Upper Mustang Trek – Explore the Forbidden Himalayan Kingdom
Explore the forbidden Himalaya Kingdom of Mustang with JRN Trek.
Trek to Upper Mustang will give you a completely different trekking experience than other trekking destinations in Nepal. This trans – Himalayan land is known as the Last Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal. Mustang was prohibited for foreign tourists to enter until 1990. And still, this area is a restricted trekking region in Nepal, thus tourists have to have a special permit to get the green signal for trekking in this special Tibetan Buddhist land.
During this trek, you will explore the Tibetan culture, traditions, and daily lifestyle of local Mustangi peoples. The uniqueness of the treeless barren landscapes, thousands of years of old and historical Monasteries (Gumpas), Longest Mani wall. The beauty of pray flags on high passes. And the superb Mountain views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and other Himalayan peaks.
If you have more days and want to explore more Himalayan areas, during the same holiday period, then you can continue to Yara and Ghara other isolated villages inside the upper Mustang. From Yara normal peoples hike to Luri Gumba (one of the oldest monasteries in Nepal) And other trekking trails Annapurna Circuit Trek and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.
MAJOR ATTRACTION OF UPPER MUSTANG TREK
- The barren land or desert of Nepal
- Last forbidden Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.
- Different than other trekking trails
- Lo Manthang (Kingdom of Mustang) also known as the Wall City
- Tibetan traditions and culture
- Old historical monasteries and stunning Stupas
- Picturesque view of Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri massif (The seventh highest mountain in the world)
PERMIT REQUIRE
Special Permit (This is a restricted trekking area so it requires a special permit to enter this area. The permit costs $500 for 10 days and afterward, each day will cost $50. This special permit only issue by trekking company and trekking guide is mandatory)
ACAP Permit (Annapurna conservation area permit)
TIMS Card (Trekking information management system)
UPPER MUSTANG TREKKING MAP
After we reach in Lo Manthang, we will have 2 more days to explore the region. Firstly, you’ll explore the historical, beautiful, and ancient Buddhist monasteries inside the Lo Manthang, and secondly (on the second day), you’ll be headed to Chhoser to visit cave monasteries and other beautiful sights. If you wish and fortunately if we have enough time, we can go and visit the border of Tibet as well. Finally, we return via Ghar Gumba to reach Ghami to follow the same trail back to Kathmandu.
Best Time for Upper Mustang Trek
The trekking season in Nepal is in spring and autumn whereas if you are thinking to trek in Upper Mustang, the summer season also the best because the region is also known as the desert of Nepal and hence this part there is not much rain than other parts of Nepal. But during winter is difficult to trek there because most of the peoples from there will migrate in Pokhara and Kathmandu.
- Spring: March, April, and Many.
- Autumn: September, October, and November.
- Summer: June, July, and August.
The rainy season in Nepal can also be good for trekking in Upper Mustang because of the low precipitation, however, it is not recommended. One may have to face several challenges during trekking in the rainy season. During summer one of the most popular cultural shows of Mustang, the Tiji festival will celebrate.
ACCOMMODATION.
You will be staying in a 3-star Hotel in Kathmandu during your trip. When you start your trek and as you move higher, you will not be able to find luxury rooms anywhere. So you will stay at Lodge/Guest House/Tea House during the trek. The lodges or hotels in Mustang have their own style. Nowadays there are a lot of improvements in accommodation because now there is easy to transfer necessities.
TREKKING ITINERARY.
- Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
- Day 2: Trek preparation
- Day 3: Kathmandu to Pokhara Drive
- Day 4: Fly to Jomsom and trek to Kagbeni
- Day 5: Kagbeni to Chele
- Day 6: Chele to Shyangmochen
- Day 7: Shyangmochen to Tsarang
- Day 8: Tsarang to Lo Manthang.
- Day 9: Exploration of Namgyal Gompa and Zong Cave.
- Day 10: Explore Lo – Manthang
- Day 11: Lo – Manthang to Dhakmar via Ghar Gumba.
- Day 12: Dhakmar to Shyangmochen.
- Day 13: Shyangmochen to Chhusang via Ruchen Cave.
- Day 14: Chhusang to Muktinath.
- Day 15: Muktinath to Jomsom.
- Day 16: Fly to Pokhara.
- Day 17: Drive back to Kathmandu.
- Day 18: Free day in Kathmandu.
- Day 19: Transfer to Airport for a flight back home.
Special Note:
This itinerary is our tailor-made program for Upper Mustang Trek. Basically, the days on the trek are always flexible and can be more and less depending on your holiday length, budget, and choice. If you wish to make any changes to our package according to your flexibility, please email us at jrntreks@gmail.com.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
Our team member will welcome and greet you at the Airport and arrange transport to the Hotel. Overnight at Hotel and Breakfast included.
Day 2: Trek preparation
After breakfast, you will meet up with your Guide and porters as you will be briefed about the trek from our team members. Overnight at the Hotel and Breakfast included.
Day 3: Kathmandu to Pokhara Drive
Morning at 6:30, your guide will be at your hotel to take you to the tourist bus station to drive you to Pokhara at 7 am. Driving 210km will take around 7 to 8 hours. Pokhara is the second biggest city or valley of Nepal and one of the best tourist destination in Nepal as well. After reaching Pokhara in the afternoon, you will visit the Phewa Lake. Overnight at the Hotel and Breakfast included.
Day 4: Pokhara – fly to Jomsom (2700m/8855ft) & Trek to Kagbeni (2800m/9185ft)
Flying duration: 30 minutes
Walking duration: 3 hours
Morning drive to the airport to catch your flight to Jomsom as your flight will be scheduled an hour prior of flight time. The flight to Jomsom will take around 30 minutes. Flying between two world’s highest mountain peaks, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, is absolutely breath-taking. After reaching Jomsom, you will meet with other crew members and start to walk to Kagbeni on the bank of Kali Gandaki River. Kali Gandaki Valley is known as the windy valley of Nepal. Following the Kaligandaki river, you will get to Eakle vatti (One tea shop in Nepali) and then follow the same trial to Kagbeni. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse. Full board meal – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 5: Kagbeni to Chele (3110m/10200ft)
Walking duration: 5 to 6 hours.
Day 5 is the official starting day of Upper Mustang Trek after registering a special permit at the ACAP office at Kagbeni. Now in upper Mustang, the road is good and black-pitched. You are going to follow the road to get in Tange 3060m. Then you will walk on the bank of Kaligandaki river on the dry land and if you turn back you can see the towering Nilgiri Himal. About one and a half hour beyond Tange, you will reach the village called Chhuksang 2980m. Cross the bridge over the Kaligandaki river to climb an hour to reach Chele. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse. Full board meal – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 6: Chele to Shyangmochen 3800m
Walking duration: 5 to 6 hours.
Today, you will start by climbing gradually to Samar Village 3620m. During walking up to Samar you will encounter with the place called Ghyakar and the agriculture field in the dry place. After the Samar also you need to climbs to a ridge called Bhena la 3830m and gently down to Bhena. Eat lunch at Bhena and then again gradual climb to Yamdo La 4010m and then descend to Shyangmochen. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse. Full board meal – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 7: Shyangmochen to Tsarang (3620m/11875ft)
Walking duration: 6 to 7 hours.
Walking to from Shyangmochen to Tsarang, the first part is gradual up to Nyi la 4020m. The trail from Nyi la is descending to Ghami. Ghami is the third largest village in Upper Mustang with the farmland, houses, monastery, and Chhorten. The Tsarang trail crosses a river after Ghami. The longest mani wall, red, blue and grey cliffs surroundings you will take to Tsarang. Tsarang is a historical village inside the Upper Mustang and maze of fields and willow trees. One of the oldest monastery and Buddhist library. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse. Full board meal – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 8: Tsarang to Lo – Manthang (3840m/12595ft)
After breakfast, you will explore the Tsarang village to see the history, culture, and tradition of the local community. Buddhist Monastery and Library of Tsarang village are historical and cultural. The trail from Tsarang is gradual climbing and Nepali flat. After reach at the Lo La 3950m, you are going to have the view of The walled city – Lomanthang. Lomanthang the kingdom of Upper Mustang. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse. Full board meal – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 9: Exploration of Namgyal Gompa and Zong Cave.
After breakfast, you will hike to Namgyal Gompa for 2 to 3 hours. This Gompa is located on the cliff of the hill, close to the Tibet border. After finish to visit monastery you will go to the Zong Cave. This cave has a historical myth about the history of Nepal. After visit monastery and cave you will back to Lomanthang. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse. Full board meal – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 10: Explore Lo – Manthang
Today is an easy day to explore the Lo – Manthang. Inside the Lomanthang there is three big and historic monastery and the royal palace of mustang king. You will explore monasteries and villages on this day.
Day 11: Lo-Manthang to Drakmar (3820m/12530ft) 6-7 hrs
Starting to descend of the trek, but you need to steadily climb to Chogo la 4325m. Chogo La is the highest point you are going to reach during Upper Mustang Trek. During climbing up you will have the last glimpse of Lo – Manthang. Afterward, follow the trail to Ghar Gumba. Ghar Gumba is one of the oldest monasteries in Mustang. Visiting the monastery, you will follow the way to Dhakmar by the climb to a ridge then cross a valley to a cairn and pass at 4170m to get in Dhakmar. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse. Full board meal – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 12: Drakmar to Shyangmochen (3800m/12465ft)
Walking duration: 4 to 5 hours
The trail descends to the Ghami and from Ghami you are going to follow the same trail which you walked a few days ago to reach in Shyangmochen. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse. Full board meal – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 13: Shyangmochen to Chhusang via Ruchen Cave.
Walking duration: 7 to 8 hours.
The trail to Samar is two Same way or chose via Ruchen cave. You will take the Ruchen cave to get in Samar before descending to Chhusang via the same way.
Day 14: Chusang to Muktinath (3800m/12465ft)
Today you will ascend mostly till a small pass, from where we will see Muktinath and the red painted Buddhist Monasteries in Muktinath village. From the top, you are going to enjoy the terrific 140-degree view of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Himalayan range while walking down to Muktinath. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse. Full board meal – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 15: Muktinath to Jomsom (2700m/8855ft)
Walking duration: 5 to 6 hours.
Muktinath is popular pilgrims site also ending place of Annapurna Circuit Trek. From here you will descend to the Eakle Bhati and follow the same trail from before to get in Jomsom. Overnight at Lodge/Guesthouse. Full board meal – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 16: Fly to Pokhara.
Flying duration: 30m
Fly back to Pokhara and relax in Pokhara. Overnight at Hotel and Breakfast included.
Day 17: Drive back to Kathmandu.
Driving duration: 7 to 8 hours.
After breakfast in Pokhara will go to Tourist bus park at 7 am for Drive back to Kathmandu.
Day 18: Free day in Kathmandu.
Free day in Kathmandu. You can do the shopping and relax in Kathmandu.
Day 19: Departure to the airport.
Receive the trekking achievement certificate and T-shirt and departure to the airport.
Includes.
- Airport Pickup and Drop
- all the necessary documents for trekking ( Permit )
- Fly ticket to Pokhara – Jomsom – Pokhara and ground transportation for trekking
- Food during trekking (Lunch, Dinner, and Breakfast) Tea or coffee each time on the choice
- Accommodation during trekking
- Guide and Porter ( wage, transportation, insurance, food, and lodge )
- Welcome and farewell dinner
- Water purifying tablets for drinking water during the trek.
- Seasonal fruits
- Medical support: An emergency first aid kit is carried by the support staff at all times.
Note: This include is our full board package also we offer packages such as, guide service, porter guide service, B/B package service. Contact us jrntreks@gmail.com and Whatsapps/Viver: +9779813914320
Excludes:
- All meals in Kathmandu/Pokhara.
- Tips to guides and support staff
- Additional costs in case of emergency (You must have adequate travel insurance to cover any kind of emergencies).
- Additional medication for altitude sickness (Acetazolamide etc).
- Personal expenses and any other unforeseen expenses.
- Personal trekking equipment.
- Drinking water and other drinks
Equipments list
Good standard trekking boots
Camping shoes/thongs
Socks-polypropylene
Down Jacket
Fleece
T-shirts
Trekking trousers
Shorts (both casual and for treks)
Swim wear
Sun Hat
Woollen Hat
Nylon Windbreaker
Gloves
Gaters
Strong Rucksack
Sleeping Bag
Water Bottle
Torch/headlamp (with spare batteries)
Toiletries/soap
Toilet paper
Sun block
Travel Towel
Wet-wipes
Medication (cough medicine, throat soothers, water purification tablets)
Sunglasses
Binoculars
Camera & lenses
Memory cards
GPS Tracking Units may be helpful
Altimeter
Compass
Book/music player/pack of cards
Padlock
A plastic bag for waste
Energy/snack bars
The following equipment are needed during the Climbing period: –
(Warm Down Jackets, Sleeping Bags, Warm Trousers, Koflach Shoes, Trekking Shoes and Sandals, Perfectly fitting Crampons, Gaiters, Ice Axe, Jumar, Ice Screw, Rock, Picton, Snow Bar, 2 locking Carabiners, Gloves, Sun Glasses, Head Light, Helmet, Rope, Stove, Harness, Figure -8, Gore – Tex Jackets)
Travel Insurance: –
Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients who choose to trek or climb with us. The insurance should cover you in case of emergencies like accidents, altitude sickness and ambulance and helicopter rescue charges if required. Please carry a copy of your insurance papers while traveling in Nepal and do send us a copy as well. This will help us in making all the necessary arrangements in case of any sort of emergencies.
9 Reviews on Upper Mustang Trek – Explore the Forbidden Himalayan Kingdom View All
2019-01-28 16:58:11
You are guided very well from the arrival at the airport in Kathmandu by JRN Treks. And they give their professional service throughout your holiday, this means during the transfers of the various locations and during the whole trek. They deal very professional with the uncertain conditions that can arise during the trip and they communicate very open about it. Where possible, an adequate (individual) solution is ensured without too much influence on the group interest. They are very friendly and service oriented towards the members.
2019-01-28 16:54:47
We made a nice adventurous trek in Mustang. Mustang is still not a very touristic region of Nepal. The daily walks were very nice, but sometimes a little bit heavy. The landscapes and villages are very special, it is if you are going back in time. Thanks to our guides, tour guide and porters, thanks to you we have been able to fully enjoy this trip.
2019-01-28 17:00:00
Koert Schouten says:
I enjoyed the trekking in Upper Mustang where my expectations were exceeded on all fronts. The preparation was fine. We were well informed and there was attention for the well-being of all the members. I have always felt safe and in good hands.