Upper Mustang Yarthung Horse Festival Trip

Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara 30 mins

Your adventure begins with a scenic morning flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, where the Himalayan giants peek through the clouds.

Drive from Pokhara to Kobang 4 to 5 hrs

From Pokhara, a 4-hour drive takes you north along the Kali Gandaki valley to Lete or Kalopani, villages framed by the icy peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. On the way, we pause to admire the thundering Rupse Waterfall and enjoy a leisurely lunch. It’s the perfect introduction to Mustang’s raw beauty.

Accommodation Options: Thasang village (High-end) or Hotel Kalopani (Mid-range)

Drive from Kowang to Kagbeni 7 to 8 hrs

After breakfast, stroll around your village before heading to Marpha, a charming apple-growing town known for its whitewashed houses, narrow lanes, and delicious apple brandy. Continue to the turquoise Dhumba Lake, a peaceful spot sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus, and nearby Thinigaon with its traditional lifestyle. Lunch is in Jomsom, Mustang’s bustling hub. Along the road, we stop at Eklebhatti to see mysterious ancient petroglyphs carved into stone. By late afternoon we reach Kagbeni, a medieval-looking settlement of mud-brick alleys and prayer wheels. Here, explore the old quarter and visit the atmospheric Kag Chode Monastery.

Accommodation: Red House Lodge (Mid-range)

Drive from Kagbeni to Samar 7 to 8 hrs

If you like, join the monks for their 6 am prayer before breakfast. Then drive to Muktinath, one of the Himalaya’s most sacred temples, where pilgrims come for the holy waters and eternal flame. A short walk takes you to the towering Padmasambhava statue, offering sweeping views over Ranipauwa. On the way down, we stop at Jharkot, a traditional village with a centuries-old monastery and fort. After tea here, continue to Tangbe, a maze of whitewashed houses, blackened ruins, and ancient chortens. Lunch is in Chuksang, a lively settlement at the junction of river canyons. From here, we hike across the Kali Gandaki to visit the hidden Gonpa Gang, a once-forgotten nunnery now being lovingly restored, where old murals still breathe stories from the past. Finally, we continue to the village of Samar, our overnight stop.

Accommodation: Annapurna Hotel (Mid-range)

Drive from Ghami to Tsarang. Explore Ghar Gompa on the way 1 hr

This morning we explore nearby petroglyphs etched into stone and a viewpoint famous for spotting Himalayan vultures circling the cliffs. The drive onward is full of drama: past wind-carved canyons and red cliffs, with coffee breaks at Zaite and wide-open views from Sangmochen. In Ghami, we stop for lunch and wander its quaint lanes before visiting a local school and the region’s longest mani wall, lined with prayer inscriptions. Nearby are the striking red chortens of Dhakmar, standing guard against the backdrop of jagged cliffs. By late afternoon, we drive through surreal landscapes to reach Ghar Gompa, said to be the oldest monastery in Tibet and a key site in the history of Tibetan Buddhism. From here, we continue to Tsarang for the night.

Accommodation Options: Maya Heritage Inn (High-end) or Hotel Lumbini (Mid-range)

Side trip to Luri Gompa, Yara and Ghara 6 to 7 hrs

Early risers can join the 6 am prayers at Charang Lekshey Choeling Nunnery, a peaceful way to start the day. After breakfast, we spend some time exploring Charang village, with its impressive red Gumba and traces of Mustang’s royal past. From here, the journey takes us to the villages of Yara and Ghara, leading to the hidden jewel of Luri Gumba. This ancient cave monastery, perched high above the cliffs, is famous for its centuries-old murals and mystical atmosphere. We enjoy a packed lunch below the caves, often with Himalayan vultures circling overhead, adding to the drama of the setting. By afternoon, we retrace via Charang and continue the drive to Lo Manthang, the legendary walled city of Mustang. In the evening, we stroll the inner Kora along the city walls and quietly observe the Kora people circling the prayer wheels at sunset—a timeless ritual that feels like stepping into another era.

Accommodation Options: Maya Heritage Inn (High-end) or Hotel Lumbini (Mid-range)

Drive from Charang to Lomanthang. Hike to Marchung caves

This morning, we set out on a scenic hike from Lo Manthang through the fertile agricultural fields of Upper Mustang, where locals still farm barley and buckwheat as they have for centuries. The trail winds past chalky cliffs and striking rock formations (the area is known to be uranium-rich), before crossing rivers and suspension bridges that add a sense of adventure. Our destination is the peaceful and rarely visited Marchung Caves, a site of meditation and retreat hidden away from the main trails. After soaking in the quiet atmosphere, we hike back to Lo Manthang for lunch.

Visit Amchi (traditional medicinal practitioner)

In the afternoon, we return to Lo Manthang to meet an Amchi—a traditional Tibetan healer. Through a consultation, herbal tea, and a visit to their herbarium, we’ll gain insight into this centuries-old healing practice that still sustains communities across Mustang today.

Explore Lomanthang.

We spend the morning exploring the walled city’s three remarkable monasteries—the ancient Jampa Lhakhang with its 15th-century murals, the grand red-hued Thubchen Gompa, and the still-active Chodey Gompa monastic school—before wandering around the old royal palace complex. Evening in Lo Manthang is magical, as the narrow alleys and timeless rhythms of local life bring the old capital to life. We then attend the Yartung festivities.

Accommodation option: Royal Mustang Resort (High-end) or Hotel Mystic (Mid-range)

Explore Nomad camps

This morning we drive out to a nomad camp, where families live a semi-nomadic lifestyle in tents woven from yak wool. Here, life revolves around herding sheep and yaks, and you’ll get a rare chance to step inside their world—sharing tea, stories, and conversations that reveal how people thrive in such remote highlands. From the camp, we walk back to Lo Manthang across scenic rolling hills, with sweeping views of Mustang’s rugged landscapes. We attend Yartung festival in the aftenoon.

Accommodation option: Royal Mustang Resort (High-end) or Hotel Mystic (Mid-range)

Hike to Ketcher Dzong 30 mins

On our way back to Lo Manthang, we pause at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the entire walled city, a perfect farewell moment. For those with energy left, there’s also the option to climb up to Ketcher Dzong, a windswept fortress ruin that commands a stunning 360-degree panorama of Lo Manthang and the surrounding high desert. We enjoy the Yartung festival in the afternoon.

Accommodation option: Royal Mustang Resort (High-end) or Hotel Mystic (Mid-range)

Drive from Lomanthang to Choser. Hike to Konchokling.

This morning we set out on a short drive before hiking to Konchok Ling, a viewpoint and hidden cave tucked into some of Mustang’s most surreal landscapes. The red cliffs and otherworldly rock formations here are unlike anything else in the Himalaya—an unforgettable setting for a two to three hour adventure.

Accommodation: Cave City Inn

Explore caves and monasteries

We then continue our visit in the afternoon to a culturally rich valley dotted with monasteries and ancient cave dwellings. Here we visit the atmospheric Garphu and Nyi Fu monasteries, before exploring the remarkable Jhong Cave, a multi-storied complex of meditation chambers, storage rooms, and living spaces carved directly into the cliff. This cave system, once home to entire families, offers a powerful glimpse into Mustang’s deep history.

Accommodation: Cave City Inn

Hike/Explore Samdzong village and drive to Kagbeni 7 to 8 hrs

Later, we take a short drive and hike into the fascinating old Samzong village, perched against blackish rock formations that seem otherworldly. Once home to a small community, the village was displaced due to water scarcity, but its story lingers in the landscape. Archaeological finds here, including centuries-old human remains from sky caves, point to an ancient civilization with deep connection to the silk route. With the village key keeper, we’ll step into this forgotten corner of Mustang and feel its haunting history. Later, we drive back to Kagbeni.

Accommodation: Red House Lodge (Mid-range)

Drive from Kagbeni to Pokhara 5 to 6 hrs

Drive from Kagbeni to Pokhara through the scenic Kali Gandaki valley, passing dramatic cliffs, rivers, and traditional villages. Along the way, pause for photos or tea, reflecting on the stunning landscapes and rich culture experienced during your Upper Mustang journey.

Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu 25 mins

Take a morning flight from Pokhara back to Kathmandu, completing your Upper Mustang journey. Enjoy the views of the Himalayas from the air as you return to the capital, carrying memories of Mustang’s dramatic landscapes, timeless villages, and rich culture.