Green Pastures Adventures emblem

Green Pastures Adventures

Upper Mustang

Mustang · Moderate

Upper Mustang

A desert-Himalaya cultural expedition with Tibetan heritage, monasteries, and remarkable highland landscapes.

Duration

14 days

Max altitude

4,230 m

Best seasons

May-Oct

Difficulty

Moderate

Start booking

Route planning map

Explore the route
before you commit.

Switch between topographic context, overall route shape, and stage-by-stage stops to see how the trek unfolds in real terms — not just as a line between famous names.

Route map

Upper Mustang

Loading route map

Drawing the topographic base, route line, and stage markers for this itinerary.

Route read

Jomsom to Lo Manthang

Desert-Himalaya relief with monastery towns and jeep-ready valleys visible as a single expedition canvas. Destination focus: Lo Manthang at 3,840m, the walled city at the heart of the Upper Mustang journey.

Route progress

Stage 1 of 50%

0 km

Completed

~57 km

Total route

Elevation profile

1234

↑ 2,270 m

Elevation gain

↓ 3,120 m

Max elevation

Current leg

Jomsom to Kagbeni

7 km

Est. distance

Transit

Stage type

Duration

14 days

Max altitude

4,230m

Best seasons

May-Oct

Starting rate

$3,350+

Permits and access

Permits

Restricted Area Permit, ACAP, Licensed guide required

Access

Flight or jeep to Jomsom

Stay style

Boutique Kathmandu/Pokhara stays + comfortable lodge route

Customize your trip

jeep

Full overland Upper Mustang by private jeep for travelers chasing a deeper cultural expedition.

flight

Fast-track Jomsom sectors for shorter itineraries.

Build a proposal

Day-by-day itinerary

How the journey unfolds.

A representative 14-day plan. Every departure is private and can be paced, shortened, or extended around your dates.

7

Day 7 · . · .

Lo-Manthang (exploration day)

↑ .

Lo-Manthang means the “plains of prayer.” The city is a walled fortress of old times with houses tightly packed behind the walls, and a maze of narrow alleys to explore. The king’s palace, in which he still resides, is easily noticeable, as it is the largest residence in Lo-Manthang. It is also possible to visit 3 monasteries – the Chamba Lakhang which houses the massive 45 foot statue of Maitreya (the future Buddha), the Thugchen Lakhang with several large images of Sakyamuki, Avolokitsevara and Maitreya and Chodi of the Sakya Sect which has several monks in residence and offers us the chance to join in prayer and chanting. Half way to the King’s summer palace in Namgyal, is the Namgyal Monastery. It is the largest monastery in Mustang and is perched on a hillside above the village. Its massive walls are painted in scripts of grey, white and yellow. There is a large courtyard surrounded by galleries and the main hall contains a large altar with splendid statues, images and Thankas hanging from the pillars. Lo-Manthang has a post office, health post; police check post and radio communication with Jomsom and Kathamndu.

6

Day 6 · 5 hrs · 10 kms

Tsarang (3650m) – Lo-Manthang (3760m)

↑ 110m ascent

After our initial descent, the trail follows a gentle but continuous climb with increasingly beautiful views. High sandstone cliffs with numerous caves flank our east and the Mustang Himal peaks are visible stretching towards Tibet. From the Lo-Manthang Pass (3950m) we first see the village of Namgyal, and then Lo-Manthang itself, the only walled village on this route. It contains the Royal Palace of the King of Mustang and will be our base camp for the next 3 nights. Hiking hours: 5

5

Day 5 · 6 hrs · 11 kms

Ghami (3490m) – Tsarang (Charang) (3650m)

↑ 160m ascent

We cross the river on the other side of Ghami village. There is a hospital following 300m long Mani wall. The Mani wall is the longest in Upper Mustang and is said to be the intestine of the demon killed by Padmasambhav (Guru Rimpoche). Tsarang (3650m), a Dzong which formerly housed a king of the region. Tsarang is situated on the edge of a beautiful cliff. The name Tsarang has been derived from the Tibetan word Chaptrun meaning cook’s crest. The crest being the narrow rocky ridge upon which the Castle stands. There is a Monastery which was built in 1385AD and a 5 storied Palace built in 1378AD. The Palace has 108 volumes of Kangyur Text engraved in Gold. Hiking hours: 6

3

Day 3 · 6 hrs · 10 kms

Chaile (3050m) – Syanboche (3920m)

↑ 870m ascent

We climb until we reach the Chotare Lopcha Pass (3625 m) where it offers a good view towards Samar, the Kali Gandaki Valley and snow-capped peaks in the distance. We then follow the contour of the mountain to Samar (3700 m) named after the red outcrop of rocks. We stop for lunch at Samar. Then we take the lower route to visit Chunsi cave red painted monastery, which is an impressive and worth to visit. This is Rangchyung Chorten, one of the most sacred places in Mustang. Sometime it is possible to see the rare blue mountain sheep in this area. Our today’s destination is Syanboche (3920 m). Hiking hours: 6.

What's covered

Included & excluded
at a glance.

Included

  • Total of two nights' accommodation in Pokhara (before and after the trek) at the operator's guesthouse
  • Guide
  • Assistants, (maximum weight to carry is 12 kg for female assistant and 15 kg for male assistant).
  • 3 meals per day, afternoon tea & snacks,
  • Accommodation is typically arranged on a twin-share basis, though peak-season departures may occasionally require a triple or four-bed room.
  • Annapurna Park entry, TIMS fees and Special permit,

Not included

  • Mineral water
  • Beverages- soft and hard
  • Extra dessert
  • Souvenirs
  • Tipping to staff
  • Any entry fee during cultural (monastery/temple heritage visit)

The Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal (Upper Mustang) (one way drive) · Updated Mar 4, 2024