Upper Mustang Jeep Tour – 15 Days

Equipment for Upper Mustang Trek

During the Upper Mustang Tour, you need to pack the following gear and equipment along with you for a comfortable trek in the high altitude:

Backpack: The Comfortable backpack that makes you feel more comfortable during the trek. And where you may pack all your essential goods inside it.

Comfortable shoes: Comfortable shoes are required to explore each and every corner of the Upper Mustang, which is very rugged and more flexible for hiking to explore the beautiful ancient village of the Tibetan People.

Trekking Pole: Trekking Poles are a necessity during hiking days, though it might be a necessity for you as well while exploring the beautiful caves, monasteries, and traditional villages.

T-shirts: T-shirts with light, wet, and one that dries quickly in normal sunlight are more advantageous for you.

Trousers: The Trousers are more necessary on the lap of high mountains. You need to wear warm trousers to keep you warm from the cold during the night and morning.

First Aid Kit: First Aid Kit box, essential for all outdoor people. Your first aid box should contain all the emergency medicines to cure the trekker.

Main Attractions: Upper Mustang Trek

Lo Manthang: Lo Manthang, also known as the capital of Mustang, is the major highlight of the trek. It offers you beautiful caves, ancient Monasteries, and Traditional villages.

Tiji Festival: The Tiji festival is a traditional ancient festival that is celebrated in the Mustang district. The festival is celebrated for 3 days by wearing different colorful masks and more.

Unique Landscape: The Upper Mustang trek offers the unique landscapes of the high mountains and the desert landscapes on the lap of the Himalayas. You will witness the beautiful, majestic views along with the traditional villages.

Caves and Monasteries: The Upper Mustang is full of caves and ancient monasteries, where you may take a guided meditation from the monks. You will get to experience the different vibrant vibes within the monastery.

Tibetan Buddhist Culture: The Tibetan Buddhist culture is the main religion that all the people follow here. You may immerse yourself in the Buddhist culture and tradition as well.

Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountains: Along the Upper Mustang trek, you will be welcomed by the giant views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

Best Time for Upper Mustang Jeep Tour

The most recommended time to join the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour is from March to November, either in spring (March–May) or in autumn (September–November). Spring weather is sunny, and the area is covered in beautiful wildflowers and gorgeous mountains.

The air is sharp and the weather is steady in autumn, with the addition of the Tiji Festival and other bright local festivals in Lo Manthang.

The Upper Mustang Jeep Tour can be done from June to August because Upper Mustang is not affected by the monsoons in the area due to its position next to the Himalayas.

However, the winter (December–February) is when you have to deal with cold, snow, and roads that might get blocked, most of the time near the high passes and remote villages. A jeep tour can be organized in winter after considering the necessary plans and equipment.

If you want a pleasant trip with lots of culture, plan it for spring or autumn days.

Elevation and Distance

The start of the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour is in Kathmandu (1,310 m), and the highest point on the trip is Lo Manthang, which is located at about 3,800 meters above sea level. The lowest elevation of the trip is Pokhara at 850 meters.

As a part of the 15-day adventure, the journey on the jeep covers from 800 to 1,000 km on both highways and off-road trails. You explore many different environments along the route, moving from beautiful valleys to the desert, experiencing various cultures and scenery without having to walk.

Permit Requirements

In the case of the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, the travelers must have two basic permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Restricted Area Permit (RAP). These permits are required since the Upper Mustang is a culturally and ecologically sensitive region.

The RAP is the means of controlled access to retain the distinct Tibetan-influenced cultural heritage of the region, and the ACAP facilitates the conservation process in the Annapurna region.

To acquire these permits, one will need a valid identification and a registered tour operator. It is our aim to make your trip easy, and we will take care of all the permit processes on your behalf, and we will organize your trip in such a way that there are no problems.

Transportation and Road Conditions

In the case of the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, we will offer comfortable and private jeeps according to the schedule, so that there will be no hassles in the journey at all. We will allocate enough well-maintained 4WD jeeps, depending on the size of your group, to give you utmost comfort and safety.

The highway starts on blacktopped roads till Beni, and then the road turns rough and off-road as we approach the Mustang region. Onwards to Jomsom, the roads are dry with no tarmac, dusty, and at times bumpy, particularly in places of high mountains and by riversides.

Nevertheless, our professional drivers are conversant in driving through these difficult terrains. The roads are generally open and safe during the dry seasons and a little more bumpy and, therefore, slower during winter or after rain.

Our transportation is ready to transport you under any circumstances, which will also give you a safe and comfortable trip to the end. The experience might be as scenic as it is safe.

Accommodation

The accommodation in the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour is a tourist-standard hotel in Kathmandu that has twin-sharing rooms and contemporary amenities. During the tour, we will put you up in simple but comfortable tea houses in Mustang villages, where you will find amazing views of the Himalayas and local scenery.

There are simple, clean rooms, which are usually on a twin-sharing basis. The rooms provide warm blankets. Shared/common bathrooms exist, and in most cases, they will have either squat or Western-style toilets.

In the higher elevations, it offers heating in the dining hall via a wood or gas stove. These tea houses are very friendly, authentically providing mountain hospitality.

Food and Drink

All breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served during the period of the Upper Mustang jeep tour. Foods are also available at the teahouses and among eateries serving a selection of fresh and well-prepared foods.

Breakfast consists of such meals as Tibetan bread, porridge, pancakes, and eggs, as well as tea or coffee. The meals of the day are usually lunch and dinner, consisting of dal bhat (rice, lentils, and vegetables), fried rice, noodles, soups, and chapati with curry.

We suggest not consuming meat and alcohol at high altitudes, because meat may not be fresh, and alcohol makes us feel dehydrated.

Any snacks and bottled beverages, as well as such food as is not included in the standard breakfast, lunch, and dinner plan, have to be paid for individually.

Altitude and Safety Tips

The Upper Mustang Jeep Tour ascends to a height of more than 3,800 meters with slow elevation gain, thus reducing the chances

of developing altitude sickness. Remain hydrated and healthy; eat and sleep well to remain safe. Do not drink alcohol or do strenuous activities, particularly within the initial days of staying at high altitude. Although the jeep ride decreases a long physical activity, pains such as a headache or dizziness are possible.

You should notify your guide at once when you feel unwell. It is recommended to take the basic medicines and a first-aid kit. Your condition will be monitored by our team, and your itinerary will be arranged in such a way as to provide the possibility to adjust it and make it safe during your tour.

Gadget Charging and Communication

In the case of your trip to Mustang, it is simple to connect and charge devices during an Upper Mustang Jeep tour, yet with warnings:

Most lodges/tea houses have device charging (mostly in the dining rooms). Charging may be slower during occasional load-shedding, and there is usually a charge (of USD 1-5 per device). It is advised to bring a power bank or solar charger.

Wi-Fi can be found at Jomsom, Kagbeni, and Lo-Manthang for approximately US$1 (roughly 1 hour), but it is usually not reliable. NTC or Ncell SIM cards purchased in Kathmandu are partly functional, with NTC providing better 4G where available. At most distant locations, there are only satellite solutions.

Be ready, be powered, and be connected—just not all the time.

Insurance

As part of the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, it is highly advisable to take travel insurance so that one is safe and has peace of mind. The policy ought to protect against high-altitude travel (above 3,500 meters), medical emergencies, evacuation in the event of need, trip cancellation, trip delay, and lost luggage.

Although it is a jeep tour, altitude sickness or unsettled weather are still dangers at the high altitude and remote area. Ensure that your insurance consists of accidental injury and illness coverage as well.

Emergencies do not occur that frequently, but in the case of an emergency, you may be covered, and therefore travel with certainty when you are insured.

Is This Tour for Everyone?

The Upper Mustang Jeep Tour can be done by the majority of travelers, even by people who are just starting their traveling experience, as well as by children and older individuals, due to minimal physical activity since enforced transportation in jeeps.

It is not suitable, though, for people with a serious health condition or severe health conditions of the lungs or the heart because of its altitude of over 3,000 meters. C

Children and senior citizen travelers will have to be extra careful to acclimate and not overdo it.

Adding to it some overland transportation with the bumps and simple accommodation, a certain degree of comfort and flexibility is advisable. On the whole, this tour will be a cultural as well as scenic experience for a very broad pool of people.

What to Expect

The Upper Mustang Jeep Tour can be done by the majority of travelers, even by people who are just starting their traveling experience, as well as by children and older individuals, due to minimal physical activity since enforced transportation in jeeps.

It is not suitable, though, for people with a serious health condition or severe health conditions of the lungs or the heart because of its altitude of over 3,000 meters.

Children and senior citizen travelers will have to be extra careful to acclimate and not overdo it.

Adding to it some overland transportation with the bumps and simple accommodation, a certain degree of comfort and flexibility is advisable. On the whole, this tour will be a cultural as well as scenic experience for a very broad pool of people.