Trip Facts
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4,000m+
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Teahouses & lodges
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Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner during the trek
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Domestic flight (Pokhara–Jomsom), local jeeps, and walking trails
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18
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75
The Upper Mustang Trek is a rare journey into the ancient Kingdom of Lo, rich in Tibetan culture and dramatic desert landscapes. Once forbidden to foreigners, it opened in 1992 and still requires a Restricted Area Permit and ACAP. Starting and ending in Jomsom, the trail follows the Kali Gandaki River, passing between Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna I (8,091m) the world’s deepest gorge.
The highlight is Lo Manthang, the 15th-century walled capital, with its royal palace, ancient monasteries, Ghar Gompa, the sky caves of Chhoser, and the mystical Luri Gompa with centuries-old murals. Geographically, the region is a high-altitude desert of barren cliffs, canyons, and unique rock formations.
Best trekking seasons are spring (Apr–Jun) and autumn (Sep–Nov), though its rain-shadow location makes it suitable even during monsoon. With limited visitors, Upper Mustang remains a peaceful and culturally immersive adventure.
Trip Highlights
- Explore the ancient Kingdom of Lo and its rich Tibetan culture.
- Visit the walled city of Lo Manthang with its royal palace and 15th-century monasteries.
- See unique sites like Ghar Gompa, Luri Gompa, and the sky caves of Chhoser.
- Follow the Kali Gandaki River, the world’s deepest gorge, flanked by Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I.
- Experience remote villages and authentic Tibetan lifestyle, rarely visited by tourists.
- Enjoy a peaceful, less crowded trekking experience, with limited visitors each year.
