Upper Mustang with Luri Gumba is one of the most popular trekking destinations, known as the "forbidden kingdom" of Nepal, with ancient monasteries, historical caves, amazing landscapes, and unique culture. Mustang is lying in the northern central part of Nepal, beyond the massive Himalayan range of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. A wonderful land formation, majestic Himalayan scenery, an ancient walled city, and a cave civilization have existed here as former Tibetan traditions.
Mustang is in a restricted area; due to its cultural influence, sensitivity to outsiders, geological structure, and political issues on the Tibet border, it was opened for trekkers in 1992. There is strict control for mass trekkers to preserve culture and biology. Mustang is isolated from outsider culture and untouched by modernization. So, it can preserve its uniqueness. There is still a sky burial funeral ritual in the Upper Mustang and Nepal's High Himalaya regions. The monk (Lama) decides which funeral ritual is going to be used by looking at the dead person's date of birth and death time. There are not enough words to describe its beauty and artistic, treeless, barren landscapes. As the Upper Mustang is near the Tibetan border, people here follow Tibetan Bon Buddhism. They have had the true Tibetan lifestyle handed down for centuries. This is a mysterious land with an ancient Silk Road civilization and a man-made cave city. Some unexplored caves and villages remain centuries-old monasteries and stupas.
Ame Pal founded Mustang, who established himself as king of the Tibetan territory in 1380. Upper Mustang became the territory of Nepal around 1800. The former Raja (King) Jigme Parwal Bista is the 25th generation of the Ame Pal dynasty. The huge, mud-built Royal Palace remains in Lo-Manthang, where you can visit the Royal Family. Countless remarkable historical shrines, such as manmade caves, Buddhist chortens, monasteries, and Mane walls, and people's cultures, traditions, and beliefs, are being preserved for the new generation. They are preserving their indigenous knowledge, which was handed down from their ancestors. It is very important to conserve the culture and ecosystem at this time as well. Traditional cultivation methods, herbal medicine, nomadic animal husbandry, religious faith, and fasts and festivals are other attractions for every trekker. Tiji festivals, Chhongo (Losar), Gyang Khorto, Degyap, Dhayang, Tharpi Tharchang, Yartung, Folgyang, Mani Rimdu, etc.—many festivals are celebrated here.
The artistic barren landscape and rugged mountains along the enchanting view of Mount Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and other mountains make your Upper Mustang and Luri Gumpa Trek memorable. People here are practicing the polyandry marriage system as their authentic tradition and to avoid farm fragmentation. To look around just Lo Manthang is not enough; even for the whole day, there are several gumbas, houses, forts, and caves. The five stories and forty-four rooms of Jhong Cave at Choser village remind you of the Silk Road civilization. Thousands of years-old monasteries such as Chooser Gumpa, Namgyal Gumba, Tiger Monastery, Ghar Gumba (aka Lo Gekar Monastery, established in the 8th century by Guru Padmasambhava, a Nyingma Buddhist monastery, the oldest monasteries in the world), and Luri Gumba demonstrate their significance. The Upper Mustang Trek with Luri Gumba is a magical and isolated area that fascinates and inspires every visitor.
Normally, you will get to Jomsom by 15 to 25 scenic flights from Pokhara, from where your Upper Mustang Trek Avoid the Road begins. But nowadays, there is road access to Jomsom along the Kaligandaki River Bank, which has amazing mountain scenery. You can drive to Lo Manthang (South Plane Aspirations), which is a walled city. Mostly, the trail goes through the Kaligandaki Valley, following the riverbed with traditional villages. Kagbeni is the gateway to Upper Mustang, where you need to check in and out of a special trekking permit. The sacred Lake Damodar Kunda is the origin of Krishnagandaki, which is famous for Shaligram (fossils); the Hindus and Buddhists believe that it is the incarnation of God Vishnu. You need to cross the Kaligandaki River twice again on the same day. You will visit various villages: Chhusang, Chele, Samar (Red Clay), Ghami, Dhakmar (Red Rock), and Tsarang/Charang (Cock’s Crest), and Jhong Cave at Chhoser, with incredible landscapes and unbelievable livelihoods. There are several passes on this trip; Mui La, at an elevation of 4,170 meters, is one of the highest passes.
We cross the Kaligandaki valley and follow the Damodar Kunda trail to the Dhi, Yara, and Gara villages, from where you will hike to the Luri Gompa. Then we trek through the Tangge and meet the trail at Chhusang. In this part, teahouse facilities are very basic, and you will also need to stay in a local house. After a lifetime of experience with Mustang, you will return to Jomsom and fly back to Pokhara and Kathmandu for your destination. We at Nepal Mother House are glad to organize your Upper Mustang trip with Luri Gumba, an expert local guide, and porters for your ultimate satisfaction in 2026 and 2027. As Mustang is in a rain shadow area, the monsoon season is also the best time for this trek. Why not join us before others have done it?
If this itinerary is not suitable for you, Upper Mustang Trek can customize an alternative trail to escape the road through the Luri Gumba. Here is the 15-day itinerary for Lo-Manthang via Luri Gumba.
[I] Upper Mustang Trek with Luri Gumba Alternative Itinerary after Road Contraction: 11 Days
Day 00: Arrival at TIA and Transfer to the Hotel.
Day 00: Trekking preparation and permit paperwork day.
Day 00: Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara (950 m)—20 to 30 minutes
Day 01: Fly Pokhara to Jomsom (2,713 m) in -25 minutes; Trek Jomsom to Kagbeni (2897 m) in 3 to 4 hours
Day 02: Trek Kagbeni to Muktinath (3,8000 m)—4 to 5 hours
Day 03:Trek Muktinath to Tetang (3,040 m) -5 to 6 hours via Gyu La (4077 m)
Day 05: Trek Tetang to Tange (3,240 m) -9 to 10 hours via Pa Pass (4210 m)
Day 06: Trek Tange to Yara (3,900 m) -6 to 7 hours
Day 07: Day Hike to Luri Gumba (4,005 m) -4 to 5 hours
Day 08: Trek Yara to Lo Mangthang (3,810 m) -6 to 7 hours via Dhi La (3950 m) and La (Day) La (3950 m)
Day 09: Explore Lo-Mangthang (royal palace, monastery, forts, etc.) and drive to Kora La (Nepal-Tibet border) and Chhoser Cave.
Day 10: Drive Lo-Mangthang to Jomsom (2710 m) for 5 to 6 hours @07 Days
Day 11: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara (950 m) for -25 minutes, relaxing
Day 00: Drive back to Kathmandu early in the morning by Tourist Bus (6 to 7 hours)
Day 00: Your destination.
[II] Upper Mustang Trek Suggested Itinerary – 16 Days - EXPLORE EVERY CORNER
Day 01: Arrival at TIA and Transfer to the Hotel.
Day 02: Trekking preparation and permit paperwork day.
Day 03: Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara (950 m)—20 to 30 minutes
Day 04: Trek Day 01: Fly Pokhara to Jomsom (2,713 m) - 25 minutes, Drive/Trek Jomsom to Kagbeni (2,897m) -3 to 4 hours
Day 05: Trek Day 02: Trek Kagbeni to Muktinath (3,800 m) - 4 to 5 hours
Day 06: Trek Day 03: Trek Muktinath to Tetang (3,040m)/Chhuksang (2,980 m) - 5 to 6 hours via Gyu La (4,077m)
Day 07: Trek Day 04: Trek Chhuksang to Samar (3,660 m) - 4 to 5 hours
Day 08: Trek Day 05: Trek Samar to Ghiling (3,570 m) - 5 to 6 hours via Chungsi Monastery Cave (3,400m)
Day 09: Trek Day 06: Trek Ghiling to Dhakmar (3,820m) via Nyi La Pass (4,025m) - 4 to 5 hours
Day 10: Trek Day 07: Trek Dhakmar to Chrang (3,560 m) - 7 to 8 hours via Mui La Pass (4,170m) & Ghar Gumba (3,950m)
Day 11: Trek Day 08: Trek Chrang to Yara (3,900 m) - 6 to 7 hours
Day 12: Trek Day 09: Explore to Luri Gumba (4,005 m) - 4 to 5 hours
Day 13: Trek Day 10: Trek Yara to Lo-Mangthang (3,850 m) - 7 to 8 hours via La (Day) La (3,950m) & Dhi La (3,950m)
Day 14: Trek Day 11: Explore Lo-Mangthang (Royal palace, Monastery, forts, etc.)
Day 15: Trek Day 12: Explore Lo-Mangthang; drive to visit Jhong Cave at Choser (3,961m) & Kamaling Monastery (4,030m) or visit to Kora La (Nepal-Tibet border)
Day 16: Trek Day 13: Explore to Gharphu and Makhcung by Drive
Day 17: Trek Day 14: Explore day to Samdrubling - 4 to 5 hours by drive
Day 18: Trek Day 15: Drive Lo-Mangthang to Jomsom - 5 to 6 hours by Jeep @14 Days
Day 19: Trek Day 16: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara (950 m) - 25 minutes, a relaxing day; explore around Pokhara Valley: May visit Fewa Lake, Bagnes Lake, Devi’s waterfall, Biswa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Stupa), International Mountaineering Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement, Gupteshower Mahadev cave, etc.
Day 20: Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu (950m) - 6 to 7 hours by tourist bus or fly Pokhara to Kathmandu by aeroplane – 30 minutes
Day 21: Your destination.
If you need any further information, you may contact us.
Upper Mustang Trek through the Luri Gumba via many passes such as Gyu La (4077 m), Pa Pass (4210 m), Dhi La (3950 m), and La (Day) La (3950 m) and get in Lo-Manthang. For details, you may go through the Ultimate Guide for Upper Mustang Trek.
