Upper Mustang Trek — 12 Days
Duration
12 days
From
$2,700/person
Max Altitude
3,840 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Starts
Jomsom (fly from Pokhara)
Group Size
2–10 People
Stay
Tea House / Lodge
Meals
Breakfast & Dinner
Best Season
May–Oct
Trip Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary(12 days)
Altitude Profile
Peak: 3,840 m · Day 7The 12-day Upper Mustang Trek is a focused journey to the Forbidden Kingdom — reaching Lo Manthang, the walled medieval capital at 3,840 m, and returning via the scenic east-bank route in fewer days than the full 15-day programme. By using jeep transport between Jomsom and Kagbeni (eliminating the lower valley walking), 12 days is sufficient to experience the Mustang plateau's extraordinary desert landscape, cave monasteries, and Lo-ba Tibetan Buddhist culture.
The highlights remain the same as the longer itinerary: the ochre badlands and wind-carved cliffs above Chele and Ghami, the painted chortens and mani walls of Tsarang, Lo Manthang's 15th-century Thubchen Gompa and royal palace, and the cave monastery of Chhoser north of the capital. The 12-day schedule visits all of these with one fewer acclimatisation day in Lo Manthang — appropriate for trekkers who arrive well-acclimatised from a prior Annapurna or Pokhara altitude stage.
The USD 500 restricted area permit, Pokhara–Jomsom mountain flights, all teahouse accommodation, guide, and porter are included.
Best season: Year-round (rain-shadow area). Access: Pokhara–Jomsom mountain flight included. Restricted area permit: USD 500 (included).
What's Included
Included
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (USD 500 per person for 10 days; $50/extra day)
- Annapurna Conservation Area permit
- TIMS card
- Government-registered English-speaking guide (mandatory for restricted area)
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Pokhara–Jomsom–Pokhara flights
- Jomsom–Kagbeni–Lo Manthang jeep (where road exists)
- Kathmandu hotel transfers
- All government taxes and service charges
Not Included
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
- Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency helicopter evacuation
- Meals not listed in daily itinerary
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Tips for guides and porters (recommended: USD 8–12/day guide, USD 5–8/day porter)
- Beverages, hot showers, and battery charging at teahouses (payable direct)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Any costs arising from early departure, illness, or flight delays
Best Time to Go
Monsoon (Jun–Sep)
BEST season — Mustang is a rain-shadow desert. While all Nepal is wet, Mustang stays bone dry. Unique opportunity to trek when other regions are closed.
Spring (Mar–May)
Excellent. Good visibility before monsoon. Less dusty than summer. Jomsom flight connections reliable.
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Good. Clear and dry. October is excellent. November gets cold and windy.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Possible but very cold. Strong winds. Jomsom flights often cancelled. For experienced winter trekkers only.
Permits Required
What to Pack
A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Frequently Asked Questions
On the Trail
See it in motion
$2,700
/ person · all-inclusive