Upper Mustang Trek, Forbidden Kingdom is one of the most remote treks in Nepal that takes you through dense forest, isolated traditional settlements of ethnic people, steeply passes, and gangways, dry landscape, terraced fields, always offering you something pure and captivating. Once you come to Lo Manthang, all your expectations shall surpass, and you shall be fascinated by the pure and untouched beautiful nature and culture of the area. Being a remote trek, you shall certainly be making through lots of passes, and other rugged land surfaces. However, if you wish to tap the experience of traditional culture and untouched and unmolested region of Nepal, the Upper Mustang Trek is one of the best destinations.
You are required to have a moderate level of fitness to complete the trek. Though it is really remote in comparison to other classic treks in Nepal. You will not require any athletic body fitness to have however, you should able to trek long hours of the day that will be sufficient for this amazing trek of Upper Mustang trek. To ensure that you don’t have any severe problem with your knees and legs that might directly affect your trekking. Expect a moderate level of amenities in the teahouses, which gets limited as you go higher and higher. March to May and September to November are considered the best times for doing any trek in Nepal. Furthermore, if you wish to customize the itinerary we have, do inform us before we make any progress in making an arrangement.
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m)
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing (1300m)
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara (827m)
Day 04: Flight to Jomsom (2,700m)/ trek to Kagbeni (2,810m)
Day 05: Trek to Chele (3,050m)
Day 06: Trek to Syanbochen (3,475m)
Day 07: Trek to Tsarang (3620m)
Day 08: Trek to Lo Manthang (3,730m)
Day 09: At Lo Manthang (3,730m)
Day 10: Explore the Lo Manthang
Day 11: Trek to Drakmar (3,810m)
Day 12: Trek to Ghiling (3,806m)
Day 13: Trek to Chhuksang (3,050m)
Day 14: Trek to Jomsom (2,700m)
Day 15: Flight to Pokhara (827m)
Day 16: Drive to Kathmandu (1300m)
Day 17: Final Departure
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m)
Welcome to Kathmandu, our representative shall receive you from the airport and take you to your hotel. Depending upon the available time, you can visit some of the nearby places of the valley. This is a great day to explain to you what to expect in this country. Stay overnight in your hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing (1300m)
You shall visit some of the world heritage sites enlisted by UNESCO such as the Pashupatinath Temple, the Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath, Basantapur Durbar Square, etc. After that, you can do some shopping for your trek starting from the next day. We shall be sitting together over Welcome Dinner in a popular restaurant in the town. Stay overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara (827m)
This is a 6-7-hour ride to Pokhara, witnessing the scattered villages over the hilltops and enjoying the bumpy ride. Once you reach there, you shall get to see the mountains waiting for you; Mt. Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna ranges, etc. You shall stay overnight in a beautiful hotel lakeside.
Day 04: Flight to Jomsom (2,700m)/ trek to Kagbeni (2,810m)
Early in the morning, you shall fly all the way to Jomsom, the place pretty popular for apples. Once you reach there, you shall embark your trek towards Kagbeni. Walking through beautiful valleys, passing Eklebhatti, you shall complete the first day of your trek. It might take around 3-4 hours to arrive at Jomsom from Kagbeni. Stay overnight at Kagbeni.
Day 05: Trek to Chele (3,050m)
After your permits are checked, you shall trek alongside the Kali Gandaki River. You shall climb a hill after walking in sand and wind. Passing the Tangbe Village, witnessing the small alleyways and traditional houses, terraced fields of buckwheat and barley, you shall continue further to pass another village. Further trekking takes you to the Chele Village. Stay overnight at Chele Village.
Day 06: Trek to Syanbochen (3,475m)
Trek from today onwards get quite challenging every day. You shall make through the Taklam La Pass and Dajori La Pass, which are situated at an altitude of 3,624m and 3,735m respectively. Witnessing the amazing views of Damodar Danda, Ramchung Cave, Yakawa Kang, and Tilicho, you shall descend down to Samar Village. Walking above, making to the top of a ridge and descending down, you shall reach all the way to the Syanbochen village. Stay overnight at Syanbochen.
Day 07: Trek to Tsarang (3620)
Climbing the Yamda La Pass, which is situated at an altitude of 3,850m, you shall make through several teahouses and settlements. Walking through forest and fields with barleys you shall cross the Nyi Pass, which is situated at an altitude of 4,010m. Then, you shall descend down all the way to Ghami Village. we will have lunch break at Ghami.
After lunch you shall descend downhill via rugged trail before crossing a bridge at Ghami Khola. Then, you shall climb uphill, passing through several Mani Walls, Chortens, before crossing the Tsarang La Pass, which is situated at an altitude of 3,870m. After you make through the Pass, you shall arrive at Tsarang. Stay overnight at Tsarang.
Day 08: Trek to Lo Manthang (3,730m)
Descending downhill, crossing a river, you shall climb uphill to Lo La Pass, which is situated at an altitude of 3,950m. The top of the pass shall award you with one of the best panoramic views you shall gather on the whole trek. Then, you shall descend downhill to Lo Manthag. The walled village shall make you wonder if you have penetrated into an unknown world. Stay overnight at Lo Manthang.
Day 09: At Lo Manthang (3,730m)
In this day, after early breakfast. You shall spend the whole day visiting some of the popular Gompas, i.e. the Jhampa Gompa, the Thupchen Gompa, and the Chhoeda Gompa. Stay overnight at Lo Manthang. Stay overnight at Lo Manthang.
Day 10: Day hike to Choser and Tingkhar
Today bafter breakfast we go Choser village, where you will see Jhong cave cave and Monastery. in the afternoon we will visit Tingkhar where yoy will see summer place and Namgel Monastery. Stay overnight at Lo Manthang.
Day 11: Trek to Drakmar (3,810m)
On your return journey from Lo Manthang, you shall trek via a different route. Passing through Gyakar Village, the Old Ghar Gompa situated there, you shall make towards Drakmar. The Gompa consists of attractive rock paintings; you shall spare some time to explore the Gompa. Stay overnight at Drakmar.
Day 12: Trek to Ghiling (3,806m)
Early in the morning, you shall start making towards Ghiling, descending downhill. Passing through a dry plateau, and terraced fields, you shall reach Ghiling. Since you shall be struggling with the strong wind, trekking downhill can be quite challenging. However, you due effort is awarded with this relatively dry village overlooking the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri mountains. Stay overnight at Ghiling.
Day 13: Trek to Chhuksang (3,050m)
Today, you shall walk on the same trail you had done for heading to Lo Manthang. Witnessing the breathtaking views of mountains and scattered villages, you shall reach to Chhuksang. Once you reach Chhuksang, you shall be enveloped by the strong lamentation over the starting of the journey. Though you are making on the same trail backward, you shall always find newness in it. Stay overnight at Chhuksang.
Day 14: Trek to Jomsom (2,700m)
Today you shall walk for 6-7 hours to reach Jomsom, and is the last trek. After you trek for a couple of hours, the Mustang trail shall end, and you shall start walking on the Annapurna Circuit trail. Lunch at Kagbeni surely will make you miss the whole trek badly. Stay overnight at Jomsom.
Day 15: Flight to Pokhara (827m)
Early in the morning, you shall fly all the way to Pokhara. You shall watch the gorge situated between the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Mountains. Once you arrive in Pokhara, depending upon the time you have and the energy left, you shall explore the most beautiful city of Nepal. Stay overnight at Pokhara.
Day 16: Drive to Kathmandu (1300m)
It is a 6-7-hour drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Witnessing the fading mountains, hurrying villages, lush green vegetation, you shall enjoy the bumpy way all the way to Kathmandu. Once you reach there, you might hurry for shopping, as you shall have your departure flight the next day. Our representative shall take you to your hotel. Stay overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 17: Final Departure
Our representative shall take you from your hotel to the Tribhuvan International Airport within sufficient time before your departure flight. They shall then bid farewell and part away. Have a safe and happy journey back to your nation.
Included in the Cost
- All the Airport pickup and drop by private vehicle, car/van or bus (depends on the group size)
- Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast at a 3- Star level (4 nights)
- Hotel in Pokhara with breakfast at a 3- Star level (2 nights)
- One full day sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley (cultural Heritages, UNESCO World Heritage sites by Private Vehicle.
- Entrance fee for Durbar Square, Temple, and Monuments during the city tour in Kathmandu Valley.
- Professional English-speaking Tour guide during a city tour.
- Sightseeing in Pokhara with all entrance fee and private vehicle
- An experienced, Knowledgeable, helpful, friendly and English speaking, government-licensed trekking guide.
- Porter / Sherpa service to carry your Duffel bag (2 clients, Porter)
- kathmandu to Pokhara & Pokhara to Kathmandu by private Vehicle
- All necessary paperwork such as Annapurna Conservation area entry fee, special trekking permit, TIMS Card (Trekkers information Management system).
- Accommodation on the Tea House/ Mountain Lodge/Guest House Twin sharing bases with 3 times meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) with tea and coffee, during the trekking
- Mountain King Treks and Expedition printed T-Shirt, Duffel bag and Upper Mustang trekking route map souvenir for you.
- Pokhara to Jomsom and Jomsom to Pokhara Flight tickets
- Welcome and farewell dinner
- Group medical Supplies (First Aid Kit) carry by the guide
- All the meals, accommodation, equipment’s, salary, transportation, Insurance and local tax for all trekking staff.
- Trip achievement appreciation certificate
- All the tax, vat, local tax, and services charge.
Not Included in the Cost
- International Airfare and Nepal entry visa
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Personal trekking gears
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Alcoholic beverages, hot water, mineral water during the trek.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, internet, sweet snacks beverages barbill and battery charge
- Tips for tour/trekking staff and driver
- Extra night Kathmandu Hotel early arrival from Trekking and late Departure.
- Any other expenses which are not mentioned on price include a section
Trekking equipments
The main essentials to bring are:
- Sturdy and comfortable hiking boots, flip-flops
- Sleeping bag (depending on your accommodation) and -20 degree Celsius for colder regions
- Daypack, trekking bag pack, dry sack and camera bag
- Few changes of clothes for the varying temperatures
- For cold weather, hiking pants, thermals, gloves, neck warmer/scarf, beanie, a warm inner jacket and a windproof / waterproof outer jacket and down jacket are essential.
- Water purification supplies, a reusable water bottle and a camelback water bladder
- Sunscreen, Hat, sunglasses, moisturizing skin cream and lip balm
- Few snacks, granola bars
- Hiking stick or two
- Waterproof case, fabric bandages such as moleskin, a headlamp, altitude sickness and other medication
- Camera and binoculars.
- Hand sanitizers, toilet paper, band-aids, wet wipes
- Extra batteries (solar chargers recommended)
On the popular trekking routes, everyday supplies, such as toilet paper, soap, chocolate bars, and even basic hiking supplies can be purchased along the way, though prices rise dramatically as you go higher in elevation. Try to stock up lower down and buy locally-produced products such as fruit, biscuits etc. Maps are easy to find in Nepal. For the more difficult treks involving mountaineering, crampons and ice axes may be required. Simpler types of crampons, which attach to the shoe using a rubber ring, are easily obtainable in the Thamel neighborhood. These are variously known as spikes, micro spikes and chains.
