Upper Mustang Trek - 12-14 Days

Highlights

• Visit the ancient Kingdom of Lo Manthang
• Trek through a stark desert landscape with spires and cliffs
• Lying in the rain shadow, a great trek to escape the summer monsoon

Overview

Mustang - commonly referred to as 'Upper Mustang' - is a arid river valley that runs north-south off the upper corner of the Annapurna Circuit. Both culturally and geographically, it's more similar to Tibet than Nepal and used to form its own kingdom, with its capital in Lo Manthang (the turnaround point of your trek). Lying in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, and officially one of Nepal's restricted regions, this trek is known for its desert beauty and harsh, cliff-faced landscapes.

Best Season

Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, making it a great monsoon trek and open year-round for trekking. The main consideration is the winter, when most residents leave the capital to avoid the cold and snow. Generally, the best time to visit Upper Mustang is from March to early November.

Accessing this Trek

Jomsom is the starting point for almost all routes heading into the Upper Mustang region. Most people choose to fly between Pokhara and Jomsom (a 20-minute flight) to save time and to avoid the arduous bus or jeep journey by land. The official checkpost for the restricted region is Kagbeni, just north of Jomsom.

Standard Itinerary

The itinerary below starts and ends in the city of Pokhara, which is a 25-minute flight from Kathmandu. Your trip can also be organized from Kathmandu, according to your preference.

Extended Itinerary

If you're interested in a more unique perspective on the Upper Mustang and have the time, below is an extended version (by two days) of the trek that follows the eastern side of the Kali Gandakhi valley, as opposed to the more trodden, western route.

Please note: this itinerary involves longer hours of trekking each day and simpler accommodation.

Permits & Regulations

All trekkers heading into Upper Mustang (north of Kagbeni) are required to purchase a $500 per person permit, which is valid for 10 days. You can stay longer, but every day after that will cost $50. At Kagbeni, you'll be required to show your permit both on the way and the way out. In addition to the restricted permit, you'll also need to purchase an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which is $20 USD per person.

Accommodation & Meals

As with other treks in Nepal, teahouses are available along the entire trek in Upper Mustang. Teahouses are simple houses, often the home of the family that runs them, and offer basic meals in a communal eating hall along with bedrooms, usually with two single beds.

Standard Itinerary Price

Below is a list of what's included and excluded from the price for the standard itinerary.