Upper Mustang trek is a walk in the different terrain of Nepal Himalaya. Upper part of Mustang Nepal has magical place with a rich history, unique culture, and many unsolved archaeological mysteries.
Due to the fact that outsiders were not permitted to enter inside upper mustang region, until the Nepalese government abolished the restrictions in 1992, Upper Mustang is also known as the “Last Forbidden Kingdom.”
The exploration of ancient monasteries, caves, canyons, desert splendor, cliff-faced landscapes, native tribes, and their fascinating cultures are all part of Upper Mustang trekking.
This moderately adventure, less known trip in the upper mustang region offers amazing brown mountain views and travels through one of Nepal’s driest districts. Ancient monasteries, medieval towns, and Cliff-side cave homes are all examples of Tibetan Buddhism. There are places like Choser cave where you can feel existence of being inside a normal house while walking inside the cave.
The walled city of Lo Manthang also features exquisite architecture (capital of Mustang region).
To get to upper mustang, the journey starts with a gorgeous flight to Pokhara, followed by a flight to Jomsom. After pokhara has international airport – you can land at pokhara international airport and start the upper mustang trip from there. From pokhara you can either drive to jomsom or fly to jomsom – so as to reach Upper mustang trekking trails.
When you choose to fly to jomsom for trekking in upper mustang – You fly over Kali Gandaki River, the deepest gorge in the world, on the way to Jomsom. Your Mustang Circuit Trek begins at the town of Jomsom. From jomsom town you will be trekking to Kagbeni village – the gateway to Upper Mustang.
Kagbeni has the special permit check point for trekking or tour in upper mustang region.
Table of Contents
For Trekking in Upper Mustang
We spend the night at Kagbeni and then continue our ascent to Chele. We’ll hike early in the morning to avoid the afternoon’s strong winds. You should be prepared with your sunglasses and face mask because the trek areas can be windy and if windy the trail is dry but loose soil and have a lot of dust in the air.
As you continue on your journey, you will pass Tangbe village, and a short distance ahead is Chele, your destination for the day.
From Chele to Syangboche we pass Eklo Bhatti and also walk over the Taklam High Pass (3,625m/11,940ft). This pass is not hard but has an appealing view of the region. From the pass you will see snow capped mountains in distance and the surrounding brown hills.
We will then begin our trip from Syangboche toward Ghami. This trip, you will pass Yamda La Pass (12,655 feet/3,845 meters).
Tsarang comes after Ghami, which has about 1,000 residents. Although the trip is in Mustang’s driest region, the vistas of the surrounding white mountain landscape are breath taking.
From Tsarang, we head to Lo Manthang as we do so, you will enjoy the views of mountains such as – Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I, and Brikuti.
The longer route of Upper mustang trekking is via Yara Ghara village
From Lo Manthang as we head to Yara Ghara and slowly your trek start to down to tanggo. From tanggo to go down to tetang and muktinath and reach to jomsom. And this longer route of upper mustang circuit trek should be finished with following itinerary.
Upper Mustang trek with Yara Ghara outline itinerary
Day 01-Arrival in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Kathmandu Sight seeing and Get permit for the Trek
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara (Pokhara sightseeing or rest and relax in Pokhara.)
Day 04 : Jeep ride to Kagbeni from pokhara
Day 05 : Trek to Chhusang
Day 06 : Trek to Syangboche from Chhusang
Day 07 : Trek to Gheling from syangboche
Day 08 : : Trek to Ghap from gheling
Day 09: Trek to Tsarang via Ghekar
Day 10 : Trek to Lo Mangthang from Tsarang
Day 11 : Jeep tour and acclimatization at lo manthang
Day 12 : Trek to lo Mathang to dhi
Day 13 : Trek to Yara village from Dhi
Day 14: From Yara village to Ghara Village and Explore LURI GOMbA & BACK TO ghara for overnight
Day 15: From Ghara to Dhi Gaon via Tashi Cave Excursion
Day 16: From Dhi to Tsharang
Day 17:Trek to Syangboche
Day 18:Syanbochen to Chele – Trek duration: 5-6 Hours
Day 19: Chele to Kagbeni -Trek duration: 5-6 Hours
Day 20: Pokhara to Kathmandu
Day 21: DEPARTURE
Types of upper mustang trek (Short trek in upper mustang)
Short upper mustang trek is an easy hiking in the Himalayas. It is a joyful experience to stay close to nature during short upper Mustang trek. It typically takes 15 to 17 days to complete the Upper Mustang trek. The journey can be cut short, though. Please feel free to ask us to cut the number of trek days shortest as per your need.
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Short itinerary as per your wish is possible because there are off-road trails for travelling back from Lo Manthang to Pokhara in a vehicle. To be accurate – Nepal government is opening a 6 lake highway from kathmandu to China using Kora la boarder. Koro la boarder is 1 hours drive away from Lo manthang village & the road goes through Lo manthang village.
For those who would like to visit the Mustang region but only have a short amount of time, we have a specific itinerary called the Short Trek to Upper Mustang. In the short trekking – you will not miss the attractions but camps are made shorter and trekking is skipped with jeep ride in some sections.
You will see distinct landscapes, charming towns, historic sky caves and monasteries, as well as a culture, way of life, and legacy that haven’t changed in years, when you explore Upper Mustang.
Short upper mustang trek 10 days itinerary – short plan
- Day 01: Drive / flight to Jomsom then trek to Kagbeni 2800 meters / 9186 feet
- Day 02: Trek to Chele 3100 meters / 10170 feet
- Day 03: Trek to Ghiling 3570 meters / 11712 feet
- Day 04: Trek to Tsarang 3560 meters / 11679 feet
- Day 05: Trek to Lo Manthang 3840 meters / 12598 feet
- Day 06: Explore Lo Manthang and Chhoser area (It is possible to drive back Pokhara via Muktinath)
- Day 07: Trek to Ghami 3510 meters / 11515 feet
- Day 08: Trek to Syangboche 3800 meters / 12467 feet
- Day 09: Trek to Chhusang 2980 meters / 9776 feet
- Day 10: Trek to Jomsom 2720 meters / 8923 feet
Other Destinations of Nepal
Nepalgram can take you far and beyond the nooks & corners of Himalaya
Annapurna Conservation Area (46 Trips)
Nar Phu Valley (3 Trips)
Annapurna Base Camp (5 Trips)
Thorong La pass (8 Trips)
Tilicho Lake (2 Trips)
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