Upper Mustang Trek

After an early breakfast, you'll board a comfortable tourist bus in Kathmandu for the 6-7 hour drive to Pokhara—the gateway to your Mustang adventure. The journey itself is a visual feast, winding alongside the sparkling Trishuli and Marsyangdi Rivers, passing through lush valleys framed by terraced hills and rocky cliffs. Keep an eye out for tiny mountain springs and waterfalls along the way.

As you approach Pokhara, the landscape opens up to reveal its famous seven lakes, including the shimmering Phewa, Begnas, and Rupa. On clear days, the entire Annapurna range—including the iconic Machapuchare (Fishtail Mountain), Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu—paints a dramatic backdrop against the sky.

The flight from Pokhara to Jomsom (2720 m) in the Himalayas takes about 25 minutes. The jet takes off from the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara and lands at Jomsom Airport, surrounded by dry hills and snow-covered peaks. Many travelers use Jomsom as a starting point to visit Muktinath, a sacred pilgrimage site. The Upper Mustang Trekking adventure lets you witness the spiritual journey of those seeking enlightenment. From Jomsom, a scenic walk along the dry Kali Gandaki River valley leads to Kagbeni (2810 m), an ancient trading post with a Buddhist monastery. Kagbeni lies just below the restricted area of Upper Mustang, offering a glimpse into the region's unique culture and landscapes.

To avoid the strong winds of Mustang in the afternoon, you’ll start your walk early in the morning. At the Kagbeni checkpoint, you must show your Upper Mustang trekking permit before following the Kali Gandaki River’s eastern bank toward Chuksang. Along the way, you’ll see stunning views of Mt. Nilgiri glowing orange in the morning light. Since the river area can be windy and dusty, sunglasses and a face mask will help protect your eyes and nose.

Next, you’ll pass through Mustang’s unique red sandstone cliffs and rock formations, shaped by centuries of erosion, before reaching Tangbe Village. This pretty settlement has whitewashed and red houses, apple orchards, and barley fields. From there, a narrow canyon path leads to Chele (3055 m), a small village sitting on a ridge.

Today’s trek in Upper Mustang will be a bit more challenging as you climb about 800 meters in elevation. The trail takes you up a steep ridge and through a narrow canyon from Chele to Eklo Bhatti before reaching the Taklam La Pass (3,625m). As you climb, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Tilicho Peak, Damodar Danda, and Yaskawa Kang. After crossing the pass, you’ll descend to the village of Samar, where you can admire the majestic Mount Nilgiri. This is also a common resting spot for horse and mule caravans. From Samar, the trail leads past the colorful Rangchyung Chorten—adorned in red, black, yellow, and white—and drops into a deep gorge before continuing toward Syangboche (3930 m). The final stretch winds through juniper forests and past the famous Ramchung Cave, taking about three hours to reach Syanboche.

Today’s trek from Syangboche takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of Upper Mustang. You’ll start by climbing to Yamada La Pass (3,845m), crossing a desert-like terrain and passing a few remote villages. The steep climb rewards you with sweeping views of the Kali Gandaki Gorge and the surrounding mountains. From there, the trail continues through traditional settlements like Tamagaon and Chhunggar before reaching Jhaite. Along the way, you’ll walk past barley fields and poplar trees, then tackle the challenging ascent to Nyi Pass (4,010m). After crossing the pass, the path descends gently, leading you to the peaceful village of Ghami (3520 m).

After a hearty breakfast, you'll begin your journey through the arid landscapes of Mustang. Today's trek starts with a steady climb toward Charang, taking you across the Ghami Khola and up to a windswept plateau. Here, you'll find one of the trek's highlights—a 250-meter-long Mani wall covered in carved prayers. The trail then winds through diverse terrain, crossing a scenic river before reaching the Tsarang La Pass (3,870m), where sweeping views await.

From the pass, you'll descend to the charming village of Charang (3560 m), surrounded by rocky cliffs, remote settlements, and snow-capped peaks. On the village's eastern side, you'll discover an ancient fortress and a striking red monastery filled with intricate statues.

Today, your journey leads to the ancient walled city of Lo-Manthang (3810 m), the crown jewel of your Upper Mustang adventure. Leaving Charang behind, you'll descend into the dramatic Charang Chu Canyon before gradually climbing up a wide, windswept trail. Along this remote path, you'll be treated to spectacular panoramas of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges.

The trail then takes you past the picturesque Sungda Chorten and up to Lo Pass (3,850m), where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Bhrikuti and Tilicho peaks standing proudly against the blue sky.

As you descend from the pass, the legendary city of Lo-Manthang comes into view - a medieval fortress town surrounded by towering earthen walls. This was once the capital of the independent Kingdom of Lo, which maintained its monarchy until Nepal became a federal republic in 2008. Within these historic walls, traditional Tibetan-style houses cluster around ancient monasteries, preserving centuries-old Buddhist culture in this remote Himalayan outpost.

The sight of this desert citadel, appearing almost like a mirage in the barren landscape, makes every step of the challenging journey worthwhile.

Today is your acclimatization day in Lo-Manthang, giving you time to explore this ancient walled city during your Upper Mustang trek. Located about 50 km from the Tibetan border, Lo-Manthang was historically a vital trading hub for salt and textiles between Nepal and Tibet. The town's most striking feature is its imposing 6-meter-high perimeter wall, with majestic towers rising at every corner.

Within these historic walls, you'll discover rich cultural treasures, including the magnificent Thubchen Monastery, the sacred Jampa Lhakhang, traditional Thangka painting workshops, and a fascinating local museum. The Nepali government only opened this remote area to tourism in 1992, and access remains strictly controlled—only 1,000 visitors per year are permitted, all requiring special permits through registered trekking agencies.

After a full day of exploring these well-preserved medieval wonders, you'll return to your lodge to rest, surrounded by the mystical atmosphere of this former Himalayan kingdom.

Today, your Upper Mustang journey continues as you depart from Lo-Manthang. You'll cross the Lo La pass with amazing mountain views, then descend to Dhi village. The path follows a beautiful ridge before dropping steeply down rocky cliffs to reach Dhi by the Kali Gandaki River. This quiet village has traditional houses, farmland, and trees along the river - a green spot in the dry landscape. After lunch in Dhi, you'll hike to Yara village (3,650m), where terraced fields and mud-brick houses dot the hillside. Here, you might meet local women selling handmade jewelry - a chance to buy souvenirs directly from the community. The day's trek shows Mustang's varied scenery, from high passes to river valleys, and lets you see how people live in this remote area. You'll spend the night in a lodge, remembering the day's beautiful views and cultural encounters.

Today's trek from Yara takes you on an exciting journey through Mustang's dramatic landscapes. The trail winds up and down steep cliffs and across wide, open plateaus, offering stunning mountain views at every turn. As you walk through the Dhechyang Khola valley toward Tangge (3340 m), keep an eye out for dark-colored Shaligram fossils along the riverbank - sacred stones treasured by locals.

The final approach to Tangge is truly spectacular, with the village nestled beneath towering granite cliffs that seem to defy gravity. This peaceful settlement sits surrounded by a vast riverbed and the iconic peaks of Mustang. You'll be amazed by the colorful chortens (Buddhist shrines) and intricate mani walls (stone prayer walls) decorating the village.

What makes Tangge special are its friendly residents and the beautiful Mustang horses that roam the area. The combination of breathtaking scenery and warm local hospitality creates unforgettable memories of this hidden Himalayan gem.

Today's trek from Tangge to Chhusang (2,980m) is the longest and most challenging part of the Upper Mustang with Muktinath trek, so we start early. The trail takes us through breathtaking landscapes - remote villages, winding rivers, dramatic cliffs, and views of towering Himalayan peaks. We pass through Pa, an abandoned village, with many uphill and downhill sections. After Pa, we see amazing rock formations including sharp, jagged pinnacles. On clear days, we can spot snow-capped Dhaulagiri, Tukuche and Nilgiri peaks in the distance. From Pa, the route continues over Siyarko Tangk Danda before descending to Chhusang via Chhomnang. A special highlight is visiting a Himalayan salt mine, a rare and fascinating sight in Nepal.

Today we trek from Chhusang to Muktinath (3,750m), passing through beautiful landscapes and holy sites. The path goes through Tetang village, climbs over Gyu Lo Pass with amazing mountain views, then passes Jhong village before reaching sacred Muktinath. From the pass, you'll see incredible Himalayan views including the Annapurna range. Muktinath is special to both Hindus and Buddhists, known in Tibetan as "Chumig Gyatsa" (Hundred Waters). Here you'll find: a natural eternal flame next to a spring, 108 holy water spouts for ritual cleansing, a peaceful Buddhist monastery, and ancient Hindu temples showing religious harmony. This unique place where earth, fire and water meet will stay with you long after your trek ends.

Today we complete our Upper Mustang adventure by trekking from Muktinath to Jomsom (2,720m). The mostly downhill trail takes us through charming villages like Ranipauwa and Jharkot, where traditional stone houses blend into the mountainsides. We'll visit quiet Lupra village, home to an ancient Bonpo Buddhist cave monastery and the hilltop Lama Tuku Lama monastery. Along the way, we enjoy final views of snow-capped Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Tukuche peaks. Following the Panda River, we enter the windy Kali Gandaki Valley, reaching Jomsom - Mustang's main town. Though tired, we'll remember all the amazing sights: holy mountains, hidden monasteries and breathtaking landscapes we've seen on this special journey.

Wake up early for one last beautiful sunrise over the Himalayas before your trip ends. Then take a short 25-minute flight to Pokhara, enjoying amazing mountain views from the plane. In Pokhara, relax by Phewa Lake, visit the Peace Pagoda, see Devi's Fall, or learn at the Mountain Museum. Walk around Lakeside's cozy cafes and shops - it's the perfect place to celebrate finishing your Upper Mustang trek. Enjoy good food, music, and the peaceful lake views as you remember your adventure before going home.

After breakfast in Pokhara, you'll take a comfortable bus ride back to Kathmandu (205 km). The scenic drive follows beautiful river valleys along the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. When you arrive in Kathmandu, we'll take you to your hotel. Spend your last evening in Kathmandu, buy souvenirs, have a farewell dinner, or just remember your amazing Mustang trek.

Your Upper Mustang adventure ends today. After breakfast, we'll take you to Kathmandu airport for your flight. While checking in, look at the mountains one last time - remember Mustang's rocky cliffs and holy Muktinath where you walked. Safe travels home.