Upper mustang

Upper mustang.
1,700 USDfor a group of 1-11 people
Walking tour
Nature
330-336 hours
The start time of the tour is agreed upon with the tour guide

No booking fees at the time of ordering a tour. The tour guide will receive a request for this tour and will contact you.

Description of the tour

Tour itinerary: Kathmandu


Overview- “THE HIDDEN KINGDOM” which is commonly known as the upper mustang Is certainly an upper part of the mustang compromising the northern two-thirds of the Mustang district of Gandaki Province. The lower mustang part of the southern third of the district is called Thak which is the homeland of the Thakali language and combines Nepali and Tibetan cultures. Mustang has been publicly open to foreign visitors since 1992. However, access to the upper mustang is still highly restricted and requires a separate permit to enter which costs 500$. Geographically being a part of the Tibetan Plateau, trek to the upper mustang is quite similar to trekking in Tibet and is also sometimes called mini Tibet. Trek to the upper mustang is a real privilege. If you want to experience a lifestyle of true mountain people, who for hundreds of years had very little contact with the outside world, this place is definitely for you. 

                              

                                 Temperature and weather

The temperature in the Upper mustang is quite fair and bearable. From March- June the temperature of the upper mustang reaches 16-22 degrees Celsius during day time while it can be around -2 to -6 degrees Celsius at night time. From July to September the average temperature here is around 20-33 degrees Celsius at day time and 0 to -3 degrees Celsius at night time. From October to November the temperature is around 12-20 degrees Celsius but can fall to -4 to -8 degrees Celsius at night. 

                          

                            Best season to visit

 Generally, the best time to travel to upper mustang is March to early November. Since the temperature is quite bearable you will not have many difficulties traveling. Located in the rain shadow of the Himalayas makes it a great Monsoon trek. winter treks are mostly avoided because of the harsh weather. People usually leave the capital to avoid extreme cold and snow. 

                                     

                               Accommodation and food

  Here, you can get small teahouses throughout the way. Even if they are really small they meet your necessities. These teahouses are run by local people of the Mustang. A single room with twin beds is available. Clean blankets, pillows, and bedsheets are provided. A teahouse costs you around 5-15$ per night. 


Foods- being a very popular tourist destination upper mustang has been able to serve very well and varieties of food to their guest. You will have more than enough options for food. Pizzas, pasta, sandwich, noodles, bread, eggs, traditional food and Tibetan foods, potatoes item, soups, drinks, etc. everything is provided on this route. The food price can be around 3-6% per meal. 



                                     Transportation 

 Bus- The bus is always the cheaper yet very entertaining means to travel. Here, you can drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara which will take around 4-5 hours and may cost you 400-600 NRS (4-5$). From Pokhara, you can take a ride to Beni which will take around 2 hours. From Beni, you can take a bus to Jomsom which will take around 5-7 hours. 

                           Besides this, there is also a direct bus from Kathmandu to Muktinath which will cost you around 3500-4000 NRS (35-40$) for two-way. You can take a jeep ride from Jomsom to Lo Manthang which takes 3 days. 


Airplane- first after landing in Kathmandu you can take another flight to Pokhara. From Pokhara, it is again an easy flight to Jomsom which will only take 30 minutes. From Jomsom, you can trek or take a jeep ride. 

                                       

                          





                                         Permits/fee

   Trek to the upper mustang can be quite expensive. All the trekkers heading towards the upper mustang are strictly required to purchase a permit which costs 500$ (50,000 NRS) and is valid for only 10 days. if you are staying more than 10 days you need to add 50$ per day. Another permit you will require is the Annapurna conservation Area permit which will cost you 20$ (2000 NRS) per person. 


Note- you must always be careful with your permit, this permit is asked during your both way in and way out of upper mustang. 

You can get your permit from Nepal Tourism Board

                  

               Communication and electronic

 Mobile coverage or cellular reception is available all along the way up to the upper mustang so you can talk to anyone at any time. Internet facility is available up to Kagbeni and Lo Manthang so you can be always updated about the places and directions. Places like Samar, Ghimi, and Ghiling have electricity but are not so reliable, still, you will get enough chance to charge your electronics. However, you need to carry extra batteries and chargers/adapters for your easiness. 

                                                       

                                              

                                      Guides/porters

 Guides are mandatory in this kind of restricted area. Independent guides are not recommended for this trek since they cannot issue permits directly. It is required to have a reputed travel company issue the permit. If you hire a guide from Kathmandu or Pokhara it will cost you 35$ per day. They know the directions, places, and villages and have good knowledge about food and accommodation. Local porters if hired from Jomsom may charge you around 30$ per day but if you hire your porter from Kathmandu or Pokhara it might cost you 25$ per day. 

            



                                    Safety/security 

 The average upper mustang trek takes 17/18 days and your walking hours will be 6-7. Walking for this many hours can be quite challenging, especially for beginners. It is always better to prepare yourself by doing some running, jogging, and light exercises. As for the level of altitude sickness, it depends on the maximum height you will be reaching. There are a few places you want to go like Marang La at 4230m, or chooser at 3900m, or Lo Manthang at 3810m. However, they all are quite high so it’s likely to have altitude sickness. You need to take some precautions like being hydrated throughout the whole journey, avoiding alcoholic beverages for a few days, and walking slowly so that you can adjust to the height. 

 

Other requirements

Travel insurance – Travel insurance is a very important part of trekking. You always need travel insurance especially when you are traveling to this kind of risky, high place. If ever you need any medical emergencies your travel insurance will be bearing it for you. It is important to mention all the places and altitudes you will be reaching, to your insurance company so that you do not have any problems later


Visa/ passport- it is mandatory for every foreigner to have a visa and valid passport to enter Nepal. Only Indian citizens are not required to have a visa for visiting Nepal. You can get your Nepalese visa at Tribhuwan International airport, Kathmandu.

                                     


                     Clothing and equipment


1: waterproofwaterproofwaterproof Warm jacket
2: Hiking pants                                                           
3: Hiking shorts
4: Thermal trousers
5: woolen /cotton Full sleeve shirt
6: Bandana
7: underwear
8: Woolen hat & Sun hat
9: Gloves
10: waterproof Trekking boots
11: Socks
12: Sandals
12: Headlamp
13: Sunglasses with UV protection
14: Small day-pack & Medium rucksack
16 duffel bags
17: Trekking poles
18: Sleeping bag

Other things that might be useful during your trek

1: safety kit
2: Water purification tablets
5: Camera
6: Knife
7: Water bottles
8: Quick drying towel
9: Toothbrush/paste
10: travel soap
13: Sunscreen and lip balm
17: tissue paper and trash bags
18: hand sanitizer



                       






The cost of the tour includes
Meeting at the hotel
Yes
Transportation to the hotel
Yes
Transportation costs
Yes
Entrance tickets
Yes
Food and drinks
Yes
Additional information
Book tour at least 7 days in advance
Yes
Tour suitable for children
No
Tour is suitable for the elderly
No

Important notes

This route is extended and might take you longer than normal.