Tucked away in Nepal’s remote northern frontier, Upper Mustang is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Once a forbidden kingdom, it now welcomes trekkers to wander ancient trails, discover secret caves, and soak up awe-inspiring Himalayan views. Pair it with a thrilling helicopter ride, and you’ve got an adventure for the ages!
Destination
Nepal
Duration
13 Days
Activities
Trekking/Heli Ride
Accommodation
Hotel/Lodges
Meals
B.L.D
Max. Elevation
4200m.
Group Size
Min. 2 Pax
Do you want to enjoy the thrill of flying over the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges with the joy of walking through picturesque villages nestled amidst rolling hills? If you do, then Upper Mustang Heli Trek will be your perfect choice.
Upper Mustang was once a forbidden kingdom. In 1992, the restricted region opened to welcome travelers and trekkers. This classic Himalayan trek leads to a remote and restricted which is an excellent destination for adventure seekers. On the trek, trekkers can enjoy the fantastic vistas along with exploration of sky caves, ancient monasteries, and also several villages.
As you traverse the path, the landscapes will gradually charm you with its rugged terrain of barren cliffs and rocky trails. The remote and isolated region allows you to explore the Mustang region. Moreover, adding a chance to feel the vibrant, rich Buddhist values and traditions.
We welcome you all to grab the chance and book the Upper Mustang Heli Trek with us. We are ready, are you?
Major Highlights
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Himalayas on a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Jomsom, where you can marvel at the stunning mountain ranges from the window.
Embark on a trek through the dry and barren terrain of the Annapurna Conservation Area, the largest protected area in Nepal, known for its diverse flora and fauna, including rare species like snow leopards, Himalayan blue sheep, and Tibetan argali, making it a haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Explore the walled capital city of Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang, an ancient town steeped in Tibetan culture and architecture, and immerse yourself in the rich history and traditions of the region as you visit monasteries, caves, and traditional villages.
Delight in Mustang's unique and spectacular landscape, characterized by its barren, stark, and dramatic scenery reminiscent of a lunar or desert-like landscape, with deep canyons, eroded cliffs, colorful rock formations, and the iconic red cliffs that Mustang is renowned for.
As you traverse through this stunning region, you will be mesmerized by the breathtaking views of the majestic Himal, including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Mustang Himal.
Experience the thrill of a helicopter ride from Lo Manthang and enjoy the remarkable views of the unique landscape of the Upper Mustang.
Spend the rest of the day boating in the serene waters of the Phewa Lake, resting and discovering the quaint streets of Pokhara.
Route Overview
To summarize what's in it for you, here is a quick route overview of the Upper Mustang Heli Trek. Upon your arrival, one of our representatives will pick you up from the Tribhuvan International Airport. We then take a flight To Pokhara and rest there for the night.
Another flight is scheduled for Jomsom, where upon reaching, we'll make our way toward Kagbeni. From Kagbeni, we hike to Chhuksang, Samar, Geling, Ghami, and Tsarang, where we’ll climb up towards the Lo La pass. The pass offers stunning views of the Northern Mustang and the village of Lo-Manthang. Enjoying the view, we’ll continue our hike and halt at Lo-Manthang.
At Lo-Manthang, we'll take a day's rest and explore the village. On the exploration day, we’ll visit three Gompas or monasteries located in the town. These are Jhampa, Thupchen and Chhoeda.
Then, the next morning we'll take a helicopter to Pokhara, fly to Kathmandu, and bid farewell to the trip.
How challenging is the trek?
The difficulty level of the Upper Mustang helicopter trek can vary depending on factors such as altitude, weather conditions, and personal fitness level. Generally, the Upper Mustang heli trek is considered to be moderately challenging due to its high altitude and remote location.
One of the main challenges of the Upper Mustang helicopter trek is the altitude. The region lies at a high elevation, with most of the trek over 3,000 meters. Altitude sickness can be a concern, and trekkers may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, headache, nausea, and fatigue. Acclimatizing correctly, staying hydrated, and following a gradual ascent are essential to minimize the risk of altitude sickness.
Another challenge of the Upper Mustang helicopter trek is the remote and rugged terrain. The trek involves trekking through dry and barren landscapes with little vegetation, steep trails, and high mountain passes. Still, it can be manageable for trekkers with a reasonable level of physical fitness and prior trekking experience.
Best Time for Upper Mustang Heli Trek
The Upper Mustang region lies in the rain shadow area of the Himalayas, which means it is relatively dry and receives less rainfall compared to other parts of Nepal. The best time for an Upper Mustang helicopter trek is during the autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) seasons, considered Nepal's peak trekking seasons.
During autumn, the weather in Upper Mustang is generally stable, with clear skies, mild temperatures, and little to no rainfall. The autumn season offers excellent visibility and stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, making it a preferred time for helicopter treks.
Similarly, the weather in Upper Mustang is also favorable in spring, with mild temperatures, clear skies, and little precipitation. The spring season is known for blooming rhododendrons and other wildflowers, adding to the region's natural beauty.
With this, we’ve reached to end of the overview. We hope you enjoyed reading about this package. If you want any further explanation regarding the trek, please email us. We shall get back to you immediately and organize a wonderful trip for you!
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu
You may arrive at the airport at any time. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by one of Nepal Hiking Team’s representatives who will help you get transferred to your hotel. You may check into your hotel and relax. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02: Fly to Pokhara and Transfer to hotel
A 30 minutes scenic flight to Pokhara. Upon our arrival in Pokhara, we will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, the five peaks of Annapurna and many others. The drive to Pokhara also offers many amazing sights of the landscapes like pasturelands and terrace farms and rivers. At Pokhara after arrival, we will check into the hotel and in the evening, you can also enjoy a pristine boat ride on the Phewa Lake and stroll in the city’s quaint streets. Overnight stay at a hotel in Pokhara.
Day 03: Fly to Jomsom (2713m/8898ft) and trek to Kagbeni (2810m/9216ft), Duration: 3-4 hours trek
Today, we will take an early morning flight to Jomsom- a village famous for its apples, strong winds and its amazing landscape. We will begin our trek from Jomsom on an open trail alongside a beautiful valley. Passing through the Eklebhatti village before reaching Kagbeni, we can enjoy the amazing terrains and admire the many natural features of the landscape. Kagbeni is ideally located at the bank of two rivers and the village is beautiful with flat roofed houses. It also has ruins of an old fortress. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Kagbeni, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 04: Kagbeni to Chhuksang (2900m/9512ft), Duration: 4-5 hours
The trekking trail begins alongside the east bank of the Kali Gandaki Valley. Walking on both high valley trails, we will follow the path that run alongside the Kali Gandaki River. Next, the path opens up on a wide land where a number of mules can be seen carrying goods. The valley tends to narrow down as we walk through ancient caves towards Tangbe Village. As we continue towards Chuksang, we can admire the well-kept narrow alleys, the whitewashed houses, buck wheat and barley fields and apple orchards of the gorgeous Tangbe Village. Chuksang is only around 2 hours walk from Tangbe. Overnight stay in a guesthouse at Chuksang, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 05: Chhuksang to Samar (3150m/10332ft), Duration: 3-4 hours
Crossing a suspension bridge, we will follow the trail that goes along the banks of the Kali Gandaki River and ascend on a steep trail to the Chele Village. On the way, we can get good views of the Nilgiri and the Tilicho peaks. From Chele, we will climb on a steep path and continue ascending alongside a steep canyon towards the Darori La Pass, which lies at 3735 meters. From the top, it is a gradual descent all the way to the small and picturesque village of Samar. The village is beautiful with ancient poplar trees surrounding it. Overnight stay in a guesthouse at Samar, Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 06: Samar to Geling (3510m/11513ft), Duration: 5-6 hours
Climbing on a ridge above the village, we will descend into a large ravine following the trekking trail today. We will walk on a trail filled with juniper trees before crossing a stream. The trail then ascends steeply towards the Bhena La Pass at 3838 meters. Descending from the pass for a while before ascending again towards the Yamda La Pass at 3860 meters, we get our first view of Upper Mustang from the top of the Pass. We will then descend from the pass and continue walking towards a big stupa, passing cairns before descending to the village of Geling- a beautiful village with far-reaching fields of barley. Overnight stay in a guesthouse at Geling, Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 07: Geling to Ghami (3490m/11447ft), Duration: 5-6 hours
We will ascend gently through barley fields and pass the Tama Gaon (village) and a chorten on the way to our next location. Climbing on a steep trail towards the Nyi La Pass at 4,010 meters, we can get excellent views of the Annapurna range from the top of the Pass. We will then descend and walk on a trail that leads us to Ghami. The village is a large dotting of whitewashed houses and barren fields sheltered by overhanging cliffs. Overnight stay at a guesthouse at Ghami, Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 08: Ghami to Tsarang (3620m/11873ft), Duration: 5-6 hours Trek
Our trek today begins with a descent through a rough and slippery trail. Crossing a suspension bridge over the Ghami Khola, we will begin ascending down towards Tsarang. The pathway is beautiful with Mani walls along the trail. Next, we will cross the Tsarang La Pass at 3870 meters and reach the Tsarang village. The village lies atop the Charang Chu canyon with a huge fortress and a red gompa towards its east. Overnight stay in a guesthouse at Tsarang, Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 09: Tsarang to Lo-Manthang (3730m/12234ft), Duration: 3-4 hours
We will visit the red gompa and a fortress in the morning before beginning our trek towards Lo-Manthang. Our trail drops down to the Tsarang Khola and we will cross a bridge over the river. Next, we will climb up towards the Lo La pass at 3950 meters. From the top of the pass, we can get good views of northern Mustang and of Lo-Manthang. Descending to Lo Manthang- which is an ancient walled capital of Mustang, we can enjoy the rocky dunes that dot the landscape. The town has only one entrance so we will have to circumambulate the wall to the gate on the north east corner. Overnight stay in a guesthouse at Lo Manthang, Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 10: Explore Lo Manthang
Lo Manthang is a walled town of the remote Upper Mustang region of Nepal. We will spend the day touring three major Gompas of the town- the Jhampa, the Thupchen and the Chhoeda. All of these Gompas have undergone expert restoration over the last two decades. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Lo Manthang, Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 11: Helicopter ride over Lo Manthang/ Mustang to Pokhara
Having explored the exquisite region of Upper Mustang, we will enjoy a helicopter tour on our return trip to Pokhara. The helicopter tour, which begins from Lo Manthang, is one of the major attractions of this entire trip. From the helicopter, we can get remarkable views of the unique landscape of Upper Mustang. As we get near Pokhara, we can also see sights of the mighty Himalayas and serene lakes that the city consists of. We can spend the rest of the day boating in the serene waters of the Phewa Lake, resting and discovering the quaint streets of Pokhara. Overnight stay in a hotel in Pokhara.
Day 12: Fly to Kathmandu
After breakfast, we will say goodbye to the beautiful northern skyline of Pokhara and fly to Pokhara. After reaching Kathmandu, we can take rest or do some souvenir shopping. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 13: Farewell
Approximately three hours before your flight, you will be dropped off at the airport by one of Nepal Hiking Team’s representatives, from where you will depart.
If the above Upper Mustang Heli Trek itinerary does not meet your needs, we can design individualized travel plans based on your preferences and specifications.
All ground transportation by private vehicle including airport pickup and drop off.
Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 5-star hotel in Kathmandu.
Two night accommodation with breakfast at a 5-star hotel in Pokhara.
Round trip airfare from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Airfare from Pokhara to Jomsom.
Private Charger Helicopter Ride from Lo - Manthang to Pokhara.
Full board meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek
Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek
An experienced English-speaking (trekking guide), porter to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, Nepal Hiking Team duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)
All necessary paper work and permits (ACAP, Special trekking permit), please bring 3 passport size photos for permit
A comprehensive medical kit
All government and local taxes
Cost Excludes
Meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the itinerary'
Travel insurance
International airfare
Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
Cold drinks, water, snacks and other personal expenses
Hot shower during the trek
Personal trekking equipments
Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers
Travellers‘ Reviews
Read our genuine feedback from past travelers with Nepal Hiking Team sourced from TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot.
Incredible Upper Mustang Trek with yara in August
Visited Upper Mustang Valley in August ‘24 and did the version of the trek that covers the eastern part, including Yara, which is a 12-day trek.
It was two of us traveling as a couple, and with no previous experience in long treks, we weren’t sure what to expect. All I can say is that the landscape was beyond anything we could have set in our minds, and we feel grateful to have experienced such a place. The villages, the people there, and the Himalayas all blended superbly to offer an incredible glimpse into this remote part of Nepal.
For those planning to visit Nepal during monsoon season, the dry climate of the region is an added bonus with minimal rainfall.
Lastly, I must mention the professionalism of our organizers, Nepal Hiking Team. Ganga, along with our guide Dependra and porter Surindra, took care of every detail and resolved any issues, allowing us to fully enjoy the trek. I wholeheartedly recommend their services.
Z
- Excellent
Mr. Zuper Koleoptera
1st Sep 2024
Wonderful Upper Mustang Valley trek
A more remote trek than the usual routes, but all the more rewarding for it. The scenery was spectacular, with fascinating history and culture. We trekked up the western trail and returned via the eastern side, covering 170 km.
From past experience, we knew Nepal Hiking Team was excellent.
This time, we were even luckier with our fantastic guide, Dipendra “Dip.” Nothing was ever too much trouble, and his smile lit up every tea house. He also kept us off the road as much as possible, with only about 10% of our trek on it.
Ask for Dip 👍🏻
D
- Excellent
Mr. David S
23rd Apr 2024
If one could give it a 6 star, they would get one...
Did the Upper Mustang trek with Nepal Hiking Team for the first time.
Everything—from airport pickup to accommodation and logistics—was flawless. The response time via email before the trip was also prompt when finalizing details.
During the trek, we made some unusual and demanding requests (probably more than once), yet our guide and porters did their best to accommodate us—even going as far as trying to find a live chicken for dinner on our last night in Lo Manthang!
The trek wasn’t the toughest, but our safety was always their priority. Midway through the descent, one of our team members was hit with AMS in the middle of the night. Balaram, Arun, and their team acted immediately, rushing everyone to a lower altitude and arranging a helicopter to Pokhara for medical treatment. Despite facing a lot of issues with an unhelpful insurance company, they managed to secure the helicopter in time, ensuring our team member received medical attention before his condition worsened. Huge kudos for that!
Would definitely recommend Nepal Hiking Team to anyone looking to trek in Nepal.
S
- Excellent
Ms. Siaoyue
15th May 2023
Mustang Treks with Nepal Hiking Team
I recently completed a most startling trek along with a friend to the restricted Upper Mustang Region of Nepal in April with the Nepal Hiking Team.
This was my second trek with Nepal Hiking Team to the Upper Mustang region. I have discovered that both my trips were well organized by NHT and everything was done very efficiently and wonderfully.
On my latest trek, I was in touch with Nepal Hiking Team and Ganga via email gave every detail about the trek. I was seeking for a trek that was different from my previous trek. Therefore, I decided to trek to the area on the east side of the Kali Gandaki River. All my queries were resolved via the emails within a short time. He also gave me a customized itinerary and quoted a price. I accepted his proposed program as it met all our requirements in a reasonable price.
For Upper Mustang Trek, a guide was must and NHT provided professional guides as well as a porter for two of us. The guide was Santa, a very admirable guide. He was much familiar with the areas that we strolled and looked after us very well. His main concern was our safety and wellbeing. The porter was Vishnu; he too was wonderful and strong. We enjoyed the company of both the porter and guide.
I hope that someday, I will trek to Nepal again and definitely I would book and trek with Nepal Hiking Team. I would highly suggest that anyone planning for visiting Nepal for a trek must contact them.
