Upper Mustang Trekking

The Upper Mustang Trek is one of the most popular destinations to explore the hidden world of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Mustang (L0 Mangthang). The Upper Mustang is also popular as Lo Manthang and is also popular as the Land of Forbidden Kingdom. Lo Mangthang (Upper Mustang) is The lost Tibetan Kingdom of Nepal.

  • Package price

    USD 2250

  • Trip Code

    MKA-1021

  • No of days

    15

  • Group Size

    minimum 2 people

  • Challenge level

    Easy

  • MEALS

    Included (B,L, D)

  • TRANSPORTATION

    Private Vehicle & Flight

  • ACCOMMODATION

    Hotel & Guest House

  • MAX ALTITUTE

    3770 m / 12369 ft

  • BEST SEASON

    Mar-May / Sep-Dec

  • START POINT

    Kathmandu, Nepal

  • END POINT

    Kathmandu, Nepal

  • SUITABLE FOR

    16 to 79 years old

  • WALK PER DAY

    4-5 hours

  • GUIDING METHOD

    Live Guide/Instructor

Trip Overview

Upper Mustang Trekking is one of the most fascinating and adventurous activities to explore The Last Lost Kingdom in Nepal. Upper Mustang (Lo Manthang) is one of the most fascinating places to explore the Buddhist culture and history of Tibetians in the Himalayas, with a long, rich, and complex history of its origin and existence.

The region of Tibetan influence north of Kagbeni is generally referred to as Upper Mustang. The ancient Kingdom of Mustang – the capital Lo Manthan was attached to Tibet in the 14th century, Although it retained its identity as an autonomous dynasty throughout the centuries - is a walled city where people still remain predominantly Tibetan. Still somewhat restricted (special permits are required) the trek to Lo Manthan (3730 m) refers to the arid Tibet-like region at the northern end of Kali Gandaki. Annexed by Nepal in the 17 century, but untouched by the outside world or the Chinese Cultural Revolution, 14th-century monasteries still remain active to preserve this magnificent Trans-Himalayan kingdom, with their unrivaled Buddhist shrines with cliff-hanging monasteries, thankas, mandalas and deities and cave-dwelling people. In this wild lunar landscape of unreal color and beauty, ruggedly carved mountains reach up to deep blue skies, while icy peaks glimmer majestically to the south. Vast and barren ridges extend to the northern horizon making one feel like an insignificant dot on a timeless landscape.

Why The Upper Mustang Trek?

Trekking to Upper mustang gives you a very different immense experience. You will be exploring the Last Lost Kingdom of Tibet; the historical monuments of Tibetian people, the human-made caves of the mountains, the majestic kingdom of Upper Mustang, and the Buddhist Monastries. The trekking to Upper Mustang is like exploring the Tibetian plateau as the Upper Mustang and villages of here are geographically a part of the Tibetan plateau. The people, culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the people of Upper Mustang is similar to the Tibetian people. Mustang was a separate kingdom inside the boundaries of Nepal till 1950, with the King of Mustang residing at the Royal palace of Lo Manthang.

Upper Mustang is also regarded as the Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal as trekking to Upper Mustang needs a special restricted permit from the Government of Nepal. Upper Mustang Trekking has opened to non-Nepali trekkers only some 15years ago and since then this region has become one of the most densely visited destinations of Nepal. Upper Mustang is still a restricted region like the Manaslu region and trekkers need a special trekking permit and should be accompanied by a certified guide.

What is the Best Season for Trekking in the Upper Mustang?

The best season for Trekking to Upper Mustang is the Summer Months, During the summer Upper Mustang remains very steady with crystal clear days and dry weather. The most popular times of the year are Spring and Autumn. However, if you want to experience the cultural and religious Mustang tour, you may combine your adventure with the traditional festival the Tiji Festival of Upper Mustang. During Teji Festival the locals from far and wide visit Lo Manthang (Upper Mustang) to participate in the festival. This cultural festival Tiji is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in the Kingdom of Nepal. If you want to trek to Upper Mustang during winter, it's possible but you need to gear up with the right equipment and clothing during the month of Winter.

Upper Mustang Weather and Temperature

Trekking to Upper Mustang is on the bucket list of many travelers. The Tibetan plateau-like region with historical and cultural importance, Upper Mustang is the Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal. If you are planning to visit Mustang or Upper Mustang (Lo Manthang), Spring (March, April, May) and Autumn (September, October, November) are the best seasons. During May, you can visit Mustang to experience the most popular Teji festival. The temperature of Mustang and Lo Manthang highly differs in day and night. So, before starting your trek, make sure to pack up all the required equipment, clothing, and other accessories to stay safe and make your journey adventurous. The following table illustrates the temperature of the Mustang in Day and Night. 

Month Day Temperature Night Temperature
December, January, February 0 to 5 °C (32 to 41 °F) -25 to -20 °C (-13 to -4 °F)
March, April, May, June 16 to 22 °C (61 to 72 °F) -6 to -2 °C (21 to 28 °F)
July, August, September 20 to 33 °C (68 to 73 °F) -3 to 0 °C (27 to 32 °F)
October, November 12 to 20 °C (54 to 68 °F) -8 to -4 °C (18 to 25 °F)

Upper Mustang Trekking Itinerary

  • Day 01
    Arrival in Kathmandu airport (1338meters)

    Our airport representative will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private tourist vehicle. Overnight at Hotel.(No meals included)

  • Day 02
    Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.

    Your sightseeing trip will start at 9.45 AM in the morning. We provide a private vehicle and professional tour guide. We visit Boudhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. After Boudhnath Stupa we visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. We also visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is a collection of pagoda and shikhara – style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The attraction of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the the Lion gate, the Golden gate, the Palace of fifty five windows, art galleries, the Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla.The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel area near by your hotel.Overnight at Hotel. (Breakfast Included)

  • Day 03
    Drive to Pokhara (900 meters) 7 hours by tourist bus.

    Trekking staff will come to your Hotel early in the morning at 6:30 am to pick you up and then the bus leaves around 7.30 am to Pokhara.

    Pokhara ValleyOvernight at hotel.(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

  • Day 04
    Morning flight to Jomsom and drive to Chele (3050 meters)

    Early morning we are flying Northwest from Pokhara toward the great portal between the snow covered peaks of Annapurna and Daulagiri. You will enjoy the well-raised massifs of more than 8000 meters, and the deepest gorge on this planet.On arrival to Jomsom you will meet the rest of the trekking staff. From Kathmandu you will have a guide with you  then drive by jeep to Chele, the main gate to Upper Mustang. Overnight at Tented Camp.(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

  • Day 05
    Trek to Geling (3500 meters)

    The climb continues along steep, treeless, waterless terrain, along the side of the spectacular steep canyon to a pass and cairn of rock. Then the trail makes a long gradual descent to some chortens on a ridge, and with a further descent before coming along a pleasant trail to Samar village. We climb above Samar to a ridge, then descend into a large gorge, which the trail goes into another valley field, crosses a stream and climbs up to a ridge at 3800 meters. The route climbs over yet another pass, follows a ridge and then descends to Shyangmochen. From there we gently climb to a pass at 3770meters and descend to Geling Village. Overnight at tented camp.(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

  • Day 06
    Trek to Charang (3620meters)

    From Geling village the trail climbs gently up to an interesting pass NYI LA and descends below the blue, gray and red cliffs. After crossing a steel bridge of the Tangmar Chu (river) you will arrive to a MANI WALL perhaps the longest and most spectacular MANI wall in Nepal. Climbing over another pass at 3600meters, the route makes a long gentle descent to Charang village. The huge five-story white Dzong and red Gompa are the main attractions to visit and observe collections of statues and Thankas as well as many large paintings, of seated Buddha's. Overnight at tented camp.(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

  • Day 07
    Trek to Lo Manthang (3840 meters)

    This is an opportunity to visit two other villages on your trek. The trail climbs steadily until Lo-Gekar. Lo-Gekar Gompa is older than Samye Gompa in Tibet and one of the oldest Gompa of Nepal. After visiting Lo-Gekar continue trek to Lomanthang.

    Lo-MangthangThe trail until Lo-Manthang is fine with some minor climbing. Finally from the ridge there is a view of the walled city of LO. After a short descent, cross a stream then climb up into the plateau of Lo-Manthang. Overnight at tented camp.(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

     

  • Day 08
    Visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar.

    It takes around 2 hours to Namgyal Gompa. Namgyal Gompa situates on a hilltop, which serves as an important monastery for the local community, also serving as a local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa continue the tour to Tingkhar, which is a village of around 40 houses, the last main village to the northwest of Lomanthang. After visiting Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar return to Lomanthang. Overnight at tented camp.(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

  • Day 09
    Trek to Dhi(3410 meters)

    From Lo-Manthang the trail walks straight till Dhi pass 4100meters and descends down to Dhi village. The trek from Lo Manthang to Muktinath is harder, but more rewarding and interesting than the west side of the valley. Dhi village is one of the best villages of whole Lo-mathang and it seems more prosperous and it is settled in a very suitable place. Overnight at tented camp.(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

  • Day 10
    Trek to Tange (3370 meters).

    From Dhi the trail goes through the river for around 2 hours and crosses a river from Damodar Kunda, 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 3850meters. The trail goes through a grassless, treeless bare hill. After the pass the trail again drops directly to Tangbe village at an elevation of 3370m.Tangbe 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. Overnight at tented camp.(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

  • Day 11
    Trek to Tetang/ Chusang (3022 meters).

    The trail walks through a steep ridge of hills providing some fine views of the wind carved hills. Tetang village is formed between 2 hills; they should have found it a safe place to avoid the strong wind that hits the entire Kaligandaki valley. Tetang is the upper village of the Chuksang, which we visit on the first day entering to Mustang from Kagbeni. Overnight at tented camp.(Brfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

  • Day 12
    Trek to Jomsom (2713meters).

    This is the last day of the trek. The trail goes through the village of Jharkot where one can visit the many attractions such as the Jharkot monastery, Tibetan herbal medical center and the old fortress of Jharkot which once served as palace. Continuing the trek towards Jomsom one will enjoy the views of the Kaligandaki valley and Kagbeni village. This is the entry point to Mustang. We get a round trip of our trek in Ekle Bhatti visiting all the surprises of the human effort in this corner of the World of such an isolation and solitude. Arrive to Jomsom to celebrate the last day of the trek, with all the trekking staff. Overnight at tented camp.(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

  • Day 13
    Morning flight to Pokhara and same day Sightseeing around Pokhara.

    Today 30 minute morning flight takes us from Jomson back to Pokhara. Once we arrive at Pokhara airport, we then drive to hotel. In the afternoon we will have sightseeing tour around Pokhara valley, which covers Fewa Lake, Devi’s water fall, Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement and Gupteshower cave. Overnight at hotel.(Breakfast Included)Day 14- Leisure day in Pokhara. It's also spare day in case of bad weather in Jomsom. Pokhara Valley

    Overnight at hotel.(Breakfast Included)

  • Day 14
    Drive back to Kathmandu (1338meters).

    Overnight back at the hotel in Kathmandu. If you are interested in continuing onto Chitwan Jungle Safari, River Rafting Adventure, Kathmandu Shopping Tour or Scenic Everest Flight.In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. (Your guide(s) and an office staff will accompany you.) Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.(Breakfast Included)

  • Day 15
    Transfer to international airport for your final departure.

    The trip ends, our Airport Representative will drop you to the Kathmandu International Airport for your final flight departure from Nepal.

    (Breakfast Included)


 info@makalu-adventure.com
 makaluadventures@gmail.com
 +977-9851037083

ALTITUDE ACCLIMATIZATION

To get the most from your trek, and to stay safe, it is important to follow acclimatization guidelines. At Makalu Adventure, whenever possible, we follow the acclimatization formula set out by Drs Jim Duff and Peter Gormly; experts in Wilderness Medicine. "Above 2000m, altitude illness is a possibility and above 2500m it becomes common".
"As a rough guide, above 2500m the maximum daily height gain between sleeping altitudes should not exceed 400m, with a rest day every third day or after every 1000m of sleeping ascent".
"Avoid overexertion and breathlessness while acclimatizing, stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol, excess caffeine, salt and protein, your diet should be 70% carbohydrate above 3500m".

Why Choose Makalu Adventure

Makalu Adventure has been trading for over 25 years; is one of the leading trek and expedition agents in Nepal and is used as in-country agent by several international adventure companies. At the helm is Mohan Lamsal (MD) assisted by head trekking guide Tenging Sherpa and head climbing guide Sanu Sherpa. Teni started trekking as a porter aged 14 and has hiked every trail in Nepal, many times! Sanu Sherpa has the distinction of having climbed all 14, 8,000m peaks, twice! Mohan Lamsal is not only MD of Makalu Adventure, he is also the General Secretary of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. You are in safe hands with Makalau Adventure.

Frequently asked Questions

Upper Mustang is called the land of Forbidden kingdom because, until 1990 AD, Upper Mustang was opened, for Tourism by Nepal Government; it was forbidden for all foreigners to enter beyond Kagbeni, Mustang .

Client Reviews

EXCELLENT : (5 / 5.0 ) 2

100% recommend this Package.
Score Breakdown
  • British Traveler
    United Kingdom

    Fantastic Service by Makalu Adventurew

  • Alessia
    Italy

    Amazing Experience. Great arrangement by Makalu Adventure

    “Namaste, we spent 15 wonderful in Nepal, from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then 10 days trekking to the Upper Mustang. The Buddhist monasteries and caves of LoManthang Upper Mustang were one of the best experiences for us. The very different culture, tradition, and landscape to the Upper Mustang made our journey much joyful and exciting. We really had an amazing experience. Great arrangement by Makalu Adventure”
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