Upper Mustang Trek with Drive Back
- DestinationNepal
- Duration14 days
- ActivitiesTrekking/Jeep Tour
- AccommodationHotel/Guesthouse
- MealsB.L.D
- Max. Elevation4200m.
- Group SizeMin. 2 Pax
- Best TimeMarch to November
Trip Overview
The Upper Mustang, also known as Lo-Manthang, is the most preserved kingdom between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. It is a region of barren landscape and a rain shadow area in the Annapurna region. Since it was made accessible to tourists, it became a well-liked hiking & trekking destination. It also has become a popular tourist location due to the road connectivity and vehicle accessibility.
As you continue your trek to Upper Mustang, you’ll be introduced to the region's rich tradition and Buddhist culture. The ancient monasteries, decorated with prayer flags and wall paintings, will take you back in time. With this wonderful Buddhist resemblance all over, the trek will be very unique.
Discover the remote and intriguing cultures and customs of the Gurung, and Tibetan people through the Upper Mustang Trek with Drive Back. Upper Mustang is covered with tall hills, and several tall peaks will captivate you. In the villages leading to this old kingdom, there are several Buddhist relics, Chhortens, and monasteries. The palace of the previous monarch of Lo Manthang provides information about the long-lasting culture and customs. The Upper Mustang, which is a portion of the Tibetan Plateau, gives the impression that you have visited Tibet. This will become even more incredible due to the diverse and rich culture here.
Additionally, you’ll find the architecture of the houses in the Upper Mustang very appealing. The Mustang region is preserved, as the houses are still traditional, made out of stones and mud bricks. The highlight of this trek is Lo-Manthang, the forbidden kingdom of Upper Mustang. This city is filled with beautifully decorated caves, built thousands of years ago. You can find mesmerizing Buddhist stupas that are captivating.
Top Moments from the Upper Mustang Trek with Drive Back
- Explore Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage sites- Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Swayambhunath Temple.
- Take a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Jomsom. Watch out for stunning mountain ranges from the window!
- Engage with the ethnic groups in Upper Mustang to learn about their customs and way of life.
- Visit the scenic surroundings, which include stunning barren landscapes, historic monasteries, ancient caves, and many other archaeological monuments.
- To better understand Tibetan Buddhism, visit the Champa Lhakang, Namgyal Gompa, and Tsechen Shedrubling Monastery School.
- Visit the King's Palace, Lo Manthang's oldest building, which is a five-story mansion covered in whitewash.
- On the Upper Mustang Trek with Drive Back, discover the old Kingdom of Lo Manthang.
- Travel through well-known villages, including Kagbeni, Jomsom, Lo Manthang, and the Muktinath Temple, to immerse yourself in their spirituality and peace.
- In Jomsom, enjoy the famed local apples and apple wine (Marpha).
- Travel through the deepest Gorge in the world, The Kali Gandaki Gorge.
- Take in the stunning panorama of the Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, and Nilgiri ranges.
- Witness various odd species as you stroll between rhododendron, oak, and pine trees.
Route Overview of Upper Mustang
When you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you’ll find our staff waiting for you at the arrival terminal. A sightseeing tour will be organized for Kathmandu before you go on your adventure. You’ll explore all the heritage sites around Kathmandu such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swyambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath Stupa, Etc. After the half day of sightseeing, you’ll catch a flight to Pokhara.
Before starting your trek to Upper Mutan, you will stroll around the vibrant city and explore the lakeside streets. Then, from Pokhara, you’ll fly toward Jomsom and trek up to Kagbeni. It is the headquarters of Mustang and the gateway of Upper Mustang. It will then take you to Muktinath, the most sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists.
Then, you’ll move to Chusang, Geling, and Charang and reach the Kingdom of Lo-Manthang. Here, you’ll have the chance to explore the Namgyal Gompa and the Tingkhar Village before returning to Lo-Manthang. The adventure continues with a hike to Chogo La (4210m/13810ft), the highest point on this trek. Then, you’ll cross the Charang River and climb up to Ghar Gompa before walking to Dhakmar.
The next day, you’ll start your trek towards Ghami, where you’ll drive to Jomsom. You’ll take a flight back to Pokhara city and the following day fly back to Kathmandu.
If you require any personalized Upper Mustang Trek with Drive Back or any kind of trip, feel free to contact the Nepal Hiking Team.
Difficulty Level of the Upper Mustang Overland Tour
Difficulty: Before proceeding into these amazing landscapes of the Upper Mustang, you must understand the difficulty of the trek. The Himalayas unfold a vast expansion of peaks and deep valleys. You will drive through the region from Pokhara to Lo-Manthang and back to Pokhara again. But you will hike short trips, so you will need to be physically fit as well.
Acclimatization: The acclimatization day is one of the most crucial points in any high-altitude trip. For those who are unfamiliar, acclimatization is a period of rest during your high-altitude thrill, allowing your body to adjust to shifts in altitude. In the desert-like terrain of Upper Mustang, the importance of acclimatization cannot be exaggerated. Despite the seemingly steady ascent, the region sits at an elevation of 3,840 m/12,595 ft. above sea level. Ignoring the necessity of acclimatization will lead you to risks of high altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Support and Guidance: An extensive counseling session before you go on any journey is very important. It makes sure trekkers are well-equipped with knowledge and techniques to steer the adventures ahead.
Therefore, a well-planned itinerary can be the compass that leads you through the maze of rough terrains and diverse altitudes. This will increase your chances of completing this trip successfully.
Best Time
The Upper Mustang Overland Tour is almost conducted throughout the year. But the best time to go is spring, autumn, and summer. Every season has its unique aesthetics offering unique terrains, natural settings, and trekking experience.
Can I drive to Upper Mustang in the summer?
Yes, you can go on the Upper Mustang Overland Trek during the summers as well. Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadows of the Annapurna range. So, summer drives are pleasant, well-lit, and dry. The weather is perfect and the trails are in superb condition with warm and sunny days with stunning visibility.
The Mustang region's Rivers and ecosystem are at their peak during this season. Even though you may encounter some damp weather in the lower Mustang, making the trails slippery and muddy, the natural beauty is enhanced.
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (KTM) Kathmandu
Our staff at NHT will meet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel for your check-in. You’ll have a small briefing about the journey. There are no scheduled events after that, so you can spend the time in any way you like. You can roam around your surrounding if you have the time.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu then Flight to Pokhara
Today, you will start your half-day sightseeing tour after your breakfast. You will visit some of the UNESCO-listed world heritage sites in Kathmandu. You’ll visit Swayambhunath stupa and see the fantastic panoramic view of the city.
Similarly, you’ll also witness the Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims performing their rituals harmoniously. Then, you visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and observe the historical monuments and landmarks. These impressive buildings represent the rich culture and arts of Kathmandu city.
After the tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square, a half-day sightseeing tour concludes, and then you drive to Kathmandu airport for our flight to Pokhara.
Day 03: Fly to Jomsom & trek to Kagbeni
We’ll fly to Jomsom early in the morning, flying across the Snow-Capped Peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. The views of the gigantic massifs reach more than 8,000 meters. The River with the World’s Deepest Gorge is simply breathtaking. From Jomsom, you’ll start our upper Mustang trek to Kagbeni. This is the main gate to the upper Mustang, situated at an altitude of (2,800m); Kagbeni village dates from around the 14th century when it was a check post for traders from Nepal.
Day 04: Kagbeni to Muktinath
The next destination on our trek is Muktinath, another incredible attraction in the Mustang region. Muktinath is known for its sacred temples, which make it a holy pilgrimage site for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims.
We will ascend about 1000 meters to Muktinath. In between the journey, we will pass by Khingar, a village at 3400 meters, and then onto Jharkot, a small but impressive fortress-like village, at 3500 meters.
Leaving Jharkot, we then reach Ranipauwa and then continue to see another part of the holy temple. The place is usually packed with pilgrims performing puja and other rituals, which is interesting to observe.
Also, in the temple premise, there are 108 bull-headed water sprouts, and it’s believed that if people bathe in all water sprouts, they will get salvation from their sins. Visit Eternal Flame and surrounding temples and monasteries.
Day 05: Muktinath – Chusang - Chele
Today, you’ll be Leaving Muktinath and following the trail toward Chusang. You’ll gradually ascend to the Gyu La pass, which stands at a height of 4077 meters. From the top, you’ll witness a terrific view of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, the Tukuche Himalayan range, and other peaks as well.
Crossing the pass, you descend to Tetang and then to Chhusang, from where you continue your journey to Chele.
Chele will be your last destination for today. This particular route is quite famous for Saligrams (fossilized stone or ammonite).
Day 06: Chele to Geling
You start your hike towards the rolling hills, waterless terrain, as well as the wall of a beautiful steep canyon at 3540 meters. After that, the trail descends gradually to Samar village. The Annapurna is visible far to the south, still dominated by Nilgiri.
You’ll trek to a hill over Samar village and then descend into a deep valley. The path passes across another pass, ascends a ridge, and drops to Shyangbochen. From here, we descend to Geling Village by a gentle ascent to a pass at 3770m.
Day 07: Geling to Charang
From Geling, the trail climbs gently up to the exciting pass of NYI La and descends below the red cliffs. You arrive at Mustang’s longest Mani wall after crossing the Tangmar Chu (river) steel bridge. Then, you climb up to 3,600 meters and begin the long, calm descent to the Charang village.
The significant five-story white Dzong and red Gompa are some of the magnificent attractions here. You can also observe statues, Thankas (Classical forms of Nepalese and Tibetan painting), and other large paintings of the seated Buddha.
Day 08: Charang to Lo - Manthang
Our trail ascends steadily until Lo-Gekar. Lo-Gekar Gompa is older than Samye Gompa in Tibet. It is, in fact, one of the oldest Gompas in the region. After visiting Lo-Gekar, we continue our upper Mustang trek to Lo-Manthang. The trail to Lo-Manthang is well-defined, with some minor climbing.
We will pass the walled city of Lo along with the trial, then make a short descent, cross a stream, and climb to the plateau of Lo-Manthang.
Day 09: Exploration of Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar and Return 4 - 6 Hrs
We will hike for two hours to Namgyal Gompa, situated on a hilltop. This is an important monastery for the local community and supports a local court. After visiting Namgyal Gompa, we will continue our trek to Tingkhar.
With roughly 40 dwellings, this is the last village northwest of Lomanthang. We’ll return to Lomanthang after seeing both places.
Day 10: Trek to Dhakmar via Ghar Gompa:
Our trail continues to climb gradually today, giving us our final look of Lo Manthang before climbing a ridge at 4070m and continuing to the Chogo La (4210m/13810ft). On our trek, this is the highest point.
The trail then descends steeply for a short while before crossing the Charang River. Following that, we climb Lo Geker to Ghar Gompa, a tiny monastery. Then, we climb the mountain, traverse a valley and alpine meadows, and descend to Drakmar by a steep eroded path.
Day 11: Dramkar To Ghami Then Drive to Jomsom
Leaving Drakmar, we follow the way towards Ghami. The journey to Ghami is about 2 hours, and the route descends through impressive cave towers and villages. From Ghami, we take a jeep for Jomsom.
The drive goes along several towns, such as Jaite, Shyangbochen, Vena, Samar, Chhusang, Kagbeni, and others. You will drive through the Kali Gandaki gorge, which is renowned as the deepest ravine in the world.
Day 12: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara
Early next morning, we will fly to Pokhara from Jomsom. Admire the early morning views of majestic peaks of Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Nilgiri (7061m) before getting on the flight. The flight duration is short, so you will have the rest of the day to spend however you would like.
Trip Note: The weather in Jomsom is unpredictable. It changes frequently. Therefore, if bad weather and flight cancellation befalls, we will drive to Pokhara on a jeep to avoid an additional day in Pokhara. The jeep drive to Pokhara from Jomsom is about 7 hours.
Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu
Early morning, we will drive to Pokhara airport for the flight back to Kathmandu. After arriving in Kathmandu, we will go to the trip hotel.
Day 14: Farewell/Departure
Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, a Nepal Hiking Team representative will bid you farewell after taking you to the International airport.
Cost Includes
- All ground transportation by private vehicle, including airport transfers
- Two-night accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu.
- Two-night accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Pokhara
- Round trip airfare between Kathmandu to Pokhara as per itinerary.
- Round trip flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and Jomsom to Pokhara, including departure taxes
- 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 bags, Nepal Hiking Team duffel bags, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)
- All necessary paperwork and permits (ACAP, Special trekking permit), please bring 3 passport size photos for a permit
- A comprehensive medical kit
- All government and local taxes
Cost Excludes
- Lunches and dinners while in Kathmandu.
- Travel Insurance
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa.
- Cold drinks, water, snacks, and other personal expenses
- Hot shower during the trek
- Personal trekking equipment
- Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers
Trip Route Map
Upper Mustang Trek with Drive Back Route Map
Elevation Chart
Detailed Elevation and Duration Chart of the Upper Mustang Trek with Drive Back
Cost and Date
Start Dates refer to your arrival date in Nepal. End Dates correspond to your return date from Nepal.
The Upper Mustang Trek with Drive Back set departure dates are tailored for the group joining option. If the 14 days Upper Mustang Trek with Drive Back departure dates don’t fit your schedule, we can include alternative dates that better suit your needs.
Media Gallery
Upper Mustang Trek with Drive Back Photos








Travellers‘ Reviews
Read our genuine feedback from past travelers with Nepal Hiking Team sourced from TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot.
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 👍🏻