7 Days Upper Mustang Expedition

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel in Thamel. In the evening, meet your guide for a comprehensive trek briefing over a warming dinner of dal bhat — Upper Mustang is a restricted area requiring special permits, all of which your team has arranged in advance. Travel tip: the Mustang region lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas; even during monsoon, the weather here is dry and sun is intense — bring high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm.

Take a spectacular morning flight to Pokhara, where the Annapurna range rises dramatically above Phewa Lake. After checking into your lakeside hotel, spend the afternoon exploring: take a boat across Phewa Lake to the Peace Pagoda for panoramic mountain views, visit the International Mountain Museum, or simply unwind at a lakeside cafe with views of the Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) peak mirrored in still water. Pokhara's relaxed pace is the perfect prelude to the adventure ahead.

Board the early morning mountain flight to Jomsom, a dramatic journey through the Kali Gandaki Gorge — the deepest gorge on Earth — with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri towering on either side. Land at Jomsom's windswept airstrip, then drive by 4x4 to Kagbeni, the ancient gateway to Upper Mustang. This atmospheric village of whitewashed stone houses, narrow alleys, and a centuries-old monastery marks the boundary of the forbidden kingdom, and you can already feel the pull of Tibetan culture.

Embark on a full-day 4x4 journey through one of the world's most surreal landscapes — the Kali Gandaki Valley of Upper Mustang, where wind-carved red cliffs, ochre mesas, and ancient cave complexes create a scene that looks more like Arizona or Tibet than Nepal. Pass through villages where chortens and prayer flags mark every rise and yaks graze on sparse vegetation. Arrive at Lo Manthang, the legendary walled city, by late afternoon — its imposing whitewashed walls and royal palace have barely changed in centuries.

Spend a full day exploring Lo Manthang, the capital of the former Kingdom of Mustang and one of the most extraordinary settlements in the Himalayas. Visit the Royal Palace, still home to the former king's family, and tour the city's three ancient monasteries — Champa Lhakhang, Thubchen, and Chyodi — whose frescoes and statues date back to the 15th century. In the afternoon, venture to nearby cave dwellings carved into crumbling cliffs, some containing Buddhist murals that have survived centuries of wind and isolation. The Tiji Festival, if your dates align in May, fills the city with masked dances, chanting monks, and a carnival atmosphere.

Bid farewell to the walled city and trace your route back through the dramatic Mustang landscape, the morning light painting the red cliffs in ever-shifting hues. Stop at villages along the way for photos and to stretch your legs, breathing in the crisp, dry air. Arrive in Jomsom by late afternoon and gather with your crew for a farewell dinner of dal bhat and perhaps a taste of local apple brandy — the Mustang region is famous for its orchards.

Board the morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, then connect to Kathmandu. Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport for your onward flight, or spend extra days soaking in the contrast between the arid high desert of Mustang and the lush green of the Kathmandu Valley. A singing bowl, a thangka painting, or simply a string of faded prayer flags makes a meaningful souvenir. Namaste.