--- title: Upper Mustang Trek url: https://creativeadventurenepal.com/trek/upper-mustang-trek updated: 2026-11-02T04:42:12.190Z --- # Upper Mustang Trek - Type: Trekking - Region: Upper Mustang Kingdom, Nepal - Duration: 17 days / 17 nights - Price: From USD 1,580 per person · 1 people: USD 1,880 per person · 2–3 people: USD 1,760 per person · 4–9 people: USD 1,650 per person · 10–50 people: USD 1,580 per person - Maximum altitude: 3,730 m - Difficulty: Strenuous - Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November - Starts: Kathmandu · Ends: Kathmandu - Accommodation: Tea house and lodge - Meals: Included - Dates: private trip on your own dates — ask for group departures - Book online: https://creativeadventurenepal.com/book/upper-mustang-trek Upper Mustang Trek | Lo-Manthang Trek Flying from Kathmandu to Jomsom through the lovely lakeside town of Pokhara marks the start of the journey. Our adventure begins at Jomsom (lower Mustang), where we pass through the banks of the Kali Gandaki River on our way to Kagbeni. We travel through the picturesque town of Tsarang as we make our way to Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang. Supposedly belonging to the master builder of the site, a set of human hands still exist in this settlement, which is about 800 years old. According to folklore, the monarch amputated the builder's hands to stop him from creating different structures that may compete with it. Mustang is a remote, mysterious, dry, and unsettling wilderness area surrounded by a lunar scenery of wind-eroded cliffs and hills, located north of the Annapurna Himal. A kingdom inside a kingdom, the prosperity of Mustang was gained from its location on the trading route between the Kali Gandaki and Thak Khola to Tibet. The territory still has its King. Due to an intentional goal of cultural and environmental preservation, Mustang, which was off-limits to tourists until 1992, is still a regulated territory with very few visitors. Our destination is the royal residence and fascinating walled city of Lo Manthang. The gompas and private homes surrounding the King's Palace are all included within the city's perimeter walls. One of the most incredible adventures completed in a lifetime is the untouched Mustang, which has been frozen in time. Thanks to the trek, we can visit all the virtual communities along the way. Mid Feb to May and Oct to mid-Dec. ## Highlights - Trekking: 140 km - Stay: 14 nights in tea houses and lodges - Mountains visible: Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tilicho Peak - Altitude gain: 2,710–3,730 m (8,891–12,238 ft) - Destinations: Kagbeni, Chhuksang, Samar, Geling, Ghami - Activities: Tea house stays, Sherpa and Himalayan village visits, Sunrise viewpoints, Prayer flags, stupas and monasteries ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu Our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. ### Day 2: Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley Kathmandu is Nepal's historical and cultural heart, and it is a popular tourist destination. The Valley offers a great blend of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Western influence. ### Day 3: Fly to Pokhara We fly to Pokhara for a short but picturesque 30-minute flight, taking in views of Ganesh, Manaslu, and the Annapurnas along the way. ### Day 4: Fly to Jomsom & Trek to Kagbeni [2780m] 2,780 m We take a breathtaking early morning flight to Jomsom. We continue our journey to the picturesque town of Kagbeni. We cross a tiny suspension bridge outside Jomsom and then stroll down the Kali Gandaki riverside. The route is flat and desolate, with rugged boulders and sand. We will get spectacular views of massive peaks like as Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Nilgiri, as well as the entire Annapurna range to the south. Kagbeni's small passageways and tunnels, as well as irrigation canals. The police checkpoint is located at the northern end of the settlement. Before accessing this long-forbidden area of Nepal, we will finish our papers here. ### Day 5: Trek to Chhuksang [2920m] 2,920 m It is feasible to go all the way up the river valley, but we prefer to utilize a combination of the high route and riverbank trails. The route then substantially expands, showing an unending amount of sand. Some caves and Gompa Kang may be found on the river's west bank. We pause for lunch at Tangbe village. The little village is a maze of tiny streets lined with white-washed cottages, buckwheat and barley fields, and apple orchards. Nilgiri Peak still dominates the southern skyline. Chhuksang hamlet, near the confluence of the Narshing Khola and the Kali Gandaki, is just about 2 hours trek beyond Tangbe. This settlement is divided into three sections, and there are some destroyed castle walls on the neighboring cliffs. ### Day 6: Trek to Samar [3290m] 3,290 m We approach the river by continuing north. A steel bridge spans the river directly in front of a tunnel, and the Kali Gandaki becomes inaccessible by foot north of here. The path leaves the valley and ascends a stony slope to the town of Chele. You ascend a steep spur from Chele before continuing up the edge of a beautiful steep canyon to a pass. We descend from the pass on a delightful route to Samar, which is nestled in a grove of poplar trees. ### Day 7: Trek to Geling [3440m] 3,440 m We rise to a mountain above Samar, then drop into a huge gorge past a Chorten before entering another valley densely forested with juniper trees. After crossing a creek and ascending to a pass, we drop along a ridge to Shyangmochen, a little village with a few tea shops. Rangbyung, cave boasting stalagmites shaped like Chortens and one of Mustang's holiest sites, is nearby. The route ascends gradually from Shyangmochen and then descends to Geling across another vast valley. ### Day 8: Trek to Ghami (3460 m) 3,460 m The route from Geling climbs gradually through farms to the valley center, passing over the Tama Gun village and an imposing Chorten. We next begin a strenuous ascent across the valley's head to the Nyi La. (3840 m). The descent from the pass is very moderate, and about half an hour later, we reach a path to Charang. ### Day 9: Trek to Charang (3490 m) 3,490 m We'll begin walking through the driest region of Mustang, and much of our energy will expend battling the loose, dry terrain. The region's spectacular views, from the soft curves of the north to the rocky mountains of the east and west, more than makeup for the difficult ascent. Finally, we arrive in Charang, a sprawling settlement at the apex of the Charang Chu canyon. A massive dzong [fortress] and a red gompa with a magnificent collection of sculptures and thangkas can be seen at the village's eastern end. ### Day 10: Trek to Lo Manthang [3730m] 3,730 m Before departing for Lo Manthang, we will spend part of the morning touring the picturesque village of Charang and its enormous monastery. We softly ascend above the valley to a big lonely Chorten that serves as the boundary between Charang and Lo Manthang. The path then widens, and we get our first glimpse of the walled city of Lo Manthang. ### Day 11: In & around Lo Manthang This day is free for touring Lo Manthang's magnificent city. Within the city, there are four significant temples, one of which, Champa Lhakang, features a large clay figure of Buddha as well as beautiful mandalas painted on the walls. The palace is a grand structure in the heart of the city. ### Day 12: Trek to Lo Gekar We start our journey back from Lo Manthang via the upper highland path. This highland path provides spectacular views of Lo Manthang and the Charang Valley and snow-capped hills in the backdrop. We arrive at the Ghare Gompa, Mustang's oldest monastery, just past the town of Lo Gekar. ### Day 13: Trek to Ghami [3460m] 3,460 m We continue on the highland trail, passing through alpine meadows before descending a steep eroded gully to Dhakmar for lunch. We go across the lovely valley, climb a hill, and then return to Ghami. ### Day 14: Trek to Chhuksang (2920 m) 2,920 m We should now retrace our steps back to Chhuksang through the Nyi La. ### Day 15: Trek to Jomsom (2710 m) 2,710 m It's a long and painful final day, returning through Kagbeni to Jomsom, where our journey concludes. ### Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu via Pokhara We take an early morning flight to Pokhara, then connect to a flight back to Kathmandu. ### Day 17: Depart Kathmandu Our representative will take you to the airport for your flight home. ## Cost includes - Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle - Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast - Licensed trekking guide and porters - Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek - Tea house and lodge accommodation on the trail - Trekking permits and national park fees - Domestic flights or transfers as listed in the itinerary - First-aid kit and 24/7 support from our office ## Cost excludes - Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara - Extra nights in the city because of early return or flight delays - Hot showers, battery charging and Wi-Fi on the trail - International flights and visa fees - Travel and rescue insurance - Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and phone calls - Tips for guides, drivers and staff - Meals not mentioned in the program - Any costs caused by weather, strikes or other events beyond our control ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need previous trekking experience? Not for most treks. Good general fitness is enough for routes like Ghorepani Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp. Each trip page shows its difficulty and maximum altitude; our team will tell you honestly which trips suit you. ### Which permits do I need, and do you arrange them? Most treks need a national park or conservation area permit, and some regions need a restricted area permit. We arrange the permits listed in each trip’s “Cost includes”. ### What is the best time to trek in Nepal? Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) have the clearest mountain views. Each trip page lists its best months. ### Is travel insurance required? Yes. Your insurance must cover trekking at the trip’s maximum altitude, including helicopter evacuation. ### Can I change the itinerary or book a private trip? Yes. Every trip can be run privately or adjusted to your dates, pace and budget — ask for a quote.