17 days · challenging
Upper Mustang Trek – Hidden Kingdom
Seventeen days into the forbidden kingdom of Lo: flight to Jomsom, Kali Gandaki to Kagbeni, walled Lo Manthang, Drakmar and ancient monasteries, Muktinath, and Tibetan culture in the Annapurna rain shadow.
From US$4054 per person (indicative)
Best seasons: Autumn · Spring
At a glance
- Distance
- 945 km
- Altitude (max · min)
- (↑) 3840 m · (↓) 822 m
- Days
- 17
- Route grade
- Grade C (difficult)
- Fitness
- Aerobic fitness · Strength · Stamina
Gallery
Route map
Overview of the trekking corridor (illustrative—not a substitute for navigation).
Trip overview
The Upper Mustang trek takes you into the old Buddhist kingdom of Mustang—also known as Lo—a desolate, rock-strewn landscape in the Dhaulagiri rain shadow that feels like a pocket of Tibet. The trail follows the historic salt-caravan route up the Kali Gandaki from Jomsom to Kagbeni, where the restricted area begins, then north to walled Lo Manthang. An optional detour via Dhakmar reaches Lo Gekar, among the oldest Tibetan monasteries, said to have been founded in the 8th century by Guru Rinpoche. Foreign access was banned until 1992; today a special permit is required (about USD 500 for ten days). Tea houses along the way share authentic Tibetan culture. Lo Manthang sits near 3,800 m with caves, monasteries, and the colourful three-day Tiji festival each spring. This is a challenging trek—high elevation, exposed terrain, and strong winds—but one of Nepal’s most rewarding cultural journeys.
Indicative pricing
Per-person rates for the listed group sizes. For each traveller beyond the quoted group size, a supplementary charge of 30% may apply.
| Option | 2 travellers | 4 travellers | 8 travellers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | US$4270 | US$4174 | US$4054 |
| Deluxe | US$4603 | US$4507 | US$4387 |
Indicative per-person pricing for the services described in this offer. Cost varies with customization. International flights are not included. Upper Mustang restricted-area permit (about USD 500 per person for 10 days) is additional.
Services
Included
- ✓Airport pickups and transfers by private vehicle as per itinerary
- ✓Three-star twin/double room with breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- ✓Teahouse accommodation in twin rooms during the trek
- ✓Domestic flights Jomsom–Pokhara and Pokhara–Kathmandu
- ✓Private trekking guide
- ✓Entrance fees, restricted-zone permit, trekking permits, and TIMS
- ✓One porter for every two trekkers
Excluded
- -Personal, travel, and medical insurance
- -International flights to and from Nepal
- -Personal expenses, drinks, laundry, and extra meals
- -Trekking gear other than sleeping bag, down jacket, and T-shirt where provided
- -Nepal visa fee
- -Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- -Upper Mustang special permit fee (approx. USD 500 per person, paid separately)
Optional
- +Extra nights in Pokhara or Kathmandu
- +Helicopter or itinerary upgrades
- +Tiji festival timing and extended stay in Lo Manthang
Fees, bookings & tickets
- T-shirt
- Special permit (approx. USD 500 per person)
- 24/7 support
- Fully customize
Gear & equipment
- · Sleeping bag
- · Backpack
- · Hiking boots
- · Socks
- · T-shirts
- · Thermals
- · Down jacket
- · Rain jacket
- · Warm cap & gloves
- · Sun hat / sunglasses
- · Lip balm
- · Personal medicines
- · First-aid kit
Trekking grade
Grade C: wind-exposed Kali Gandaki walking, passes near 3,800 m, and long days on dry, rocky terrain. Restricted-area permit required; plan for Tiji festival dates if visiting Lo Manthang in May.
Good to know
When is the Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang?
Tiji is a three-day Buddhist celebration in Lo Manthang, typically in late May (e.g. 24–26 May 2025, 14–16 May 2026, 1–3 June 2027). Book early if you want to align your trek with the festival.
What kind of food can I expect in Nepal?
Tea houses serve hearty dal bhat, noodles, and Tibetan-influenced dishes. In Mustang, meals are simple but filling; carry snacks for long windy days on the river trail.
Itinerary
- 1
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel
Kathmandu
Welcome to Nepal
- Distance: 5 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 0.5 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 2
Kathmandu UNESCO sites and trek preparation
Kathmandu
Heritage and briefing
- Distance: 4 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 4 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 3
Scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Pokhara
Into the lake city
- Distance: 200 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 822 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 4
Fly Pokhara to Jomsom — trek to Kagbeni
Kagbeni
Gateway to Upper Mustang
- Distance: 168 km
- Altitude: (↑) 2804 m · (↓) 822 m
- Duration: 5 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
- 5
Trek Kagbeni to Chele
Chele
Into restricted Mustang
- Distance: 18 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3100 m · (↓) 2804 m
- Duration: 6 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
- 6
Trek Chele to Syangboche
Syangboche
Via Samar
- Distance: 21 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3800 m · (↓) 3100 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
- 7
Trek Syangboche to Tsarang
Tsarang
Flaming mountains
- Distance: 30 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3800 m · (↓) 3560 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
- 8
Trek to Lo Manthang — last forbidden kingdom
Lo Manthang
Walled capital of Lo
- Distance: 15 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3840 m · (↓) 3560 m
- Duration: 5 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
- 9
Exploration day in Lo Manthang
Lo Manthang
Temples and royal quarter
- Distance: 3 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3840 m · (↓) 3840 m
- Duration: 2 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
- 10
Trek Lo Manthang to Ghami via Drakmar
Ghami
Gyokar Gompa
- Distance: 26 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3840 m · (↓) 3510 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
- 11
Trek Ghami to Chhuksang
Chhuksang
Desert trail
- Distance: 38 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3510 m · (↓) 2980 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
- 12
Trek Chhuksang to Muktinath
Muktinath
Sacred pilgrimage site
- Distance: 32 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3762 m · (↓) 2980 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
- 13
Trek Muktinath to Jomsom
Jomsom
Last trekking day
- Distance: 20 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3762 m · (↓) 2743 m
- Duration: 6 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
- 14
Morning flight Jomsom to Pokhara
Pokhara
Back to the lakeside
- Distance: 155 km
- Altitude: (↑) 2743 m · (↓) 822 m
- Duration: 1 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 15
Free day in Pokhara
Pokhara
Rest and explore
- Distance: 0 km
- Altitude: (↑) 822 m · (↓) 822 m
- Duration: 0 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 16
Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Return to the capital
- Distance: 205 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 822 m
- Duration: 1 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 17
Depart Kathmandu — airport transfer
Kathmandu
Farewell
- Distance: 5 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 0.5 h
- Stay: Hotel
Detailed itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel
Welcome to Nepal
- Distance: 5 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 0.5 h
- Stay: Hotel
Our team meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. The day is free to explore Kathmandu; in the evening a welcome dinner outlines the trek ahead.
Breakfast
Day 2
Kathmandu UNESCO sites and trek preparation
Heritage and briefing
- Distance: 4 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 4 h
- Stay: Hotel
Morning sightseeing at major UNESCO-listed sites in the valley. The afternoon is free for trek preparation and last-minute shopping.
Breakfast
Day 3
Scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Into the lake city
- Distance: 200 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 822 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Hotel
After breakfast, a picturesque six- to seven-hour drive to Pokhara with lunch and rest stops en route. Notice the changing landscape as you approach the Annapurna foothills.
Breakfast
Day 4
Fly Pokhara to Jomsom — trek to Kagbeni
Gateway to Upper Mustang
- Distance: 168 km
- Altitude: (↑) 2804 m · (↓) 822 m
- Duration: 5 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
A 20-minute scenic flight to Jomsom, then breakfast and permit formalities before trekking about three hours to Kagbeni—monastery village and gateway to the restricted area.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5
Trek Kagbeni to Chele
Into restricted Mustang
- Distance: 18 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3100 m · (↓) 2804 m
- Duration: 6 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
Climb over Gyu La, cross the river, and ascend to Chele with Nilgiri visible for much of the day.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6
Trek Chele to Syangboche
Via Samar
- Distance: 21 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3800 m · (↓) 3100 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
Six to seven hours through phenomenal, breath-taking high-desert scenery via Samar to Syangboche.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7
Trek Syangboche to Tsarang
Flaming mountains
- Distance: 30 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3800 m · (↓) 3560 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
Cross Syangboche La and Nyila Pass (about 3,600 m). After the pass the landscape shifts to Mustang’s famous red cliffs. Lunch in Ghemi, then Tsarang La and Charang with its former royal palace.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8
Trek to Lo Manthang — last forbidden kingdom
Walled capital of Lo
- Distance: 15 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3840 m · (↓) 3560 m
- Duration: 5 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
Explore Tsarang’s monastery, then walk via Dhakmar toward walled Lo Manthang (about 3,840 m)—earth-brown and white houses within a single gateway, capital of ancient Mustang.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9
Exploration day in Lo Manthang
Temples and royal quarter
- Distance: 3 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3840 m · (↓) 3840 m
- Duration: 2 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
Discover Lo Manthang’s temples and the king’s palace at the centre—still occupied, with a chance to glimpse local royalty in this region opened to foreigners only in the 1990s.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10
Trek Lo Manthang to Ghami via Drakmar
Gyokar Gompa
- Distance: 26 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3840 m · (↓) 3510 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
Leave Lo Manthang for Ghami via Drakmar—the deepest point of Upper Mustang on this route—and visit Gyokar Gompa, said to be more than 1,200 years old. Five to six hours walking.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11
Trek Ghami to Chhuksang
Desert trail
- Distance: 38 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3510 m · (↓) 2980 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
Descend through arid country beside the river, crossing the Kali Gandaki to reach Chhuksang.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12
Trek Chhuksang to Muktinath
Sacred pilgrimage site
- Distance: 32 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3762 m · (↓) 2980 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
Six to seven hours through desert-like sections, fields, apple orchards, caves, and Tibetan-style villages to Muktinath—108 holy taps, monastery, and temples shared by Hindus and Buddhists.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 13
Trek Muktinath to Jomsom
Last trekking day
- Distance: 20 km
- Altitude: (↑) 3762 m · (↓) 2743 m
- Duration: 6 h
- Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
Five to six hours through villages and fields beside the Kali Gandaki, with Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri overhead, passing monasteries en route to Jomsom.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 14
Morning flight Jomsom to Pokhara
Back to the lakeside
- Distance: 155 km
- Altitude: (↑) 2743 m · (↓) 822 m
- Duration: 1 h
- Stay: Hotel
Fly to Pokhara for lunch and a free afternoon to explore town, shops, and lakeside attractions.
Breakfast
Day 15
Free day in Pokhara
Rest and explore
- Distance: 0 km
- Altitude: (↑) 822 m · (↓) 822 m
- Duration: 0 h
- Stay: Hotel
Optional visits to Phewa Lake, Devi’s Fall, World Peace Stupa, and lakeside cafés and restaurants.
Breakfast
Day 16
Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu
Return to the capital
- Distance: 205 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 822 m
- Duration: 1 h
- Stay: Hotel
A short flight (or optional bus) to Kathmandu, with time for final shopping and a farewell dinner with a traditional Nepali cultural show.
Breakfast
Day 17
Depart Kathmandu — airport transfer
Farewell
- Distance: 5 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 0.5 h
- Stay: Hotel
Transfer to the airport for your onward journey—we hope to welcome you back to Nepal.
Breakfast
Traveler notes
Shortlisted guests who have travelled with partner operators (illustrative).
- Christopher · UK · 2026-04-20
- David · Australia · 2026-04-09
- Mathis & Ida · Germany · 2026-04-06
- Paul & Tim · Germany · 2026-03-25
- Claudia · Germany · 2026-03-18
Detail inspiration: https://himalayancircuit.com/tour/upper-mustang-trek-hidden-kingdom