Head
Warm Hat
Cap
Face Mask / Muffler
Upper Mustang is a remote place untouched by any kind of modernization and it is regarded as the forbidden kingdom this part of the country is beyond any control and influence of the administrative center of the nation. If you love adventure and want to see the centuries-back lifestyle now in the present time then Upper Mustang Trek is a suitable journey for you and it is a less traveled part of Nepal. Permits to trek in Upper Mustang are quite expensive and permits are issued only to agency-organized groups. It offers a spectacular trekking experience in the remote trans-Himalayan mountain region of Nepal. As the region is dry and barren, it is too windy normally in the afternoon, and the trek in this region is beyond moderate. In many ways, a trek into Upper Mustang is similar to trekking in Tibet, as geographically it is a part of the Tibetan plateau. The region is isolated from the outside world and has contributed to a highly preserved Tibetan culture and nature. The most convenient way to get to Upper Mustang is to fly from Pokhara to Jomsom and start the trek from there.
Day 1
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Our airport representative will be there with a name board and drop us in the hotel. After checking we may be roaming out in Thamel, the tourist hub in Kathmandu for some shopping for clothes or gear. There will be a full trek briefing this evening. After that, We will host the welcome dinner in an excellent Nepali restaurant.
Day 3
After breakfast our trip begins today to the western side of Nepal by driving in a luxury vehicle to Pokhara, it takes 6-7 hours. Upon our arrival in Pokhara, we will be transferred to the Hotel. As you know Pokhara is one of the most beautiful cities of Nepal, having lots of beautiful natural features such as spectacular views of Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Machapuchre, Mount Annapurna south, and many kinds of adventure activities such as ultra-light flying, boating, paragliding, bungee jumping, Zip flying and so on. We can roam out for these varieties of activities in Pokhara.
Day 4
Duration: 20 minutes flight and 2 hours trek
Walking Dis: 10.7 KM
Elevation gain:2000 Mtr
After breakfast, we will be transferred airport for an early morning flight to Jomsom. After you directly get there Jomsom feels different with a different environment and incredible landscape. After we get to Jomsom our treks start with a gradual up towards Kagbeni along the Kaligandaki River. These places are the windy places of Nepal. We going to spend the night in Kagbeni which is located on the bank of the Kaligandaki River at the main junction of two rivers where there is a permit checkpoint to Upper Mustang.
Day 5
Duration: 7 hours trek
Walking Dis: 15.3 KM
Elevation gain:250 Mtr
We check our permits for the upper Mustang trek here in Kagbeni and our journey begins with walking along the Kaligandaki River. We will pass the villages named Tangbe and Chuksang. All the houses are made of stone and mud with flat roofs. We will walk through the apple garden, barley, buckwheat field, ancient stupas, and monasteries, and cross the ridge before reaching Chele Village where we spend the night.
Day 7
Duration: 4.5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 9.3 KM
Elevation gain:45 Mtr
Our day begins through wavy terrains crossing Yamda la pass. We will further descend through an astonishing landscape of desert and a few remote settlements down to Gelling crossing different Chortens ( stupas). Trails slowly climb to Jaite and onwards Nyi la pass(3950 Mtr ). Take a moment to grasp the amazing view of the valley below and up-close views of the Himalayas from the past. A too-strong wind will be blown around this area, and we descend all the way to the junction which finally brings us to Ghami.
Day 7
Duration: 4.5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 9.3 KM
Elevation gain:45 Mtr
Our day begins through wavy terrains crossing Yamda la pass. We will further descend through an astonishing landscape of desert and a few remote settlements down to Gelling crossing different Chortens ( stupas). Trails slowly climb to Jaite and onwards Nyi la pass(3950 Mtr ). Take a moment to grasp the amazing view of the valley below and up-close views of the Himalayas from the past. A too-strong wind will be blown around this area, and we descent all the way to the junction which finally brings us to Ghami.
Day 8
Duration: 5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 10 KM
Elevation gain:100 Mtr
Today our day starts with descending with crossing suspension bridge over Tangmar Chu. Then we will ascend to the plateau and pass the beautiful path with mani walls. The trail heads towards the east to the village of Tsarang crossing over Tsarang La Pass. At the end of the village, there are huge red gambas. These consist of an excellent collection of statues and thankas. We stay overnight in Tsarang.
Day 9
Duration: 5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 11 KM
Elevation gain:110 Mtr
Our journey begins with descending from Tsarang and crossing the Tsarang chu before ascending to the windy pass Lo (3850 Mtr) from there we will see some glimpse of the Lo man thang ( 3700 Mtr) as well as great views of Mount Nilgiri, Tilicho peak, bhakti and so on. Our trails again descend down which leads to the beautiful walled plateau of Lo Manthang.
Day 10
Lo Manthang is a walled town with an outstanding historical and cultural center. There are many more cultural and historical sites such as Jhampa Gomba, Thupchen Gomba, and Chhoeda Gomba. We will hike to Tingkhar which is a beautiful village consisting of 40 houses and is located northwest of Loman Thang. Chhoeda Gomba and the entrance hall are also some major attractions of the town.
Day 8
Duration: 5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 10 KM
Elevation gain:100 Mtr
Today our day starts with descending with crossing suspension bridge over Tangmar Chu. Then we will ascend to the plateau and pass the beautiful path with mani walls. The trail heads towards the east to the village of Tsarang crossing over Tsarang La Pass. At the end of the village, there are huge red gambas. These consist of an excellent collection of statues and thankas. We stay overnight in Tsarang.
Day 8
Duration: 5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 10 KM
Elevation gain:100 Mtr
Today our day starts with descending with crossing suspension bridge over Tangmar Chu. Then we will ascend to the plateau and pass the beautiful path with mani walls. The trail heads towards the east to the village of Tsarang crossing over Tsarang La Pass. At the end of the village, there are huge red gambas. These consist of an excellent collection of statues and thankas. We stay overnight in Tsarang.
Day 1
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Our airport representative will be there with a name board and drop us in the hotel. After checking we may be roaming out in Thamel, the tourist hub in Kathmandu for some shopping for clothes or gear. There will be a full trek briefing this evening. After that, We will host the welcome dinner in an excellent Nepali restaurant.
Day 2
After breakfast, our city tour guide with a luxury vehicle will come to pick you up for the city sightseeing of some UNESCO world heritage sites including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambhunath) and Buddhist shrine (BouddhaNath) which is one of the largest stupas in the world for half day. After that your free time for leisure and gear preparation for the trek. ( Exchanging the money, shopping, gear check etc)
Day 3
After breakfast our trip begins today to the western side of Nepal by driving in a luxury vehicle to Pokhara, it takes 6-7 hours. Upon our arrival in Pokhara, we will be transferred to the Hotel. As you know Pokhara is one of the most beautiful cities of Nepal, having lots of beautiful natural features such as spectacular views of Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Machapuchre, Mount Annapurna south, and many kinds of adventure activities such as ultra-light flying, boating, paragliding, bungee jumping, Zip flying and so on. We can roam out for these varieties of activities in Pokhara.
Day 4
Duration: 20 minutes flight and 2 hours trek
Walking Dis: 10.7 KM
Elevation gain:2000 Mtr
After breakfast, we will be transferred airport for an early morning flight to Jomsom. After you directly get there Jomsom feels really different with a different environment and incredible landscape. After we get to Jomsom our treks start with a gradual up towards Kagbeni along the Kaligandaki River. These places are the windy places of Nepal. We going to spend the night in Kagbeni which is located on the bank of the Kaligandaki River at the main junction of two rivers where there is a permit checkpoint to Upper Mustang.
Day 5
Duration: 7 hours trek
Walking Dis: 15.3 KM
Elevation gain:250 Mtr
We check our permits for the upper Mustang trek here in Kagbeni and our journey begins with walking along the Kaligandaki River. We will pass the villages named Tangbe and Chuksang. All the houses are made of stone and mud with flat roofs. We will walk through the apple garden, barley, buckwheat field, ancient stupas, and monasteries, and cross the ridge before reaching Chele Village where we spend the night.
Day 6
Duration: 6 hours trek
Walking Dis: 11,5 KM
Elevation gain:425 Mtr
Today's walk begins through the hill cut trail in tremendous canyone. We cross several passes like Taklam la Pass and Dajori La Pass with views of Tilicho Peak, Annapurna, Nilgiri Damodar, and Yakkhawa Khang, etc. We will hike downhill till you reach the beautiful village of Samar, where we stop for lunch. From Samar, different colored Chortens are seen. Finally, we descend on a steep trail to a stream and continue our trek to Syangboche. Syangboche is a small settlement deep into the valley, almost all the tea houses look similar white in color and flat in roofs.
Day 7
Duration: 4.5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 9.3 KM
Elevation gain:45 Mtr
Our day begins through wavy terrains crossing Yamda la pass. We will further descend through an astonishing landscape of desert and a few remote settlements down to Gelling crossing different Chortens ( stupas). Trails slowly climb to Jaite and onwards Nyi la pass(3950 Mtr ). Take a moment to grasp the amazing view of the valley below and up-close views of the Himalayas from the past. A too-strong wind will be blown around this area, and we descend all the way to the junction which finally brings us to Ghami.
Day 8
Duration: 5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 10 KM
Elevation gain:100 Mtr
Today our day starts with descending with crossing suspension bridge over Tangmar Chu. Then we will ascend to the plateau and pass the beautiful path with mani walls. The trail heads towards the east to the village of Tsarang crossing over Tsarang La Pass. At the end of the village, there are huge red gambas. These consist of an excellent collection of statues and thankas. We stay overnight in Tsarang.
Day 9
Duration: 5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 11 KM
Elevation gain:110 Mtr
Our journey begins with descending from Tsarang and crossing the Tsarang chu before ascending to the windy pass Lo (3850 Mtr) from there we will see some glimpse of the Lo man thang ( 3700 Mtr) as well as great views of Mount Nilgiri, Tilicho peak, bhakti and so on. Our trails again descend down which leads to the beautiful walled plateau of Lo Manthang.
Day 10
Lo Manthang is a walled town with an outstanding historical and cultural center. There are many more cultural and historical sites such as Jhampa Gomba, Thupchen Gomba, and Chhoeda Gomba. We will hike to Tingkhar which is a beautiful village consisting of 40 houses and is located northwest of Loman Thang. Chhoeda Gomba and the entrance hall are also some major attractions of the town.
Day 8
Duration: 5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 10 KM
Elevation gain:100 Mtr
Today our day starts with descending with crossing suspension bridge over Tangmar Chu. Then we will ascend to the plateau and pass the beautiful path with mani walls. The trail heads towards the east to the village of Tsarang crossing over Tsarang La Pass. At the end of the village, there are huge red gambas. These consist of an excellent collection of statues and thankas. We stay overnight in Tsarang.
Day 8
Duration: 5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 10 KM
Elevation gain:100 Mtr
Today our day starts with descending with crossing suspension bridge over Tangmar Chu. Then we will ascend to the plateau and pass the beautiful path with mani walls. The trail heads towards the east to the village of Tsarang crossing over Tsarang La Pass. At the end of the village, there are huge red gambas. These consist of an excellent collection of statues and thankas. We stay overnight in Tsarang.
Warm Hat
Cap
Face Mask / Muffler
Wind stopper/Waterproof Jacket
Down Jacket
Fleece Jacket/ trousers
Thermol
T-shirts
Woolen gloves/Water/wind proof gloves
Wind stopper/Waterproof Jacket
Down Jacket
Fleece Jacket/ trousers
Thermol
T-shirts
Woolen gloves/Water/wind proof gloves
Trekking Trousers(light weight long Paint)
Underwear
Wind stopper/waterproof Paint
Fleece or woolen pants
Thin Lightwear/heavy poly or wool Socks
Sandals
Trekking Boot
Gaiters
Spare Shoes
Medium Rucksack (50-70 Ltr)
Small Day Pack
Personal Medical Kit
Chapstick/Sunscreen
Water bottle
Large Duffel bag
Trekking Pole
Spare batteries for the Camera and Flash Light
Hand Towel
Headlamp with extra Batteries
Sun Glasses with UV protection
Suitcase (Stored in Kathmandu hotel for not needed items for trek)
Upper mustang is border with Tibet, so the geographical structure is very similar to Tibet. Every year thousands of tourist come to visit this unique himalayan landscape.More than that it has various features as unique landscape, traditional culture customs, Ancient buddhist monuments,historical monasteries and human habitat caves.
In Nepal, there are four different seasons such as Spring, Summer, Autumn and winter. Spring and Autumn are most popular for trekking in Nepal.But the best season of your travel might be differ as per your purpose and your suitable time for travelling in Nepal. But as Upper mustang is land of high alpine desert,so monsoon is also the best season to travel to upper mustang.
Upper Mustang is restricted area, So the permit is comparatively expensive than in other regions.
1) ACAP permit
2) Restricted area permit
a. Lomanthang Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5)
b.Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5)
c.Baragung Muktichetra Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 3 and Satang Village of ward no.5)
USD 500 per person (for the first 10 days)
USD 50 per person /Day (beyond 10 days)
Safety is our first concern. As we provide the experienced guides and leaders for the particular trip who are well trained about the high altitude sickness, first aid ,friendly attitude and ability to provide useful and important instructions. All our itineraries are designed with proper acclimatization days in order to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. In every group we provide the first aid kit bag incase of any injury and emergency.
Along the trail to Upper Mustang, there are well facilited lodges are available with various types of foods. We provide you three meals a day with your own choice. We always provide the seasonal fruits as well. We always book in lodges with well management and facilit. if you buy single supplementory package you will get single room.
There are regular flights between Jomsom and Pokhara, It is just 20 minutes flight, they follow the route via Kaligandaki valley. Jomsom is the very windy place so only morning time is good for flight.
After your arrival in Kathmandu airport, we recommand to buy One ncell sim card. In western region, ncell works until Jomsom and khagbeni. Above that there is good internet facility in every lodges.
Spring season starts from March, but until third week of march tempreture will still be cold even in day time. But actually tempreture depends on weather, if weatheris mild tempreture ranges from 10-15 Degree Centigrate.If the weather is clear, days will be warm.After the April it will be warm with sunny weather. Especially in Morning and Evening time will be little cold.
Autumn season starts from September, September will still be warm even the weather is not good. From october normally in morning and everning will be cold.
You can pay by oriegn currency as well, but the exchange rate will not be same as Kathmandu, so we recommand you to exchage the money in kathmandu and take a nepalese Rupees. Only some place in Mustang there is credit card payment facility.
No, to get the permit there should be atleast two people.
1) Physical Fitness
One should be physically fit before to do the any trekking and mountaineering. It is long hike so without any training the first two/three days will tough for you. So some basic physical fitness like squat, Mountain climbers ( which can be done in home),running,biking , stair climbing,and swiming will help lot to do trekking in the mountains, so it is highly recommanded 2/3 months prior to your departure for the trekking or mountaineering.
(2)Foods and Drinks
While in the mountain, it is highly recommanded you to drink plenty of fluids like water,soups, teas as well as foods. We will provide the sufficient and hygiene food as per your choice in whole trek.However some private snacks as chocolates bars, cookies are also highly recommanded which you can take from kathmandu or you can buy on the way in lodges or in shops.
(3)Drinking water
One should drink at least 3-4 litres of water every day in order to get hydrated the body which helps lot to be away from altitude sickness.Although bottled waters are not highly recommanded as well as we are environmentally sensitive. But in Annapurna region the bottled mineral water is not in. We highly recommend you to carry the reusable water bottle and buy boiled water in lodges/teahouse which also makes your sleeping bag very warm while going to bed, to use sterpin or take chlorine or iodine tablets to purify the drinking water and there is facility of filtered water on the way for Rs 50 Per litre( equivalent to 50 Cents).
(4)Best time to Travel
Spring ( Mar-May)and Autumn ( Sep- Nov) are known as best months to trek in Nepal becuase of the stable clear dry skies which permits to enjoy the spectacular mountain views but mostly lodges, hotels and trails are busy and crowded. Spring season is pleasant and suitable with warm tempreture for trekking and climbing the big mountains as well. At this time in every mountain there will be groups to climbing and conquering the summits. At the same time in Upper Mustang , In third month of Tibetan calender, around In May, there will be famous festival Tiji(Tenche),which includes Cham ( Monks Dances), Burning the effigy of Damons made by barley grain and butter.
Untill end of october, the tempreture will be mild cold. Weather will be stable with clear blue sky, dry at the same time you will get the chance to experience the many hidus festivals like dashain and Tihar. In spring the rhododendron forest covering the whole area in Annapurna basecamp and Gorepani area.But Upper Mustang is the place of desert , looks always dry.Winter and summer are also good if you would prefer less crowdy, and ready to face the some challanges like snow, cold, and rain.Even in winter weather will always be clear but the these three months are coldest month of the year and sometimes snow falls. In Summer, It is very good to do trekking, tempreture will be warm, those who are keen to botanist, summer is the best but the due to unstable weather the views of mountains are very rare.
5) Altitude Sickness
Trekking in Upper Mustang area is one of the popular and expensive trekking route in Nepal.In high altitude , the mass of oxygen will be less, so everyone feels difficult to breath as well as mild headache, dizziness etc.This is one of the biggest challanges in mountain.In the altitude, there are many rules to make our body adaptable to the altitude. Acclimatization is one of the important factor to adjust our body get used to the altitude. All our itineries are designed with proper acclimatization.The most important rules that we have to follow in altitude is walk slowly, keep drinking plenty of fluids as water , soups etc to make our body hydrated, and keep our body warm. Our staffs and guide will always do their best as they can, eventhough incase of any sickness,injury one should avoid their rest trip and should come down.
(6)Travel Insurance
It is compulsory to buy the proper travel insurance policy with genuine insurance company, it should cover the emergency helicopter evacuation as well as medical treatment incase of severe injury or sickness and Policy should include coverage at the altitudes up to 5500 Mtr.
(7)Bag pack and duffel bag
Our duffel bag should be maximum 15kg including hand bag. Only the neccesary things should be packed and the stuffs which are not neccesary on trek will be stored in hotel in Kathmandu.One porter will carry max 30 Kg,among two clients one porter will be provided.
(8)Internet Connectivity and cell phone Signal
As per your arrival in Kathmandu airport, there you can buy nepalese Sim card ncell or you can buy anywhere around city. In Annapurna region Ncell signal works for phone call as well as internet connectivity in some part of places.But there is well facility of internet wifi in every teahouses or lodges so You can enjoy with social media or connects with your family, friends or loved one.
(9)Flight to/ from Pokhara, Kathmandu and Jomsom
For Upper Mustang Trek Pokhara is the entry gateway and Pokhara is ending point. From Pokhara there is road access to Upper mustang but the road is rough not pitched so flight is much more easy and comfortable than motor and which is highly recommanded. Jomsom is the windy place,After noon due to windy the flight to jomsom will be close.It takes 6-7 hours to Pokhara from kathmandu by motor and 35 minutes by flight and another 25 minutes to Jomsom from pokhara by flight and vice versa.It is absolutely your choice either to book flight or motor.
(10)Sanitation
In mostly places toilet are common and need to use the same toilet using by everyone else. Mostly place there may not be available of hand washing water, so highly recommend to take hand sanitizer by yourself and most importantly toilet papers or wet tissue paper should always be in your day bag.
(11)TIMS and Conservation Area permit
To enter in Annapurna region you have to buy Annapurna conservation Area project (ACAP) entry permit and TIMS permit,the cost will be included in trip cost.Your guide will manage everything. For that you have to provide 2 passport sized photos. Below is the permit details of Upper Mustang Trek.
Regions/Rural Municipality
Permit Fee
Upper Mustang
Lomanthang Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5)
Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5)
Baragung Muktichetra Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 3 and Satang Village of ward no.5)
USD 500 per person (for the first 10 days)
USD 50 per person /Day (beyond 10 days)
(12)Guiding and staffing
In Annapurna region average walk per day is 6-7 hours. Leisurely and pleasant guiding will definitely take you to destination. More you gaining altitude more hard to walk. Only toughest day in this trek is to cross the Thorang la pass , that day we should start quiet early .Your experieced guide and porter will always be there to help you in every moment.Guide is the key factor for the every challanging in mountain so one should follow the instruction of guide pleasantly.Every day after dinner your guide will do brief about the next days trip.
(13) Budgeting
Budgeting depends upon many factors specially in Kathmandu where there are too many choices.Hotels in Kathmandu include in trip cost on basis of BB plan. So average expenses per day in Kathmandu will be Rs 2000 for lunch and Dinner, if you prefer some other activities as drinks, to do massage, or to go in bar/pub Rs 5000 ( equivalent to USD 50 ) is enough. On the trek, all the meals and hot drinks will be provided by company, Extra expeses as Hot shower, battery charging, wifi, boiled water for bottle, extra snacks bars, Soft drinks and hard drinks should borne by oneself,In average Rs 2000(eqivalent to 20 USD) is enough on the trek. Finally few tipping is highly recomended and compulsory in the last day to your guide and porter as per your budgeting.