Upper Mustang Trek 18 Days

Best Time

It is best to trek to Upper Mustang between early May and late October. During these periods, we will see many enchanting colors – the valleys bloom and turn green only two months a year. Plus, at this time, the large annual Yartun festival takes place in Upper Mustang.

Also, the Mustang is located behind the Himalayas and therefore receives very little precipitation. Only in the summer (July and August), when it is monsoon in the southern part of Nepal, does it occasionally rain.

Because the river valleys in this area are above 3000 meters and it has a continental climate, it becomes very cold in winter. During the day the temperature sometimes rises just above freezing point, but at night it can easily reach 20 degrees below zero. From the end of April, it gets warmer and it can be very pleasant during the day: 15 to 20 º C.

Elevation and distance

Our Upper Mustang trek will take us to the hidden treasure of Nepal located at an altitude of 4000 m above sea level. This hidden Kingdom lies north of Annapurna on the border of Tibet at a distance of approximately 462 kilometers from Kathmandu.

In this entire expedition, we will reach the highest elevation of Lo La Pass at 3,950m of Lo Manthang which rises at 3700m. We will be at 3800 m altitude when we arrive at Dhakmar as we make our way back to the capital. It will take us about 18 days to complete this journey on foot.

Maximum/Minimum walk per day

On our 18-day journey to Upper Mustang, we will walk for precisely ten days covering an average distance of 10 to 15 km per day. Our actual hike begins on the fifth day when we trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni.

Most days, we will hike for approximately 5 to 6 hours traversing through green meadows to the alpine desert. But the walking duration varies according to our itinerary and overnight destination.

The least we will walk is for 4 to 5 hours on day 5, day 9, day 11, and day 14 (please check our itinerary). these will also be the easiest trek of the entire expedition.

On day 7, day 8, day 12, and day 13, we will walk for almost 6 hours which will be our challenging trek of the entire journey.

Difficulty and Acclimatization

The Upper Mustang trek route is moderately challenging with two rest days one in Kathmandu and another in Lo Manthang. We have long walking days that need us to climb some steep rock walls, cross some high Passes, and cross the hanging bridges. On the other hand, this trek is safe in terms of altitude. Even those who are susceptible to altitude sickness will almost certainly avoid any of its symptoms.

The maximum altitude of the route is 3,950m at the Lo La Pass. The maximum altitude for an overnight stay is 3800 meters. Such elevations make the route both interesting and feasible for everyone.

Can a beginner trek to Upper Mustang?

Yes, the Upper Mustang trek is suitable for new trekkers and beginners. Moderately challenging, this trek can be undertaken by anyone regardless of age and fitness. Even families with seniors and children can take part in the Upper Mustang Trek.

But be ready to walk for 5 to 6 hours each day through some of the most isolated regions of the world with magical surroundings and panoramic beauty. It is essential for you to be physically and mentally fit with a strong motivation to explore the grand mountainous region of Nepal.

Preparation and training

To acquire good physical strength and mental fitness, we recommend you engage in some aerobic exercises at least 45 days before this trip. Swim, run, cycle, lift weights, and squat to increase your leg strength and endurance level. You can also go for a short hiking trip to your nearby mountains.

Build your inner spirit through yoga and meditation and make up your mind to relinquish the luxury of WIFI and comfort. Internet is available along the route but we suggest you use this journey to detox your addiction to the internet.

Alternate routes

There are multiple options available to trek to Upper Mustang. If you think you are not fit for long hours trek journey, you can visit Upper Mustang with a comfortable jeep ride. You will fly to Jomson then drive to Ghami, Lo Manthang, Syangbochen, and then back to Jomsom.

You can also combine jeep rides with short trek days to visit the Upper Mustang. You will fly to Jomson and hike to Kagbeni, Chaile, Syangboche, Dhakmar to Lo Manthang from where you will drive to Jomsom.

You can also merge the Muktinath Temple visit in Upper Mustang Trek. Following the initial route up to Lo Manthang, you will hike to Tangbe, Tetang, and reach Muktinath from where you will return to Jomsom.

Altitude Sickness

Being a relatively low-altitude trek, the Upper Mustang trek is very safe in terms of high altitude. Since the maximum elevation gain will be less than 4500 m., you will certainly avoid the altitude sickness symptoms. In addition, we have designed this program taking into account a smooth ascent and gradual gain in altitude. The tension of all mental and physical strength is assumed.

However, the probability of its occurrence is not nil. So take your elevation gain slowly and walk at a gradual pace. Fully utilize the acclimatization days at Kathmandu and Lo Manthang according to the instructions of our guide and drink enough water.

On the occurrence of slight headache, dizziness, and nausea, please inform our guide and take Diamox.

Transportation, Meals and Drink

When you choose us to book your Upper Mustang Trek in Nepal, we become your trustworthy friend. Please leave everything to us and you concentrate only on your trekking expedition through this remarkable land.

We will provide airport to Hotel to airport and trekking pick up and drop in the car, van, Hiace, or Tourist Bus depending on group size. The same mode of transportation will take you to Pokhara and Jomsom and Jomsom to Pokhara to Kathmandu. If you wish to avoid the hassle of long road travel, we can also arrange for a short domestic flight to Pokhara and Jomsom at additional cost.

Regarding meals. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, we offer a free delicious breakfast every morning. For lunch and dinner, there are multiple options available in these cities. During the trek, we offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner based on the lodge menu.

Please try Dal, Vat, Gundruk (fermented vegetable), pani puri, Syabhale, Chowmin, momos, and keema noodles, and delight in traditional Newari and Thakali dishes. Also, try locally prepared fresh apple wine and brandy.

Communication, Gadgets charging, and Internet/wifi

The facilities for communication, Gadgets charging, and Internet/wifi are good along the route to the Upper Mustang. Almost every tea house has a varied menu, a shower, a wood stove, Wi-Fi, and electricity to charge your phone or camera. But you may have to pay an additional fee for all these services which are excluded from our tour package.

Regarding the Internet, WIFI and internet connections are not reliable in Chaile, Shyangbochen, and Ghyame. You can purchase NTC or NCELL SIM cards in Kathmandu and Pokhara which come with their own data plans.

You can also use these networks for instant communication with your loved ones.

Permits

For the Upper Mustang trek, you need a TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System), ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit), and a Restricted Area Permit. The Restricted Area Permit costs $500 for 10 days. For each additional day, you pay $50.

Our team will acquire these permits for you in Kathmandu and the cost of these permits is incorporated in our tour package.

What to expect?

Our Upper Mustang trek will take you through some lesser-known and much more lonely areas of the Valley that stretch up to the border with Tibet.

Right at the beginning of our trek, we will follow the Kali Gandaki River, which has cut deep into the landscape and forms the deepest gorge in the world. The layers of sediment spanning millions of years reveal themselves to us like an open book.

We then follow the former Tibetan trade route north and pass small towns that rise as green oases in the barren high mountain landscape. On the way from Kagbeni, red rock walls and monasteries welcome us while the rock walls of Dhakmar shine in the sun in attractive colors.

All along the route, the blooming buckwheat fields add wonderful slashes of brown and ocher tones. The medieval houses and monasteries will not stop us to amaze us. But the capital Lo Manthang is a worthy highlight of our journey back in time.

Let yourself be enchanted by a bizarre mountain landscape, the friendly mountain people, the deepest valley on earth, and fantastic views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and the Tukuche Peak.