Step into the trans-Himalayan desert of Upper Mustang, a Tibetan-influenced realm of ochre cliffs, sky caves, whitewashed villages and wind-carved canyons. This 16-day itinerary is our longest standard version: it moves steadily up the Kali Gandaki to Lo Manthang (the walled capital), adds two full exploration days for Chhoser caves and Ghar Gompa (Lo Gekar), then returns on higher footpaths through Dhakmar’s red cliffs to avoid dusty jeep tracks.
Upper Mustang sits in the rain-shadow north of Annapurna, so trekking is possible well into the monsoon; spring and autumn bring the clearest light. Altitudes are moderate (sleeping around 3,840 m in Lo Manthang; passes ~4,000 m), but the terrain is exposed and sun-baked, so pacing, hydration and wind planning matter. Because this is a restricted area, you trek with a licensed guide and special permits—handled end-to-end by our team. If you’re chasing culture, canyon color, and a timeless Himalayan atmosphere without extreme altitude, this is the Mustang you imagine.
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City hotels; teahouses on trek
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Kathmandu
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Autumn / Spring
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Breakfasts in cities; three meals/day on trek
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3,840 m
Highlights
- Walk to the walled city of Lo Manthang and its ancient monasteries.
- Explore the Chhoser “sky caves” and the broad, high valley near the Tibet border.
- Visit Ghar Gompa (Lo Gekar)—one of Mustang’s oldest temples—via high, quiet footpaths.
- Traverse classic passes (Nyi La, Ghami La, Lo La) with canyon panoramas.
- Longer, unhurried format with two exploration days and smarter routing away from roads.
