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Price

From$2,700

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9816

17 days, 16 nights

Availability : March through November

Min Age : 12+

Max People : 12

FAST PACED MUSTANG TREK

The Upper Mustang trek goes to the north of the massive gorge between Himalayan giants Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Historically Upper Mustang dominated the trade along the ancient route connecting Tibet with Nepal and India. The inhabitants of Mustang (the Lobas) are Buddhist and culturally Tibetan. But as the king allied himself with Jumla rather than Lhasa, the region was eventually absorbed into Nepal. If you are looking for a trek through alpine scenery, the Upper Mustang Trek is not it. Instead, we will be in the great Himalayan rain shadow on a wind-swept desert landscape. Located on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Upper Mustang’s landscape includes implausible gorges, high passes and enormous vistas.

A point to note, is that the Upper Mustang trek now criss-crosses the jeep track to Lo Manthang. But our trail follows the trekking trail as much as possible and we have listed below places where you will meet the jeep tracks. Even when hiking on the jeep tracks you will only come across a few jeeps. Unless your trek coincides with the Tiji Festival when lots of visitors drive up to Lo Manthang to witness the festival. Also, read our article on how to avoid the jeep tracks.

Also, do check out our visual blog to see what kind of lodges and meals to expect on the Upper Mustang Trek.

WHY TREK WITH US?

All our Mustang Treks are private treks for a minimum of two participants. We do NOT nickel-and-dime on services – all inclusions and exclusions are clearly listed in cost details. Some companies will advertise trips for very low prices but they have a lot of exclusions that is usually not clear. With over 30 years of experience, most of our trekkers are either repeat clients or referrals. We employ the most professional and friendly staff.

We are also proud to give back to our community through 3 Summits For Nepal managed by Crystal Mountain Treks staff. Contact us to learn more…

THE TREK

The Mustang trek begins with a flight to Pokhara and then to Jomsom early in the morning the next day. We follow the trail that goes up to Lo Manthang and back to Jomsom via the route west of the Kali Gandaki river and is slightly more faster-paced than our standard twenty-one day Upper Mustang Trek.

Trip at a glance

Brief Itinerary - Mustang Trek

Day	Description	Overnight	Altitude
Day 1	Arrival in Kathmandu	Kathmandu	1,340m/4,300ft
Day 2	Exploring Kathmandu	Kathmandu	1,340m/4,300ft
Day 3	Kathmandu to Pokhara	Pokhara	827m/2,713ft
Day 4	Pokhara to Kagbeni	Kagbeni	2,808m/9,215ft
Day 5	Kagbeni to Chele	Chele	3,032m/9,950ft
Day 6	Chele to Syangbochen	Syangbochen	3,627m/11,900ft
Day 7	Syangbochen to Drakmar	Drakmar	3,444m/11,300ft
Day 8	Drakmar to Lo Manthang	Lo Manthang	3,505m/11,500ft
Day 9	Lo Manthang	Lo Manthang	3,505m/11,500ft
Day 10	Lo Manthang to Tsarang	Tsarang	3,620m/11,800ft
Day 11	Tsarang to Ghemi	Ghemi	3,520m/11,450ft
Day 12	Ghemi to Giling	Giling	3,806m/12,400ft
Day 13	Giling to Chele	Chele	3,032m/9,950ft
Day 14	Chele to Kagbeni. Drive to Jomsom	Jomsom	2,700m/8,850ft
Day 15	Fly Jomsom to Pokhara	Pokhara	827m/2,713ft
Day 16	Fly to Kathmandu	Kathmandu	1,340m/4,300ft
Day 17	Final departure

Detailed Itinerary - Mustang Trek

Day 1Arrival in Kathmandu

Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel. Day Free. Enjoy welcome dinner. Briefing during dinner. (Dinner)

Day 2Exploring Kathmandu

Full day of sightseeing in Kathmandu. You will be accompanied by our in-house city guide. In the morning, visit Bodhanath, the Stupa of a Million dew drops, to watch monks and devotees circumambulate the largest stupa in the world. Then visit Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Drive to Patan for lunch in the garden of the Patan Museum Café. After lunch, visit the well-maintained Patan Museum storing ancient Nepali artifacts, followed by a tour of Patan Durbar Square. Drive back to Kathmandu. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 3Kathmandu - Pokhara (827m/2,713ft)

Board an early flight to Jomsom. The plane navigates up the Kali Gandaki gorge between Annapurna (26,538 feet) and Dhaulagiri (26,788 feet) to the Jomosom airstrip.

Begin your trek up the windy Kali Gandaki valley to its confluence with the Jhog Khola. Kagbeni is the gateway to Upper Mustang and was formed in the 14th century as a checkpoint to control travel. Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Day 4Pokhara to Kagbeni (2,808m/9,215ft.)

Board an early flight to Jomsom. The plane navigates up the Kali Gandaki gorge between Annapurna (26,538 feet) and Dhaulagiri (26,788 feet) to the Jomosom airstrip.

Begin your trek up the windy Kali Gandaki valley to its confluence with the Jhog Khola. Kagbeni is the gateway to Upper Mustang and was formed in the 14th century as a checkpoint to control travel.

Today’s hike is all along the jeep trail with some opportunity to walk along the banks of the Kali Gandaki river.

Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

JOMSOM TO EKLEBHATTI:
Distance – 5.11 miles/8.22 kilometers
Ascent – 743 feet/227 meters
Descent – 512 feet/156 meters
Ascent time – 1.5 hours
Descent time – 25 minutes
Flat time – 45 minutes

EKLEBHATTI TO KAGBENI:
Distance – 1.17 miles/1.88 kilometers
Ascent – 144 feet/44 meters
Descent – 102 feet/31meters
Ascent time – 15 minutes
Descent time – 13 minutes
Flat time – 6 minutes

Day 5Kagbeni to Chele (3,032m/9,950ft)

Heading north along the river, snowy Nilgiri (22,431 feet) will dominate the skyline in sharp contrast to the river canyon below. Enter Tange Village, a labyrinth of narrow alleys among whitewashed houses with fields of buckwheat, barley, wheat, and apple trees. Then continue toward Chhuksang along a trail lined with chortens (Buddhist wayside shrines) painted the traditional colors of red, black, and white — colors made from local rocks and minerals. Eventually cross the Kali Gandaki River on a steel footbridge, then climb up to the village of Chele, perched on a ridge above the gorge.

All of today’s hike is on the jeep track. An alternative is to charter a jeep ($100 extra for jeep charter) and begin the trek from Chele. The day you save today can be spent to further explore Lo-Manthang.

Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

KAGBENI TO CHUSSANG:
Distance – 6.33 miles/10.2 kilometers
Ascent – 1,339 feet/408 meters
Descent – 1,041 feet/318 meters
Ascent time – 1.5 hours
Descent time – 1 hour
Flat time – 1 hour

CHUSSANG TO CHELE:
Distance – 2.02 miles/3.25 kilometers
Ascent – 582 feet/178 meters
Descent – 177 feet/54 meters
Ascent time – 36 minutes
Descent time – 20 minutes
Flat time – 20 minutes

Day 6Chele to Syangbochen (3,627m/11,900ft)

Begin trek today with an unrelenting climb — the trail often hewn out of the canyon wall — continuing more gently to your lunch stop at the pleasant village of Samar. The trail from Chele to Samar (3-4 hours) is all on jeep track. In the afternoon, navigate over two more ridges (highest pass is about 12,500 feet) to Syangbochen, a small cliff-side settlement with a panoramic view of the Annapurnas. From Samar, instead of trekking via Bhena, we take the Eastern route through Chungsi caves to Syanbochen to avoid the jeep track.

Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

CHELE TO SAMAR:
Distance – 2.78 miles/4.47 kilometers
Ascent – 1,172 feet/357 meters
Descent – 126 feet/38 meters
Ascent time – 1.5 hours
Descent time – 9 minutes
Flat time – 25 minutes

SAMAR TO SYANGBOCHEN:
Distance – 6.49 miles/10.45 kilometers
Ascent – 1,878 feet/573 meters
Descent – 1,233 feet/375 meters
Ascent time – 2.5 hours
Descent time – 1 hour, 10 minutes
Flat time – 1 hour, 10 minutes

Day 7Syangbochen to Drakmar (3,444m/11,300ft)

Start uphill to another pass of about 12,500 feet. The trail then descends to Giling. The trail upto Giling is all on jeep track. To avoid the jeep track, we continue on the Eastern trail with a gentle ascent toward a pass (12,800 feet) east of the Nye La (12,720 feet). From this pass, you’ll have incredible views of the Annapurnas and Nilgiris as well as sweeping views of Mustang. Ghemi Village, built on the edge of a steep cliff, appears in the distance. Continue to Drakmar with its prominent red-cliffs. These cliffs are home to blue-sheep.

Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

SYANGBOCHEN TO GHEMI:
Distance – 8.27 miles/13.4 kilometers
Ascent – 1,899 feet/579 meters
Descent – 2,532 feet/772 meters
Ascent time – 2 hours
Descent time – 2 hours
Flat time – 1 hour, 50 minutes

GHEMI TO DRAKMAR:
Distance – 2.4 miles/3.86 kilometers
Ascent – 864 feet/264 meters
Descent – 247 feet/76 meters
Ascent time – 1 hour
Descent time – 15 minutes
Flat time – 45 minutes

Day 8Drakmar to Lo Manthang (3,779m/12,400ft)

Today is a long and strenuous hiking day. So begin early. Soon after leaving camp, climb over Mui La and proceed to Ghar Gompa (Lo Gekhar). Lo Gekhar contains one of the oldest gompas in Nepal (built in the eighth century — even older than Samye in Tibet), a great red-and-white structure surrounded by trees.

Continue ascent to the Marang la pass. Though not very steep, if it is a sunny day, this will be a grueling climb. Then descend through a pasture to the walled city of Lo. Today’s hike is all on trekking trail – NO jeep track.

Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

DRAKMAR TO GHAR GOMPA:
Distance – 3.37 miles/5.42 kilometers
Ascent – 1,191 feet/363 meters
Descent – 628 feet/192 meters
Ascent time – 1 hour, 20 minutes
Descent time – 30 minutes
Flat time – 30 minutes

GHAR GOMPA TO LO MANTHANG:
Distance – 7.05 miles/11.34 kilometers
Ascent – 1,345 feet/410 meters
Descent – 1,642 feet/500 meters
Ascent time – 1 hour, 30 minutes
Descent time – 1 hour, 30 minutes
Flat time – 30 minutes

Day 9Lo Manthang (3,779m/12,400ft)

Explore the maze of narrow streets winding through approximately 150 houses, and three important gompas built in the early 15th century. These temples (along with those in Tsarang and Lo Gekhar) have been rescued from the ravages of time by the efforts and heart of local people (Lo Gyalpo Jigme Foundation in collaboration with the American Himalayan Foundation) — with stunning results. If you are very fortunate we may get an audience with the king or queen at the four-story palace. The king, Raja Jigme Parbal Bista, although his duties are mostly ceremonial, is well loved and respected throughout the region.Overnight Camp. (All meals)

Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

DAY 10 Lo Manthang to Tsarang (3,505m/11,500ft)

The former trekking trail is now all jeep track to Tsarang (3-4 hours). An alternative, though almost twice as longer, is to hike down to Dhi and then ascend to Tsarang the impressive village that boasts a huge five-story white dzong (fortress) and well as the imposing red gompa – Dorje Dhen (6 to 7 hours)

Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

LO MANTHANG TO TSARANG:
Distance – 5.83 miles/9.38 kilometers
Ascent – 1,293 feet/395 meters
Descent – 1,360 feet/415 meters
Ascent time – 1 hour, 35 minutes
Descent time – 1 hour, 6 minutes
Flat time – 1 hour, 5 minutes

DAY 11 Tsarang to Ghemi (3,520m/11,250ft)

Today is a short gentle descent to Ghemi. Again, an alternative if you wish to avoid the jeep track is to hike to Dhakmar and retrace the descent to Ghemi (6 to 7 hours)

Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

TSARANG TO GHEMI:
Distance – 5.83 miles/9.4 kilometers
Ascent – 1,293 feet/395 meters
Descent – 1,360 feet/415 meters
Ascent time – 1 hour, 35 mintues
Descent time – 1 hour, 10 minutes
Flat time – 1 hour

Day 12Ghemi to Giling (3,806m/12,400ft)

Retrace trail to Giling and visit the village monastery.

Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

DAY 13 Giling to Chele (3,032m/9,950ft)

Retrace trail to Chele. An option is to visit Lo Gekar west of the former trekking trail before descending to Chele/Chusang where you meet the jeep track.

Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

DAY 14Chele to Kagbeni. Drive to Jomsom (2,700m/8,850ft)

Retrace trail to Kagbeni which is all on jeep track. An all trekking trail alternative is to hike east from Chhusang towards Muktinath. This is a strenuous hike and involves a 2,600 feet ascent (6 to 7 hours). From Muktinath, descend by jeep to Jomsom.

Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Day 15Jomsom to Pokhara

Fly to Pokhara. Day free in Pokhara to explore the lake-side, buy souvenirs or just relax. Alternate activities include hiking to the Peace Stupa and/or visiting the International Mountain Museum.

Overnight Hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 16Pokhara to Kathmandu

Fly to Kathmandu. Day free in Kathmandu for final shopping and exploring. Farewell dinner.

Overnight Hotel. (Breakfast and Dinner)

DAY 17Final departure

Transfer to airport for final departure (B)

Cost Information - Mustang Trek

Per person price (valid until December 31, 2023)

2 – 3 persons: $3,000 USD per person

4 or more persons: $2,700 USD per person

Single Supplement: $300 USD

US$ 200 per person discount on Spring 2023 departures (January through June).

Price Includes

All airport transfers
One full days sightseeing in Kathmandu as indicated in the itinerary and entrance fees to monuments
Three nights twin sharing hotel accommodation at Hotel Tibet (3 star) in Kathmandu
Two nights twin sharing hotel accommodation at Big Pillow Inn (2 star) in Pokhara
Airfare: Kathmandu to Pokhara to Jomsom and Jomsom to Pokhara to Kathmandu
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Lodge trekking as indicated in the itinerary
Boiled water for your bottles two times a day
Use of Steripen to sterilize water
Guide and staff wages, equipment and meals
Guide and staff insurance
Mustang Restricted Area Permit
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.

Price Excludes

Your international airfare
Nepal Visa
Meals not indicated in the itinerary
Tips and gratuities
Personal equipment (a suggested list will be mailed to you)
Travel insurance (Required)
Other expenses of a personal nature.

Map

Trip Gallery

Options

As the name suggests, this is a fast-paced itinerary. So you must be in good shape and willing to hike up to 8 hours on a couple of days. There are many routes in the Upper Mustang area (going into Lo Manthang and returning to Jomsom) and we are happy to customize this itinerary to suit your needs. Another option is a circuit trek going into Luri Gompa which will require a few more strenuous long days of trekking. A more relaxed paced camping trek to Upper Mustang is also possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

When is the best time to do the Mustang Trek?

Mustang falls in the rain shadow region of Nepal and hence the standard weather pattern for Nepal does not apply. The area receives very little precipitation but Winter does arrive early (November through February). It is possible to trek in this region in Spring (March through May), Summer/Monsoons (May through September) and early Autumn (October and early November). Expect a big variation in temperature. In these months, day time temperatures can range from the 50’s to the high 70’s (10 to 30 Centigrade) while night-time temperatures dip to the high 20’s and 40’s (0 to 5 Centigrade). While the Upper Mustang region does not receive much rain, it is still very wet in the lower Mustang region in July and August causing flight cancellations due to bad weather and road blockages due to landslides.

How much does the Mustang trek cost?

Unlike most lodge treks in Nepal, an individual CANNOT organize their own trek to Upper Mustang. Your permits have to be procured by a trekking company registered in Nepal. And there must be a minimum of two participants in the group. The Upper Mustang permit is US$500 per person for 10 days. This is the minimum. Add $50 for each extra day.

You can: A) choose a Nepali company or B) choose a western guided trek. If you’re doing Upper Mustang trek with a Nepali outfitter, expect to pay anything between $1,500 – $3,000 with varying inclusions and exclusions. Make sure you understand what is included and what is not included in the package. The best way to choose a Nepali company is to ask for references. Option B would cost above $3,000.

How fit do I need to be to do the Mustang - fast paced trek?

Anyone who is reasonably fit and can hike 10-12 miles a day can sign up for this fast-paced Mustang Trek. Expect substantial elevation gain/loss on a few days and also a couple of long days of up to 7-9 hours. The hike from Drakmar to Lo Manthang would be the longest. What allows for a fast-paced trek is that the elevations reached on this trek does not exceed 14,000ft. That said, the better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy the trek. It is advised that anyone with a pre-existing condition consult their doctor before signing up for a trek.
We rate the fast-paced Upper Mustang Trek a 4 on a scale of 1 (easy) to 5 (challenging).

Can I drink tap water on the trek? How can I get water that is safe to drink?

Nepali tap water is NOT safe to drink. Even if you see the locals drinking water straight from the tap, never drink water before boiling or sterilizing. Bring water purifying tablets or other water purifiers. At higher elevations during the coldest times of year the water will freeze, so you’ll need to buy boiled water from teahouses. If you plan to use a STERIPEN, bring wide mouth water bottles. You would need at least 2 one-liter water bottles for the trek. Even if you plan to bring a hydration pack, bring 1 one-liter water to sterilize the water before pouring into your hydration pack.

Crystal Mountain Treks will provide you with a Steripen to use on the trek for no charge.

Do read our blog on safe drinking water options: Hydration on treks in Nepal

What kind of food should I expect?

Meals on the Mustang trek start out being quite varied especially at the beginning of the trek in Jomsom and Kagbeni. But it becomes sparser as you ascend to the Lo Manthang. In general, expect porridge (Oatmeal), toast, eggs (any style), muesli, hash browns, sausages etc for breakfast. And sandwich, pizzas, momos, noodles (dry and with soup), rolls, fried rice, Indian bread with vegetables etc for lunch and dinner. And expect Nepali dal-bhat (rice-lentils with vegetables and/or meat) at all the lodges.

Ours is an OPEN menu. Meaning we allow our clients to order anything from the lodge menu besides bottled beverages, specialty coffee and packaged snacks. We also don’t limit the number of items per meal as long as you aren’t wasteful. When choosing your trekking company, ask if meals are fixed or if you are only allowed to order one item from the menu. If this isn’t the case, costs can add up over 15/16 days.

Check out our article on food options for vegetarians.

What kind of gear do I need for the trek?

Layering is key. And it’s always recommended to trek with good branded gear. A good pair of hiking boots that’s been broken in is very important. Good top and bottom base layers, a mid layer (fleece or capilene), and an outer layer (Gore-tex or other material). If you tend to get cold quickly, bring a down parka especially for the evening at the lodge. On most days, you’d be hiking in a convertible hiking pant that can be converted into shorts and one or two top layers.

if you’re trekking with Crystal Mountain Treks, we provide a sleeping bag (rated to 0 degree F or -17 degree C), duffel bags, down jacket and Steripen for water purification to our clients for no charge.

It is possible to buy cheap and relatively functional gear in Kathmandu – convertible pants, down jackets, fleece, Gore-tex jackets. But remember, you get what you pay for. Wool gloves, hats, socks are available too.

There are quite a few branded stores too. North Face, Moutain Hardwear, Marmot and Sherpa. If you’re coming from Australia or Europe, items in these shops are probably cheaper than back home. But if you’re coming from the US, it’s better to buy branded gear at home.

How should I prepare for the trek?

The more physically fit you are, the more you will enjoy the trip. There are three aspects to training for any trek.

1) Cardiovascular Training will make your body more efficient in using oxygen. Running, walking, swimming or biking, or any combination of these are great for cardiovascular conditioning.

2) Strength Training by either using free weights or machines at the gym will build hiking strength. Walking stairs, especially with a pack will simulate the hiking environment. We also recommend practicing squats. Trekkers will encounter low hanging obstacles to duck under, and many toilets are at ground level, which requires a low squat.

3) Endurance Training is where you build endurance in the months leading up to your trek, slowly increase your length of training sessions. By the time you are 2 weeks from the scheduled trek date you should be able to ascend 3,000 ft. in a 3-4 hour period.

In the end, the more your training simulates a trek, the better off you will be. So hiking 4-5 hours outdoors, uphill and downhill, about once or twice a week in addition to other cardio vascular training at the gym or at home will greatly benefit and prepare you for the trek.

Check out our article on training for treks.

Is there mobile signal on the trek? Wi-fi?

Most of the places on the Mustang trek route now have cell coverage. You can also buy a Sim card with 5GB or 10GB data for under $25: do this in Kathmandu.

Are there ATM's in Mustang?

Only in Jomsom. Bring cash for expenses en route.

Is immunization required for trekking in Nepal?

No vaccinations are REQUIRED. There are some that are recommended. Check out websites of the following for immunization that are recommended:

1) CIWEC hospital in Nepal

2) CDC (Center for Disease Control)

2 Reviews

Sort By:RatingDate

Christopher Eager

Solo Traveller

My trek with Crystal Mt was fantastic. I would highly recommend the Mustang trek. Although my guide became ill during the trek, Crystal Mt acted quickly to get a replacement guide on site.

December 5, 2018

Josianne Robb

Family Traveller

We chose Crystal Mountain Treks to help us coordinate our first trek in Nepal.
My teenage sons and I wanted to be off the beaten track for 2 weeks, and the team delivered. In fact, they exceeded our expectations.
We absolutely loved Mustang – the landscape is simply breathtaking and its people, warm and welcoming.
There were very few tourists, in fact, very few people. Our guide and porters were kind, jovial, knowledgeable and made sure we had a holiday to remember. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Crystal Mountain Treks and would use this company again for our next trek in Nepal.

April 5, 2018

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