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Lower Mustang Trek

Lower Mustang Trek

Based on 10 reviews
duration
Duration

10 Days

difficulty
Trip Difficulty

Moderate

max-altitude
Max. Altitude

3,900m

destination
Destination

Nepal

group-size-icon
Group Size

2-16 People

accommodation
Accommodation

Hotel, Lodge

transportation
Transportation

Flight, Bus

meals
Meals

B L D

Explore more facts about the trip

Overview of Lower Mustang Trek

The 10-day-long adventure of the Lower Mustang Trek goes through the serene Annapurna region, covering about 80 km of total distance. The trek starts in Jomsom and ends in Hile, passing by Tatopani, Muktinath, Kagbeni, and many more exciting places. This trek offers a great blend of cultural, natural, and moderate trekking experience through the remote villages of the Annapurna highlands.

Located in the Mustang district, the Lower Mustang region is shaded by the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Himalayan massifs. This has kept the area from receiving a considerable amount of rainfall, keeping the trails and overall surrounding dry with an arid alpine-like landscape. The hills are barren there, and the roads are often dusty. This region also houses the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Gandaki Gorge.

The Lower Mustang region was a part of the Kingdom of Lo in the past, and also under massive Tibetan influence at around the same time. It was a key point in the trade route between India and Tibet, which made it a prosperous kingdom. At present, this region still showcases Tibetan architecture, culture, and religion (Tibetan Buddhism). We will pass by many monasteries, chortens, and traditional houses that showcase the long-lasting Tibetan influence.

Primarily dominated by Thakali communities, the Lower Mustang region is fairly accessible as it does not reach that high in altitude. However, certain villages are still only accessible on foot; there are no roads for vehicles. These villages are the main focus of the trek since they offer authentic countryside vibes with a peek into their daily lives and practices.

Although some villages are inaccessible by vehicle, places like Jomson, Muktinath, Hile, etc., are easily accessible. Wide asphalt roads have been made for easy access, but they have also disrupted the trekking experience since many trekking trails were crossed or overridden while constructing the road. However, Natural Annapurna Trekking Trails (NATT) has stepped up to conserve the remaining trails and craft new routes, avoiding the tarmac roads.

  • Safety first, always
  • Best prices guaranteed
  • Expert travel team
  • Easy booking, no extras
  • Customize your journey
5.0

Based on 10 reviews

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Trip Highlights

  • Get on a scenic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom with aerial views of many peaks, including Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs.
  • Visit the world’s deepest gorge, the Kali Gandaki Gorge, and trek through it.
  • Trek alongside a rivershore full of fossil stones.
  • Visit the sacred and highly-revered Muktinath Temple.
  • Hike all the way up to Dhumda Tal for a panoramic scene of the Nilgiri peak, along with Annapurna, Fishtail, and more.
  • Take a relaxing bath in the natural hot spring water of Tatopani.
  • Experience the authentic Thakali culture and get to taste a bunch of local delicacies.

Lower Mustang Trek Detail Itinerary

itinerary-icon

A flight to Jomsom from Pokhara lasts just about 25 minutes. This scenic flight leaves in the morning, so we will have to reach the airport after breakfast. After we reach Jomsom, we will get ready to start the first trekking day of the Lower Mustang Trek. Today’s trekking distance is almost 11 km with a minimal elevation gain, taking us to 2800 meters above sea level. This trek takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete, following the Kali Gandaki River for the most part.

activity-small

Activity: 25 mins flight / 3-4 hrs trek

altitude-small

Max. Altitude: 2,800m/9,186ft. (Kagbeni)

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Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

accommodation-small

Accommodation: Lodge


If our standard itinerary doesn't fully meet your needs, we are happy to tailor it to your specific preferences and requirements.

Includes and Excludes

What’s Included?

  • Domestic flights between Pokhara and Jomsom, both ways
  • private vehicle transport from Hile to Pokhara
  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu before and after the trek
  • Comfortable teahouse or lodge accommodation during the trek (twin-sharing)
  • Breakfast in Kathmandu hotel, and three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) each day during the trek
  • Professional, English-speaking trekking guide and required porters
  • Trekking guide salary, insurance, meals, accommodation, equipment, transportation, etc.
  • Seasonal fresh fruit during the trek
  • All necessary trekking permits and national park entry fees
  • Basic medical kit and safety equipment during the trek
  • Sleeping bag, down Jacket, walking poles, duffel bags (you have to return after the trek)
  • Certificate of achievement at the end of the journey
  • Government taxes and agency service charges

What is not Included?

  • International flights to and from Nepal
  • Nepal entry visa fees upon arrival
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, snacks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and device charging
  • Travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and helicopter evacuation
  • Tips for guides, porters, and drivers
  • Extra hotel nights caused by flight delays, early arrival, or late departure
  • Personal Travel insurance and emergency rescue evacuation
  • Extra cost caused by natural or political disturbances beyond our control

Route Map & Altitude Chart

Trip Information of Lower Mustang Trek

Best season and weather

The best seasons are those with suitable trekking conditions that accentuate the trekking experience. Such features can be found in seasons like autumn and spring. The autumn season offers great visibility, very low chances of precipitation, and overall dry routes. On the other hand, spring also has the same qualities with a little more chances of rainfall, but a more lush scenery with blooming flowers.

You can never go wrong with any of these two options. The weather conditions during these seasons are great, but you might encounter rain or snow in the latter parts of the season.

Difficulty

The Lower Mustang Trek in Nepal is one of the easiest trekking destinations within the Annapurna region and also the entire country. This trek features very manageable ascents, with mostly plain and slightly undulating trails. There are no tricky sections or technical passages that might prove to be difficult for the untrained. All these features make it a great option for beginners and first-time trekkers. On a scale of 10, this trek deserves a 6.

Altitude Sickness

The chances of altitude sickness on this trek are very low, considering the fact that our maximum elevation is just 3800 meters, which is barely higher than the starting elevation of altitude sickness. After we cross 3500 meters, trekkers usually start to see minor signs of altitude sickness, but it does not get serious until we climb higher than 5000 meters.

Preparation and Fitness

To prepare for Lower Mustang Trek, you have to get physical at least 5 times a week, going for as long as 5 to 6 weeks. Since this trek is easy, you do not have to prepare for long, but you do have to focus on your fitness since you have to trek for hours daily.

Food and Accommodation

The nationwide popular Thakali dishes can be found at most of the villages en route. These dishes will be a bit different from the Thakali dishes found in city areas, since they have different authentic recipes. The room arrangements we make for Lower Mustang Trek are on a twin-sharing basis, with a communal bathroom. You do not get attached washroom in most tea houses. The trek package will cover 3 meals per day and all your accommodation expenses from day 1 to day 9.

Transportation

All the ground transportation will be covered by the package, along with the flight to Jomson from Pokhara. You do not have to pay anything for these rides.

Communication

Normal SIM cards will have some level of coverage throughout the trek, but it might not be very reliable for using the internet. You can find Wi-Fi at some of the tea houses, at a price. The Lower Mustang Trek guide will have a satellite phone to call for help in case of emergencies.

Permit

For this trek, you are required to have an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card. Morning Star’s reps will help you get these permits, and the package will cover the expense.

Visa

After you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will have to obtain your tourist visa at the immigration booth before leaving. For this, you will have to fill out a visa application and pay your visa fees. This part of the journey is not covered by the trek package.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is necessary for most of the trekking destinations in Nepal, including this one. The insurance package covers the cost of emergency evacuations, which is a rare possibility on this journey. Regardless of the rarity, it’s better to be prepared for the worst.

Extra Expenses

Your international flight, visa fees, extra meals, additional accommodation, upgraded accommodation, tips for the guides and porters, lunch and dinner in Pokhara, any kind of beverages, personal travel insurance, WiFi fees, hot shower, etc., are your extra expenses.

Private vs. group trek

A private trek to the Lower Mustang Trek includes your family and friends, or anyone you want to experience the trek with. This is an exclusive group with your close ones, upgrading the trekking experience overall. Meanwhile, a group trek is a budget-friendly version that includes random participants from all over the world. This can be a fun experience as well, since you will get to meet many like-minded people from all over the globe, ranging from young to old.

Most Asked Questions

General General

Preparation & Fitness Preparation & Fitness

Insurance and Visa Insurance and Visa

Guides & Support Staff Guides & Support Staff

Accommodation and Facilities Accommodation and Facilities

Food and Drinks Food and Drinks

Weather & Seasons Weather & Seasons

Health & Safety Health & Safety

Booking & Payment Booking & Payment

Transportation & Flight Transportation & Flight

  • Safety first, always
  • Best prices guaranteed
  • Expert travel team
  • Easy booking, no extras
  • Customize your journey
5.0

Based on 10 reviews

profile-exp

Have Questions?

+977 9767224414