About the Accommodations

In Kathmandu, you’ll stay in a comfortable hotel with a private bathroom and breakfast included. It’s a great place to relax before and after the trek.

During the Upper Mustang trek, you’ll stay in basic trekking lodges (also known as teahouses), typically made of wood and stone. These lodges are located in or near small mountain villages along the trail. You’ll sleep in private twin rooms, usually with two single beds and a shared bathroom. The rooms are equipped with a mattress and pillow, please bring your own sleeping bag. At higher altitudes, where nights can be freezing, extra blankets are available to add warmth.

Facilities are simple and shared with other trekkers. Hot showers are sometimes available for a small fee, although the water temperature and availability vary. In the dining area, there’s often a stove burning wood or yak dung to keep warm, but we recommend bringing warm clothing, especially a down jacket for the cold evenings.

Electricity is generally available for charging devices (for a fee), and Wi-Fi is offered in some lodges, though it may be slow or unreliable due to power cuts or poor signal.

Note: It is not always possible to pre-book a single room in the trekking lodges. Availability depends on the season and the size of your group.

About the Meals

In Kathmandu, breakfast is included at your hotel. For lunch and dinner, you can explore the wide variety of restaurants in the city, from Nepali to international cuisine.

During the trek, three meals per day are included and served in the lodge where you’re staying. You can choose meals from the menu, which typically offers Dal Bhat (Nepal’s staple dish of rice, lentils, and vegetables), noodles, pasta, soups, and sometimes pizza or pancakes for breakfast. The food is simple, filling, and mostly vegetarian.

You can fill your thermos with tea at most lodges (for an extra fee), and we recommend purifying tap water using iodine, tablets, or a filtration bottle. Many lodges also offer refills of safe drinking water (for a small fee), which helps reduce plastic waste.

Note: Bottled mineral water is available, but we strongly advise against buying it to avoid contributing to the plastic pollution problem in the Himalayas.

Included in the Price

• 3 hotel nights in Kathmandu (2 before, 1 after the trek) with breakfast
• 11 nights in trekking lodges in Upper Mustang
• All meals during the trekking (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea)
• Domestic flights: Kathmandu – Pokhara – Jomsom (round-trip)
• Upper Mustang Special Permit ($500 per person)
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
• All transfers according to the program
• English-speaking licensed trekking guide
• Porters for luggage transport (max. 12 kg per person)
• Trekking map (provided on-site)

Not Included

• International flights
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
• Extra drinks, snacks, and bottled water
• Personal expenses and souvenirs
• Tips for guides and porters
• Nepal visa ($30 for 15 days)
• Travel insurance (must include helicopter evacuation)
• Additional costs for extra rest days or route changes

Important Permit & Group Info

Upper Mustang is a restricted area, and to enter, you need a special permit costing $500 for 10 days (included in the price). This permit can only be issued for a minimum of two people trekking together with a licensed guide.

If you want to join this trek as a solo traveler, we will help you find another person to apply with you so the permit can be issued. Once you’re part of a group, even a small one, there’s no issue.

About the Trekking Experience

You’ll walk on centuries-old trade routes, following wide but rocky and sometimes steep trails. While you’ll occasionally encounter stone steps and suspension bridges, the trails are usually dry, dusty, and surrounded by spectacular canyon landscapes and eroded cliffs.

The challenge lies in the altitude and dry mountain climate, with strong winds common in Mustang. While the trek does not reach extreme altitudes like Everest Base Camp, you will still ascend above 3,800m, which can cause symptoms of altitude sickness if you’re not careful.

We recommend a slow and steady pace, proper hydration, and plenty of breaks to adjust to the altitude. Our itinerary includes gradual acclimatization to minimize risk.

Trek Stats

• Total trekking distance: approx. 150 km
• Average altitude during the trek: 3,000–3,800m
• Highest point: Lo La Pass, approx. 3,950m
• Daily walking time: 4 to 7 hours

This is a moderately challenging trek that requires good physical fitness, a positive mindset, and experience with multi-day hikes. Your guide can adjust the route in case of weather or altitude-related concerns.

Optional Extensions & Extra Days

Would you like a rest day along the way? It’s possible to extend your stay at certain lodges. Extra costs for guide and porter will apply.

You can also combine this trip with another adventure in Nepal, such as a jungle safari in Chitwan or a cultural stay in Bhaktapur.