Trip Duration
9 Days
Trip Difficulty
Difficult
Max. Altitude
3,800m / 12,467ft.
Activity
Trekking
Destination
Nepal
Group Size
1-16 Pax
Accommodation
3 star Hotel
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
US$ 950
We offer group discounts
Total Cost:
US$ 1050
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Talk to trip expert
The Lower Mustang Trek is an unforgettable journey that offers a taste of both cultural discovery and Nepal’s natural beauty. You will trek into a secluded, timeless world where Tibetan culture and Himalayan landscapes coexist in flawless harmony. Tibetan Buddhist culture heavily influences this region and has shaped the identity of the Himalayan people.
The Lower Mustang is located within the Mustang district in Nepal’s north-central part. You will not require a restricted area permit to enter this destination. A TIMS card and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) will be enough for this region to experience the raw beauty of the Himalayas and authentic Himalayan life.
This Lower Mustang Trek package is ideal for people of all ages with basic fitness. Whether you’re traveling with family members of any age or with young children, this is a perfect getaway for an unforgettable vacation in Nepal. It offers a moderately challenging trek with rewarding, dramatic views of snow-capped mountains.
Your 9-day journey in Nepal begins with a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu City. You will spend your time visiting the city’s UNESCO Heritage sites like Swayambhunath Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Basantapur Durbar Square. The next day, you will drive to Pokhara, the City of Lakes, where you can enjoy an amicable experience with distant views of the Annapurna range.
Then, you will fly to Jomsom from here to kick off the trekking journey in the lower Mustang region. The path winds through the deepest gorge of the earth, Kali Gandaki Gorge, toward the village of Kagbeni, the first stop of your trekking tour in Nepal. This is the picture-perfect village where you can enjoy the medieval charm and striking panorama of the Tukuche and Nilgiri mountains.
After a night in Kagbeni Village, your journey continues toward Jharkot Village, popular for its 500-year-old monastery, also called Red Gompa due to the distinct red color of its outer wall. From here, you will head to the climactic destination of this 9-day Lower Mustang Trek, the sacred Muktinath Temple.
This holy temple, at 3800 meters, showcases the region’s significant transformation from semitropical forests to high-altitude desert land. Many Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims visit this iconic destination yearly for the sacred rituals and spiritual blessings. Here, you will also witness the Jwala Mai Temple, which is known for its eternal flame, a natural gas flame worshipped as the fire goddess.
On this nine-day journey, you will have the opportunity to see traditional stone houses, Buddhist monasteries, and colorful prayer flags fluttering with the velocity of the wind while trekking through terraced pasturelands, lovely traditional villages, and changing, unbelievable landscapes.
Your trekking adventure ends with a short flight to Pokhara. One of the most enriching aspects of this journey is experiencing the warm hospitality of the Thakali, Magar, and Gurung communities, offering you a profound understanding of their unique cultures and ways of life. Life is not just about traveling but also about meeting new people and experiencing their cultures, creating countless memories that will shape your future.
The first part of the Lower Mustang Trek, which lasts nine days, is to arrive in Nepal. You will land at the Tribhuvan airport, located in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Once you step foot into the land of Nepal, our dedicated office team members will be present at the terminal to give you a warm, cordial reception, putting a garland around your neck.
They will help you with airport formalities like check-in and visa processing. Then, they will carry your luggage and put it in the car. Once you are out of the airport, you will experience the lively environment of Kathmandu city. They will drive you to your accommodation in Thamel.
Our team will help you to settle into the hotel and navigate the bustling streets of Thamel before leaving you at your accommodation. At the hotel, you can take your time unpacking and refreshing. Then, take your extra time as an opportunity to explore the nearby alleys of Thamel and its shops and eateries.
Afterward, you can drop by our office in the evening for a quick overview of the Lower Mustang Trek package. We will introduce you to our guide and other team members so that you can feel comfortable talking with them. If you have any questions, you can ask us freely. Later, you can return to your hotel after having lunch in a cozy restaurant in Thamel.
On this second day of the 9-day Lower Mustang Trek, you will have the time to explore the rich heritage of Kathmandu city, which is listed under UNESCO World Heritage sites. We will start the tour in the morning after breakfast. As breakfast is not included in our 9-day Lower Mustang Trek itinerary, while you are in Kathmandu, you are free to eat anywhere you like according to your taste.
Then, we will arrive at your hotel with our private transportation to get you. We will visit all four UNESCO-listed heritage sites located only in Kathmandu City: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhanath Stupa. Following the planned sequence, here is the list of sites we will explore in the city.
Boudhanath Stupa: After breakfast this morning, we will visit one of the world’s largest stupas. In the early morning, a serene and spiritual atmosphere surrounds the stupa as monks circle it in quiet meditation, and soft prayer chants echo through the air. You will also get a peaceful vibe here while roaming around the stupa.
Pashupatinath Temple: Our next stop will be this holy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is just a 10- to 15-minute drive away from here. It is a significant site for the cremation rituals of deceased people for Hindus. Every Monday, it is heavily overcrowded to worship Lord Mahadev.
Swayambhunath: After exploring Pashupatinath Temple, we will drive to this Monkey Temple. Depending on the traffic, it will take 20 to 30 minutes. We will reach here by early afternoon. This stupa is at the top of the hills, offering sweeping views of Kathmandu Valley. We will have lunch here and go to today’s final destination on this Lower Mustang Trek Package.
Kathmandu Durbar Square: After a 15- to 20-minute drive from Monkey Temple, we will reach Basantapur. Here, you will witness the royal palace of the Malla Kings, featuring exquisite Newari architecture, temples, inns, and courtyards. After exploring, we will take you back to your hotel to rest.
On the third day of the 9-day Lower Mustang Trek itinerary, we will leave Kathmandu for Pokhara on a comfortable A/C tourist bus. We also provide private car and flight options if you don’t like traveling on a bus; however, the package would significantly increase in cost.
The tourist bus will travel on the Prithivi Highway through lush hills, terraced fields, small towns, and villages, leaving behind the lively city. The route to Pokhara from Kathmandu is approximately 124 miles or 200 kilometers. There would be several stops, like Malekhu, popular for fish dishes, and Muglin.
We will travel in a tourist bus to Pokhara around seven tonight. We will stay in a standard hotel in the lakeside area. After a long drive from Kathmandu City, you can check into the hotel and take a shower to refresh. Thereafter, you can take a walk at the Lakeside Pokhara in the evening.
You will witness the sun setting over Phewa Lake, which feels magical. This place comes alive with streetlights and a vibrant environment in restaurants and cafes. You can soak in this blend of natural beauty and a traveler-friendly climate. Before returning, you can have a nice dinner in a restaurant to enjoy local Nepalese cuisine and international dishes on this trek to the Lower Mustang adventure.
Today, we will board a morning flight to Jomsom on this 9-day Lower Mustang Trek itinerary. After an early breakfast, we will leave the hotel and hop on a local bus or taxi to the airport. We will fly to Jomsom, which takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Even though this is a short flight, you will still be rewarded with the aerial views of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Kali Gandaki Gorge, and more than you imagine.
Our trekking adventure to Muktinath begins from Jomsom. Many well-developed hubs have lodges, teahouses, and essential services. We will stay at Jomsom during our return trek, following the Kali Gandaki River. We will reach the Ekle Bhatti village on foot in about one hour. After passing this village, we will walk on mostly flat terrain.
On the way, you can see several traditional villages and changing landscapes, making your hiking even more enjoyable. As you approach Kagbeni, you can experience the strong winds, especially in the afternoons. After about 5 to 6 hours of scenic trekking, we will eventually arrive at Kagbeni Village.
Kagbeni Village is a fascinating, living, Tibetan-influenced Himalayan village. It has many stone and mud-brick houses and narrow, winding alleys. You can visit a 15th-century monastery, giving you a historical glimpse into Mustang’s religious heritage. Tomorrow, our key stop on this Lower Mustang Trekking adventure will be Jharkot.
On this fifth day of the Lower Mustang Trek for 9 days itinerary, we will hit the trails towards the village of Jharkot after having a substantial breakfast in the teahouse. The journey will be a moderately demanding uphill walk, rewarding you with beautiful nature panoramas at every step.
As you ascend higher, you can see the expansive views of the Kali Gandaki Valley, which is surrounded by the snow-blanketed peaks like Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. Similarly, you can view Throng La Pass, one of the highest passes on Earth, from a distance. In about four to five hours, we will reach this village where we will stay overnight.
It is a traditional Himalayan village on the route between Kagbeni and Muktinath Temple. It is particularly popular for its 500-year-old monastery, which belongs to the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Compared to other busier trekking villages, this village is very peaceful and calm.
In this village, you can experience the fusion of nature, spirituality, and Buddhist culture. Similarly, the Tibetan Medicine School is housed within Red Gompa, where medieval Himalayan healing practices are performed. We will visit Muktinath Temple on this incredible Lower Mustang Trekking itinerary adventure tomorrow.
Finally, on this sixth day of the 9-day Lower Mustang Trek itinerary, we are heading to Muktinath Temple from Jharkot Village. After a yummy breakfast in Jharkot, we will continue our trek, traversing high-elevation and arid landscapes. You will encounter pilgrims, fluttering colorful prayer flags, and mani walls along the way.
The path to Muktinath is a steady ascent. Upon reaching a higher altitude, you may feel dry, dusty air, which can make your hiking demanding. After hours of walking, we will arrive at Muktinath Temple, representing God Vishnu. You will feel the serene atmosphere, giving you a more profound sense of spirituality.
The awe-inspiring views of snow-capped peaks, high Himalayan Desert terrain, and windy valleys surround this sacred temple. The main attractions at this temple premise are 108 water spouts, an Eternal Flame (Jwala Mai Temple), Vishnu Temple, and Buddhist shrines.
It is believed that worshipping this temple can help one attain moksha, which means freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth. This temple is open throughout the year. Today, we will spend a night in a lodge or a teahouse, and tomorrow, we will again visit the temple in the morning to pray and worship.
In the morning, we will visit Muktinath Temple before having breakfast. You can take blessings in the temple. You can also bathe under the 108 ice-cold water spouts to bring spiritual cleansing and purify sins. After exploring, we will go back to the teahouse and eat breakfast.
Thereafter, we will start the trek towards Jomsom town. We will go downhill, passing through the traditional villages like Jharkot and Kagbeni, which we had visited on the fourth and fifth days. While trekking, you can enjoy the stunning mountain vistas and other dramatic landscapes.
After 6 to 7 hours of walking, we will reach Jomsom town. Today, you will have enough time to explore Jomsom, as we could not travel here during the fourth day of trekking. You can explore local markets and monasteries. Additionally, you can try authentic, famous Thakali foods. Tomorrow, we will return to Pokhara in this Lower Mustang Trek cost package excursion.
After four days of trekking in the lower Mustang region, we will fly back to Pokhara after a hearty breakfast in Jomsom town. For the last time, we will enjoy aerial views of the mountains in a plane. Upon reaching Pokhara, we will drive to the hotel and settle in. Then, after some time, we will spend the day visiting tourist destinations.
The major attractions of Pokhara city are the Seti River Gorge, Bindabasini Temple, Pumdikot Shiva Statue, Sarangkot, Mahendra Gufa, Rupa Lake, and so on. We will visit some of these destinations and Phewa Lake, where we will boat and enjoy the views of Fish-tail Mountain.
On the last day of the 9-day Lower Mustang Trek, with a wrist-twisting drive adventure, we will leave from Pokhara to Kathmandu by a comfortable tourist bus after a good breakfast. Passing towns like Mugling and Damauli, the bus will go straight via the Prithivi Highway. You will get glimpses of rural villages, roadside markets, rolling hills, and river valleys.
We will eventually reach the vibrant Kathmandu city after seven to eight hours of bus driving. We will then drop you off at your hotel, marking the end of your Lower Mustang Trek package. To create one last unforgettable memory on this Lower Mustang Trek adventure while you are in Nepal with us, we will prepare a farewell dinner party at a typical Nepalese restaurant where you will enjoy cultural dance and music.
This Lower Mustang Trek for 9 days can be done in any month of the year in Nepal. However, every single person has their own choice and preference for travel. Some prefer to travel in spring, while some love winter. However, the best peak experience for this trekking adventure is in spring and autumn.
The spring season offers mild days and chilly nights. The views are picture-perfect, with colorful flowers in the landscapes. Similarly, the trek to Mustang is best in the autumn season too. You will feel festival vibes and experience the clear, breathtaking vistas at this time of the year.
Similarly, people also prefer to travel in winter in the lower Mustang because it offers the best views of the mountains on clear weather. The temperatures can be chilly but not too extreme, and you can experience a solitary setting and fewer crowds. However, summer is not ideal for trekking due to heavy rain, which can delay or cancel flights and cause destruction from floods and landslides.
Your Lower Mustang Trekking excursion starts with a flight to Jomsom town, sitting at an altitude of 2790 meters. From here, you will trek into a traditional village of Kagbeni at 2900 meters. The final stop before reaching Muktinath will be Jharkot at 3519 meters. Muktinath Temple is the highest-elevation destination at 3800 meters, which you will visit on this thrilling adventure.
The total hiking distance for the route from Jomsom to Kagbeni, Jharkot, Muktinath, and back to Jomsom is approximately 41 kilometers (25.5 miles). In the same way, you will be traveling on a comfy tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara on a round trip of 400 km or 248 miles.
Trekking in the Lower Mustang region is not as easy as it may seem; it’s definitely not a piece of cake. The route to Muktinath features some steep ascents and descents, rugged terrain, and unpredictable weather. You need to stay one step ahead to navigate through these obstacles by preparing yourself in terms of fitness and packing.
Trekking can be a tough challenge, especially if the winds are powerful. The strong winds can blow dust around, which can also cause you to walk in discomfort. The winds can also easily make you fatigued while walking against them. Therefore, you should also be aware of one more possible problem while trekking: altitude sickness.
The Muktinath temple is at an altitude of 3800 meters, so here you are entering a region where AMS (acute mountain sickness) may occur. To stay healthy, the first thing you should do is drink enough water, rest adequately, and go up the mountain very slowly.
The diet should also be strict. The low temperature might also make your journey more complicated, so before you go, wear some warm clothes and equip yourself with the proper trekking gear.
On this Jomsom Muktinath Tour, there will be four days of trekking out of a total of nine days of adventure. Five hours will be the average walking time that you have to walk regularly. The least amount of time you will walk on this journey is about four to five hours while trekking to Jharkot Village from Kagbeni.
Moving forward, the highest hours you will walk on this journey is about six to seven hours while returning to Jomsom from Muktinath. So, it is best to have basic fitness to trek on this journey easily. Similarly, good preparation and packing will help you be comfortable in the lower Mustang region.
On this Lower Mustang Trek cost package, you will lodge in a standard hotel while you are in Pokhara and Kathmandu. Similarly, you will stay in a lodge or mountain teahouse while traveling to the lower Mustang region. Most lodges and teahouses along the trail are family-run and passed down through generations.
These teahouses are often packed during the best seasons, like fall and spring. So, it would be a good idea to book the trip in advance for reservations. While hiking, you will be provided with a full-board meal. Dal bhat tarkari is the most typical food that is served while trekking in the mountains.
You can also order international dishes in some teahouses, like in Jomsom. Our package also included supplementary snacks like cookies and a chocolate bar, which are provided while trekking. Similarly, you will be served with seasonal fresh fruit desserts daily while in the lower Mustang region. On the final day, you will be treated to a farewell dinner at a typical Nepalese restaurant to conclude the package.
Each morning, the first thing to do in a teahouse is to have a hot cup of tea and a plain breakfast. As the sunlight falls on the mountaintop, you grab your backpack and go along the dust-laden trails, stopping to take in the beauty of the surrounding valley.
The middle of the day starts with a good meal at a homey place, followed by a short break. In the evening, you walk through terraced fields, open spaces affected by the wind, and age-old villages. Often, you stop at a local shop to have a friendly chat.
At the end of the day, you check in at the next teahouse, where a good dinner is waiting for you. You are given a blanket to keep yourself warm before you go to bed early. So, this would be your typical day while trekking in the lower Mustang region.
We will arrange everything related to transportation for you. Your package covers all transportation charges for this 9-day Lower Mustang Trek adventure. It also includes a round-trip flight from Pokhara City to Jomsom Town and back.
Similarly, we will travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back on a luxurious, air-conditioned tourist bus. In contrast, you can take a flight to Pokhara, which will be slightly more expensive than driving by bus.
During this nine-day Lower Mustang Trek excursion, the first part of the adventure is visiting the UNESCO-listed sites of Kathmandu Valley and a comfortable road trip along Prithvi Highway to Pokhara, where we can relax by the side of the lake.
Later, a scenic flight across remarkable landscapes will take us from Pokhara to Jomsom, where we will begin our hike. You will stop at Kagbeni and Jharkot, where you can see traditional houses, red brick monasteries, and prayer flags. You’ll traverse the world’s deepest gorge, passing terraced fields and wind-sculpted cliffs, before arriving at Muktinath and its surrounding plateau, 3,800 m above sea level.
At this sacred site, a natural, eternal flame and 108 flowing water spouts symbolize its deep spiritual significance. You will also meet people from the Thakali, Magar, and Gurung communities. Upon securing a TIMS card and a conservation permit, you can make this trip the center of your tourism in the Himalayas.
So, you are expecting a journey with religious values while exploring the natural world of the Lower Mustang region. In that case, this vacation aligns with your interests and will give you unforgettable memories.
The classic itinerary lasts nine days, but we can easily shorten or extend it according to your preference and timetable.
You will take up to 250 stone steps to reach the temple. You can also witness Muktidharas, 108 water spouts behind the temple, where you can take a holy dip.
Muktinath Temple is famously known as the place of liberation, where taking a bath in the 108 holy water spouts cleanses sins and leads to salvation. Additionally, this destination offers a peaceful spiritual experience and rewards you with the surrounding gorgeous landscapes.
Of course. Most of the teahouses in lower Mustang offer hot showers for an extra little amount of cash. Therefore, you can bring a quick-dry towel and cold-weather toiletries.
Bring a comfy day backpack with a camera, hat, snacks, bottled water, sunscreen, a lightweight jacket, and other essential items. We will assign you a porter who will carry up to 20 kg of items.
The one particular risk that you should watch out for is altitude sickness. You should climb slowly, consume plenty of clean water, and take rest when needed. Our guide will also have first aid to use when needed. You can also carry some medications related to sore muscles, stomach upsets, and headaches for instant relief from pain.
US$ 950
We offer group discounts
Total Cost:
US$ 1050
Need help?
Talk to trip expert
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