Upper Mustang Trek
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15 Days
Duration
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4130m
Max Altitude
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Moderate
Trip Grade
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2-14
Group Size
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SEP to JAN & FEB to AUGUST
Best Season
Trip Highlight
- Scenic flight Pokhara to Jomsom
- Involve the Thakali lifestyles and their cultures.
- Enjoy the hike with Surrounded by charming red hills.
- Impressive Tibetan styles local villages and their lifestyles.
- Glances of the picturesque Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
- Picturesque historical and religious Manastries.
- views of Tibetan plateau by Tibet border.
- Trekking into the wilderness within scenic villages.
- Historical and religious of Lo manthang, Yara, Ghar Gumpa.
- Home of Mustang Raja ( king)- oned ruled the forbidden kimdom- Lo manthang.
- Breath-taking red hills and caves walks.
- Roaming around the amagize local villages.
- Impressive Buddhist monasteries along the local villages.
- Oppertunities to see Yaks and cows with herders.
Trip Overview
“Get lost in nature and you will find yourself.”
With the interesting, enriching and adventurous trail, Upper Mustang trek is done around the Trans Himalayan Mustang region in the northern central region of Nepal. Located in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri massif Upper Mustang is beyond comparison one of the most breathtakingly beautiful regions with out of the ordinary and far-flung treks.
Some major highlights of our Upper Mustang trek include following old salt-trade caravan trails into Mustang’s windswept humps of mountain desert remote areas of immemorial Himalayan Kingdom atop of the Kali Gandaki River where you can taste the locally made delicious apple products as well. Trekkers traverse through virtual treeless barren landscapes and with endless expanses of yellow and grey hills eroded by winds where they shall be presented with dreamlike geographical landscapes along with the historical places of Lo-Manthang, natural graces, rivers, and its ancient caves. Being fairly tough our trek requires trekkers to have an above-average fitness capacity to walk on hilly terrain lies & is best preferred during February to Mid-June and September to December. Approach this land and get your mind blown by this distinctive region.
Overview Itinerary
Day 01 - Arrival Day in Kathmandu (823m)
Day 02 - Sightseeing/Trek preparation day
Day 03 - Drive or flight to Pokhara(790m) 6-7 hrs drive or 25 minutes flight
Day 04 - Fly to Jomsom (2720m) trek to Kagbeni (2930m) 5 hours
Day 05 - Kagbeni to Chele (3560m) 6 hours
Day 06 - Chele to Giling (3580m) 7 hours
Day 07 - Giling to Charang (3590m) 7 hours
Day 08 - Charang to Lo manthang (3870m) 5 hours
Day 09 - Sightseeing /Day exploration
Day 10 - Lo manthang to Drakmer ((3620m) 7 hours
Day 11 - Drakmer to Syangbochen (3490m) 6 hours
Day 12 - Syangbochen ( 3510m) to Chhuskang (2970m)
Day 13 - Chhuskang to Jomsom (2720m) via Kagbeni (2910m)
Day 14 - Fly back to Pokhara (790m)
Day 15 - Drive or flight to Kathmandu (823m)
Day 16 - Departure to Home
Day to Day Itinerary
Once you land at the airport in Kathmandu, one of our representatives will meet you there. He will guide you to your hotel through the winding valleys of Kathmandu. In the evening, explore the nearby street vendors and food stalls to map a rough picture of Kathmandu. Those food stalls are a wonderful place to grab the taste of Nepal.
Sightseeing around Kathmandu is probably the most engaging activity in Nepal. Explore the classic architecture of Patan Durbar Square and submerge in the spiritual ambiance of the Pashupatinath Temple. What’s more, feel the aesthetic charm of 8th century gigantic Boudhanath Stupa and revel in the rewarding viewpoint of Swayambhunath temple. Around the periphery of these architectural wonders, there are several souvenir stalls and handicraft vendors displaying the fine works of craftsmanship. If you get free time in the late afternoon then, it is better to catch a 20 mins walk to Kathmandu Durbar Square from Thamel. What is so better than sipping a cup of tea in front of the time-honored heritage of Kathmandu?
The distance between Kathmandu and Pokhara is just 200 km, but it takes over 7 hours to reach there by road. The primary reasons for this delay are the winding highways and unpredictable traffic jams. Despite that, this road trip rewards you with some of the unparalleled views of the deep valleys, traditional settlements, terraced farm fields, and lush alpine forests of Nepal.
Flight (30 min) is another option to reach Pokhara. The plane flies over the lush hills and overlooks the wonderful views of the Machhapuchre peak from the window of the airplane.
Choose the best option that fits your interest.
Early morning we take the flight to Jomsom through the views of the Dhaulagiri range, Nilgiri, Annapurna, After landing the administrate capital at Jomsong we the hit the trail alongside the Kali Gandaki river with the view of the Nilgiri and Annapurna range to Tibetan influenced village Kagbeni which is the most ethnically Tibetan in last unrestricted area. Once when we get Kag Beni then ready to look around the Traditional Tibetan village and Monastery.
Today we enter the restricted area along the Kali Gandaki river to Chussang village via Tangbe with a view of the amazing valley and intriguing caves, we eat lunch in Chhusang and soon we cross the bridge( Kaligandaki River) just before the reaching the Chele village which is situated bottom of the Syaar hill. Enjoy the view of the dry peak and intriguing caves.
We start our day ascending up to Taklam pass ( 3625m) with views of the Amazing Nilgiri mountain and intriguing caves, when we reach the top of the trail then walk is fairly level to Samar village, we then walk little up and descend to a small river and gradual up to Vena, we eat lunch in vena and start climbing again to amazing viewpoint named Darjuri pass (3730m), Have views of the dry valley up to Mustang from the viewpoint and descend Zigzag rough trail to Syangboche, the trail goes gradually little up and gradually down to Giling, An beautiful Tibetan influenced village contains of the wheat, Buckwheat , potatoes and green forests. By late afternoon , look around the Monastery and village at Giling and overnight hotel.
we start our hike gradually descend north-west to Nyi pass( 3870m) which is the southern boundary of the upper mustang with the view of the dry mountains and caves to Gami. Up and down to Gami through the Tibetan Mani walls and intriguing caves' views. We then eat lunch and head down to the Gami river, After crossing the Gami river we gradually climb to top, again amazing views of the upper Mustang. From the top, we descend to Charang village which is rich in another village for Tibetan cultures and lifestyles and monasteries. then time to look around beautiful Gami village including monasteries which are Tibetan influenced, very rich of the Tibetan Buddhist cultures.
Leaving the hotel soon we cross the bridge then follow the main trail to Lo Manthang, Fairly level trail above the Kali Gandaki river with some up and down to Lomanthang, today views are excellent with many top hills capped by forests. Just before reaching the destination today, we see spectaculars views of the Hidden historic town Lo manthang surrounded by ring rounded dry hills capped by forest and snowy mountains in the north. Lo manthang used to run by their own Kings (Raja), still, we can see the building of king palace of Lo manthang. Rich of Tibetan influenced Monasteries and intriguing caves its own cultures and lifestyles.
We explore the kingdom of the Mustang starting first from Chhuskar cave, Sky caves and monasteries around the Chuskar village and back to Lomanthang, we then eat lunch and start to explore the Kingdom of Upper mustang and center of its cultures, Manastaries, temple, and big statue seated Buddha in Chapa Lakhang that dates back to 15th century. Each monastery has monk to explain the history of every monastery and temple, well-managed community to introduce you to every historic and religious site. by evening have some time to shop old and ancient Buddhist Thanka to contribute the locals' skills, Unforgettable kingdom in Upper Mustang.
Today we head down to Gami though the higher route crossing the Dhi Pass (4100m) with the splendid views of the Snowy Mountains and Oasis of the Green valley Charang. After crossing the Di Pass soon we cross the bridge and look around the Ghar Gompa which is the oldest monastery in Upper mustang We then eat lunch here and continue gradually up to another pass then walk goes steep down to Drakmer, An village in the bottom of the intriguing caves with the view of the green hills,
Now the way becomes fairly lever for an hour and cross the bridge to Ghami.we then start climbing for 1:30 to pass, again splendid vies of the intriguing caves and forests capped hill. Now walk goes down to close to Giling and follows the trail to Syangbochen, Now the tail becomes fairy level to Syangbochen. A tropical Tibetan influenced town with the views of the Hill and Cave
Leaving the hotel soon we start climbing the Dorjori Peak (4100m), we then walk slowly down to Samer via Vena. Eat lunch at Samer and walk down via Taklam pass (3620m) to Chele with the views of the Annapurna, Nilgiri and intriguing caves. After Chele soon we cross the Kali Gandaki River and onwards to Chhusang. Nice place in the bank of the Kali Gandaki river.
Today we trek Restricted area until KAgbeni, Once we reach Kagbeni then we are in an unrestricted area and eat lunch in Kagbeni and onwards to Jomsom along the Kaligandaki river(windy Valley). Complete the flight Confirmation for next day flight from Jomsom to Pokhara.
Early in the morning hea to the airport and fly back to pokhara through the splendid views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and lower part of the Kali Gandaki river. When we reah Pokhara then time to rest. Look around the lake of Pokhara.
Return to Kathmandu via the same route you have been before. It still has the charm to surprise you.
Transfer to the airport and say goodbye to Nepal, mountains and peoples until next time
Includes:
- International and domestic airport transfers on private jeep or bus.
- 3 Night Accommodation in 3 stars hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu.
- Flight tickets from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu.
- 2 night accommodation in standard hotel inPokhara.
- Flight ticket from Pokhara to Jomsom and Jomsom to Pokhara.
- Twin-sharing/double bed room in guest house during the trek.
- Private jeep to trek starting point and from trek ending point to Kathmandu.
- English speaking, experienced trekking guide- Trained by Nepal government.
- Required trekking permits (Annapurna conservation area fee and TIMS card)
- Porters (2 clients get 1 porter) to carry clients backpack during the trek.
- Farwell dinner in Kathmandu before your departure.
- Duffle bag (only for trek) and free T-short for clients.
Excludes:
- Your international flight tickets fare.
- Nepal visa (you can apply Nepal visa at Tribhuvan international airport easily)
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
- Beverages such as cold drinks, alcohol drinks.
- Traver insurance to cover the risk and emergency evacuation.
- Your Personal trekking gear and equipment.
- Personal expenses which are not included in package.
- Tips for guide and porters.
FAQ's
Well experienced local guides and proper mountain porters and well management are main rules to make our customers satisfied. Experiences of the two decades in tourism sector managing their trekking plan and others activities properly to make their ’s dream to bring into the reality according to our customer’s interest, time and trekking areas. We focus on suitable, comfortable and safety plans for our valuable guests to experiences doing mainly trekking, climbing and any tours without ant obstacles. Our team always focus on to provides services to meet our guests ‘s targets, destination and aims in the remote areas of the Himalaya with open heart.
We are easy going local company to manage every single plan for our guests according to their interest. What we say is” GUEST IS GOD”. We value the guests first in our business. What we have is experienced staffs to manage every single thing easily in proper way. Well experienced field staff such as Guides and helpers/porters are the main back bone to stand among you to provides best services. “COME AS A GUEST GO AS A FRIEND”.
We spent more than two decades supporting to the local people in remote area of Nepal. We always provide proper local guides for the proper trekking area/routes. All guides are trained by Nepal government with some training of the First aids. All field staffs are selected sincerely to make sure you are in right in high mountains. Friendly Nepal team is coordinating to peoples who are scattering on the all over the world. I hope our two-decade working experiences in mountains and management in tourism sector may help you to explore the Nepal with confident with right people!!!
We can rent or hire, most of the trekking gear in Kathmandu/Nepal such as a four-season sleeping bag, Puffy down jackets, Micro pikes, trekking shoes, and others. we help you to hire or rent all required trekking gear before your trekking.
Hired trekking gears are must to keep safely if rented gears found damaged then you need to pay the same coast of the gear. You should keep certain amount of money to rent trekking gears. Normally, Trekking gears shop keep deposit $ 100 USD for a sleeping bag and a Puffy down jacket. Renting charge per day is approx. USD 1.50.
One of the re-presentative from Friendly Nepal treks come with private bus or car to pick you up from Tribhuvan airport and drop you in your guest house. With your details of the international flight and your full name, they will be standing in front of the arrival gate in Nepal airport.
Easily you can recognize the staff from Friendly Nepal treks with their T-Short and your name in holding bord. we always make you sure you are in right destination.
Tourists easily can apply their Nepali Visa upon the arrival in Tribhuvan Airport. It may take a few 30 minutes because same time a lot of tourists in the same process to obtain the Nepali Visa in Nepal Airport.
What you can do is please fill the all details to apply the Nepali Visa before landing the Tribhuvan Airport. It help you to obtain visa quicker than usual. You should bring passport photo copy and passport size Photo to apply the Nepali visa in the Nepal Airport.
Trekking in Himalayas are mostly remote. In modern days there are many choices of food menu in every guest house in mountains and serve you proper ordered food. You can enjoy with continental breakfast with fresh fruit as well as lunch and dinner with verities of continental American, Nepali, and Indian foods with hot soups. Most of the food in high mountain supply by helicopter or local porter. Mostly in mountain you get Potatoes items, rice Items, Pasta, Pizza items, breads items and proper vegetables.
Dhal Bhat is the well- known food in Nepal that you get everywhere, Food in mountain cook properly by proper experienced cook. Local food is mostly organic and grown in same region. So, you can enjoy your trek with proper food in high Himalaya. We suggest you to have local food which are grown locally by local peoples.
You can leave your non-trekking gears in Kathmandu hotel safely. Every Hotel, they have proper safe store room to keep the non-trekking gears for the Hotel guests.
Hotel provides you TAG/receive to make sure that your non trekking gears or others backpack are stored in certain hotel. You get your stored belonging when you want. You no need to pay any money to store your luggage.
You can leave your non-trekking gears in Kathmandu hotel safely. Every Hotel, they have proper safe store room to keep the non-trekking gears for the Hotel guests.
Hotel provides you TAG/receive to make sure that your non trekking gears or others backpack are stored in certain hotel. You get your stored belonging when you want. You no need to pay any money to store your luggage.
1 porter carry 20-25 kg in high Himalaya in trekking. We have weight limit for Porters because they need to carry their backpack too, So, 20 kg per porter is quite limit weight excluding porter bag pack.
Every 2 guests get 1 porter. Porter are main backbone of the trekking. And good supporters.
Mid-winter treks are getting popular in Nepal. And numbers of tourists are increasing in mid-winter. The data of the report of every trekking areas shows that mid-winter trekkers are increasing in good way.
All are related with global warming, and high glaciers are melting unusually. So, number of tourists are trekking in Nepal in mid- winter. However, you need well preparation with right trekking gears to deal with minus temperature.
You get warm and nice hot shower every day if you want. Every guest house they have hot shower service, mostly you get hot shower which runs by electricity or cooking gas.
Per shower, per person cost approx $5 USD. In some trekking region such as Dolpo, Manaslu, Kanchejanga and other remote area them don not have proper hot shower but provide hot buckets water for shower.
We value the safety of yours in mountain or anywhere in Nepal. So, highly suggested to bring travel insurance to cover mighty accident or if anything went wrong to anybody in unexpected ways in remote trekking route. Travel insurance help you to cover your expenditure if you need emergency rescue from mountain to nearest hospital or treatment in Nepal.
Equally travel insurance give you mentally secure and you will find life is safe with travel insurance.
Safe drinking water is most important to make sure you are in good shape in mountain. We suggest you to get normal drinking water from water tap or gest house and use water purify tablets and wait 30 minute to drink.
Filtering the water from the river or water tap is the also best way to get safe drinking water in trekking but you should come with proper filtering water bottle.
Bottled- water also available to drink but we discourage to use bottled-water to keep environment clean.
We value your goal and always give first priority of what you want. So easily you can customize any trekking area according to you interest, time, we are quite flexible to customize your trekking as your request as can as possible.
Written plan in webpage may not work out for you sometime because of your interest and time or you want to extra days somewhere you like. This is most asked question for us and please feel free and we always customize or make any itinerary according to you interest, time.
Best months for the trekking are the September to Mid-January, which is known as Autumn season and mainly most of the trekkers love to trek during the Autumn because of the beautiful weather and clear days and less chance to get heavy snow in high mountain, Autumn coordinate best weather than others season.
During the Autumn season in high mountain weather would be sunny with plus temperature and some snow refreshment over 3000m. charming mountains are shine with stunning glacier with lush forest lower down.
Second best months are the February to mid-June, which is known as spring season. During the Spring season trekkers have opportunities to glance the colourful Rhododendron flowers in the elevation of the below 3000m and others alpine flowers blooms in late spring season. Weather would be little windy with some hailstones in hilly region and some snow refreshment in high mountain.
Number of solo women- trekkers are trekking in mountain and Nepal is the still safe country for the solo trekkers in mountain. Solo women always safe with Friendly Nepal.
Some exercises are important before the hitting the mountain, everyday running for 1 hour for few weeks, jugging, and Gym and stay active and proper food with high carb as well as jumping.
Hiking up and down every day makes your muscle strong and keep fit your body. Move around your body, push up and down, play food ball, volley ball and other game which gives you physical exercises.
Well mental preparation plays main roles to trek in Himalayas. Be positive with mountains, get enough information regarding the coming trek. And Planning well to get ready to climb up and down.
Depend on where you are going to trek, somewhere in big town they may have ATM machine to draw the money but most of the trekking places in mountain there are not any ATM, So Credit cards is not worth using in mountain.
Make sure getting enough cash with some contingency budget for the trekking.
It cost you depend how much you spend. Approx $ 20-25 USD is quite enough for additional expenditures. You can buy water, chocolates, coffee and Biscuits and others fancy things.
Minus 10 sleeping bags require from September to November and minus 20 sleeping bags require from early December to mid- January). In case of the weather change in high mountain then you get extra banket in additional cost.
You can charge easily your batteries, cell phone, camera in trekking/mountains. When you are in the mountain region the, every guest house have sollar systems to charge you electric equipment, make sure charging your batteries before the sun go down. At least you get chance to charge your batteries, and other electric equipment.
Note: if weather get change in unusual situation then no any charging in high mountains because of the no sun.
Definitely you get enough boiled or hot water in trekking in the additional cost.In Annapurna, Langtang and Manaslu and mustang, hot water is little cheaper than in Everest , Makalu, Kanchenjang.
It cost you $2 -5 USD per litter for the boil water in trekking.
You should bring passport size photos -4 pieces.
Passport photo copy – 1 Piece.
Your Travel insurance’s Photo copy -1 piece.
Sure, you can extend the trekking days during the trek, just coordinate with guide and company few days ago you decided.
Some people may like to stay somewhere in nice places more days more than written plan or spend more time in KTM or Pokhara or somewhere.
You can extend your trekking with extra days.
Depend where you are trekking, there are internet services in mountain, If you are trekking in Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu and Upper mustang then easily you get internet services in every guesthouses in additional cost.
If you are trekking in far remote areas such as Kanchejanga, Upper Dolpo and Narphu Valleys then internet services are limits.
Risk and Liabilities
- Avoid the Altitude sickness hiking slow, wearing warm cloths, drinking enough.
- Make sure having Personal medication for in case of any issue of health.
- Easily any hiker may get altitude sickness from wrong eating, poor gears.
- Hikers may get easily dehydred so drink enough treated water, 3-4 LTRs per
- Always let the guide know in case of feeling sick or anything wrong in mountains.
- If you lost your belonging by negligences, that might be your responsibilities.
- Always come with travel insurance which is must important in remore/mountain.
- Pay attention whilst you are trekking in the gedge of the river, glaciers, high passes.
- Use trekking pole in the edge of the hill and rivers sides.
- Make sure having proper trekking gear before the trek.
- Always keep your valuable Dacuments with you.
Ljudmila A
SloveniaHighly recommended.
Ljudmila A Slovenia Oct 2018 • Friends Santa Badhur was our guide on few treks in Nepal from 2009 to 2018.First time we did together the EBC Trek, then he organized the Trek around Manaslu. We did together the Trek in Mustang and in 2018 we did together the EBC with Annapurna Base camp and Renjo la pass. Santa is a great guide, who knows the mountains and trails very well. He is extremely reliable at all times, very considerate and helpful. With Santa, you are in good hands to enjoy and successful complete the your trek. Highly recommendable!!!
Ran L
United StatesUpper Mustang trek with great guide - Santa!
Ran L 16 days with Santa June 2021 • Solo I did a 15 day Nepal trek (without any real research????) with Santa Ghale. We did Upper Mustang trial to Lo Mangtang, Chhuskar Cave and Yara beautiful village and then doubled back for Chhusang and Jomsom. Santa was great; it was just he and I during January. He’s extremely knowledgeable, empathetic, kind and positive. He takes your safety and trek enjoyment very seriously and I highly recommend. Written June 18, 2021
Angila P
AustraliaFantastic experience! Helped us sort out the best trip we have ever been on!
Apr 2019 Santa is an extremely experienced and capable guide. He gives his regions of expertise as Upper mustang trek but he comes from Langtang, and seems to have trekked everywhere there is to trek in Nepal. I first trekked with Santa in 2008, and have returned in 2017 and 2019. I can certainly say that he really knows what he is doing. Everything is always perfectly organised, and he takes any change of plan in his stride without difficulty. Personally, he is a man of great dignity, integrity, sensitivity and intelligence. He is friendly without being intrusive. He is polite without being servile or patronising. He is as decent a bloke as you could hope to meet.
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