Upper Mustang Trek with Apple Farm Visit - 16 Days

Mustang · 16 Days

Upper Mustang Trek with Apple Farm Visit - 16 Days

· Moderate · Max altitude 3,985m (13,074 ft) at Surkhang Village · Max group 2-10 people

Duration

16 Days

Max Altitude

3,985m (13,074 ft)

at Surkhang Village

Grade

Moderate

Lodging

Hotel + Lodge + Homestay (single rooms)

Overview

The Upper Mustang Trek with Apple Farm Visit is a 16-day cultural and agricultural journey through the forbidden Tibetan kingdom of Lo - with a special focus on the apple-growing villages of Dakmar and the homestay culture of Surkhang. Combining the iconic Upper Mustang highlights (Lo Manthang, Ghar Gompa, Luri Gompa) with intimate stays at family homestays among apple orchards, this trek offers both grand culture and quiet rural beauty.

Designed by founder Namgyal with relationships to his Mustang relatives at Surkhang, this is one of the most personal Upper Mustang experiences offered in Nepal.

Highlights

  • Visit the walled city of Lo Manthang (Lhomonthang)
  • Explore the red mountains and apple farms of Dakmar
  • Apple orchards of Surkhang village
  • Homestay with founder's relatives at Phenjo Wangmo's home in Surkhang
  • Visit Ghar Gompa - oldest monastery in Mustang
  • Hike to Luri Gompa cave monastery
  • Visit Dhee village - one of Mustang's lesser-known settlements
  • Walk through Yara, Tange, Chuksang to Muktinath
  • Two-way flights Kathmandu-Pokhara included
  • Hot showers and Wi-Fi included
  • Single-room accommodation throughout

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu

🍽 Welcome dinner

Hotel transfer.

Day 2

Kathmandu to Pokhara, Jeep to Lete (2,480m)

⏱ 25-min flight + 6 hr jeep 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fly to Pokhara, then jeep transfer through Tatopani hot springs to Lete.

Day 3

Lete - Acclimatization Day

⏱ Half-day hike 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hike to nearby village and Titi Lake with views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna.

Day 4

Lete to Ghami Village (3,560m)

⏱ 3.5 hours jeep 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Jeep ride with views of rocky mountains at Samar.

Day 5

Ghami to Dakmar (3,820m)

⏱ 3 hours hiking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Red mountains village with apple orchards. Explore Dakmar and visit apple fields.

Day 6

Dakmar to Lo Manthang (3,840m) via Ghar Gompa (3,930m)

⏱ 6 hours hiking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit Ghar Gompa - oldest monastery - lunch stop, then arrive at the walled capital.

Day 7

Lo Manthang to Surkhang (3,985m)

⏱ 4 hours hiking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk to Surkhang with more apple farm visits.

Day 8

Surkhang - Visit Dhee Village, Homestay

⏱ 30-min hike + exploration 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Short walk to Dhee village (3,920m), return to Surkhang for homestay at Phenjo Wangmo's family.

Day 9

Surkhang to Yara (3,650m)

⏱ 3 hours hiking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Short walk to Yara.

Day 10

Yara to Ghara, Visit Luri Gompa, Return to Yara

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit Luri Gompa (3,770m) and Tashi Kabung chortens.

Day 11

Yara to Tange (3,340m)

⏱ 7-8 hours hiking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Long walk through remote canyons.

Day 12

Tange to Chuksang (3,067m)

⏱ 7-8 hours hiking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue through dry valleys.

Day 13

Chuksang to Tetang to Muktinath (3,800m)

⏱ 5-6 hours hiking 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reach sacred Muktinath Temple.

Day 14

Muktinath to Pokhara by Jeep

⏱ 7-8 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning Muktinath visit, then jeep back to Pokhara. Stay at Three Jewels of Boutique Hotel.

Day 15

Pokhara to Kathmandu

⏱ 25-min flight 🍽 Breakfast

Return to Kathmandu.

Day 16

Departure

🍽 Breakfast

Return home from Kathmandu.

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What's included

Included

  • Single-room accommodation in nice hotels and homestays
  • All meals in good and hygienic hotels, teahouses and homestays
  • Lower Mustang ACAP permit fees
  • Upper Mustang Special Restricted Area Permit fees
  • Government tax and office documentation service charge
  • Trekking guide salary and 3 porter service salaries
  • All land jeep transportation with 3 people per jeep during trek
  • Kathmandu hotel stay one night before and after trek
  • Farewell dinner
  • First aid kit
  • Hot showers
  • Wi-Fi
  • Two-way flight tickets Kathmandu-Pokhara
  • Good hotel in Pokhara with attached bathroom and hot showers

Not included

  • International flights and Nepal visa
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Drinks (Coca-Cola, Fanta, Pepsi, Sprite, hard drinks)
  • Personal shopping
  • Donations to monasteries
  • Tips for guide and porters

Trek guide

A Personal Journey Through the Apple Valleys of Mustang

This 16-day Upper Mustang trek emphasizes intimate cultural exchange over rapid coverage. By staying at family homestays at Surkhang (including the host home of Phenjo Wangmo, a relative of founder Namgyal), trekkers experience daily Loba life from the inside - sharing meals, visiting apple orchards, and observing seasonal agricultural cycles.

Apple Culture in Mustang

Mustang's high-altitude desert is ideal for apple cultivation - Dakmar village and Surkhang are particularly known for orchards. The September-October harvest is a major village event with extended family returning from Kathmandu to help. Apple brandy, dried apple chips, fresh apples and apple cider are local specialties.

Highlights

  • Lo Manthang - the walled medieval capital
  • Ghar Gompa - oldest monastery in Mustang
  • Luri Gompa - hidden cave monastery
  • Surkhang - apple farms and homestay culture
  • Dhee - rarely-visited Mustang village
  • Yara, Tange, Chuksang - eastern remote villages

Permits

  • Special Restricted Area Permit for Upper Mustang
  • ACAP

Altitude

Highest sleeping: ~3,985m at Surkhang. Moderate altitude.

Best Season

September-October for the apple harvest. Otherwise March-May or November.

Fitness

Moderate. 5-7 hours daily on desert and mountain trails.

Packing list

Clothing: Down jacket -10°C, fleece, waterproof shell, 3 trekking shirts, 2 trousers, thermal layer, 5 pairs socks, sun hat (essential), beanie, buff, dust scarf

Footwear: Waterproof trekking boots, camp shoes

Accessories: 50L daypack, 70L duffel, -10°C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp, glacier sunglasses (essential), 2L water, purification, power bank, adapter

Documents: Passport with visa, insurance, 6 photos, cash

Medical: First-aid kit, sunscreen SPF 50, lip balm SPF, painkillers, anti-diarrhoea

Frequently asked questions

What makes this trek different from the Classic Upper Mustang trek?
This 16-day version emphasizes homestays (especially at Surkhang) and apple-farm visits, with a more personal cultural touch. The 19-day Classic spends more time on the longer remote eastern walks.

When is the apple harvest?
Mid-September to early October. Some trekkers help with picking - a memorable experience.

Are the homestays comfortable?
Basic but warm and welcoming. Twin beds with blankets, shared bathrooms, fresh-cooked meals.

How does the food in Mustang compare?
Excellent for restricted-region trekking. Apple desserts, fresh vegetables in summer, hearty Tibetan dal bhat.

How is the homestay culturally?
Deeply respectful and family-oriented. Bring small gifts (school supplies for children are appreciated).

Is photography allowed inside the homestays?
Yes with permission. Family kitchen scenes are particularly evocative.

How cold does Surkhang get?
0 to -5°C at night in shoulder seasons. Spring and autumn are mild.

Is the trek possible in monsoon?
Yes - Mustang's rain shadow makes it one of Nepal's few monsoon-trekable regions.

Are restricted permits negotiable?
No - the USD 500/10-day permit fee is fixed by the Government of Nepal.

Can the trek be combined with the Tiji Festival?
Yes - see our 17-day Tiji Festival Upper Mustang Trek for a Tiji-focused itinerary.

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 $2200

per person

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