12 Nights 13 Days
Daily Tour
Unlimited
English
Embark on a remarkable journey to Upper Mustang, a hidden gem nestled in the majestic Himalayas of Nepal. This 13-day Trek in, Drive out adventure offers a unique blend of cultural immersion and natural beauty. Starting from the vibrant city of Kathmandu, you’ll prepare for an expedition that takes you through the heart of the former Kingdom of Lo. Travel through picturesque landscapes, ancient monasteries, and unique Tibetan cultures untouched by time. The journey includes a scenic drive to Pokhara, a flight to Jomsom, and trekking through the mystical landscapes of Upper Mustang, culminating in a visit to the ancient capital, Lo-Manthang. Return drives through stunning terrains and sacred sites add to the adventure, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Note: This is a standard Itinerary and there is much more opportunity for cutomization based on your time, preferences and skills.
Welcome to Nepal. We will be there at Airport arrival waiting to receive you and help make a smooth transfer to a hotel. Evening gear check and trip briefing.
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, witnessing the changing landscapes. Pokhara, known for its serene lakes and stunning mountain views, offers a tranquil setting. Spend your evening enjoying the lakeside atmosphere.
Fly to Jomsom, a journey offering aerial views of the Himalayas, and start your trek to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang. Kagbeni, situated at an elevation of 2,810 meters, offers a mix of ancient culture and dramatic landscapes.
Trek from Kagbeni to Chele, ascending through beautiful trails offering views of towering cliffs and the Kali Gandaki River. Chele, situated at an altitude of 3,050 meters, introduces the arid landscape of Upper Mustang.
Trek to Ghiling through desert-like landscapes and small villages. Ghiling, at an elevation of 3,570 meters, offers breathtaking views of Nilgiri and Annapurna.
Trek to Tsarang, a historic town with an old palace and monastery, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Mustang. Situated at 3,560 meters, Tsarang offers unique insights into local life and traditions.
Trek to Lo-Mangthang, the highlight destination of the trip, nestled at an altitude of 3,840 meters. This ancient walled city is a treasure trove of Tibetan Buddhist culture and art.
Spend the day exploring Lo-Mangthang’s monasteries, palaces, and alleys, and surrounding areas. Discover the rich history and architecture of this remote kingdom, including the Jhampa, Thubchen, and Chhoeda monasteries, each with ancient Buddhist artworks and scriptures. This day provides a deep dive into the cultural heart of Mustang. Also visit Choser cave and it’s surroundings as well. Overnight in Lo-Mangthang.
Drive back towards Kagbeni, exploring the mystical landscapes of Ghar Gumba and the red cliffs of Dhakmar along the way. Ghar Gumba, known for its ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and Dhakmar’s striking geology offer a blend of spiritual and natural wonders.
Drive to the sacred site of Muktinath, an important pilgrimage spot for both Hindus and Buddhists. Explore its spiritual ambiance and stunning mountain backdrop. Later, journey to Tatopani, famous for its rejuvenating hot springs, providing a soothing end to the day’s adventures.
Return to the tranquility of Pokhara by road, enjoying the changing landscapes. Take a evening flight to kathmandu.
We will bid you a farewell today and drop you to the internation airport according to your requirements. note: the best time is you book your flight for the evening or night departure.
Because Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, it experiences very little rainfall even during the monsoon months. The climate is dry, windy, and high-altitude, with strong sun exposure during the day and chilly nights.
Spring (April, May, June)
Lower regions (Jomsom to Kagbeni ~2,800m): Mornings can be cool (around 5–10°C), but daytime can be warm and dry with temperatures between 15–22°C.
Upper region (Lo Manthang ~3,800m): Mornings and evenings are chilly, ranging between 0–5°C, while daytime can warm up to 10–18°C if skies are clear and there's no wind.
Wind typically picks up after midday, and temperatures can drop quickly if clouds block the sun.
There’s very little rain, though occasional light snow may linger on north-facing slopes early in the season (April).
Autumn (September, October, November)
Lower regions: Daytime temperatures range from 10–20°C, with mornings and evenings between 5–10°C.
Upper Mustang (Lo Manthang): Nights can drop to 0°C or lower in late October and November, with daytime highs around 12–17°C.
The weather is stable and dry, with excellent visibility.
The wind remains a factor in the afternoons, and the dryness can cause cracked lips or skin.
The terrain is high-altitude desert: barren, rugged, and windswept, with dramatic cliffs, deep canyons, and colorful rock formations. The landscape resembles parts of Tibet, with very little vegetation. Trails are mostly dry and dusty, though some sections can be rocky or steep.
Despite its remoteness, the Upper Mustang trek is not overly technical or extreme—it follows well-established paths and is considered moderate in difficulty.
The highest point on the standard Upper Mustang trek is Lo Manthang, the walled capital of the former kingdom, sitting at around 3,800 meters (12,467 feet). Some side hikes may go slightly higher (up to 4,200 meters)
If you are moderately fit and well-prepared, you'll likely do just fine with proper acclimatization. Nevertheless the altitude is never to be taken lightly and its important to follow your guides expertise and guidance.
If you experience discomfort—whether due to altitude, fatigue, or illness—our guide team is trained to assess and respond promptly. Depending on the severity, options may include rest, descending to a lower altitude, or even arranging emergency evacuation if necessary. Your safety is always our top priority. Based on the situation we can provide you optional side trip to a safer ground.
On average, you can expect to trek between 5 to 8 hours per day. This may vary based on the itinerary, terrain, and your pace. The trek is designed with acclimatization in mind, allowing for gradual altitude gain and rest days when needed. However some days especially descending down are long and sometimes can take up 10-11 hrs.
While this trek is suitable for most healthy individuals with moderate fitness, some prior experience with hiking or cardiovascular endurance is highly recommended. Daily walking over varying terrain requires stamina, leg strength, and mental preparedness. Consistent pre-trek training—walking, jogging, or stair climbing—will significantly enhance your experience.
It’s advisable to consult your doctor regarding preventive medication such as Diamox (Acetazolamide). While not mandatory, it can aid acclimatization for some individuals.
Diamox (acetazolamide) is widely used to help prevent symptoms of altitude sickness during high-altitude trekking. It works by speeding up the body's natural acclimatization process. Health experts, including those in wilderness and mountaineering medicine, recommend its use in certain cases.
When should I consider taking Diamox?
For treatment of mild symptoms: 250 mg twice a day can be used, but rest or descent is still the primary solution.
Are there side effects?
Some people may experience:
These side effects are usually harmless and go away on their own.
Nevertheless we prioritize natural acclimatization and build rest days into the itinerary accordingly.
A personal medical kit is essential. We recommend including:
Any personal prescription medication
Your guide will carry a group first-aid kit for emergencies including emergency oxy cans.
You’ll carry a small daypack (20–30L) with essentials like water, snacks, a jacket, and camera. Your main gear will go into a duffel bag or large backpack (60–80L), carried by our porters. Please limit the porter load to a maximum of 10-12 kg per person.
First we truly believe with our proper guidance you will be able to complete the trip and thats what we call our success. If you choose to end your trek early due to your own personel reason or laziness, on your request our team will arrange your safe return to a lower altitude or back to Kathmandu, depending on your preference and condition. however in this case you will not be eligible for refund or any optional side trip. Any changes in logistics will be managed with your comfort and safety in mind, though additional costs may apply.
You’ll stay in locally operated teahouses, all most all of them have a great views offering twin-shared rooms with basic bedding i.e. mattress, pillow and blanket. Most of the tea houses are wooden/mud structures, some are concrete and some are prefab. Bathroom and toilets are seperate and doesnt comes with amenities at all. There can be option for room with attached toilet/bathroom but note, especially in winter the plumbing system might gets freezed and can get smelly.
Meals typically include Nepali staples such as dal bhat, pasta, noodles, soups, eggs and other items, all served warm and fresh. Boiled drinking water, boiled water is usually available at an extra cost at teahouses, and we recommend using purification tablets or filters. Dinnings have a chimney heating system, which mostly gets on during the evening time.
Hot showers (gas/solar) are available at teahouses for an additional fee, the price ranges from 200 - 700 rs based on the elevation and remoteness. However, due to high altitude and limited facilities, we suggest limiting showers. Laundry services are rare on the trail, so plan to bring enough clothing or quick-dry items for the duration of the trek. You can do self laundry, but please calculate the time required for drying.
Basic electricity (solar/ community hydro/government) is available in most teahouses, for charging devices it will be available often at an extra cost. Wi-Fi is sporadic and unreliable, especially at higher altitudes.
Mobile network coverage exists in lower sections of the trek, but it becomes limited as you gain elevation. In general Nepal has 2 major telecom companies that provide the network services, which are known as “Namaste” or Nepal telecom a govt company and “Ncell” which is a private company. Nepal telecom generals have broader network coverage especially in the rural area.
Tipping is customary in Nepal and greatly appreciated. While it’s discretionary, a general minimum guideline is:
Tips are typically given at the end of the trek in a group ceremony as a gesture of gratitude.
As of now, the visa fees are:
Fees must be paid in cash (USD) upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport or border entry points.
Yes, you can fill out the online visa application form via the official Nepal Department of Immigration website. After submission, print the confirmation receipt and bring it along with your passport and photo to present upon arrival.Nepal Visa Online Services
The most common and the most convenient way to get a Nepal visa is to get on arrival directly from the airport once you land in Nepal.
The most convenient entry point is Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. Popular international carriers such as Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines offer connections from major cities worldwide via transit hubs like Doha, Istanbul, and Dubai.
There are few cities where you can fly directly to Nepal daily. They are Bangkok, Kualalampur, Singapore, Delhi, Doha, Dubai and several other cities have direct flights once or twice to Nepal like Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Hongkong, Osaka, Istanbul etc.
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