Upper Mustang Circuit Trek

You will start the 15-day Upper Mustang Circuit Trek journey with a scenic overland drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You will drive west of the capital city along the Prithvi Highway on a tourist bus. The drive offers stunning views of the traditional villages, terrace farms, rolling green hills, rivers, and bazaars. Similarly, the mountain road runs along the Trishuli River. It offers gorgeous river views and turquoise waters rushing through deep gorges. You will also come across roadside towns such as Mugling and Dumre with small teashops and roadside eateries.

The winding road gently climbs through forested hills and river valleys. As you approach Pokhara, the landscape becomes greener and the air cooler. The terrain also becomes flatter. You may also catch your first glimpse of the Annapurna ranges in the distance. Pokhara is a beautiful city and a popular tourist hub in Nepal. It lies in a broad valley beside Phewa Lake. You will stay overnight in Pokhara.

Note: You can also take a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which takes around 25 minutes. The trek package only includes the overland journey, so you will have to pay additional costs for the flight tickets.

The second day in Pokhara begins early in the morning. First, you will take a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. It is a short but thrilling and visually spectacular flight. Through the aircraft window, you will witness the diverse landscapes of rural Nepal and iconic aerial views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Flying over the rugged Himalayan terrain and deep river gorges is an incredible way to start the 15 Days Upper Mustang Circuit Trek.

Jomsom is a famous town in the Kali Gandaki Valley, known for its strong Himalayan winds and rugged trans-Himalayan landscape. It is also the gateway to Upper Mustang. From here, you will start your trekking journey. Today’s destination is Kagbeni. You will trek the gentle, scenic Upper Mustang Circuit route along the wide Kali Gandaki Riverbed. The Kali Gandaki River is the deepest gorge in the world. Similarly, you will trek past Thakali villages, small monasteries, chortens, and colorful prayer flags. These provide you with your first cultural introduction to the Mustang region.

As you get closer to the village of Kagbeni, the landscape becomes more striking. You will come across narrow alleys and traditional houses made with mud-bricks. The trekking trail also passes centuries-old monasteries and towering cliffs. Finally, you will reach Kagbeni, one of the oldest settlements and the official entry point to the restricted Upper Mustang region. The village sits at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Jhong Rivers. You will stay overnight in Kagbeni so you can soak in the tranquil surroundings.

Today, you will exit Kagbeni and officially enter the restricted Upper Mustang region. The Upper Mustang Circuit Trekking trail follows the eastern bank of the Kali Gandaki River. As you gradually ascend, you will leave behind the greener lower Mustang. The landscape becomes more desert-like, and the terrain becomes wind-sculpted. You will pass through wide river valleys, and along the way, you can see many prayer flags, chortens, and mani walls. These religious and spiritual markers reflect the strong Tibetan Buddhist influence in the region.

After some time, the trekking trail takes you past the sandy riverbed and narrow gorges. Then, you will start to see the unique and striking rock formations. These rocks have been carved by wind and erosion for centuries. The contrast between the deep red cliffs and the trans-Himalayan open plateaus creates a striking view. Along the way, you will cross a suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki. From here, the Upper Mustang Circuit trek trail climbs steadily towards Tangbe village in the Lower Upper Mustang. Then, you will pass by another charming settlement of Chhusang before the trail starts to ascend steeply towards Chele.

The final stretch for today’s trek takes you to the small, beautiful Chele village that sits on a ridge. From here, you can enjoy the expansive view of the valley and panoramas of the snow-capped peaks. You will rest here for the night.

On day 4, you will leave Chele after breakfast and head deeper into the Upper Mustang area. Today, you will get to see a beautiful contrast between barren landscapes and fertile villages. The circuit trekking trail begins to climb steadily through the rugged trans-Himalayan terrain. The further you progress, the more remote and wild the area and scenery become. Along the way, you will cross several ridgelines from where you can get stunning views of deep river canyons, eroded rock formations, and surrounding mountains. The trail is mostly isolated, but you may come across a few trekkers, locals, and yak caravans.

Similarly, you will cross two scenic passes on this day, the Taklam La (3,624 m) and Dajori La (3,735 m). Crossing these passes is moderately challenging, with few steep sections, narrow paths, strong winds, and rugged terrain. Standing at the top of these two passes is deeply rewarding and worth the effort. Taklam La offers a grand view of the Kali Gandaki Valley, while Dajori La offers sweeping views of the Himalayas, rugged cliffs, and barren valleys. The Upper Mustang Circuit Trekking trail also takes you past the beautiful green settlement of Samar. Here, you can see traditional houses with barley fields and apple orchards.

As you approach Ghiling, the trail descends gradually. The barren landscape also gives way to grazing pastures and cultivated fields. Likewise, you will also pass by colorful prayer flags, mani walls, and chortens, which reflect the influence of Tibetan Buddhism. You will also get a sense of deep spirituality. You will stay overnight at Ghiling.

You will start with a steady ascent as you exit Ghiling village on day 5. The Upper Mustang Circuit trail takes you through wide, barren ridges and high-altitude desert slopes. As you gradually ascend, you can witness beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks, eroded rock formations, and dry river valleys. The vegetation also becomes more sparse. You will start to see that the landscape becomes more trans-Himalayan desert with wind-sculpted hills.

Following the trail, you will cross Nyi La pass (4,010 m). Ascending to the top of the pass, the terrain changes to alpine slopes and barren plateaus. From the top, you will get to witness the wide views of Mustang’s rugged terrain and dramatic rock formations.

The trail from the top of the Nyi La pass descends into the Ghyami village, one of the largest settlements in Upper Mustang. The trail traverses ancient monasteries, mani walls, and chortens. After passing Ghyami, you will trek through narrow gorges, broad plateaus, and canyons. It then enters narrow rock corridors.

As you get closer to Dhakmar, the gorgeous view of the red sandstone cliffs unfolds. Dhakmar sits right below the massive crimson cliffs. The name Dhakmar itself means “red cliffs,” derived from the rock formations surrounding the village. You will rest here for the night.

Today, you will leave the red cliffs of Dhakmar and head to Tsarang, a fortress village and former political capital of Upper Mustang. The trekking route takes you past wind-eroded red and ochre sandstone cliffs. At the start, you will traverse narrow rock corridors, deep gorges, and natural cave formations.

The geographical features, striking scenery, and unique formations will leave you in awe. It creates an exciting and almost otherworldly trekking experience. After a while, you will descend into the Ghami Khola Valley. You can see canyon walls, layered rocks, and the centuries-old cliff caves.

You will cross the Ghami Khola and follow the Upper Mustang Circuit Trek trail that takes you to one of the longest mani walls in Nepal. The walls stretch nearly 1,000 m and are carved with sacred Tibetan Buddhist mantras. It is also a deeply spiritual landmark.

You can walk around the wall clockwise as a sign of respect. Then, you will continue your trek. The trail gently ascends through desert hills and barren plateaus. Similarly, you can also get beautiful views of the ridgelines, snowy Nilgiri peaks, the Annapurna range at a distance, and wide Mustang valleys.

The landscape widens as you get closer to Tsarang. The village is home to numerous traditional stone houses, cultivated fields, and chortens. You can see the magnificent five-story Tsarang Dzong (fortress) when you finally arrive at the village. It will be your overnight stop.

One of the oldest and most significant monasteries in Upper Mustang, the Tsarang Gompa (Monastery) is located in the village. In the evening, with spare time, you will visit the gompa. You can witness the age-old Tibetan Buddhist rituals and ceremonies.

On the 7th day, you will head deeper into the high desert region of Upper Mustang. You will leave the cultural and religious hub of Tsarang with a gentle ascent along open desert plateaus. Along the way, you will pass cultivated barley fields and scattered stone houses. The Upper Mustang Circuit Trek will take you near Chhusang.

Towering red and ochre cliffs, and ancient sky caves surround the village. Similarly, there are small chortens around the Chhusang village. You can enjoy the surreal scenery of the wind-eroded rock formations and barren landscapes. Aside from Chhusang, you will come across several small settlements along the route.

Then, the trail continues to ascend towards Marang. You will trek on exposed, sandy, and rocky terrain. There are a few narrow sections between cliffs or riverbeds. Likewise, you will come across scattered, fluttering prayer flags on windswept ridges. Following the trail, you will reach Marang that sits on a ridge beneath the bold red cliffs.

There are tall stone houses, age-old cave systems, and an ancient monastery in Marang. The village not only offers an introduction to the remote, ancient architecture of Upper Mustang but also the Tibetan Buddhist heritage. You will stay overnight at Marang.

Today is finally the day you will ascend to the forbidden kingdom of Lo Manthang. You will leave the red cliffs of Marang and continue to ascend through a high desert plateau. The Upper Mustang Circuit Trekking trail is dotted with scattered prayer flags, mani walls, and stone chortens.

Along the way, you can see the surrounding Mustang valleys, barren ridges, and Annapurna and Nilgiri ranges at a distance. Similarly, you will also get views of the eroded hills and ancient cave systems. Trekking on the wind-swept terrain with sparse vegetation, you will head towards Lo Manthang.

There are small traditional Tibetan-style settlements along the route. As you get closer to the former capital of the Kingdom of Lo, the terrain gradually flattens. It takes you to the fertile valley at the base of the red cliffs where Lo Manthang is located. You can see the main city gates and watchtowers as you get close to the walled city.

Entering the gates, you will arrive at the Lo Mathang, and a deep sense of spirituality and awe will wash over you. You can also see the distinct white walls, sky caves, and royal palace that make you feel as if you have stepped back in time. You will stay at Lo Manthang for two nights.

Day 9 is set as an exploration day at Lo Manthang in the 15 Days Upper Mustang Circuit Trek itinerary. Hence, you will explore the walled capital, a living museum. There are many heritages around the city. You can start by exploring the Royal Palace (Lo Manthang Dzong). It is a multi-story fortress-palace that is located in the middle of the city. The palace used to be the home of the King of Lo. Observing the palace and its architecture, you can get insight into the unique blend og Tibetan and Himalayan architecture.

There are also many ancient monasteries around Lo Manthang. You can visit Jampa Lhakhang (Jampa Gompa), one of the oldest monasteries in Mustang. The gompa houses a massive clay statue of Maitreya (Future Buddha) and wall paintings dating back to the 14th century. Similarly, there is the Thubchen Gompa, the spiritual center of Lo Manthang. The gompa has a giant assembly hall and hosts important religious festivals.

You can see massive pillars and magnificent mandala murals. Then, there is Chodey Gompa, a vibrant monastic complex. Monks perform daily prayers and various rituals and ceremonies in the gompa. The visit to Chodey Gompa offers an opportunity to witness living Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

You can also visit the Chhoser sky caves, which are right outside the city of Lo Manthang. These caves are another medieval marvel. The Chhoser sky caves are carved into the high cliff faces across multiple chambers. These caves were used for meditation, as shelters, as burial chambers, and as hideouts. Likewise, you can explore around the local villages and farmlands. You will spend your day immersing yourself in the culture, history, and spirituality of Upper Mustang.

After a full day exploring the ancient Lo Manthang, you will take your Upper Mustang Circuit return route. The trail will take you away from the main route and into more remote, wilder terrain. You will head southeast from Lo Manthang and gradually descend into the Dhi Valley. The landscape is barren, and you will trek through striking plateaus and desert hills.

Similarly, you will come across open spaces, layered rock formations, and deep gorges. Descending on the Upper Mustang Circuit trail, you will enter the canyon of the Mustang Khola. You will trek through narrow corridors with vertical cliffs rising sharply on either side. There are also hidden cliff caves and wind-sculpted rock pillars.

After a while, you will reach Dhi (3,400 m),  a tranquil riverside village. You can see stone houses with lush farmland, which provide a stark contrast with the barren surrounding desert. From here, the Upper Mustang Circuit route climbs out of the canyon and ascends towards Yara. It is a steady uphill climb and offers dramatic views of the deep Mustang Khola gorge and surrounding cliffs.

Then, you will pass through massive cliff faces carved with ancient sky caves. The scenery next changes into high-altitude plateaus, cultivated fields, and scattered chortens as you approach Yara. The village of Yara is one of the most remote and culturally authentic villages og Upper Mustang. You can experience deep isolation and feel the timeless atmosphere of the Himalayas. Tonight, you will rest at Yara village.

On this day, you will continue to trek through the remote parts of the Upper Mustang Circuit. After breakfast, you will gently descend towards a high ridge. Along the way, you can enjoy the panoramic views of the Kali Gandaki Valley, Mustang plateau, and snow-capped vistas at a distance.

Similarly, you will pass by colorful prayer flags and chortens. On the exposed, wind-prone trail, be careful with your footing on loose gravel and sandy terrain. Trekking through the ridge, the landscape switches between high desert plateaus, rocky formations, and eroded cliffs. Today’s trek offers another fine display of Mustang’s unique trans-Himalayan geology.

After crossing the ridges, you will descend to Ghami Plateau. You can see small mani walls, chortens, and occasional herder shelters in the open area. From the plateau, you can get brilliant views of the surrounding valleys, villages, and cliffs. The Upper Mustang Circuit Trekking trail then gradually descends to Tangge village.

Tangge is a small and quiet village surrounded by rocky ridges and terraced barley fields, untouched by tourism. You can get a glimpse of the authentic Mustang village life here. There are also traditional stone houses and chortens in the area. You will stay overnight in Tangge.

You will continue to take the return route of the Upper Mustang Circuit. The trail from the remote Tangge village descends gently across the high desert plateaus. Once again, you will trek through the arid Mustang landscape. Likewise, colorful prayer flags, scattered chortens, and mani walls adorn the trail while reflecting the deep Tibetan Buddhist influence.

Along the way, you can get the sweeping views of the towering cliffs and distant villages. You will traverse near the red cliffs of Dhakmar. It provides you with an opportunity to witness the red sandstone formations from a different perspective than the one you saw earlier from Dhakmar. The ancient sky caves are also visible.

The Upper Mustang Circuit Trek trail descends from here onwards. You will pass through smaller settlements with stone houses and cultivated fields. Passing through these settlements, you can observe the locals busy with their daily activities and farming practices.

The trail is gentle, with no steep or physically demanding sections. For the final stretch of today’s trek, you will descend into Tetang. The Tetang village is well-known for its small monasteries and chortens. You will spend the night at Tetang.

Today is the final trekking segment of the 15 Days Upper Mustang Circuit Trek. You will leave Tetang and take a steady ascent through the high desert plateau. The trekking trail once again takes you past barren hills, rock formations, and scattered prayer flags. You will follow the trail to Muktinath Temple, a sacred religious site for Hindus and Buddhists. Upon reaching Muktinath, your trekking journey will come to an end. You will explore the holy site, including the Vishnu temple, 108 water spouts, an eternal flame, Buddhist stupas, and prayer wheels. The site offers a unique and harmonious blend of Hinduism and Buddhism. It also offers an opportunity to gain insight into the region’s religious and cultural significance.

After the visit to the sacred Muktinath Temple, you will start the second half of today’s journey with a drive to Marpha. It is a short drive on rocky, winding valley roads. Marpha is a beautiful Mustang town, famous for its traditional stone houses and apple orchards. You can also see the town streets lined with mani walls and colorful prayer flags. Today you will stay overnight at Marpha, so you can explore around the town and its orchards. There are also cafes and workshops, where you can enjoy a warm cup of tea and fresh apple pies.

After breakfast at Marpha, you will drive back to Pokhara. The vehicle drives on the winding Kali Gandaki River valley. Along the way, you will pass through traditional villages, terrace farms, and apple orchards. Similarly, you will get to witness the beautiful valley cliffs, rock formations, river views, and traditional settlements of Mustang during the drive. It allows you to take one last glimpse of the region’s cultural landscape. The winding road gradually descends through Kalopani and other beautiful villages.

You will continue driving south, passing the large town of Beni. The town is located at the confluence of the Myagdi and Kali Gandaki Rivers. From here, you will also notice the change in landscape from high desert to lush mid-hill. The winding road will continue to take you through forested hills, villages, and terrace farms. Finally, you will reach Pokhara, where you will stay for the night. In the evening, you can explore around the Phewa Lake or enjoy the vibrant lakeside areas in a relaxed atmosphere.

Today is the final day of your 15 Days Upper Mustang Circuit Trek. You will drive on the familiar Prithvi Highway along the Seti and Trishuli Rivers. The winding road takes you past familiar scenery, green hills, small settlements, and terrace farms. You will drive towards Mugling, where the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers meet. From here, the landscape changes from the western mid-hills toward the Kathmandu Valley.

The winding road from Mugling climbs gradually through green hills, pine forests, and terrace farms. On clear days, you can witness panoramic views of the Mahabharat Range. You will pass by several small villages and marketplaces that offer a glimpse of rural life. Upon arriving in Kathmandu, your trek journey will come to an end.