Upper Mustang Trek – 18 Days

You spend the day sightseeing in Kathmandu and making preparations for the trip. After breakfast, visit major heritage sites: Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Narayanhiti Palace. Return to hotel after sightseeing and rest.

Leaving Kathmandu after breakfast, you drive to Pokhara, following long stretches of the Trishuli and Marsyangdi Rivers en route, along with terraced fields, forested hills, and small market towns. You arrive at Pokhara and check into your hotel there. The evening will be spent at leisure by Phewa Lake.

You start early with a scenic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, a windy and arid town in Mustang. After a short rest, you start walking toward Kagbeni. The trail moves along the riverbed and past scattered villages while offering broad views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Tukuche peaks. You reach Kagbeni after 3 to 4 hours and settle into a local guesthouse.

After breakfast, you begin the hike up the river valley. The trail alternates between high paths and sections of riverbank. Along the way, there are ancient caves carved into the cliffs, as well as a visit to the small Nyingmapa monastery of Gompa Kang. You will stop for lunch in Tangbe before following the trail beside the Narsing Khola and the Kali Gandaki River. By late afternoon, you will be arriving at Chuksang.

You continue north, on your way to a big formation of red rocks shaped like a natural tunnel where the Kali Gandaki flows underneath. From there, you climb to the quiet valley of Ghyakar Khola and reach Chele. After a short break, you walk a few more hours to Samar, a small village where you will spend the night.

You leave Samar by a steady climb uphill and enter a deep gorge, with the trail then opening into a wide valley. You cross a suspension bridge before climbing to a pass, then drop down to Syangmochen, reached by a long but gentle descent. This provides an opportunity for a good lunch stop at the tea shops. Later, you continue through a high valley, then drop down into Geling, with its stone houses and fields of barley.

Today’s walk starts with an uphill stretch through terraced fields. Pass by Tama Gun and a chorten while ascending towards Ghami La Pass. The trail then leads to Nyi La Valley at the highest point of the day. Cross over the two-way junction and take the left trail down to Ghami, a traditional village that has cliffs and chortens around it.

You set off at dawn, following a soft route along wild cliff edges. After a while, the track dives into thick woods suddenly shadier and quiet. Eventually, you reach Tsarang, a local village packed with towering monasteries, ancient forts, or vibrant thangka art displays. In late hours, you wander through town, picking up stories from its strong Buddhist roots

After breakfast, you leave Tsarang through an isolated chorten and climb gradually until the walled city of Lo-Manthang comes into view. The final approach takes you along the northeast side before you enter the ancient capital. Lo-Manthang is full of historic monasteries, narrow alleys, and centuries-old architecture. You sleep in a tea house inside the walled town.

Right now’s all about chilling, getting used to the height, while checking out the culture deep in Upper Mustang. Maybe you’ll stroll around temples, pick up bits on Buddhist customs, or explore narrow ancient lanes instead. Most folks either trek short distances to scenic spots yet some just soak in the calm pace of this mountain village.

You start your way back by tracing the previous route. The trail then passes Tsarang and follows a steady descent until you again reach Ghami. Check into a tea house for the night and rest after a long day.

Today you continue south, passing Geling and Samar as you drop to lower altitude. The landscape slowly shifts, becoming slightly greener. After several hours of steady walking, you reach Chuksang for the night.

This feels like a highlight of the whole Upper Mustang journey. Crossing dry, open land that looks almost Martian, moving past rows of apple trees while spotting homes built in old Tibetan fashion. Along the path, there’s chance to see yak groups wandering, steep rocky walls rising up, plus clusters of aged caves carved into stone. Later in the day, once after arriving at Muktinath – a place deeply respected by Hindu and Buddhist travelers alike. A dip below the row of 108 spouts is possible here, alongside viewing a fire still lit after hundreds of years.

You head south to Jomsom through Eklebhatti, tracing the flow of the Kali Gandaki River. Instead of open ground, you walk among tall firs and rhododendrons, then suddenly spot Nilgiri peeking above the trees whilst Dhaulagiri stands behind it. As daylight fades, Jomsom appears and once you reach there, you drop your bag at a small guesthouse.

You will take a short morning flight back to Pokhara. Later in the day, you are free to do whatever you wish. You can boat on Phewa Lake, see Davis Falls, visit the International Mountain Museum, or watch the sunset from the Peace Pagoda. In the evening, you head back to the hotel.

You drive back to Kathmandu on the same highway you used earlier. Check into your hotel, then explore Thamel, do some souvenir shopping, or go for a rejuvenating massage. In the evening, enjoy a last Nepalese dinner.

Now marks the end of your days in Nepal. A team member will take you to Tribhuvan Airport while helping sort out check-in steps. Farewell comes here, as you head back carrying moments from the Upper Mustang adventure.