Upper Mustang is the upper part of the Mustang district of Gandaki Province of Nepal
Nepal mustang (upper) trek of hidden kingdom opened for trekking in 1992. The trail takes you to one of the most isolated regions of rural Nepal.
The upper mustang trek offers you to explore the hidden valley between Tibet and the Himalayas of Nepal. One of the walled cities of Nepal LO-MANGTANG which was used to be part of the Tibetan Kingdom of Gungthang until the 1830s.
There are around 275 houses in LOMANGTANG with four Castes. The whole LOMANGTANG valley has solar electricity nowadays, a small herb garden of various holy Decorations, Flippin Buddhist Flags, and stocked firewood(which was supplied to the royal family in past)Sky burial, and polyandry are in practice in this region. Guru RINPOCHE fought with demons among the mustangs of snow-capped mountains, desert conyous, and grassland. It is said that after guru RINPOCHE killed the demon he separated the demon’s body parts across the mustang valley and its blood formed the towering Red Cliffs and its intestines fell Near Ghami where locals had to build the stone prayer wall which is the longest wall in Nepal.
The Upper Mustang trek starts from Jomsom following the trail towards kagbeni(a Famous Hindu religious place and also the entry point of the upper mustang region and the last village of the lower mustang. Walking through the banks of Kaligandaki river heading upwards via Chele, Syangbochen,Hayami, and Chorang you reach LOMANGTANG. Exploring unique lifestyle, Several thousand years old Buddhist Monasteries like Gekar, Gompa and Samya Gompa, Dry valleys(t receives very low amount of rainfall)Majestic View of Mountain Peaks like Mt.Dhauligiri(8,167m) Mt.NILGIRI(7,061m)Mt. ANNAPURNA SOUTH(7,219m)Mt.ANNAPURNA I(8,091m)Mt.FISHTAIL(MACHHAPUCHHRE)(6,997m) and TUKUCHE Peak(6,920m)and Mysterious Cave.
The TIJI festival is another major attraction during March is the major attraction of the upper mustang.
You can check the price and availability of upper Mustang trek
Upper Mustang trek
Highlight for upper Mustang Trek
- Explore the Historical, Cultural, Natural heritage sites with some of Nepal oldest Buddhist Monasteries
- Experience the Lifestyle and social beliefs of Tibetian Influenced rural Nepalese Community
- Scenic Views of Mt.ANNAPURNA and Mt.Dhaulagiri Range
- Nepal’s only wall city LO-MANGTANG
- Sky Caves
- Tiji Festival in March
Upper Mustang Trek Itinerary
| Days | Itinerary |
| 1 | ArrivalAfter arriving at Tribhuvan international airport you can see many Telecom stalls and currency exchangers where you can get a Nepalese SIM card and Exchange your currency for Nepalese Currency. you can find many taxis at Tribhuvan international airport |
| 2 | Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara early in the morning you can find many tourist buses for Pokhara at Kathmandu tourist bus park. It takes 6 to 7 hours to reach Pokhara tourist bus park from the Kathmandu tourist bus park. |
| 3 | Fly from Pokhara to JomsomToday you fly towards Jomsom. You have to go back to Pokhara airport from your hotel and fly to Jomsom. |
| 4 | Trek from Kagbeni to CheleEarly in the morning exploring the beauty of morning sun reflect in mountains and different houses flowing the trail towards the bank of Kali Gandaki river you reach chele |
| 5 | Trek from Chele to GelingToday we follow the trail uphill and downwards crossing many monasteries and Buddhist stupas until we reach Gelling, the destination for the day. |
| 6 | Trek from Gelling to CharangAfter spending an amazing night in Geling early in the morning you follow the trail through the bank of river encountering monasteries and art of Buddhist culture you reach charang |
| 7 | Trek from Charang to LO-MANGTANGFollowing the trail uphill exploring the oldest monastery named Lo Gekar you travel by horse from Lo Gekar to Lomanhtang. |
| 8 | Trek from LO-MANGTANG to Namyal Gompa and Tingkhar and return after a beautiful night at lo-mangtang the next day you follow the trail upwards to the peak where Namyal Gompa lies and back to Lo-mangtang after exploring. |
| 9 | Trek from LOMAGTANG to DrakmarToday you head towards Drakmar following the descending trail crossing river and passing through Tibetan structure villages you reach Drakmar. |
| 10 | Trek from Dramkar to ShyamochenFollowing the trail downwards exploring nature you reach Shyamochen which is the destination for the day. |
| 11 | Trek from Synabochen to ChusangEarly in the morning following the trail towards the river or via another route where you can explore caves you reach Chusang |
| 12 | Trek from Chusang to Muktinathtoday, Crossing the suspension bridge walking with amazing panoramic views of the Himalayas you reach Muktinath. Muktinath is a famous Hindu Temple. |
| 13 | Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom via KagbeniAfter spending the amazing night at Muktinath today you head towards Jomsom passing through Kagbeni you follow the trail with fruit trees, historical village, and monasteries |
| 14 | Fly from Jomsom to PokharaToday is the second last day of the trek you go back to Jomsom airport and fly back to Pokhara airport |
| 15 | Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu you can enjoy some days at Pokhara or drive back to Kathmandu tourist bus park from Pokhara tourist bus park. |
Upper Mustang Trek Cost
Upper mustang trek cost depends on the route and the services you use. You need to take the Upper mustang restricted area permit which costs USD 500 per person and is valid for 10 days and each additional day costs USD 50. Annapurna conservation area permit is also required for this trek which costs USD 30 per person. The trekking companies charge USD 1500 to 1600.
Upper Mustang Climate
The weather during the upper mustang trek remains windy and dusty in the afternoon and starts to cool after sunset.
Here is the average temperature of the upper mustang region according to season
| Season | Temperature at Day | Temperature at Night |
| Spring(March, April, and May) | Minimum 16 to Maximum 22 degrees celsius | Minimum -6 to Maximum -2 degrees celsius |
| Summer(June, July, and August) | Minimum 20 to Maximum 33 degrees celsius | Minimum -3 to Maximum 0 degrees celsius |
| Autumn( September, October, and November) | Minimum 12 to Maximum 20 degrees celsius | Minimum -8 to Maximum -4 degrees celsius |
| Winter(December, January, and February) | Minimum 0 to Maximum 05 degrees celsius | Minimum -25 to Maximum -20 degrees celsius |
Trek to Upper Mustang
Trekking Permits for Upper Mustang trek
Two permits are required for the upper mustang trek in Nepal
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
- Upper Mustang Restricted area Permit
