Upper Mustang Luxury Trek
Ten days into the former Kingdom of Lo: fly to Jomsom, walk three days through red cliffs and Tibetan villages to the walled city of Lo Manthang, spend three nights there, then drive back by private 4WD.
10 days · Mustang · From US$ 3,040
Enquire- Duration
- 10 days
- Max altitude
- About 4,000 m (passes)
- Group size
- Private — from 2 guests
- Best season
- Apr–Nov
Overview
Upper Mustang lies north of the main Himalaya, on the edge of the Tibetan plateau. Its villages, monasteries and the walled city of Lo Manthang have kept a Tibetan way of life, and foreigners need a special restricted-area permit to enter.
You fly from Pokhara to Jomsom, drive to Kagbeni and then walk for three days through Chele and Ghami to Lo Manthang. The trail crosses high, dry passes, with red and ochre cliffs on every side.
In Lo Manthang you have two full days: one inside the walls with a local guide, one in the Chosar valley to see the cave dwellings. A private 4WD then takes you back to Jomsom in a day, and you end with a night in Pokhara — at The Pavilions Himalayas on the Luxury level.
Highlights
- Three nights in Lo Manthang, the walled capital of Lo
- Cliffs full of ancient caves around Chele and in the Chosar valley
- Monastery wall paintings with a local guide
- Scenic flights between Pokhara and Jomsom, beneath Annapurna and Dhaulagiri
- A dry region you can visit in the summer monsoon
Gallery
Day by day
Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and a night by Phewa Lake: Hotel Barahi (Comfort) or Fish Tail Lodge (Luxury). Your guide briefs you and the permits are prepared for you.
An early flight between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to Jomsom (2,720 m), then a private jeep up the Kali Gandaki valley to Kagbeni (2,810 m), the gateway to Upper Mustang. Afternoon in the old village and its monastery.
Enter the restricted area and walk up the Kali Gandaki beneath cliffs dotted with caves, then climb to the village of Chele (3,050 m). About 5–6 hours.
A long, high day over several passes of about 3,800–4,000 m, past Samar and Syangboche, then down to Ghami (3,520 m). About 7–8 hours, the hardest day of the trek.
Past one of the longest mani walls in Nepal, on to Tsarang and its red monastery, and over the Lo La pass for your first view of the walled city. Lo Manthang (3,840 m). About 7 hours.
A full day inside the walls: the Jampa and Thubchen monasteries and their wall paintings, the old royal palace from outside, and the lanes of the town, with a local guide.
A jeep trip north to the Chosar valley to see the Jhong cave dwellings, five storeys cut into a cliff, and the Nyiphu cave monastery. Back to Lo Manthang for a third night.
A long drive south by private 4WD, about 7–8 hours, from the high desert back to the Kali Gandaki valley. Night in Jomsom.
A morning flight to Pokhara and a quiet afternoon at your hotel: Hotel Barahi in Lakeside (Comfort) or a villa at The Pavilions Himalayas (Luxury).
Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel.
Choose your comfort
| Comfort tier | Lodging | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | The best room in each village, with a private bathroom wherever there is one, and Hotel Barahi in Lakeside, Pokhara, on both Pokhara nights. | From US$3,040 |
| Luxury | The best hotels and lodges on the route, three nights in Lo Manthang’s best hotel, Fish Tail Lodge on the first night and a villa at The Pavilions Himalayas on the last. | From US$3,180 |
Where you stay
What’s included
Included
- Airport pickup and drop by private car in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Flights Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu and Pokhara–Jomsom–Pokhara
- Private jeep Jomsom to Kagbeni, jeep day trip to the Chosar valley, and private 4WD Lo Manthang to Jomsom
- Nine nights in hotels and lodges with all meals, including three nights in Lo Manthang and two in Pokhara (Hotel Barahi, or Fish Tail Lodge and The Pavilions Himalayas on the Luxury level)
- Licensed, professional trekking guide (and his flights)
- One porter for every two guests (carries 20–25 kg in total)
- A local guide for a day in Lo Manthang
- Upper Mustang restricted-area permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Hotel in Kathmandu before and after the trek (we can arrange it)
- Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover (required)
- Monastery entry fees and donations, drinks, hot showers and battery charging
- Tips for your guide and porter, and personal expenses
Dates & departures
Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, so it is one of the few treks that work in the summer monsoon. April to November is best; winter is very cold and many lodges close. The Tiji festival in Lo Manthang usually falls in May — ask us for the dates. Jomsom flights only run in good weather, so keep a spare day after the trek. The price shown is for the Comfort level; the Comfort and Luxury table on this page shows what the Luxury level adds. Price per person, based on two guests travelling together and sharing a room. Ask us for solo or larger-group prices.
Questions, answered
Why does Upper Mustang cost more than other treks?
Foreigners need a special restricted-area permit on top of the conservation permit, and there are two pairs of flights (to Pokhara and to Jomsom) plus a private 4WD back. Food and supplies also travel a long way to reach the villages.
How hard is the walking?
There are three walking days of 5–8 hours on dry, dusty trails with several passes around 4,000 m. Days 4 and 5 are long. You should be comfortable walking a full day several days in a row; no climbing skills are needed.
Can we walk less?
Yes. Many guests drive part of the way. Tell us and we will add a private 4WD for any stage — the price changes, so we will send you a quote.
Will the altitude affect me?
You sleep between 2,800 m and 3,840 m and cross passes of about 4,000 m. The plan climbs gradually and your guide checks on you every day. If anyone feels unwell we stop climbing and, if needed, arrange a descent or a helicopter evacuation, which your insurance must cover.
Can we go in the monsoon?
Yes. Upper Mustang gets little rain, so June to September is a good time to go, when most other treks are wet. The flights to Jomsom can still be delayed by cloud lower down, so keep a spare day.
Is the price per person?
Yes. The price shown is per person for two guests travelling together and sharing a room. Tell us your group size and dates and we will send an exact quote.
Upper Mustang Luxury Trek: the complete guide
The route at a glance
Kathmandu → Pokhara (flight) → Jomsom (2,720 m, flight) → Kagbeni (2,810 m, jeep) → Chele (3,050 m) → Ghami (3,520 m) → Lo Manthang (3,840 m) → Chosar valley (jeep day trip) → Jomsom (private 4WD) → Pokhara → Kathmandu.
Permits
You need the Upper Mustang restricted-area permit, issued by Nepal’s Department of Immigration through a registered agency, and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. A licensed guide and at least two guests are required. We arrange both permits; they are included.
Altitude
You sleep up to 3,840 m and cross passes of about 4,000 m. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide straight away about headaches, nausea or unusual tiredness.
Weather and what to pack
Days are sunny and dry, but the afternoon wind is strong and dusty, and nights are cold. Bring a windproof jacket, sunglasses, a buff or scarf for the dust, a warm layer and good sun cream.
Luggage
Your porter carries the main bags (20–25 kg in total for two guests); you carry a small day pack. The Jomsom flights have strict weight limits, so leave extra luggage at your hotel.
Enquire about this journey
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