Adventure · Chhoser
Ride a Mustang horse to Chhoser
Leave Lo Manthang at dawn on a sturdy Mustang horse and ride across the open plain and into the Chhoser valley, with its cave-pitted cliffs, the Jhong cave and two cliff gompas, before riding back in the afternoon. The classic day trip from the walled city.
Horses are part of everyday life in Lo, and riding is the traditional way to travel between villages. We arrange horses and local handlers through families in Lo Manthang. The horses are small, strong and sure-footed, and the handlers lead them on steep or loose ground, so riding experience is not needed. We set off soon after sunrise, when the plain is calm and the light is soft. Dress warmly for the first hour.
The ride out takes about 1.5–2 hours across the open plain north-east of the city and into the Chhoser valley, where the cliffs close in and the caves appear above you. We stop at the Jhong cave and the gompas of Garphu and Nyiphu, and have a packed lunch by the stream. The handlers rest the horses and often know the caretakers personally. It is a relaxed, unhurried day with plenty of stops.
We ride back in the early afternoon, ideally before the strongest wind picks up on the plain. Total riding time is about 4 hours, which is a lot in a traditional saddle; bring padded trousers or a folded fleece to sit on. Wear sunglasses, sunscreen and a buff for dust. If you prefer, a jeep can take you one way and the horse the other. Tip the handlers at the end of the day.
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Questions
How long is the horse ride from Lo Manthang to Chhoser?
About 1.5–2 hours each way, so 3–4 hours in the saddle for the round trip, plus time at the Jhong cave and gompas. Most visitors make it a full day, leaving early and returning in mid-afternoon. A jeep can shorten the trip to about an hour each way if you prefer.
Are the horses in Upper Mustang safe for beginners?
Yes. Horses hired out in Lo Manthang are used to visitors and to the terrain, and a local handler walks alongside, leading the horse on steep sections. The main discomforts are the hard traditional saddle and the wind. Helmets are not standard, so bring your own if you want one.
Can I combine horse and jeep for Chhoser?
Yes. Many visitors ride out to Chhoser in the calm morning and take a jeep back to Lo Manthang, or the other way round. This reduces time in the saddle and avoids riding into the afternoon wind. We arrange the horse and jeep the evening before through families in Lo Manthang.
Also in Chhoser
More ways to spend the day
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Step inside one of Mustang's sky caves at Chhoser's Jhong cave, a multi-level complex of rooms cut into the cliff …
SpiritualThe cliff gompas of Garphu and Nyiphu
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NatureWalk the cave cliffs of the Chhoser valley
A gentle walk along the floor of the Chhoser valley beneath cliffs pitted with rows of man-made caves, with a …