MustangLower Mustang: Jomsom & Muktinath
Apple orchards, windswept valleys and the sacred Muktinath temple — Lower Mustang by jeep and on foot, no restricted permit needed.
- 8 days
- Easy
- 3,800 m
Price on request
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Upper Mustang Trek
Journey into the former Kingdom of Lo — a trans-Himalayan desert of ochre cliffs, cave dwellings and the walled city of Lo Manthang.
Photo: Patricia Sauer, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Duration
- 14 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Max altitude
- 3,840 m
- Region
- Mustang
- Best season
- Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
- Ideal for
- Solo/FIT, Group
Restricted Area: Nepal requires a special permit, a licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers for this route. Travelling solo? Join a fixed departure and we'll handle the rest.
Overview
Upper Mustang sits in the rain shadow of the Annapurnas and was closed to outsiders until 1992. Its landscapes and Tibetan-Buddhist culture feel a world away from the rest of Nepal, and it can be trekked even during the monsoon.
Upper Mustang is a Restricted Area: a special permit, a licensed guide and a minimum group of two are required. We handle everything.
Highlights
- Walled city of Lo Manthang
- Ancient cave monasteries and Chhoser caves
- Trekkable during the monsoon
- Tiji festival departures (May)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu
Airport transfer and permit processing.
Max altitude: 1,400 m
Day 2
Fly/drive to Pokhara
Lakeside evening.
Max altitude: 820 m
Day 3
Fly to Jomsom, trek to Kagbeni
Gateway to Upper Mustang.
Max altitude: 2,810 m
Days 4–7
Kagbeni to Lo Manthang
Via Chele, Syangboche, Ghami and Tsarang.
Max altitude: 3,840 m
Day 8
Explore Lo Manthang
Royal palace, monasteries and Chhoser caves.
Max altitude: 3,810 m
Days 9–11
Return via Dhakmar and Ghiling
Red cliffs and Ghar Gompa.
Max altitude: 3,520 m
Day 12
Trek to Jomsom
Last day on trail.
Max altitude: 2,720 m
Day 13
Fly to Pokhara, continue to Kathmandu
Farewell dinner.
Max altitude: 1,400 m
Day 14
Departure
Transfer to the airport.
What's included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in a private vehicle
- Government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers, max 20 kg)
- Teahouse accommodation and 3 meals a day on the trek
- All trekking permits and local fees
- Staff wages, insurance, meals and accommodation
- First-aid kit and pulse oximeter
- Ascend DMC duffel bag and trekking map
- Pokhara–Jomsom–Pokhara flights
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa fee
- Travel insurance with high-altitude helicopter evacuation
- Meals in Kathmandu/Pokhara (except welcome dinner)
- Personal expenses: hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging, drinks
- Tips for guides and porters
Permits we arrange
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
Permit fees are set by the Government of Nepal and may change. More about permits.
Fixed group departures
| Start date | Availability |
|---|---|
| 18 Oct 2026 | Available |
| 10 May 2027 | Available |
Private departures available on any date.
FAQs
Do I need a guide for this trek?
Yes. Since April 2023, foreign trekkers in Nepal's national parks and conservation areas must trek with a government-licensed guide arranged through a registered agency such as Ascend DMC Nepal.
What travel insurance do I need?
Your policy must cover trekking up to the maximum altitude of the route and include emergency helicopter evacuation. We check your insurance before departure.
Can this trek be done privately?
Yes. Every trek is available as a private departure on any date, or you can join one of our fixed group departures.
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