UPPER MUSTANG · THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
Upper Mustang Trek
Into the last kingdom of the Tibetan plateau.
Beyond the Himalayas lies a hidden world of red cliffs, wind-carved canyons and whitewashed villages, sealed to outsiders until 1992. Trek through trans-Himalayan desert to the walled medieval capital of Lo Manthang, where Tibetan Buddhist culture survives untouched. A restricted-area journey unlike anywhere else in Nepal, arranged in full by our local team.
3,840 m
Lo Manthang
10–14
Days
Moderate
Difficulty
Mar–Nov
Best Season
THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
A piece of old Tibet, hidden inside Nepal.
Upper Mustang, the ancient Kingdom of Lo, sits in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, a high desert that feels more like the Tibetan plateau than the green Nepal most visitors picture. For centuries it was a forbidden kingdom, closed to foreigners entirely until 1992 and still tightly restricted today. That isolation preserved something rare: a living Tibetan Buddhist culture of walled villages, cliff-carved sky caves, and crimson monasteries, crowned by the medieval walled city of Lo Manthang.
The trek itself is moderate rather than punishing. The highest points are around 3,800 to 4,200 metres, lower than Everest or the Annapurna Circuit, so altitude is manageable. What makes Mustang special is not the height but the otherworldly landscape and the depth of culture. And because it sits in the rain shadow, it is one of the few Himalayan regions you can trek through the monsoon. We handle the restricted-area permits, flights, guide and every logistic, this is not a trek you can simply turn up and do.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The restricted-area permit, explained.
Upper Mustang is a controlled border region, and you cannot trek it independently. As of 2026, Nepal replaced the old flat USD 500 / 10-day fee with a USD 50 per person, per day Restricted Area Permit, far fairer for shorter trips. You’ll also need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). A licensed guide is mandatory, the permit cannot be issued to solo independent trekkers, and the checkpoint at Kagbeni is strictly enforced, so permits must be arranged in advance through a registered agency. We take care of all of it.
DAY BY DAY
A classic 12-day itinerary.
The traditional trekking route to Lo Manthang and back. A 4×4 jeep option can shorten this for those with less time, and the schedule flexes to your pace and to festival dates.
Day 1
Fly to Pokhara
Travel from Kathmandu to the lakeside city of Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna and Mustang regions.
Day 2
Fly to Jomsom (2,720 m), trek to Kagbeni (2,800 m)
An early mountain flight into the Kali Gandaki valley, then an easy walk to the medieval village of Kagbeni, gateway to Upper Mustang.
Day 3
Kagbeni to Chele (3,050 m)
Pass the checkpoint and enter the restricted area, following the Kali Gandaki past Tangbe and Chhusang villages and their apple orchards.
Day 4
Chele to Syangboche (3,800 m)
Cross high passes through wind-carved canyon country, with the landscape turning ever more red and barren.
Day 5
Syangboche to Ghami (3,520 m)
Through Tibetan-influenced villages and past long mani walls to Ghami, one of Mustang’s largest settlements.
Day 6
Ghami to Tsarang (3,560 m)
Cross the Ghami valley, see the famous red Dhakmar cliffs, and reach Tsarang with its old fortress and monastery.
Day 7
Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3,840 m)
The day you reach the walled capital. The first sight of Lo Manthang’s white ramparts rising from the desert is unforgettable.
Day 8
Explore Lo Manthang
A full day inside the walled city: the royal palace, the great monasteries of Jampa and Thubchen, and a possible excursion to the Chhoser sky caves.
Day 9
Lo Manthang to Drakmar (3,810 m)
Begin the return by a different route, past the striking red cliffs of Drakmar and remote hermitages.
Day 10
Drakmar to Ghiling (3,570 m)
Retrace south through the high desert villages toward the Kali Gandaki.
Day 11
Ghiling to Chhusang to Jomsom (2,720 m)
A long final descent out of the restricted area and back to Jomsom.
Day 12
Fly to Pokhara, onward to Kathmandu
Morning flight out of the mountains, then onward to Pokhara or Kathmandu.
THE GREAT FESTIVAL
Tiji: three days of sacred dance.
If you can time your trek to mid-May, the Tiji festival is one of the most extraordinary cultural events in the Himalayas. Held over three days in the main square of Lo Manthang, it re-enacts the myth of Dorje Jono, who defeated a demon to save Mustang from drought. Monks in vivid silk costumes and towering masks perform the sacred Cham dances to drums and horns, watched by the whole kingdom. It is not a show staged for tourists; it is a living ritual, and witnessing it is a genuine privilege. Tiji is usually held in May (the 2026 dates fall mid-month); we can build your trek around it, but festival places and lodging are limited, so it must be planned well ahead.
What's included
✓ Domestic flights (Pokhara–Jomsom–Pokhara)
✓ Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit
✓ Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
✓ All teahouse accommodation on trek
✓ Three meals a day during the trek
✓ Licensed English-speaking guide
✓ Porter support (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
✓ Guide and porter wages, insurance and meals
What's not included
– International flights to Nepal
– Nepal visa fee
– Travel and high-altitude insurance
– Hotels in Pokhara and Kathmandu
– Meals in cities
– Personal trekking gear
– Tiji festival surcharge (if attending)
– Tips for guide and porters
PRICING
Transparent pricing, no surprises.
This guided Upper Mustang trek starts from USD 1,500 per person
The restricted-area permit (USD 50 per day) makes up a significant part of the cost, and the final price depends on group size, trek length, and whether you travel for the Tiji festival. Contact us for an exact quote within 24 hours, with no obligation.
FAQ
Upper Mustang, answered.
Why is Upper Mustang called the forbidden kingdom?
Upper Mustang was an independent Tibetan Buddhist kingdom, the Kingdom of Lo, and was completely closed to foreigners until 1992. Even today it is a restricted border region with limited access, which is exactly why its medieval culture and walled capital have survived so intact.
How much is the Upper Mustang permit in 2026?
As of 2026, Nepal charges USD 50 per person per day for the Restricted Area Permit, replacing the old flat USD 500 for 10 days. So a shorter trip is now much more affordable. You also need the ACAP permit. We arrange both as part of your package.
Can I trek Upper Mustang without a guide?
No. The restricted-area permit cannot be issued to independent solo trekkers; a licensed guide is mandatory and is checked at the Kagbeni checkpoint. Permits must be arranged in advance through a registered agency, which is exactly what we handle for you.
How hard is the Upper Mustang trek?
Moderate. The highest points are around 3,800 to 4,200 metres, lower than Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, so serious altitude sickness is less of a concern. The challenge is the daily walking over dry, rugged desert terrain rather than extreme height.
When is the best time to trek Upper Mustang?
Because Mustang sits in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, it stays dry when the rest of Nepal is under monsoon, so it is trekkable from roughly March to November, including the summer months. Spring and autumn are most popular; mid-May offers the Tiji festival.
What is the Tiji festival and can I see it?
Tiji is a three-day Tibetan Buddhist ritual of masked Cham dances held each May in Lo Manthang, celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Yes, we can build your trek around it, but places and lodging are very limited during the festival, so it needs to be booked well in advance.
KEEP READING
Plan your Mustang trek.
The forbidden kingdom awaits.
Tell us your dates and whether you hope to catch the Tiji festival, and we’ll send a custom Upper Mustang itinerary, permits and all, within 24 hours. No obligation, no pressure.