Upper Mustang Trek Distance: Route Length & Daily Mileage Guide

Where is Upper Mustang in Nepal?

Situated at the north-central side of Nepal, within the Mustang District it resides within the Annapurna Conservation Area, this route acts as one of the most remote, with rugged terrain and the Tibetan plateau, where modernization is still zero, especially in the upper section after crossing Kagbeni, the gateway to the upper section of the Mustang region above 2800 meters.

Surrounded by the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Range, Upper Mustang also shares its border with China (Tibet), and marks itself as the rain shadow area of the Himalayas. As it stands within the rain shadow area, the precipitation (rainfall or snowfall) remains zero, opening the gateway to the visitors, every span of the year, including monsoon and winter, and tends to be easily accessible, in terms of transportation, through air flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, and follows the world's deepest gorge through diverse route sectio, from deep gorges, canvas, sky caves, completely plain with zero tea houses in between and several thriving tibetan villages.

Known as the "Last Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal", worldwide, till the year 1992, the route was restricted to foreigners, which makes the landmark even more pristine and unspoiled by the frequent footprints along the trailhead; however, in the present day, due to the visitors, it has boosted the economy of locals, where the lifestyle, culture, traditions are still preserved in every houses you visit, every quiant Tibetan village, you traverse through and every monasteris, shrines, chortens you gaze at, and the living proof remains the undisturbed festival like - Tiji, which symbolizes the rich histories and myths affiliated within this region.

How long is the Upper Mustang Trek in terms of distance and duration?

The total duration of the trek to Upper Mustang is approximately 127 to 158 kilometers (78.2 to 110 miles), and yes! It's authentic, even though you get a lot of mismatch information about Upper Mustang Trek being more than 170 kilometers, it is outdated, as the route was insanely rugged and steep with zero maintenance. If you are heading for the standard route, then it might not exceed the distance of 165 kilometers, no matter how many side excursions the itinerary involves, until it's a combined trip. Daily, the trek demands from 9 to 14 km of distance coverage with 5 to 7 hours of trekking trail, depending on the route, and your pace level as well. Due to the wide variation of the trailhead, from steep sections to remote, rugged, and continuous ascent uphill walk, it is a moderately challenging trek.

Starting from Kathmandu, the total distance covered spans from 420 kilometers to 450 kilometers, with a flight or roadway transportation to Pokhara and a flight to Jomsom - the starting point of the trekking trail toward Kagbeni (2804 meters), entering the route to Upper Mustang finally. Then the route continues through Tibetan villages through Chele, Syanboche, Ghami, Charang, with a visit to sky caves, monasteries, temples, gompas, and so on, for 6 to 7 hours per day, including 1.5 to 3 hours of exploration covering at least 10 kilometers, before taking a final ascent to Lo Manthang - the highest elevation and ultimate goal of this trip. Before reaching here, 4 to 5 days are spent at the remote trails, with thin air and altitude. 

The whole 1 day is set in Lo Manthang for acclimatization and the exploration of the cliffside monasteries like Namgyal Gompa, Garphu Gompa, Luri Gompa, and so on, and exploring the walled city culture, tradition, as well, for 6 to 7 hours throughout the day. After attaining here, only a few trekkers tend to continue on other routes with higher elevation, whereas the standard itinerary retraces the pathway via Drakmar, Ghiling, Chusang if followed the regular package, with same Upper Mustang travel duration and distance of 10 to 12 kms with 6 to 8 hours of walking distance, that gets compeleted within 14 days.

On the other hand, the total distance and duration also highly rely on the kind of transportation accessibility you are looking forward to opting for, as there are many ways to reach Upper Mustang via motorcycle, jeep, and apart from trekking. The jeep drive and bike ride take approximately 10 to 12 days, whereas the distance and length coverage remain the same, if visited side trips, but can be shortened to 8 days as well. 

However, take note that the trekking days depend on your pace, fitness level, experiences, and acclimatization as well. Even though this trek is not a long-duration journey like the Everest Base Camp Trek or  Kanchenjunga Trek, it is crucial to take a good rest (acclimatization/ excursion days), so your body gets used to the rising high elevation, avoiding the possibility of AMS (acute mountain sickness), and also make the best out of the adreline boasting off beaten wild trek in the himalayas.

Upper Mustang Trek Distance Based on Starting Points

The Upper Mustang Trek route length varies highly from where you are starting, the trek from, as there are several points at which one can proceed with the trip; the distance depends on the itinerary, to begin with. Here is a clear, detailed breakdown of the distance based on the itinerary, route, and starting point for this trek from standard ones to a combined overview as well:

Kathmandu to Upper Mustang Distance 

Starting from Kathmandu to Lo Manthang, the ultimate goal of the journey to Upper Mustang, it takes approximately 425 kilometers (267 miles), which includes the transportation mode as well, via roadway, air flight following the route of Kathmandu to Pokhara to Jomsom, touching the Mustang district officially, from where the trekking trail begins.

From Kathmandu to Pokhara via road, the total distance covered is almost 210 kilometers, with 8 to 9 hours of driving, and it might take up to 10 hours as well, as the road construction is recently going on progress. Whereas, proceeding on the route to Jomsom, it takes approximately. 7 to 9 hours of driving covering 155 to 160 kilometers (100 miles approx), and then the trek continues to Kagbeni with 4 hours of walking distance and 10 kilometers of distance coverage.

Then, from Kagbeni to Lo Manthang, it covers almost 98 kilometers, with a daily walking distance of 6 to 7 hours, winding via the world's deepest gorge of Kali Gandaki and the Tibetan barren plateau like Mars, for 9 to 14 kilometers coverage per day.

Meanwhile, the transportation facilities to reach the trekking route depend on personal choices and preferences, on what kind of vehicle mode you are willing to opt for. that highly affects the overall distance and duration. While the road via bus ride from Kathmandu to Kagbeni is on the cheaper side, demanding a long drive, the jeep and flight option is more on the costlier side; however, the flight option following from Pokhara to Jomsom is quick, easy, and the best option to reach the trekking point, that takes only approximately 35 to 45 minutes of fight time, avoiding the hassle of traffic congestion and stretching the overall trek. 

Pokhara to Upper Mustang Distance

One of the major cities, from where the trek starts from stands out to be Pokhara, as many people seek adventure after exploring Pokhara, the lake city, and make plans starting from here. To reach Lo Manthang from Pokhara, it takes approximately 225 km (140 miles), covering the distance of 19 to 14 kilometers of trekking distance per day for 5 to 7 hours, depending on the itinerary, touching the trail of Beni and traversing the same route just like the standard itinerary.

Whereas, Another option remains, which is the quickest way to reach Jomsom, tends to be via Pokhara, demanding only 25 to 35 minutes of your time, and further the walking trek covers to Lo Manthang, following Kagbeni from 90 to almost 100 kilometers, with a side trip, just like the standard itinerary. Meanwhile, for easy accessibility, one can opt for the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour from Pokhara, which goes all the way to Lo Manthang in just 3 days, covering daily 5 to 6 hours of road way jeep ride through dusty, bumpy rides, perfect for those bound by time and beginners that gets completed within 6 days of total time frame. 

Muktinath to Upper Mustang Distance

Another major starting point of the Upper Mustang is Muktinath as well, which is one of the major historical Hindu and Buddhist sites for pilgrims, across the globe, where you can either take a helicopter, drive, or fly to Muktinath, or else take a flight to Jomsom and enter Kagbeni via jeep or trekking route, that only takes approx. 4 hours, with 12 kms of distance coverage, and then continue the hike on the next day, to Muktinath from Kagbeni with an ascent of 5 hours (14.8 kms). 

Afterwards, you can continue the trek toward Chhusang and Cheke, which is a distinct route apart from the standard itinerary that also crosses one of the high passes of this region - Gyu La Pass, which is much more wild and strenuous, perfect for experienced hikers, or else, if you are thinking about  Annapurna Circuit Trek, then after the completion of the trip, you can rejoin the Mustang region after taking a descent from Thorong La - 5416 meters, combing 2 off beaten iconic expedition in 1 single journey.

Distance between Jomsom and Lo Manthang

No matter whether you start from Kathmandu or Pokhara, the main starting point starts with either driving or flying from Pokhara to Jomsom, which takes approximately 127 kilometers (79 miles), within walking distance, to Lo Manthang - the ultimate destination of this trip. Then, the route tends to follow the regular route, through Kageni, Chele, Syanboche, Ghami, Tsarang, and finally reaches the highest point of Lo Manthang, and retraces the pathway via Drakmar, Ghiling, Chhuksang, and then Jomsom. The overall trip in and out lasts from 12 to 14 days, with a gradual pace of 5 to 6 hours and a distance coverage of 9 to 12 km; however, it can be shortened to 10 days by experienced hikers. As the trek falls under the challenging treks within an isolated area, to avoid the possibility of altitude sickness, a gradual pace is required.

Upper Mustang Day-to-Day Trekking Distance in Kilometers

The standard classic route at least demands 14 days of the In and Out journey, with 1 good rest acclimatization day in Lo Manthang, for the exploration and adaptation to the rising elevation. As we've already mentioned, the daily distance coverage varies on a route and itinerary basis; however, the total distance coverage remains the same, that is approximately 447 kilometers, starting from Kathmandu to Upper Mustang distance, whereas the daily duration varies. To let you understand, here we've made a table overview of the 14-day Upper Mustang Trek distance showing the walking duration, time coverage, which usually suits every pace of hikers.

Factors Affecting the Upper Mustang Distance and Time

Terrain Variations

One of the major factors that directly impacts the distance and pace is the diverse terrain that the route comprises, through several kinds of trailheads, starting the journey from Jomsom. The rugged section starts right after. Proceeding the further hike, on the following days, the trail passes through desert barren landscapes, completely dry and isolated sections with zero trace of tea houses, at some point, which can make the trekkers slow down their pace, and might require extra time, exceeding hours and even an extra day. At the higher trailhead, the route comprises diverse mixed terrains from rocky, unpaved, narrow, steep, and continuous ascent uphill climb, and continuous descent for 6 to 7 hours, which often exceeds the walking hours than it actually takes.

Weather and Climate Conditions

Even though the Upper Mustang is situated in the rain shadow area, the route and the landscapes are surrounded by the dry Tibetan plateau, completely distinct from the city places or any other mountainous treks. The surrounding weather and climate conditions can change anytime, not the precipitation - rainfall and snowfall, with dry air, from morning to daytime (trekking hours) and strong windy situations after 4 PM, offering poor visibility and also, unbearable hiking conditions, which directly impacts the overall trek, as extra days might be required. On the other hand, the delay and cancellation frequently happen during the off-season monsoon, due to high precipitation in city areas, like Pokhara, for some hours to even 1 day, which can make your trip longer than expected. To avoid such a condition, venture out on this journey to Upper Mustang in the best seasons, Spring and Autumn. If the holiday duration doesn't match, then go for the road driving option (Jeep Drive).

High Altitude Impact on Speed

This trek starts with an altitude of 1300 meters, if starting from Kathmandu, 1360 meters, whereas, reaches 830 meters, and continues to Jomsom - 2830 meters, the starting point of the trek, and attains the highest elevation of 3800 meters at city of Lo Manthang, which is a rapid gain in elevation and high changes, where your body acts according it. Whereas, if you choose to ascend at a higher elevation, then it can reach 4320 meters - Marang La. Such rapid and short gain in altitude can lead to a high chance of altitude sickness if proper acclimatization days are not set. Make sure to take an ascent of 500-600 meters per day, and set the itinerary as per your pace, as slow and wise ascent remains crucial, with meaningful rest days to avoid the severe health risk. While keeping the rest days, it highly affects the overall distance of the Upper Mustang trek, as it varies from individual to individual, pace, experiences, and holiday time.

Route Condition

The journey from Pokhara to Upper Mustang is a roller coaster ride, where one must face several terrain conditions, which usually happen unexpectedly, especially when starting the trek from Jomsom, the starting point of the adventure. The route comprises uneven roadway, narrow steep sections, and the most challenging section via the Kali Gandaki gorge, where there is a high possibility of landslides that can directly make your trip stretch for a few days. To bypass such a situation, ensure to opt for this trek during peak seasons or in winter and avoid monsoon-summer as much as possible.

Tips for Managing Trekking Daily Distance in Upper Mustang

Even though it is uncertain how several factors can affect the Upper Mustang Trek distance anytime, you can still manage the overall distance and length with the following efficient planning. 

• Plan Proper Acclimatization Days: Ensure that the itinerary is set as per your pace and experiences, and ascend slowly, without rushing, setting a maximum of 600 meters, ascend only per day, to gradually adapt to the rising elevation, which avoids the risk of altitude sickness.
• Set Realistic daily distance goals: While planning the trip and tailoring the package, only set the trekking duration that fits as per your stamina level, and do not go overboard, thinking about pushing limits. For instance, if the trek demands 5 to 7 hours with 9 to 12 kilometers of distance coverage, then do not overspeed the itinerary to 10 to 12 hours, with 16 to 18 kilometers, which can directly lead to severe health problems.
• Stay Hydrated and Avoid Dehydration: As the route goes all the way through the dry Tibetan plateau, with airy dry surroundings, it might make you drained out, and also create in breathing difficulty which lead to unconsiousness and fatigue, hence, consume atleast 3 to 4 liters of water per day, ensuring that your body is well nourished.
• Pack Smartly and Lightly: While making your packing, do not overstuff the bagpack and pack lightly; however, all seasonal gear at least 1 pair, considering frequent, rapid weather and climatic changes.
• Navigate with an Experienced Trekking Guide: Hike along with the experienced licensed local guide, trust their instincts, as they carry more than 5 to 6 years of experience, along the route serving hundreds of hikers. Listen to their overview on climatic, weather conditions, and follow their pace, and please follow their guidelines.
•  Listen to Your Body and Ascend Accordingly: Please be mindful of how your body acts, do not rapid and speed, and urge to ascend higher more than the itinerary that has been set, as it could sometimes lead to severe injuries and some serious medical conditions.
• Wear Proper Footwear: Consider wearing a good pair of hiking boots with a proper grip, and avoid wearing slippery ones. Wear high-ankled boots and socks, which help in avoiding minor injuries.

When is the best time to visit Upper Mustang in 2025 and 2026?

Knowing the ideal seasons to trek Upper Mustang highly contributes to covering the trekking daily distance and coverage, which stands out to be Spring and Autumn, even though it situated in the rain shadow area, and can be commenced in any span of the year, one must consider, certain things when opting during this trek in monsoon and summer. To let you understand more comprehensively, here is an overview of what each season holds:

Spring

Spring is considered one of the best times to visit the Mustang region, where the weather conditions remain mild and stable, with moderate temperatures from 14 to 18 degrees Celsius, with the sky being clear, offering the best views of the mountains and landscapes. The lower terrains are beautifully covered by the wild flowers and apple orchards, at Marpha, Jomsom, whereas the higher elevation presents the colorful shade of purple (lavender), alpine blossoms, with the backdrop view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range. The main reason this particular season stands out the most is that the major Tiji Festival falls under this timeframe (March to May), where one can get a distinct perspective, making the trip even more fascinating.

Autumn

Autumn is another peak season (best time) to visit the Mustang region, just like spring, the temperature remains stable and moderate, with the unhindered views of mountains and landscapes, surrounding you in its panoramic form. As it comes right after the end of monsoon-summer, the chance of rainfall at lower elevations remains zero, perfect to begin the trip with before entering the main trekking route, at the same time, the main festival - Dashain and Tihar, fall under this timeframe, attracting large number of visitors to the Muktinath Temple, where you can boast in the unique celebration of locals.

Summer / Monsoon

Trekking during the summer and monsoon is not highly suggested, and considered as off-season, even though it is situated in the rain shadow area, the humidity becomes too high, and exceeds the temperature beyond 22 degrees Celsius, which is the warmest amongst all. The rainfall remains zero at the upper section; however, at lower elevations before reaching Kagbeni, mild rainfall is expected, but doesn't create a blockage to the route or any dangerous condition like the possibility of landslides, and so on, and can be enjoyable in the summer monsoon.

Winter

Winter is also one of the ideal seasons to visit the Mustang district, where the crowd is less than during the peak season times, offering the snowy-covered mountains, and also a little frosty snowfall along the route. Meanwhile, winter is the coldest span of the year, with the temperature dropping to - 10 degrees Celsius, offering a cold, icy situation; hence, a proper gear checklist is essential.

Travel Essentials to Handle the Long Trekking Distance and Duration

• Don’t forget your warmest winter clothing. In May, the cool days of evening and morning can be felt while you're in the hills. Remember to take your thermals, fleece clothing, warm hats, and gloves.
• You should always remember to bring sunscreen and sunglasses when outside. Being in the sun at high elevation can quickly damage your skin and leave burns. Carry sunscreen with an SPF of over 50 and really good sunglasses.
• A good water bottle. The water must be kept down at high altitudes. An insulated water bottle will keep the drinks from freezing in the cold morning air. 
• Study footwear that is comfortable and ensures you don’t slip. Walking around here means going over cobblestones and dusty paths. Being comfortable on your feet is possible with good hiking shoes or walking shoes.
• A first-aid kit for altitude sickness. Basic medicines for headache, stomach-related issues, and altitude sickness would save lives. Band-aids and painkillers would be needed as well.
• Power bank or portable charger. Electricity can be unreliable in remote areas. A good power bank will keep your phone and camera charged right through the festival.
• Cash in Nepali Rupees. There are no ATMs in Lo Manthang! Carry sufficient cash for your eating, lodging, and souvenirs. Small denominations are very helpful.
• Snacks and energy bars. While local food can be sourced locally, having your bar snacks gives you energy during long festival days and helps in case you don't fancy local cuisine.

FAQS

Has road construction decreased the Upper Mustang Distance and Duration?

As the road access to Upper Mustang has been proactive with a direct road pathway to Lo Manthang, the trip has become faster; however, it doesn't shorten the kilometers or miles (distance), but due to the road improvement, the journey has become faster and less time-consuming. Recently, there has been an ongoing construction going on to stretch and widen the road, including Kagbeni, which will significantly shorten the time via road drive or motor travel, caused by the rough, bumpy terrain.

How far is Jomsom from Upper Mustang?

Starting from Jomsom - the starting point of the walking trail, proceeding to Kagbeni and many other Tibetan villages, to Lo Manthang, it covers approximately 56 to 62.8 kilometers (38 miles), taking almost 6 to 7 days on foot, if following the standard route.

How can I reach Upper Mustang from Kathmandu?

You can directly take a drive or flight to Pokhara, and then continue the drive of 7 to 8 hours, or a 35-minute flight to Jomsom, and trek to Kagbeni and proceed further to reach Lo Manthang.

How does the permit affect the Upper Mustang Length and Distance?

As Upper Mustang lies within a restricted area special restricted permit is required to visit, where the permits decide how long you will be staying in the upper side of the restricted and isolated area, and care charges are accordingly, which directly affects the Upper Mustang Trek distance and duration.

Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

What are the longest and shortest days of the Upper Mustang Trek?

Following the standard itinerary from Jomsom, Kagbeni, and further, proceeding on the trek, the longest day that you will come across is while trekking from Tetang to Muktinath, covering 26 kilometers (16.9 miles), with 7 to 8 hours of walking distance. On the other hand, the shortest day stands out to be the trek from Chhoser to Lo Manthang, which covers 3 to 4 hours of time duration with 5 to 6 kilometers of distance only.

How long does it take to reach Lo Manthang from Jomsom in a jeep?

The distance from Jomsom to Lo Manthang by road drive (jeep), takes about 87 kilometers covering 54 miles, which takes about 9 to 10 hours, following the bumpy ride, if there is no blockage like a landslide, or traffic congestion, which usually happens during the monsoon.

Conclusion: Final Say

Overall, the distance of the Upper Mustang Trek varies according to the route, itinerary, and starting point; however, the overall distance coverage of the standard itinerary remains approximately 128 kilometers (78.2 miles), covering 12 to 14 days of trekking distance. The daily distance of this trek demands 9 to 15 kilometers per day with a 7 to 8-hour hiking pace. However, the Upper Mustang Trek distance and duration varies on the road pathways, airways, direct jeep tour, and so on. Nonetheless, even though the adventure seems like a long, lengthy journey in the Himalayas, it takes you through several Tibetan villages such as Kagbeni, Chele, Syangboche, Ghami, Tsarang, and reaches the highest elevation at 3380 meters - Lo Manthang, making the trip overall noteworthy.

We at Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition provides the best guidance, highly motivated local guides to ensure your safe completion of the trek and an enlightening experience always to be remembered. In case of any inquiries about this trek, you can WhatsApp or call +977 9851016814. You may also email us at info@destinationhimalayatreks.com. Feel free to contact us anytime.

Make sure to check our other popular treks:

• Manaslu Circuit Trek
• Langtang Trek
• Poon Hill Trek
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek
• Everest Gokyo Lake Trek
• Annapurna Circuit Trek