Upper Mustang Trek, where walk follows on ancient Trans Himalaya Salt Trade and Caravan Route of Nepal to
Tibet border. A classic adventure to the old and former walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang, where you can experience the medieval time era period. The area around Upper Mustang is geographically an extension of a wide and vast plateau within the Ngari province of South West Tibet.
An exciting trek that leads you into a great wall canyon and eroded red hills within a dramatic landscape location. As the journey takes you around lovely farm villages festooned with prayer monuments of both Buddhism and old Bon religions.
Upper Mustang is truly an outstanding trip, exploring the wild country of Nepal Far West remains a restricted region. For foreign travelers, where a special permit is necessary to enter this magical lance of Upper Mustang.
Our 17 days trip to Upper Mustang Trek, begins from the capital city and commercial hub of Nepal in Kathmandu. On first arrival a
tour of world heritage sites steeped with great historical and religious interest as an introduction to local culture. Then heading towards beautiful Pokhara, a city adorned with the natural beauty of high
Annapurna Himalayas and serene lakes. From Pokhara, an exciting
scenic flight to land at Jomsom, headquarters and administrative town of Mustang district. Where our adventure starts following a wide plain of windy Kaligandaki River valley to reach Kagbeni.
The entrance village to Upper Mustang leads towards
Nepal and Tibet border, which separates the frontier by Kora-La Pass. At 4, 660 m / 15, 290 feet high, the last end of Upper Mustang and the final limit for outside visitors. Walk from Kagbeni entering the pure wilderness, on a dry and windswept country, with few trees of Poplars, Willow, and juniper. The only surviving tree lines around the village’s guards against the strong wind, usually from mid-day till late afternoon. The route leads to cross a few lesser passes overlooking grandeur vista of surrounding magnificent country landscapes, heading through nice villages. Overnights in a village lodge and guest-house, of simple and clean rooms, as trek progress past Chusang, Ghami, and Charang villages.
An interesting place with long rows of prayer wheels and impressive monasteries, then finally reach the destination at Lo-Manthang. Once a forbidden kingdom, where Mustang Raja / King ruled the province of Mustang till the last past decades. At Lo-Manthang, with time to explore around the town like the village in earlier days considered a city. Visit places of great interest as well as the famous monasteries, and the fortress-palace of the late former Raja of Mustang. After a most wonderful experience, head back to Jomsom for a scenic flight back to
Pokhara, and then to Kathmandu. Where our ever-exciting adventure on Upper Mustang concludes on reaching hustle and bustle of the city life of Kathmandu.
Tiji Festival:
The spring festival of Tiji (or Tenche) is a three-day event in Lo Manthang in which masked dancers recreate the battle between the Buddhist god Dorje Jono and his demon father to save the Mustang from a terrible drought. The monks burn the idol of the demon to rid the city of evil spirits, and a huge Tondrol (traditional Tibetan Buddhist painting) is hung from the palace walls. The main dancer (known as Tsovo) completes a three-month retreat before the festival, in which members of the Mustang royal family also join in the sacred dance.
The weather of the Upper Mustang Trek:
Like other parts of Nepal, Mustang has four different seasons throughout the year. At different times of the year, there are different weather conditions and temperatures. Mustang has a cool, semi-arid climate that is typical of the Trans-Himalayan region. During the day, the average annual temperature in this region is about 11.9 degrees Celsius.
Mustang falls in the shadow of the Annapurna region. The average annual rainfall is about 308 mm. This is one of the lowest rates in the country. As a result, trekking in the region is easy and convenient even in the heart of Nepal. The weather is perfect for apple orchards and rhododendron groves. Both of these can be found in abundance in this area.
Best Time for Upper Mustang Trek:
Upper Mustang's
best time for a visit is from April to mid-June and from September to early November month. Springtime of April to May, is the best with longer sunshine during the day, colder in the shade and from afternoon time till next morning.
Next Autumn season is also a good time for the Upper Mustang trek from mid-September till the first week of November months.
Days are crystal clear for views and pleasant walks can be much cold during morning and late afternoon till night-time. Upper Mustang can be visited during the monsoon wet months of June and August time as well. The area around
Upper Mustang falls within rain shadow, where dark rain monsoon clouds are blocked by the great Himalayas range. Mustang gets less moisture and lights rains sometimes which is why the country is dry and arid.
Accommodation and Food for upper Mustang Trekking:
Kathmandu and Pokhara we provide Three-star hotels according to your schedule. Tea houses or basic lodges serve local and international cuisine and also provide basic accommodation. Most tea houses and lodges offer basic foods such as lentils, rice, and seasonal vegetables. If you like lentils, rice, and vegetables, you can add food that you can eat at the same price. Also, Western foods like pizza and other desserts are available on the menu.
Due to the increasing number of pedestrians, the arrangement of the tea houses, guest houses, and accommodation has become comfortable. The cost of accommodation depends on the type of room you choose. A shared room costs less than a single, double or triple sharing room.
A permit is required for Upper Mustang Trekking:
Upper Mustang is considered a restricted area due to its proximity to the Tibetan border. This means the cost of permission to enter the area is as high as $ 500 per person for 10 days, then $ 50 per day.
This Restricted Area Permit (RAP) lasts from the time you leave Kagbeni (on this trek) until you re-enter Kagbeni. So in this magical Nepal Upper Mustang Trek, you only need 10 days RAP.
Restricted permission cost: $ 500 per person for 10 days. $ 50 per day if trek longer than 10 days (suitable for upper Mustang area)
Additionally, each hiker must pay $ 30 for the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). This permit is valid for long journeys.
Note: Please note that you cannot do this trek alone. You need to have at least two trekkers traveling with an authorized trekking company and a necessary license holder trekking guide.
Equipment & Packing List for Upper Mustang Trek:
This list outlines the required things to bring during the Upper Mustang Trek The weight limit for your luggage is 15 kg. Remember that your luggage will be carried by our porter. However, you are required to carry a small day- pack with your valuables or anything important. We advise you to pack only what is necessary.
Important Items: Airline tickets; Valid passport; 2 extra passport size photos; Photocopy of your passport; Insurance paper; Dollars, Pounds, or Euros in cash for purchasing a Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying at restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks and to purchase your own drinks and gifts; Credit Card (Visa/ Mater Card) for withdrawing cash from cash machines if needs.
For Head: Sun Hat; Bandana or head scarf; Headlamp with extra batteries; Sun Glasses with UV protection.
For Upper Body: Shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves); Lightweight thermal tops; Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater; Wind Cheater jacket; Down Jacket
For Lower Body: 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms; 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers; 1 pair of waterproof shell pants and 1 pair of hiking trousers.
For Hands: 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves and 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
For Feet: 2 pairs of thin inner socks; 2 pairs of poly or wool socks; 1 pair of Hiking boots (sturdy soles, water-resistant, ankle support); 1 pair of running shoes and/or sandals.
Other Useful Items: 1 sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); Rucksack and Travel Bags; 1 large duffel bag, A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables; Small padlocks for duffel- bags; 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional).
Medical: Your daily taking medicine if any; small personal first aid kit; Aspirin, plasters (band-aids); Sunscreen; lip balms; Anti-diarrhea pills; Anti-headache pills; A cough and/or cold medicine; Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide; Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin.
Digital camera; 2 water bottles (1 liter each); disposable rubbish sacks; Toiletries: 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel; Toothbrush/paste; Multi-purpose soap; Deodorants; Nail clippers; Face and body moisturizer; Tissue /toilet roll; hiking poles, snack food (chocolate/ biscuits); umbrella; reading book or pack of cards (for leisure time during trekking).
Note: If any items are not available in your hometown you can buy them in Trekking Store in Kathmandu before you on trekking
