Upper Mustang Trek is a magnificent journey to the remote trans-Himalayan parched landscape following an off-the-beaten route and ultimately to the land of the mysterious former kingdom of Mustang in northwestern Nepal that remained distracted from the rest of the world for several centuries.
A moderate-level trek to Upper Mustang is best known for its rich history, culture, ethnicity, religious faith, dramatic mountain sceneries, and amazing landscapes similar to the Tibetan plateau bordering in the north.
Follow semi-deserted, less explored Himalayan lands shuttered by the giant walls of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna massifs to the north; among all, Upper Mustang occupies all the northern two-thirds of Mustang district of Dhaulagiri Zone in Nepal. Thus, you will get one of the rarest opportunities to explore unexplored heaven along with a lost culture of the forbidden lands of the past several hundred years.
Upper Mustang is still a restricted region and very popular as the Kingdom of Lo. Unfortunately, it lost its official monarchical gratitude with the new reform in the government in 2008. However, people admired the last king Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista, who ruled Lo Manthang until he died in 2016.
Foreigners were not allowed to enter in a visit around 1992 in terms of the forbidden kingdom. Since the 14th century, Upper Mustang endured seclusion when it was walled and built by the soldier Ame Pal in 1380.
Despite being isolated from the rest world, Upper Mustang has preserved religion, culture, and religion (Tibetan Buddhism) very well. Still, trekkers can witness hundreds of year old chortens, monasteries, stupas, mane walls, customs, traditions, festivals, and the way of living. People have a similar lifestyle to the Tibetans, and most of them are of the Lobas tribe. Thus, with centuries of solitude from alien influence, anything visitors witness is a real treat.
Situated at the rain shadowed lands of Himalayan sections on the northern territory, the Upper Mustang trek is possible even in the monsoon periods. It lies in the top list which receives the least rainfall in Nepal. As other trekking regions are almost impossible in the monsoon periods, Upper Mustang is an ideal choice to hike to. Low rainfall has made this region parched and thirsting, like the bordering Tibetan Plateau.
Upon arrival at the capital of Upper Mustang- Lo Manthang, trekkers will be amazed by its surreal beauty; a vista of narrow alleyways, long walls of beautiful prayer wheels, herds of farming animals just under the giant peaks. What an unbelievable experience!
A four-storied palace, beautiful monasteries as Thugchen Gompa, which was established in the 15th century, historical walled surroundings, The Amchi museum a school are some of the renowned places to see inside Lo-Manthang.
A historical cave and a monastery can be witnessed on the high rock after a short walk from the city. You can witness the pattern of history passing from generation to generation here easily.
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Fact title |
Fact content |
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Total trip days |
17 Days |
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Trekking days |
11 Days |
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Highest point |
3,840m at Lo Manthang |
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Difficulty level |
Moderate |
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Required permits |
Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP) |
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Best Month to trek |
Spring to autumn (March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November) |
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Accommodation |
Teahouse |
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Trek style |
Teahouse to teahouse trek |
Upper Mustang lies in the upper parts of Mustang district of Gandaki Province, North-western Nepal, which coordinates 29.2347° N, 83.9257° E on the world map. Made up of three rural municipalities, namely Lo Manthang, Dalome, and Baragung Muktichhetra, Upper Mustang covers 2020 km2/780 sq miles.
The northern territory of Upper mustang is isolated and shares a border with Tibet. The Southern part is connected to a small settlement of Kagbeni- a holy place. The widespread Annapurna Circuit trek passes through this very bustling land.
Rivers, glacial lakes, Himalayan cultivated lands, unique Buddhist shrines, and whitewashed settlements are located beneath the enormous mountain ranges. A guide is compulsory to hike in Upper Mustang.
Most of the trekkers land Jomsom after short 20 minutes’ flight from Pokhara and begin their journey to Upper Mustang. After walking 4-5 hours from Jomsom, trekkers reach the entrance of Upper Mustang- Kagbeni. It is the shortest, easiest, and most convenient way to get to Upper Mustang. After a
Both air and land can reach Pokhara from Kathmandu. It takes approximately 6 hours on the drive and just 25 minutes on the air.
After walking four days from Kagbeni, trekkers will reach the capital of the Upper Mustang- Lo Manthang.
Tourism in the lower parts of Mustang had begun only after the late 1970s. It was declared a restricted area and off-limits to foreigners until 1992, netting it the mark ‘The Forbidden Kingdom of Lo.’
Early tourism was quite limited and strictly limited, along with being well regulated. For example, there were no lodges throughout the trails, and travelers had to do camping treks bringing all their associates from Kathmandu/ Pokhara.
An occasion to have profited financially was inadequate for those with flat camping grounds or horses to rent for a day out from Lo Manthang. In the negotiation, the Lokpa( the inhabitants of the Upper Mustang) were promised 60% of the revenue from the hefty $500 Upper Mustang permit fee, which would allow re expenditure into the settlements to develop infrastructures, transportation, restoration of cultural treasures, and to support environmental preservation.
After releasing the restriction, tourists, filmmakers, and photojournalists were herding to the ‘mysterious forbidden kingdom.’ Visitors began to take pictures of every nitty-gritty of the locality. The locals found their photos surfaced over books and shiny magazines and no doubt felt they had been taken advantage of. Then the entire situation comprehensibly ran to a degree of antipathy and sullenness among some in the communal.
Lo Manthang was ruled by the descendants of Ame Pal's 25th generation. With the republic system implemented in Nepal abolishing the monarchy in 2008, Upper Mustang also lost its kingdom and accepted the rule as other parts of the nation. However, the people still admired the last King of Lo, Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista as a king until he died in 2016.
There are huge changes in tourism as well. The number of tourists is increasing in a skyrocketed way each year. Some of its parts are now are facilitated with the overland tour as well. In addition, there are numerous locally owned teahouses or lodges are established to provide trekkers the lodging and eating amenities.
The only concern is while building and developing the roads in the name of border-Kora La, aren’t we losing our hidden gem? Development is, of course, necessary, but we need sustained development without harming those treasures.
Developing the lodges, restaurants, roads, and motels, of course, people are financially benefitted. However, we need to sustain its status ‘a mysterious world’. While advantageous in some salutations, this road will unquestionably make it harder for the centuries-old culture and traditions of the region to cling on in a speedily changing atmosphere, irreversibly varying the former Kingdom of Lo forever.
At least two hikers convoyed by a Nepali trekking guide with an authorized license provided by the Government of Nepal are demandable for a special permit for Upper Mustang. Trekkers are not allowed to trek solo in this region.
A special permit for Upper Mustang Trek expenses US$ 500 per person for the first 10 days. However, if you spend longer than 10 days, you need to pay US$ 50 each extra day per person.
Another Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) is also needed for the Upper Mustang trek as it passes through Annapurna Conservation Area, which costs NPR. 3000 per person (Approx. US$ 30). For the SAARC nationals, it costs only 1500 (Approx. US$15).
Do I need a TIMS card for the Upper Mustang trek?
No. If you are trekking in Upper Mustang only, then a TIMS card is not needed. However, if you wished to extend your journey to Lower Mustang or Annapurna base camp, a TIMS card is compulsory.
But the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) works everywhere in the Annapurna region. You do not need to buy another one, and it will be valid for anywhere around Annapurna as long as you don’t exit.
One of the most frequently asked questions is why the Upper Mustang trek should not be others? So let me describe every nitty-gritty of this trek. Initially, Upper Mustang is famous for its unique geographical features, uncommon Tibetan Buddhist culture, Bon religion, climate, and way of living.
Next, unlike other trekking destinations, trekking in Upper Mustang is possible even in the monsoon periods (June to August)/summer seasons apart from the popular autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) months. This region lies in a trans-Himalayan climate that is cool and arid that falls just under the rain-shadow area.
The weather and climate are favorable almost all around the year except the mid-winter (late December to early February). During these months, trekkers may suffer from extreme cold and an occasional snowfall.
However, all other months are excellent for walking. Just imagine the close-up views of snow-clad massifs in the backdrop of copper-red precipices and barren lands with a gargantuan river flowing between the Kali Gandaki valleys below.
Additionally, due to its location in Tibet, its cultures and traditions are heavily influenced by it. It has long been a secured region secluded from the rest of the planet; traveling to Upper Mustang is walking several centuries back in time.
The antique monasteries, traditional houses, medieval caves, unique ethnic dresses seem to be tucked away in the past. Upper Mustang height ranges from 3050m at Chele to 6700m at Khumjung Himal. However, the trek takes you to the maximum elevation at 3840m at Lo Manthang.
Therefore, exploring Upper Mustang is an awe-striking, unique, and eye-opening experience. It is a moderate-rated difficult journey best for the beginner as well as experienced hikers. Trekkers having prior experiences to Everest base camp, Langtang valley, Manaslu circuit, even Annapurna base camp review is worth revisiting Nepal just for the Upper Mustang Trek.
Upper Mustang Trek is a moderately difficult trek. The utmost elevation to reach is 3840m. As the maximum elevation is below 4000m, the risk of elevation sickness is less than other high passes treks in Nepal.
Trekkers need to walk from 5 to 6 hours on average for 11 trekking days. Some days, you might have to walk 3 hours at a minimum, and some days you might need to push up to 8 hours at a maximum. The difficulties add-on, particularly when you take the winter season because of the snow and extreme cold temperatures.
Hence it is ideal for traveling during spring, autumn, and monsoon periods. The skies are crystal, views are unobstructed, and weather and temperature remain mostly stable and favorable. However, the trekking route is a bit dusty and arid. After mid-day, it receives strong winds; make sure to wear sunglasses to secure your eyes.
Numerous factors play roles in making any trekking route difficult. The distance, duration, trekking trail, weather and temperature, availability of accommodation and food, elevation to gain, roles of guides and porter, and so forth. The major concerns to make your Upper Mustang trek difficult are described below.
The hiking routes for Upper Mustang are not well marked as Everest base camp, Annapurna base camp, or Annapurna circuit trek and can be a little confusing to navigate at times. So, hiring a well-experienced trekking guide is a must. The construction of roads may divert the trekking routes from another side. Walking in the motorway is not an ideal option. A well-experienced trekking leader leads you from the alternative trekking routes and is well updated about the situation.
Some sections in the trails can be tricky due to small loose stones, steep ascends and descends, gorges, ridges, cliffs, riversides, and so forth. Such a situation should be handled, which will be a bit challenging yet rewarding.
Most of the trekkers follow the following trekking route while trekking Upper Mustang.
Jomsom » Kagbeni » Chele » Geling » Tsarang(Charang) » Lo Manthang » Drakmar » Syangmochen » Chhusang » Muktinath » Jomsom
The Upper Mustang trek covers approximately 125 km/77.6 miles during trekkers, walking around 5-6 hours per day for eleven plus trekking days, from Jomsom to Lo Manthangand back to Jomsom again via Muktinath.
Two types of trekkers hike to Upper Mustang: hire a guide and porter and walk without any stress and burden, and next hire only a guide and carry all the loads self throughout the journey.
So, the challenges of the trek also depend upon how much weight you are carrying. If you have a porter, he carries all the backpacks, and you need to carry your daypack and important documents only.
Carrying all the backpacks and walk in the high elevated lands is really an enthralling experience. However, a 12-15 kg backpack can really start to weigh you down after a while, slackening your pace.
Upper Mustang trek difficulty depends upon your prior experience as well. Newbie trekkers with little trekking experience in the lower elevations will undoubtedly find it more challenging than those used to multi-day hikes at such elevations. However, Trekkers with a moderate level of fitness will help in any incident.
Whether you are experienced or not, regular hiker or occasional, elevation sickness is a potential risk while walking 3000m above the sea level as the level of oxygen decreases gradually. Although the Upper Mustang trek takes you at the maximum elevation of 3840m, it is not considered a high altitude trek like Everest base camp, Everest three passes trek, Annapurna, or Manaslu Circuit treks; however, it is ideal to be prepared in advance.
Be sure that you are well acclimatized, have a well-stocked first aid medical kit, maintained your own pace, are hydrated, have nutritious snacks during the trek. In case the symptoms of altitude sickness as severe headache, giddiness, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, unable to sleep are seen, immediately share with your trip leader. If the symptoms are increased might develop to HACE and HAPE, which might be life-threatening.
But, the cases of such symptoms are rare in the Upper Mustang trek. If any symptoms are seen, the best medicine is to rest for the next 24-48 hours before ascending, get some soup, stay hydrated, and get some nutritious snacks regularly.
Popular as Dzongsam or New fort, Jomsom is the district headquarter and the beginning point of the Upper Mustang trek. A small town of Himalayan district Mustang- Jomsom is the ending point of the classic Annapurna circuit trek.
The Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri massifs form a backdrop to the town. Facilitated with a domestic airstrip, Jomsom is primarily an administrative and commercial epicenter with government officials and merchants chafing shoulders with the residents of the region, known as Thakalis.
An opening to Upper Mustang, Kagbeni is a feudal village that sits at the junction of four classic trade routes at the confluence of Kali Gandaki and Jhong rivers. Your permits and formalities are checked here as you enter the restriction region from this very point.
A primitive village with wonderfully atmospheric village with narrow lanes, traditional mud-brick houses, shared courtyards where locals fetch water, quirky ‘ghost eater’ statues, and a magnificent 15th century antique Gompa.
An attractive village on the way to or from Chhusang, the village of Tangbe is definitely worth a short detour to visit. Situated at the bank of Kali Gandaki River. This village has cultivated fields and apple orchards spread out around it.
Throughout the village, there are some antique chortens, old photogenic buildings, and narrow cobbled lanes. Magnificent sceneries of mountains, river vale make this village even spectacular.
Also called Chhusang, Chhuksang is a popular overnight stop for trekkers on their journey from Upper Mustang- Lo Manthang and is a popular spot for lunch on the way north. This village is connected by road from Kagbeni.
This small village is nice enough, but it’s the implausible colored precipices across the Kali Gandaki that certainly steal the show. Shared local jeeps to/from Lo Manthang run from this very village. The village protrudes out on a spit of land, and red and orange crags rise to the lateral.
Trekkers can have a short side trip to the village of Tetang and back. This village sits excitingly atop a cliff, with some religious monuments as ancient cave homes, chortens, and a pair of monasteries to see.
Home of the several traditional Mustang homes, the village of Chele is the popular stop for overnight stay. The lines of windows carved out of the cliff face can be seen just above the village. A couple of lodges, Buddhist shrines especially related to Tibetan Buddhism with magnificent views can be witnessed here.
Ghyakar, a small leafy village that used to witness very few trekkers in the pre-road days. It is a tiny local village with limited options for eating and no better overnight lodges. During the early periods, the trekking trail used to hug the cliffside high above a plunging gorge on the route to Samar from Chele. This no longer exists with the development of the road. Instead, a suspension bridge is built across the gorge to Ghyakar, making the trekking easier.
A popular lunch place for lunch before heading to Ghiling for an overnight stay, Samar is a small village with only a couple of lodges and local houses. Surrounded by the Himalayan vegetation, the village offers beautiful sceneries of the valley and mountain peaks.
Situated at the base of a rocky mountain, surrounded by agricultural fields, Ghiling (also called Giling or Geling) is one of the bigger settlements of the entire Upper Mustang, with an impressive monastery built in the 15th century. In addition, some teahouses are established to make it convenient for the trekkers to spend overnight. This village is tucked in at the base of a rocky knoll in a wide valley, with snow-clad peaks rising in the distance.
Home to the longest Mane walls in the entire Upper Mustang(305m), the village of Ghami is facilitated with a few lodges and local houses surrounded by the cultivated fields and trees. Beyond the Mane wall, a striking cluster of large chortens blend impeccably with the backdrop of serrated cliffs, the grey, ochre, and red paint clearly derivative from and prejudiced by the colors of the scenery. At the center of the village, there lies colorful chortens and beautiful prayer flags. Alongside, a common water tap is built where locals fill their water.
The second-largest settlement in the entire Upper Mustang, Tsarang (also called Charang), was once the capital where there King’s Palace still stands tall, superintending the neighboring arenas and houses till the day.
The most protruding construction entire this village is the impressive 16th-century hermitage, a central red building bounded by barred walls, one of the most inspiring in the total of Upper Mustang. Immerse yourself with the beautiful sceneries of mountains, landscapes, and antique structures.
Another 16th century yellowish-brown, white, and grey barred monastery sits atop a rocky hill in Tsarang, attracting every visitor who wishes to visit Upper Mustang.
The most important dreamed destination of the entire Upper Mustang trek is Lo Manthang (Lo Manthang). Popular as the walled city, mysterious kingdom, city of historic monasteries, lost city, and the last kingdom of Nepal, Lo Manthang is indeed a wonder to behold.
Its dirt lanes are the best ways to immerse in, narrow alleys unexpectedly opening out into wide courtyards with water wells and rows of bulbous chortens, monasteries, and other religious shrines dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism are most common to see all around the village.
Inhabitants rest in the shadow, conversing to neighbors, cows wander around the villages, and the herds of sheep and Himalayan goats pass through the village, and flashes of red catch your eye as monks pass by.
There are three most popular historical places to visit – Thupchen Gompa, Jampa Gompa, and King’s Palace. To enter in all three, a single 1000 NPR ticket is enough. However, each one is different and fascinating in its own right.
The office for Annapurna Conservation Area has lots of information regarding local customs, culture, and history. Just outside the walled city, the wider stone streets are home to an inclining number of teahouses and shops, unfortunately not all of them keeping with the traditional surroundings.
Other popular sights in Lo Manthang include Chode Gompa (built in the 1700s), Choprang Gompa (New Gompa), and the Monastic Museum, which is part of the Tsechen Shedrubling Monastic School built in the early 1990s to train young monks from the surroundings. The small capital has become progressively developed in recent years. It now features gift shops that sell various handicrafts and souvenirs, small coffee shops with Wifi, and plenty of lodges around the town to gratify travelers with various budgets.
You can hike to explore close up or venerate them from in the distance, including a day trip from Lo Manthang is to Chhoser, home to the multi-story Jhong Caves, Niphu Gompa, Garphu Gompa, and lesser holidayed at Chemba-Concholing Cave.
Getting back from Lo Manthang, head southwards and turn left for Dhi shortly after Lo La. This small village has awe landscapes situated on the bank of Kali Gandaki River, having a cluster of houses and a spread of terraced farms and trees.
Trekkers can reach here after a ridge hike that runs analogous to the Tsarang-Lo Manthang road, followed by a steep descent encircled by soaring columns of crumbling cliffs.
It is a usual lunch stop before heading to Yara; however, some prefer to spend overnight as well (particularly if continuing downriver and up to Tsarang as an alternative to completing the entire eastern route)
Just a few kilometers eastern side of Dhi, you may see a village situated high above the river-the village of Yara, looking across to the most inexplicable cliff face, like melted zeniths merged and solidified once again. In the cliffs just above the trails, witness more caves with the windows forming strange faces looming over.
Alike most other villages of Upper Mustang, this village also has terraced fields spreading out from it and a cluster of the traditional buildings for a living. The walls are made of mud-brick, which are less white more crumbly.
One of the most popular monasteries of the Upper Mustang, Luri Gompa, is a day trip from Yara village. The monastery and cave surrounding is the home to some of the most implausible artwork dating back to the 14th century. The paintings in the inner chamber of the cave are heavily influenced by the Indian and Kashmiri styles having more artwork on the roof of the cave above it.
On the journey from Yara, you’ll ascend and descend ethereal cliff faces and cross plentiful unambiguously beautiful plateaus reaching one of the most beautiful villages of Upper Mustang-Tangge. Numerous small but unexpected ascends and descends makes the journey to Tangge makes the journey even interesting.
The small village setting is stunning, with a spread-out riverbed below and classic Mustang massifs all around. It has the plentiful, colorful chortens and exquisite mane wall that really makes your jaw drop. Interact with extra friendly locals who are roaming with their cattle all around.
A place popular for its most elevated temple of Nepal – Muktinath Temple, Muktinath is a sacred place with many Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims. It is also a day destination for the trekkers on the Annapurna circuit trek after crossing Thorong La pass (5416m). Not only the trekkers of the Upper Mustang and Annapurna circuit trek, but thousands of visitors from all over Nepal and India also visit Muktinath each day for religious purposes.
Muktinath combines two words; Mukti and Nath, where Mukti means free, and Nath means place. Therefore, its combined meaning is a ‘place of salvation. The temple of Muktinath is one of the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the Vaishnava community in Nepal.
This temple is considered one of the eight sacred places known as Svayam Vyakta Kshetras (the other seven being Srirangam, Srimushnam, Tirupati, Naimisharanya, Totadri, Pushkar, and Badrinath). It is also one of the 108 Divya Desam or blessed places of worship of Lord Vishnu. Moreover, it is also one of the 51 Shakti Pitha goddess sites. All in all, it is one of the perfect blends of nature and religion with unique cultural practices and ways of living.
Just behind the main temple of Muktinath, a semi-circular wall with 108 stone faucets at the height of seven feet. All the spouts have the same shape as the head of a bull and are detached by roughly afoot. Water from the ice-cold source has been diverted to flow through the mouths of these bulls, and hardy pilgrims who visit the temple often stand underneath each of the spurts.
Day 1: Fly to Jomsom (2743m/8999ft) and trek to Kagbeni (2850m/9350ft)
Day 2: Trek to Chele (3050m/10000ft)
Day 3: Trek to Geling (3570 m/11710ft)
Day 4: Trek to Tsarang (3560m/11676ft)
Day 5: Trek to Lo Manthang (3840m/12600ft)
Day 6: Exploration day in Lo Manthang – Namgyal Gompa and Thingkar
Day 7: Lo Manthang to Drakmar (3820 m/12530ft)
Day 8: Drakmar to Syangmochen (3800 m/ 12464ft)
Day 9: Syangmochen to Chhusang (2980 m/ 9774ft)
Day 10: Trek to Muktinath (3760 m/12464ft)
Day 11: Trek to Jomsom (2743m/8999ft)
Upper Mustang sits in the rain-shadow area; trekkers need not worry regarding the rain and slippery trails; thus, trekkers can trek here throughout the year except in the mid-winter season. Thus, you can see almost the same number of trekkers in each season. Likewise, this trek is recommended for both novice and experienced hikers.
Just as other regions of Nepal, Upper Mustang witnesses four different seasons in a year and has divergent weather and temperature conditions in each of them. Those four seasons are described below.
Spring (March to May) is the choicest season for the Upper Mustang hike. This season witness the crystal blue sky, great views of the Himalayas, semi-arid landscapes, and comfortable weather and temperatures.
The average temperature during the spring season in Upper Mustang ranges between 15⁰C and 21⁰C in the daytime. It mostly has a witnesses temperature (neither too hot nor too cold). However, it drops up to 2⁰C to -6⁰C. Trekkers experience the greatest festival of Upper Mustang- the Tiji festival during this season. During this festival, trekkers can enjoy the locals' cultural dances, prayers, and dramas.
While walking, trekkers get the rarest chances to see some of the rarest animals as wild donkeys, musk deer, Albino bears, and wild boar, and sometimes snow leopards too.
A monsoon season is overlapped in the summer season (June to August) in Nepal. While other parts of Nepal witness heavy precipitation and are very hot in Nepal's lower parts, Upper Mustang stays away from them all. Thus, trekking in Upper Mustang is feasible even in the rainy season, just unlike other parts of Nepal.
The weather and temperature in this season offer warm days and chill days. Compared to other seasons, it is a hotter season where the temperature ranges from 18⁰C to 28⁰C in the daytime, whereas it drops up to -2 ⁰C during the night.
If you visit Upper Mustang during August, you will get a wonderful chance to celebrate the Yarlung festival, where a Mela (fair) is performed. Popular as a horse riding ceremony, people show their riding skills with archery in a filmy style.
The months ranging from September to November are autumn months in Nepal which witness most visitors after spring in Nepal, and so does Upper Mustang. The great and magnificent views of the Himalayan range from 12⁰C to 20⁰C during the daytime whereas decreases up to -8 ⁰C in the night and early morning.
Trekkers can enjoy the panoramic beauty of this region during these months. However, they need to carry proper windproof gears as the strong winds of the north valley dominate the entire trail. Rest, everything is excellent to hike Upper Mustang during autumn.
The trekkers who dare cold and snowy weather conditions trek Upper Mustang during this month. It is the best month to see snowy peaks, frozen lakes, river valleys, valleys, and arid lands. Only a few trekkers are seen on the way, and the teahouses seem peaceful and offer the best price and services ever. Trekkers who don’t love the swarming place can trek this season and feel the peaceable milieu.
Due to the cold atmosphere, some locals migrate to the lower elevations, such as Pokhara or Kathmandu. An average temperature during the daytime in this season is like 0⁰C to 5⁰C, which may drop up to -20⁰C at night.
Additionally, hiking to Upper Mustang during this season might be challenging for novices due to weighty snowfall. Nonetheless, if you actually want to trek during the winter season, then we acclaim you trek in early December and late February because throughout the first week of December, winter won’t set appropriately, and during late February, local people start to return to their home.
Upper Mustang Trek is a teahouse trek. There are numerous teahouses established on the way, mostly run by the local people. They are traditionally made small local houses made up of brick, mud, and mostly painted white.
However, in some villages like Lo Manthang and Charang, the newly structured concrete tea houses are multi-stories and accommodate many trekkers.
The rooms in the teahouses are usually had two single beds having minimal furniture around. As they offer a pillow, a blanket, mattress, a bed is provided each; we highly recommend you to carry own sleeping bag for safety and hygienic purpose.
Only some teahouses are smoothed with attached bathrooms, while others use the communal toilets/bathrooms. In the smaller villages in the lesser-known areas, they have squat seats on the toilet. Therefore, it is highly suggested to carry toilet paper and pocket soap, and sanitizer because not every teahouse is aided.
In the teahouses, mostly in the upper parts, showers are not attached in the tea house and are communal. For a shower, you need to pay around US$ 3-5. The majority of the teahouses rely on solar energy. However, some of them have gas showers as well.
The dining room is also mostly communal, with big tables accommodating numerous guests. The walls are well painted with different colors. Most of the teahouses have gas/firewood heaters in a room to keep the surround.
The dining room is also communal, with large tables accommodating many tourists. The walls are vibrantly smeared, and the tables have butter spotlights. Some tea houses offer you a gas heater in the room to keep warm.
Even though the food options are similar from the beginning to the end of the trek in Upper Mustang, you will find several Nepali, Tibetan/Chinese, Indian, and other popular dishes. Obviously, the food in the Upper Mustang region is decent; however, not lavish, as found in the major cities Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara.
Dal Bhat (a set of rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, seasonable salads, and pickles) is the most popular food during your trek to Upper Mustang. This food is mostly taken for lunch and dinner and costs approximately US$ 4. You can have other western dishes like porridge, pancakes, eggs, bread with jam/honey, etc., for breakfast. Thukpa or Tibetan noodle soup is also one of the most popular food in this region, which you should try out.
Apple farming is a major occupation in the Upper Mustang region, where you will find many drinks and snacks made out of apples. Local apple juice and wine are also popular for drinking.
As already mentioned, Upper Mustang has a hot and dry climate, and you need to drink almost 3-4 liters of water each day. It prevents dehydration and gives you energy for walking. Dehydration is the major cause of Altitude sickness.
Water can be filled in the communal water taps in the village, but you must purify/boil before drinking. Therefore, it is best to carry a water purification system/tablets. Although you can buy mineral water in the small shops or tea houses along the way, it may costs higher than in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
In the major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, Jomsom and Muktinath, the electricity facility is well and easily accessible. In the trekking routes there may be a problem of power cuts some days and in the major villages like Jomsom, and Kagbeni teahouses are facilitated with solar energy.
In case, you are looking to charge your gadgets, ask the tea house owner for the assigned time of the day when they turn on the power, usually in the evening, to save power the rest of the day. However, it is always recommended to carry solar panels, power banks, and extra camera batteries.
Travel insurance is crucial in case you are traveling to foreign countries or any risky areas. Upper Mustang sits in a remote restricted region of Nepal, having limited vehicle accessibility and only a few health posts during the trek.
Even though the Upper Mustang trek is not that risky, you might face altitude sickness as you walk above 3000m many days. Due to these reasons, it might be thought-provoking to get proper and swift treatment for disastrous incidents or illnesses. There might be a need for helicopter rescue with a high cost in ill-fated cases.
For such unanticipated occurrences, it is crucial to have travel insurance for this trek. While taking up a travel insurance policy, make sure that you look for a reliable insurance company and plan covering risks against high altitude treks up to 5000m above sea level and a cancellation policy.
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