• 19 Days/ 18 Nights
  • Mustang Region
  • Trekking in Nepal

Upper Mustang deluxe trekking 18 nights 19 days is one of the most beautiful and mysterious travel destinations in Nepal. Located in the far north of Nepal, close to the Tibetan border, this remote Himalayan region was once known as the ancient Kingdom of Lo. The area is famous for its well-preserved Tibetan Buddhist culture, medieval villages, ancient monasteries, and dramatic desert-like landscapes.Unlike other trekking regions of Nepal, Upper Mustang lies in the rain-shadow of the Himalayas, giving it a unique dry and colorful terrain with deep canyons, red cliffs, and high mountain plateaus. One of the major highlights of Upper Mustang is the mysterious sky caves, carved high into the cliffs thousands of years ago, along with centuries-old chortens, mani walls, and royal palaces.Upper Mustang is a restricted trekking area, which helps protect its culture and natural beauty. Trekkers must obtain a special Upper Mustang trekking permit and travel with a licensed trekking guide through a registered travel agency. This makes the journey more exclusive and culturally authentic.The Upper Mustang Trek is perfect for travelers looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, rich history, spiritual experiences, and stunning Himalayan scenery. It is one of the best trekking destinations in Nepal for those who want to explore ancient traditions, untouched landscapes, and a truly unique Himalayan journey.

Upper Mustang Deluxe Trek
Upper Mustang Deluxe Trek
Upper Mustang Deluxe Trek
Upper Mustang Deluxe Trek

Upper Mustang Trek Trip Facts

  • Trip Duration: 19 Days / 18 Nights
  • Trip Type: Tea House Trek / Moderate
  • Maximum Altitude: 4,200 meters
  • Start & End Point: Kathmandu
  • Minimum Group Size: 2 persons
  • Best Months: March, April, May, September, October, November

Deluxe Upper Mustang Trek Tour Plan

01

DAY 01 - Departure from Your Home Country

Begin your unforgettable journey to Nepal as you depart from your home country for Kathmandu, the gateway to the Himalayas.

02

DAY 02 - Arrival in Kathmandu | Thamel & City Walk

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our team warmly welcomes you and transfers you to your hotel. After rest, enjoy a relaxed walk around Thamel, Kathmandu’s vibrant tourist district filled with shops, cafés, and local culture. In the evening, enjoy a traditional welcome dinner

03

DAY 03 - Upper Mustang Permit & Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing

Today we arrange your Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit. Later, explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

  • Bhaktapur Durbar Square – ancient Newari architecture
  • Pashupatinath Temple – Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple
  • Boudhanath Stupa – one of the world’s largest Buddhist stupas

This day offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and spirituality.

04

DAY 04 - Kathmandu to Pokhara

Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus or mini bus. Enjoy scenic views of rivers, hills, and rural villages. Pokhara is a beautiful lakeside city surrounded by the Annapurna Himalayas.

05

DAY 05 - Pokhara to Kagbeni

Fly or drive to Jomsom, then continue to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang. Kagbeni is a charming village with a strong Tibetan atmosphere, ancient monasteries, and traditional houses. Enjoy breathtaking views of Nilgiri (7,060m), Tilicho Peak (7,139m), Thorong Peak, and surrounding landscapes. Visit Kag Chode Monastery, ancient chortens, and ruined palaces. Overnight in Kagbeni.

06

DAY 06 - Upper Mustang Day 1: Kagbeni to Ghami

Enter the restricted Upper Mustang region. Trek through dramatic desert landscapes to Ghami. En route, visit:

  • Chungsi Cave Monastery in Syangboche, where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century
  • Ghar Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in Upper Mustang, built by Padmasambhava and linked to the Nyingma Buddhist sect

This day follows ancient nomadic trade routes and offers deep spiritual insight.

07

DAY 07 - Upper Mustang Day 2: Ghami to Tsarang

Trek across high plateaus and colorful cliffs to Tsarang (Charang). Visit Shedrub Dhargey Ling Monastery, founded in the 14th century to preserve Buddhist teachings and cave history for monks and nuns. Experience the peaceful village life and impressive monastery walls.

08

DAY 08 - Upper Mustang Day 3: Tsarang to Lo Manthang

Walk towards the legendary walled city of Lo Manthang, the former capital of the Kingdom of Lo. Visit Tsarang Gompa, known for its magnificent Medicine Buddha Mandala. Enjoy panoramic views of the Mustang plateau and surrounding mountains.

09

DAY 09 - Upper Mustang Day 4: Lo Manthang to Choser Gompa (Pony Ride)

Explore the Choser area by pony. Visit Choser Cave Gompa, an ancient cave monastery carved into cliffs. Return to Lo Manthang for overnight stay.

10

DAY 10 - Upper Mustang Day 5: Explore Lo Manthang

A full day to explore Lo Manthang. Visit royal palaces, ancient monasteries, and interact with local people who still follow centuries-old Tibetan traditions.

11

DAY 11 - Upper Mustang Day 6: Lo Manthang to Yara

Trek through wide valleys and unique rock formations to reach Yara Village, known for its peaceful atmosphere and traditional lifestyle.

12

DAY 12 - Upper Mustang Day 7: Yara – Luri Gompa – Yara (Important Day)

Visit Luri Gompa, one of the most spiritual and hidden monasteries in Upper Mustang. Located above a hill, this sacred site features ancient wall paintings, sandstone carvings, prayer flags, caves, and chortens. The surroundings offer a powerful spiritual and meditative experience.

13

DAY 13 - Upper Mustang Day 8: Yara to Tangge

A scenic trek to Tangge Village, passing remote landscapes and colorful hills. Tangge is famous for its stone houses and traditional Mustang culture.

14

DAY 14 - Upper Mustang Day 9: Tangge to Tetang

A long and adventurous trekking day (around 12 hours). Carry a packed lunch as there are no restaurants on the way. Trek through remote trails to reach Tetang, a quiet village surrounded by dramatic cliffs.

15

DAY 15 - Upper Mustang Day 10: Tetang to Kagbeni

Trek back to Kagbeni, officially completing the Upper Mustang Trek. Celebrate your achievement and enjoy your final evening in the Mustang region.

16

DAY 16 - Muktinath to Pokhara

Visit the sacred Muktinath Temple, holy to both Hindus and Buddhists. Later, return to Pokhara and relax by Phewa Lake.

17

DAY 17 - Pokhara to Kathmandu

Travel back to Kathmandu by bus or flight. Enjoy your final shopping and leisure time in Thamel.

18

DAY 18 - Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing (Part 2)

Explore more cultural highlights of Kathmandu Valley, such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Patan Durbar Square, or other heritage sites.

19

DAY 19 - Departure

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home with unforgettable memories of the Upper Mustang Trek and Nepal Himalayas.

Trekking Map

Mustang Trekking gallery

Service Includes

  • Airport pickup & drop, Kathmandu city tour, 5-star hotel in Kathmandu (4 nights)
  • 4-star hotel in Pokhara (2 nights), Tea house accommodation during trek
  • Three meals daily during trek, Licensed guide & porter
  • Upper Mustang permit (USD 500), Annapurna Conservation Area permit (USD 20)
  • Land transportation as per itinerary, Basic medical kit

Service No Includes

  • International flights, Nepal visa, Travel & personal insurance
  • Emergency rescue, Drinks & personal expenses, Tips for staff

Place to place distance:

Destination Distance Duration Elevation
Kathmandu to Pokhara 205km 7hrs drive 850 m.
Pokhara to Tato Pani 110km 6hrs drive 1200-m.
Tato pani to Kagbeni 85 Km 7 hrs drive 3700 m.
Kagbeni to Ghami 27 Km 2 hrs drive 3540 m.
Ghami to Lo-mangthang 22 Km 4 hrs drive 3810 m.
Lo-manthang to Jomsom 70 Km 7 hrs drive 2710 m.
Jomsom to Pokhara 158 Km 8 hrs drive 850 m.
Pokhara to Kathmandu 205 Km 7 hrs drive 1400 m.

Geography & Landscape of Upper Mustang

Upper Mustang feels like a mini Tibet. The landscape is striking and completely different from other trekking regions of Nepal.

  • Located in the rain-shadow of the Himalayas, the region has a dry, semi-arid climate
  • Colorful red cliffs, rocky canyons, sandy valleys, and wind-carved formations
  • Over 10,000 ancient sky caves carved into cliffs, once used for meditation, living, and burial
  • Average elevation ranges between 3,000–4,000 meters
  • Chogo La Pass reaches 4,280 meters (14,042 ft)

Even during the monsoon season, Upper Mustang remains dry and ideal for trekking.

Cultural Heritage & Local Life

Due to centuries of isolation, Upper Mustang has preserved pure Tibetan Buddhist culture. The local people, known as Lobas, still speak Tibetan dialects and follow traditional lifestyles.

  • Strong influence of Tibetan Buddhism (Nyingma & Sakya sects)
  • Ancient customs such as polyandry, practiced to preserve land and family unity
  • Livelihood based on farming, livestock, and trade
  • Since tourism opened, locals now work as guides, horsemen, lodge owners, and artisans. Walking through Mustang villages feels like stepping back in time.

Lo Manthang – The Walled Capital City

Lo Manthang, built in 1380 AD, is the former capital of the Kingdom of Lo and the cultural heart of Upper Mustang.

  • A walled medieval city with walls measuring 2,472 feet long and 26 feet high
  • Protected by 14 defensive towers
  • Divided into four wards: Ghuthang, Domaling, Potaling, and Jyathang
  • Home to around 1,100 Loba people living in more than 200 traditional mud houses
  • The Royal Palace (Monkhar) stands at the center of the city

Prayer flags flutter across rooftops, and ancient alleys tell stories of a lost Himalayan kingdom.

Ancient Monasteries of Upper Mustang,Upper Mustang is rich in Buddhist art, murals, and sacred scriptures linked to Guru Padmasambhava.

Major Monasteries in Lo Manthang

  • Jhampa Gompa (1387 AD) The oldest monastery, famous for gold-painted mandalas and ancient murals.
  • Thupchen Gompa (15th Century) Known for colorful wall paintings and beautifully carved wooden pillars.
  • Chhoede Gompa (1757 AD) The main monastery today, home to around 90 young monks studying Buddhist philosophy.

Tiji Festival – The Spirit of Upper Mustang

The Tiji (Tenji) Festival, held every April or May, is the most important cultural celebration in Upper Mustang.

  • Celebrates the victory of Dorje Sonam (Buddha incarnation) over the demon Ma Tam Ru Ta, Features masked dances, rituals, music, and prayers.Villagers gather from across Mustang. One of Nepal’s most spectacular and spiritual festivals.

Getting There

  • Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom - Trek to Kagbeni the official gateway to Upper Mustang
  • Continue trekking north to Lo Manthang,Jeep driving tours up to Lo Manthang are also available with us.

Permits & Guide

  • Restricted Area Permit and Annapurna conservation area permit required, Minimum 2 travelers per group,A licensed trekking guide is mandatory.

Trekking Difficulty

  • Moderate difficulty,Walking 5–7 hours per day,Suitable for travelers with good physical fitness. 

Accommodation & Food

Accommodation

  • Local tea houses and guesthouses,Simple, clean, and comfortable rooms
  • Warm hospitality from local families. Food in Upper Mustang, Mostly vegetarian meals such as: Dal Bhat (rice & lentils),Vegetables, eggs,Bread, noodles, pasta
  • Soups, potatoes,Pancakes, apple pie, cakes

Best Time to Visit Upper Mustang

  • Spring: April – July (best weather & Tiji Festival)
  • Autumn: September – November (clear skies)
  • Monsoon: June – August (still dry due to rain shadow)

Why Visit Upper Mustang ?

Upper Mustang is perfect for travelers seeking:

  • A remote and peaceful trekking experience
  • Authentic Tibetan Buddhist culture
  • Unique desert landscapes and Himalayan views
  • Exploration of Lo Manthang, sky caves, and ancient monasteries
  • An exclusive off-the-beaten-path adventure

Things to Bring

  • Fleece & down jacket,Waterproof jacket & pants,Winter gloves & warm clothing
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm,Water bottles & purification tablets
  • Headlamp with extra batteries,Hiking poles & daypack,Camera & power bank
  • Personal medications & toiletries

Mobile Network & Charging

  • Mobile network available in most villages,Charging stations in dining halls Possible power cuts – bring power bank,Carry extra cash for personal expenses

Trip Note

  • Trip start and end in Kathmandu
  • Duration = 18 days
  • Trek type = Tea house / moderate
  • Maximum altitude = 4200 M
  • Minimum group size = 2 person
  • Best months = March, April, May, September, October, November

Explore the hidden Kingdom of Lo and experience the timeless culture of Upper Mustang with us.