Upper Mustang Trekking
Trek Overview
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Total Duration: 13–15 Days (depending on travel to/from Kathmandu).
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Trekking Days: 11–12 Days.
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Max Altitude: Approximately 4,200m (at the Chogo La or Lugri La passes), while Lo-Manthang itself sits at 3,840m.
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Grade: Medium to Hard (mostly due to high-altitude desert winds and dusty trails).
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Best Time: March to November. Because it lies in the "rain shadow," it is one of the few treks in Nepal that is perfect during the Monsoon (June–August).
Updated Permit Fees (New for 2025)
The Nepal Government recently moved away from the fixed $500 flat fee to a more flexible model:
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Restricted Area Permit (RAP): USD $50 per person, per day. (The previous mandatory 10-day/USD $500 minimum has been abolished, making shorter trips much cheaper).
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ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area): NRS 3,000 (approx. USD $23).
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TIMS Card: USD $20.
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Requirement: You must trek with a registered guide and a minimum of two trekkers.
Main Attractions: The "Last Forbidden Kingdom"
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Lo-Manthang: A 15th-century walled city. You can visit the Royal Palace and the ancient monasteries of Jampa Lhakhang and Thubchen Gompa.
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Sky Caves: Thousands of man-made caves carved into cliffs, some used for ancient burials and others as meditation retreats (e.g., Chhoser Cave).
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Tiji Festival: A 3-day ritual held in May to drive away demons, featuring incredible masked dances.
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Landscape: Known as the "Cold Desert," it features striking red sandstone cliffs and views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri.
Uranium in Upper Mustang
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Discovery: In 2014, the Department of Mines and Geology confirmed a large deposit of uranium in an area roughly 10km long and 3km wide.
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Status: While it is considered a significant deposit, Nepal currently lacks the infrastructure, legal framework, and technology to extract it. It remains a sensitive subject due to its proximity to the Chinese border.
Upper Mustang trek is a bit like life and mountaineering, never look down. We have enough time to discover some unique culture in a once ‘no entry’’ kingdom. Above all, the view of striking houses with the warm & friendly people gives us much joy on this trip. The Upper Mustang trek area is a blessing of fantastic landscapes that excites the heart.
‘Upper Mustang Trek’ is a walk through north of Annapurna at a usual altitude of 4,000m. The valleys are barren and dry with colourful rocks and many cave dwellings high up on the cliffs. The first trekking groups got an ‘okay’ to enter Upper Mustang only in 1992. Therefore, only a very few people (about 700 trekkers yearly) visit Upper Mustang. Consequently, our Upper Mustang Trek itinerary leads us through quiet trails with fewer crowds. Moreover, we get to view peaceful Tibetan culture amid friendly settlements. This outstanding trek includes several long trekking days and a hike through the deepest gorge in the world. Likewise, the hike follows wonderful trails through large villages that once were a successful trade route between Nepal and Tibet. The Upper Mustang Trek cost is so much worth the trip. In other words, Mustang is one of the finest Himalayan spots for its rich background.
The Upper Mustang trek is in an area that sees very little rainfall in a whole year. Perhaps, this is the reason why Mustang is also known as the ‘desert of Nepal’. Rocky Mountains with views of snowy peaks in the background amaze us throughout the trip. Along with this, bright white painted settlements glitter in the sunshine. All this amid fields of barley and simple colourful monasteries make this a journey to remember. A special highlight is the visit to Lo Manthang, where the King of Mustang rules over his tiny kingdom. This is a world with lifestyles closer to the heartland of Tibet than to the markets and temples of Kathmandu. We experience an outstanding journey to one of the true gems of the great Himalaya of Nepal. Encounters Nepal will escort you on this dream trip of a lifetime.
