Teri La Pass Trek - 26 Days

Mustang · 26 Days

Teri La Pass Trek - 26 Days

· Strenuous · Max altitude 5,595m (18,357 ft) at Teri La Pass · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

26 Days

Max Altitude

5,595m (18,357 ft)

at Teri La Pass

Grade

Strenuous

Lodging

Hotel / Teahouse / Tented camp

Overview

The Teri La Pass Trek is the high-pass alternative to Saribung - a 26-day camping traverse that links Upper Mustang with the Nar-Phu Valley via the 5,595m Teri La. Unlike Saribung, there is no peak summit; the Teri La itself is the headline. It is a non-technical glacier-and-scree pass that requires no climbing gear but does demand multi-day camping above 5,000m and prior altitude experience.

The route was historically a salt-trade corridor between Mustang and the upper Marsyangdi valley. It re-opened to foreign trekkers in 2006 but receives only a handful of groups per year. You walk from Jomsom through Lo Manthang, push east into the eastern Mustang highland past Yara and Tangye, climb to the Teri La base camp, cross the pass, then descend into the upper Phu Gaon valley and out via the Annapurna Circuit at Koto. Permits, restricted-area paperwork and a full camping crew are required throughout.

Highlights

  • Cross Teri La (5,595m) - one of Nepal's quietest 5,500m+ trekking passes
  • Walk the full restricted Upper Mustang corridor through Lo Manthang
  • Continue east into the rarely-visited eastern Mustang plateau
  • Descend into Nar-Phu Valley - a second restricted region in one trek
  • Camp in true high-altitude desert - zero light pollution, vast horizons
  • Visit Damodar Himal range up close
  • Finish on the Annapurna Circuit at Koto and Chame
  • Full kitchen crew throughout - fresh food at every camp
  • Tibetan Buddhist cultural arc through Lo Manthang and Phu Gaon
  • One of the longest single-itinerary treks in Nepal's restricted regions

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m)

🍽 None included

Airport pickup and hotel transfer.

Day 2

Kathmandu sightseeing and trek prep

🍽 Breakfast

Half-day heritage tour, permit work and gear check.

Day 3

Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (850m)

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast

Tourist bus to lakeside.

Day 4

Fly Pokhara to Jomsom (2,720m), trek to Kagbeni (2,810m)

⏱ 3-4 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning flight and easy first walking day.

Day 5

8: Trek Kagbeni to Lo Manthang (3,810m) via Chele, Ghami, Tsarang

🍽 All three daily

Four-day walk through the central Upper Mustang painted-cliff landscape.

Day 9

Rest day at Lo Manthang

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore the walled city - Choede Gompa, Royal Palace, Thubchen monastery.

Day 10

Trek Lo Manthang to Yara (3,650m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk south-east into the eastern Mustang valley.

Day 11

Trek Yara to Tangye (3,240m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross broad pastures with full Damodar Himal view.

Day 12

Trek Tangye to Yak Kharka (4,400m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb into the Teri La approach valley.

Day 13

Trek Yak Kharka to Teri La Base Camp (4,900m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Short day to position the base camp.

Day 14

Acclimatisation hike at Base Camp

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Slow climb-high-sleep-low day. Final gear check.

Day 15

Trek Base Camp to High Camp (5,200m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Move up to the snow camp below the pass.

Day 16

Cross Teri La (5,595m) and descend to Phu Gaon side camp

⏱ 8-9 hours ▲ 5,595m 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The crux day. Pre-dawn departure for the pass, scree climb, summit photos, long descent.

Day 17

Trek to Phu Gaon (4,250m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend to the Tibetan-Buddhist hamlet of Phu Gaon.

Day 18

Rest day at Phu Gaon

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit Tashi Lhakhang Monastery, recover from the pass day.

Day 19

23: Trek Phu Gaon to Nar to Koto (2,610m)

🍽 All three daily

Five-day descent of Nar-Phu Valley to the Annapurna Circuit road.

Day 24

Drive Koto to Besisahar

⏱ 6 hours 🍽 Breakfast

Jeep transfer to the foothill town.

Day 25

Drive Besisahar to Kathmandu

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast

Return to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner.

Day 26

Departure

🍽 Breakfast

Airport transfer for your onward flight.

Ready to walk this?

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What's included

Included

  • Airport pickups in Kathmandu
  • 2 nights twin-share 3-star Kathmandu hotel
  • 1 night Pokhara hotel
  • Domestic flight Pokhara-Jomsom (one way)
  • All private jeep transfers
  • Full tented camp - sleeping, mess, kitchen, toilet tents
  • All three meals per day from start of trek
  • Trek leader, assistant guide, cook, kitchen team and porters
  • ACAP, TIMS, Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (US$500), Nar-Phu special permit
  • Government taxes and fees
  • HHT duffel bag

Not included

  • International airfare
  • Nepal visa fee
  • Travel and rescue insurance (compulsory)
  • Lunches and dinners in cities
  • Bottled drinks, alcohol
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Tips for the trek crew

Trek guide

The Teri La Pass

At 5,595m the Teri La is high enough to require careful acclimatisation but is not a technical pass - no fixed rope, no crampons mandatory (though useful in early spring or late autumn when snow lingers). The crossing is a long day: 8-9 hours from camp to camp, with the final 400m climb to the pass on loose scree.

Why So Few People

The combination of Upper Mustang ($500) and Nar-Phu special permits, the camping-only logistics and the 26-day commitment puts Teri La in the "expedition" rather than "trekking" bracket. Annual permit issuance across all operators is typically below 100 people.

Route Profile

  • Days 1-3: Kathmandu to Pokhara to Jomsom (flight)
  • Days 4-8: Walk through Mustang to Lo Manthang
  • Days 9-12: Push east through Yara and Tangye to the Teri La approach
  • Days 13-15: Build camps and acclimatise toward Teri La
  • Day 16: Cross Teri La (5,595m)
  • Days 17-23: Descend Nar-Phu to Koto
  • Days 24-26: Jeep transfers back to Kathmandu

Permits Stack

  • ACAP entry
  • TIMS card
  • Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit - US$500 for 10 days
  • Nar-Phu Special Permit
  • Annapurna Conservation finishing-leg fees

Best Season

  • Late April to May: Stable weather, snow on the pass adds drama
  • September to late October: Clearest visibility, driest conditions
  • Avoid early spring (deep snow on Teri La) and winter (closed)
  • Monsoon is technically possible in upper Mustang (rain shadow) but Nar-Phu side is wet

Fitness

Strenuous. Capable of 7-8 hours of walking with daypack on consecutive days. Prior multi-day altitude experience to 5,000m+. The pass-crossing day is the make-or-break test.

Packing list

Clothing: -25C down jacket, mid-weight down, fleece, soft-shell, hard-shell, 4 trekking shirts, 3 trousers, thermals (2 sets), 7 pairs socks, beanie, sun hat, balaclava, neck buff

Footwear: B2 mountaineering boots or stiff trekking boots already broken in, camp shoes, gaiters

Accessories: 40L daypack, 60L duffel for porter, -25C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp, glacier sunglasses cat 4, 2L water bottles, insulated cover, hand warmers

Documents: Passport with Nepal visa, insurance with 6,000m rescue, 4 passport photos

Medical: Diamox, painkillers, blister care, SPF 50+, lip balm

Frequently asked questions

Do I need climbing gear?
No fixed-rope or crampons strictly required, but stiff boots and trekking poles essential. Some operators bring micro-spikes for early spring snow.

How does Teri La compare to Thorang La?
Teri La is 180m higher, takes a longer approach, and crosses through completely uninhabited terrain. No teahouse before or after the pass.

Is the trail well-marked?
No - there is no marked route on the Teri La approach. A licensed restricted-area guide is mandatory and we use crew with prior crossing experience.

Can I do Teri La without Mustang?
No - the only sensible approach is through Upper Mustang. The Nar-Phu-side approach to Teri La requires crossing the pass north-to-south, which is harder logistically.

How is AMS managed?
Built-in acclimatisation days at Lo Manthang and Teri La Base Camp. We carry oxygen and Diamox is recommended from Day 10.

What if weather closes the pass?
We have one contingency day. If conditions are unsafe we descend to Yak Kharka and retreat to Mustang.

Can I add Damodar Kunda?
Yes - a 4-day extension can add the sacred lake side trip. Speak to the office.

How cold at night?
-15 to -20C at the highest camps. A -25C bag is recommended.

Toilets?
Dedicated toilet tent at each camp. Pit dug fresh and back-filled at the end.

How does this compare to Saribung?
Teri La is a pure trek (no peak summit). Saribung adds the technical summit but ends similarly via Nar-Phu. Saribung is 2 days shorter but technically harder.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $3950

per person

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