An easy first day along the Kali Gandaki riverbed, entering the restricted area at the Kagbeni checkpoint.
Upper Mustang Trek
13
Days
Overview
- NTB-certified guides fluent in the local Mustang dialect
- A genuine walled medieval capital at Lo Manthang, not a reconstruction
- Trekkable through monsoon, when most of Nepal is under cloud
- All-inclusive pricing: permits, lodges, meals and porters
- Small groups, real cultural access most tourists never get
The Upper Mustang trek is a 13-day restricted-area trek in the high-altitude desert north of the Annapurna range, reaching the walled former kingdom capital of Lo Manthang at 3,840m. It's culturally closer to Tibet than the rest of Nepal, with its own dialect and monasteries. Full itinerary and permit details are below.
The Upper Mustang trek crosses a landscape that looks nothing like the green, forested valleys most people picture in Nepal: wind-carved cliffs, ochre-red canyons and a high desert that sits in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. Lo Manthang, its walled capital, was the seat of an independent kingdom until Nepal formally absorbed it in 2008, and the current king's palace still stands inside the old city walls.
Because it's a restricted area, Upper Mustang stays genuinely uncrowded even in high season, a real contrast to the Annapurna Circuit it borders.
Trip snapshot
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Duration | 13 days (trek only, Jomsom to Jomsom) |
| Max altitude | 3,840m (Lo Manthang) |
| Difficulty | Moderate, 5 to 6 hours walking most days, dry high-desert terrain |
| Best season | June to August (uniquely, thanks to the rain shadow), March to June, September to November |
| Group size | 2 to 12 people |
| Price basis | Per person, teahouse full board included |
| Permits required | Restricted Area Permit and ACAP permit |
Booking
Email contact@aqtreks.com or visit aqtreks.com, permits need lead time so book ahead where you can.
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Jomsom to Kagbeni (2,800m)
Day 2 :
Kagbeni to Chele (3,050m)
The landscape turns to true high desert here, canyon walls close in on both sides. 5 to 6 hours.
Day 3 :
Chele to Syangboche (3,800m)
Over the Taklam La and Dajori La passes, a genuinely tough up-and-down day. 7 hours.
Day 4 :
Syangboche to Ghami (3,520m)
Past Geling village and one of the region’s longest mani walls. 5 hours.
Day 5 :
Ghami to Tsarang (3,560m)
Through eroded canyon terrain to Tsarang, with its own five-storey former royal palace. 5 hours.
Day 6 :
Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3,840m)
The walled city itself comes into view well before you reach its gates. 4 hours.
Day 7 :
Explore Lo Manthang
Full day inside the walled city: the royal palace, four main monasteries, and the old city streets.
A detour to Ghar Gompa, considered the oldest monastery in the region, before continuing to Drakmar’s striking red cliffs.
Descend the same valley network, often via a slightly different side trail than the way up, back to Kagbeni.
Day 10 :
Kagbeni to Jomsom via Muktinath
Optional stop at Muktinath temple, sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, before the final descent to Jomsom.
Day 11 :
Contingency day in Jomsom
Built in for flight or weather delays before your onward journey.
The cost includes
- All teahouse accommodation on the trek
- Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day on the trail
- Restricted Area Permit and ACAP permit
- Licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- Ground transport, Pokhara/Jomsom to trailhead and return
The cost excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Nepal visa fee
- Travel insurance
- Personal trekking gear
- Tips for guide and porters
Before You Go
Best time to go
Here's our honest, slightly unusual recommendation: Upper Mustang is one of the only treks in Nepal worth doing in monsoon, June to August, because it sits in a rain shadow behind the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. While the rest of the country is under cloud, Mustang often stays clear. Spring and autumn are reliably good too, if your travel dates don't line up with monsoon.
Winter brings genuinely harsh wind and cold to this high desert, so we don't run departures then. Check conditions on Windy.com before you travel.
Permits and practical info
You'll need the Restricted Area Permit, now charged at USD 50 per day with no minimum-day requirement under the current fee structure, plus the standard ACAP permit at NPR 3,000. Because the daily rate applies for every day inside the restricted zone, permit cost scales directly with how long your itinerary runs, worth knowing when comparing quotes from different agencies.
Nepali law requires a licensed guide for this restricted area. Altitude risk is lower here than on our base camp treks, since Lo Manthang tops out under 4,000m, but the dry air and strong afternoon wind are real practical concerns worth packing for. See the Nepal Tourism Board for current permit rules, and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for regional forecasts.
Ready to plan it? Email contact@aqtreks.com or book at aqtreks.com.
Departures
No fixed departure dates published yet for this trek — send us an enquiry for a private departure.
Routes
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Upper Mustang permit cost?
The Restricted Area Permit now costs USD 50 per person per day, with no minimum-day requirement under the current fee structure, plus the standard ACAP permit at NPR 3,000. Since the daily rate scales with trip length, a 13-day itinerary costs noticeably more in permits than a shorter one.
How high is Upper Mustang?
Lo Manthang, the walled former capital and the trek's main destination, sits at 3,840 metres. The route's highest pass crossings, near Syangboche, reach slightly higher, around 3,800 to 3,850m, but nothing on this trek approaches the altitude of our base camp treks.
How many days does the Upper Mustang trek take?
Our itinerary runs 13 days, trek only, Jomsom to Jomsom, including a full day exploring Lo Manthang itself and a contingency day at the end. Shorter 10-day versions exist by cutting the Ghar Gompa detour and some rest time, though we think that detour is worth keeping.
Can I visit Upper Mustang during monsoon?
Yes, and it's actually one of our preferred windows for this specific trek. Upper Mustang sits in a rain shadow behind the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, so it often stays clear and dry through June to August while most of Nepal is under monsoon cloud.
Do I need a guide for Upper Mustang?
Yes, it's legally required. Upper Mustang is a restricted area, and Nepali regulation mandates a licensed guide through a registered agency for every trekker entering it, regardless of prior experience or how many other treks you've completed elsewhere in Nepal.
What is Lo Manthang?
Lo Manthang is the walled former capital of the independent Kingdom of Lo, which existed until Nepal formally absorbed it in 2008. Its royal palace, four major monasteries and old city walls remain intact, making it one of the best-preserved medieval Himalayan settlements still standing.
How much does the Upper Mustang trek cost?
Our all-inclusive package starts at USD 2,300 per person for a solo trekker, dropping to around USD 1,650 per person in a group of 7 to 12. That covers permits, teahouse lodging, full board, a licensed guide and porter service for the full 13 days.
Is the Upper Mustang trek difficult?
It's moderate. The terrain is dry, dusty high desert with some genuine up-and-down passes, particularly on day 3, but nothing technical. Strong daily wind and thin air at altitude are more of a factor here than steep climbing or difficult footing.
How far is Upper Mustang from Kathmandu?
You'll fly or drive to Pokhara first, then take a short flight or long jeep ride to Jomsom, the trek's starting point. From Jomsom, it's roughly 6 days of walking north to reach Lo Manthang, with the return trip covering the same distance again.
What is the weather like in Upper Mustang?
Days are typically sunny and dry with strong afternoon wind, while nights drop well below freezing even in summer, thanks to the high desert setting. Temperatures vary noticeably by season, so we send every guest a season-specific packing list before departure.
Reviews
No reviews yet for this trek.
Per person
Total
Keep exploring
