Who this is for
Restricted-permit country via Jomsom: Lo Manthang, walled towns, a dry trans-Himalayan plateau.
Upper Mustang is not an Annapurna sanctuary walk. It is a restricted area: we process the permit in Pokhara, fly or drive to Jomsom, and walk a dry, windy plateau to Lo Manthang. Nights are in lodges. Typical length is ten to twelve days; we hold eleven. The price from-figure is higher because the restricted permit is real, not a marketing add-on. We will say so in the quote.
Included
- — Licensed guide
- — Upper Mustang restricted permit
- — ACAP & TIMS permits
- — Tea-house lodging
- — Breakfast, lunch, dinner on trek
- — Pokhara–Jomsom transport
Not included
- — International flights
- — Nepal visa
- — Travel insurance
- — Personal snacks & drinks
- — Tips
Itinerary
01
Pokhara to Jomsom
Flight or jeep up the Kali Gandaki. Wind briefing.
02
Jomsom to Kagbeni
Into the restricted gate. Dry riverbed walking.
03
Toward Chele and Samar
Cliffs, caves, and a climb out of the river.
04
High villages toward Ghami
Windy passes, painted chortens.
05
Toward Lo Manthang
The walled city comes into view.
06
Lo Manthang
A full day in the capital of the old kingdom.
07
Caves and side valleys
Optional cave or monastery day if permits and weather allow.
08
Begin the return
South toward the Kali Gandaki again.
09
High trail toward Kagbeni
Long, dry miles. Dust and wind.
10
Kagbeni to Jomsom
Out of the restricted zone.
11
Jomsom to Pokhara
Flight or road back to the lake.
Difficulty and altitude
Upper Mustang is a Challenging walk of 11 days, with a high point around 3800 m. We pace for acclimatisation, not a brochure summit morning.
Best time to go
Typical season: March–November. October–November and March–April are the classic Himalayan windows. We close or reroute when cloud and rain make the view a fiction.
Permits and what is included
Annapurna routes include ACAP and usually TIMS, processed in Pokhara. Restricted valleys (Mustang, Manaslu, Tsum, Nar Phu) add a RAP filed through immigration. The quote lists permit days; there is no surprise at the checkpoint.
Permit notes from Lakeside · Best treks in Nepal
How the trip starts from Pokhara
You sleep in Pokhara the night before a jeep or tourist bus. We confirm the trailhead, tea-house nights, and who meets you. No guest account — a manager replies on WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber or email.
Altitude
The path
Questions before you book
Questions before you book
Yes on the major Nepal trails. We walk with a licensed local guide; the booking is with a government-registered Pokhara agency.
