Trek the Rain Shadow of the Himalayas.

Trek Overview

• Total Duration: 13–15 Days (depending on travel to/from Kathmandu).

• Trekking Days: 11–12 Days.

• Max Altitude: Approximately 4,200m (at the Chogo La or Lugri La passes) Lo-Manthang itself sits at 3,840m.

• Grade: Medium to hard (mostly due to high-altitude desert winds and dusty trails).

• Best Time: March to November. Because it lies in the rain shadowof the Himalayas it is one of the few treks in Nepal that is perfect during the monsoon (June–August).

Updated Permit Fees 

The Nepal Government recently moved away from the fixed $500 flat fee to a more flexible model:

• Restricted Area Permit (RAP): $50 per person, per day. (The previous mandatory 10-day/$500 minimum has been abolished, making shorter trips much cheaper).

• ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area): NRS 3,000 (approx.$23).

• TIMS Card: $20.

• Requirement: You must trek with a registered guide and a minimum of two trekkers.

Main Attractions

• Lo-Manthang: A 15th-century walled city. You can visit the Royal Palace and the ancient monasteries of Jampa Lhakhang and Thubchen Gompa.

• Sky caves: Thousands of caves carved into cliffs, some used for ancient burials and others as meditation retreats (e.g., Chhoser Cave).

• Tiji festival: A 3-day ritual held in May to drive away demons, featuring incredible masked dances.

• Landscape: Known as the "Cold Desert," it features striking red sandstone cliffs and views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri.

 Uranium in Upper Mustang

• Discovery: In 2014, the Department of Mines and Geology confirmed a large deposit of uranium in an area roughly 10km long and 3km wide.

• 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.