Upper Mustang
Upper Mustang loop
By
Stuart Butler
- Best trek for: More exciting version of the Upper Mustang 'standard' route
- Difficulty: Moderate-difficult
- Trek duration: 12 days
- Max. elevation: 4,380mm
- Accommodation: Homestays
- Start/end point: Kagbeni/Kagbeni or Muktinath
In my experience the 12-day Upper Mustang loop is far more rewarding (but longer) than the standard Upper Mustang trek. The first part of the trek to Lo Manthang follows the standard way up the western side of the Kali Gandaki. For the return though you follow a much wilder route down the eastern side of the Kali Gandaki. There’s much less development on this side of the river and no road construction. I find the villages tend to be more traditional and there are fewer trekkers. The scenery is also more impressive than the western route, but the walking is tougher, fresh water harder to find, and villages more spaced out with some long days of walking.