Upper Mustang Trek and Drive

Extending over 125 km in length, the Upper Mustang trek route is distinguished by sharp contrasts: mountain ranges, deep gorges, and rare green valleys. This gives it an impressive and rugged look.

The Mustang Mountains are composed of sedimentary rocks that contain many weakly consolidated layers of sand. The landscapes of Upper Mustang are in many ways reminiscent of Tibet, with their characteristic rugged beauty and little vegetation due to the altitude and dry climate.

This distinct region is 462 km afar from Kathmandu, 220 km from Pokhara, and only 59 km from Jomsom. The 13 days upper Mustang trek will venture us to the maximum elevation of 4218 m at Paha Pass with Lo Manthang at 3840 m being our highest sleeping altitude.

The Upper Mustang trek was not open to foreign travelers until 1992 when the Nepalese government lifted the prohibition. However, access remains limited to a certain number of tourists.

Presently, to go for the Upper Mustang trek, we must secure a restricted area permit, and, it is required to travel in a group of two or more, accompanied by a local guide. This regulation has been in place to protect the cultural heritage of the area, which has origins tracing back to around 1400 AD.

In addition, there are specific border issues concerning China as it is aiming to restore the ancient connection route that passes through the Himalayas through its ambitious New Silk Road Project.

China has already built a road that reaches the border with Nepal which in turn is connected to the highway network that leads to central China. However, the road hasn’t reached Mustang yet.

Nepal government also aims to maintain the serene environment of Mustang which could be compromised by the surge of outside travelers similar to the situation experienced at Everest Base Camp.

Upper Mustang is a rain protected zone by the two incredible snowy peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Its climate is similar to the cold desert climate where days can be very hot, and dry while the nights can be extremely cold.

In the afternoon, strong winds usually blow, and dust storms are possible. The annual rainfall here is estimated to be between 250 to 400 mm. The approximate summer warmth can be within 15 °C while the winter warmth can fall to -30 °C.

Therefore, spring and autumn are the most favorable seasons for our 13 days Upper Mustang trek. Most tourists often schedule their visit during the Tiji festival in May and Yarunga in August-September.

The springtime from March to the end of May bestows the mild weather with the time of flowering that makes the delicate landscape more picturesque.

The fall time from September through October and November presents the clearest, driest, and warmest weather with rare precipitation so the visibility is excellent.

Summer extending between June to August can bring the occasional showers and thunderstorms with strong winds with impassable roads leading to the region.

Winters spanning between December to February are very cold, forcing locals to move to warmer lowland regions. Some trails and lodges may be closed due to strong and cold winds. Given the lack of well-equipped hotels and heating, traveling to Upper Mustang in winter is likely to be very harsh.

Our 13 days Upper Mustang trek is a medium-level expedition that mainly consists of flights and jeep travel, along with significant trekking in the region.

The roads are paved and broad, although some can be sandy, and narrow. This journey does not require whatsoever technical skills; however, the primary difficulty comes from the altitude, as we will be at elevations between 3,600 and 4,200 meters for most of our days.

Additionally, the weather in this region can be quite severe, reminding us of Tibetan conditions with harsh winds and intense heat during the day followed by chilly nights.

However, with optimal physical awareness and a steady acclimatization process, this trek is open to all.

Adaptation to high altitude is a critical aspect of our Upper Mustang trek where much of the area is above 3500 m. At such altitudes, the body often experiences altitude sickness, which, if precautions are not taken, can develop into life-threatening illnesses.

To avoid or minimize the effects of altitude sickness, we have incorporated three rest days in our 13 days Upper Mustang trek itinerary.

After a brief journey from Jomsom to Kagbeni, you will have an entire day in the village to relax and acclimatize. Additionally, you will have two extra days in Lo Manthang, which can be utilized for rest and exploration of the nearby areas.

However, no amount of physical preparation or precautions can entirely eliminate the risk of altitude sickness. You can minimize it though with a gradual gain in elevation, allowing your body to adapt to low-oxygen conditions.

Maintaining hydration and a balanced diet also help adapt to high altitude conditions. You need to drink more water and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.

Adequate rest and sleep are equally important for successful acclimatization. Heavy physical activity should be avoided in the first days after reaching a new height.

If symptoms such as drowsiness, fatigue, headache, low interest in eating, and slight discomfort in breathing appear, you should reduce your physical activity and, if necessary, descend to a lower altitude.

Medication such as Diamox will also help to acclimatize at an early stage.

Our Upper Mustang trek package takes care of all your logistical needs, including transportation, permits, accommodation, and meal costs.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you will enjoy your nights in a comfortable three-star hotel sharing a room with a fellow group member of the same gender. When traveling to the high villages, you will spend your evenings in charming lodges along the way.

We request you to have certain adaptability as till Kagbeni, the tea houses come with en-suite bathrooms. However, the days ahead will present you with the very basic facilitation.

For meals during your journey, breakfast is provided in Kathmandu and Pokhara as part of our Upper Mustang trek package. After you depart from Pokhara, we will serve three meals each day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Please note that the cost of beverages is not included in our itinerary cost.

Apple pie, Dal Vat, chowmein, Momos, and Thukpa will be the common dishes in the lodges.

You will have private transportation available for the entire duration of our 13 days Upper Mustang trek and drive trip. This includes airport pickup and drop-off in a private car or van, followed by a jeep ride during the journey after Pokhara.

A comfortable tourist bus will transport you from Kathmandu to Pokhara, and we will arrange a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and back.

As you journey through the villages of the Mustang region, you will see that everyone seems to have a mobile phone in hand. This is the only significant change Mustang has experienced over the years.

It shows that mobile connectivity has already arrived in Mustang, thanks to NTC and Ncell networks. You can choose to use physical SIM cards or opt for eSIM cards for your communication.

You can find WiFi in the lodges, although the connections at Chele, Shyangbochen, and Ghame may not be very stable. Electricity is available however arm yourself with patience to recharge your electrical appliances. Often there is only one socket in the room to share with the other occupants.

Please kindly note that there will be an extra charge for all these services, which you have to cover personally.

Travel insurance is a must-have for anyone planning to undertake our Upper Mustang trek adventure. It is because the remote area of Upper Mustang, which lies near the border with Tibet, experiences a challenging climate and altitude similar to that of Tibet.

Additionally, it is classified as a restricted area, that requires a special permit that costs $500. This permit will not be issued unless the traveler possesses suitable travel insurance.

Therefore, take out the policy that encompasses the medical cost, injuries, accidents, emergency rescue by helicopter, trip and flight cancellation along luggage loss.

The only requirement for joining our 13 days Upper Mustang trek is to be in good health, without any chronic conditions. You must be free from heart, kidney, and lung diseases, as these issues could worsen in the remote Mustang region, where we will be trekking at altitudes exceeding 3,500 meters.

If you are someone who enjoys staying active, regularly visits the gym, and integrates exercise into your daily life, you won’t need any additional physical training for the Upper Mustang Trek.

On the other hand, if you are not particularly athletic, please engage in physical preparation for the month leading up to the trek. Focus on endurance-building activities such as hiking, swimming, push-ups, running, squats, cycling, etc.

Remember to keep a positive attitude and strengthen your inner resilience through yoga and meditation.

For the Upper Mustang trek and drive journey, you will need a special permission named RAP (Restricted Area Permit), ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) visit permit, and TIMS card (Tracking Information Management System card).

A RAP permit is needed after Kagbeni which costs $500 per person for the first 10 days of travel and $50 for each subsequent day of stay in a limited area.

It will be issued for a group of at least two tourists. Only a registered Nepalese tourism company like us can apply for it and only in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Accompanying an accredited Nepalese guide throughout the entire route is mandatory. Its presence will be checked at checkpoints.

The ACAP permit costs about $30 per person, and the last required document is TIMS which costs about $20.

The Upper Mustang trek can be an outstanding alternative to a Tibet tour, as it provides all the experiences you will encounter in Tibet due to its similar landscape.

The region’s preserved culture and nature create a tranquil atmosphere that guarantees to uplift your spirit. In addition, the numerous caves, built centuries ago, are of great interest for scientific research and documentation.

On the other hand, Kathmandu and Pokhara carry the modern appeal ideal for Western visitors. Plus, the tour largely takes place in private jeeps, with a lodge trek that completely removes the requirement for tent stays.

This tour is therefore perfectly suited for beginners and first-time visitors to Nepal, as well as for researchers, nature enthusiasts, and families with children and elderly members.