About Upper Mustang Trek - Upper Mustang Tour by Jeep 2023-2024
Upper Mustang Trek is one of the most famous treks in the Upper Mustang region in Nepal that will take you to the forbidden kingdom of Nepal. Located far away from the busy cities, Upper Mustang Trek - Lo Mangthang is the ultimate exploration of the mysterious old Buddhist Kingdom of Mustang, Lo. The 17 days of Upper Mustang Trek will present you with the epitome of the rich culture, traditions, and unique lifestyle of people residing here operated by Himalayan Asia Treks.
A forbidden, culturally rich kingdom nestled between the Himalayas and Tibet, Upper Mustang is indeed one of the most amazing places to visit and have a good time when you’re in Nepal. Influenced by Tibetan culture, beliefs, and language, you will know how Tibetan culture’s riches have affected the world. To choose Upper Mustang Trek, trekkers can explore the hidden world of the Buddhist Kingdom of Mustang. Upper Mustang is a restricted place for foreigners. Trekkers can go only taking special permits for choosing Upper Mustang Trek.
During Upper Mustang Trekking, you will get to see the magnificent dry landscapes with barren mountains and hills. It gives you a desert-like view of Nepal. The Upper Mustang Trekking will take you to Lo Manthang, the walled city that used to be a part of the Tibetan kingdom of Gungthang. Everything is based on myths & legends whenever there is a talk about Lo Manthang. Nepal's undisturbed and mysterious region has many wonders that will wow you never like before. Here is an Upper Mustang Trek Guide for every traveler who wants to come to this lovely undisputed trek in the Himalayan Kingdom.
Upper Mustang Tour by Jeep
The Upper Mustang Tour by Jeep is designed for those travelers who do not like to walk but want to visit Upper Mustang - Lomangthang, Muktinath Temple. Upper Mustang Tour by Jeep can start from Kathmandu also. After taking a flight from Kathmandu, we start our Jeep tour towards Upper Mustang. On the first day, we will stay at Tato Pani (Hot water Spring). On another day, we will explore Rupse Falls, Marpha village with driving alongside Kali Gandaki River. We visit Muktinath Temple which is a sacred place for Hindus and Buddhist followers. We will pass the Himalayan desert with mountain caves.
Upper Mustang Tour by Jeep Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal
Day 02: Kathmandu City Tour and preparation for trek.
Day 03: Fly to Pokhara and drive from Pokhara - Beni - Tatopani (1268 m) by Jeep.
Day 04: Drive from Tatopani to Kagbeni (2800m) by Jeep. via Visit Muktinath Temple.
Day 05: Drive from Kagbeni to Ghami (3510m) via Syngboche Pass (4200m) by Jeep.
Day 06: Drive from Ghami to Lo Manthang (3840m) by Jeep.
Day 07: Explore Lo Manthang (3840m).
Day 08: Drive from Lo Manthang - Jomsom (2743m) by Jeep.
Day 09: Drive from Jomsom (2743m) to Pokhara (820m) by Jeep.
Day 10: Fly to Kathmandu and rest the day.
Day 11: Departure.
Best Thing about Upper Mustang Trek
Until 1950, Upper Mustang used to be a separate kingdom. To this date, you will find the home of the last king in the ancient capital known as Lo Manthang. Not too long ago, trekking in this region was officially opened for Nepali trekkers. The best thing about this region is that Upper Mustang is situated in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. As a result, this region receives relatively more minor to no rainfall, while another part of Nepal is dominated by the monsoon season.
Upper Mustang Trek Difficulty | How difficult is Upper Mustang Trek?
Upper Mustang Trek, as already mentioned, is the undisputed winner in terms of less explored regions in Nepal. Talking about the trek, Upper Mustang Trek is a moderate-level trek with the trail easy in terms of technical climbing. Walking 6-7 hours every day on the hike can be a problem for travelers who don’t have the habit of walking. But, it’s relatively more accessible than most treks in Nepal.
The best thing to have before going on an Upper Mustang Trek, the best thing to have is to be fully prepared with many dos and don’ts regarding the trek.
How to Prepare for Upper Mustang Trek?
Like every trek, for completing Upper Mustang Trek, you need to focus on some points that ensure you are in the best shape and health possible. Moreover, preparing for the trek beforehand minimizes the chances of difficulty in the expedition to a minimum. It would be best to have good health, muscular physical fitness, and determination to Trek on Upper Mustang.
So, how to prepare for Upper Mustang Trek. Here are some of the few methods you can follow so that your next trek to Lo Manthang becomes one of the best memories of your life.
- Try walking downhill and uphill daily.
- Do cardiovascular training.
- Go on a walk or run every day.
- Do some endurance training.
- Stay hydrated and do some light exercise.
- Research about the trekking routes.
- Practice meditation and yoga, if possible.
Best Time to visit Upper Mustang
All-season is a good time for Upper Mustang Trek. However, going there at the best time allows you to explore the region in a more virtuous way. The best time means favorable weather and the perfect time for exploration. Spring (March to May) and autumn (last September to November) are the best seasons to go to the Upper Mustang Trek.
Suppose you want to explore the cultural part of the Upper Mustang rather than the natural side. In that case, the monsoon can be the best time to come to the kingdom of the Upper Mustang when people here celebrate the Tiji Festival, one of the most popular festivals in the Himalayan region. Spring and autumn are trekking seasons, including Upper Mustang Trek, but you can trek during the rainy season (June- August) with a fantastic view and Tiji festival time.
Upper Mustang Trek Permits Mandatory for Exploration
Trekking Upper Mustang for 17 Days is a kind of privilege that only a few people get every year. The government of Nepal is trying its best to preserve and protect the thousands of years old culture and lifestyle of locals. Yes, people residing here are still following the same old way of living their lives as they used to do in way back time. Moreover, you also have to take special permits from the Nepal government to Trek in Upper Mustang Area.
You need to take Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs around $20 for a single person. It is valid for as long as the trek takes. In addition to this, from Kagbeni onwards, you need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) too. It costs around $500 for ten days, and with each additional day, an extra $50 is charged.
ACAP and RAP are the two permits you need to explore the Upper Mustang Trek. And if you’re wondering, you can get the permits by yourself, considering that you are not trekking there alone. You can’t go to Upper Mustang Trek alone, as the Government of Nepal bans it for security and safety reasons. You get to show the trek permit before entering the restricted area in the Upper Mustang Trek Map.
How to reach Upper Mustang? | Upper Mustang Trek Review
Reaching Upper Mustang depends on the itinerary you are following on tour. Firstly, you land in Kathmandu, and the next thing you do is take a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and a trek to Kagbeni. Starting the magnificent tour from Kagbeni, walking around 6-7 hours every day, you can reach Upper Mustang. Lo Manthang is indeed the best point of the trek, where you can see the undisputed rich culture of Tibet embedded with a brisk Nepali culture.
Compiling a large number of Upper Mustang Trek Reviews from travelers and guides, it can be concluded that the trail is magnificent in each part, and the trek is not for the faint-hearted because of the rural and barren landscapes. A relatively expensive hike but worth every penny spent is what Upper Mustang Trek is all about. Whenever you want to explore the rich and undisturbed landscapes of the Himalayas, this is the trek you can’t miss out on.
Personal Expenses Upper Mustang Trek
Personal expenses mean what is not covered in your package column cost include. Normally, you have to pay for table drinks (alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverages), snacks (on the trek), tips, souvenirs, hot showers, and an extra day if flights are canceled or any other natural disasters.
Upper Mustang Trek Package Price - Upper Mustang Trek Package Cost
One realistic, naturally enthralling experience is indeed going to Upper Mustang Trek. Himalayan Asia Trek offers 17 Days of Upper Mustang Trekking at around $2085. However, the price can vary depending on the number of group members. The cost includes everything included in the Cost Included section.
If you want to explore the prosperous undisputed kingdom of the Himalayas in fewer days, Short Upper Mustang Trekking Package can be another magnificent experience to have. It is generally around 13-14 days long. However, the cost is similar to the 17 Days Upper Mustang Trek.
To recapitulate, Upper Mustang Trek is one of the most undisputed Himalayan trekking kingdoms. Going to Upper Mustang is like going into the dry landscapes of the Himalayas that give you a desert-like experience. Himalayan Asia Treks make sure you enjoy every moment on the trip to the Himalayan kingdom and remember it for a millennium.
