Lower Mustang Trek | 12 Days Journey In Mustang Region

After a long flight from your home country, you finally land in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. As your flights land, you will exit via the bus provided by the Tribhuvan International Airport (Tribhuvan International Airport).

From then on, you have to fill in the arrival cards and stand in the queue for the Visa on Arrival. After passing immigration and collecting your baggage, you will find our team waiting for you with a name card at the entrance to TIA.

We will then transfer you to your hotel in Thamel. The drive from the airport to Thamel is about 6 km and takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

However, during the peak hour (10 am to 8 pm), the drive can take around 90 minutes.

After reaching your hotel, you can rest to get over that jet lag. In the evening, we will arrange a brief meeting with your guide, who will give a 30 to 45-minute session. In that session, he will cover:

• Route map review (Pokhara/Beni/Jomsom key points)
• Daily elevations/AMS risks
• Quick Gear Check
• Permit Display

Note: Depending upon your flight timing, this quick session can be done the next day as well.

Once this is done, we’ll call it a day and we’ll prepare ourselves for next day drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

The second day starts early, as today we are going to take a long 6 to 9-hour drive from the capital to Pokhara. During this journey to western you can see a clear terrain shift from urban outskirts to hilly highways.

However, this drive can be mentally demanding due to the current road conditions of the Tribhuvan Highway. Furthermore, an early departure is essential to avoid daytime road closures and peak traffic on the Kathmandu–Mugling section.

Talking about the drive itself, it starts from Kathmandu, exiting the valley via the Tribhuvan Highway toward Nagdhunga Pass (1,500 m).

After crossing Sisnekhola and Khanikhola between Nagdhunga and Naubise, the route joins the Prithvi Highway at Naubise. From here, the road closely follows the Trishuli River through Kurintar, Galchhi, Malekhu, Benighat, and descends to Mugling, the lowest point of the day.

From Mugling, the route turns west, climbing gradually through Dumre, Damauli, and Anbukhaireni along the Marsyangdi River before the final approach to Pokhara, where the Seti River appears near the city.

However, as we already told you, the Kathmandu–Mugling section has mixed road conditions with active construction zones and possible daytime closures between 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM.

Additionally, the heavy traffic in this area is common, especially near the Mugling junction. Starting between 5:00 and 6:00 AM significantly reduces delays.

But as you reach Pokhara, you will find all the comforts that the tourist capital of Nepal offers, reliable accommodation, hot showers, and access to trekking shops for final preparations.

Okay, this is going to be another full road travel day that moves the group from Pokhara into the Kali Gandaki corridor. The first part is fast and smooth, then the road conditions become more mixed after Beni. You can expect about 6–7 hours of driving on the road, with short tea or meal stops.

The effort is passive, but the day can feel long due to vehicle movement, bends, and occasional rough patches.

After leaving Pokhara (827 m), the route follows the Pokhara–Beni Highway for roughly 110 km, passing the Phewa Lake area, terraced fields, small rural settlements, and Dhikur Pokhari before reaching Beni junction (600 m). From Beni, the road turns onto the Beni–Tatopani section (30 km), where the Kali Gandaki River becomes the main reference point as the road climbs to Tatopani (1,190 m).

But the good news is Pokhara–Beni side’s road is blacktopped and reliable. However, after Beni, expect some unpaved stretches; high clearance helps, and during the monsoon landslides can slow progress.

This is going to be the final road day before you start your trek. And it is a long uphill drive that transitions from the warm river valley at Tatopani into the upper Kali Gandaki corridor. Road conditions here change quickly. For example, the first section is mixed, then the track becomes rough and slow after the gorge narrows.

You can expect 5-6 hours total on this road, including short meal stops. The effort is passive, but the day can feel demanding due to continuous bumps, water crossings in wet periods, and limited services between settlements.

During the drive from Tatopani (1,190 m), the vehicle follows the Kali Gandaki River upstream toward Ghasa (2,010 m). In this section, the route passes through the Kali Gandaki Gorge between Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and Annapurna (8,091 m) and reaches the Rupse Waterfall area. From Ghasa, the drive continues up-valley to Marpha (2,670 m), then follows the final valley road into Jomsom (2,743 m), Mustang’s district hub near Jomsom Airport.

Since the car or tourist bus isn’t feasible, for this section we will opt for a 4WD jeep. With that, you will also get an experienced driver for the Tatopani–Ghasa and Ghasa–Marpha sections. The uneven surfaces and seasonal mud of the route demand some level of experience. Furthermore, since winds in the Kali Gandaki corridor strengthen later in the day, which means an early departure is a must in these areas. 

Finally, we start our first trekking day, which is short and deliberately kept easy. In fact, we kept it in such a way to support acclimatization after arriving in Jomsom. 

The walk in itself is gentle, with minimal elevation gain of 138 m, and follows the wide floor of the Kali Gandaki valley. Walking time is usually 3.5–4 hours at a relaxed pace. And the terrain is mostly flat, with a mix of newly built dirt roads and established foot trails. Although physically undemanding, afternoon winds and dust can add mild discomfort if the day starts late, so an early departure is recommended.

Talking about our route, it begins from Jomsom town and airport area (2,720 m), heading north–northeast along the west bank of the Kali Gandaki River. The trail follows the river corridor toward Ekle Bhatti, a small settlement reached after about 4–5 km. This is a common tea stop before continuing deeper into the valley. Beyond Ekle Bhatti, the gorge gradually narrows, with red rock formations becoming more prominent. The route remains clear and straightforward, staying close to the river with no major junctions. As Kagbeni approaches, the Jhong Khola tributary becomes visible, and the village’s monastery structures can be seen ahead. The trail then enters Kagbeni through narrow village lanes.

However, we need to remember that Jomsom is known for strong afternoon winds moving up the Kali Gandaki gorge. This is why starting between 7:00 and 7:30 AM helps avoid the worst conditions. Dust from occasional vehicles is common on the first section, especially in dry seasons. Kagbeni is also a permit checkpoint, so documents should be accessible on arrival.

To fully understand the mustang region, one full cultural exploration day based entirely in and around Kagbeni is essential. This day is just that!

On this day, physical effort is moderate and flexible, combining slow village walking with an optional half-day hike to nearby settlements.

The whole terrain includes compacted village paths, narrow medieval lanes, and well-established trails along the Kali Gandaki river corridor. There is no time pressure today, and activities can be adjusted based on energy levels and weather conditions.

Kagbeni Village Exploration (Morning)

The morning is spent inside Kagbeni village, one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the Kali Gandaki valley. Walking through narrow lanes reveals traditional mud-brick houses, enclosed courtyards, prayer wheels, chortens, and defensive tunnel-like passages that reflect Kagbeni’s medieval fortress design.

The primary cultural site is Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery, founded in 1429 and still active today. Inside the main prayer hall are Buddhist statues, thangka paintings, wall frescoes, and carved wooden elements.

Nearby are the Kheni guardian figures at the old village gates, representing pre-Buddhist protective beliefs, and the Devthen Chhorten, a small shrine attributed to Guru Rimpoche. The Kag Khar Palace ruins, once part of a fortified trade stronghold on the salt route to Tibet, are visible throughout the village layout. A short walk also leads to Pitri-Moksastala, the Hindu ritual site at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Jhong Khola rivers.

Optional Day Hike: Kagbeni To Tangbe To Chhusang

After village exploration, an optional hike follows the west bank of the Kali Gandaki River northward. The trail first reaches Tangbe village (approx. 2,800 m), passing open riverbeds, sparse juniper vegetation, and canyon walls rising between Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and Annapurna (8,091 m). From Tangbe, the trail continues gradually uphill to Chhusang (approx. 2,980 m), where red cliff formations dominate the gorge landscape. The route uses established hiking paths and occasional riverbed sections before returning the same way to Kagbeni.

Things To Remember Today

Morning conditions are calmer; winds usually strengthen in the afternoon. Water is available in teahouses, but carrying sufficient supplies is recommended. Slow pacing is important even on easy terrain to support acclimatization.

Today is going to be one of the most difficult days of the trek as it is a sustained uphill trekking day, with a steady gain in altitude from Kagbeni to the ridge-top village of Jharkot.

Although the distance is short, the elevation gain is of around 715 m, which is significant, and the effort level is moderate to demanding. The trail climbs continuously with no meaningful descent, so a slow, even pace is important.

Talking about the terrain, it is going to be dry and exposed, typical of Lower Mustang, with increasing altitude effects felt in the final section.

The trek starts from Kagbeni village center (2,858 m), heading north to northeast away from the Kali Gandaki river corridor. The initial section follows stone village paths and cultivated fields, running alongside small irrigation channels that supply water to Kagbeni.

As the trail leaves the village behind, it enters open hillside terrain, climbing steadily on a well-defined footpath of packed earth and loose stones. With height, the landscape becomes more arid, and views open back toward the Kali Gandaki valley.

Midway, the ascent steepens, and prayer stones and chortens begin to appear, marking the approach to higher Buddhist settlements. Jharkot becomes visible ahead on a raised ridge. The final climb is the steepest part of the day before the trail enters the narrow lanes of Jharkot village.

From the trail, clear views extend toward Nilgiri, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri, while the village itself is dominated by traditional mud-brick houses and its historic monastery.

Furthermore, cold air and thinner oxygen are noticeable on arrival, which makes rest and hydration important in the afternoon.

Today is the spiritual and emotional high point of the Lower Mustang journey. You leave Jharkot in the morning, climb gently toward Muktinath Temple, the most sacred pilgrimage site in the region, and then make a long downhill return to Kagbeni. The day combines belief, landscape, altitude exposure, and a dramatic descent back into the Kali Gandaki corridor, which means it is going to be a difficult day for your legs.

Jharkot to Muktinath: Morning Ascent

The day begins with a short but meaningful uphill walk from Jharkot. Leaving the village, the trail heads north-northwest, climbing gradually across open, arid slopes typical of the Muktinath valley. Stone village paths slowly give way to a clear trekking trail marked by chortens, prayer flags, and mani walls, signalling the approach to a sacred zone.

As you gain height, the terrain opens completely. There is little vegetation here. In fact, you will only find dry earth, scattered rocks, and an immense sky. The Muktinath temple complex and Ranipauwa settlement soon become visible ahead, sitting proudly beneath the mountains.

On clear mornings, views extend toward Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, and parts of the Annapurna range, making the walk calm rather than physically demanding.

Muktinath Temple Experience

Muktinath sits at the foot of the Thorong La region and holds deep meaning for both Hindus and Buddhists. Inside the complex, you move between the main Vishnu shrine, the famous 108 water spouts, sacred ponds, and the eternal flame that burns naturally from underground gas. The atmosphere is active yet reverent, shared by pilgrims, monks, and trekkers alike.

Spending time here also serves as gentle acclimatization at the highest point of the trek.

Descent from Muktinath to Kagbeni

In the afternoon, the route turns south and southwest for a long descent. The trail drops steeply at first, passing below Ranipauwa and toward the Khingar and Jhong areas, where the valley begins to widen.

With every step down, the landscape changes subtly, the air thickens, the slopes soften, and the sense of moving back into a river system becomes clear.

Lower down, the Kali Gandaki valley dominates the view. The trail funnels naturally toward Kagbeni, following the logic of the gorge carved between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

By the time you reach the village, prayer flags, flat-roofed houses, and the river’s combination welcome you back to familiar ground.

Then in the evening, Kagbeni feels warmer, quieter, and deeply grounded after the sacred intensity of Muktinath. This day is remembered not for distance, but for meaning; the moment where landscape, faith, and the journey itself fully come together.

You leave Kagbeni early and climb away from the Kali Gandaki corridor, angling toward the ridgeline that leads to Lupra Pass. The route here is simple but demanding: you rise steadily onto open, barren slopes, the trail tightening into a steeper push as the pass comes into view. However, the scenery feels bigger with every step as it is combined with wide sky, raw rock, and a growing sense of exposure.

From the pass, you drop into the Panda Khola valley, following the gorge line down toward Lupra, Mustang’s rare surviving Bon village. The descent is rocky in places, but culturally rich. Here you will find quiet homes, a distinct spiritual identity, and a monastery atmosphere that feels older than the trekking trail itself.

After Lupra, the route continues down through traditional settlements and orchard country, gradually returning you to the wider valley floor as you approach Jomsom, usually before the strongest afternoon winds peak.

Now, since our trekking days are far behind we will begin our journey back to Pokhara.

The drive leaves Jomsom following the Kali Gandaki valley, descending steadily through Marpha, Tukuche, Tatopani, and Beni.

During the drive, you will see terrain shifts from dry trans-Himalayan landscape to forested mid-hills after Tatopani.

Here you will find rough sections, dust, and slow traffic in places. Arrival in Pokhara feels noticeably warmer and more relaxed.

The drive follows the Prithvi Highway, running alongside the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers through the mid-hill corridor.

The road alternates between river valleys, small towns, and terraced hillsides, with increasing traffic closer to Kathmandu. It is a long but straightforward travel day with regular stops.

In the evening, a farewell dinner marks the end of the journey, allowing time to reflect on the route from Mustang back to the capital. Furthermore, we will also provide you with the certificate of completion as you finish this deeply meaningful journey.

This is a non-trekking day. Depending on flight time, there may be an early transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport.

Morning traffic in Kathmandu can be unpredictable, so departures are planned with buffer time. Assistance is provided for airport procedures before final departure.

YOUR LOWER MUSTANG JOURNEY FINALLY ENDS HERE!!