Upper Mustang camping trek
4.93(61)Upper Mustang, NepalCampingSmall group
Twelve days into the former kingdom of Lo, a high desert of red cliffs, cave monasteries and walled villages, camping where the tea houses run out.
- The walled city of Lo Manthang
- Red and ochre canyons carved by the Kali Gandaki
- Camps in the rain shadow of the Annapurnas
- Cave monasteries painted centuries ago
About the trip
Upper Mustang sits behind the Annapurnas, in a rain shadow so complete that it looks more like Tibet than Nepal. For centuries it was a kingdom of its own, closed to visitors until 1992, and its villages still feel like it.
We camp for most of the trek, with a camp crew who put up the tents, cook and carry the kitchen on mules. That means we can stop in quieter valleys and stay longer at Lo Manthang, the walled capital, to explore its monasteries and the caves above the town.
The days are dry, bright and windy in the afternoon. The altitude stays between 2,800 m and 4,000 m, so it suits trekkers with some experience of long days.
The restricted area permit for Upper Mustang is expensive and is included in the price, as is a share for the village funds in Lo Manthang.
What's included
- Two nights in Pokhara, nine nights camping
- All meals on the trek, cooked by our camp crew
- Flights between Pokhara and Jomsom
- Upper Mustang restricted area permit
- Two-person tents, sleeping mats and a dining tent
- Mules for the kitchen and your bags
- Tashi as your guide
Your guide
Tashi Sherpa
Lead guide, Everest and Annapurna
Tashi grew up in Khumjung, below Ama Dablam, and started guiding at nineteen after summers as a porter. He has led more than sixty treks in the Khumbu and Annapurna and knows every tea house owner by name. He is strict about acclimatisation and generous with butter tea.
Meet TashiDay by day
Meet by Phewa Lake and check your kit for the high desert.
11 km, 150 m up
A dawn flight between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna and an easy walk up the river.
14 km, 650 m up
Through the permit check and into Upper Mustang proper.
15 km, 800 m up
Over two passes with views back to the Annapurnas, then the first wild camp.
13 km, 500 m up
Past chortens and red cliffs to a village of barley fields.
12 km, 450 m up
Along the longest mani wall in Mustang to a crumbling palace.
11 km, 300 m up
Into the walled city through its only gate.
12 km, 400 m up and down
Monasteries in the morning, the Chhoser caves in the afternoon.
15 km, 600 m up
Back by a different route under the red cliffs of Dhakmar.
14 km, 500 m up
Past the cave monastery at Lo Gekar, one of the oldest in Nepal.
drive and 6 km, 600 m down
The long walk out and a celebration dinner.
Morning flight back over the mountains and home.
