Upper Mustang Trek - Overview
The Mustang trek will take you through Upper Mustang, a restricted area that previously only allowed some 200 trekkers through annually. While the trail is amazing, its rural and barren landscapes are also not for the faint-hearted. The trek itself does not go to extremely high elevations and is not physically very tough, but relentless afternoon winds can be a challenge. Because of the winds and lack of sufficient water, camping will be done in villages, which are not always conveniently spaced. Some trekking days will thus be relatively long, and others relatively short. These are, however, the conditions if you want to experience the starkly beautiful and highly cultural land of Mustang, a trek that is highly recommended.
| Upper Mustang - Trek Facts | |
|---|---|
| Trek difficulty: | Moderate |
| Trek duration: | 14 Days |
| Max altitude: | 4200 meters |
| Remoteness: | Very Remote |
| Accommodation: |
Guesthouses / Lodges |
| Best season: |
March to May, October to November |
| Transport to/From trek: |
Flight |
| Permit: |
The Restricted Permit for Upper Mustang costs USD 500 per person for up to 10 days and USD 50 per person per day after 10 days. |
Upper Mustang Trek - Itinerary
The below is a sample itinerary. It may vary slightly depending on the final trekking agency you choose to go with:
| Day 1 | Bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara |
| Day 2 | Flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni (2,858 m) |
| Day 3 | Kagbeni to Chele (3,050 m) |
| Day 4 | Chele to Syanbochen (3,475 m) |
| Day 5 | Syanbochen to Ghaymi (3,520 m) |
| Day 6 | Ghaymi to Charang (3,500 m) |
| Day 7 | Charang to Lo Manthang (3,700 m) |
| Day 8 | Exploration day at Lo Manthang |
| Day 9 | Lo Manthang to Dhakmar (3,810 m) |
| Day 10 | Dhakmar to Ghiling (3,810 m) |
| Day 11 | Ghiling to Chhusang (2,700 m) |
| Day 12 | Chhuksang to Jomsom |
| Day 13 | Flight back to Pokhara |
| Day 14 | Bus back to Kathmandu |
Upper Mustang Trek — Highlights
- Visit the local monastery, Tibetan herbal medicine center, and an old fortification near Jharkot village on the Upper Mustang trekking route.
- Stroll in the atmospheric medieval village of Kagbeni, with its narrow lanes, mud brick houses, and 15th-century gompa.
- Discover the village of Chhusang (also spelled Chuksang), which dramatically juts out into the Kali Gandaki Gorge and is surrounded by cliffs.
- See the King’s Palace and the striking 16th-century Thubten Shedrup Dhagyeling Monastery in Tsarang (Charang), the second-largest settlement in Upper Mustang.
- Enjoy excellent views over rooftops of the countryside from the upper floor of the Jampa Gompa in the walled city of Lo Manthang, and also visit the city’s three other important monasteries, Dragkar-Thegchen Lina Gompa, Chode Gompa and Thupchen Gompa along with the Monastic Museum.
- Walk amid the ruins of the King and Queen’s Castles (dzong) atop two hillocks north of Lo Manthang.
- Admire the statues and thangkas (Tibetan paintings using pigment on cotton or silk) at the fort and gompa near Tsarang Chu Canyon.
- Explore the multi-storied cliffside Jhong Caves in Chhoser, which have dozens of rooms and a communal kitchen.
Best time to go to Upper Mustang Trek
Located in the rain shadow Himalayan region, Upper Mustang weather is usually dry and suitable for trekking throughout the year. However, March to early November is the best time to trek to avoid the winter cold and snow. The terrain can be desert-like and sandy in some places and rocky in others. Upper Mustang gets cold at night, with overnight temperatures (in non-winter months) in Lo Manthang dropping to -8°C. Some afternoons may be windy and a bit dusty. Check out our article on trekking seasons in Nepal for more information.
Upper Mustang Trek — Safety Considerations
- Clean, accessible water at tourist standards may be difficult to find or expensive on an Upper Mustang trek, so carry a basic water filtration system or purification tablets just in case.
- Though the weather in Upper Mustang is more predictable than other trekking tours in Nepal, don’t rule out the possibility of rain or sudden drops in temperature. Pack accordingly.
- Always carry cash to use at teahouses.
- It’s best to go in a group with an expert guide familiar with the local terrain.