Upper Mustang Trek

Upper Mustang Trek is an outstanding adventure in the remote western Himalayan region of Nepal. This incredible trek package from Nepal Eco Adventure provides trekkers an opportunity to explore the unexplored beauty. This region is geographically different from other parts of Nepal.

It is a Trans Himalayan region and is widely considered to be an ancient seabed. One remarkable aspect about Upper Mustang is that it is a rain shadow area that remains dry throughout the year. The desert-like barren landscapes of the regions are pretty similar to the Ngari region in Tibet.

Thakalis, Gurung, and Tibetan are the majority ethnic groups in Mustang. Besides that, you can also find Bhotiya, Tamang, Limbu, and people of other ethnicities. Tibetan Buddhism is the primary religion, and thus, you can find many Gompas, chortens, mani walls, and other Buddhist landmarks.

The Mustang region provides you majestic views of mountains, green pastures, grand canyons, local settlements, and other landscapes. The people live their traditional life without the interference of modern lifestyles. The traditional heritage of the region and lifestyle will surely make you fall in love with the destination.

The influence of Tibetan culture and heritage is quite huge in the area. You will stay at local tea houses made up of mud and stones. The route of this trek takes you to uncharted territories that are off the beaten path. You will get incredible hospitality and a warm welcome along these trails.

The Upper Mustang Trek itinerary begins with a pleasant and scenic bus drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The journey will take you through beautiful green hilly landscapes before arriving Pokhara. You will then take a scenic flight from Pokhara (900m) to Jomsom (2743m).

The flight provides you with majestic views of the Himalayas in all its glory. From Jomsom, you will start your trek to Kagbeni (2800m), a famous settlement near Jomsom. From Kagbeni, you will continue your trek journey to Chele (3050m) the next day. From there, you will trek to Syangboche (3800m) before walking to Ghami (3520m).

The journey of this trek pass through the rainshadow area of Tsaran (3560m) to arrive at Lo Manthang (3840m). Lo Manthang is an ancient kingdom of the Upper Mustang and is one of the most significant attractions of this trek. This diverse region with incredible exploration opportunities will enchant any traveler. The trail to Lo Manthang has many religious landmarks, including chortens, mani walls, ruins of ancient palaces, and others.

After exploring Lo-Manthang, you will trek back through the same route to Dhamkar (3820m). You will trek from Dhamkar to Syangbochen via Chussang (2980m). We will finally reach Jomsom from Chussang after walking for a few hours. You will then take a scenic flight back from Jomsom to Pokhara. Finally, you will take a scenic bus drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu.

We from Nepal Eco Adventure are providing this outstanding Upper Mustang Trek package at affordable pricing. Keep reading to know more about this trek and other detailed information.

Note: If you are interested in a day Kathmandu sightseeing tour and our good choice of hotel, check our 17 days Upper Mustang trek package @ $1,850.

Things You Can Experience In This Trip

• Passing through various village settlements of Jomsom, Kagbeni, Ghami, Chele, Tsarang, and others
• Trekking incredible trails of the Trans Himalayan Caravan Route.
• Explore the restricted area trails of the region.
• Visiting Lo-Manthang, the ancient capital of the forbidden kingdom also known as the walled city.
• Visiting arid landscapes of Tibetan plateau
• Exploring Buddhist monasteries, gompa, mani walls, chortens, and many more.
• Observing majestic snow-capped mountain views.
• A scenic mountain flight to and from Jomsom.
• Experiencing the festive atmosphere of Tiji festivals with locals.
• Visiting the beautiful landmarks of the lake city of Pokhara.
• Exploring around the natural caves where local monks used to meditate.

When is the Suitable Time for Upper Mustang Trek?

The ideal period for the trek in Mustang is during the spring and autumn seasons. These seasons provide stable and beautiful weather in the region.

What to expect in Spring?

Spring (March, April, and May) is the best time for this trek. It is ideal for nature lovers as there are scenic environments in the region. The green vegetation and flowers including rhododendrons, and junipers bloom in the area during Spring. The fragrance of flowers and aromatic medicinal herbs will follow you along these trails.

There is warm weather in Spring, and the region's temperature ranges between 15-23 degrees. As you move along these trails, you can experience cold temperatures at high altitudes. The night becomes shorter, and day becomes longer in Spring. So, you can trek for a long duration in this season. You will also get to explore more in the wilderness.

What to expect in Autumn?

Autumn (September, October, November) is a beautiful trek in the region. The stunning views of mountains, hills, and other scenic landscapes will enchant all travelers. Autumn also brings clear blue skies with moderate temperatures that are perfect for trekking during the daytime.

The Autumn season is also known as the season of festivals in hindu culture, which includes Dashain, Tihar, and many others. The region has an average daytime temperature between 10-15 degrees in the autumn season. So, this wonderful trek is ideal in the autumn season.

What to expect in Monsoon?

Upper Mustang is a dry region located in the rain shadow area. There is almost zero precipitation throughout the year. Monsoon season begins from June till September in the country. Most countries face heavy rainfall, landslides, muddy and slippery trails. But the Upper Mustang region is perfect for trekking even in the monsoon season. Hence, we recommend you to trek this beautiful region during monsoon season as well.

How Difficult is the Upper Mustang Trek?

This trek to Upper Mustang is a moderately challenging trek that needs proper packing and preparation. There are long trails and high-altitude terrains in the region. The courses of this trek are pretty tricky as you will pass above 3500 meters. So, trekkers need to have proper strength, stamina, and endurance to complete the walk successfully.

There are fewer challenges in this trek that make it ideal for a fantastic trekking adventure. The trails are generally safe and relatively easy when compared to other mainstream treks. But, there are some sections of this trip where you will have to climb steep uphill.

However, you need to have proper preparation both physically and mentally to complete this trek. The Upper Mustang trek requires around 6-7 hours of walk daily. This strenuous trek requires good trekking stamina in high-altitude conditions. Moreover, this remote area trek requires proper training ahead of the expedition. The region's terrain is quite arid, like mountain desert, which might cause challenges to some trekkers.

One of the tricky and difficult parts is Altitude Sickness. Acute Mountain Sickness is generally expected in higher elevations, where the amount of oxygen is comparatively lower. This can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, headaches, insomnia, fever, dizziness, etc. Regular hydration and acclimatization are essential when it comes to tackling altitude sickness along these trails.

Trekkers need to descend to a lower height immediately as soon as they get symptoms of altitude sickness. Another laborious aspect of this trek is accommodation facilities. You may better compromise in this regard during your hike. You will have to stay in rooms with facilities like meals and accommodation. Check out more here.

Why Take the Upper Mustang Trek?

The Upper Mustang is an incredible trek that takes you through the rugged and remote terrains of the region. Trekkers can also observe majestic views of the region's mountains while trekking through extraordinary landscapes. Read on for why you should take this trek:

Adventurous trekking experience

The route of this region is full of stunning natural landscapes. These tranquil landscapes will enchant you along these trails. The trails pass through remote areas that offer you with a amazing trekking experience.

The terrains are different from Everest and Annapurna regions. There are deep gorges and high plateaus that you can observe from various viewpoints along these trails. This incredible adventure of a lifetime will make you fall in love with this place. Trekkers will also pass through less crowded trails with fewer trekkers as it is an off-the-beaten adventure.

The Kali Gandaki gorge, also known as the deepest gorge in the world, is another excellent aspect of this trek. The trail takes you through the riverbanks of the Kaligandaki River. You can observe the Kali Gandaki river flowing in the region and its incredible valleys. Moreover, The Kali Gandaki river, valley, and gorge are of great religious significance to the locals.

Magnificent views

The Upper Mustang region has diverse geographical landscapes and cultural landmarks. This region is quite different from other parts of the country as there are vast desert-like landscapes. It is also a rainshadow area where you can travel throughout the year as there is less rainfall.

You can also observe the Himalayas mountains of the region. There are other incredible landscapes of the area, including green hills, valleys, caves, and others. The Upper Mustang Trek provides picturesque mountain views of the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri. These gorgeous views of natural surroundings along the region will enchant you.

Cultural exploration

This trek is also known for its cultural landscapes and heritage. There are local settlements that inherit from the Tibetan heritage of the neighbors. You can find locals busy in their traditional lifestyle and activities. The professional guides will provide you local insight and help you interact with locals by working as a translator.

The trek is an excellent opportunity for culturally exploring the region. Trekkers can observe the warm welcome and hospitality of Nepalese people. Many ancient Buddhist monasteries are present in the region, along with ruins of architectural monuments. Besides that, there are many walls, chortens, and other religious landmarks in this region.

These landmarks offer you a special perspective. You can survey the ruins of the ancient kingdoms of the Mustang. These ruins are of significant historical importance. Lo Manthang is a central attraction point of this region. It is a historical and cultural settlement that dates back to ancient times. The Tibetan and Manangi heritage and culture of the region are well preserved in the area.

Scenic mountain flight

The trek itinerary also includes scenic mountain flights to and from Jomsom. This excellent mountain flight allows you to observe pleasant views of the snow-capped mountains of the region and the natural beauty of Pokhara. Besides that, you can observe lakes, the Jomsom Valley, and others from the flight. Hence, this incredible opportunity makes the Upper Mustang trek quite appealing to trekkers.

Rainshadow area

Another significant aspect of the region is that it lies under the rainshadow area, which means almost zero rainfall even in the monsoon season. While the rest of the country experiences heavy rain from clouds flowing through the Bay of Bengal, this region remains dry due to high mountains. This means that trekkers can trek without unpredictable rainfall ruining their plans for the day.

You might also like: Things to do in Mustang Nepal

Food and Accommodation Along the Trails

The Upper Mustang trek is a remote trek region in Nepal. So, the food items need to get transported along these trails through porters or animals. Therefore, there are tea houses that only provide essential Nepalese food of "Dal Bhaat." You can find some tea houses with varieties on the menu as well, but they cost you extra.

"Dal Bhat" includes rice, dal, lentils, vegetables, pickles, and others. It is a staple Nepali dish that you can have for lunch, dinner, or both. There are bread toasts, eggs, porridge, and hot beverages like tea and coffee for breakfast. Besides these, you can get other tea varieties, including mint tea, garlic tea, butter tea, and others. You can carry protein bars, chocolate bars, granola bars, dry fruits, and others to munch on during this trek.

You can find tea houses and lodges that offer some world cuisines as well. Since potato cultivation is relatively high in the region, potatoes are pretty famous and widely available. You can, therefore, find many dishes and curries made out of potatoes during your trek. Hash brown, Roast potato, and other varieties of potato recipes are pretty popular during your hike. Pizza, momo, noodles, and other items are also in the menus but are less common in higher trails.

Accommodation facilities are relatively accessible compared to other region treks. Hence, it is gaining quite a bit of popularity. Due to the large influx of trekkers, more tea houses, lodges, and homestays opened in the region. During the peak season and at the time of Tiji festivals, you can find many trekkers in these tea houses and other accommodations.

At the Tiji festival, a large group of tourists participates and celebrate festivities with the local people. Hence, it causes heavy traffic in the accommodations. Therefore, you have to book your facilities in advance. You can find rooms with twin beds in off-seasons but might have to pay the price of two. Moreover, these rooms offer twin beds, a pillow, a mattress with a clean sheet, and as well as a warm blanket. Wifi, hot water, electronic charging, and others are also present at an added cost in some of these teahouses.

Things to Consider for Upper Mustang Trekking

Altitude sickness or Acute mountain sickness

Altitude sickness is quite common in these high-altitude terrains as you will trek past the elevation of 4000m and above. These terrains require proper acclimatization and at regular intervals to tackle altitude sickness. Regular hydration will also help you to cope with the altitude sickness symptoms. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache, insomnia, difficulty breathing, lack of appetite, etc.

The altitude sickness can be extremely dangerous if not treated in time. Hence, trekkers should remain careful in these high altitude conditions especially if you are a beginner. Professional guides are essential to navigate these trails, and they help you set up acclimatization points.

Basic level of fitness

There is a requirement for primary strength, stamina, and fitness while trekking in the high-altitude Himalayan region. Hence, trekkers should train themselves in advance before starting on this incredible trek. The training regime should include physical activities, cardiovascular activities or aerobic exercises, and mental preparation.

Cycling, jogging, hiking, swimming, and other activities are also crucial for this trek. Acclimatization will also help you gain physical strength and prevent altitude sickness along these trails. Besides that, a positive attitude and overall mental fitness are also essential to complete this trek with ease.

Trekking Guide

Trekking guides are a must for any high-altitude trekking adventure. These professional guides provide you with proper navigation along these rugged and remote terrains. Therefore, they will also help you if you ever lose your way or get injured along trails. They will help you navigate and assist you in any emergency conditions.

Besides that, these guides also help you explore the beautiful culture and heritage of the region. They will help you translate the local language and offer you local insights. They will also come up with every single thing you need to know about taboos and other aspects.

You will know what you should not do and say in the region. Besides that, you can also hire porters who will help you to carry your luggage. Porters will reduce your burden and allow you to focus on trekking. Therefore, a licensed professional trekking guide is essential for this trek.

Trek Permits

Trek permits are an essential part of any trekking adventure in the country. Trekkers pass through various national parks, conservation areas, and restricted areas which need separate permits. Hence, you should get these Upper Mustang Trek permits ahead of trekking in this high-altitude region. These trekking permits are available at the Nepal tourism board's office in Kathmandu.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is important (highly recommended) for any high-altitude trekking adventure in the region. The insurance must cover injuries, accidents, loss, theft of property, and others. Moreover, it must cover delays and cancellations in flights as well. Therefore, travel insurance is an essential part of the Upper Mustang trek.

Upper Mustang Trek Permit

The trek requires a special permit that includes various municipalities of the region. This includes Lomanthang Rural Municipality (ward no. 1 to 5), Lo-Gekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality (ward no. 1 to 5), Baragung Muktichetra Rural Municipality (ward no. 3, and Satang Village of ward no.5).

This special permit costs you USD 500 per person (for the first 10 days) and then USD 50 per person per day after the first 10 days. ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit) costs around NPR 3000 for foreign nationals, NPR 1,000 for SAARC Nationals, and NPR 100 for Nepalese. It is free for children aging under 10.

A Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) card is unnecessary if you have a restricted trekking permit in Nepal. However, you should get a TIMS card if you want to elongate your journey to the Annapurna region trails. All restricted area trekking permits are available in the Nepal immigration office in Maitighar, Kathmandu. You can get ACAP at the Nepal Tourism Board's office.

Requirements for Upper Mustang Trek Permit

The requirements set by the Nepal government to trek the Mustang region are as follows:

• You need to trek with a licensed trekking guide or porter authorized by the local trekking agency.
• You will have to apply for your special permits through an authorized local trekking agency.
• You should trek in a trekking group of at least two members, excluding the guide or porter.

What are the requirements to get the Upper Mustang Trekking permit?

You need to deliver these documents to your trekking agency to apply for your permit.

• Original passport with Nepal entry visa and the arrival stamp
• 3 passport size photos (2 printed ID photos in case if you have one online passport photo)
• Travel Insurance (Optional).
• Permit fee

Why Trek With Us?

We at Nepal Eco Adventure are pioneers in providing the best services for trekking and travel in the country. We are a local trekking agency with a team of experienced tour operators who have many years of experience conducting these tours in the region. We also provide professional trekking guides and staff who have local insights and know these routes very well.

Our customers will get a personalized trekking experience as our primary focus remains on customer safety and comfort. We focus our detailed attention on each customer's demands. There are safety protocols in place, and we also deliver first aid services for any medical emergencies. You will get to explore the region culturally.

Our trips are customizable, and hence you can schedule your trips in your free time. You can even make changes to our flexible itineraries, if necessary, by adding days or shortening them. We will provide the finest facilities at a competitive price. There are secure payment channels with government-approved means of payment, including Visa/MasterCard, internet banking, traveler's cheque, cash, etc.

There are quick booking and payment facilities with no transaction leaks. Moreover, there are no hidden charges with completely fair pricing on all our services. Our team will arrange and provide you with the best comprehensive, hassle-free trekking and touring services in the country.

We are listed in 2nd position for Outdoor activities on TripAdvisor. You can check reviews there.

Training Regime Required for This Trek

This Upper Mustang trek is less challenging than Everest and Annapurna region treks. However, the long duration and diverse strenuous trekking will make this journey challenging for you. You can, however, complete your trekking journey if you have proper strength, fitness, and endurance. Therefore, you should train vigorously to gain perfect fitness, strength, endurance, and flexibility for this trek.

This training regime should start 2-3 months before the starting of this trek. However, you can also start training for a minimum of two weeks before this trek. Physical exercises, along with cardiovascular activities, and as well as mental preparation are essential parts of your training regime.

Physical exercises

This physical form of exercise is necessary for any high-altitude trekking adventure. These exercises will assist you in gaining strength and stamina and increase your fitness level. Besides that, you can also gain endurance for the long-duration strenuous trek in rugged terrain.

Moreover, this training regime will also build your muscle, arm, and leg muscles. You can train yourself or hire a personal trainer, especially if you train with weights. Practice hikes will also help you gain experience for trekking at high altitude conditions along these trails.

Cardiovascular exercises (Aerobics)

These aerobic or cardiovascular exercises will help you with flexibility and breathing along with these trails. Some of these exercises include activities like hiking, jogging, swimming, cycling, and others.

These exercises will help you in low air pressure and low oxygen conditions in high altitudes. Squats, ups, push-ups, pull-ups, and others are part of these exercises. Overall, these exercises will help you tackle various conditions along these trails.

Mental exercises

The most overlooked aspect of any trekking journey is mental preparation. Mental stability and a positive attitude are must to successfully trek through these incredible high altitude terrains. Hence, to prepare for this trek, you can read more about its itinerary, dangers, and routes. You can also take various practice day hikes in nearby hills and ask for advice from veteran trekkers.

Besides that, you can also get a positive attitude through fellow trekkers and guides and self-motivation. Overall, these mental exercises will help you prepare well for this incredible Upper Mustang trek.

Essential Tips For Trek

• Acclimatize and hydrate regularly during this trek
• Start your trekking journey early in the day to reach your destination in time.
• Pack only those items that are crucial for this trek
• Get training before you start on this high altitude trek
• Carry power bank, extra batteries, solar charger to save additional costs
• Carry water purification tablets to purify the water you get at these teahouses
• Book all your meal and accommodation facilities in advance for safety from any hassle
• Carry protein bars, chocolate bars, snickers, dry fruits, and others

Packing List - Upper Mustang Trek

Clothing

• Trekking shirts
• Waterproof jacket
• Trekking pants
• Fleece jackets
• Thermal wears
• Trekking boots
• Down jacket
• Warm woolen cap
• Windproof jacket
• Woolen gloves
• Woolen trekking socks
• Raincoat

First Aid

• Water purifying tablets
• Anti-nauseant medication
• Rehydration salts
• Mosquito and insect repellent

Toiletries

• Soap
• Shampoo
• Quick-dry towel
• Toothpaste
• Sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Toothbrush
• Sunscreen

Others

• Phone
• Power Banks
• Solar Charges
• Extra Batteries
• Local SIM card
• Reusable water bottles
• Upper Mustang Trek Map
• Camera

Important documents

• Passport
• Upper Mustang Trek Permits
• Travel insurance

Final Say

Upper Mustang is a unique region of Nepal filled with natural beauty and cultural landmarks. This adventure-filled trek is among the list of many trekkers worldwide. The hike takes you on diverse terrains that you won't find anywhere in the country. We hope you got proper knowledge about Upper Mustang Trek through this extensive article. Contact us at Nepal Eco Adventure for more information and any queries regarding this TripTrip. Have a safe journey!