UPPER MUSTANG TREK
UPPER MUSTANG TREK
“NEPAL’S REMOTE WILD WEST”
The Kingdom of Lo Manthang– rich in history and Tibetan culture.
The Upper Mustang Trek takes you to one of the most remote and isolated regions in the Himalayas bordering Tibet..
Mustang was previously known as the Kingdom of Lo with Upper Mustang only opened to trekking since 1992 making it one of the most preserved regions in the world. The majority of people still speak Tibetan dialects!
The Upper Mustang trek gives you an opportunity to explore many hidden valleys wedged between Tibet and the Himalayas. The walled city of Lo-Manthang (3840m) used to be a part of the Tibetan Kingdom of Gungthang until the 1830s. The remoteness and rugged landscape are unlike anything seen elsewhere in Nepal. This is a surreal landscape that will make you feel you have stepped back in time.
You will visit some of the recently restored monasteries and also smile at the shaved-headed children in their maroon colored robes studying ancient Tibetan Buddhist ways and teachings. There are around 275 houses in Lo-Manthang with four castes: the royal castle, the everyday folk, the blacksmiths, and the butchers and millers. Sky burial (a funeral practice where the body is placed on a mountain top and exposed to carrion-eaters – especially birds), and polyandry (a woman has more than one husband) are still remaining cultural practices in the Upper Mustang region. Upper Mustang trekking is an opportunity to explore this remote and fascinating Tibetan kingdom.
Key Features of Upper Mustang Trek
- The former ancient “Kingdom of Lo”, rich in Tibetan culture and Buddhism.
- Arid Landscape with patches of cultivated green fields.
- Experience the 3-day Tiji festival in May (“pray for world peace”) in Lo- Manthang.
- Visit historical, natural, cultural & heritage sites along with Nepal's oldest Buddhist monasteries
- View some of the 10,000 caves, temples & monasteries where monks meditate and practice their religious rituals.
- Visit Lubra Village with its Bonpo religion (older than Buddhism).
- Drakmar’s famous red cliffs.
ITINERARY
Day 1 : Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Sherpa Expedition & Trekking staff will be there to greet you at Tribhuvan International Airport and take you to your hotel, followed by a briefing covering information, do’s and don’ts of your trek. Your safety and comfort are paramount.
Day 2 : Drive to Pokhara (8,50m) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Our journey begins with a 6-7 hour drive toward the Pokhara Valley and its beautiful Phewa Tal (lake) and then checking in to your hotel close to Phewa Tal. There is plenty to see and do along Lakeside with its many shops, bars and restaurants to choose from.
Day 3 : From Pokhara fly to Jomson (2700m) & Trek to Kagbeni (2800m) Duration: 3 hours.
Today we fly from Pokhara to Jomson – a 20 – 25-minute flight scenic flight with views of the famous Kali Gandaki Gorge (world’s deepest), along with views of several colossal peaks” Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna Ranges and Machapuchare (Fishtail). After landing at Jomson we begin our trek heading to Kagbeni, about a 3-4 hour trek. Kagbeni is also the checkpoint where authorities will check your documents before you enter the restricted Upper Mustang region. Along the trail, we will have views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Tukuche Peak. We will stay the night at Kagbeni.
Day 4 : Trek from Kagbeni to Chele (3,110m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we start early in order to avoid the high winds that develop later in the day. In the early morning light we can see Nilgiri that is orange in color due to the sun’s reflection on it. We follow the east bank of the Kali Gandaki River until we enter the wide Chhusang Valley.After leaving Kagbeni we ascend giving us spectacular views of the village and Mt Nilgiri (7061m).The trail heads east towards more arid land common to the Mustang region. We soon reach the first significant village of Tangbe with its red and whitewashed houses on the opposite banks of the river and glorious views over the Kali Gandaki River. Perched high up the cliffs above the village are caves believed to have been home to the early inhabitants of this area. The trail then comes to Chele where we have views of the Himalayan Ranges. Tonight we stay at Chele.
Day 5 : Chele to Geling (3,500m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we will climb the rugged hills and eventually come to a stone cairn at 3540m at which point we descend to the small village of Samar with its chortens (stupa religious– monuments) and other Buddhist structures. After leaving Samar we descend into a large canyon and then again ascend to a 3800m ridge before again descending to the remote Shyangmochen Village and then head to Geling Village where we stay the night. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Day 6 : Geling to Charang (3,570m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
From Geling, the trail leads up to of Nyi La Pass (3932m) and then heads down and follow the Tangmar Chu River and its Mani stone walls (stones inscribed with Lamaist prayers). We then follow the trail to Charang Village with its enormous five –storey Dzong (monastery) and red Gompa (type of monastery) and Thankas (forms of art). Guest house accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 7 : Charang to Lo - Manthang (3840m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today the trail is mostly uphill as we initially head to Lo-Gekar home of one of the oldest Tibetan monastery’s in the world. Lo-Gekar Gompa is older than the Samye Gompa in Tibet. After visiting Lo Gekar we travel by horse to Lo-Manthang. The trail passes the ancient walled city of Lo-Manthang before descending and crossing a stream before reaching Lo-Manthang. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Day 8 : Lo Manthang to Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar (3810m) & return; Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we climb to Namgyal Gompa situated at the top of a peak and then proceed to Tingkhar north-west of Lo Manthang. It is a small village consisting of about 40 houses. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Day 9 : Lo-Manthang to Drakmar (3820m) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Today the trail ascends to 4070m and then heads to the Chogo La Pass (4320m), the highest point of our trek. We then head downhill and cross the Charang River and make our way to Lo Gekar, pass the village of Ghar Gompa (3839m) with its Tibetan religious structures. After passing Ghar Gompa we follow the trail down to Drakmar. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Day 10 : Drakmar to Shyangmochen (3800) Duration: 5-6 hours.
The trail today descends and passes the stone walls and fields of Drakmar before heading lower again reaching Ghami (3475m) and then Jaite (3820m) and again dropping to Chhung-Kah. From here we continue to Tama Gaon (3710m) and further downhill to Shyangmochen. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Day 11 : Shyangmochen to Chhusang (2980m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we follow a river to Chhusang, or alternatively, we can head to Samar and visit the Ranchung Caves. This route adds another 30 minutes to the trek. Guest house accommodation. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Day 12 : Chhusang to Muktinath (3,800m) Duration: 7-8 hours.
Today we leave Chhusang Village and head up to the valley above where we can see Muktinath in the distance. We continue along the valley and descend and cross the river via a suspension bridge. This area is well known for its fossils famous for the fossil stones often found in the Gandaki River (Shaligrams – black holy stones). As we follow the trail we have awesome views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Himalayan ranges. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Day 13 : Muktinath to Jomson (2750m) Via Kagbeni; Duration: 5-6 hours.
From Muktinath we pass through lush meadows, fruit trees and streams passing through Kagbeni before we reach Jomson in the Kali Gandaki valley. We take a short detour today to Bon Punt monastery in Lubra. Bon-Po is said to be older Buddhism and Lubra, with just 14 families is one of the few Bonpo villages in Nepal. The trek today will take around 6 hours. Kagbeni has a well deserved reputation for its horticulture industry.
Day 14 : Fly from Jomson to Pokhara (820M) & drive to accommodation; Duration: 30 minutes.
Today is our last day as we head to the small airport terminal at Jomson where we take a short 15 to 20 minute flight to Pokhara. Once airborne you will have some amazing views of the Himalayas. This evening you can sit back and relax, enjoy and drink or two and look back on your amazing adventure through the amazing Annapurna Conservation Area – stroll along Lakeside. Other attractions in Pokhara are the World Peace Pagoda (clearly visible across Phewa Tal (lake), , Bindabasini Temple, Phewa Lake, Matepani Buddhist Monastery, International Mountain Museum and Devi's Falls.
Day 15 : Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,350m) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Today we head back on a 6 to 7 hour drive to Kathmandu with many fond memories of Nepal and its unique culture and geography. These memories will last a lifetime!
Day 16 : International departure from Kathmandu Airport.
Sherpa Expeditions & Trekking staff will transfer you to the airport for your final departure from Nepal. We hope that this epic trek will be firmly ingrained in your memory and will be enough to prompt you to consider your next trek with us!
SERVICES
Costs included in your package.
- Airport picks up and transports by private Car/Jeep.
- Two night’s standard twin sharing Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast.
- Three meals a day (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
- Fresh fruit every evening after dinner.
- Two night’s standard twin sharing Hotel in Pokhara with breakfast.
- Trekking Lodge (Tea House) accommodation during the trek.
- All necessary paperwork including Annapurna Conservation area permit fee fees.
- Upper Mustang special Permit
- Transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu by Tourist Bus.
- Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara flight with private airport transfer and domestic airport tax.
- A highly experienced, helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, English speaking well trained, Government license holder guide with all his salary, food, drinks, accommodation, transport and insurance.
- Strong, helpful Sherpa porters with proper safety equipment and walking equipment, his salary, food, accommodation, and insurance (one porter for two people).
- Comprehensive medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
- Arrangement of emergency helicopter service (paid by your Travel Insurance Company).
- Use of sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag and walking poles (if you don’t have your own, to be returned after trip completed).
- Sherpa Expedition and Trekking T-shirt
- Government taxes and official expenses.
- Trip achievement certificate after successful trip completion.
- Oxygen meter to check your pulse and oxygen saturation and heart rate twice daily (Very useful to check Altitude Mountain Sickness(AMS) symptoms) which will ensure your health during the trek.
- Assistant guide for groups of 8 or more people.
Costs Exclude
- Meals whilst you are in Kathmandu & Pokhara- lunch, and dinner.
- Nepal entry visa fee (easy to obtain the visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport – Kathmandu). $30 USD for 15-day, $50 USD for 30 Days, and $125 USD for 90 Days visa.
- Personal travel and medical insurance.
- International airfare.
- Your personal expenses.
- All the alcoholic and nonalcoholic, soup, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cocoa, mineral water, extra food, cold and hot drinks on trek ( i.e. those you choose to purchase along the way and during evenings in the tea houses)
- All desserts & sweet things like chocolate, cake, pie, pudding.
- Hot shower and battery charging at the tea houses.
- Tips for the guide, porter, and driver (tipping is expected)
- Excess baggage of more than 10 kg for Jomsom flight.
- NOTE: If you return earlier from the trek due to sickness or any problem, the money you paid for the flight, hotel, mountain room, food, etc. is nonrefundable, and you will need to bear the expenses for the hotel, food, etc. in Kathmandu yourself.
EQUIPMENTS
The following information will give you some idea about what you need to bring for the trek. It is important you do not forget the essential items, as this will determine your comfort and safety on the trek. Equally important is that you do not burden yourself with unnecessary equipment on the trek.
General
- All season sleeping bag and down Jacket (we can provide if you need it, but has to be returned after the trek)
- Duffle bag ( Sherpa Expedition & Trekking provide duffle bag during the trek but has to be returned after the trek)
- A wind and waterproof thin layered jacket (a must-have for morning and evenings above 3,000m)
- Daypack
Upper Body- Head / Ears / Eyewear
- A pair of half gloves
- A warmer hat that covers the ears
- Sunglasses
- Neckwarmer
- Sunscreen (35 to 60 SPF)
- Headlamp and an extra set of batteries
Hands
- A pair of half gloves for walking poles(if you prefer)
- Warmer shell gloves and liner
Upper Body
- long sleeve t-shirts
- Thermal tops
- wool jacket or pullover
- Sports bras for women and girls
- Water and windproof shell jacket
Lower Body
- Thermal underwear (especially trousers)
- windproof and waterproof trousers
- warmer trousers
- Comfortable trekking pants
- Extra casual sport pants
Footwear
- A pair of good waterproof trekking boots
- Pair of sandals
- 4-5 pairs of woolen socks
- Sock liners
- Light shoes and sneakers
- First Aid Kits and Medicines
- Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred)
- Blister treatment cream or similar
- Insect / anti-itch ointment
- Ibuprofen or other pain-relief medication
- Diamox (125mg to 250mg tablets for altitude sickness)
- Warps, splints, and wound coverings butterfly bandage
- Water purifying pills
(Note our company guide will carry the medicines and first aid kits during the trek. However, we recommend you bring your personal first-aid kit as well)
Miscellaneous - but must useful on the trek
- 4 passport size photos with original passport
- Water bottle & filter
- Flight details (please make a copy and leave one pic at our office in KTM because in case you want to change your flight date)
- Bathroom kit (conform, should be included toilet paper, plastic bags, hand wipes, towel, and soap, etc.)
Extra things
- Comfortable trekking poles
- Quality energy dry foods (up to you)
- Power bank and music players
- Camera (memory card, chargers, and extra batteries)
GOOD TO KNOW
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu. During the trek, we will be staying at lodges/ teahouses. You may find comfort and better quality teahouses - having attached bathroom at lower levels- until you reach higher elevations, where the accommodation is more basic with bare necessities.
Meals during the trek
In Kathmandu, your hotel includes breakfast, whereas all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided during the trek. A staple food of these regions is potatoes, oats, buckwheat, Sherpa stew and Tibetan bread. Sherpa’s’ started farming potatoes when the first seeds were introduced to the region in the early 90s. There is a limited choice of food at higher elevations and except many potato dishes. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates – an excellent source of energy needed at high altitudes.
Transportation
We use a private car for sightseeing and for the airport to hotel pick and drop off. We use public transportation or local buses during the trek.
Physical fitness
This can be a challenging trek where you often have to walk 6-7 hours a day. You don’t need past experience of hiking or trekking but if you have done any kind of trekking activities then it is always a plus! We have met people from all walks of life, shapes and sizes who have completed the trek. The only difficult part is when altitude sickness strikes and the effect that it can have on your body. Before leaving for Nepal it is good if you can prepare yourself physically by increasing your stamina and oxygen intake.
Remember – The better prepared – the more enjoyable your trek!
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FAQS
What is the Upper Mustang Trek?
The Upper Mustang Trek is a popular trekking route in the Mustang region of Nepal. It takes you through the ancient kingdom of Lo Manthang, which was once a part of the Tibetan Empire. The trek offers stunning landscapes, unique Tibetan culture, and breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains.
How long does the Upper Mustang Trek take?
The duration of the Upper Mustang Trek can vary depending on your itinerary and walking pace. On average, it takes around 10-14 days to complete the trek. However, this can be customized according to your preferences and fitness level.
Do I need a permit for the Upper Mustang Trek?
Yes, you need a special permit to trek in the Upper Mustang region. The permit is called the "Restricted Area Permit" and costs USD 500 for the first 10 days and USD 50 for each additional day. Additionally, you also need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs USD 30.
When is the best time to do the Upper Mustang Trek?
The best time to do the Upper Mustang Trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These months offer stable weather conditions, clear skies, and moderate temperatures. However, the region is also accessible during the monsoon season (June to August) and winter (December to February), although the weather can be challenging.
What is the difficulty level of the Upper Mustang Trek?
The Upper Mustang Trek is considered a moderate trek. The trail is well-defined and not too steep, making it suitable for trekkers with a moderate level of fitness. However, it is still important to be prepared and physically fit before undertaking the trek, as the high altitude can pose challenges.
What is the maximum altitude reached during the Upper Mustang Trek?
The maximum altitude reached during the Upper Mustang Trek is at Lo La Pass, which stands at an elevation of 3,840 meters (12,600 feet). It is important to acclimatize properly and take necessary precautions to prevent altitude sickness.
Are there tea houses or lodges along the trekking route?
Yes, there are tea houses and lodges available along the Upper Mustang Trekking route. These provide basic accommodation and meals for trekkers. However, it is recommended to book in advance during peak season to secure a place to stay.
Is it possible to do the Upper Mustang Trek independently?
Yes, it is possible to do the Upper Mustang Trek independently. However, it is highly recommended to hire a guide or join a trekking agency for a more organized and safe experience. A guide can provide valuable information about the region, assist with permits, and ensure your safety throughout the trek.
Can I combine the Upper Mustang Trek with other treks in Nepal?
Yes, you can combine the Upper Mustang Trek with other treks in Nepal. One popular option is to start the Upper Mustang Trek from Jomsom and then continue on to the Annapurna Circuit Trek or the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. This allows you to explore more of the Annapurna region while incorporating the unique experience of Upper Mustang.
What should I pack for the Upper Mustang Trek?
Some essential items to pack for the Upper Mustang Trek include proper trekking gear, warm clothing, a good pair of hiking boots, a backpack, a sleeping bag, a water bottle, a first aid kit, sunscreen, and a hat. It is also advisable to carry some cash, as ATM facilities may be limited in the region.
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