Upper Mustang trekking
1 500,00 €
Blue skies and ochre rock faces are what greets you in Upper Mustang. A landscape unique to this region, a culture dominated by Tibetan Buddhism, Mustang is nothing like the rest of Nepal. The trek leads you through some spectacular landscapes from the Kali Gandaki valley to Jharkot and Muktinath.
Tiji festival date : 1 June – 03 june 2027.
Mustang, a former kingdom beyond the Himalayas.
Once we reach the Mustang, we are travelling in a region dominated by Tibetan cultural influence. Villages, monasteries and chortens all speak of the culture of Tibet and the snowy peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri are seen in the background. Due to its geographical location.
Mustang, once a small Himalayan kingdom, has always maintained privileged links with Tibet, and in particular cultural and religious ties that dominate the life of the inhabitants. In addition, the absence of large passes made Mustang the ideal place of passage between India and Tibet through the valley of Kali Gandaki. This hike takes us to this well-preserved, partially isolated region of Nepal. The arid land of Mustang contrasts with the snow-capped peaks in the background. Lo Manthang, a fortified town with several monasteries, welcomes us for a cultural stopover.
- Nepal Country
- Hiking and trekking Thématique
- Moderate Difficulté
- 15 days Duration
- 11 days Hiking days
- 4 230 m Max. altitude
- Yes Guide
- Hôtel, Lodge Hébergement
- Kathmandu → Jomsom Departure / Arrival
- Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu Domestic flights
Scheduled departures
- 25 Apr. 9 May 2027 Planned 1 500 € per person
- 27 May 10 Jun. 2027 Planned 1 500 € per person
- 13 Jun. 27 Jun. 2027 Planned 1 500 € per person
- 11 Jul. 25 Jul. 2027 Planned 1 500 € per person
- 15 Aug. 29 Aug. 2027 Planned 1 500 € per person
- 12 Sep. 26 Sep. 2027 Planned 1 500 € per person
Itinerary
Flight to Kathmandu. Check-in at the hotel then a free day in the Thamel (Tourist area)
Morning flight to Pokhara (25-minute flight), then we take a jeep for a long drive to Mustang, The drive takes approximately 6-7 hours for 140 km.
Driving time: 6 hours ; Domestic flight: 25 minutes ; Jeep transfer: 1 hour
We drive along the banks of the Kali Gandaki by jeep, heading toward the beautiful village of Chhusang and its striking red cliffs. Shortly after, we begin our walk. The trail takes us into the impressive Kali Gandaki gorges, which we cross before a short climb up to the village of Chélé. From there, a path carved directly into the rock gradually climbs to Taklam Pass (3,650 m). We then enjoy a lovely descent to the village of Samar, where we settle in for the night.
Jeep transfer: about 1 hour
An easy day of walking as we cross several small passes between 3,600 and 3,800 meters, offering spectacular views to the south. After Syangboche, the trail descends to the village of Geling, overlooked by an ancient fortress and a Sakya school monastery, which we take time to visit.
We cross the Nyi La Pass (3,950 m) and Ghumi La Pass to reach the village of Ghemi (3,520 m) in time for lunch. In the heart of the village, we visit a small monastery surrounded by caves that once served as shelters from invaders. In the afternoon, we enjoy an easy climb framed by some of Mustang’s most dazzling scenery, with red cliffs towering above the village.
This is the longest day of the trek, although it presents no major challenges. We enjoy an easy climb to Mui La Pass (4,100 m) and visit Mustang’s oldest monastery, Ghar Gompa, of the Nyingmapa school, where the frescoes have been carefully restored. After lunch, we cross Marang Pass and descend into the stunning setting of Mustang’s capital, Lo Manthang.
A day to explore and relax in Lo Manthang, the tiny “capital at the edge of the world,” which flourished in the 15th century. We wander through the town’s winding streets to visit its two historic monasteries, Jampa Lhakhang and Tukche, where Italian teams are carefully restoring the stunning frescoes.
We climb to the small pass called Loday La at 3,950 m, then walk across a plateau reaching 4,050 m before descending toward Dhi. From there, we cross the Kali Gandaki and continue to the village of Yara.
We set out to visit Tashi Kabum Cave and Luri Gompa Monastery, home to beautiful 15th-century Buddhist frescoes. After the visit, we return to the same camp.
We cross a remote, rocky plateau, far from any settlements, before a short descent to the Dhechyang Khola (Black River), where numerous fossils can be spotted. We then climb to Sertang Pass (3,975 m) for a picnic, with breathtaking views of the Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri peaks. The day continues with a descent across several terraced plateaus down to the village of Tangge.
We set off early for a long day of trekking. After crossing the Yak Khola, we climb steadily to a pass at 4,150 m, followed by a short descent to enjoy lunch in Paha. The afternoon takes us along ridges before a steep descent into the Nursing Khola valley, ending at the village of Chhusang.
An easy day as we pass through the village of Tangbe and descend to Kagbeni for lunch. In the afternoon, we take a jeep ride along the windy Kali Gandaki riverbed all the way to Jomsom.
A beautiful driving descent through the Kali Gandaki valley brings us back toward Pokhara. The afternoon is free to relax and explore the Lakeside area. Domestic flight: 25 min Road transfer: 6 hours Accommodation: Middle Path & Spa or Batika, bed & breakfast Dinner: On your own
We explore some of Kathmandu Valley’s highlights, starting with the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, then the magnificent Bodhnath Stupa, and finally the imperial city of Patan.
Meals Self
Transfer to the airport for your departure.
Practical Info
– Walking times are approximate because they depend on the groups, photos and stops. As for the elevation differences, they are also general indications and not GPS readings. – Depending on the weather and operational conditions, the guide reserves the right to modify this itinerary for your safety.
What is included
- Transfers by private vehicle as per the itinerary (private jeep Pokhara
- Chhusang and Kagbeni
- Pokhara)
- 2 nights at the Holy Himalaya Hotel or similar in Kathmandu (bed and breakfast)
- 1 night at the Batika Hotel or similar in Pokhara (bed and breakfast)
- Nights in lodges with full board
- English-speaking guide for the trek (French-speaking guide for groups of 4 or more)
- ACAP and TIMS trekking permits
- One porter for every two participants and one sherpa for every four participants
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu with a vehicle and French-speaking cultural guide
- Meals as mentioned in the program
- Team insurance
What is not included
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Mandatory repatriation with search and rescue coverage insurance
- Personal expenses, drinks, hot showers in lodges, sleeping bag, battery charging during the trek, tips
- International flights
- Nepal Visa (30$ for 15 days)
- Mustang special permits pay by cash per day 50$ / person
- Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu flight (approx. 255$ per person; price may vary without notice)
- Supplement per single room for 3 nights in a hotel: 82$
- Entrance fees to cultural sites in Mustang (approx. 50$ per person)
- Entrance fees for heritage sites in Kathmandu
FAQ
Mustang offers a setting apart in the Himalaya: ochre canyons, arid valleys, sculpted cliffs, desert plateaus and immense skies. In summer, when the monsoon makes other regions of Nepal impractical, Mustang remains accessible thanks to its dry climate, sheltered by the Annapurna barrier. This summer trek reveals an extraordinary, almost lunar landscape, where the rock seems to bear the marks of wind and time. Walking through these mineral expanses means exploring another face of Nepal, at once harsh and fascinating.
Long closed to foreigners, Mustang retains a rare authenticity. Tibetan culture is alive here: you meet pilgrims, shepherds and craftspeople, moving through a world governed by the cycles of Buddhism, religious festivals and age-old traditions. The villages are true cultural strongholds where inhabitants live to an ancestral rhythm, between prayer and farming. This Upper Mustang trek is therefore much more than a hike: it is an immersion in an intact culture, still sheltered from the effects of mass tourism.
Mustang is home to an exceptional, often little-known religious heritage. From Lo Gekar monastery, considered one of the oldest in Nepal, to the walled city of Lo Manthang, the true cultural capital of the region, and the mysterious Luri Gompa, set into a cliff and adorned with centuries-old frescoes, each site tells part of a sacred history. Carefully restored, these places are true treasures of Tibetan art, where frescoes, manuscripts and stupas bear witness to a still-living devotion.
To reach or leave this isolated region, the flight between Jomsom and Pokhara is an experience in its own right. In a few minutes, the small plane crosses the deep valleys of the Kali Gandaki, flying over the deepest gorges in the world, with the snowy peaks of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri as a backdrop. This flight is a suspended moment, a spectacular transition between the mineral landscapes of Mustang and the green softness of the Pokhara hills.
