Upper Mustang Trek 14 Days [2026]

Upper Mustang Trek 14 Days [2026] – Lo M -
14 /Days

Upper Mustang & Kingdom (0 reviews)

Mustang Region

Upper Mustang Trek 14 Days [2026] – Lo M

The 14-Day Upper Mustang Cultural Trek journeys into the former forbidden Kingdom of Lo, a trans-Himalayan desert enclave preserved behind the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. Tracing ancient salt-trading caravan tracks north of Kagbeni, the trail winds past wind-eroded red sandstone canyons, sculpted fluted cliffs, and white-and-ochre painted Buddhist stupas. At the heart of the kingdom lies the medieval walled capital of Lo Manthang (3,810 m), where 14th-century gompas, royal courtyards, and prehistoric multi-story sky caves in Chhoser offer a living window into classic Tibetan culture.

Country Upper Mustang & Kingdom

Duration 14 Days

Difficulty Moderate

Activitytitle Trekking

Max. altitude 3,840 m

Best season Mar-May, Sep-Nov

Accommodation Tea House & Hotel

Meals Included

Start/End Point Kathmandu/ Pokhara - Kathmandu

Medieval Walled Capital of Lo Manthang and Royal Palace Heritage Medieval Walled Capital of Lo Manthang and Royal Palace Heritage

Ancient Sky Caves of Chhoser (Shija Jhong) and Cave Monasteries Ancient Sky Caves of Chhoser (Shija Jhong) and Cave Monasteries

Centuries-Old 14th Century Gompas: Thubchen, Jampa, and Chode Centuries-Old 14th Century Gompas: Thubchen, Jampa, and Chode

Dramatic Wind-Carved Red Sandstone Cliffs and Canyons of Dhakmar Dramatic Wind-Carved Red Sandstone Cliffs and Canyons of Dhakmar

Luri Gompa Cave Monastery and Oldest Tibetan Stupa at Ghar Gompa (8th Century) Luri Gompa Cave Monastery and Oldest Tibetan Stupa at Ghar Gompa (8th Century)

TRIP DATES

Availability

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TRIP DETAILS

Includes

What's Included

Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP, USD 500 allocation) and ACAP Permit
Round-trip domestic flights (Pokhara – Jomsom – Pokhara)
Government-licensed, experienced trans-Himalayan trekking guide and porter support team
13 nights lodge and teahouse accommodation along the route
All three daily meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) during trek days
Chhoser Sky Cave entry fees and local monastery conservation contributions
First aid medical kit, pulse oximeter monitoring, staff insurance, and government taxes

What's Not Included

International airfare and Nepal tourist visa fees
Travel and medical insurance with emergency high-altitude helicopter rescue coverage
Hotel accommodation and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara outside the set itinerary
Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and electronic battery charging fees at teahouses
Personal trekking equipment, optional horse rental in Lo Manthang, bottled drinks, and tips

14 DAYS

Itinerary

Follow our carefully planned Upper Mustang Trek 14 Days [2026] – Lo M itinerary, designed with proper acclimatization and comfortable trekking days throughout the journey.

Board an early morning scenic flight from Pokhara, gliding between the colossal walls of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to touch down on the mountain runway at Jomsom. Meet your Sherpa guide and porter team, then walk north along the windy riverbed of the Kali Gandaki. Arrive at Kagbeni, an ancient 500-year-old mud-brick border village, to explore its red monastery and clear the official police checkpoint into restricted Upper Mustang.

Day 1

Overnight: Day 1

Note:

Cross the checkpost and follow the eastern bank of the Kali Gandaki up the arid canyon. Pass the whitewashed village of Tangbe with its labyrinth of narrow alleys, apple orchards, and red-and-black painted chortens. Continue past the massive red sandstone cliffs of Chhusang, crossing the riverbed on a footbridge beneath eroded sky caves before making a steep climb up the cliff face to the ridge village of Chele.

Day 2

Overnight: Day 2

Note:

Climb out of Chele along a steep canyon path, crossing the passes of Taklam La (3,624 m) and Dawa La (3,660 m) with views across desert plateaus toward Damodar Himal. Descend into the small settlement of Samar for lunch, then walk through deep juniper-scented canyons, passing the sacred Chungsi Cave monastery where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century, before reaching Syangboche.

Day 3

Overnight: Day 3

Note:

Ascend gently over the Syangboche La pass, descending into the picturesque village of Geling with its 15th-century monastery. Climb steadily through the arid landscape to conquer Nyi La Pass (4,010 m), the southern boundary of historical Lo. Descend the winding switchback trail through barren hills into Ghami, a large village nestled beside terraced green barley fields.

Day 4

Overnight: Day 4

Note:

Walk past the longest hand-carved Buddhist Mani wall in Mustang (over 300 meters long), adorned with sacred mantras. Cross the Ghami Khola and climb over the red-tinted Choya La pass (3,870 m). Drop down into Tsarang (Charang), the former secondary royal seat of Mustang, featuring a five-story white palace and an ancient 14th-century Gelugpa monastery perched above the canyon.

Day 5

Overnight: Day 5

Note:

Descend into the Tsarang river canyon, cross the river, and climb onto the open desert plateau of the 'Plain of Aspiration.' Traverse gentle rolling hills to reach the crest of Lo La Pass (3,950 m). From this vantage point, view the square mud-walled fortress city of Lo Manthang standing isolated in the trans-Himalayan desert. Descend the wide trail and enter through the main city gate.

Day 6

Overnight: Day 6

Note:

Spend the day walking the narrow cobbled alleyways inside the walled capital. Visit the three major 14th-century monasteries: Jampa Lhakhang (the 'God House' with massive Buddha statues and gold mandala murals), Thubchen Gompa with its grand assembly hall, and Chode Gompa. Meet local Loba residents, explore traditional mud-brick courtyards, and visit the King's four-story royal palace.

Day 7

Overnight: Day 7

Note:

Take a day trek (or optional horseback ride) north toward the Tibetan border to the Chhoser valley. Climb inside the multi-story Shija Jhong Sky Cave complex, an ancient 2,500-year-old human settlement carved into vertical limestone cliffs with dozens of interconnected rooms. Tour the red cliff-monasteries of Garphu and Nyiphuk Gompa before returning to Lo Manthang for the evening.

Day 8

Overnight: Day 8

Note:

Take the alternative western return route, climbing to the high pass of Marang La (4,230 m). Descend across remote pastures to Gyakar village to tour the ancient Ghar Gompa (Samyeling), an 8th-century Nyingma monastery older than Samye in Tibet. Continue through red sandstone gorges to Dhakmar, famed for its towering, blood-red fluted cliffs.

Day 9

Overnight: Day 9

Note:

Depart Dhakmar early to avoid afternoon gusts, descending through the erosion-sculpted canyon past Ghami. Climb back over Nyi La Pass (4,010 m) and follow the high desert ridge paths overlooking the Annapurna range. Descend past stone chortens into the quiet farming village of Syangboche or Ghiling.

Day 10

Overnight: Day 10

Note:

Retrace the ridge trail south through Samar village. Drop down through canyons and the Chungsi Cave gorge, crossing the river on footbridges to arrive at the settlement of Chele. Continue down the valley past rock flutings to check into your lodge in Chhusang or the fortified enclave of Tetang.

Day 11

Overnight: Day 11

Note:

Follow the Kali Gandaki river canyon south, passing through Tangbe and enjoying views of Mount Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri. Exit the restricted area checkpost at Kagbeni, rejoin the main riverbed path, and walk back into the district hub of Jomsom to celebrate your completed circuit.

Day 12

Overnight: Day 12

Note:

Board an early morning flight from Jomsom back to Pokhara, flying along the Kali Gandaki canyon. Transfer to your lakeside hotel in Pokhara for an afternoon of boating, hot showers, and relaxation.

Day 13

Overnight: Day 13

Note:

Return to Kathmandu via a 25-minute morning flight across the foothills or private vehicle along the highway. Transfer to your hotel, concluding the 14-day Upper Mustang expedition.

Day 14

Overnight: Day 14

Note:

Information

Things To Know

Requires an Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP, USD 500 for the first 10 days) and an Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit. Government regulations require a minimum of two trekkers accompanied by a licensed guide. Maximum elevation is 4,230 m at Marang La Pass. Afternoon winds in the Kali Gandaki canyon are strong; trekking starts early each morning.

ROUTE

Trip Map

VIDEO

Videos

Get a glimpse of the Upper Mustang Trek 14 Days [2026] – Lo M.

QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Upper Mustang lies completely in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Summer brings dry, sunny weather, blooming buckwheat fields, and active local trade, making it one of Nepal's finest monsoon trekking destinations.

The cliffside caves date back over 2,000 to 3,000 years. Initially carved as burial chambers and defensive shelters during tribal warfare, they later evolved into Buddhist meditation hermitages and storage rooms.

The trail is graded moderate. Daily elevation changes are gradual and maximum altitudes stay under 4,250 meters. However, dry dusty trails, strong afternoon headwinds, and 5 to 7 hours of daily walking require good physical stamina.

TRAVELLER EXPERIENCES