Upper Mustang Trek

Also known as Lo Manthang Trek (Kingdom of Lo).

Upper Mustang Trek is a moderate 10-14-day teahouse trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, reaching 4,230 m. It starts at Jomsom (fly from Pokhara; restricted zone begins at Kagbeni) and ends at Jomsom (fly/drive to Pokhara).

Key facts

Region
Annapurna (Mustang)
Duration
10-14 days, 5-7 hours walking per day
Distance
125 km
Maximum altitude
4,230 m
Difficulty
Moderate — Moderate altitudes (mostly 2,800-3,900m, high point ~4,230m at Chogo La) and teahouse lodging, but long dry days with repeated 300-500m pass climbs, fierce afternoon winds, intense sun and remoteness. Fitness matters more than technical skill.
Trek type
Teahouse, out-and-back route
Best season
May-October (rain-shadow trek; also the site of the Tiji festival in May)
Guide
Mandatory. Restricted area: licensed guide via registered agency mandatory. The minimum-2-trekkers rule was abolished on 22 March 2026 - solo trekkers can now obtain the RAP individually, still with guide + agency.
Restricted area
Yes — special permit required
Budget cost
NPR 170,000–230,000
Comfortable cost
NPR 230,000–320,000
Guided cost
NPR 240,000–380,000
Getting there
Kathmandu -> Pokhara (tourist bus 6-8h or flight 25min) -> Jomsom (flight 20-25min, morning only; or bus/jeep via Beni-Tatopani 8-10h) -> trek/drive north from Kagbeni to Lo Manthang and back
Altitude sickness
Moderate: sleeping altitudes rise gently from 2,800m to 3,800m over 5-6 days, which suits natural acclimatization, but the flight from Pokhara (820m) to Jomsom (2,720m) is abrupt and day hikes/passes touch 4,000-4,230m.

Weather

Upper Mustang lies in the trans-Himalayan rain shadow behind Dhaulagiri/Annapurna, making it Nepal's classic monsoon-season trek - only light showers reach it in Jul-Aug. The defining weather is wind: powerful Kali Gandaki valley winds build from late morning, driving dust. Winters are bitterly cold and many Loba residents leave; some lodges close Dec-Feb. Jomsom flights are frequently delayed by wind/cloud.

Permits

Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara, 0 h, 822 m — Highway drive; lakeside evening
  2. Day 2: Pokhara to Kagbeni, 3-4 h, 2,810 m — Spectacular gorge flight; walk up the Kali Gandaki bed to the medieval gateway village of Kagbeni
  3. Day 3: Kagbeni to Chele, 5-6 h, 3,050 m — Tangbe and Chhusang villages, red cliffs and sky caves, crossing of the Kali Gandaki
  4. Day 4: Chele to Syangboche, 5-6 h, 3,475 m — Steep canyon climb over Taklam La (3,624m) and Dajori La (3,735m); Samar village; optional Chungsi cave monastery detour
  5. Day 5: Syangboche to Ghami, 5-6 h, 3,520 m — Yamda La (3,850m) and Nyi La (4,010m); Ghiling village; longest mani wall in Nepal near Ghami
  6. Day 6: Ghami to Tsarang, 4-5 h, 3,560 m — Dhakmar red cliffs variant or direct via Tsarang La (3,870m); Tsarang's fortress-monastery
  7. Day 7: Tsarang to Lo Manthang, 3-4 h, 3,810 m — Lo La (3,950m) with the first view of the walled city of Lo Manthang
  8. Day 8: Lo Manthang to Lo Manthang (exploration), 4-6 h, 3,810 m — Royal palace, Thubchen/Jampa gompas; side trip to Chhoser sky caves and Namgyal monastery (jeep or walk)
  9. Day 9: Lo Manthang to Dhakmar, 6-7 h, 3,820 m — Return west route over Chogo La (4,230m, trek high point) via Ghar Gompa (8th century)
  10. Day 10: Dhakmar to Samar, 6-7 h, 3,660 m — Red-cliff amphitheatre of Dhakmar, back over Nyi La to Samar
  11. Day 11: Samar to Jomsom, 4-5 h, 2,720 m — Descend the canyon to Chhusang; exit the restricted zone at Kagbeni
  12. Day 12: Jomsom to Pokhara, 0 h, 822 m — Morning flight out of the gorge

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