The Upper Mustang trek follows the salt caravans' route north from Kagbeni into a landscape of eroded canyons, red cliffs pierced with caves, whitewashed villages and green barley fields set against a dry, high desert. Days are 4–7 hours on clear paths over passes of 3,600–4,210 m, and the culture is Tibetan Buddhist throughout, with gompas, chortens and mani walls at every turn. It is graded moderate: no technical sections, but altitude, wind and dust ask for steady fitness.
Our route uses footpaths away from the road wherever possible. We walk in by the classic western line over the Nyi La and out by the quieter eastern side via Ghar Gompa and the red cliffs of Dhakmar, then take a jeep from Ghami to Jomsom to avoid two dusty days on the road. Three nights in Lo Manthang give time for the walled city and a day trip to the Chhoser caves. Upper Mustang permits are charged per day, so this itinerary is efficient without rushing acclimatisation.
Highlights
- Classic walk from Kagbeni to Lo Manthang through Chele, Syangboche, Ghami and Tsarang
- Nyi La (about 4,010 m) and Chogo La (about 4,210 m) passes
- Three nights in the walled city with Jampa Lhakhang and Thubchen murals
- Jhong Cave at Chhoser and the cliff monastery of Nyiphu
- Ghar Gompa and the red cliffs of Dhakmar on the return
- Licensed guide, porters and all permits included
Elevation profile
4,210 mWhere you sleepHigh point of the dayCheck acclimatisation
Day by day
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DAY1
Arrive in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel in Thamel. In the afternoon, meet your trek leader for a briefing and a kit check: four-season sleeping bag, windproof jacket, sun hat, buff and good boots are essential. We finalise permits, which need your passport and must be issued through our registered agency before departure. Evening walk around Thamel or a visit to Boudhanath.
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DAY2
Fly to Pokhara
Morning flight to Pokhara. Afternoon free by Phewa Lake. Repack into a duffel for porters (maximum around 10–12 kg per trekker) and a daypack, leaving extra luggage at the hotel. The Jomsom flight tomorrow leaves around 6:30–7 am, so we eat early and sleep early.
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DAY3
Fly to Jomsom, trek to Kagbeni
Fly up the Kali Gandaki gorge to Jomsom (2,720 m), meet the porters and walk north along the wide gravel riverbed, mostly flat, with Nilgiri behind and the valley narrowing ahead. Reach Kagbeni (2,810 m) by early afternoon, before the strongest wind. Explore the tunnelled lanes and Kag Chode monastery and prepare for entering the restricted area tomorrow.
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DAY4
Kagbeni to Chele via Chhusang
Show permits at the Kagbeni checkpoint and walk up the east bank of the Kali Gandaki to Tangbe, a maze of white houses and apple orchards. Continue to Chhusang (2,980 m) for lunch beneath red, cave-dotted cliffs. Cross the river near the point where it disappears into a short rock tunnel, then climb steeply for about an hour to Chele (3,050 m). Height gain is modest, but the day is long and windy in the afternoon.
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DAY5
Chele to Syangboche over two passes
Climb steadily above Chele with views into the deep Kali Gandaki canyon to the Taklam La (about 3,624 m) and on to Samar (3,660 m), a village of poplar groves and stone corrals. Continue around side valleys, past a cave shrine to Guru Rinpoche, and over the Dajori La (about 3,735 m) before descending to Syangboche (3,475 m). This is the first real altitude day; walk slowly and keep drinking.
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DAY6
Syangboche to Ghami via the Nyi La
Cross the Yamda La (about 3,850 m) and contour above Ghiling's red gompa before the long, steady climb to the Nyi La, at about 4,010 m the highest point on the way in. On a clear morning the Annapurna and Nilgiri peaks line the southern horizon. Descend into Ghami (3,520 m), one of the largest villages in Lo, its fields bright green in early summer.
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DAY7
Ghami to Tsarang past the mani wall
Leave Ghami on a suspension bridge and walk beside the great mani wall, roughly 300 m of carved prayer stones. Climb gently to the Tsarang La (about 3,870 m) and descend to Tsarang (3,560 m), spread along a terrace above a deep canyon. In the afternoon, visit the 15th-century Sakya monastery and, if the caretaker allows, the five-storey dzong of the old kings. Sunset over the canyon rim.
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DAY8
Tsarang to Lo Manthang over the Lo La
Drop into the Charang Khola canyon and climb the far side across open, bare country to the Lo La (about 3,950 m). From the prayer flags on the pass you see Lo Manthang's rectangular walls on the plain below, a view trekkers wait a week for. Descend for an hour and enter through the main gate on foot. Afternoon at leisure; check in at Royal Mustang Resort.
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DAY9
Lo Manthang gompas and Tingkhar
Morning inside the walls with a local guide: Jampa Lhakhang's towering Maitreya and mandala murals, Thubchen Gompa's assembly hall, Chhoede Gompa's monastic school and mask museum, and the palace square. After lunch, walk across the barley fields to Namgyal Gompa on its ridge and on to the village of Tingkhar, returning by late afternoon. Optional visit to the amchi school.
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DAY10
Chhoser caves by horse or jeep
Ride horses (2–2.5 hours each way) or take a jeep north up the Nhichung valley to Chhoser. Climb the ladders inside Jhong Cave, five storeys and more than 40 rooms cut into the cliff, and visit Nyiphu Gompa built into the rock and Garphu Gompa nearby. Picnic lunch by the river and return to Lo Manthang for a final evening walk around the walls.
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DAY11
Lo Manthang to Dhakmar via Ghar Gompa
Take the quieter eastern route south. Climb steadily to the Chogo La (about 4,210 m), the highest point of the trek, then descend to Lo Gekar, where Ghar Gompa, traditionally dated to the 8th century and Guru Rinpoche, holds walls of painted stone tablets. Cross a ridge and alpine pasture, then drop steeply to Dhakmar (3,820 m), beneath sheer red cliffs riddled with caves.
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DAY12
Walk to Ghami, jeep to Jomsom
A short morning walk from Dhakmar down past the red cliffs to Ghami, then a jeep south along the road via Syangboche, Samar, Chele, Chhusang and Kagbeni to Jomsom. Using the jeep avoids two days of walking on the dusty road and saves permit days. Celebrate the end of the trek with the crew in Jomsom; this is the usual time to give tips.
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DAY13
Fly Jomsom to Pokhara
Morning flight back to Pokhara. The rest of the day is free: a boat on Phewa Lake, a massage, or a walk up to the World Peace Pagoda. This day is also a buffer if the Jomsom flight is delayed; in that case we wait or drive back by jeep.
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DAY14
Fly to Kathmandu and depart
Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to the airport for your international flight, or extend your stay in the valley. We recommend afternoon or evening departures in case of morning delays.
Route map
- 1Kathmandu 1,400 m
- 2Pokhara 822 m
- 3Kagbeni 2,810 m
- 4Chhusang 2,980 m
- 5Ghami 3,520 m
- 6Tsarang 3,560 m
- 7Lo Manthang 3,840 m
- 8Jomsom 2,720 m
Included
- 13 nights: 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, teahouse lodges on the trek, Royal Mustang Resort in Lo Manthang (3 nights)
- All meals on trek (days 3–12), breakfast in cities
- Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu and Pokhara–Jomsom–Pokhara flights
- Upper Mustang restricted area permit (days 4–12) and ACAP permit
- Licensed English-speaking trek guide and porters (one porter for two trekkers)
- Horse or jeep to Chhoser and gompa entry fees
- Jeep Ghami–Jomsom
- First-aid kit, pulse oximeter and duffel bag
- Airport transfers and all government taxes
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa fee
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara except day 1 and 2 dinners
- Travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation to 5,000 m
- Hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi where lodges charge extra
- Drinks, snacks and personal expenses
- Extra nights from flight delays
- Tips for guide and porters
Popular add-ons
- Muktinath extension (2 days)≈ US$ 220 per person
- Helicopter Lo Manthang–Pokhara instead of the walk out (charter)≈ US$ 3,500 per helicopter
- Single room supplement≈ US$ 260
Good to know
- Price is per person on twin sharing in a group of 4 or more, including Upper Mustang permits at US$ 50 per person per day for 9 days. Permit fees changed in late 2025; check current status before you travel.
- Restricted area rules require a licensed guide, a registered agency and at least two foreign trekkers; solo trekkers join a group.
- Expect 4–7 hours of walking a day with 300–600 m of ascent; the trail is non-technical but windy and dusty after midday.
- Teahouses outside Lo Manthang are simple and unheated; a sleeping bag rated to −10 °C is needed in spring and autumn.
- Altitude sickness can affect anyone above 3,000 m. We ascend gradually; report headaches, nausea or breathlessness at rest to your guide.
Trip details
- Starts
- Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport)
- Ends
- Kathmandu
- Stay
- 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, teahouse lodges on the trek, Royal Mustang Resort in Lo Manthang
- Transport
- Kathmandu–Pokhara–Jomsom flights, jeep Ghami–Jomsom on the return
- Walking days
- 10
- Styles
- Trekking, Culture tours, Photography
- January avoid
- February avoid
- March good
- April best
- May best
- June best
- July good
- August good
- September best
- October best
- November good
- December avoid
Hotels on this trip
Questions about this trip
How much does the Upper Mustang trek cost?
Our 14-day Upper Mustang trek starts at US$ 1,690 (₹1,41,000) per person in a group of four or more, including flights from Kathmandu, permits, guide, porters, lodges and meals on trek. Smaller groups pay more. The new daily permit fee has lowered costs compared with the old US$ 500 flat fee. Check current status before you travel.
How difficult is the Upper Mustang trek?
It is moderate. Expect 4–7 hours a day with 300–600 m of ascent and passes up to about 4,210 m. There is no technical terrain, but altitude, strong afternoon winds, dust and sun make it tiring. Good fitness and some hiking experience are enough; previous high-altitude treks help.
What is the Upper Mustang permit fee now?
Since a government decision in November 2025, foreign trekkers pay US$ 50 per person per day for the Upper Mustang restricted area permit, replacing the old US$ 500 for the first 10 days. You also need an ACAP permit. Permits are issued only through registered agencies. Check current status before you travel.
Can I trek Upper Mustang solo?
No. Upper Mustang is a restricted area, and permits are issued only to groups of at least two foreign trekkers travelling with a licensed guide through a registered agency. If you are travelling alone, we place you in a small group or pair you with another trekker on the same dates.
When is the best time for the Upper Mustang trek?
April to June and September to October are best. Upper Mustang lies in a rain shadow, so the monsoon months of July and August are possible and the fields are green, though flights to Jomsom are less reliable. Winter is very cold and many lodges close.
Is the Upper Mustang trek on the road now?
Partly. A road runs to Lo Manthang, but our route uses older footpaths and alternative trails wherever possible, especially on the return via Ghar Gompa and Dhakmar, and we take a jeep for the most road-heavy section from Ghami to Jomsom. Expect occasional stretches shared with jeeps and motorbikes.
What are teahouses like in Upper Mustang?
Simple family lodges with twin rooms, shared or basic attached bathrooms and a dining room heated by a stove in the evening. Food includes dal bhat, noodles, Tibetan bread, potatoes and eggs. Lo Manthang has better options; we use Royal Mustang Resort there for heated rooms.
How high does the Upper Mustang trek go?
The highest point on our route is the Chogo La at about 4,210 m on the return via Ghar Gompa. On the way in, the Nyi La reaches about 4,010 m. The highest sleeping altitude is Lo Manthang at 3,840 m and Dhakmar at about 3,820 m.
Can I see Tiji festival on the Upper Mustang trek?
Yes, if you book a departure timed for the festival in May. Our separate Tiji festival trek schedules three nights in Lo Manthang to match the three days of masked dances. Lodges and flights book out months ahead, so reserve early once the year's dates are announced.
