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Generated July 17, 2026

Upper Mustang Trek

Duration15 Days
DifficultyModerate
Max Altitude4,200m
Best SeasonAll Season
Trek StyleTeahouse
RegionAnnapurna Region

Overview

The Upper Mustang Trek is a 15-day journey to Lo Manthang (3,840m), the walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo, one of the last surviving Tibetan-influenced kingdoms on Earth. Upper Mustang was closed to outsiders until 1992 and remains a restricted area with a special permit. The landscape is arid, wind-sculpted, and resembles the Tibetan Plateau more than Nepal.

The trail starts from Jomsom, following the Kali Gandaki north through Kagbeni (the gateway to Upper Mustang) and climbing through painted earth cliffs, cave monasteries, and Tibetan-style villages to Lo Manthang. The walled city contains four major gompas with Buddhist murals dating to the 14th century, a royal palace, and a population of about 800.

2026 permit change: the old USD 500 flat fee has been replaced with a flexible USD 50/day tariff. Solo trekkers can now obtain permits individually (previously required groups of 2+). Licensed guide mandatory.

Permits: ACAP, TIMS, and restricted area permit. All included.

For Upper Mustang by jeep instead of on foot, the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour covers Lo Manthang in 12 days (USD 1,800). For the Kali Gandaki gorge without the restricted area, the Jomsom Muktinath Trek reaches Muktinath in 15 days.

Trip Highlights

Lo Manthang is a medieval walled city at 3,840m. Four gompas contain Buddhist murals dating to the 14th and 15th centuries, some recently restored by international conservation teams. The royal palace sits at the center. The city feels like a living museum of Tibetan culture.

The cave monasteries between Kagbeni and Lo Manthang are carved into painted earth cliffs. Some contain sky burial sites and ancient manuscripts. The Chhoser cave system north of Lo Manthang was occupied over 3,000 years ago.

The landscape of Upper Mustang is lunar: eroded earth pillars, red and ochre cliffs, and a treeless plateau that receives almost no monsoon rain. The Kali Gandaki gorge below Kagbeni is the deepest on Earth; above Kagbeni the terrain opens into arid desert.

At a Glance

  • Trek to Lo Manthang (3,840m), the walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo
  • Explore the Forbidden Kingdom, closed to outsiders until 1992
  • Ancient cave monasteries with centuries-old Buddhist murals
  • Tibetan-influenced culture: flat-roofed houses, prayer wheels, barley fields
  • New 2026 permit at USD 50/day (reduced from the old USD 500 flat fee)
  • Walk through the Kali Gandaki gorge and arid trans-Himalayan desert
  • Views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and the Mustang Himal
  • Visit Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang
  • Chhoser cave system and sky caves of Mustang
  • All permits: ACAP, TIMS, and restricted area permit

Elevation Profile

2,000m3,000m4,000m1,345mKathmandu865mPokhara2,800mKagbeni3,050mChele3,475mSyanbochen3,520mGhaymi3,500mCharang3,700mLo-mangthang3,607mYara3,240mTengbe3,067mTetang3,800mMuktinath865mPokhara

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu

1,345mHotel

Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.

Day 2

Drive to Pokhara

865m6h walkingHotel

Drive to Pokhara (865 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3

Drive to Kagbeni

2,800m2h walkingTeahouse

Drive to Kagbeni (2,800 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

Day 4

Trek to Chele

3,050m6h walkingTeahouse

Trek to Chele (3,050 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

Day 5

Trek to Syanbochen

3,475m5h walkingTeahouse

Trek to Syanbochen (3,475 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

Day 6

Trek to Ghami or Dhakmar

3,520m6h walkingTeahouse

Trek to Ghami or Dhakmar (3,520 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

Day 7

Trek from Ghami to Ghar Gompa to Lo Manthang

3,800m6h walkingTeahouse

Trek to Ghar Gompa to Lo Manthang (3,800 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

Day 8

Explore Lo Manthang and Chhosar Cave

3,700mTeahouse

Exploration day around Lo Manthang and Chhosar . Overnight at teahouse.

Day 9

Trek to Yara

3,607m6h walkingTeahouse

Trek to Yara (3,607m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

Day 10

Trek to Tengbe

3,240m7h walkingTeahouse

Trek to Tengbe (3,240 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

Day 11

Trek to Tetang

3,067m9h walkingTeahouse

Trek to Tetang (3,067 m), approximately 9 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

Day 12

Trek to Muktinath

3,800m8h walkingTeahouse

Trek to Muktinath (3,800 m), approximately 8 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

Day 13

Drive Back to Pokhara

865mHotel

Drive back to Pokhara 8 hours. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14

Fly Back to Kathmandu

1,345mHotel

Fly back to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15

Departure

1,345mTransfer

Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.

What's Included

Included

  • Airport to hotel to airport pickup and drop-off by private car, van, or bus.
  • Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a two or three-star hotel: 3 nights in Kathmandu and 2 nights in Pokhara, breakfast included.
  • Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private car, van, or bus.
  • Standard meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) and teahouse accommodation during the trek.
  • A government-licensed English-speaking guide for the trek, the required number of porters, and their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and a general first aid kit.
  • Flight fare from Pokhara to Jomsom to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu, including airport departure taxes at Pokhara and Jomsom.
  • Annapurna Conservation Area permit, Upper Mustang special trekking permit, and all other necessary permits.
  • Surface transfer from Kathmandu.
  • Down jacket, duffel or kit bag, and sleeping bag (to be returned after the trek).
  • All applicable government taxes.
  • Tourist service charge.

Not Included

  • Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu.
  • Travel insurance (compulsory).
  • International airfare and airport departure tax.
  • Nepal entry visa fee.
  • Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and laundry.
  • Personal trekking equipment.
  • Tips for trekking staff and driver.
  • Sightseeing and monument entrance fees.
  • Any other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.

Equipment Checklist

Duffel bag ( Company provide complementary)DaypackDown Jacket and Sleeping bag 4 season ( if you need nice and clean down jacket and sleeping bag company provide which needs to be returned after the trek)Hiking pantsWaterproof jacketFull, sleeves shirtJumper or pile jacketT, shirtsTrekking boots (Water proof)Camp shoes/Sandalwool socksLight cotton socks for under wool socks( take quite several pairs of these too. Better to carry some extra weight rather than spend the whole time washing socks)Sun hatBeanieGlovesSun block for lipsSun lotionGoggles or sunglasses ( with spare )Thermal Long underwear (take quite a few pairs. Although the weather may be cold one tends to sweat a lot)windproof pantsWater bottleSewing kitMedical & first aid kitFlash light ( with spare batteries)Personal towelPersonal toiletries and medication which should be labelled Please.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Upper Mustang Trek cost?

Our 17-day package starts from USD 1,975, including all transport, ACAP, TIMS, restricted area permit (USD 50/day), full board, teahouse accommodation, guide, and porter.

What changed with the 2026 permit?

The old USD 500 flat fee for 10 days has been replaced with a flexible USD 50/day tariff. Solo trekkers can now apply individually (previously required groups of 2+). A licensed guide is still mandatory.

When is the best time?

Upper Mustang sits in a rain shadow and is trekable during monsoon (June to August) when other regions are wet. Spring (April to May) and autumn (October to November) are also good. Winter is very cold and windy.

What is Lo Manthang?

The walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo at 3,840m. Population about 800. Contains four major gompas with 14th-15th century Buddhist murals, a royal palace, and traditional Tibetan-style houses.

How hard is the trek?

Moderate. Maximum altitude 3,840m. Walking days average 5 to 6 hours. The terrain is arid and windy but non-technical. No passes above 4,000m on the standard route.

Can solo trekkers do this trek?

Yes, since March 2026. Solo permits are now available at USD 50/day through registered agencies. A licensed guide remains mandatory.

What are the cave monasteries?

Ancient Buddhist and pre-Buddhist cave complexes carved into cliffs. The Chhoser caves north of Lo Manthang have 3,000+ years of human occupation. Some contain manuscripts and murals.

How does this compare to the jeep tour?

The 17-day trek walks the route at 5-6 hours/day with cultural immersion at each village. The 12-day jeep tour covers more ground faster by vehicle but with less walking and village time. Same destination, different experience.

Why This Trek

Lo Manthang is one of the last walled cities in the Himalayas. Medieval Buddhist murals, a royal palace, and 800 residents living inside 14th-century walls.

The landscape is unlike anywhere else in Nepal. Painted earth cliffs, wind-sculpted pillars, and a treeless plateau that looks like another planet.

Cave monasteries and sky caves with 3,000+ years of human occupation. Archaeology and adventure combined.

The 2026 permit reduction (USD 50/day from USD 500 flat) makes Upper Mustang more accessible than ever.

Tibetan culture here is deep and authentic. Prayer wheels, chanting from gompas, and barley beer in flat-roofed houses.

Is This Trek Right for You?

  • You want Nepal's most culturally significant restricted-area trek. Lo Manthang is unmatched.
  • You can walk 5 to 6 hours a day for 11 trekking days on arid terrain. Maximum altitude is 3,840m.
  • You are interested in Tibetan Buddhist art, architecture, and living cultural traditions.
  • The new USD 50/day permit makes this more affordable than before.
  • You have 15 days available for a culturally immersive trekking experience.