Upper Mustang lies in the northwestern part of Nepal and shares its border with Tibet. Being the rain shadow region, it experiences minimal rainfall, which is the reason behind its arid landscape. Chogo La Pass (5,416 m), the city of Lo Manthang, Kali Gandaki River, ancient Tibetan Buddhism, and sky caves are the major attractions of Upper Mustang. It is also called the Forbidden Kingdom. No foreigners were allowed in the region before 1992 because of its cultural significance. Today, you can tour or trek there with a special permit. Upper Mustang Tour vs Upper Mustang Trek? “Arent they the same?” you might ask. No, they are not.
Many people consider the Upper Mustang trek and tour the same, but they differ in various aspects. The trek is more challenging as it involves long walking while compromising comfort. On the other hand, a tour allows you to explore the region using vehicles. The tour and trek also differ in cost, adventure, length, and experience. Choosing anyone relies on factors like the time you have in hand, physical fitness, and budget. This Upper Mustang Trek Vs. The Upper Mustang Tour article will individually compare every aspect of the trek and tour. So, after reading it, you can easily decide which is more suitable for you.
The Upper Mustang trek is a synonym for adventure. Coming out of your comfort zone and hiking through the rugged terrains with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri in the backdrop makes the Upper Mustang trek one of the best treks in Nepal. Meeting the Loba people, the ethnic group of Upper Mustang, adds a cultural angle to the trek. As a trekker, you will be residing in the tea houses run by locals and interacting with them, allowing you to immerse in the cultural practices of the region. Moreover, trekking to Upper Mustang means exploring the diverse vegetation and wildlife in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA).
During your Upper Mustang trek, you will walk along old trade routes that people once used to reach Tibet. Unlike touring, you will measure every inch of the landscape with your foot, providing a sense of achievement. The days can be tiring after a long walk, but the rewards are also higher. The Upper Mustang trek starts from Jomsom and takes you through kagbeni, Chaile, Charang, and Lo Manthang. Your trek’s highest point will be Chogo La Pass, at an elevation of 4,320 m. You can customize your itinerary and detour for Lower Mustang Trek or Upper Dolpo Trek. However, trekking through such demanding terrain can be physically taxing, requiring you to spend significant time preparing for the Upper Mustang Trek.
Trekking grants you enough time to fully immerse in the region’s Tibetan-influenced culture. Walking through the traditional villages and staying at the teahouses run by the local people will allow you to interact with them. The interaction with locals and a guide will provide in-depth knowledge about their culture and lifestyle. If you trek in late May, you can see the Tiji Festival and enjoy a deep cultural experience.
The trekking routes to the Upper Mustang region of Nepal consist of steep ascents and descents that take you through the aird landscapes to some of the highest passes in the country. Waking up with the sun’s rays and walking on such difficult terrain with mountains in the backdrop will provide you with a sense of adventure, making it one of the best trekking destinations in Nepal.
What better way to experience nature than in nature itself? The Upper Mustang trek shows you beautiful scenes of man-made caves, cliffs, mountains, and deep valleys. At each changing altitude, you will encounter different topography with different kinds of vegetation. You won’t be able to experience nature this close during the tours. Trekking can be the catalyst that connects you with nature and helps you find yourself.
The harsher routes with steep sections are one factor that defines the Upper Mustang trek difficulty. Moreover, you must walk at least 5 to 7 hours to reach your destination. Hiking on such a difficult landscape for such long hours can be physically demanding. Besides, knee pain, back pain, sprain, and slips are always possible. Therefore, the trek requires you to be physically fit.
The trek involves various high-altitude passes like Chogo La Pass (4,320 m), Gyu La Pass (4,077 m), and Nyi La Pass (3,950 m). Reaching such altitude can pose a risk of altitude sickness. The oxygen level above 2,500 m starts to thin out, making it hard for trekkers to breathe, eventually resulting in altitude sickness. So, you need to separate a day or two for rest, allowing your body to acclimatize to its surroundings.
Trekking is an expensive venture, no doubt about it. Food, guides, porters, and accommodation are some of the major expenses. For example, the Upper Mustang trek permits cost more than USD 500 per person. The guides and porters might cost between USD 50 and USD 70 per day. And there is tipping, too. The food and accommodation would cost around USD 40 daily. A basic package to trek to Upper Mustang starts at around USD 2,000, which is quite expensive.
The Upper Mustang tour is a more comfortable way to explore the Mustang region without going through strenuous hikes in the rugged terrain. The tour follows almost the same route as the trek but uses a private jeep or a motorbike. The Upper Mustang Motorbike or jeep tour takes you through sites like Lo Manthang, Kagbeni, and Muktinath. The tour also offers you the liberty of stopping at various locations to witness the grandeur of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Another popular way to tour the Upper Mustang region is by bicycle. With a mountain bike, you can cross high mountain passes that jeeps cannot. On your tour, you can also explore the ancient caves, monasteries, and cultures for a shorter duration.
Like trekking, your Upper Mustang tour starts from Pokhara, Kathmandu, or Jomsom. It all comes down to your itinerary and what you want. You can start from Kathmandu if you want a long bike tour that will take you across different parts of Nepal and Upper Mustang. And, if you prefer a more comfortable way of, you can fly to Jomsom from Pokhara and take a jeep tour. The upper Mustang tour is ideal for those who want to visit the Mustang but have limited time or physical ability.
Unline trekking, the tour provides similar exploration through jeeps and motorbikes, which doesn’t require physical fitness. Hence, Traveling in a jeep is suitable for any age group, from elderly people to children. However, traversing through the Upper Mustang on your mountain bike can be more physically demanding.
Traveling using a vehicle allows you to avoid the physical exhaustion that walking brings. You can simply sit in your jeep and observe the surrounding landscapes. Plus, there will only be minimal risks of injuries and altitude sickness. You can even stop at some vantage points to observe the stunning mountains.
You will cover a distance of 12-15 kilometers a day by walking 5 to 7 hours daily. A jeep or a bike will cover the same distance in a few hours. Hence, the around 14 days you will need to explore the Upper Mustang region through trekking can be done by bike or a jeep in about 5 to 7 days. Hence, the tour is not just comfortable but also saves time.
The whole sense of adventure comes from the challenges and risks of unfamiliar terrain. The Upper Mustang tour involves traveling in Jeeps and motorbikes, which have challenges but do not match the trek’s level of adventure. The tour doesn’t include walking on remote trails, so people miss the real adventure of exploring Upper Mustang on foot.
You will drive your motorbike or inside the jeep’s small space for most of the tour. You won’t encounter locals on the trails, so you will miss chances for interaction. Moreover, caves, cliffs, and monasteries can only be explored on foot. Even if you can stop your vehicle, you mightn’t be able to walk to such places to learn their significance. Additionally, traveling with vehicles means having less time to engage with nature.
The roads that will take you to Upper Mustang are not pitched. It is dusty, bumpy, and underdeveloped. Going through such sections regularly can feel uncomfortable. Not just that, sitting inside the jeep with your knees bent for longer hours can be tiring and may result in knee pain. Since the roads are not paved, the dust outside the vehicle can be irritating. You might not even enjoy the views from the windows, as you need to close them to prevent dust from entering inside.
| Criteria | Upper Mustang Trek | Upper Mustang Tour |
| Length | 10–14 days (depending on the trekking trails you take) | depends on your preference, usually 5 to 7 days |
| Physical Fitness | Requires a good level of fitness, involves long walking hours | Suitable for all fitness levels |
| Time and Duration | Longer duration, slow travel experience | Shorter duration, quicker trip |
| Cost | More expensive due to trekking, guides, porters, gear, and equipment | Relatively cheaper due to lesser duration, fewer or near to no gear and equipment (but still requires permits and vehicle costs) |
| Mode to Travel | Walking | Jeep, motorbike, and bicycles, |
| Scenic Experience | More immersive, deeper connection with nature | Covers major sights but is less immersive |
Trekking to Upper Mustang involves steep ascents and descents and a walk of 5 to 7 hours daily. It requiresstamina, endurance, and good health to complete the trek. On the other hand, touring is suitable for all age groups and fitness levels as it involves traveling with a vehicle. However, the Upper Mustang mountain bike tour is different and requires equal physical fitness as trekking.
The Upper Mustang trek helps you connect closely with nature, but it takes more time than a short tour. In contrast, the tour is tailored for travelers who are short on time but still wish to explore the Upper Mustang region. Depending on the itinerary, the trek takes about 14 days, but the tour covers the same distance in about 5 to 7 days.
There are certain costs that neither treks nor tours can avoid, such as permits, food, and accommodation. Trekking tends to be more expensive than touring due to costs associated with guides, porters, gear, equipment, and similar travel expenses. The cost of touring can be tricky. If you have your vehicle and are going without a guide, the Upper Mustang tour can be cheaper. However, the price will be higher if you hire a Jeep with a guide. Usually, a 7-day Upper Mustang jeep tour package starts at USD 1,500, while the Trekking package costs more than USD 2,000.
Once your trek begins in Jomsom, the only way to travel is on foot. Walking along the trail takes longer to witness the historical and cultural aspects of the Upper Mustang. Still, this way, you can delve deeper into the region’s culture while connecting with nature. On the other hand, a tour involves either a jeep or motorbike, which is a more comfortable and less risky way to enjoy what the Upper Mustang offers.
Upper Mustang Trek and Tour offer an incredible journey to Nepal’s restricted regions. The journey will take you through the lands of rich cultural and historical importance. If you are physically fit and seeking an adventurous experience, you should opt for Upper Mustang Trek. And, if you want a more comfortable way to travel while also saving time, the Upper Mustang trek is the better option. You will have a wonderful time in Upper Mustang because of its Tibetan culture and amazing mountain views.
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