Day 1-2: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel in the vibrant Thamel district. Day 2: guided sightseeing of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the ancient royal palace at Durbar Square, the monkey temple of Swayambhunath Stupa, and the giant Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. Evening trek briefing with your guide. Overnight Kathmandu.
Day 3: Fly to Pokhara
Scenic 25-minute flight to Pokhara, Nepal’s lakeside adventure capital. The flight offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range, including Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and the Dhaulagiri massif. Afternoon at leisure by Phewa Lake—rent a boat, visit the Peace Pagoda, or simply relax at a lakeside café. Final gear check and preparations. Overnight Pokhara.
Day 4: Fly to Jomsom & Trek to Kagbeni (2,810m)
Early morning flight to Jomsom (2,700m), one of the most dramatic flights in the Himalayas, threading between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges above the world’s deepest gorge—the Kali Gandaki. In Jomsom, the landscape has already transformed into high-altitude desert. After lunch, a short 3-4 hour trek to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang. This medieval village of whitewashed mud-brick houses, narrow alleyways, and ancient chortens sits at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Jhong Rivers. The red monastery perched above the village glows in the afternoon light. Overnight Kagbeni teahouse.
Day 5: Kagbeni to Chele (3,050m) — Entering the Restricted Zone
After breakfast, present your Restricted Area Permit at the checkpost—you’re now entering the Forbidden Kingdom. The trail climbs through a dramatic canyon landscape where colors shift from ochre to deep red to purple as the sun moves across the sky. Wind-sculpted cliffs tower hundreds of meters above. Pass through the village of Tangbe with its distinctive white and red painted chortens and narrow alleyways. The climb to Chele is steady but rewarding, with views back toward the Nilgiri peaks. Overnight Chele teahouse.
Day 6: Chele to Geling (3,570m) — Into the High Desert
Today’s trek crosses the Taklam La pass (3,624m) and the Dajori La pass (3,735m), offering the first truly panoramic views of Upper Mustang’s vast, otherworldly landscape. The trail descends into Samar, a village of poplar trees and irrigated barley fields—a vibrant green oasis in the desert. Continue to Geling, where the monastery’s ancient murals and the white-painted chortens stand against the red cliffs. This is where you really feel you’ve entered another world. Overnight Geling teahouse.
Day 7: Geling to Ghami (3,520m) via the Nyi La Pass
Morning climb to the Nyi La pass (4,010m), the highest point on the trek so far. The 360-degree panorama from the pass is staggering: the snow peaks of the Annapurna range to the south, the endless desert canyons of Mustang to the north. Descend to Ghami, a beautiful village known for its enormous monastery and dramatic cave formations in the cliffs above. Walk past the longest mani wall in Mustang—hundreds of meters of stone slabs carved with the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum. The afternoon light on the red cliffs is photographer’s gold. Overnight Ghami teahouse.
Day 8: Ghami to Tsarang (3,570m) — The Royal Palace
One of the most beautiful trekking days. The trail crosses the Tsarang La pass (3,870m) before descending into the village of Tsarang (also spelled Charang), once a major trading hub on the salt route between Tibet and Nepal. Tsarang boasts a five-story white dzong (fortress-monastery) and the ruins of a royal palace that feels frozen in the 15th century. The monastery’s library contains priceless Tibetan Buddhist texts. Evening exploration of the village’s maze of stone-walled lanes. Overnight Tsarang teahouse.
Day 9: Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3,810m) — The Walled City
The final approach to Lo Manthang, the walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo. The trail crosses the Lo La pass (3,950m) where the first glimpse of the city’s white walls and red monastery roofs emerges across the plain—a view that has welcomed traders and pilgrims for 600 years. Lo Manthang is a living medieval city: narrow alleys wind between mud-brick houses, prayer flags snap in the constant wind, and the ceremonial King (the Raja of Mustang) still presides from his palace. Settle into your teahouse and spend the afternoon exploring. Overnight Lo Manthang.
Day 10-11: Exploring Lo Manthang — Chhoser Caves & Monasteries
Two full days to explore the walled city and its surroundings. Day 10: visit the ancient monasteries of Thubchen Gompa and Jampa Gompa, both built in the 15th century with extraordinary mural paintings that are among the finest surviving examples of Tibetan Buddhist art in Nepal. The Jampa Gompa’s 15-meter-high statue of the Future Buddha is awe-inspiring. Day 11: excursion to the village of Chhoser, known for its cliff-face cave dwellings—some of which were used as meditation retreats for centuries. The Jhong Cave (Sky Cave) is a five-story complex of chambers carved directly into the cliff, accessible by ladders. If your dates align with the Tiji Festival (usually May), you’ll witness three days of masked dances, rituals, and celebrations—one of the Himalayas’ greatest cultural spectacles. Overnight Lo Manthang.
Day 12-14: Return Trek via Alternative Route
Days 12-14: The return journey follows a different route through Dhakmar and the Ghar Gompa (Lo Gekar), one of the oldest monasteries in Mustang, said to predate the arrival of Buddhism in Tibet. The trail passes through landscapes of wind-eroded pillars and hidden valleys, with views that reward every climb. Each evening brings you back into increasingly green valleys as you descend from the high desert. Overnight in village teahouses.
Day 15: Jomsom & Fly to Pokhara
Morning trek to Jomsom, arriving by midday. Afternoon flight to Pokhara—the relief of the lush green landscape is striking after two weeks in the desert. Hot shower, cold beer, and celebration dinner with your trekking crew. Overnight Pokhara.
Day 16: Return to Kathmandu & Departure
Morning flight to Kathmandu. Day room available for repacking before evening international departure, or extend your stay to explore more of Nepal.
