choose your lunch, dinner and breakfast (all included if you buy our normal package).
You will be following your trekking guide, who helps you in everything from choosing food to sleeping warm. You are free to decide on your own but listening to your guide’s recommendation is always wise. Your porter will be carrying your luggage and you only need to carry a small day-pack with drinking water, camera, sun screen and other things you’ll need during the day’s trek.
When traveling with Nepalgram Adventure you don’t need to worry about anything. Just take care of eating properly and staying hydrated.
• Altitude – 3100 meters
• Special – Get nearer to muktinath Temple
• Time – 5 hours
• Activity – Trekking
Kagbeni is the gateway to Upper Mustang and the Muktinath temple is near this village. Kagbeni village also has its own monastery.
• Altitude – 3780 meters
• Special – landscapes and local villages
• Time – 6 hours
• Activity – gentle walk along with 30 minutes uphill
Chele to Syangboche is a gentle walk, but at the beginning we will walk uphill for about 30 minutes. We will pass by beautiful landscapes and one village during today’s hike. Glacial evidence from thousands of years ago is found in here.
• Altitude – 3520 meters
• Special – landscape and Chhortens
• Time – 7 hours
• Activity – Gentle and easy walk
Syangboche to Ghami is a gentle and easy walk. We will pass by a beautiful landscape and many Chhortens today. These Chhorten are believed to exist since the 11th century B.C.
• Altitude – 3560 meters
• Special – small valley of Charang
• Time – 6 hours
• Activity – Easy hike
Ghami to Chharang is also an easy hike. Once we get to Charang it feels like being in a city from the 14th century. This small valley of Charang on the side of river has a nice location and view. Walking around the village of Charang is a day well spent.
• Altitude – 3840 meters
• Special – visiting Palace of King
• Time – 4/5 hours
• Activity – Gentle walk along with few uphill
Charang to Lamantahng has a few uphill, but mostly a gentle walk. Lo Manthang is the place where the king of the region lives. These villages still have a practice of King, but nowadays king is just an emblem, after democracy in 1950AD. We will visit the palace of king which still exists. Lo Manthang is a nice historic village.
• Altitude – 3840 meters
• Special – Exploration of local monastries and local place
• Activity – Short hike or drive
Lo Manthang, kingdom of Upper Mustang King is a historic place. We still can see numerous forts on the top of the hills in Lo Manthang. We will go to Chusang Cave, local monastery, or drive to Korolla Border. Korolla is the Nepal-China Border to Tibet. Lo Manthnag is such a beautiful place that will be lots to marvel about.
• Altitude – 3820 meters
• Special – Ghar Gompa
• Time – 7 hours
• Activity – small uphill hike and mostly downhill
Now descend begins, after a small uphill we will get to Ghar La. Today we will hike downhill, mostly. We pass by a monastery at Ghar called Ghar Gompa. This Ghar Gompa is built by Guru Padhmasambhav in the 8th century B.C., and this monastery has Chhorten (the memorials) all around. You will see Charang village in the far distance, surrounded by a beautiful landscape.
Story behind the Ghar Gompa is that Guru Padhmasambhav tried to build one monastery in Tibet but he failed. Every night demons used to come and dismantle the construction. Then a Buddhist Shaman found a way, they found that if one monastery in Nepal (Ghar Gomba) will be built at first, demons will not demolish the structure in Tibet. And so they built this Ghar Gomba also called Lo Ghekar Gomba
• Altitude – 3780 meters
• Special – view of sunrise and caves
• Time – 6 hours
• Activity – Treking
We will walk down to Syangbochen and spend a peaceful night at the local tea house. In the morning, we will go to see sunrise from one of the near viewpoints. There are mysterous caves at 1 hours distance from Syangboche, would be an interesting place to go, if we have enough time left.
• Altitude – 2980 meters
• Special – Chusang village
• Time – 7 hours
• Activity – Trekking downhill followed by flat walk
Trekking to Chusang is downhill followed by flat walk. Chusang village is on the side of river, people search for Shalimar stones in this river.
• Altitude – 2743 meters
• Special – Enjoying in Jomson
• Time – 6 hours
• Activity – Waling on the fat trail
Trekking from Chusang to Jomsom is on the road, easy and flat. We will take the same trail we have walked on our first day. Trekking ends at Jomsom enjoy the night and celebrate your achievement with the team.
• Altitude – 1400 meters
• Special – Scenery view of Annapurna ranges, villages, landscapes and greenery
• Time – 8/9 hours
• Activity – Travelling in bus
Riding tourist coach from Jomsom to Pokhara gives a great view of the Annapurna range and nice view of the river valley. Scenery of villages and landscape during the bus journey from Jomsom till Pokhara changes dramatically. You can also choose a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom.
• Altitude – 1380 meters
• Special – Scenic view from bus
• Time – 8 hours
• Activity – Travelling in bus
After 8 hours’ drive from Pokhara we will get to Kathmandu.
• Altitude – 1380 meters
• Time – 30 minutes airport transfer time
• Activity – Flying back to origin
Time has come to farewell you and wishes you a safe journey. Our vehicle will drop you off to the Kathmandu airport for your final departure. Looking forward to see you again on your next adventure in Nepal!
Have a safe travel back home.
Note: This itinerary and cost for Upper Mustang trekking is an example, we can always customize this trip according to your interest and length of the holiday.
