Upper Mustang Trek
The forbidden kingdom — a walled city and Tibetan trans-Himalayan desert
Upper Mustang Trek overview
Upper Mustang was closed to outsiders until 1992 and remains a restricted area today, preserving one of the last intact fragments of traditional Tibetan culture anywhere in the world. Sitting in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, the landscape is a wind-carved, high-altitude desert of ochre cliffs, eroded canyons, and ancient cave dwellings, closer in feel to the Tibetan plateau than to the rest of Nepal. The trail follows the Kali Gandaki upstream from Jomsom through Kagbeni — the gateway checkpoint to the restricted zone — and on through Chele, Ghami, and Charang to the walled royal capital of Lo Manthang, home to the Raja's palace and centuries-old monasteries filled with rare Buddhist murals. A day hike from Lo Manthang visits the sky caves of Chosar, thousand-year-old man-made cliff dwellings. This is a culturally rich, moderately paced trek with limited daily altitude gain, making it accessible to trekkers who want a profoundly different Himalayan landscape without the physical demands of a high pass.
Country
Nepal
Duration
12 Days
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Max. altitude
3,840 m (Lo Manthang)
Best season
Mar–May / Sep–Nov
Difficulty level
Moderate
Itinerary
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, transfer to hotel. Evening briefing and permit paperwork check.
Price includes
- Airport pick-up and drop-off transfers in Kathmandu
- Kathmandu–Pokhara and Jomsom–Pokhara–Kathmandu flights
- Restricted Area Permit for Upper Mustang and ACAP entry permit
- Experienced English-speaking licensed trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers, 15 kg limit per trekker)
- Tea house / lodge accommodation for the duration of the trek
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- First aid kit carried by guide
- Emergency rescue coordination
- Trek completion certificate
What's not included
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Travel and rescue insurance (mandatory)
- Personal trekking gear including sleeping bag and down jacket (rentals available)
- Monastery entry donations in Lo Manthang and Charang (small, paid locally)
- Wi-Fi, battery charging, and hot showers at tea houses
- Alcoholic drinks, snacks, and other personal expenses
- Tips for guide and porters (customary)
Packing tips
Packing right is half the battle on any Himalayan trek. Keep your main bag under 15 kg — your porter will thank you. Everything in your daypack should be accessible on the trail.
Clothing & Layers
- Moisture-wicking base layers (2–3 sets)
- Insulating mid-layer — fleece or down jacket
- Waterproof and windproof outer shell jacket and trousers
- Trekking trousers (convertible zip-off recommended)
- Warm hat, sun hat, and buff/neck gaiter
- Thermal gloves and waterproof over-gloves
- Woollen or synthetic trekking socks (5–7 pairs)
Footwear
- Sturdy, ankle-supporting trekking boots (broken in before the trip)
- Camp sandals or lightweight shoes for evenings at tea houses
- Waterproof gaiters for snow sections
Gear & Equipment
- 30–40 L daypack with rain cover
- Trekking poles (reduces knee stress on descents)
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Sleeping bag rated to −10°C (tea house blankets are provided but can be thin)
- Sunglasses with UV400 protection
- Reusable water bottle or hydration bladder (3 L capacity recommended)
- Water purification tablets or a portable filter
Health & Safety
- Personal first aid kit with blister plasters, antiseptic, and pain relief
- Altitude sickness medication (Diamox) — consult your doctor before
- High-SPF sunscreen and UV-protective lip balm
- Insect repellent (lower elevations)
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
Frequently asked questions
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