Upper Mustang Trek is one of the most fascinating and hidden Buddhism kingdoms of the mustang. Mustang was an ancient forbidden kingdom, bordered by the Tibetan Plateau and sheltered by some of the world’s tallest peaks, including 8000m tall Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Strict regulations for tourists here have aided in maintaining old traditions. Upper Mustang trek was a restricted demilitarized area until 1992, which makes it one of the most preserved regions in the world due to its relative isolation from the outside world, with a majority of the population still speaking traditional Tibetan languages. The name “Mustang” is derived from the Tibetan word meaning, “Plain of Aspiration” Upper Mustang trek was only opened to foreigners in 1992 and the region is a popular area for trekking and can be visited year-round (regardless of season).
Venture out on a timeless and breathtaking journey through the Kingdom of Lo; this off-the-beaten-path region was until recently a hidden Tibetan Buddhist enclave forbidden to foreigners. From the trail, expect incredible sights like sculpted canyons with wild rock formations, deep gorges, medieval villages, ancient fortresses, palaces, and mysterious, ancient cave hermitages. You’ll also see the Tibetan Buddhist gompa and soaring snow peaks that characterize this spectacular region, the “thumb” sticking up from Nepal into the Tibetan plateau. We can get to Upper Mustang through different means of transport, but the most popular one is the 4WD Jeep tour. Because of the road condition jeeps, boleros and land cruisers can be the most reliable and comfortable. This trek is also popular among Bikers because of the roadways and the mesmerizing landscape of the Mustang region.
Also Read: Langtang Valley Trek
This Upper Mustang Trek itinerary is specially designed by the Asian Heritage team to introduce you to one of Nepal’s best-preserved otherworldly destinations. Please feel free to let us know should you wish to discuss any aspects of this trip planning further and we will be very happy to tailor-make the program to suit your specific preference – if any.
After landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport, we will be greeted by a representative of Asian Heritage Treks and Expeditions who will drop us off at our hotel. We then check-in at the hotel, freshen up, and take a rest.
After having breakfast at the hotel we will then set off for a whole day of sightseeing of the Kathmandu valley’s major attractions. They include the followings:
After touring Pashupatinath we will then return back to the hotel and refresh ourselves before heading for a welcome dinner in the evening hosted in your honor by Asian Heritage Trekking.
Welcome dinner with a Live Nepalese Culture show in the evening
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
We start our Upper Mustang trek by leaving for Pokhara. Upon our arrival in Pokhara, we are rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri (8,167m/26,794ft), Manaslu (8,156m/26,759ft), Machhapuchhre (6,993m/22,943ft), the five peaks of Annapurna and others. We then check in to our hotel and take a rest. We enjoy boating in the Fewa Lake and strolling in the city’s quaint streets. Overnight in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast
Today we will take an early morning flight to Jomsom which is famous for its apples, strong winds, and the landscape. We begin our trek on an open trail alongside a beautiful valley. We pass through Eaklibatti village before reaching Jomsom which is ideally located at the bank of two rivers. The village is beautiful with flat-roofed houses and also has ruins of an old fortress. Overnight in Kagbeni.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We get our permits checked and then begin our trek on a trail alongside the Kali Gandaki River. We walk on sand amidst strong winds before ascending a hill. We reach the Tangbe Village and admire its narrow alleyways, white-washed houses, barley and buckwheat fields, and apple orchards. We continue our walk and pass another village and cross a river on our way. Next, we walk on a ridge before reaching Chele Village. Overnight in Chele.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Our trek from today will be a little hard compared to what we experienced before. Our walk today involves crossing two passes, Taklam La pass (3,624m) and Dajori La pass (3,735). On our way, we enjoy great views of Tilicho, Yakawakang, and Damodar Danda and pass by Ramchung Cave. We descend further and reach Samar Village. From here we walk on a trail above the village and reach a ridge. Next, we descend on a steep trail to a stream and continue our trek to Syanboche. Overnight in Syanboche.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We ascend to the Yamada La pass at 3,850m. On the way, we pass by a few teahouses, chortens, and beautiful villages. We trek through poplar forests and barley fields and reach Nyi Pass at 4,010m. From here, we descend to Ghami which is one of the biggest villages in the Lo region. The village is beautiful with fields surrounding the entire village. Overnight in Ghami.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Our trek today begins with a descent through a rough and often slippery trail. We then cross a suspension bridge over the GhamiKhola and begin ascending. The pathway is beautiful with Mani walls along the trail. Next, we cross the Tsarang La Pass at 3870m and reach Tsarang village. The village lies atop the Charang Chu canyon with a huge fortress and a red gompa towards its east. Overnight in Tsarang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We begin our trek by descending into a canyon and crossing a river before beginning our uphill trek to Lo La pass which is at 3950m. From the top of the pass, we can admire the beautiful Lo Manthang village. From the pass, we descend to Lo Manthang which is a beautiful walled village. From here the views of the Himalayas including Nilgiri, Tilicho, Annapurna I, Bhrikuti Peak as well as Damodar Kunda (pond) is quite good. Overnight in Lo-Manthang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lo Manthang is a walled town in the remote Upper Mustang region of Nepal. We spend the day touring three major gompa of the town namely Jhampa, Thupchen, and Chhoeda. All of these gompas have undergone expert restoration over the last two decades. We can also trek to Tingkhar which is a beautiful village located northwest of Lo-Mangthang. Overnight in Lo Manthang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We trek on a different route when returning from Lo-Manthang. Our trail passes through Gyakar village which houses a century-old Ghar Gompa with beautiful rock paintings. According to a local legend, anyone who makes a wish at the Gompa will have it fulfilled. We explore the Gompa and continue our trek to Drakmar for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We start our trek early to avoid strong winds and descend for the most part of the trek. Our trail passes through a dry plateau and fields before reaching Ghiling. The walk can be relatively difficult as we are most likely to experience strong winds on our faces. Ghiling is mostly dry, but we still get good views of the Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains. We can tour the village in the evening. Overnight in Ghiling.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We begin our trek after breakfast. We walk on the same trail as before going up to Lo Manthang. On the way to Chhuksang, we can enjoy great views of the Himalayas and small villages we pass en route. Overnight in Chhuksang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Today is the last day of our trek and it is a long one. After trekking for a while, we come to an end of our Mustang trails and join the trails of the Annapurna circuit. We stop for lunch at Kagbeni. After lunch, we continue our trek to Jomsom for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We take an early morning flight to Pokhara. The airplane passes through a gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains making the flight itself an amazing experience. After arriving in Pokhara, we can spend the rest of the day exploring this beautiful lakeside city.
Meals: Breakfast
The flight back to Kathmandu leaves between 8 am up to 3 pm. The scheduled flight time can sometimes change according to the weather conditions. Once back in Kathmandu you will be transferred to your hotel where you will have the day off to rest and reflect on your trip.
Meals: Breakfast
Today you will enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour to Patan and Bhaktapur
Once a fiercely independent city-state, Patan (pah-tan) is now almost a suburb of Kathmandu, separated only by the murky Bagmati River. Many locals still call the city by its original Sanskrit name of Lalitpur (City of Beauty) or by its Newari name, Yala. In Patan, we will explore many of its attractions before moving on to another city Bhadgaon (pronounced bud-gown), or the Newari name Khwopa, which means City of Devotees. The name fits – Bhaktapur has three major squares full of towering temples that comprise some of the finest religious architecture in the country.
The third of the medieval city-states in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur was always described as the best-preserved. Tragically, however, the 2015 earthquake caused terrible devastation and loss of life. Nevertheless, only a few temples were destroyed, there is still much to see here and tourism is vital to the community. After concluding the Bhaktapur sightseeing we will then drive on to Changunarayan. The Changunarayan temple is said to be the oldest Hindu temple still in use in the Kathmandu Valley. Built-in the two-tiered pagoda style, the main shrine here is guarded on all sides by pairs of real and mythical beasts – elephants, lions, winged lions, and ram-horned griffons – and its roof struts feature some amazingly intricate carvings of Tantric deities. This marks the end of the Upper Mustang trek.
Meals: Breakfast
Approximately 3 hours before the departure of your flight, you will be transferred to Kathmandu international airport where we guide you to the check-in hall. From here we hope you had an amazing journey through our country, Nepal. And we hope to see you again.
Meals: Breakfast
