Upper Mustang Trek | Sea to Summit Trekking

Duration 12 Days

Max Altitude 3,840m

Best Season Year-round (rain-shadow area)

Route Grade Moderate

Explore the former Kingdom of Lo, a high-altitude desert landscape of eroded canyons, ancient cave monasteries, and the walled city of Lo Manthang — one of the last strongholds of traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture.

TREK & ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS

Walled city of Lo Manthang
Ancient cave monasteries and cliff dwellings
Dramatic desert-like landscape
Rain-shadow region — trekkable in monsoon
Rich Tibetan Buddhist culture

Day 1 Fly to Jomsom, trek to Kagbeni

A short scenic flight to Jomsom followed by an easy walk to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang.

Day 2-4 Trek through Chele, Syangbochen, Ghami

Three days deep into the high desert landscape of Upper Mustang, passing eroded cliffs, chortens, and small Tibetan-influenced villages.

Day 5 Trek to Tsarang

Continuing north to Tsarang, home to a large historic dzong (fort) and monastery.

Day 6 Trek to Lo Manthang — Arriving at the walled former capital.

A relatively short walk to Lo Manthang (3,840m), the walled former capital of the Kingdom of Lo, still enclosed by its original mud-brick walls.

Day 7 Explore Lo Manthang and nearby monasteries

A full day exploring the walled city itself and nearby centuries-old cave monasteries.

Day 8-11 Trek back via Dhakmar, Ghiling, Chhusang

Returning south via a slightly different route, taking in the red cliffs of Dhakmar along the way.

Day 12 Trek to Jomsom, fly to Pokhara

Final walk back to Jomsom followed by a scenic flight to Pokhara.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Included in This Package

Comprehensive permits, crew, accommodation & logistical provisions

✓ Deluxe Package — What’s Included?

✓ Permits:

✓ Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

✓ Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Entry Permit

✓ TIMS Card (if extending into general Annapurna routes)

✓ Private Airport & Ground Transfers:

✓ International airport pick-up and drop-off in Kathmandu by private tourist vehicle (Scorpio Jeep / HiAce Van).

✓ Pokhara airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.

✓ Domestic Flights / Transport:

✓ Round-trip domestic flights (Kathmandu ⇄ Pokhara) via Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines.

✓ Round-trip domestic flights (Pokhara ⇄ Jomsom) OR private 4WD Scorpio Jeep transfer for the complete overland Mustang route (fuel, driver expenses, and highway tolls included).

✓ Meals During Trek:

✓ Wake-up morning tea/coffee.

✓ Breakfast with tea/coffee.

✓ Lunch on trail.

✓ Evening snacks with tea/coffee (dry fruits, cookies, energy bars).

✓ Dinner followed by seasonal fresh fruits and dessert.

✓ Hot water bags provided every night for your sleeping bag.

✓ (Note: Extra tea/coffee ordered outside regular meal times is not included).

✓ Drinking Water: Boiled drinking water / purified hot water provided throughout the trek.

✓ Accommodation:

✓ 4-star boutique hotel in Kathmandu (with breakfast).

✓ Luxury lakefront hotel in Pokhara (with breakfast).

✓ Best available heritage lodges/teahouses during the trek (attached bathroom where available, such as in Kagbeni, Charang, and Lo Manthang; twin-sharing basis).

✓ Hot showers and morning hot water for face washing and brushing teeth. Toilet paper provided.

✓ Wi-Fi and device charging fees included at teahouses.

✓ Equipment Rental:

✓ Down jacket, -20°C sleeping bag, trekking poles, and waterproof duffel bag (all rented gear to be returned after the trek).

✓ Staffing:

✓ Licensed, experienced English-speaking cultural/trekking guide.

✓ Dedicated porter (1 porter per client, or 1 porter for every 2 trekkers carrying up to 25 kg) / private 4WD driver if doing an overland safari.

✓ Assistant guide for groups larger than 6 trekkers.

✓ Staff Welfare & Insurance: Complete salary, food, accommodation, gear, domestic flight/jeep transport, and medical/evacuation insurance for all guide and porter staff.

✓ Safety & Medical: High-altitude medical first-aid kit, portable oxygen cylinder, and daily pulse oximeter monitoring (heart rate and blood oxygen saturation).

✓ Farewell Dinner: Special traditional cultural farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live ethnic dance performance.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Excluded (Personal Expenses)

Personal expenses, optional equipment, insurance & extras

✕ Nepal tourist entry visa fees.

✕ International airfare to and from Kathmandu.

✕ Mandatory personal travel and medical insurance (must include emergency high-altitude helicopter rescue and evacuation).

✕ Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara (except the farewell dinner).

✕ Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, bar bills, beer/alcohol, soft drinks, bottled mineral water).

✕ Horse riding/pony hire fees and personal monastery entrance fees (if applicable).

✕ Tips/gratuities for the guide, porter, and driver.

POLICIES & BOOKING CONDITIONS

Terms, Cancellation & Expedition Guidelines

Clear booking terms, cancellation policies, insurance prerequisites, and safety contingencies for Upper Mustang Trek.

Booking Confirmation & Cancellation Policy

1. Deposit & Advance: A non-refundable advance payment (default 50%) is required upon confirmation to secure required national park permits, TIMS cards, and domestic mountain flights (e.g., Lukla / Pokhara).
2. Cancellation 30+ Days Before Departure: 50% of the advance deposit is refundable, or 100% can be credited towards any alternative departure within 12 months.
3. Cancellation 15-30 Days Before Departure: 25% of the advance deposit is refundable; remaining 75% is retained to cover non-recoverable accommodation and flight deposits.
4. Cancellation Less Than 15 Days Before Departure: Advance payment is non-refundable due to committed guide/porter wages, permits, and airline ticketing policies.
5. Postponement & Force Majeure: If your trip is disrupted by severe weather, flight groundings, or natural events, 100% of your paid amount will be preserved and applied to rescheduled dates without penalty.
6. Trip Balance: The remaining balance is payable upon arrival in Kathmandu prior to trek departure via Cash (USD/EUR/GBP/NPR) or Credit Card (applicable 3.5% bank surcharge).

Mandatory Travel & High-Altitude Rescue Insurance

All participants embarking on Sea to Summit expeditions must hold a valid travel insurance policy that explicitly includes emergency medical expenses and high-altitude emergency helicopter evacuation up to the maximum altitude of this trip (3,840m). Evidence of insurance must be provided prior to departure from Kathmandu.

Physical Fitness & Medical Considerations

High-altitude trekking in the Himalayas requires sound physical condition and good cardiovascular health. We recommend prior aerobic training (hiking, jogging, cycling). Please disclose any pre-existing medical conditions or prescription medications to our team prior to departure.

Himalayan Weather & Itinerary Contingencies

Mountain flights (especially Lukla, Jomsom, and remote airfields) and trail conditions are subject to localized weather patterns. While our itineraries include buffer time, our certified expedition leaders maintain full discretion to adjust route sectors if safety demands it.

Transparent Himalayan Operations: We operate with complete clarity and no hidden fees. If you require custom dates, special payment schedules, or personalized altitude advice, our operations team in Thamel, Kathmandu is at your service. Contact our team or chat with us on WhatsApp.