Say, there is a trekker named ABC. They arrive at the Jomsom airport with the enthusiasm to explore the Upper Mustang region through trekking. They were excited about the ancient caves, the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges, and the Tibetan culture. And why not be, right? Upper Mustang is known for its ancient Tibetan-influenced culture and arid landscape with mountains in the backdrop. As they trek, the temperature starts to drop down. They feel cold, and they search for warmer clothes. But they do not have any insulated layer of clothing. This did not happen because they forgot to bring the right clothing; it happened because they were negligent. Clothing is just one part to take care of while trekking; there are multiple other aspects to look into for a successful trekking experience.
Nobody wants to end up like ABC. But what should be done to avoid such mistakes and successfully complete the Upper Mustang trek? The answer is simple: you need to be cautious. You need to research and prepare mindfully to avoid any complications. You must consider every minute part, from obtaining necessary permits to hiring guides. This article outlines the tips for the Upper Mustang trek to help you prepare for the journey and avoid unnecessary hassles. Knowing these guidelines lets you easily avoid the pitfalls and ensure a safe and memorable trek.
The month or the season you choose to trek significantly affects your trekking experience. Each season has certain weather conditions. The visibility each season provides is different, and so are the temperatures. The trails may not be accessible in each season. But what is the best time? The best time is one that ensures comfortable trekking temperatures (moderate), clear skies, predictable weather, and fewer challenges. And it can get tricky to decide the best time. Here are the breakdown of each season so that you can choose which is best for you:
Upper Mustang is a restricted area because of its cultural and historical significance. The government of Nepal monitors and regulates the tourism flow in the region. You need a special permit to trek to the Upper Mustang called a Restricted Area Permit (RAP). Besides this, you also need to obtain the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) as you traverse the conservation area for the trek.
You can obtain all the necessary permits through your trekking agency after you provide them with all the necessary documents. Ensure you get your permits a few days before your trek to avoid delays. Here are the additional details of the permits you will need.
| Types of Permit | Price | Where to obtain | |
| for non-SAARC nationals (USD) | for SAARC nationals (USD) | ||
| ACAP | ~22 | ~8 | Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) at the entry gate |
| RAP | 500 per person (for the first 10 days) 50 per person /Day (beyond 10 days) | Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu | |
Note: ACAP is free for children below 10 years old.
Trekking in the Upper Mustang is challenging. It involves long walking hours in high-altitude terrain with steep trekking trails, which can be physically taxing. Also, the unpredictable weather and the risk of altitude sickness can be mentally taxing. Training physically and mentally builds up your endurance and prepares you for the trek. Here is what you must do to train yourself:
You must decide on your Upper Mustang trek itinerary for two reasons. First, you need it to obtain the Restricted Area Permit. Yes, the Department of Immigration requires you to submit your itinerary to be provided with the itinerary. It is to ensure that you follow your trekking route and are not involved in anything illegal, as Upper Mustang shares a border with Tibet. Secondly, you must decide on your upper Mustang Trek itinerary to ensure a safe and well-organized trek.
An itinerary will provide the trekking route, after which you can deduce the elevation profile. By doing so, you can plan your route and elevation gain. You can also separate a day for acclimatization to deal with altitude sickness. Moreover, an itinerary will help you manage your time, flights, and accommodation in advance.
Upper Mustang has a diverse weather condition. The weather at the lower elevation is not the same as at the upper elevation. Hence, packing the right gear becomes confusing, and trekkers often overpack. Your goal should be to pack the correct gear to ensure comfortable trekking. You can make the trek packing list and analyze what you need and don’t. You shouldn’t hesitate to leave behind items you think won’t be helpful during the trek. Here is the list of necessary items.
In your Upper Mustang trek, you will constantly ascend after Kagbeni (2,700 m). The risk of altitude sickness increases with each ascending above 2,500. The risk increases at a higher elevation like Chogo La Pass (4,320 m), the trek’s highest point. If you are not in optimal physical condition, have a faster pace, or are dehydrated, you might stop repeatedly to catch your breath.
It happens because the oxygen level beyond 2,500 m starts to thin out, and your body struggles to adjust to the lower oxygen level. The major symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. You should descend if you notice any of such symptoms. But rather than being ignorant about the illness, you can use preventive measures. Here are some of them:
Do I compulsorily need to hire a guide for the Upper Mustang trek? YES! The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) doesn’t allow Free Individual Trekkers (FIT) in the restricted areas from 1st April 2023. So, if you want to trek in the Upper Mustang, you need a guide. On the other hand, a porter is not mandatory. However, they are there to decrease the load of your logistics, allowing you to focus on trekking. Porters will usually carry 15 to 20 Kgs, depending on how much you pay them.
There are two main ways to hire a guide. You can search either across the internet and employ any freelancer guides or ask the trekking agency to provide you with one. Usually, if you are trekking with the help of an agency, you will get a guide and porter in the package. Ensure you get an experienced guide who is fluent in English and has a positive track record. If you hire a guide independently, they cost you around USD 25 to USD 40 per day. And the porter will cost you around USD 20 per day. Make sure you book dates with your guide to ensure the availability.
Even though trekking to Upper Mustang is relatively safe, there is still the risk of altitude sickness, injuries, and other medical-related issues. You have to be cautious to avoid any unforeseen troubles. How to be careful? You follow the safety rules. You should maintain a gradual ascent and descent at a constant pace. Besides, you should separate a day for rest to allow your body to adapt to the harsher environment of the high-altitude region like Chogo La Pass (4,320 m). You should descend and talk with your guide if you notice symptoms like headache, dizziness, and fatigue
Upper Mustang Trek lies in a remote location with limited medical facilities. So, the chances of you getting immediate professional medical help are rare. Carrying a first aid kit will provide you with immediate medical help. Also, you must care for your body throughout the trek to avoid the illness. You should drink 3 to 4 liters of water a day to prevent dehydration. Besides, you should opt for a balanced diet to maintain the nutritional and calorie intake.
As you might have already known, the Upper Mustang trek is challenging and requires you to be physically in good condition. Hence, assessing your fitness level before starting on a trek is crucial. But that is not the only skill you need to understand.
You also need to evaluate your trekking skills. Are you able to walk on the rugged terrain? Your ability to handle the stressful situation also comes in handy. What will you do if you suffer from altitude sickness in the wilderness? You should also understand the safety basics and elevation profiling. Only after you know your skills can you plan and prepare for the trek without omitting anything.
Unlike cities, Upper Mustang doesn’t have ATMs. So, you won’t be able to withdraw the money after you start your trek. The tea houses and local shops don’t accept credit cards, leaving you with only cash as an option for any transaction. You can exchange your currency in either Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Please carry smaller bills than the larger ones as it becomes easy for teahouses and shops to return your money. So, how much should you have? Food and accommodations are the expenses during the trek, costing you around NPR 2000 to 3000 a day. Besides transportation and guide and porter fees, you should carry at least NPR 35,000.
Upper Mustang is one of the culturally rich regions in Nepal. Because of its location and vast history, its culture today is highly influenced by Tibet. People here follow Tibetan Buddhism. So, you can witness prayer flags, monasteries, and chortens during your Upper Mustang trek. It is a no-brainer that each culture is unique and has its own rules. As an outsider, you should abide by those rules and respect the culture.
For example, you shouldn’t enter the monastery with shoes on or touch any sacred symbols. If you want to take a photograph, always seek permission. The other way to respect the local culture is not to leave your trash behind. You should carry the trash bag, collect your waste, and bring it back to dispose of in the right place.
The starting point of the Upper Mustang trek is Jomsom. Two primary ways to reach Jomsom are by taking a flight from Pokhara or using a private/local vehicle. While flight is expensive but faster, traveling via road is adventurous and cheaper. Arriving in Pokhara is similar; you can take a bus from Kathmandu or take a flight. You need to understand what you prefer and make the choice.
For example, traveling by road is better if you have severe airsickness. Besides, there is a chance of flights being canceled due to visibility issues. There is also the chance of roads being blocked by landslides during the monsoon season. So, check the weather conditions as well.
If you don’t manage the logistics beforehand, you might experience delays in obtaining permits, flight unavailability, accommodation shortages, and not having the right gear during the trek. Improper management in any one sector makes the trek stressful.
So, to ensure a hassle-free trekking experience, you should take care of your logistics beforehand. What does it include? It includes everything you need to do to make your trek successful, such as getting permits, accommodation, gear, equipment, transportation, exchanging money, etc.
Upper Mustang Trek has much to offer regarding adventure, history, nature, and culture. It is only possible to grasp these through proper planning and preparation. Everything plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth trekking experience, from understanding your skills to packing the right gear. You should start preparing way before your treks start. If you are confused while preparing, these tips for Upper Mustang Trek will help you handle it properly. With these tips, you will be well-equipped for a smooth and enjoyable adventure in the forbidden kingdom.
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