Trip Overview
Upper Mustang Trek explores the hidden Buddhist kingdom, Lo Manthang, which once was a forbidden part of the world.
Upper Mustang was closed for foreigners for a very long time and only got opened in 1992. The Mustang Region has preserved the ancient cultural heritage and centuries-old lifestyle of the locals. Located in the northwestern part of Nepal, Upper Mustang has evolved in its distinctive way. Even being part of the Himalayas, Upper Mustang has got combined terrain of desert and alpine.
Upper Mustang Trek is one of the most expensive treks in the Himalayas, as the region falls under the restricted area of Nepal. Some strict rules and regulations bound the travelers who want to trek in Upper Mustang. The exclusiveness of this region has made Upper Mustang Trekking a rare privilege that one can get.
Upper Mustang has got an open border with Tibet. The locals here follow Tibetan Buddhism. The trail is not challenging in terms of walking, but the remoteness of the region and altitude make the journey difficult. There are a handful of steep ascents and descents along the trail. The trail passes through the driest part of Nepal. Therefore, the views on this trek are unique, unlike any part of the Himalayas.
Upper Mustang is situated in the rain shadow area of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, and because of that, the region receives almost no rain during the monsoon season, which makes Upper Mustang Trekking open in the monsoon too. Mustang Trek is one of those that not only is made for adventure and thrill. The Upper Mustang also teaches you a simple old way of living and perceiving happiness in small things. Talk with one of our guides to know more about the trek.
Major Attractions of Upper Mustang Trekking
Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
Kathmandu is not only the capital city of Nepal, and also a city in Nepal with seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are many other places here worth visiting. During the Kathmandu Day tour, you will be exploring monuments like Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhnath Stupa, Swayambhunath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. If you have some extra time, then, visit the Garden of Dreams, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
A scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and fly to Jomsom
The second day of the itinerary involves a 6 to 7 hours long scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The route goes along the Trishuli River and follows a well-made road. Upon reaching Pokhara, you will have the evening to rest and explore. The next day, take an early morning flight and reach Jomsom. The flight will be short and offers breath-taking Himalayan scenery.
Adventurous and beautiful trail
The Upper Mustang Trekking route goes through narrow alleyways and lovely apple orchards. The route gradually gets steep and rugged, and you will cross suspension bridges and passes. There will be many stone steps along the route as well. You will pass by villages like Kagbeni, Chuksang, Samar, Geling, Ghami, and Tsarang before you reach Lo Manthang. The trail also passes by many mani walls, chortens, stupas, and prayer flags.
Cross many passes
The trail crosses many passes like Taklam La Pass (3,624 m), Yamda La Pass (3,850 m), Nyi La Pass (4,010 m), Ghami La Pass (5,700 m), and Lo La Pass (3,950 m). The route to the top of all of these passes is difficult and includes steep & rugged climbing. Upon reaching the top of the passes, you will get rewarded with outstanding views that will make up for all the struggle and strenuous walk.
Explore Lo Manthang
Lo Manthang, the Walled City, is believed to be built in the 15th century. The village is still protected by the high walls around it. You will visit ancient monasteries like Jhampa, Thupchen, Chooser, and Chhoeda. Likewise, you will also visit the Namgyal Gompa. There are many other monasteries and caves around Lo Manthang, where you can go for a short excursion. You can also visit the Ghar Gompa, believed to be the oldest monastery in the Upper Mustang.
Get to know the locals closely
Upper Mustang Trekking lets you see a very different lifestyle of people. Even in today's time, the locals in this part of the world are still living an ancient lifestyle. No wonder why this trek is called traveling back in time. The locals here are very friendly and welcoming. You can see them doing their daily chores and get to listen to some intimidating legends. Take your time and feel free to interact with the villagers. Moreover, along the route, you might come across nomads, where you can stop and chit-chat.
Witness tempting landscape
The Upper Mustang trek is known for its amazing arid landscapes. The trail offers desert-like sceneries full of canyons, red cliffs, meadows, and colorful rocks. Likewise, you can see views of the Himalayan mountains like Mt. Fishtail (6,993 m), Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,061 m), Tilicho Peak (7,134 m), and many others.
