Upper Mustang Trek
A journey into a hidden Trans-Himalayan kingdom — the walled medieval city of Lo Manthang with desert canyons and living Tibetan Buddhist culture.
Know before you go
Trip readiness
Best timing
May-October
Treat this as the first planning window, then verify local trail and weather conditions.
Time needed
14 days
Include acclimatization and transport buffers for mountain routes.
Permit status
Permit required
Upper Mustang restricted area permit (USD 500 for 10 days, USD 50/day extra), ACAP permit (NPR 3,000), TIMS card. Licensed agency required, minimum 2 persons.
Difficulty
Moderate
Mustang route. Match this to fitness, altitude experience, and daily walking hours.
Live conditions
Trail weather available
Use the weather card before starting, especially during monsoon and winter windows.
Upper Mustang is Nepal's most remarkable cultural trek, a journey into a hidden Trans-Himalayan kingdom that was closed to foreigners until 1992 and remains restricted today. The walled city of Lo Manthang (3,840m), the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Lo, features whitewashed buildings, ornate Buddhist monasteries, and a royal palace that still houses a ceremonial king.
The landscape is unlike anywhere else in Nepal: arid, wind-swept desert canyons with eroded red and ochre cliffs, yet framed by Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. Ancient sky caves contain burial sites and paintings dating back millennia. The annual Tiji festival in Lo Manthang (usually May) features spectacular Tibetan Buddhist masked dances.
The rain-shadow location behind the Himalayan crest means Upper Mustang receives very little monsoon rain, making it one of the few treks accessible and even ideal during June-August when most treks are closed. The USD 500 restricted area permit keeps visitor numbers low, preserving extraordinary cultural integrity.
Field log · Day by day
The route, walked
- Stages
- 12
- Day01
Jomsom→Kagbeni
lightOvernightKagbeni- Walking
- 3.0–4.0h
Fly or drive to Jomsom, then walk the Kali Gandaki corridor to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang. Kagbeni sits at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Jhong rivers.
- Day02
Kagbeni→Chele
moderateOvernightChele- Walking
- 6.0–7.0h
Enter the restricted Upper Mustang region. Trek through the Kali Gandaki valley, passing Chhusang village and red cliff formations.
- Day03
Chele→Syangmochen
hardOvernightSyangmochen- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Climb out of the Kali Gandaki gorge over Taklam La (3,624m) and Dajori La (3,735m), passing the dramatic cliffside village of Samar. Descend to the small settlement of Syangmochen.
- Day04
Syangmochen→Ghami
moderateOvernightGhami- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Pass Geling, then cross Nyi La (4,010m), the highest pass on the route to Lo Manthang. Descend to Ghami, a large whitewashed village.
- Day05
Ghami→Tsarang
moderateOvernightTsarang- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Cross Ghami La (3,765m) and pass the longest mani wall in Mustang. Reach Tsarang, the former capital with its impressive dzong and monastery.
- Day06
Tsarang→Lo Manthang
moderateOvernightLo Manthang- Walking
- 4.0–5.0h
Walk across the high-altitude plain to Lo Manthang, the walled capital of Upper Mustang. First sight of the city walls is one of the trek's defining moments.
- Day07
Lo Manthang→Lo Manthang
AcclimatizationOvernightLo ManthangExploration day in Lo Manthang: visit the Jampa and Thubchen monasteries, the royal palace, and surrounding cave complexes. Optional day trip to Chhoser.
- Day08
Lo Manthang→Ghami
hardOvernightGhami- Walking
- 7.0–8.0h
Begin the return journey, retracing the trail south across the Nyi La. Long walking day back down the valley to Ghami.
- Day09
Ghami→Chhusang
moderateOvernightChhusang- Walking
- 6.0–7.0h
Descend through the valley, revisiting the dramatic red cliff landscapes of the Kali Gandaki corridor.
- Day10
Chhusang→Muktinath
hardOvernightMuktinath- Walking
- 6.0–7.0h
Climb out of the Kali Gandaki valley over the Gyu La (4,077m) to Muktinath, the sacred Vishnu temple and Buddhist shrine at 3,710m revered by both Hindus and Buddhists.
- Day11
Muktinath→Jomsom
moderateOvernightJomsom- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Descend through the Kali Gandaki valley. Pass through Kagbeni and Eklebhatti on the way back to Jomsom.
- Day12
Jomsom→Jomsom
Rest dayOvernightJomsomSpare day for the Jomsom flight corridor — the mountain airstrip frequently closes in afternoon winds. If unused, explore Marpha or Thini villages.
- End
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