Upper Mustang Trek
The Cliffs of Chuksang
Upper Mustang Trek
Upper Mustang Trek
Trip Details
- Destination: Nepal
- Trip Style: Trekking
- Accommodation: Hotel + Lodges
- Transportation: Tourist Bus
- Grade: Moderate
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
About Trip
Lower, Middle and Upper Mustang together form a unique region stretching from a little to the northwest of Pokhara up to the Tibetan border. The jewel in the crown, Upper Mustang is approached from Pokhara by either a long and adventurous road journey up the gorge of the Kaligandaki River; or by a short, unforgettable flight to Jomsom, with views of the Annapurna Range to the right and Dhaulagiri to the left. Upper Mustang is sometimes referred to as the last forbidden kingdom of Nepal. The culture is uniquely Tibetan, manifested in the local costumes, traditional houses and gompas (monasteries) while prayer flags, now banned in Tibet itself, flutter on the high passes and rooftops. Many travellers choose to coincide their visit with the famous Tiji Festival in the ancient capital of Lo Manthang but as everywhere is crowded and accommodation very limited at that time, Search Treks recommends Autumn (October and November), when Mustang’s distinctive cliffs and the foliage both glow golden and orange and the famous local apples are at their crispiest and best.
Although there are many treks in the Mustang region as a whole, the classic route is the Upper Mustang trek starting in Jomsom (2,743m) and finishing in Lo Manthang (3,840m). This is a dry and arid area, sometimes referred to as a semi-desert, with strong afternoon winds which whip up the dust. Beyond Kagbeni, 7km north from Jomsom, the region is a restricted area which requires all foreign tourists to have obtained a special 10-day permit (US$500) and to travel in groups of no less than two pax accompanied by a registered guide. (10 days is sufficient for most people but the length can be extended at a cost of US$50 per day). The trail goes through small and picturesque villages like Chhuksang and Ghami where teahouses and hotels providing refreshments and accommodation are readily available. An optional overnight stay in the peaceful Ghar Gompa provides an additional experience, complete with a sunrise view of the Annapurna range amid the prayer flags and chorten.
The return journey from Lo Manthang.is made by jeep, with, time permitting, the option of trekking from Chhuksang over the windswept Gyula Pass (4067m) and down to Muktinath.
Let Search Treks do all the paperwork and preparation for your trek and introduce you to this spiritual, unique region of Nepal. It will capture your heart for sure.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01: Arrival
- Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing
- Day 03: Drive / Flight to Pokhara
- Day 04: Drive / Flight to Jomsom, Trek to Kagbeni
- Day 05: Kagbeni to Chele
- Day 06: Chele to Syanboche
- Day 07: Syanboche to Charang
- Day 08: Charang to Lo-Manthang
- Day 09: Lo-Manthang Rest day, visit Gumpas, Monastries
- Day 10: Lo-Manthang – Drakmar
- Day 11: Drakmar- Shyangbochen
- Day 12: Shyangbochen-Kagbeni
- Day 13: 13. Kagbeni – Jomsom
- Day 14: Jomsom flight or drive to Pokhara
- Day 15: Drive / Flight to Kathmandu
- Day 01Arrival Airport representatives of Search Treks will receive you at Kathmandu Airport. You will be transferred to hotel in Thamel. Trip preparation will be done and introduction with trekking crew members will take place.
- Day 02Kathmandu Sightseeing Today we will take you to UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE sites of Kathmandu. You will be escorted by license holder tour guide to places like Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swyambhunath and Patan Durbar Square. If you want to visit Kathmandu Durbar Square you can stroll during evening.
- Day 03Drive / Flight to Pokhara We will take either 35 minutes of flight or take about 7 hours of highway bus drive to reach Pokhara. Either way you will be taken to Pokhara in the most comfortable way and terms stated in the accepted itinerary.
- Day 04Drive / Flight to Jomsom, Trek to Kagbeni We will take morning flight to Jomsom and from there start our walking after meeting with the rest of crew members. First day’s trekking is not very hard as we stroll along the Kali Gandaki River towards Kagbeni Village situated beneath the Muktinath Temple area on the banks of river.
- Day 05Kagbeni to Chele The trail takes us toward the east bank of the Kaligandaki stream. We cross a few edges to Tangbe town. This town is a maze of restricted rear ways among white washed houses, fields of buckwheat, grain, wheat and apple plantations. We can take in the perspective of the Nilgiri top which commands the southern horizon of Kagbeni. Past Tangbe we will achieve Chhusang town after around one and half hours strolling. We cross the stream and keep moving to a tremendous red lump of combination that has tumbled from the bluffs above, framing a passage through which the Kaligandaki streams. We leave the Kali Gandaki valley and climb steeply up a rough chasm to Chele.
- Day 06Chele to Syanboche Today we will climb the treeless, waterless landscape, at the edge of a tremendous soak gorge to a pass a stone cairn at 3540m. The trail at that point makes a long steady plunge to Samar town. The Annapurna, still commanded by Nilgiri, is noticeable far toward the south. We'll move up above Samar to an edge and plunge into a huge crevasse. The trail proceeds through another valley field, crosses a stream and trips up to an edge at 3800m. The course crosses another pass, takes after an edge and plummets to Shyangmochen. From here, we tenderly move to a go at 3770m and slide into Geling Village.
- Day 07Syanboche to Charang The trail climbs tenderly up to the intriguing go of NYI La and slides underneath the blue, dark and red precipices. We traverse the steel extension of the Tangmar Chu (stream) and land at the longest Mani divider in Mustang. We move over another go at 3,600 m and begin the long delicate plummet to Charang town. The huge five-story white Dzong and red Gompa are noteworthy attractions here. We can likewise watch the accumulations of statues, Thankas and other expansive works of art of the situated Buddha.
- Day 08Charang to Lo-Manthang Our trail climbs relentlessly until Lo-Gekar. Lo-Gekar Gompa is more seasoned than Samye Gompa in Tibet. It is in certainty one of the most seasoned Gompas the locale. In the wake of going to Lo-Gekar, we proceed with our upper Mustang trek to Lo-Manthang. The trail to Lo-Manthang is all around characterized with some minor climbing. We will pass the walled city of Lo along the trial, at that point make a short drop, cross a stream and move to the level of Lo-Manthang.
- Day 09Lo-Manthang Rest day, visit Gumpas, Monastries We will climb for two hours to Namgyal Gompa. This is arranged on a ridge and here is an essential religious community for the nearby group. It likewise underpins a nearby court. After our visit to Namgyal Gompa, we proceed with our visit to Tingkhar. This is the last town toward the northwest of Lomanthang with around 40 houses. In the wake of going by the two spots we will come back to Lomanthang. Overnight at a guesthouse - breakfast, lunch and supper included.
- Day 10Lo-Manthang – Drakmar Today our trail rises consistently and offers a keep going look at Lo Manthang before climbing an edge at 4070m and proceeding to the Chogo La (4210m/13810ft). This is the most astounding point on our Upper Mustang Trek. The trail at that point advances to a short, soak plummet and crosses the Charang River. We will move to Lo Geker and land at Ghar Gompa, a little cloister. We at that point climb the edge, cross a valley and elevated glades, and after that drop down a lofty disintegrated way to Drakmar.
- Day 11Drakmar- Shyangbochen The trail now drops, passing the stone dividers and fields of Drakmar before moving to an edge. It additionally slides to the lower some portion of Ghami and after that to Jaite (3820m), dropping again to Chhung-Kah. We keep on tama Gaon (3710m) and down to Shyangmochen.
- Day 12Shyangbochen-Kagbeni Our long climb now takes after a stream the distance down to Chhusang. We can likewise take an option course to Samar going by Ranchung Cave. We will further descend to the village of Kagbeni.
- Day 1313. Kagbeni – Jomsom We will stroll slowly for about 2 hours and reach Jomsom. Journey is very comfortable and we can have plenty of time to explore around Jomsom as well. We can enjoy the last day of trekking in our teahouse by throwing small party on the success of our trip.
- Day 14Jomsom flight or drive to Pokhara We will take morning flight from Jomsom or we can have option of traveling via road. If we travel by air we can get enough time to explore Pokhara as well. If we travel by bus then lower area of this circuit which is within Annapurna Round Trek also can be experienced.
- Day 15Drive / Flight to Kathmandu We will take about 40 minutes of flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. You will be transferred to hotel in Thamel. Search Treks & Expeditions will organize a farewell dinner with all the trekkers and management team discussing about experience of entire trekking.
Trip Video
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Rastislav Dutka
Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Published: Friday, July 1, 2022Arjun is the best
Either with my kids or alone, Arjun is a man you can rely on in the highest mountains of the world. I have spent with him many treks and have many fantastic memories. I truly recommend him for your next trip
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Tony Cook
Australia Published: Wednesday, May 15, 2019A motorcycling trip to Lo Manthang
This was an insane adventure which would have been impossible without the help of Arjun Rana who accompanied us on this journey. I am pretty sure we were the first people to ride form Pokhara to Lo Manthang by motorcycle (not all the way 12 Km with the motorcycles and…
