Upper Mustang Trekking

Trip Facts

Mustang remote and forbidden until 1991. The trek in to the kingdom of Mustang is an unforgettable experience, lying behind the main mountain in the rain shadow area. Mustang just out into the plateau, north of Jomsom and Pokhara. In the capital of Lomanthang an old walled town, undisturbed and untouched civilization life goes on as it has for centuries. The numerous Gompas and prayers flags performing their eternal ritual. A trip into Mustang is bound to be one of self-realization inspired by the all-encompassing teaching of Tibetan Buddhism.

Recognising the special nature of this old, tiny kingdom, the Nepalese have imposed a surcharge for anyone wishing to trek past Kagbeni, the border of Upper Mustang. With legal trekking groups only being allowed in for the first time in March 1992, you would be part of a small privileged minority to visit this remote outpost of Nepal. Mustang is the old kingdom of Lo. Actually the capital of the Mustang district is Jomsom, but the real Tibetan-style district lies north of Kagbeni and is usually referred to as Upper Mustang. The real capital, Lo Manthang, where the present king lives, is a fantastic square-walled town sitting on the 'Plain of Prayers'. Mustang has an average elevation of 13,200ft/4,023m and is located to the north of the mountain giants of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna and is therefore north of the main Himalayan range and geographically is part of the highlands of Tibet. It is a vast high arid valley, characterised by eroded canyons, colourful stratified rock formations and has a barren, desertlike appearance.

Itinerary Detail

Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel. Welcome Dinner in the evening.

Day 02 : Sightseeing in and around Kathmandu valley and preparation for the trek.

Day 03 : Driven or fly Pokhara 7-8 hours

Day 04 : Fly to Jomsom the trek to Kagbeni 2850m 3 hrs.

Day 05 : Kagbeni – Chele / Tshe - Le (3050m) - 7 hours

Day 06 : Chele – Ghilling (3800m) - 7 hours

Day 07 : Ghilling - Tsarang (3500m) visit red, black and white small chortens - 5 hours

Day 08 : Tsarang - Lo-Manthang (3730m) 5 hours

Day 09 : Lo-Manthang, Rest in Lo Manthang

Day 10 : Lo-Manthang - Ghami (3690mt.) - 7 hours via Lo Ghakar monastery.

Day 11 : Ghami - Samar (3700m) - 7 hours

Day 12 : Samar - Tetang 3 hours

Day 13 : Tetang - Muktinath 3800m- crossing 4600meters pass. - 6 hours

Day 14 : Muktinath – Jomsom 2800m – 5 hours

Day 15 : Fly Back to Pokhara. 35 minutes.

Day 16 : Drive or flight to Kathmandu

Day 17 : Sightseeing in ancient city of Bhaktapur. Farewell dinner in the evening

Day 18 : Final Departure.

Cost Includes

All meals (B/L/D) & accommodation (Lodge/Tented camp) during the trekking period
National park permit
Domestic airfare
Domestic airport tax
English speaking guide
Highly experienced staffs
Staffs food, clothing & salary
Staffs insurance
All necessary grounded transportation
Airport picks up & drops
TIMS (Trekker's Information Management System)

Cost Excludes

Personal nature expenses
Bar bill
Rescue & Evacuation
Gratitude (tip) for staff

Upper Mustang Trek Photographs

Essential Information

1. Basic Symptoms:

Loss of appetite
Sleep disturbance
Difficult to pass urine

2. Medium Symptoms:

Headache which is bad
Irregular breathing
Nausea
Mild weakness

3. Serious Symptoms:

Slight swelling of hands and face
Cannot stand upright without swaying while eyes are closed.
Can hear gurgling sound in the chest.
Zero energy.

What to do about Altitude Sickness?
Altitude illness can be prevented by acclimatization; that is, by a graduate rate of ascent (not more than 400 – 500 meters), allowing sufficient rest at various intermediate altitudes. The dry air of the mountains tends to dehydrate you so an increased fluid intake is necessary. Try to drink at least four liters of water a day. On the trail you can drink hot garlic soup that will help you to some extent. When we reach to our destination it is better to make some hiking up to a bit higher point and come down to the camp or hotel. This is a really good way to get acclimatization. You may take Diamox 250mg tablets the night before flying / going to altitude. Sometimes the symptoms often disappear and the trek can be resumed.

If you feel obviously suffering from the serious symptoms of AMS then descent should not be delayed even if it means going down in dark. In such case, should an emergency situation arise, horse, or porter will be arranged; or we carry you and run to lower (descend) altitudes. There is communication facility at Namche Bazaar; Doctors at Khunde hospital in the Everest Area and HRA Clinics and in some trekking areas also have the Gamow Bag. The hospital or the clinic will take fees or charges for such services. We can arrange for immediate evacuation, by horse or helicopter, depending on the severity of the case.