Upper Mustang Trek  - 17 Days

The Upper Mustang Trek is rated moderate, involving 5-7 hours of daily walking on high desert trails without technical climbing sections. Trekkers stay below 4,000m/13,123ft for most of the route, which keeps altitude-related risk lower than treks like Everest Base Camp. Good baseline fitness, some hill-walking experience, and a few months of cardio preparation beforehand will make the trek considerably more comfortable, especially given the strong winds common on the Kali Gandaki valley trails in the afternoons.

The Upper Mustang Trek requires a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and can only be arranged through a registered trekking agency like Himalayan Glacier. The RAP costs USD 500 per person for the first 10 days, plus USD 50 per person for each additional day, while the ACAP costs approximately NPR 3,000 (about USD 30) per foreign trekker. Because this is a restricted region bordering Tibet, independent trekking isn’t permitted every visitor must travel with a licensed guide, and permits are non-transferable once issued. See our full Upper Mustang permit and cost guide for the complete breakdown and documentation checklist.

The best time to do the Upper Mustang Trek is during spring (March-May) or the monsoon summer months (June-August), since the region sits in the Himalayan rain shadow and stays dry even when the rest of Nepal sees heavy rainfall. This makes Upper Mustang one of the few treks in Nepal well-suited to monsoon season travel. Late April to May is especially popular, as it coincides with the vibrant three-day Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang. Winter (December-February) is best avoided, as cold temperatures and limited teahouse availability make trekking impractical. For a season-by-season breakdown across Nepal, see our Best Time to Trek in Nepal Guide.

The Upper Mustang Trek with Himalayan Glacier is a 17-day itinerary, including time in Kathmandu and Pokhara, the flight to and from Jomsom, and the trek itself to Lo Manthang and back. Most Upper Mustang itineraries across operators range from 12 to 18 days depending on route variations, rest days, and side trips to villages like Tsarang and Chhoser. Shorter customized options are possible for trekkers with limited time, including jeep-assisted variations that reduce walking days while still reaching Lo Manthang.

The highest point on the Upper Mustang Trek is Lo La Pass at approximately 3,950m/12,959ft, just before the descent into Lo Manthang, which itself sits at 3,810m/12,500ft. Because the trek stays under 4,000m/13,123ft for nearly its entire length, altitude sickness risk is lower here than on treks reaching above 5,000m, such as Everest Base Camp Trek at 5,364m/17,598ft. That said, proper acclimatization and hydration are still important at these elevations our High-Altitude Trekking Tips cover practical prevention steps.

Altitude sickness risk on the Upper Mustang Trek is lower than on treks that climb above 4,500m, since the route’s highest point, Lo La Pass, sits at approximately 3,950m/12,959ft. Mild symptoms like headache or fatigue can still occur, particularly for trekkers flying directly into Jomsom without acclimatization time. Staying hydrated, ascending gradually, and informing your guide of any symptoms early are the best precautions. Himalayan Glacier’s guides carry pulse oximeters and are trained to monitor trekkers throughout the journey.

Lo Manthang is the walled former capital of the Kingdom of Lo, home to centuries-old monasteries, the former royal palace, and a living Tibetan Buddhist culture that developed in isolation until the region opened to foreign visitors in 1992. Trekkers spend time exploring Lo Manthang’s three main gompas  Jampa, Thubchen, and Chhoede alongside side trips to nearby villages like Tingkhar. Because Upper Mustang remained closed for so long, Lo Manthang preserves traditions, architecture, and dialect closely tied to Tibet rather than the rest of Nepal, making it one of the most culturally distinct destinations in the Himalayas.

The Tiji Festival is a three-day Buddhist ceremony held annually in Lo Manthang that reenacts the mythical victory of good over evil through masked dances and ritual performances. It typically falls in May, though exact dates shift each year based on the lunar calendar, so trekkers hoping to attend should confirm dates with their trekking agency before booking. Timing a trip around the Tiji Festival adds a rare cultural dimension to the Upper Mustang Trek, drawing both local pilgrims and international visitors to Lo Manthang’s central square.

Accommodation on the Upper Mustang Trek is a mix of comfortable hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and teahouses or guesthouses during the trekking days, typically on a twin-sharing basis. Teahouses in Upper Mustang are more basic than those in busier regions like Everest or Annapurna, given the remoteness of the area, though most offer hot showers and simple meals. Trekkers wanting a private room can usually request one for an additional single supplement, subject to availability at each stop along the route.

Travel insurance is required for the Upper Mustang Trek and should specifically cover trekking at altitudes up to 4,000m/13,123ft, along with emergency evacuation. Because Upper Mustang is remote and close to the Tibet border, medical facilities along the trail are limited, making comprehensive coverage essential rather than optional. Trekkers should confirm their policy covers helicopter evacuation before departure, as this is the primary means of emergency evacuation from the region.

Packing for the Upper Mustang Trek should account for strong afternoon winds, cold nights, and a dry desert-like climate, even in summer. Essentials include a warm sleeping bag, layered clothing, sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat), and sturdy, broken-in trekking boots. Because the region is arid and dusty, a buff or scarf to cover your face during windy stretches is particularly useful here, more so than on greener trekking routes elsewhere in Nepal.

The Upper Mustang Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek differ substantially in landscape, culture, and permit requirements, even though both start from Pokhara. Upper Mustang is a restricted, desert-like trans-Himalayan region requiring special permits and a licensed guide, focused on Tibetan Buddhist culture and the walled city of Lo Manthang. Annapurna Base Camp, by contrast, passes through lush forests and Gurung villages en route to the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130m/13,550ft, and doesn’t require a restricted area permit. Trekkers drawn to cultural depth and off-the-beaten-path terrain tend to prefer Upper Mustang, while those wanting classic mountain scenery often choose Annapurna Base Camp.

Solo trekking in Upper Mustang isn’t permitted independently, every trekker must be accompanied by a licensed guide through a registered trekking agency, since the region falls within a restricted area near the Tibet border. Traveling with an agency like Himalayan Glacier also means permits, logistics, and safety support are handled on your behalf throughout the trek.

The Upper Mustang Trek package with Himalayan Glacier includes airport transfers, hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara, the Pokhara-Jomsom flight, all permits (RAP and ACAP), a licensed guide, porter support, and teahouse accommodation with meals during the trek itself. International flights, Nepal visa fees, personal expenses, and tips for the trekking crew are typically excluded.