Bardia National Park Safari
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Upper Mustang Trek
The forbidden kingdom - a slice of medieval Tibet in Nepal
Overview
Upper Mustang - the ancient kingdom of Lo - is a restricted area in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, where the landscape is an arid, lunar desert of red and ochre cliffs, deep canyons and ancient cave dwellings. Culturally and geographically, Upper Mustang is a slice of Tibet that escaped the Chinese occupation - a place where medieval Tibetan Buddhism still thrives.
Our 14-day trek starts with a flight to Jomsom and follows the Kali Gandaki river north through the dramatically sculpted landscapes of Lower Mustang to the walled capital of Lo Manthang. Along the way, you visit ancient cave dwellings at Chungsi, the cliffside monastery of Luri Gompa, the royal palace at Charang and the ancient monasteries inside Lo Manthang itself.
Upper Mustang is a restricted area and requires a special permit (USD 500 per person for the first 10 days). Because it lies in the rain shadow, it is one of the few treks in Nepal that can be done comfortably during the summer monsoon season (June to September), when the rest of the country is too wet for trekking.
Duration
14 Days / 13 Nights
Max Altitude
4,230 m (Chungsi Cave)
Difficulty
Moderate
Group Size
2 - 12 trekkers
Best Season
Jun-Sep (rain shadow)
Accommodation
Teahouse lodges
Trekking Style
Lodge-based
Start/End
Jomsom / Jomsom
Trip highlights
Explore the walled capital of Lo Manthang and its ancient monasteries
Visit the cliffside cave monastery of Luri Gompa with its 14th-century murals
Ancient cave dwellings at Chungsi and the surrounding red-rock canyons
Experience medieval Tibetan culture unchanged for centuries
Trek in the rain shadow - ideal during the summer monsoon (June-Sep)
Royal palace at Charang and the ancient fort at Ghar Gompa
Visit the King's palace and meet the people of the former Kingdom of Lo
Itinerary
5 days1
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and trek preparation 1,400m
Arrive in Kathmandu. Meet your guide for a full trip briefing and obtain the special Upper Mustang permit. Welcome dinner in the evening.
Highlights
Briefing and permit processing
Upper Mustang permit requires passport photos and 10 working days.
2
Day 2: Fly to Pokhara and on to Jomsom, trek to Kagbeni 2,804m
Take an early morning flight to Pokhara, then a connecting flight up the Kali Gandaki gorge to Jomsom (2,743 m). Begin walking north to the village of Kagbeni (2,804 m), the gateway to Upper Mustang.
Highlights
Kali Gandaki flight, Kagbeni gateway
Permit checkpoint at Kagbeni - keep documents handy.
3
Day 3: Trek through Chele and Syangboche to Ghaymi 3,570m
Over the next three days, trek through the dramatic red-rock canyons of Upper Mustang, climbing gradually through Chele, Syangboche, Ghaymi and Charang with their whitewashed chortens, ancient gompas and dramatic cliff scenery.
Highlights
Red-rock canyons, ancient gompas
Wind can be strong in afternoon - start early.
4
Day 4: Reach Lo Manthang and explore the ancient walled capital 3,840m
Reach the walled capital of Lo Manthang (3,840 m) and spend two full days exploring the four ancient monasteries inside the walls, the King's palace and the surrounding cave villages. Optional day-hike to Chhoser cave monasteries.
Highlights
Lo Manthang walled city, royal palace, monasteries
Visit the monasteries early morning to see the morning puja.
5
Day 5: Return trek to Jomsom and fly back to Kathmandu 1,400m
Retrace your steps south through Charang, Ghaymi, Ghami and back down to Kagbeni and Jomsom over five days. Fly Jomsom to Pokhara to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
Highlights
Return trek, Jomsom flight, farewell dinner
Jomsom flights are weather-dependent - keep a buffer day.
Elevation profile
What's included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in a private vehicle
- 3 nights hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
- All accommodations during the trek on twin-share basis
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek
- Licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- One porter for every two trekkers (carries up to 12 kg)
- All required permits and TIMS card
- Domestic flights as per itinerary
- First-aid kit and pulse oximeter
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (USD 500 per person)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
- All domestic flights Kathmandu-Pokhara-Jomsom return
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Travel and rescue insurance (mandatory)
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, device charging and laundry on trek
- Beverages, bottled water and snacks on trek
- Tips for guide and porter
Trip options
Choose the option that suits you best.
Extra services
Add extras to your trip. Select quantities in the booking form.
Airport Pickup
Private vehicle airport transfer each way
$35
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive trekking insurance covering helicopter rescue up to 6,000 m
$145
Helicopter Rescue Fund
Pre-paid emergency helicopter evacuation coverage
$95
Down Jacket Rental
Premium 800-fill down jacket for the trek
$25
Sleeping Bag Rental
Cold-weather sleeping bag rated to -20C
$25
Meet your guides
👤
Tashi Lama
Lead Guide
<p>Tashi is from the Manaslu region and has been guiding the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley for over a decade. He speaks English, Tibetan and basic French, and is deeply versed in Tibetan Buddhism.</p>
Departure dates
Jun 10, 2026 Jun 23
Seats: 9/12
Guaranteed
$1,890
Jul 8, 2026 Jul 21
Seats: 7/12
Guaranteed
$1,890
Aug 5, 2026 Aug 18
Seats: 3/12
Guaranteed
$1,890
Sep 2, 2026 Sep 15
Seats: 3/12
Guaranteed
$1,890
Pricing
Per person
$1,890
Based on 1 adult
Children (under 12)$1,323
InfantsFree
Group discounts
Automatically applied at checkout:
5+ travelers
-5%
8+ travelers
-8%
10+ travelers
-10%
12+ travelers
-12%
Early bird: book 60+ days ahead for extra 10% off, 90+ days for 15% off.
Route map
🗺
Map coordinates not set for this trip.
🟢 Start point: Jomsom
🔴 End point: Jomsom
🟠 Trek route
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Frequently asked questions
Why is the Upper Mustang permit so expensive?
The Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit costs USD 500 per person for the first 10 days and USD 50 per day thereafter. The high fee is set by the Nepali government to limit visitor numbers and preserve the fragile culture and environment of this formerly closed kingdom. The fee includes a portion that goes directly to local community development.
Why is Upper Mustang best in the summer monsoon?
Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, which block the summer monsoon. While the rest of Nepal is wet from June to September, Upper Mustang remains dry and trekable. This makes it the perfect destination for those who can only travel during the European/North American summer holidays.
What is the culture like in Upper Mustang?
Upper Mustang is one of the last strongholds of traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture. The people of Lo, known as Loba, speak a dialect of Tibetan and practice Vajrayana Buddhism with strong Bon influences. The walled capital of Lo Manthang was founded in 1380 and is home to the King of Mustang (a symbolic title since the monarchy was abolished in 2008). The region has ancient cave monasteries with 14th-century murals and continuing traditions of polyandry and sky burial.
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Upper Mustang Trek
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