Upper Mustang Trek

Who the Upper Mustang trek suits

Upper Mustang, the former Kingdom of Lo, feels like a different country: red and ochre cliffs, cave dwellings, old monasteries, barley fields and the walled city of Lo Manthang at 3,840 m. It sits in the rain shadow north of the Annapurnas, so it's dry, wind-blown and very different from the rest of Nepal.

It's moderate. The altitude is lower than the big passes, but days are long, dusty and windy. It suits trekkers interested in culture and landscape more than snow peaks, photographers, and anyone who wants to trek during the monsoon, when most of Nepal is wet.

Do you need a guide or permit?

Yes, Upper Mustang is a restricted area. You need a restricted-area permit through a registered agency, a licensed guide, and the ACAP permit. The restricted permit for Upper Mustang is one of the most expensive in Nepal, but it's now charged per day (USD 50 per person per day) instead of a fixed 10-day block, so shorter trips cost less. TIMS is not required.

Since 2026 a single trekker can apply through an agency. See Restricted Area Treks in Nepal.

Best months, and when it's easiest to find a partner

Upper Mustang can be trekked from March to November. Spring and autumn are clearest. In the monsoon (June–August) it stays mostly dry, making it one of the few good treks for that season. May is popular for the Tiji festival in Lo Manthang. Winter is very cold, and many locals move south.

With the high permit cost and a guide required, partners almost always team up in advance. Post early, so you can apply on one permit.

Doing Upper Mustang with a partner

• Why it matters here: the permit is per person per day, but the guide, jeeps and agency costs can all be shared. On a trek this expensive, a partner makes a big difference.
• Where to meet: Pokhara, before flying or driving to Jomsom together. The restricted area starts just beyond Kagbeni.
• What to share: the guide, jeeps on the road sections, and rooms.
• Agree on the trip style: walk the whole way, or use jeeps on dusty road sections? Decide this before applying: the permit is charged per day, so jeeping the road sections means fewer days and a cheaper permit.