Upper Mustang Trek

Upper Mustang is an exotic destination that is situated in the north of the Mustang district, Nepal, near the border with Tibet. It is part of the Annapurna region and known for its unique trans Himalayan scenery, Tibetan Buddhist culture and picturesque villages.

The Upper Mustang Trek offers a completely new experience when compared to other trekking destinations in Nepal. Instead of green forests and snowy landscapes you will explore a high-altitude desert with impressive cliffs, sandstone rocks, caves and ruins of ancient settlements. 

The main sights of the trek include:

• Tibetan culture and way of life
• Lo Manthang – capital city of the former Kingdom of Lo
• Ancient monasteries and Buddhist chortens
• Caves of Chosar and cave settlements
• Kali Gandaki Gorge – the deepest gorge in the world
• Sights of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and other Himalayan peaks 

The standard trek to the Upper Mustang by Base Camp Adventure requires 10 days. The itinerary features

• A flight from Pokhara to Jomsom
• Treks from Kagbeni, Chele, Geling, Tsarang to Lo Manthang
• One day excursion in Lo Manthang
• Trek back to Ghami and Jomsom
• And then a flight to Pokhara.

If you want, you can extend your itinerary into a longer one as well. 

Upper Mustang is called the Mini Tibet of Nepal due to the fact that its nature, climate, architecture, and culture are similar to Tibet. On this trek, you will be able to see:

• Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism
• Prayer flags and mani walls
• Stone villages
• Food and way of life similar to those of the Tibetans
• Tibetan influenced religious customs and traditions

Isolation of the region helped to keep this culture alive. 

Upper Mustang Trek can be done by trekkers of various age groups if they have good physical fitness and are well prepared for the journey. In addition, trekkers must be ready to walk several hours a day in high altitudes. Positive attitude and good endurance are important. 

The Upper Mustang Trek features Lugri La Pass, which is located at 4,200 meters or 13,780 feet above sea level that you will cross on your way back from Lo Manthang. 

There are several high-altitude villages where you'll stay overnight such as Lo Manthang, which is 3,730 meters above sea level, Tsarang (3,490 meters) and Kagbeni (2,800 meters). 

The Upper Mustang Trek is considered a moderate journey. The trek doesn't have technical requirements. However, trekkers must be ready to walk and spend a number of days in mountainous terrain at high altitude. In the course of the trek you will experience:

• 5-7 hours of walking each day
• Climbing and descending the high passes such as Taklam La, Choya La, Lo La Pass, Lugri La Pass etc
• Dry and windy environment
• High altitude conditions

With proper preparation, the trek is doable for a beginner. 

Previous trekking experience for the Upper Mustang Trek is not mandatory but it will be helpful if you have some. For beginner trekkers it is necessary to:

• Do regular walking 
• Develop a strong cardiovascular system
• Work on leg and core muscle strength
• Practice hiking with a backpack

Good physical condition will help you make your trek more comfortable.

For the Upper Mustang Trek, you'll have to be reasonably fit. This trek isn't technical; however, you have to be able to walk around 5 to 7 hours a day, on rugged mountain trails with a daypack. 

Good stamina and endurance for the trek are necessary since you have to pass some mountain passes. You should train for one to two months before the trek to be able to enjoy it better and not feel too tired along the way. 

You will have to pack comfortable trekking clothes like a down jacket, thermal base layers and waterproof outer layers. In addition, carry trekking shoes, socks, gloves, a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, a water bottle, medicines, and other trekking gear.  

Yes, you can. There is a range of trekking gear available to either rent or buy in Kathmandu particularly in Thamel. The necessities for trekking such as jackets, sleeping bags, trekking poles, backpacks and boots can be found in most stores.  

The Upper Mustang Trek generally starts with a scenic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, which is the gateway to the Mustang region. From Jomsom onwards, the trekking trail is along the Kali Gandaki valley and takes the travelers through several traditional Himalayan villages. 

Some of these villages are Kagbeni, Chele, Geling, Tsarang, Lo Manthang, and Ghami. These villages have something unique in terms of landscape, Tibetan culture, monasteries built hundreds of years ago, and majestic views of the mountains. 

There are several scenic villages that are encountered along the way on the Upper Mustang Trek. Jomsom is from where start on the trail, Kagbeni is the entrance point to the Upper Mustang, you will proceed to Chele where Tibetan culture can be experienced. 

Further down the trek are Geling, which is a traditional village surrounded by a number of monasteries and barley farms, and Tsarang, which contains an old palace and monastery. The most remarkable site on the tour is Lo Manthang which is the former capital of the Kingdom of Lo with its royal palace and monasteries. 

Exploration day in Lo Manthang is when the best cultural, historical, and spiritual sights in the ancient walled city will be visited while your body will have an opportunity to get used to the altitude. 

You will visit the historic King's Palace, Namgyal Gompa, Chamba Lhakhang, Thugchen Gompa, and Chosar Caves, which are very old meditation chambers and archaeological sites. Besides, you will see the surrounding villages, meet the locals, and learn more about their lifestyle influenced by Tibet. 

For the Upper Mustang Trek, you have to walk an average of about 5 to 7 hours per day depending upon your route. Some days can be short while others can be long as per the weather, trail conditions, and the overall pace of the group. 

There will be a steady pace with occasional breaks for resting, photographing and enjoying the wonderful natural vistas around you. 

Yes, indeed. Itineraries of the Upper Mustang Trek can be customized according to the availability of your time, physical condition, budget, and interests. 

Depending on whether you want to take more time to visit Lo Manthang, explore monasteries and cave structures, have cultural interaction with the people, attend the Tiji festival or any other adjustments to make, we will plan a customized journey accordingly. 

The required permits for the Upper Mustang Trek include

• Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

Base Camp Adventure arranges all necessary permits and paperwork allowing you to enjoy a hassle free journey. The permits are made available to you prior to the trek. 

The Upper Mustang region is situated close to the border of Tibet and comprises many natural and cultural heritage sites. Restricted permits help in:

• Protection of ancient culture
• Conservation of the environment
• Management of tourism impact
• Maintain local traditions 

No. It is not possible to undertake an independent trip to Upper Mustang. According to the guidelines set by the Nepalese government, a trekker should travel with:

• A licensed guide
• A registered trekking agency

We offer our customers experienced guides for their safe and comfortable travel. 

Upper Mustang Trek can be undertaken in all seasons since it falls in the rain-shadow zone of the Himalayas where monsoon rains are minimal. Still, spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons for trekking. 

During spring, there will be pleasant weather, clear sky, and beautiful mountain scenery, and trekkers will have a chance to experience the wonderful Tiji Festival, which is the most important festival of Upper Mustang. Autumn too will offer stable weather and excellent visibility.

Yes. Unlike other trekking sites in Nepal, Upper Mustang gets very little rainfall in June, July and August. Upper Mustang is one of the best places for trekking during the monsoon due to its location in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains. 

It is possible to trek in the winter season in Upper Mustang, but it is comparatively harder due to extremely cold temperatures, strong winds, the snow at higher elevations and the limited operations of teahouses. 

Appropriate winter equipment and preparations are a must if you want to enjoy your trek during this time. 

The weather in the Upper Mustang area is usually dry and windy. The days at low altitudes are quite warm and sunny, and you will experience strong winds in exposed areas. Likewise, you expect cold mornings and nights and freezing temperatures in the winter months. 

Accommodation will be organized in local tea houses during the Upper Mustang Trek. 

Tea houses offer basic facilities such as twin-sharing rooms, toilets, and common dining areas. Facilities become less available as the trek approaches more remote areas but still they offer comfortable places for sleeping after long days of trekking. 

Tea houses along the Upper Mustang Trek serve trekkers a variety of nutritious food to keep them energized during the trip. Some of the food items served are Dal Bhat, noodles, pasta, soup, momo, bread, pancakes, eggs and traditional Tibetan meals.  

Yes. There is drinking water available in tea houses and villages throughout the Upper Mustang Trek. You can get boiled water in tea houses at an additional charge (USD 1-3) per liter. 

It is recommended to have reusable water bottles to refill and have regular hydration. Also carry along water purification tablets for safe water from natural sources like taps or streams.

Yes, charging facilities are available in most tea houses on the Upper Mustang Trek trail, but they come at extra costs (1-4 per hour). Since the electricity may be scarce in remote locations, which means it is wise to carry a power bank. 

Mobile network and Wi-Fi are available in certain villages and tea houses, but the connection may not be strong enough or even unavailable in remote high areas. It is recommended to download important information and maps in advance. 

The standard Upper Mustang Trek costs around $1,500-$1,800 per person, depending on various factors such as group size, services provided, transport, and customization. The package includes all kinds of accommodation, food, transport, permits, guide, porter and other trekking-related logistics.

The Upper Mustang Trek can be booked easily by mailing us, making calls on our contact number, messaging on WhatsApp or using our online inquiry form. A 30% deposit is required to confirm your booking and arrange the necessary trek logistics.

Yes, travel insurance is very important for the Upper Mustang Trek. The insurance must include coverage for trekking at the high altitudes, emergency medical care, helicopter evacuation and cancellation or disruption of the journey. 

The starting point of the trek is Jomsom where you fly from Pokhara. After reaching Jomsom, you trek through the Kali Gandaki valley, reach Kagbeni and enter the region of Upper Mustang.

Flights from Pokhara to Jomsom may be influenced by weather changes. In case of any delay or cancellation of the flight we will do our best to accommodate the next available flight. Please consider some flexibility in your schedule. 

Yes. The Upper Mustang region can be explored by jeep. In addition, you can also combine the Jeep tour with trekking according to the specific route, time, and your personal preferences. This option lets you ride in a jeep for some parts of the rough road and hike on local trails for other parts. 

Yes, the Upper Mustang Trek is safe if you prepare well for it and have an experienced guide with you. But at high altitude, winds, rough terrain, and changing weather conditions could pose some problems; therefore, it is wise to listen to your guide’s safety tips. 

Your guide will evaluate the situation if any emergency arises during the trek. Then he will make sure that appropriate help is provided according to the severity of the problem such as descending to a lower altitude or arranging emergency evacuation. 

Yes, helicopter evacuation can be organized in case of emergency, depending upon the weather conditions, visibility, availability of the helicopter and various other operational considerations. A comprehensive insurance cover including helicopter evacuation is highly recommended. 

There can be chances of suffering from altitude sickness when trekking in the Upper Mustang as it passes through terrain that exceeds 4,000 meters. Though the risk is relatively low as compared to other alpine treks, but every individual is different and reacts differently at heights. So it is important to acclimatize properly. 

In order to reduce the risk of altitude sickness, it is imperative to move slowly and steadily, drink lots of water, have nutritious meals, have enough rest and do not indulge in drinking alcohol. 

Our professional guides are capable of recognizing the early symptoms of altitude sickness and will keep an eye on your condition throughout the journey. If any symptoms arise, then they are well equipped to deal with the situation. 

Tips are not a compulsion but it is always seen as a good idea for expressing your gratitude to your guide, porter and all other support staff who assisted you during your trekking trip. It is a part of the trekking culture of Nepal.

It is advisable to keep some extra cash in Nepali rupees (USD 250-500) for personal expenditures like food, beverages, recharging of phone, Internet connection, hot water, souvenirs, and other optional facilities. 

There are limited banking facilities in the remote areas; hence, it would be wise to withdraw enough cash before beginning your trek. 

It completely depends on you and our level of satisfaction with the service that they have provided during the trekking period. It is advisable that the tip for the guide should be USD 10 to 20 per day and for the porter, USD 5 to 10 daily.