Upper Mustang Trek
A trans-Himalayan kingdom in the rain-shadow of Annapurna. Tibetan Buddhist culture, ancient cave-monasteries, and the walled city of Lo Manthang.
Restricted area CulturalRestrictedMonsoon-friendlyTibetan Buddhist
Days
14
Max elevation
3,810 m
Distance
95 km
Difficulty
Moderate
Route
Out and back
From
NPR 2,20,000
The route, mapped
Click any waypoint
The route
Upper Mustang remained closed to foreigners until 1992. The trek climbs from Kagbeni into the former Kingdom of Lo — a high-desert landscape of red cliffs, hand-painted gompas and the medieval walled capital of Lo Manthang (3,810 m). Because it sits in the Himalayan rain-shadow, this is one of the few treks that runs through monsoon. Restricted area: minimum two trekkers, licensed guide, and agency-issued Restricted Area Permit (currently USD 500 / 10 days).
- Starts
- Jomsom (2,720 m)
- Ends
- Jomsom (2,720 m)
Day by day
143 km · 65 hrs walking
- Day 1Pokhara → Jomsom (flight)Mountain flight into the rain-shadow0 km · 0h2,720 m
- Day 2Jomsom → KagbeniGateway to Upper Mustang11 km · 4h2,810 m
- Day 3Kagbeni → CheleCross the restricted-area checkpoint13 km · 6h3,050 m
- Day 4Chele → SyangbocheCliff-villages, red canyons16 km · 7h3,475 m
- Day 5Syangboche → GhamiMani wall — Nepal's longest12 km · 6h3,520 m
- Day 6Ghami → CharangCharang gompa & royal palace ruins10 km · 5h3,560 m
- Day 7Charang → Lo ManthangEnter the walled capital9 km · 5h3,810 m
- Day 8Lo Manthang → Lo ManthangDay-trip to Chhoser cave monastery12 km · 6h3,810 m
- Day 9Lo Manthang → Ghar GompaVisit Nepal's oldest gompa15 km · 7h3,950 m
- Day 10Ghar Gompa → GhilingDifferent return route13 km · 6h3,570 m
- Day 11Ghiling → ChhusangLong descent18 km · 7h2,980 m
- Day 12Chhusang → JomsomBack via Kagbeni14 km · 6h2,720 m
- Day 13Jomsom → Pokhara (flight)Return flight0 km · 0h820 m
- Day 14Pokhara → DepartureRest day0 km · 0h820 m