Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek
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Date of Departure
Trip Information
Duration
27 days
Max Altitude
Nangdola High Camp 5350 M
Difficulty
Difficult
Starts from
Kathmandu
Trips Ends at
Kathmandu
Activity
Trekking
Trek to the most remote and least developed district in Nepal.
Walkthrough the Shey Phoksundo National Park.
Brilliant opportunity to observe the dazzling landmarks and geographical terrain.
The wild and amazing diversity of plants and wildlife, counting the blue sheep and leopard.
The ancient Bon-Po religions.
Nepal’s First English subtitled movie on Dolpo – The Caravan which was nominated for Oscar award too.
Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek Overview
The Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek trail is one of the highest inhabited places in the world. Far away from the hustle and bustle of modernisation, it is still a stronghold of the ancient Bon-Po religion. This religion existed way before Buddhism emerged on the Tibetan plateau.
Dolpo is strongly influenced by Tibetan culture. Apart from culture, it is home to a variety of wildlife that is not seen in the lower reaches of the Himalayas. But it is cut off from the rest of Nepal due to snowfall throughout the year.
The people living in Dolpo still practice the nomadic way of living. On the contrary, the inhabitants of Mustang practice both luxurious and comfortable ways. The main reason behind that is the famous Silk Route that goes through the Mustang region. It is said that the nomads living in the Upper Dolpo region still use the salt route to trade in Tibet.
Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek is all about two wonderful locations – Dolpo and Mustang. Both are equally beautiful and unique, but at the same time, slightly difficult to approach.
Trek Route
Firstly, the trek begins with an amazing flight over the Himalayas to reach Juphal. From here, you will move forward to the Suligad River Gorge and then to Lake Phoksundo. You will cross our first pass at 5000 meters above sea level to reach the holy Shey Gompa and the “Crystal Mountain.”
You then cross over another pass to reach Saldang.
(Note: This is the same village where the first Nepali movie “Caravan – Himalaya” was shot. Later on, it got nominated for the Oscar in the foreign films category.
Here you will have some days in hand to explore and get acclimatized. You can also get an insight into the lifestyle of the Tibetan people who are busy with the Autumn Harvesting. From here, we move forward to a more remote area in the Pansang Valley that includes Khoma, Shimen, and Tinkyu regions.
The trails and mountain passes that connect these remote villages and hamlets are a treasure trove of cultural heritage. This is the sight worth not missing.
The Upper Dolpo region is also home to the Bhotiya Culture (ethno-linguistically Tibetan people living in the trans-Himalayan region), which in itself is a distinct feature of the place.
Mustang has remnants of the Thakali culture. There are many ancient monasteries, one of which is Shey Gompa. Dolpo and Mustang seem so similar, yet they are so different from each other in terms of the culture, the lifestyle of the people, and the religious inclination of the inhabitants.
Upper Dolpo to Mustang Terrain
Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek is a rugged mountainous region, dotted by several fortified villages, Dzongs, or monasteries. Additionally, you can even see crystal clear lakes, revered mountains, and high passes.
All in all, the Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek is as exhilarating as it is adventurous. Passing the high mountain passes and going down to Mustang is an epic journey that each of the trekkers remembers for a lifetime.
Phoksundo Lake, situated at the highest point of the sea level, is another main attraction.
Highlights of this Wonderful Trek
Trek to the most remote and least developed district in Nepal.
Walk through the Shey Phoksundo National Park.
Brilliant opportunity to observe the dazzling landmarks and geographical terrain.
The wild and amazing diversity of plants and wildlife, including the blue sheep and leopard.
The ancient Bon-Po religions.
Nepal’s First English subtitled movie on Dolpo – The Caravan, which was nominated for the Oscar award too.
Best Seasons for Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek
The Upper Dolpo to Mustang trek is best experienced during the peak trekking season. Unlike most places, this trip can be done in three of the four seasons. Nepal offers different terrains that change every season.
Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek: Autumn
Autumn is the harvest window in Nepal. And this is the absolute best time for this specific route. Fall offers the perfect visibility of the “Crystal Mountain.” Likewise, this is the best season for a Phoksundo Lake visit.
Crucially, this is the Autumn Harvesting season in Saldang. This allows you to witness the nomadic Tibetan lifestyle in full swing before the winter snow cuts off the region.
Spring for The Wildlife Window
The snow in the higher regions starts to melt during the spring season. So, the high-altitude flora emerges during this season. You can see the wildlife being more active in this season. You can get the chance to see Blue Sheep and the elusive snow leopards.
Summer away in the Rain Shadow
Both Upper Dolpo and Mustang lie in the rain shadow of the Himalayas. Meaning these regions remain dry during the monsoon. This is a great alternative during the monsoon season. Most places in Nepal see heavy rainfall and a risk of landslides.
Seasons to Avoid Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek
We strictly avoid the Upper Dolpo to Mustang trek during winter. The high passes connecting Dolpo and Mustang become blocked with heavy snowfall. Most passes over 5,000 meters become impassable. The region becomes a frozen fortress. Most inhabitants move to the lower reaches.
Permits For Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek
The Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek needs four permits. It connects two of Nepal’s most restricted and expensive zones. Furthermore, you cannot trek solo here. You need a licensed guide, and at least two trekkers are mandatory.
The permits you need for the Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek are as follows:
Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit
Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit
Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek Difficulty: Difficult
The Upper Dolpo to Mustang trek demands a massive endurance test. The enduring trek lasts from 25 to 28 days. Likewise, we pass over multiple 5,000-meter passes.
This trek is a full camping journey. There are no luxury lodges or even basic teahouses. However, you will be provided with high-quality tents and served proper meals.
Nonetheless, this isolation during the trek makes it so difficult. Still, the trek offers the best views and sense of accomplishment.
Why choose us, Himalayan Trekkers, for this trip?
Himalayan Trekkers have worked in the industry for over 20 years. These years of experience allow us to make the best possible itinerary for this trek. We assist you with navigating the complex and expensive permit systems, and we get you all the required paperwork.
We have specialized knowledge of the Bon-Po religion and the Bhotiya culture. Our guides act as translators and cultural bridges during this trip. This gives you access to ancient monasteries. Also, they take you to the nomadic camps that most others miss.
Our crews, besides guides, are all elite at the expedition. For a month-long wilderness journey, your team matters. Our crew consists of veteran mountain cooks, porters, and high-altitude equipment.
You can contact us now to book or inquire about the Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek. Talk to our talented team about booking this or any of our packages. You can reach us on WhatsApp or via Email.
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Itinerary Detail
What is Included / Not Included
- All airport arrival/departure transfers
- Accommodation with daily breakfast in Kathmandu as per the itinerary
- Guided Sightseeing with all applicable entrance fees as per the itinerary in Kathmandu
- Accommodation with breakfast in Nepalgunj as per the itinerary
- All Guesthouse, Lodge/Tented Accommodation during the trek
- All meals (Breakfast, Lunches & Dinner with Tea/Coffee) During the Trek
- All Private transfer as per the itinerary
- Domestic (Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Juphal & Jomsom – Pokhara - Kathmandu) Airfare and taxes as per the itinerary
- An Experienced GOVT licensed Trekking Guide & required No. of Sherpa Porters & Crew
- All wages, allowances, insurance, medical and equipment for supporting crewmembers.
- She Phoksundo National Park Fees
- Special (Protected area) Permits fees
- Annapurna conservation Fees
- TIMS fees & Local Province (Municipality/Village) Fees
- Trekking & Camping / Kitchen Equipment as per itinerary/necessary
- A comprehensive medical kit
- Welcome/Farewell Dinner
- All GOVT local taxes and official expenses
Himalayan Trekkers promises to manage the best, most comfortable, and preferred accommodation available at every step of your travel.
Generally, in cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Nepalgunj, we arrange basic three-star facilities for travelers. However, if available, you can opt for a more budget-friendly option or upgrade to a more luxurious hotel. Hence, we can help you customize your stay according to your preference. All you have to do is communicate your needs to us at Himalayan Trekkers!
Although places on the trekking route might not have all the modern facilities, we will make sure to arrange safe and comfortable accommodation so that you can rejuvenate your energy. In general, hygienic and safe tea houses/local lodges/ home-stays with all the basic facilities are arranged for the guests’ overnight stay. But again, you can, if possible, personalize according to your preference established through correspondence with Himalayan Trekkers’ customer services.
If your itinerary includes camping or you choose to experience camping during your travel, a proper camping site will be pre-decided. If required, we also provide the basic equipment, which is refundable. Please check the Gear-List for more information.
Meals
Breakfast is usually included with your B&B Accommodation within the cost that is evident.
For other meals in the city, you would have to pay separately. Often in the cities, you can choose from many different cuisines and varied food services. We can always help you find the right place to fit your taste.
In more remote areas within your trekking route, usually, there are not many options. But you can always find hygienic and well-prepared food. Moreover, almost all the meals during the trek are included in the cost. We can help you make changes according to your preference and budget, but only if choices are available!
On top of that, Himalayan Trekkers also organizes Welcome or Farewell Dinners as a symbol of warm greetings.
Please go through the detailed itinerary for more information. We are always there to help you travel to your heart’s content.
Drinking Water
For the drinking water, we suggest you carry a reusable 2 Liter bottle/filter bottle and water purifying tablets. With this, you can refill as much as you can from the available sources once it is empty.
The alternative for this would be to ask for boiled water at the homestays. They charge a certain fee per liter.
The last option is to buy bottled water on the trail. However, it is the last resort, as it becomes more expensive the higher you go. Furthermore, it becomes impossible to get bottled water in remote places.
