Going on a trek to the most popular destination in Nepal may seem heavy on your pocket. But with Upper Mustang Trek, that’s not closely the case! You can experience a lifetime with glimpses of rich Tibetan and Sherpa history, landscapes like never before, and religious sites, all on a limited budget. You can learn everything through this Upper Mustang Trek cost breakdown.
Far from urbanization, Mustang is no less than a royal kingdom. It is also known as the Forbidden Kingdom, as it remained unknown to the rest of the country for the longest time. Besides these aspects, you will also see some of the tallest mountains in Nepal, including Mount Dhaulagiri and Mount Annapurna. After the authorities opened it to visitors, it has become one of the country’s most popular and easily reachable trekking destinations.
Many trekkers rely on the Upper Mustang Trek Package to make budgeting easier. However, you can depend on a budget and expenditure outside specified packages for personalization. Likewise, the trek’s cost varies from person to person, mainly if you’re not relying on a trekking package.
The following are some of the main factors you will spend on during the Upper Mustang Trek:
You will need three permits to trek in the Upper Mustang region. Though authorities have allowed trekking activities, you must pay specific fees to enter the protected proximity.
You have flight and road transportation options to the Upper Mustang Trek. The following is a breakdown of the costs for each mode of transport:
During the Upper Mustang Trek, you will mostly be staying in teahouses as you reach closer to your destination. The accommodation cost ranges from $6 to $9 per person every night. There has been an increase in the number of teahouses in the Mustang region of Nepal in recent years, along with tourism growth.
While teahouses will be available at your service most often, festivities will limit their availability. During such seasons, particularly the Mustang Tiji festival, trek difficulty may be slightly higher as the locals are busy with celebrations, and there won’t be enough teahouses to facilitate the trekkers. You can still follow the basic Upper Mustang Trek itinerary during festive seasons and spend nights at homestays.
The cost of food and drinks per day differs from one place to another throughout your journey. In Kathmandu, the price per meal could range from $5 to $20 per person. In the urban capital, you can find all kinds of food and drinks and enjoy different cuisines in restaurants, cafes, bars, and local eateries.
Once in Upper Mustang, you can enjoy the trekking experience with authentic Buddhist Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine for $5 per meal. You might spend $15 to $20 on daily food and drink. You are likely to find confectionery shops in Lo Manthang. The snacks you’ll buy here will be a little more expensive than the standard prices because of the labor cost and effort it takes to get the supplies in the remote location.
A common query among trekkers is whether they can hire a guide per day. They can worry less as they can easily find a professional licensed guide to help them around for $25 to $30 per day. Hiring a guide through a trekking agency is also possible, and the cost of your guide will be included in the trekking package.
The wisest thing you can do when trekking to the paradise of Mustang district is take along a guide. Furthermore, the Nepal Tourism Board has made it mandatory for trekkers to be accompanied by a licensed guide to ensure their safety in restricted areas, including Upper Mustang.
You can hire a porter for $20 to $25 each day. This cost includes accommodation and meals. It is recommended that trekkers hire only one guide if they want to reach their destination on time without physically stressing the porter. Local porters will be available to help you in the location itself.
Trekkers can either hire equipment or buy it from Kathmandu and Pokhara. Buying trekking equipment or gear is unnecessary if you’re not using them anytime soon after the trek. Gears are usually costly, too. Following is the essential cost for each piece of equipment you’ll need during the trek:
| Equipment | Estimated Price |
| Down jacket | $50 to $80 |
| Fleece Set | $20 to $40 |
| Hiking Top | $15 to $20 |
| Hiking Shorts | $20 to $25 |
| Thermal Set | $10 to $25 |
| Trekking Pants | $30 to $50 |
| Trekking Socks | $2 to $5 |
| Beanie | $4 to $12 |
| Gloves (Single and Double Layered) | $10 to $20 |
| Scarf | $5 to $12 |
| Sunglasses | $10 to $20 |
| Head Lamp | $15 to $20 |
| Trekking Pole | $20 to $25 |
Similarly, you can hire some equipment for the night for prices mentioned below:
| Equipment | Cost for hire |
| Sleeping Bag | $1 to $2 per day |
| Down Jacket | $1 to $2 per day |
| Hiking Boots | $1 to $2 per day |
The total cost for miscellaneous during the trek in Upper Mustang depends on your spending pattern. No specific cost determines how much you will spend on miscellaneous items that won’t be included in your package. What could these costs be? Miscellaneous includes the trip cost outside accommodation, equipment, meals, and transportation.
If you’re spending extra on camera batteries, lavish food, touring days beyond the set itinerary, and any other personal costs, these are your miscellaneous costs. Anyone on a budget must be mindful about spending only the amount that best suits their pockets and try to limit luxuries throughout their trek. Some essential miscellaneous items include medication, sanitary products, water purifiers, toiletries, phone chargers, cameras, etc.
While the Upper Mustang possibly has a safe trekking route for even beginner-level trekkers, getting insured is compulsory. Travel insurance costs primarily depend on factors like your age, health condition, and the time taken for the journey. You can expect to pay around $500 and above to get insured individually.
Apart from the miscellaneous expenses, the trekking cost also includes other fees that may arise with or without your knowledge during the travel. The trek is more expensive when you spend mindlessly on additional expenses. You will mostly find a rise in the Upper Mustang Trek price when it’s the best time to trek during the fall and spring seasons. Though this is not a direct extra cost, many trekkers may include paying more than the standard price as an additional cost.
A typical additional cost is when you’re trekking with a trekking package and want to tip your guide. Tips range from $5 to whatever amount you’re comfortable with spending. You may also incur costs if you have a minor accident and need a healthcare facility. Other extra daily expenses include hot water buckets for showering, WiFi bills, etc.
The overall cost of the Upper Mustang Trek in Nepal ranges from $1600 to $3500. However, the price will surely change depending on your spending patterns. Therefore, you should create a budget and stick to it if you want the journey to be affordable even when you’re comfortable. Most trekkers tend to spend more than others as they seek more amenities and food outside their package.
If you’re on a budget, then sticking with the package you get is also a good option. Not spending outside your package’s cost is not going to be an issue, as most expenses will be covered. Independent trekkers may spend more or less. The likelihood of independent trekkers spending less is also low because additional costs beyond the basic amenities may prove to be expensive in the long run.
Let’s burst a myth here! You will not spend more when you rely on a local operator for your trek. When trekking without a local operator, especially as a foreigner, you might pay more than you think. A 14-day Upper Mustang Trek package costs you $1900. The cost may increase if you want extra benefits or to extend your trek. But, even if you’re going to settle for fewer facilities on a budget, it will suffice for a good journey.
Trekking without a local operator is still going to require you to pay for a guide and a porter. Additionally, you must pre-book accommodation and transportation to avoid paying more than you would otherwise. Trekkers must be just as aware of paying tips to the guides and porters. Regardless of whether you are trekking with a local operator, tips are highly appreciated.
When you’re a foreigner, it always feels more convenient to trek directly with a tour operator from your country or region closer to you. This will cost you more than hiring a local operator from Nepal. The estimated cost when you seek an international partner is $2650. You might have to pay more for extra benefits and trek extension.
International tour operators won’t be able to work with you closely. They may send a representative to help you throughout the trek. If you’re booking from your own home country, a pro is that you will have an easier time conversing with them. There may not be quick changes to any of your emergency requirements. You need to remember that local operators have a better knowledge of routes and the Upper Mustang region than international ones.
You’re an adventurer, and a single trek can cost you a fortune by the time it ends. Be assured about not having to pay a lot during the Upper Mustang Trek. Still, following the tips below will help you reduce the cost of the trek overall:
You can start on the Upper Mustang Trek with some skills and a few notes in your pocket. It is always recommended that the trekkers have some money to back them up, but if you are resourceful enough, this trek is one of the most affordable ones you’ve gone to. From the cost of hiring a guide to the expense of entering the Upper Mustang, basic expenses are mostly uncontrollable, even when you’re on a budget. The fees will be incurred accordingly if you want a more luxurious trek.
Overall, someone looking for a fun time in the Himalayas, within the Forbidden Kingdom, can go for the remote Upper Mustang trek without worrying too much about the cost!
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