Upper Mustang

Trip Overview

To trek in Upper Mustang is to trek in an ancient land steeped in a colourful history and lengthy tradition. Upper Mustang has been part of Nepal for around 200 years, yet retains a strong cultural influence of Tibet (China), especially given its proximity to the border of Nepal and Tibet (China).

You will see and experience an immersion within the culture of true mountain people, who were for many years not in regular contact with other parts of Nepal. The highest point reached on this trek is around 4,300m, making it a great choice for many reasons, including the altitudes experienced.

Geographically, Upper Mustang is part of the ‘Tibetan plateau’, extending the trekking season in this area to times of the year when it is not possible to trek in other parts of Nepal (due to monsoonal rains).

Until 1950, Mustang was actually a separate kingdom sitting within the boundaries of Nepal. This area was opened to non-Nepali visitors around 25-30 years ago and access to the area remains restricted.

Special permit fee for Upper Mustang: For trekkers venturing to Upper Mustang further north from Kagbeni, it is necessary to obtain a special trekking permit, payable at a daily rate of $US50 per person (rate quoted is the 2018 rate, but is subject to change). This amount is not included in our stated trip costs due to it fluctuating from time to time). Our itinerary contemplates 10 days in the Upper Mustang area which would make the special permit fee $US500 per person.

Tenting option: where the team is 4+ members, a tent option for the trekking portion of the trip is available at an additional cost of $US500 per person.

Why join with Expedition Base?

Our goal is to ensure you have the best trip possible with our highly skilled and knowledgeable trekking guides, with a personable team, and with quality services. We do our best to ensure that your experience is in accordance with or better than your expectations. We want you to go home remembering an adventure of a lifetime with memories you will treasure for life. We have a strong reputation for high quality services and we seek to maintain our reputation with every trip that we do. To help keep our mission strong, we value your feedback at any time. It helps us to be better. When some companies keep you to a strict schedule, when needed and where you have time we work with you to adjust your timing to make your experience better. We are not selling ‘trips’ – we are offering great experiences, cherished memories, and personal challenges for you to value into the future. We provide services that many other companies do not offer – to us, they are a natural part of our service. To others, they can be add-ons at an additional fee, or not available at all. Our food offerings can be adjusted to suit your needs, season and area permitting. We have quality resources and a fun, experienced team. Our gear and equipment is fit for purpose. Our trekking guides are well-trained, experienced in leading trips and look after our clients well. We are pleased to have clients who come with us for their adventures time and again. Let us know what you are looking to experience and we will help to make it happen.

    Trip Highlights

    • Ancient monasteries, some of the oldest in the Himalayan kingdom
    • Tibetan-Buddhist culture
    • Luri Gompa
    • Unique landscape of the Tibetan plateau
    • Tenchi Festival (at certain times of year)

    Trip Facts

    • Price starts from

      USD 2,500

    • Moderate Trekking

      Difficulty

      Moderate Trekking

    • Duration

      19 Days

    • Activity

      Trekking

    • Destination

      Nepal

    • Trip Start

      Kathmandu

    • Trip End

      Kathmandu

    Want to make it a private trip ?

    Book this trip as a private departure - for any group, big or small.

    Enquire for a private trip

    Difficulty level

    Moderate Trekking

    Moderate Trekking

    This trip involves medium trekking days at a slow place, on uneven terrain, with some hills, carrying a backpack weighing around 6-8 kg. Therefore, you want to have a good level of fitness, with cardiovascular exercise and own-body weight type exercises (or similar) at least 3-4 times per week for the period of around 3-4 months before this trip. Training on uneven terrain is recommended.

    Trip Notes

    View the printable version of the short itinerary and detailed trip notes here.

    View Trip Notes

    Detailed Itinerary

    Day 1

    Arrive Kathmandu (1,350m)

    Day 2

    In Kathmandu

    Day 3

    Drive to Pokhara (880m) ~5-7 hrs

    Day 4

    Fly Pokhara to Jomsom (2,720m), Trek to Kagbeni (2,800m) ~3hrs

    Day 5

    Kagbeni - Chele (3,075m) ~6hrs

    Day 6

    Trek Chele to Geling (3,560m) ~7hrs

    Day 7

    Trek Geling, to Ghami (3,510m) and onward to Dhakmar (3,800m) ~6hrs

    Day 8

    Trek Dhakmar to Tsarang (3,595m) ~4hrs

    Day 9

    Trek Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3,820m) ~4hrs

    Day 10

    Lo Manthang - Dhi (3400m) - Yara (3400m) ~5hrs

    Day 11

    Trek Yara, to Luri Gompa, return to Yara (3,400m) ~4hrs

    Day 12

    Trek Yara to Tangye (3,240m) ~6hrs

    Day 13

    Trek Tangye to Chusang-Tetang (3,000m) ~9-10hrs

    Day 14

    Trek Chusang-Tetang to Muktinath (3,760m) ~6hrs

    Day 15

    Trek Muktinath to Jomsom (2,720m) ~5hrs

    Day 16

    Drive Jomson to Pokhara ~9hrs

    Day 17

    Fly Pokhara (880m) to Kathmandu

    Day 18

    In Kathmandu

    Day 19

    Depart Kathmandu

    Note: Daily walking hours include a lunch break, and regular rest breaks.

    Package Details

    Inclusions

    Internal fixed wing flights as per itinerary, trekking permit fee, 4 nights in Kathmandu hotel equivalent to Hotel Tibet or Radisson (Lazimpat or similar), experienced trekking guides, team transport in Nepal, lodge accommodation on trek, extensive first aid kit, welcome team dinner, all meals outside Kathmandu and Pokhara plus breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara, porters to carry personal/group equipment on trek, plus receive a complimentary Expedition Base trekking duffel. (All accommodation is on a twin share basis - single share can be arranged on request at an additional cost).

    Exclusions

    International flights to and from Kathmandu, lunch and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara (allow USD $10-15 per meal), special (restricted area) permit fee of $50 per person per day when in Upper Mustang (up to 10 days = up to $US500 per person), aerated and alcoholic beverages, personal items (e.g. phone calls, internet, laundry), tips, travel insurance (incl. early departure, evacuation / rescue) and personal trekking gear.

    Meet Our Expert Team

    No matter what the enquiry, our commitment to exceptional service ensures that a helpful and knowledgeable staff member is on hand to assist you whenever the need arises.

    Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa

    Managing Director

    Lakpa Sherpa

    Consultant

    Chhiring Sherpa

    UIAGM / IFMGA Guide

    Similar Trips