Upper Mustang Trek 14 days Itinerary 2022 & 2023

Upper Mustang Trek is the ultimate distance of the Last Forbidden Kingdom village trek that allows you to discover the hidden world of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Mustang. No place is more remote than this. Despite its inaccessibility, Mustang has been protected from mass tourism for a long time and is known as one of the last bastions of traditional Tibetan culture. Taking a trek in the Upper Mustang is one of the most fascinating experiences in the Himalayas due to its long, rich, and complex history. Lo Manthang has a height of 3,840 meters above sea level, and the Kara La Pass in Tibet has a height of 4,660 meters, making it one of the closest border points with Tibet.

Lo Manthang (3,800m) was established in 1380 and is the capital of the Upper Mustang. Jomsom is approximately 90 kilometers away. During Nepal’s monarchy, the city was part of one of the kingdoms. Lo Manthang is also known as a walled city of Upper Mustang as a result of its wall. It is home to approximately 900 Lhobas. About 20 kilometers west of Korala lies the Tibetan border. The local people continue to trade goods via this route with Tibet. This route is not currently open to immigration. 

This itinerary explores the Tibetan plateau desert land and was opened in 1992 when King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah was the King of Nepal. It is a scenic alternative route trek that cannot be compared with other Nepalese Himalayan treks. In order to access the Upper Mustang Valley, all trekkers need a special permit, which costs $500 per person for 10 days and $50 per person for each additional day, though the permit cost is included in our package.

Furthermore, the Upper Mustang Trek itinerary begins with a scenic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, followed by a trek to Kagbeni located at 2,810 meters above sea level. On the second part of the trip, we will trek 5 hours to Chele 3,050 m, then to Gilling 3,570 m, then to Ghami, Tsarang, and Lo Manthang, with one more rest day in Lo Manthang to visit Chosar village. Lastly, we will trek back to Jomsom via Ghargompa monastery. 

The Culture and Religious

Upper Mustang (Lo Manthang) culture and religion, the people follow Tibetan Buddhism, a sacred sanctuary of Buddhist monasteries and spinning prayer wheels, traditional Tibetan lifestyles, harmony outlined through varied landscapes, villages which are the main attraction for tourists, as well as completely different languages and cultures.

Geologically, the upper Mustang is part of the Primitive Nepal plateau, but its inhabitants are Tibetan-Nepali and are a separate kingdom; the historical capital is recognized as Upper Mustang, and permissions permits are issued by Nepal’s Department of Immigration.

Farming Crops

It is known that In The Upper Mustang Territory there is less rainfall due to the dry and windy geographical lands, the rainfall amounts are about 800 mm per year, the Farmer plants only wheat and potatoes in these lands due to the lack of rainfall, however, the irrigation yield systems area also does not work due to the geographic location. Although Apple and Peach fruits are the best crops and better income sources, the Mustang brandy that is developed by Machhapuchchhre Distillery Pvt. Ltd. has good markets abroad.

The Trail

Although high mountainous terrain sometimes feels quickly tiring, the upper mustang trek is easy to get to, with the gradual ascent in good conditions. It does not require any technical skills, just normal hiking is fine. In addition, there are also alternative options if necessary, such as hiring horses or taking a drive-by jeep to the upper Mustang-Lo Manthang Kingdom if required.

Lo Manthang side trip

day hike side trip from Lo Manthang is Chooser monastery and cave, which is beautiful yak and horse grazing dry land, high range plateau with gray mountainous similar valley like an Upper Dolpo Trek ultimate plateau. From Lo Manthang to KARA LA Pass China border is just 4 hours driving by bike, many Nepalese bike rider tours visit the border by bike.  it is an adventure ride in the snow.

Accommodations on the Mustang trek

In all of the places you visit during your upper Mustang Trek, you will find a nice and clean tea house. However, the dining hall and lobby tend to be dusty during the daytime because of the more windy inflow valley, the same as in Jomsom and Kagbeni, the wind inflow became stronger at 1122 LST, in the daytime. However, after 4 Pm, it will disappear completely from the ground levels as well.

What is the best season?

Trekking to Upper Mustang’s best season is Monsson time, this region is what we call rain shadow trek, so May, June, July, August, September, and Oct is the best time. several trekking territories are the best trek to do during the Monsoon season, Upper Dolpo, Annapurna Circuit, and Upper Mustang.

What’s so special about us?

In the wilderness trek in Nepal, you will be provided with an experienced expert guide that specializes in only the upper mustang trek. If there is an emergency, you are in good hands as your guide speaks fluent English, is well educated, and is well acquainted with the Upper Mustang region, Culture, and local people. Our full board package trip is very competitively priced for couples and small groups, if there are any emergencies, we will handle them.

Upper Mustang to Nar Phu Valley

There is an adventure trekking pass that continues across the Saribung pass via the Damodar Kunda glacier and a pass over 6000m with the possibility of climbing Saribung Peak (6,346m), before arriving in the isolated Narphu valley. Technically, this circuit is not challenging. However, one must be in excellent physical condition to keep up with the fast pace and the many days spent at very high altitudes.

Why was the upper Mustang region restrictive? 

Despite the fact that Upper Mustang was a restricted demilitarized region until 1992, this made it one of the most preserved areas on earth because of the relative isolation it enjoys from the outside world. From the top of the Annapurna Circuit, the valley is running south to north. It reaches the border with Tibet, hence the majority of the population still speaks traditional Tibetan languages.

Upper Mustang trip Highlights

• Get a glimpse of the sunset on Phewa Lake
• Scenic flight to Jomsom 
• Kaligandaki Gorgeous Valley
• The Mustang Eco-Museum 
• Explore Tsarang village 
• Temple courtyard.
• Lo Manthang former capital of the Kingdom 
• Thubten Gompa
• Jampa Gompa
•  Chodey Gompa