The Round Upper Mustang Trek (Jeep plus Trek – 14Nights &15Days)
Important Information
• Best Season – Spring, Summer & Autumn
• Activity Per Day – 4-5 Hours Walk
• Region – Mustang Region Treks
• Duration – 15 Days
• Max Altitude – 4200 Meters
• Grade – Level 3
• Group Size – 2 to 16 people
• Transportation – Bus/Flight/Jeep
The Upper Mustang Trek is all about exploring the hidden world of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Mustang. It can’t get much more remote. Due to its inaccessibility, Mustang has long been protected from mass tourism and is now known as the last bastion of traditional Tibetan culture. Trekking the Upper Mustang is one of the most fascinating places in the Himalayas, due to a long, rich and complex history.
Upper Mustang trek is suitable for any kind of trekker looking for something a little more challenging and energetic and everyone has dream to go. It does not require that you have any previous trekking or mountaineering experience. Although the terrain is not difficult, some vigorous hiking experience is useful. And it does not require any technical experience only that you are in good physical condition and be able to hike for 5-7 hours over hilly terrain with a light day pack. Sherpa and sufficient number of porters will carry all your trekking gear and necessary equipment.
Mustang is an ancient Himalayan Kingdom, the former Kingdom of Lo which lies in the north-east of Nepal and bordering with China. It is roughly 80 km long (north-south) and 45 km, it’s widest and is at an elevation of over 2,500m. Mustang is also known as a “Tibet outside the Tibetan border” and hence it fosters the original. Tibetan culture, although it is now politically part of Nepal. Upper Mustang consists of two distinct regions: the southern part and the northern where language, culture and traditions are alike to those of the Tibetan people. This area is considered as one of the most interesting and picturesque places in Nepal. Nepal is a land of Festivals. For the Nepalese, festivals are not merely the annual spectacles, but also are the living part of their rich cultural heritage. Most Nepalese festivals are related to different Hindu and Buddhist gods and goddesses and they are celebrated on such days consecrated for them by religion and tradition. Some of the festivals are of national significance while still others are celebrated only within one or two villages or cities.
The trek to Lo Manthang, a capital of Mustang will lead you through high altitude picturesque desert climbing in and out of the huge sided valley of the Kali Gandaki. In places the gorge which the Kali Gandaki River runs through is the deepest in the world. Lo Manthang itself is a walled city ruled by religious king. However, the monarchy ceased to exist as the Kingdom of Lo in Upper (northern) Mustang on October 7 2008. Untouched by modern civilization as everywhere in the Himalayas, this area provides spectacular mountain scenery highlighted by Dhaulagiri at 8,167 meters and Annapurna I at 8,091 meters. During the trek you will be surrounded by more than 35 mountains over 6,000 meters high. Elevation of trail rises from, 2815 meters to 4270 meters above the sea level. This region is full of some of Nepal’s oldest Buddhist Monasteries, ancient and isolated villages with narrow streets and white or colored houses. All of it and more you will see during the trek.
April 02 – Day 01: Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara–(820m)
April 03 – Day 02: Fly Pokhara to Jomsom THEN Drive to Samar – (3660m)
April 04 – Day 03: Trek from Samar to Gheling–(3570m)
April 05 – Day 04: Trek from Gheling to Dakmar – (3820m)
April 06 – Day 05: Trek from Dakmar to Lo Manthang – 3770m
April 07 – Day 06: Lo Manthang: Exploration day @Tsoshar
April 08 – Day 07: Trek from Lo Manthang to Yara – 3,838m
April 09 – Day 08: Trek from Yara (Explore @Luri Caves
April 10 – Day 09: Trek from Yara to Tangye(3340m)
April 11 – Day 10: Trek from Tangye to Tetang (3,067m)
April 12 – Day 11: Trek fromTetang to Muktinath(3,800m)
April 13 – Day 12: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2,743m)
April 14 – Day 13: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara (820m)
April 15 – Day 14: Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,400m)
April 16 – Day 15: Transfer to Airport for the International departure:
Day 01: Fly OR Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara
After breakfast, fly to Pokhara. It takes around 25m through the middle hill mountain landscape. O/N at Hotel in Pokhara.
Day 02: Fly Pokhara to Jomsom THEN Drive to Samar (20m flight – 5-6 Hrs)
After an early breakfast transfer to the airport just 10 minutes from hotel for a morning flight to Jomsom, a super scenic flight of 20 minutes brings you at Jomsom, the district headquarter of Mustang. This is a large town, headquarter of the Mustang region; it is also a major village on the Kaligandaki area linking the age old Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade route to Tibet.
Drive from Jomsom, the trail leads on the Kaligandaki 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 EkaliBhatti (lonely inn) where there is three or four tea houses at present, it used to be one tea house when it’s got its name EkaliBhatti. From here the path splits into two ways the higher up leads to Muktinath well the other one leads you to upper Mustang and Tibet via Kagbeni. Our trail leads past EklaiBhatti towards North West, the drive gets much easier on the gradual winding route as the road widens as you walk further on the river bed towards the windswept village of Kagbeni.
Actually, Kagbeni is the entry point to upper Mustang (Restricted Area). From Kagbeni, trail leads up the east bank of Kali Gandaki and climbs over many ridges as it heads north. After that, through the interesting cave, Gompa crossing place of Tangbe, Chhuksang, reaches Chele (3,030m).
The trail leads ascending to Samar. We can enjoy the majestic view of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Tukuchepeak.Overnight At Samar.
Day 03: Samar to Gheling(6-7Hrs)
Having breakfast at Samar; we cross a side-valley, descending to its base and crossing over a creek before we trek all the way up again on the other side. About two hours from Samar crossing a Pass, we will reach close to the river. We leave our baggage on the bottom of the staircase and walk up through the steps to ChungshiRangchungGonpa (sacred cave monastery). Buddhist well known Tantric master, Padmasambhava meditated here centuries ago. Inside the cave monastery, you will see spontaneous stone statues of Awalokeshwor (Chenresig), Tara, and prayer beads. The trail goes through green bushes and soon the valley broadens out and we can see walls built in front of caves which are temporary homes for the goats and sheepherders. Sometimes it is possible to see rabbits and the rare blue sheep in this area. The open widen trail finally reaches Shyangboche village and after having breakfast then trek to Gheling and trail ascends goes to the place of Gheling (3,820m). Overnight At Gheling
Day04: Gheling to Dakmar (3820m) (6-7Hrs)
After Breakfast – you will trek to Ghami via Karki La (4026m). The old trek route is from a Nyi La (3,950m) of Zete and now turned into a highway road. Climbing Karki La looks easy from distance but it’s really exhausting with a short ascent pass. The path descends gradually towards the Ghami La pass and on the way; you see a rundown, Ghami village surrounded by the field, Nepal’s longest Mani wall, and partial red cliffs of Dhakmar. Afternoon your lunch at Ghami you will trek to Dhakmar (red clip village) via next to the longest Mani Wall. Overnight at Dakmar
Day 05: Dakmar to Lo Manthang (3750m) via Lo Gyakargompa. (6-7Hrs)
After leaving Dhakmar village we climb up the yellow canyon to Mui La (4170m). After 45 minutes of walk from Mui la, we will reach the Lo-GyakarGompa –Oldest Buddhist monastery in the world. There we will have lunch. As usual, we start our trek Lo Manthang after lunch via Chogo La (4280 m). The trek will be 4-5 hours. At first, the trek will be a long climb to Lungri La at 4070m. After crossing the Lungri la we will walk through a small valley of Marmot spot and finally after a gentle climb will reach Chogo La. From Chogo la we will have a view towards the borderline of Nepal and china was once used to be Tibet. After descending toward lo Manthang we will see Yaks on the way if the summer nomadic camps are still there. If not we will go on the second day at Lo-Manthang. Overnight at Lo Monthang
Day 06: Lo Manthang: Exploration day (6-7Hrs)
Exploring the Lo Manthang, The Kingdom of Lowa; Visiting to the ChhorsarGompa/Niphu cave. Walking time takes about 4/5 hours. O/N at Tea house in Lo Manthang.
Day 07: LoManthang to Yaravia Dhi(7-8Hrs)
We start the trek from Lo Manthang and trailhead steeply uphill to Lo La pass (3950 m). The trail to the summit provides an outstanding view of Lo Manthang and Choser village and the road to Kora la on for distance. After a short walk on the main road follow branch path on a northeast to another trekking pass Dhi La (3910 m). The walk towards steeply downhill with a magnificent view of the red canyon. From small Dhi village, we follow a gentle uphill trail along the PunyungKhola and passing interesting and scenic nature eroded cliffs to Yara village. We also see a small path leading to holy Damodar Lake, the source of Muktinath water taps. O/N at Tea House Yara
Day 08: Side trip to Luri Cave (5-6Hrs)
The Luri cave day tour begins from Yara village, a trail keeps climbing from traditional Yara village and passes attractive Ghara village. Pleasant further walk show hanging Tibetan flag on the top and the bottom, the top weighty red color one is Luri cave. The Luri Cave and Gompa is different than others because it has TashiKabum, frescoes, Chortens, and dissimilar ancient wall painting. The top section of the cave been ruined and need bad repair as soon as possible. A 30-minute of the path is completely sleeper because of pebble and grit specially ambling down unit. Not allowed to take any pictures of the inner part of Luri cave and gompa because of order to protect this priceless and unique design. After a while trekking back to Yara. O/N at Tea House Yara
Day 09: Trek from Yara to Tangye (5-6Hrs)
From Dhi the trail goes through the river for around 2 hours and crosses a river from DamodarKund, one of the sacred lakes, there is no bridge on the river so we need to walk across in bare feet to cross this river. After crossing the river the trail climbs up till high above a pass of 3,850 meters. The trail goes through a grassless, treeless bare hill. After the pass the trail again drops directly to Tangye village at an elevation of 3,370m. Tangye is a small village of around 30 houses but most of the houses are attached to each other. On the rooftops one can see piles of dry woods, which also reflects the prosperity in their society. Waking time takes about 5-6 hours. O/N at Guest house in Tangye.
Day 10: Trek to Tetang (8-9Hrs)
We leave packing our lunch and we climb some steps & then crossing over a suspension bridge following the trail to the right side. Soon we reach at Yak River before climbing a terraced hill station 4,210m. It is the highest point of the Upper Mustang trip, which takes about 2:30 hours. From here you can see DamodarHimal and SaribungHimal at (6,346m). No houses but only the ruins remain here but drinking water sources are available. Now the trail descends down the hill, right in time, you can see the village either Chhuksang or Tetang where we stay tonight.
Day 11: Tetang to MuktinathTemple (7-8Hrs)
Today, gradually we trek up till Gyu La pass 4,077m. It is one of those beautiful days and we take it easy on our walk. We will pass through Kharkas where we can see grazing domestic animals as well as wild mountain goats. It’s peaceful up the valley as we reach to the top of Gyu La. From the pass, you can see panoramic views of Thorong peak, Nilgiri, Tukche peak & the lovely Muktinath valley. We reach Muktinath via Chhenkar village. Muktinath is a very demanding and beautiful place that connects with Annapurna round trek. Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage people from all over the world are visiting here. The holy temple has 108 waterspouts that resemble water flowing from taps and enigmatic natural gas fires that marvel at the mind. Overnight at Muktinath
Day 12: Trek to Jomsom via Lupra village (6-7Hrs)
As usual, after our breakfast, we will trek to Jomsom via Lupra village. From Muktinath, follow the lower route via Ranipauwa towards the Lupra village. A big Shiva Temple shows you the path to the wonderful monastery of Ranipauwa, which is a colorful and vibrant village. Then, by crossing a bridge, you will walk to the Dhan La. Follow the trail straight to the west until you reach Lupra, a classic Bon settlement of amazing people. The major highlight of this village is the BonpoGompa (monastery) and the Thakali village. Unlike other Buddhist dominated regions, Lupra people have their distinct way of living the lifestyle. They are humble and gentle people, who are happy for what they have. After a good lunch we will trek to Jomsom. Overnight at Jomsom
Day 13: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara
Fly back to Pokhara (900m) in the morning. Afternoon Free time in Pokhara..O/N at Hotel in Pokhara.
Day 14: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Fly to Kathmandu from Pokhara. O/N at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 15: Transfer to Airport for the International departure
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, and your passport handy. Our Mystic staffs transfer you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.
T- House Trek includes accommodation in Guest House, Guide, Porters and all MealsUSD $ 2,985.00 Per Person on twin sharing – minimum of 2 participants
• Single room supplement: USD (compulsory if no one to share the room with)
• Note: Single room supplement charge is applicable for Kathmandu &Pokhara Hotel only. During trek, as per the availability we shall provide single/double/twins room. In case of special requirement, we shall provide single with an additional room surcharge during trek.
Note: this is details itinerary with cost of this trek but if there come any changes in flight fares and restricted area’s permit in 2024 then there will be some changes on the actual cost of the trek.
1. Airport Pick and Drop by private vehicle (Kathandu/Pokhara)
2. 01 night’s accommodation at 3 star hotels in Kathmandu on twin/double sharing with breakfast
3. 2 nights’ accommodation at 3 star hotels in Pokhara on twin/double sharing with breakfast
4. Guide sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with inclusive of monuments entry fees – during trek
5. Accommodation during trek available everyday en-route (T-House and Guest House)
6. All meals during trek in Local Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
7. English speaking local expert guide
8. Porters during trek (ratio: – 1 porter = 2 member)
9. Upper Mustang Restricted Area permits fees
10. Annapurna Conservation Area permits fees
11. Trekkers’ Information Management System fees (TIMS)
12. Flight – Kathmandu/Pokhara/Kathmandu (domestic flight)
13. Flight – Pokhara/Jomsom/Pokhara (domestic flight)
14. Ground transportation transfers with an escort by Private Jeep at Mustang (Jomsom/Samar)
15. Equipment clothing for porter & staffs
16. Insurance for all staff & porters
17. All applicable government tax
1. Nepal visa – Multiple Entrée 30 days – USD 40
2. International flight
3. Lunch & dinner during Kathmandu and Pokhara Hotel stay
4. Extra baggage charges (All together only 15 kg is allow for porter Per Person)
5. Personal gears & clothing (available on hire in Kathmandu)
6. Tips for guides, porter,
7. Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation/road block due to any reason, table drinks, snacks while walking
8. Any other tours, transfer and service other than mentioned above
9. Your insurance and medical Expenses