17 Days Upper Mustang Trek

Addon Options on Upper Mustang Trek

1. Upgrade Your Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara

4-star and 5-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara are a great experience before and after the 17 days Upper Mustang trek. If you want to, we can arrange a stay at one of your preferred high-end hotels. This will not be covered by the standard 17 days Upper Mustang Trek package, it will be charged separately. Also, please let us know beforehand if you want to upgrade from standard accommodation; this will give us plenty of time to arrange your upgrade.

2. Private Helicopter flight to and from Jomsom

Standard flights to and from Jomsom only happen in the morning hours since the afternoon winds are not suitable for takeoffs and landings. But, with a private helicopter flight, you can simply fly to Jomson at your preferred time of the day. The views from the wide windows of a helicopter are also better in comparison to those of the small aircraft that fly to Jomsom.

3. Sightseeing Day in Pokhara

A relaxing day in Pokhara, visiting its beautiful sites, is a great way to end the 17 days Upper Mustang trek. You will visit the famous World Peace Stupa, Pumdikot Shiva Statue, the aesthetic Barahi Temple, Bindabasini Temple, along with viewpoints such as the Sarangkot Tower, Kristy, and more. A day is not enough to visit all the beautiful sites within Pokhara, but we will do our best to make the most out of your precious time. This sightseeing tour will be charged separately.

Upper Mustang Trek Permit

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP Permit)

The Upper Mustang Trek lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area(ACAP). All the trekkers commencing their trek to the 17 days Upper Mustang on the Lap of the giant mountains need to issue the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit(ACAP). The ACAP permit is easily available in the office of the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu and also in the office of ACAP in Pokhara. The ACAP permit cost NPR 2,000 per person and it may also change as per the rule and the regulations of Annapurna Conservation Area(ACAP).

Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS CARD)

During the trekking in Nepal. You need to have the TIMS CARD to explore the beautiful mountains of Nepal. The TIMS card is the way to trace and keep a record of all the numbers of trekkers trekking in Nepal. The TIMS card is easily accessible in the office of the Trekking Agent Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu. Along the trekking trails, your permit and the TIMS card will be checked by the officials, so you need to keep them with you till the end of the 17 Days Upper Mustang Trek.

Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

The 17 Days Upper Mustang which lies /shares the border with Tibet is a restricted area. So all the trekkers exploring the Upper Mustang Trek need to issue the Restricted Area Permit(ACAP) which is issued by the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu. The cost of a Restricted area permit is USD 500 per person for 10 days. After the 10 days, the trekkers need to re-issue the Restricted area permit if willing to explore more adventure activities in the Upper Mustang area.

17 Days Upper Mustang Trek Cost

During your 17 Days Trek to Upper Mustang on the high Himalayas. The cost varies as per your own way of traveling. If you are traveling with a luxurious trek and willing to experience more then the cost varies.

While on the other hand, if you are a budget-friendly trekker and want to explore each and every corner of the Upper Mustang Trek, then it varies in different ways.

The cost mainly depends on the type and the mode of transportation you would love to use during the trek. The length of days also determines the cost of transportation.

During the Upper Mustang Trek of 17 Days, the permits (ACAP, TIMS, and RAP) are the basic as to enter the Annapurna region and the Upper Mustang-the restricted area. The restricted area cost is USD 500 for the 10-day trek in the Upper Mustang.

Along with you need to get a guide and have accommodation during the trek. Which will be NPR 2500-3500 for the guide and NPR 3000-4500 for the accommodation in the high mountains.

17 Days Upper Mustang Trek Accommodation

The Upper Mustang Trek is the most beautiful and popular trekking destination in the modern world among all the young generations. The trek offers you beautiful natural beauty with the snow-capped high mountains and the desert scenic view of the landscapes.

While we will be accommodating you in the Tea House/Lodge which offers you a comfortable bedroom with a common bathroom. Though few of the tea houses and lodges may provide you with an attached bathroom as well.

Mainly the tea house/lodge in the Himalayan region is made with wood-which reflects the traditional way of spending a night with your travel mates. Along the trail, you will get the WI-FI facilities as well, though you need to pay a certain amount for the service during the 17 Days Upper Mustang Trek.

As for the food you will get popular dishes such as Dal Bhat, Soup, Chowmein, Fried Rice with vegetables, Ginger Lemon Tea, Garlic soup, etc. While traveling to the high mountains you need to consume more carbohydrates to explore the high mountains.

Best Time to Trek 17 Days Upper Mustang Trek

Autumn Season( September to November)

In support of the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour For all outdoor enthusiasts worldwide, the fall season of the Mustang Tour, which lasts from September to October, is the Idol Trekking season.

You might also go to the Dashain festival, which is celebrated in Nepal, during this time. The temperature will be moderate and the weather will be more agreeable. Along the paths leading to the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, the Himalayas will be easier to see.

While on your Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, you’ll have the opportunity to take stunning photos of the mountains, stunning scenery, and more. You will sense that something exists because of the traditional, old Tibetan village’s natural beauty and its own culture.

Spring Season ( March to May)

Both the trip and the trekking staff are in season in the spring. You won’t get snowfall along with the rain throughout this season.  You will be traveling through stunning scenery and blooming flowers as you traverse drier roads.

It won’t be particularly cold or hot. The towering, snow-capped summits make the peak more noticeable. Throughout this season, different birds and animals can be seen.

You can explore many of the many flora and wildlife species that can be found in the Annapurna region. You will interact with lots of hikers and wildlife enthusiasts who are visiting Nepal’s various tourist locations during this time.

Additional Information

Comfortable Trekking Bag:  For the Upper Mustang trek you need to have 60 of the comfortable bag to pack inside each and every item of the trekking gear.

Trekking Shoes: These comfortable trekking boots will help you to cover all the rough and rocky terrains of the high-altitude mountains. While boots covering the ankle will be better.

T-shirt: T-shirts with light moisture and those that dry rapidly in the typical sun are better for you.

Trekking Poles: While seeing the stunning caverns, monasteries, and traditional villages, you may find the trekking poles to be just as useful as while you’re out hiking.

Trousers: On the tops of tall mountains, Trousers are more essential. To protect yourself from the cold at night and in the morning, you must wear warm pants. First Aid Kid: First Aid Kit box, necessary for anyone who spends time outside. All the medications you would need in an emergency to treat the hiker should be in your first aid kit.

Difficulties on Upper Mustang Trek

The 17 days Upper Mustang Trek is a moderately difficult trek because of its lengthy itinerary and daily long treks that last 4 to 5 hours on average. We will reach a maximum elevation of 3810 meters at Drakmar village, which is not a considerable altitude, but it requires a lot of trekking on dusty, rugged trails. Other than that, the trek is very manageable. Out of 10, this trek is around 7.

Can a beginner join this trip?

Yes, a beginner can absolutely join the 17 days Upper Mustang Trek. It’s a great destination to gain some trekking experience. However, we insist that beginner trekkers prepare well for the trek since it is quite physically demanding. Unlike most other trekking destinations in Nepal, this trek does not even reach a maximum altitude of 4000 meters, which makes it a great destination for beginners.

Altitude Sickness on Upper Mustang Trek

There is basically no risk of altitude sickness during this trek since we will remain under 4000 meters of elevation throughout the entire journey. Altitude sickness generally starts from 3500 meters above sea level, but at this trivial elevation, the effects of this illness are very minimal. You might feel a slight headache or light-headedness, which can be cured easily with a pill or by trekking down a couple of hundred meters.

Transportation

Our 17 days Upper Mustang Trek itinerary requires many transportation such as traveling around the Kathmandu valley during the sightseeing tour, flight/drive to and from Pokhara, and flight to and from Jomsom. All of these transportation costs will be covered by the trek package. Please note that your flight to and from Nepal is not included in the standard trek package.

Trip preparation and fitness

To prepare for this 17 days Upper Mustang Trek, we recommend that trekkers work on their endurance and strengthen their leg muscles. Your legs are the only thing that will get you around the daily destinations, so make sure that you are jogging, running, or doing any other activities that work your legs and build your stamina. The other aspect of preparing for this trek is to make sure that you pack all the essentials. We recommend packing weatherproof clothes, sunglasses, sun screen, sun hat, trekking boots, light trekking clothes, and so on.

Gadgets charging & Internet

Charging your gadgets will not be an issue on this 17 days Upper Mustang Trek since the Mustang region is well-infarstructured. However, you might have to rely on solar electricity in some remote villages. Electrical grids have yet to reach most of the rugged Himalayan region of Nepal, which is why the locals rely on solar energy to run their machines and light their houses. You might be charged a dollar or two to charge your electrical devices in some villages.

Internet connectivity is not very reliable for the most part, since internet service providers do not really focus on remote locations and lightly populated villages that we will visit. Moreover, you should not expect great mobile network coverage either.

Your Extra expenses on Upper Mustang Trekking

International flight expenses, visa fees, emergency evacuation service fee, any kind of beverages throughout the trek, travel insurance, medical insurance, hot showers, WiFi, meals in Kathmandu, and anything not mentioned as inclusive of the 17 days Upper Mustang Trek package are your extra expenses.

Elevation and Distance

The 17-Day Upper Mustang Trek offers a fascinating tour in the remote kingdom of Mustang, from the bustling city of Kathmandu to the distant Himalayan desert. The highest altitude point for the trek is 3,810 meters (12,500 feet) at Drakmar, and the lowest point is 910 meters (2,985 feet) at Pokhara.

Throughout the journey, we explore traditional villages, dramatic landscapes, and Tibetan-influenced culture. The total distance covered while trekking under the trekking segment—excluding driving and flying—is approximately 130 to 150 kilometers, depending on the actual walking trails and side explorations undertaken.

The day covers approximately 5 to 7 hours of trekking via rough terrain, summit passes, and dry valleys. This trek offers the best of nature and culture, with Lo Manthang being the highlight of the journey and Jomsom being the walking trail terminus before flying back to Pokhara.

Maximum and minimum walk per day

The longest walking day of the 17-day Upper Mustang Trek is Day 14, in which we trek from Chhuksang to Jomsom in a journey lasting around 7 hours. This day involves descending trails with halts in villages and monasteries along the way.

On the other hand, the shortest walking day is Day 4, when we trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni after a short flight from Pokhara. This trek is approximately 4 hours along the wide and spectacular riverbed of Kaligandaki. Both days are different experiences—a day of completing descent and the following day of scenic starts.

Food and Drink

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the package under the 17-Day Upper Mustang Trek. Food is served at tea houses and lodges on the trekking route.

Breakfast is usually a choice of Tibetan bread, pancakes, porridge, eggs, and tea or coffee. Lunch and dinner consist of Nepali staples like dal bhat (rice, lentil soup, vegetables), noodles, fried rice, momos (dumplings), and pasta. Herbal tea, black tea, milk tea, or coffee will be served at meals.

To stay healthy at high altitudes, avoid meat and alcoholic beverages like alcohol that can affect acclimatization.

While bottled water, energy bars, chocolates, and snacks are available at tea houses and small shops along the trail, they are not included in the package and are to be purchased on your own. For drinking water, trekkers are recommended to bring a refillable water bottle and use purification tablets wherever possible.

Alternative Routes

For trekkers who want alternative routes to the standard Upper Mustang Trek, various alternatives provide greater cultural immersion and avoid motorable roads.

Eastern Route via Yara and Tangge: This route is a divergence of the main trek after Lo Manthang, passing through remote villages like Yara and Tangge. The trekkers can visit ancient sites like Luri Gompa, the monastery cave with century-old murals. The route is more secluded in nature, emphasizing the unexplored landscapes of the region and bygone ways of living

Western Route via Ghar Gompa and Dhakmar

An alternate 1–2 day off-road route between Ghami and Lo Manthang is through Dhakmar and Ghar Gompa. It’s a tough ride with fewer travelers and a greater opportunity to be in harmony with the landscape and people.

Combination with Annapurna Circuit or Nar Phu Valley

For the time-privileged, it is possible to combine the Upper Mustang Trek with the Annapurna Circuit or Nar Phu Valley to enjoy a deep exploration of various terrain and culture. This combination is good for acclimatization and gives diverse scenic and cultural experiences.

These unconventional paths not only enrich the experience of trekking by showcasing newfound gems of the Mustang region but also encourage ecotourism by guiding tourists to less visited areas.

Insurance

Yes, the insurance is compulsory for the Upper Mustang Trek to ensure safety and financial security during the trip. The insurance has to cover the emergency medical evacuation fully, including helicopter rescue, as the region is far-off with poor medical facilities. It should also offer coverage for treating altitude sickness, trip cancellation, loss of baggage, and personal liability.

Because of the tough terrain and high altitude, insurance that covers rescue and treatment for illness or injury from trekking is necessary. Evidence of insurance needs to be carried by trekkers in order to present it during permit verification and in emergency situations in order to ensure a safer and stress-free trekking experience.

What to Expect

On the Upper Mustang Trek, expect a unique blend of nature, culture, and ancient history. You’ll hike amidst the theatrical landscapes of its barren deserts, deep canyons, and towering cliffs, with glimpses of the snow-capped Himalayas.

The region’s Tibetan-type culture is expressed in the monasteries, caves, and traditional villages, giving you a rare glimpse into a preserved way of life. The trek is of moderate difficulty, with some steep paths and high passes, and good fitness is needed. Look forward to quieter, less busy trails than on other treks. Accommodation is simple but comfortable, in local guesthouses or teahouses. Meals are traditional Nepali and Tibetan.

Weather can be unpredictable, so prepare for cold nights and intense sun by day. Overall, this trek is an excellent mix of adventure, spirituality, and stunning landscapes for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path Himalayan experience.