Upper Mustang Trek or the Trek to the Forbidden Palace of Lo Manthang is one of the worlds most exclusive trekking trail in the restricted area of Nepal, opened for tourists only in 1992. Mustang, formerly the Kingdom of Lo is a remote and most isolated region of the Himalayas of which the central part the capital, Lo Manthang is surrounded by high stone walls.
The area is a barren landscape and rugged trails known as Caravan Route that was used by the people as a Salt trade route with Tibet. Cave like settlements and houses made of mud bricks give this area an antique and attractive look. People in the area follow strange social system of Polyandry since generations and still continues.
On arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, a representative from Eve Holidays will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. You’ll have rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
Kathmandu Durbar Square: is one of three royal palace squares in the Kathmandu Valley. This site was the royal residence until the 19th century where important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch use to take place. The two-hectare palace complex is divided into two main courtyards, and was initially constructed in the 16th century, although subsequent additions were made in the Shah dynasty in the 18th century and by the Rana rulers in the 19th century.
Swoyambhunath Temple: This Buddhist Stupa, said to be 2000 years old is a perfect architecture of gilded spire and white washed dome located under thousands of fluttering prayer flags. From the spire, four faces of Buddha stare out across the valley in the cardinal directions.
Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath, a pagoda style Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is considered to be the powerhouse of Hindu spiritual power in religious terms.
BoudhanathStupa: Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list, this enormous stupa where thousands of pilgrims gather daily to make a ritual circumnavigation of the dome, beneath the watchful eyes of the Buddha, which gaze out from the gilded central tower.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a warm breakfast in the hotel we will drive along the Trishuli River to Pokhara, the city of Lakes
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Pokhara.
Included Meals: Breakfast
To shorten the trekking days from Pokhara to Jomsom we take an early morning domestic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom Airport. Jomsom is famous for its apples. Walking along a beautiful valley we pass through Eaklebatti Village which is located at the bank of two rivers. You can see the ruins of an old fortress here.
Overnight: Teahouse in Kagbeni.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
At Kagbeni our trekking permits are checked and from here we start trekking alongside Kali Gadaki River. We reach the Tangbe Village that has its narrow alleyways, white-washed houses, barley and buckwheat fields, and apple orchards. Continuing our walk through another village we cross a river and a short walk over a ridge takes us to Chele.
Overnight: Tea house in Chele
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we start on a difficult trek of today as we will be passing through two high passes of Taklam La pass (3,624m) and Dajori La pass (3,735). On our way, we enjoy great views of Tilicho, Yakawa Kang and Damodar Danda and pass by Ramchung Cave. After the passes, we descend on an easier trail to reach Samar Village. Walk from this village leads us to a ridge and we descend and continue trek upto Syanboche for overnight stay.
Overnight: Tea house in Syanboche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we climb the ridge to Syangboche La Pass. Above Ghiling iVillage s an old red gompa and ancient meditation caves in the cliffs. We walk past several Chortens and then ascend to Nyi La pass. Descending the valley we pass the most spectacular longest Mani wall in the region. Finally we arrive Dhakmar village which has dramatic red canyon wall and many ancient caves.
Overnight in : Tea house in Dhakmar.
Included Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Passing through the green pasture land and climbing up through the canyon to the ridge, we reach Gyakar Village that has one of the oldest Gompas in Nepal, the Ghar Gumba (Lo Gekar), with rock paintings. Belonging to the Nyingma tradition it is connected to Samye Gompa in Tibet and has a strong connection to Guru Rinpoche. We spend sometime before we continue to the walled city of Lo Manthang. which has around 180 houses amongst narrow streets and some of the most incredible Tibetan Buddhist gompas.
Overnight: Tea House in Lo Manthang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the acclimatization day in Lomanthang. We take a pony to Garpu, where we visit the monastery and the meditation caves called Sky Caves. which is an amazing cave complex filled with relics, paintings, and archaeologically significant items.
Overnight: Teahouse in Lo Manthang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We walk to Lo La Pass from where we get a last view of Lo Manthang City. From the pass is an easy walk to the village of Chrang.The village is dominated by the crumbling five stories Tsirang Dzong, a Tibetan style fortified palace and the ochre-coloured Tsarang Gompa belonging to the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Overnight: Teahouse in Chrang
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We walk along rocky river bed and do a final ascent to Yara Village which has fantastically sculpted canyons.
Overnight: Teahouse in Yara
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking through a cliff side trail we reach Tashi Kabum cave complex which is a newly discovered group of 6 caves that has beautiful Buddhist paintings and a beautifully painted Chorten. The access to this site is quite difficult and dangerous, those less adventurous may opt to miss this visit. From here we continue to Luri Gumba and its network of Tibetan Buddhist caves. The main Luri Gumba is located near the riverbed, with the upper prayer rooms and Kabum Stupa on a trail above.
Overnight: Teahouse in Yara
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will cross Kali Gadaki river several times for which keeping the sandals ready will be comfortable. We reach Tsarang La Pass. The descent from the pass takes us to a dramatic set of Chortens and the longest mani wall in Mustang, further to Ghemi Village and finally descend to Ghiling..
Overnight: Teahouse in Ghiling
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Along the way to the caves, see the nests of Himalayan Griffins high up in the cliff faces. The Chungsi cave is one of Guru Rinpoche’s meditation caves and up a series of rock steps, you can see many Tibetan Buddhist sculptures, Chortens and other relics. Leaving the cave it’s a spectacular walk to the village of Samar.
Overnight: Teahouse in Samar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is an easy walk with couple of hours of trekking to reach Chhuksang. From here we will be picked up by our vehicle, heading to Jomsom by road.
Overnight: Teahouse in Jomsom
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We take an early morning flight to Pokhara. The airplane passes through a gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains making the flight itself an amazing experience. You will have the rest of the day on your own.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Pokhara
Included Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, we drive to Kathmandu. We spend our last evening in Kathmandu in a farewell dinner together sharing photos recalling the excitements of trip and exchanging emails in one of the traditional Nepalese restaurant.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Today after breakfast you are in leisure on your own. You will be escorted to airport for your flight home at your flight time
Meals: Breakfast
NOTICE:
Minimum 2 people required for booking Upper Mustang Trek.
In Kathmandu/Pokhara you will stay in 4 Star Hotels with breakfast included. Along the trekking routes, you stay in teahouses/lodges that generally provide basic clean facilities with a mattress and a quilt or blanket. Accommodation are on a twin sharing basis. The accommodation in lodges in trekking routes can be single and double rooms, or a dormitory. The toilets in tea houses provide essential and basic facilities and are always outside the room. Single supplement will be provided on request and will cost an additional and depend upon availability. Although single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu/Pokhara and the trekking regions at lower elevation, it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations. Hotels in Kathmandu/Pokhara can be upgraded to 5 star in an additional cost.
In Kathmandu/Pokhara breakfast will be provided. Welcome dinner and farewell dinner are in Kathmandu. While on trekking, we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. Usually, each day dinner and breakfast will be at teahouses/lodges where you will stay and lunch will be on the way. We make it sure that the food is hygienic and at the same time suits your palate. Foods cooked in lodges and guesthouses on the way are pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, daal bhat (rice and lentils), bread, soup, fresh vegetables (variety depends on the season) and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and some interesting attempts at custard. You will find a lot of garlic on the menu because it assists with acclimatization. In many larger villages you may find some meat items on the menu. You can always find hot chocolate, tea, and hot lemon drinks, as well as soft drinks, and treats like chocolate and crisps.
The spring time from March to May and the Autumn months from September to November is considered the best months for Upper Mustang Trek.
Anyone who is fit and healthy and have a habit of walking for few of hours a day can do this trek. However walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your stamina. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lungs and blood diseases are required to consult their doctor before taking the trip. It is also advised that you inform Eve Holidays about the medical condition before booking the trek.
All of Eve Holidays trekking itineraries are planned keeping in mind the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Going up at higher altitude too fast causes a medical condition called AMS which is serious enough to kill if neglected. We are well aware that it is essential to allow you sufficient time for acclimatization to minimize the risk. However it is important to remember that some people are more vulnerable than others. So we suggest to avoid alcohol and drink enough water and get good night sleep during the trek.
Upper Mustang Trek is a moderate trek that goes up to an altitude of 3,870m/12,697ft passing through trans Himalayan region which was forbidden for tourists until 1990’s. Must be physically fit with active lifestyle and have a habit of exercise and walking.
March April May and Sept Oct Nov are the best time to trek
Yes, we give you the flexibility to change the travel date or amend the itinerary and that has to be in written and at least 25 days before departure date. The cost incurred due to the changes has to be borne by you.
Booking deposits are transferable to anyone you want for any time in future. For cancelling the trip, cancellation policy in our booking terms and conditions will apply.
We did the Everest Base Camp earlier. So this time we were into something challenging trek. We booked Everest 3 High Passes Trek with Eve Holidays in a friend’s recommendation. We were 2 friends doing this trek and it was like a private trip for us and thanks to Eve Holidays, they did not charge us extra for the trek. We very much enjoyed the trek with them. Our guide Bishnu was very interesting man and accommodation, meals, flights and all arrangements made by this company was good.
Trip of a lifetime
I have not been good in taking six months to reply to your email. I just wanted to thank everyone for making this trip a trip to remember and a trip of a lifetime. From the beginning, I was impressed by the professionalism and excellent service displayed by everyone on your team, without exception. The trek itself was a great experience, and it was made even more so by Basu and his team of guides and porters. Basu is an excellent trek leader, and his ability to adapt and make allowances for the needs of the entire group was evident from Day One. The trek left me with an incredibly positive of the people of Nepal and the country. I will be back for another trek and can only wish that it is with the same group of people who took me on my first trek in the Himalayas.
Great Trek
We had the best experience trekking up to Kyanjin Gompa, with excellent help from our wonderful guide Pradip and porter Prakas. I think we were extra lucky by being the only two people on this tour, as it became a private trip for us. Pradip was looking after our needs every step of the way, and always going beyond expectations in caring for us. They even woke extra early for us to walk out for a sunrise view of the Himalayas near Kyanjin Ri and brought extra snacks along for us.
