Upper Mustang Trek
From $2,250 per person
Trekking region
Upper Mustang Trekking
The former Kingdom of Lo: a high, dry land of canyons, cave monasteries and the walled city of Lo Manthang, in the rain shadow north of the Annapurnas.
- Capital
- Lo Manthang 3,840 m
- Trek length
- 14–18 days
- Gateway
- Jomsom (flight)
- Best months
- Mar–Nov
Compare the routes
Treks in the Mustang Region
Every trek below runs as a private trip on your dates or with a small group. Compare the length, height and grade, then open a trek for its full day-by-day plan.
| Trek | Days | Max altitude | Grade | Best for | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Upper Mustang Trek
|
18 | 4,210 m | Moderate | Mar–Nov (incl. monsoon) | $2,250 |
Why go
Why trek in Upper Mustang
Upper Mustang looks and feels like Tibet: wind-carved cliffs in red and ochre, whitewashed villages, prayer walls and monasteries hundreds of years old. It was closed to outsiders until 1992, and an expensive permit still keeps visitor numbers small.
It is also one of the few treks in Nepal that works in the monsoon, because the Himalaya blocks most of the rain.
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Lo Manthang
The 15th-century walled capital, with monasteries and the old royal palace.
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Cave dwellings
Sky caves and the multi-storey cave complex of Chhoser.
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A monsoon trek
Little rain from June to August, when most of Nepal is wet.
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Ancient trade route
Follow the old salt route between Tibet and India along the Kali Gandaki.
When to go
Trekking conditions month by month
Jan: Avoid
Feb: Avoid
Mar: Possible
Apr: Good
May: Best
Jun: Best
Jul: Good
Aug: Good
Sep: Best
Oct: Best
Nov: Good
Dec: Avoid
- Best
- Good
- Possible, with trade-offs
- Not recommended
Spring (Mar–May)
Windy afternoons but clear mornings. The Tiji festival usually falls in May.
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Dry in Mustang itself; flights from Pokhara can still be delayed by cloud.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Crisp, clear and golden — the most beautiful time to visit.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Very cold and many families move south; lodges close.
Permits & cost
Permits you need
All permits are arranged by us and included in the trek price. Fees are set by the government and can change — we always charge the current rate.
US$50 per day
Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit
Charged for each day inside the restricted area (the old US$500 10-day block ended in late 2025). Licensed guide required. Included in our trek.
NPR 3,000 (about US$23)
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Included in our trek.
Our Upper Mustang trek
The Upper Mustang Trek is 18 days from Kathmandu: fly to Jomsom, walk up the classic western route via Ghami and Tsarang to Lo Manthang, explore the Chhoser caves and return through the remote eastern villages of Yara and Tange to Muktinath.
Getting there
Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom early in the morning (20 minutes), then walk to Kagbeni, the gateway to the restricted area. A road now reaches Lo Manthang, but our route follows the old trails away from it wherever possible.
Difficulty
Moderate: days are 5–7 hours and the highest passes reach a little over 4,000 m. Wind and dust are the main discomforts — bring a buff and good sunglasses. One day on the eastern return is long and remote.
Culture and etiquette
Walk clockwise around chortens and mani walls, ask before photographing people and remove shoes in monasteries. Small donations at monasteries are appreciated. Read more in Mustang trekking: exploring the Forbidden Kingdom and all about the Upper Mustang trek.
Keep planning
More on the Mustang Region
Upper Mustang Trekking: your questions
Why is Upper Mustang called the Forbidden Kingdom?
It was an independent kingdom (Lo) until 1951 and remained closed to foreigners until 1992. The title of king was only abolished in 2008.
Can I trek Upper Mustang in July?
Yes — it lies in the rain shadow and stays mostly dry. It is one of the best treks in Nepal for the monsoon months.
Is there a road to Lo Manthang?
Yes, a dirt road now reaches Lo Manthang. Our itinerary uses the old walking trails and the remote eastern route to avoid it.
Didn’t find your answer? Ask the guide who leads this trek.
Free trip planning
Not sure which Mustang Region trek to choose?
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