A medieval town of whitewashed houses inside earthen walls, with a royal palace and large old temples painted in deep colour.
Eroded canyons, red and ochre cliffs and wind-carved ridges that feel closer to the Tibetan plateau than to the rest of Nepal.
A mud-brick village at the meeting of two valleys, and the checkpoint where the restricted section of Mustang begins.
Hundreds of man-made caves cut into the cliffs, some thought to be thousands of years old, plus the cave sites near Chhoser and Garphu.
Ghar Gompa, Tsarang Dzong and the temples of Lo Manthang hold old murals, clay statues and a living Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna and Tilicho Peak stand above the dry valley on clear days.
Passes such as Yamda La, Nyi La and Chogo La stay around or below 4,200 m, so the trek feels remote without a harsh altitude profile.
The return from Lo Manthang uses a different route through Dhakmar, Ghiling and Chhusang, so you rarely walk the same ground twice.
Upper Mustang was closed to outsiders until 1992 and still keeps a strong Tibetan character. The trail climbs gently above the Kali Gandaki, passing chortens, long mani walls, apple-brown villages and cliffs full of caves, before reaching the walled capital of Lo Manthang.
The trek suits people with a decent walking base who want a cultural journey more than a high-altitude challenge. Days are dry and often windy, afternoons can be strong, and nights are cold, so early starts and warm layers matter. The flight from Pokhara to Jomsom is weather dependent.
Spring and autumn are the usual seasons, with stable skies and good views of the big peaks. The festival of Tiji, held in Lo Manthang in spring, draws many visitors; dates change each year, so ask if you want to time your trip around it.
| Duration | 17 days (about 11 days on the trail, with flights to and from Jomsom) |
|---|---|
| Start / End | Kathmandu, via Pokhara and Jomsom |
| Highest point | About 4,200 m at the high passes beyond Lo Manthang (sources give 4,000 to 4,300 m) |
| Lo Manthang altitude | About 3,800 m |
| Distance | Roughly 150 to 180 km round trip on foot |
| Walking per day | Usually 4 to 7 hours; Lo Manthang rest day is optional exploring |
| Difficulty | Moderate; long days and wind, but no technical sections and moderate altitude |
| Best seasons | March to May and September to November; summer is possible because the area sits in a rain shadow |
| Accommodation | Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, simple guesthouses and lodges on the trail |
| Group size | Usually a minimum of 2 travellers; private or small group |
| Permits | Usually a special restricted-area permit for Upper Mustang, the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card; a licensed guide and at least 2 travellers are normally required. We arrange them. |
Airport pick-up and hotel transfer. In the evening we brief you on the route and check your gear list.
Meals: dinnerWe finish the restricted-area permit paperwork and you can sightsee in Boudhanath, Pashupatinath or Swayambhunath, or buy any missing gear.
Meals: breakfastA scenic drive of about 6 to 7 hours (or a short flight) to the lakeside city, with a relaxed evening by Phewa Lake.
Meals: breakfastA short morning flight between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, then an easy walk up the windy riverbed to the old village of Kagbeni.
Walking: 3 to 4 hoursCross into the restricted area, follow the river and climb to the high village of Chele above a deep gorge.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursA day of ups and downs over small passes, with views of red cliffs and huge canyons. Rest in a village with barley fields.
Walking: 5 to 7 hoursCross a pass and walk past one of the longest mani walls in Nepal to reach Ghami and its barley fields.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursCross a stream and a pass, then reach Tsarang with its large dzong, red gompa and old library of Tibetan texts.
Walking: 4 to 6 hoursClimb over the last pass and descend into the walled capital, with its palace and temples. Afternoon walk through the old lanes.
Walking: 3 to 4 hoursA rest day for temple visits, the palace area, or an excursion to Chhoser caves, Garphu or Namgyal Gompa by foot or on horseback.
Walking: 3 to 5 hours, optionalLeave by the alternative route over a high pass of about 4,200 m, with expansive views, then descend to the red cliffs of Dhakmar.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursCross the Nyi La and descend to Ghiling, one of the largest villages on the return route.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursA lower route past Ghami, Samar and the canyon floor, with peaks reappearing in the afternoon.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursWalk back to the Kali Gandaki, leave the restricted area and reach Jomsom, with a sense of finishing the main trek.
Walking: 5 to 7 hoursA morning flight back to Pokhara. Afternoon free to rest, shop or walk by the lake.
Meals: breakfastDrive or fly to Kathmandu. Evening farewell dinner if timing works.
Meals: breakfast, farewell dinnerAirport transfer for your onward flight, or we can add Chitwan, Bhaktapur or Nagarkot.
Meals: breakfastFlights to and from Jomsom run in the morning because of afternoon wind and are often delayed, so a spare day is wise; the plan can be adjusted if the road or flight changes. Altitudes vary by source, so treat them as approximate. Your guide may reorder camps or lodges to suit weather and conditions.
It is moderate. Days are long and the wind can be strong, but there is little technical walking and altitude stays around 4,200 m at the highest. If you can hike 5 to 6 hours with a daypack, you should be fine.
Yes. Upper Mustang is a restricted area, so you usually need a special permit, an Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. Trekking is normally allowed only with a licensed guide and at least 2 travellers. We organise this for you.
March to May and September to November are the usual windows. Summer is drier here than in most of Nepal, but flight delays are more likely. Winter is very cold.
It is lower than on Everest or Annapurna routes, but you sleep above 3,500 m for many nights. Go slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide about any headache or nausea.
Weather can cancel flights, especially in the afternoon. Keep a spare day or two in your plan. In some cases a jeep road to Jomsom is an alternative.
Simple guesthouses with twin rooms, shared bathrooms and a communal dining room. Meals include dal bhat, noodles, momos and soups. Hot showers and charging are often paid extras.
Mornings are calm and sunny, afternoons windy. Nights above 3,500 m are often below freezing. Bring a down jacket, windproof layers, a hat, sunglasses and sun protection.
Yes, covering trekking to 4,500 m or more, medical care and emergency evacuation. Please send your policy details before you arrive.
Not independently. The rules normally require an agency, a licensed guide and at least two travellers, so we run private or small-group trips.
Yes. It is one of the best cultural treks in Nepal, with Tibetan Buddhism, ancient monasteries, cave sites and festivals. Ask about local festival dates if you want to join one.
Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm dates and details and a deposit secures your booking.
Lower villages often have a signal, and many lodges sell Wi-Fi or a local SIM data pack for a fee. Higher up and in remote valleys the connection is slow or absent, so tell family to expect quiet days. Wi-Fi is not included in the price. A local SIM bought in Kathmandu is a cheap backup.
Lodges serve dal bhat, noodles, soup, eggs, pasta, momo and pancakes, and dal bhat comes with refills. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to arrange. If you need gluten-free food or have allergies, tell us when you book so your guide can brief the kitchen, though choices narrow as you climb. Meals on trail days are included. City meals are not, apart from breakfast and the two special dinners.
Tap and stream water is not safe to drink untreated. Lodges sell boiled or bottled water for a fee, which is not in the price. Many trekkers bring purification tablets or a filter bottle to save money and plastic. Your guide can show you where it is safe to refill.
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off at Kathmandu airport, hotel nights in Kathmandu with breakfast, a guided city tour, and a welcome and farewell dinner are included. See the Included tab on this page for the full list. Extra hotel nights outside the itinerary are not included, so ask us if you need them.
A 20% deposit secures your booking. Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the dates and how to pay. The balance is paid in Kathmandu before the trek. For cancellation and refund terms, see wildpasstreks.com/booking-policy/
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