How difficult is Upper Mustang Trek?

Upper Mustang is an easy-going moderate trek into the last forbidden kingdom of Nepal. The trail to Upper Mustang is all through the Himalayas, taking us to the last kingdom of Nepal also known as Lo Manthang 3810 meters bordering with the autonomous region of Tibet making it an easily doable trek to all age group and gender.

How to go for Mustang trek in Nepal?

There are many ways to go for Mustang trek depending upon traveler time-frame but the starting point for the entire Mustang trek can be Pokhara, which is 200km from the main city of Kathmandu or Jomsom. From Pokhara, there is a direct flight connection to Jomsom (headquarter of Mustang) which takes some 25 minutes, or can drive from Pokhara to Jomsom for 8-9 hours. Then onwards we can trek towards upper Mustang.

What is Mustang famous for?

Mustang is one of the famous Himalayan districts of Nepal, also known as the Himalayan desert, with numerous pilgrimage sites, among them Muktinath is very famous. Blessed with multiple mountains, Mustang is also popular for the ammonite/fossil only found in the river Kaligandaki (deepest river gorge). Apart from the Himalayas Mustang has a trade route with Tibet and also blessed with an abundance of Uranium as natural resources, mainly inhabited by Sherpa people, Mustang produces high-quality apples as well.

Why is Upper Mustang restricted area in Nepal?

Upper Mustang is the only restricted area in Nepal, it is so because of the open border with Tibet, which is an autonomous region of China. Upper Mustang is the only restricted area for foreign travelers to stop illegal activities related to China’s internal securities.

How many days do we need to trek Upper Mustang?

Trekking to Upper Mustang depends upon traveler interest and also the starting point, as the trek can be started from Pokhara and Jomsom. Upper Mustang can be trekked from 5-10 days, as trekkers can use optional flight and a half drive to Jomsom from Lo Manthang to stop running time-frame.

Can we drive to Upper Mustang?

Upper Mustang is one of the oldest trade routes to Tibet, people still use the same route to buy and sell their products to and from Tibet, and the government is upgrading the merchant route to reach mainland china to export and import. Keeping all these in mind there is an easy off-road at the moment to reach all the way to the border of Tibet from Pokhara, which travelers can utilize by driving by Jeep, Bike, etc.

Where is Upper Mustang located?

Upper Mustang lies in the northern part of Nepal, it is a district called Mustang of Gandaki province bordering Tibet. Apart from all this, Upper Mustang is the further northern part of the Mustang district which is the only existing kingdom and also the forbidden kingdom for foreign travelers. Travelers need a special permit to visit Upper Mustang starting from Kagbeni.

How much does it cost to trek Upper Mustang?

Upper Mustang trekking cost varies from the starting point and also the services we prefer to take during the trek. The nominal price for the Upper Mustang trek starts from 1500 USD which includes two trekking permits i.e. Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Upper Mustang along with accommodation and meals.

Where to stay during Upper Mustang trek?

Upper Mustang is a popular trekking destination in Nepal along with a trade route with Tibet. There are multiple numbers of lodges and tea houses operated by locals in the trail. So trekkers can stay in lodges and tea houses of their choice in every overnight camp.

Do I need special permit to trek Upper Mustang?

Upper Mustang is the further northern part of the Mustang district in Nepal bordering Tibet. Only the Upper Mustang area is restricted for trekkers (foreign national), apart from this Non- Nepali travelers can trek the Upper Mustang region which starts from Kagbeni using Restricted Area Permit (RAP) which cost 500 USD per person for 10 days and can be extended further by paying an additional charge of 50 USD along with (ACAP) permit which cost 30 USD.

Is Upper Mustang still ruled by a king?

Upper Mustang which is an area of the Mustang district was an independent kingdom till 1795 AD, from then onwards Upper Mustang became part of the Kingdom of Nepal on the condition that the existing King dynasty will last. Until very recently 2008 AD Nepal was a constitutional monarchy kingdom, so was the Upper Mustang. At the very moment the king of Upper Mustang His Majesty Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista passed away in 2016 AD, but the palace and the royal family member still do exist and are very respectable in entire Nepal.

Which country borders with Mustang?

Mustang, a district of Nepal that lies in the northern part of Nepal is in the rain shadow of two Himalayan ranges i.e. the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges borders with Tibet, the autonomous region of China.

Can we visit Tibet during Upper Mustang trek?

Upper Mustang is a popular trade route between the Himalayan kingdom and the Autonomous Region of Tibet. This is due to the similarity between the culture and religion of the two areas and still, the trade route has been used and is known as the Kora-La entry point. Travelers can visit the border of the Nepal-Tibet but to get into Tibet is not easy, as there are strict checking and observation between the two security groups of both the country.

Is Mustang worth trekking?

Mustang is one of the popular trekking destinations in Nepal, which lies in the rain shadow of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges both over 8000 meters. This makes Mustang a very dry area with no rainfall but excessive snowfall during winter. Apart from its beautiful Himalayas, Mustang is blessed with numerous other places of importance for any travelers which include Muktinath temple, Kaligandaki river (deepest river gorge, and the only river with ammonite/fossil). Along with these, Mustang will take us to the old settlement areas of Tibetan origin and the Tibetan Buddhism is one of the main religions of the Mustang district.

Why is Upper Mustang known as the last forbidden kingdom of Nepal?

Upper Mustang is still known as the last forbidden kingdom as the areas were totally forbidden for foreigners to enter till 1992 AD but with time this provision was slowly changed making it easy for the outside world to explore the hidden treasure of Mustang and from 1992 AD with some restriction and with Special permit travelers can visit Upper Mustang throughout the year.

When is the best time for Upper Mustang Trek?

Upper Mustang can be visited throughout the year but for enchanting clear views of the Himalayas February to May and August to November is regarded as the best time of the year. Apart from this if trekkers want to explore the culture of Mustang, they can visit during the month of May for the week-long Tiji festival, which is one of the main festivals of the entire Mustang region.

Short Upper Mustang Trek with Helicopter Return Itinerary

Upper Mustang Trek and Fly Out by Helicopter is a relaxing way of trekking to the ‘Last Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal. Upper Mustang Trek, is a renowned trekking destination known as ‘The Forbidden Kingdom’ and ‘The Mystical Kingdom’. This is the shortest way to explore Upper Mustang, avoiding the same way out.

The history and culture of Mustang are as old as the history of Nepal, as it used to be a separate kingdom ruled by a separate king. It is a splendid trekking destination and very adventurous, the beautiful sceneries, landscapes, culture, and religion are the beauties of this trail.

The majority of the inhabitants are Tibetan Buddhist followers. So for trekkers in every step, the power of spirituality can be felt. People are friendly toward the visitors and their simplicity and hospitality will help you know about them. The trail is mystic in itself, so you will be fascinated with the enchanting views of the Himalayas, culture, and customs of the native aboriginals all through the trail.

Upper Mustang is a restricted trail, so fewer trekkers can be seen around due to extra permits to trek in this region boarding Tibet. Lo Manthang, the cultural capital of Mustang is the oldest village in this region with beautiful scenic views and old clay houses of the people passed down from generation to generation still maintaining their age-old customs and traditions.

So, Lo Manthang is in the process of being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its uniqueness. Throughout the trail, different Buddhist monasteries and the Kaligandaki River flowing from the Himalayas will enchant you.

The ceremonies inside the monastery can be observed where monks reform the ritual ceremonies. Above all, the trail itself is the oldest trade route to Tibet and it’s till to date, people travel to Tibet to sell and buy their products.

Moreover, Upper Mustang is untouched by modernism. So, this trail will lead us towards our past to compare with our present where we live.

The above-mentioned program has been designed by Discover Altitude for trekkers who prefer to trek one way up and fly back to shorten the time. This itinerary will be very fruitful for all age groups as the trail is smooth enough as compared to other trails. Now your age won’t create a burden to be in the Himalayas and visit one of the famous kingdoms of Nepal.

Filled with diverse nature, culture, religion, flora, and fauna the trail passes by the famous Kaligandaki River gorge leading us to the deserted mountain through the ancient Tibetan settlement areas and finally to Lo-Manthang.

Starting from Pokhara you can fly to Jomsom to reach the Upper Mustang and observe the culture, religion, and lifestyle, and visit age-old monasteries of the region you fly back to Pokhara by helicopter.

Discover Altitude has specially designed the Upper Mustang Trek-In and Fly-Out Itinerary with frequent field visits by our professional staff to make sure the program goes according to the itinerary mentioned below.

For the convenience of our client detailed itinerary, cost, highlights, pictures, and the map have been provided. As it is a medium trek in the Himalayas, trekkers can visit this trail every season of the year.

Regarding the Upper Mustang Trek in and fly out Cost, it vary on the number of days and people; and also from the starting point, as the trek can be started from Kathmandu and also from Pokhara, and you can fly and drive as well.

We are flexible to revise and customize the itinerary according to the allocated time and interest as far as possible to make sure the needs and interests of our valuable clients are accomplished.

Trip Reviews

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5based on 53 reviews

If you want to experience true, kind Nepali hospitality and a great trek, don’t look for another agency.

I had the incredible opportunity to complete 4 different treks with Discover Altitude: Three Passes, ABC, Annapurna Circuit and Langtang. Each time, the experience exceeded my expectations! The owners, Kumar and Santosh, along with their guides are exceptionally professional, knowledgeable and attentive to every detail. Everything was very well planned for all treks, and I felt safe even at the highest altitudes, thanks to their friendly and supportive guides.

There are many agencies to choose from, and I visited many, but when I met Kumar and Santosh the quality of their personalities quickly became evident. They treated me as a friend they genuinely wanted to support, not just a client, caring only about the money. Even if I hadn’t signed up, they would have treated me the same, not as potential or lost business. This authenticity is why I chose them! This was the only agency where I had that gut feeling, which turned out to be correct. They always went the extra mile. Before each trek, they spent a lot of time going through all the details with me to ensure I had everything I needed and was ready to go. They also checked up on me along the way. During all these times, they truly became my friends!

If you want to experience true, kind Nepali hospitality and a great trek, don’t look for another agency. They are also very competitively priced for both solo and group trips! I cannot recommend them highly enough!

Mustang - Kagbeni, Muktinath 6-day tour

We chose a 6-day course that tours Kagbeni and Muktinath, the gateway to Mustang from Kathmandu. It takes 3 days to actually walk, so it's a safe course even for beginners.

Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (30-minute flight), then hike 3 hours to Kagbeni. Hike 5-6 hours to Muktinath. Return to Jomsom via a different route. Take a lunch break at Rupna on the way. Fly to Pokhara. Fly back to Kathmandu.

It was late May before the rainy season, but we were blessed with clear skies and were able to see the beautiful mountain ranges of Nilgiri and Annapurna. The desolate landscape of Mustang was very beautiful, and it was a very interesting experience to get a glimpse of the life of the villagers in Kagbeni.

It was quite hot during the daytime walks in late May. Short sleeves are fine. If you don't want to get sunburned, wear thin long sleeves. Since it gets cold in the mornings and evenings in Muktinath, I wore a light down jacket, but if you layer up a warm long sleeve jacket, you can wear a hiking jacket instead of a down jacket.

Our trekking guide, Amar, was very kind and not only guided us on hiking but also carefully explained the history and people's lives. (In English) He always took care to make the trek comfortable, and the walking pace was adjusted to suit our physical strength, so we were able to enjoy it without any strain.

Kumar handled advance reservations and questions, and he responded to emails very quickly. After arriving in Kathmandu, I visited the office and Kumar gave me a brief explanation of the schedule. In Kathmandu, Santosh handled my communications and accompanied me to the transfer between the hotel and the airport. Both of them were cheerful and kind.
During the tour, I asked to change my plan to stay in Pokhara for two nights after the trek (of course, the additional hotel fee was at my own expense), and I am grateful that he quickly and readily responded to my request, such as changing my flight on the return trip.

A short walk from Jomsom to Muktinath.

We had great dealings with Kumar and the team at Discover Altitude. Kumar was our initial contact, and Santosh was our day to day contact on-the-ground. Their communication was great, and everything went smoothly.

Before departing for Nepal, we emailed Kumar about what we had in mind, and he presented us with different options. We settled on a short trip from Jomsom to Muktinath - flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara and on to Jomsom the next day to commence our hike. (We took the same air-route in reverse on our way back.) In total, the trip was six or seven days, with three days hiking. (This worked out well due to our schedule, but next time we might spend a few more days walking.)

Our guide on the trip was Amar Magar. We really recommend him. (Ask for him by name!) He was thoughtful, organised, and provided clear information on what we were doing each day. His patience and pleasant manner made the trip really enjoyable.

The hike itself was good. The area from Jomsom to Kagbeni (where we stopped for the first night) was primarily along the road and the riverbed, and the scenery was primarily the dry and desolate scenery one might expect of the Mustang area. Kagbeni was a nice village to rest. (There are a number of tea houses, and an interesting temple where one of the monks showed us around.) The walk up to Muktinath the next day was a little bit tough - being a climb of about 1,000 meters. (Not 'technically' tough; more of a challenge due to low fitness levels!) After resting, we visited the Hindu pilgrimage site, which was quite an interesting experience as it attracts a lot of visitors. We stayed the night at a tea house in Muktinath, and then walked back to Jomsom via a different route, stopping at a village called Lupna on the way back. The route from Muktinath to Lupna was probably the highlight of our trip, with much more diverse terrain, including great alpine scenery, fantastic rocky cliffs and forests, and the picturesque village of Lupna itself, with a very old temple and some caves used for solitary retreats.

If you have limited time, then I would recommend the approach we took. It provides a glimpse of the Mustang region (without getting in to the Upper Mustang region, which requires more time and an expensive permit), and a taste of walking in the region. On our walk, we met a number of people who had walked the Annapurna Circuit, taking around two weeks. We might plan better and aim to do that next time!

In terms of practical considerations, noting it was mid-May, we found that we were able to walk in t-shirts and long pants. We carried a lot of warm clothing with us, but didn't need really it. (We were a bit cold briefly after arriving at Muktinath, but generally we didn't use our warm clothing. It would be smart to take something - but no need to take too much.) The bedding provided in the rooms was more than adequate, and we didn't need our own sleeping bags. (Taking a sleeping bag liner might suffice from a cleanliness perspective if this is a concern.)

A Once-in-a-lifetime EBC Trekking Trip

What a once-in-a-lifetime trek to EBC! Waking up at midnight to dogs barking or in the morning to birds chirping and singing and the sound of rushing river, looking out the window and seeing the mountain so close as if within reach, roaming around Namche Bazaar and checking out the local markets, setting off in the sound of school children's morning drill, crossing rivers and valleys over the suspension bridges, passing the mani stones in the villages and the stupas on the trail, watching porters with oversized load strapped on their heads stepping to the lively beat of loud Nepali songs, navigating rocks uphill inside the dark clouds and white-out snow, trekking on the winding trail through dusty forests, misty mountain passes, wide open scrub land, and rugged and rocky barren land, with the famous and mysterious mountain peaks seemingly around every corner or suddenly elusive behind the wandering clouds, and flying down in helicopter provided every moment to admire the mountainous landscape and appreciate local life in this harsh environment. It’s been almost two weeks since I came back yet the sceneries and sounds on the trail still linger.

The EBC trek was also grueling - the long distance, the high elevation, the thin air at times mixed with dust or animal smell, the coldness at night, the completely unpredictable weather that could change by the minute – and every little inconvenience could pile on the exhaustion from a long day of trekking, but the thoughtful services by my guide Krishna made all these bearable. Every day after arriving at the tea house he made sure food was ordered and I had a spot to sit next to the stove to warm up. Every morning before we leave the tea house, he made sure bill was paid and everything was packed and ready. On the trail he was patient, watchful, and protective when the yaks and horses approaching. My tour company Discover Altitude was very flexible and allowed me to change my trekking schedule on the fly, including booking tea houses during peak season and securing single room occupancy. In fact, the three unplanned tea houses in Jorsalle, Phungi Thenga, and Dughla, allowed me to enjoy the real serenity near nature and away from crowds. The company also booked a helicopter, outside of my original plan, to fly me out back in Kathmandu in time. Their flexibility was crucial for me to have a successful and enjoyable EBC trekking trip.

Thank you Krishna for your kind-hearted service.

And thank you Santosh for showing me the street food, the hidden temples, and the vibrant life around the old town of Kathmadu.

EBC with Amar, the best guide!!

I did the Everest Base Camp trek (8 days to reach EBC, Day 9 was to Kala Patthar). Started at the end of April and finished in May. We had great weather that time of year. The early days in the trek were warm enough for leggings and a lightweight shirt. A few people were in shorts. Day 7 was the first day I needed to wear down clothing items, gloves or a warm hat. Other days could be done with a baseball cap and a few layers - started the day with a windwall jacket and would switch to a vest or just my long sleeve dry fit top while trekking. The cardio keeps you pretty warm. Taking altitude sickness medication is key. Start taking it a day before you leave. We had no issue with altitude sickness but several people at the tea houses were not as lucky.

Kumar, the owner of Discover Altitude, organized everything for us and it was planned perfectly. He booked the best tea houses for us and everything was so well-organized that all we had to think about was making it to the top. Amar was our AMAZING guide. His brother Shukla was the porter. They were the nicest, most professional duo. Amar took very good care of us and it was obvious that he was one of the most well-respected guides on the trail. He knew everyone and was so experienced that we had a lot of tips and guidance that I don’t feel everyone else had on the mountain. Definitely request amar as your guide. We quickly realized how important the planning is and who your guide is for success on this trek.

Great experience and recommend doing Kala Patthar early the next morning for sunrise views of Everest!

Discover Altitude is the best!

Discover Altitude is the best trekking guide / tour operator in Nepal. Two days ago my friend and I reached Everest Base Camp on May 4th (trekking day 8).

On day 9, helicopter picked us up at Gorakshep - last tea house before EBC. Helicopter transported us back to Kathmandu via Lukla — 2.5 hour stop for refueling and other logistics. Hiking back down 3 extra days is not for everyone.

Reaching EBC was a small miracle for me. I was the biggest person (XXL) trekking. I trained for over a year… lost significant amount of weight to even attempt EBC. Everything had to go perfectly and it did. Planning was key. Some days were incredibly challenging and required very-very slow / steady pace.

At every step my guide was right there to support as needed. On some hills my guide was 12 inches behind me in case I lost balance from exhaustion.

We were blessed to have Amar as our guide and his younger brother, Shukla, as porter. They did everything for us … from finding bathrooms, ordering meals, dealing with hotels, first aid, and fun to talk with too. Multiple times during the trek other guides whispered to us that Amar is one of the best guides in the region.

We opted for the luxury tour with nicer hotels + helicopter ride to Lukla to start + helicopter return from the top. Paying extra for luxury tour is worth every penny. We met some hikers not having a good experience. Painfully obvious they chose the wrong guide / tour operator.

If you are in perfect shape and you’ve trekked Nepal many times before- maybe having the best guide isn’t as critical. But for us we relied on our guides for every decision … even down to what to eat and drink at different altitudes.

TIPS:

1- take diamox right from the start (1 day before starting the trek)

2- take helicopter to/from Lukla. If you don’t take helicopter, be prepared to sit around for days waiting on weather to clear for airplane flight. People stuck at the airport waiting multiple days to get out aren’t having a good time.

3- go vegetarian. You’ll love ra-ra noodle vegetable soup

4- bring tons of electrolyte packets and drink 5 liters/day

5- pack for very cold days at the end (EBC). Both outer-wear gear and warm jackets for nights at the hotel. Be prepared for extremely dry air at night. Bring nasal spray to help breath through your nose.

6- get plenty NPR cash in Lukla or Kathmandu. In a pinch, tea house hotels can run your CC to give you NPR cash… will cost 10% extra charge.

7- tip your guides as generously as you can

8- don’t bring huge camera unless you are ok lugging the extra weight. Newer iPhone or Android do fantastic job.

9- go slow. Don’t skip rest (acclimatizing) days.

10- Book your trip with Discover Altitude. Kumar will email you immediately with details to help you customize your trip. He will work through every question / idea with patience. We had at least a dozen unusual requests including special activities in Kathmandu after the trek. Kumar and our guides made them all happen. Remember to request booking at nicer hotels.

11- go with friend or family you really enjoy being with for two weeks. Having someone to motivate you and just hang out together makes the trip so much better.

12- day 2 to Namche might be your hardest day, particularly after Hillary Bridge… 1-2 hours straight uphill at the end. Don’t give up. Go slow and ask for help (horse available if can’t make it up that hill).

Great Service from begining to end!

We reached out to a number of treking companies, quite last minute when the opportunity came up to go to Nepal. We got a lot of responses but in the end, Discover Altitude had exactly what we were looking for and very helpful along the way. When we arrived in Kathmandu we met at their office and they went into detail about what we could expect and answered all our weird questions!!(first timers!)
We were picked up by an excellent driver, met our guide ahead of time( that was the only confusion was if we were getting a guide/ a guide/porter or a guide and porter, it all worked out very well despite zero training on our part. On the last day we hiked up out of Namche,to the helicopter that took us over base camp with a short landing on Kala Patthar before returning back to Lukla and then Kathmandu where Discover Altitude picked us up and generally looked after us from start to finish including a couple of day tours around Kathmandu. It was spectacular , Santosh and Kumar were very caring and you could tell how proud they were of their company and employees.

Great experience in Kathmandu

Kumar was so helpful from the moment I was introduced to him. He listened intently so he could work out the best tour based on our discussion. He was open, transparent, and always prompt to reply to my many messages. He went over and above his call of duty as my visa had expired and without hesitation assisted me in ensuring it was all sorted. He is extremely knowledgeable and was happy to share his knowledge if you make it known to him just how keen you are to hear stories.
I would highly recommend Kumar and his team and feel like this review will be sufficient to not have to look any further as he is one of the best you'll ever find in Kathmandu.

No. of Person	Price Per Person
2 people	US$6500
3 - 6 people	US$5500
7 - 14 people	US$4500

Short Upper Mustang Trek Itinerary and cost - 12 Days

Highlights

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Itinerary

Day 1:Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 2:Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Day 3:Kathmandu to Pokhara by Tourist bus/ Private Car

Day 4:Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom(2,700m/8,858ft/20 minute flight) and trek to Kagbeni

Day 5:Trek from Kagbeni to Chaile

Day 6:Trek from Chaile to Syangboche

Day 7:Trek from Syangboche to Ghami

Day 8:Trek from Ghami to Charang

Day 9:Trek from Charang to Lo Manthang crossing over Lo La Pass -3,950m/12,960ft

Day 10:Free day / Excursion day in and around Lo Manthang

Day 11:Helicopter flight from Lo-Mangthang to Pokhara and domestic flight to Kathmandu

Day 12:Transfer to International Airport

Not happy with this regular itinerary?

Cost Details

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Trip Reviews

If you want to experience true, kind Nepali hospitality and a great trek, don’t look for another agency.

Eva B, Hungary

Mustang - Kagbeni, Muktinath 6-day tour

Hito, Japan

A short walk from Jomsom to Muktinath.

Nick O'Connell, New Zealand

A Once-in-a-lifetime EBC Trekking Trip

Jackie Z, United States

EBC with Amar, the best guide!!

Stephanie S, United States

Discover Altitude is the best!

James T, United States

Great Service from begining to end!

dallasbc, Canada

Great experience in Kathmandu

Balance for Life Corporate Retreats, Australia

FAQs

Q1. How difficult is Upper Mustang Trek?

Q2. How to go for Mustang trek in Nepal?

Q3. What is Mustang famous for?

Q4. Why is Upper Mustang restricted area in Nepal?

Q5. How many days do we need to trek Upper Mustang?

Q6. Can we drive to Upper Mustang?

Q7. Where is Upper Mustang located?

Q8. How much does it cost to trek Upper Mustang?

Q9. Where to stay during Upper Mustang trek?

Q10. Do I need special permit to trek Upper Mustang?

Q11. Is Upper Mustang still ruled by a king?

Q12. Which country borders with Mustang?

Q13. Can we visit Tibet during Upper Mustang trek?

Q14. Is Mustang worth trekking?

Q15. Why is Upper Mustang known as the last forbidden kingdom of Nepal?

Q16. When is the best time for Upper Mustang Trek?

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