Day 1
Jomsom to Kagbeni
3 hrs / 11 km / sleep 2,810 m
Easy walk along the Kali Gandaki river to medieval Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang.
Mustang
Upper Mustang Trek
Trek into the Last Forbidden Kingdom - a rain-shadow region near the Tibetan border. Visit the walled city of Lo Manthang, ancient cave monasteries, and dramatic arid landscapes that resemble the Tibetan plateau.
Challenging12 days3,840 mMar - May, Sep - Nov, Jun - Aug
Photo: Gaurav Bhandari / Wikimedia CommonsOverview
Trek overview
Long-form route context for planning, pacing, and realistic expectations.
Key Highlights & Takeaways
- Lo Manthang walled city
- Chhoser sky caves
- Ancient Tibetan monasteries
- Unique arid desert landscape
Trek into the Last Forbidden Kingdom - a rain-shadow region near the Tibetan border. Visit the walled city of Lo Manthang, ancient cave monasteries, and dramatic arid landscapes that resemble the Tibetan plateau.
This itinerary is synced from TrekGuard mobile app data and includes 12 planned days, 130 km of walking, and 3,800 m of total elevation gain.
Highlights include Lo Manthang walled city, Chhoser sky caves, Ancient Tibetan monasteries, Unique arid desert landscape.
Itinerary
Daily route plan
Day 2
Kagbeni to Chele
6 hrs / 12 km / sleep 3,050 m
Enter the restricted area. Trek through Tangbe village with apple orchards and the first taste of arid, Tibetan terrain.
Day 3
Chele to Syangboche
7 hrs / 13 km / sleep 3,800 m
Cross Chele La, then Bhena La, and Yondo La passes with views of Annapurna range. Dramatic terrain change.
Day 4
Syangboche to Ghami
5 hrs / 10 km / sleep 3,520 m
Descend through one of the driest parts of Mustang to Ghami, a large village with ancient mani walls.
Day 5
Ghami to Tsarang
5 hrs / 10 km / sleep 3,560 m
Cross the Ghami Khola and plateau terrain to Tsarang with its dramatic dzong and monastery.
Day 6
Tsarang to Lo Manthang
5 hrs / 10 km / sleep 3,840 m
Cross Lo La Pass (3,950m) for the first view of the walled capital city of Lo Manthang.
Day 7
Lo Manthang acclimatization
5 hrs / 8 km / sleep 3,840 m
Explore the King Palace, Thubchen Gompa, Jampa Lhakhang, and the fascinating Chhoser sky caves.
Day 8
Lo Manthang to Dhakmar
6 hrs / 14 km / sleep 3,810 m
Take the alternate return route via Ghar Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in Mustang, to Dhakmar.
Day 9
Dhakmar to Ghiling
5 hrs / 11 km / sleep 3,520 m
Continue descent through the barren landscape back to Ghiling.
Day 10
Ghiling to Chhuksang
5 hrs / 13 km / sleep 3,050 m
Descend through gorges and river valleys to Chhuksang.
Day 11
Chhuksang to Kagbeni
4 hrs / 10 km / sleep 2,810 m
Easy walk back to Kagbeni along the Kali Gandaki.
Day 12
Kagbeni to Jomsom
3 hrs / 11 km / sleep 2,720 m
Final trek back to Jomsom. Fly to Pokhara.
Altitude profile
How high you sleep, night by night
The single biggest safety factor on a high trek is how fast your sleeping altitude rises. Here's the shape of this itinerary.
2,720 m
Start
3,840 m
Highest sleep
3,840 m
Max altitude
12
Nights
See which days climb too fast and add rest days to build a safer schedule.
Check acclimatization →Map
Interactive route preview
Leaflet route rendering with checkpoints, altitude markers, and GPX geometry where published.
Route preview
Route map not published yet
Day-by-day itinerary is available below. GPX/KML for this trek will appear here when published - always verify the trail locally before walking.
GPX and KML downloads
Static route references for offline planning.
GPX/KML files are not published for this route yet. Itinerary data is available now.
- Duration
- 12 days
- Altitude
- 3,840 m
- Updated
- 2026
Route files are planning references only. Always follow current trail conditions, local notices, and guide advice.
Packing checklist
Use a mobile-friendly checklist for clothing, electronics, medicine, documents, and trail gear.
Altitude and safety
Prepare before pushing higher.
Climb gradually and take acclimatization seriously.
Check weather, wind, and daylight before long days.
Descend and seek help if altitude symptoms worsen.
Upper Mustang Trek FAQ
Straight answers on length, altitude, permits, season and cost for the Upper Mustang Trek, generated from the same route data the TrekGuard app uses.
How many days does the Upper Mustang Trek take?
The TrekGuard planning itinerary for the Upper Mustang Trek runs 12 days and covers 130 km of walking. That includes 1 acclimatization day where you sleep at the same village instead of climbing higher. Treat it as a baseline: weather, flight delays and how you acclimatize can add days, so build slack into your schedule.
How high does the Upper Mustang Trek go?
The Upper Mustang Trek tops out at 3,840 m. The highest place you sleep on this itinerary is about 3,840 m, which matters more for altitude illness than the daytime high point.
What permits do you need for the Upper Mustang Trek?
The Upper Mustang Trek normally requires: Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit, ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit). Permit rules, fees and issuing offices change between seasons - confirm the current requirements with the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency before you travel.
When is the best time to trek the Upper Mustang Trek?
Mar - May, Sep - Nov, Jun - Aug is the usual window for the Upper Mustang Trek. Outside it you are trading stable weather for either monsoon cloud and leeches or deep winter cold and snow-blocked passes.
How difficult is the Upper Mustang Trek?
The Upper Mustang Trek is rated challenging, with 3,800 m of total ascent over 130 km. Walking days are roughly 3-7 hours. No technical climbing skills are required on the standard route.
Can you get altitude sickness on the Upper Mustang Trek?
Yes. The Upper Mustang Trek reaches 3,840 m, well above the 2,500 m mark where acute mountain sickness (AMS) becomes possible for anyone, regardless of fitness or age. Keep sleeping-altitude gains gradual, take the built-in rest days (1 on this itinerary), and descend if headache, nausea or breathlessness get worse rather than better. This is general information, not medical advice - see a travel-medicine clinician before the trip.
Where does the Upper Mustang Trek start and finish?
The Upper Mustang Trek starts and finishes at Jomsom, in the Mustang region.
Is there phone signal on the Upper Mustang Trek?
Coverage on the Upper Mustang Trek is: variable by village and carrier. Assume you will lose data for long stretches - download map packs, the GPX track and the forecast before you leave the last town, and carry a power bank.
Read next
Guides for the Upper Mustang Trek
Long-form articles covering acclimatization, permits, packing and navigation for this route.
9 min read / 2026
Do You Need a Guide to Trek in Nepal? Solo Trekking Rules by Region
Where a licensed guide is legally required in Nepal, where enforcement is inconsistent, and where solo trekking is still realistic - plus what a guide actually changes for your safety above 4,000 m.
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Nepal Trekking Permits Guide 2026: TIMS, National Parks, Restricted Areas, and Costs
Up-to-date 2026 guide to Nepal trekking permits: Sagarmatha, Annapurna (ACAP), Manaslu, Upper Mustang, TIMS cards, office locations, required photos, and exact fees in NPR/USD.
6 min read / 2026
Nepal Trekking Seasons: Choosing Spring vs. Autumn
A realistic guide to spring, autumn, winter, and monsoon trekking conditions across Nepal's major Himalayan regions.
Planning aid - not a guide or rescue service. GPX lines, checklists, forecasts, and altitude readouts support your judgment. Trails, weather, permits, and illness can change faster than any app. Download offline map packs before signal ends; live map tiles and fresh weather need network. SMS SOS sharing needs cellular texting - not satellite.
Get it on Google Play
Ready for your next Nepal & mountain adventure?
Download map packs on Wi‑Fi, pull weather while online, then use GPS altitude, planner & safety tools on trail - free on Google Play. Not a guide or rescue service.
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