Factors affecting the cost of the Upper Mustang Trek
Trek duration
The duration of your Upper Mustang Trekking route will determine the overall budget requirements so 7-8 day trip costs less than a 14-16 day adventure in Upper Mustang. The duration of your trek directly influences your expenses regarding food budget and accommodation, and your guide costs. Hence, Longer duration equals more cost, just like other restricted treks in Nepal, of the Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Circuit.
Trekking Season
The optimal period to visit Upper Mustang Valley with pleasant weather falls in Spring and autumn months but comes with increased expenses for lodging, transportation and food because these two are the peak seasons with heavy crowds. During the winter and summer (off-season), you will encounter lower crowds and cheaper rates because hotels and guides provide special discount offers.
Group Size
Group size plays a significant role in influencing the total expenses as the greater the number of people joining results in lower the costs for each individual. Sharing expenses with your party members allows you to split costs for your guide fees and permits as well as transportation expenses and many trekking agencies provide group discounts.. Remember, trekking by yourself will be the most expensive option!
Detailed Breakdown Of The Upper Mustang Trek Cost
Before embarking on a journey to the Upper Mustang Trekking trail, you should understand the cost breakdown from beginning to completion. The budget preparation for your Nepalese adventure in this unique region will be easier with this cost information.
Restricted Area Permit Cost
The special region of Upper Mustang requires you to obtain a special permit for access which is the Restricted Area Permit fees and constitutes one of your largest expenditures. You must pay USD 500 to get a 10-day permit and the price to stay beyond 10 days requires an additional fee of USD 50 per day. You also need access to the Annapurna Conservation Area and must obtain the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit), which has a fee of USD 30 per individual. Remember, only registered trekking companies in Nepal can get these permits for this specific area!
Accommodation Cost
In Pokhara
Most travelers who plan to visit the Himalayan region first spend their time in Pokhara, where various lodging options are available for different price ranges. Basic guesthouses in the area charge between USD 10-15 for a night while sharing bathroom facilities, while mid-range hotels with private bathrooms, hot water, and maybe a small balcony cost USD 25-40 per night. Hotels that offer better comfort, mountain vistas and pool facilities as well as quality dining option,s can be found for USD 50-100 per night. So choose as you wish!
In Kathmandu
Many accommodation options exist in Kathmandu as you get ready for your trekking in the Upper Mustang. Basic guesthouses cost USD 8-15 per night with clean hotel rooms with morning breakfast included. The price range for mid-range hotels per night in USD 30-50 provides guests with better beds, reliable hot water access, and occasionally air conditioning services. Looking for comfort and relaxation? Fancy hotel packages between USD 80 and USD 150 per night provide complete comforts which include reliable WiFi access and dining options and spa services.
En Route (Mustang Region)
Simple teahouses and local lodges are the accommodation options available throughout your trek to Upper Mustang. The basic accommodations in these locations cost between USD 5 and 10 per night for a room and most offer basic blanket-covered beds alongside communal bathrooms. The newer lodging facilities in Kagbeni and Lo Manthang offer private bathrooms at the rate of USD 15-25 per night. In Upper Mustang, you are expected to eat at the location where you are sleeping. Rooms become more basic and most expensive in distant areas because it takes effort to transport supplies to remote locations.
Guide and Porter Fees
Due to safety regulations, you need a guide when visiting Upper Mustang which is mandatory. Good guides charge between USD 25-35 per day for their services while experienced Upper Mustang guides with excellent English speaking skills who deeply understand the area charge between USD 40 to USD 50 per day. You will need to pay USD 20-25 to a porter each day so they can carry your heavy bags. Tipping is customary and highly appreciated! You must pay between USD 300-600 when hiring a guide for a 12-day trip through hiring a porters who cost between USD 240-300.
Meals and Beverage Cost
Every item in Upper Mustang has a higher price tag than other regions of Nepal since all food and supplies need transportation by mules and jeeps. A typical breakfast portion including porridge, eggs or pancakes will cost between USD 3-5. Each meal during lunch and dinner typically consists of dal bhat served with rice, lentil soup, pickles and vegetables or noodles/pasta options that cost between USD 5-8. Bottled water comes at a range of USD 1-3 per bottle though the price increases with elevation. Tea and coffee cost USD 1-2 per cup and the price range for snacks like cookies and chocolate treats falls between USD 2 and USD 4 each.
Insurance
The necessity of good travel insurance becomes an absolute requirement for Upper Mustang Trekking. Your insurance requirements must include coverage for high-altitude trekking beyond 4,000 meters, followed by emergency helicopter rescue and medical assistance. The specific insurance coverage required for trekking in the Mustang region costs between USD 100-200 during a two-week journey. Travel insurance obtained at regular outlets provides no coverage for these expenses therefore choose your insurance carefully. Helicopter rescue services could cost between USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 without travel insurance!
Transportation Cost (Trek Vs Jeep Tour)
You have different transportation options when traveling from Kathmandu to Upper Mustang. The journey begins with taking either a tourist bus costing between USD 8-12 for a one-way trip and lasting 6-7 hours or an alternative plane option which ranges from USD 120-180 for a one-way flight and takes about 25 minutes to Pokhara.
One way to travel between Pokhara and Jomsom (Mustang trailhead) involves airplane fares starting at USD 120 and reaching USD 180 for a 20-minute flight while jeep fares range between USD 40 and USD 60 per person during an 8-10-hour journey on bumpy roads. The entire route through Upper Mustang can now be traveled by Jeep service which charges USD 150-250 per individual. A round-trip trek including flights amounts to USD 500-700 in total transportation expenses.
Upper Mustang Trek Cost: Day-by-Day Cost Guide and Transport Comparison (Jeep)
Destination Himalaya Treks provides unique tour packages to explore the Nepalese region of Upper Mustang and prices vary according to tour length and group size. Let's break down each adventure by costs and features in detail.
Upper Mustang Trek - 14 Days
This complete 14-day adventure path starts and finishes its journey in Kathmandu. The total package for groups of 2 to 4 members costs USD 1,525 per individual. Groups consisting of 5 to 7 participants will each pay USD 1,475. The total fee per person becomes USD 1,445 for a group of 8 to 10 members. Groups of 11 to 15 people receive the most favorable rate at USD 1,399 each.
Upper Mustang Overland Tour - 13 Days
The Upper Mustang tour by Jeep from Kathmandu spans a total duration of 13 days while starting and ending in Kathmandu and includes a mix of jeep riding and brief walking sections. The independent travel price for this package stands at USD 3,200. This tour costs USD 1,850, which divides evenly between 2 participants. The overall price for three people sharing this package amounts to USD 1,775 each. Each member of the group of 4 to 6 people must pay USD 1,700. Groups of 7 to 13 participants pay USD 1,625 for each member of their party. Groups consisting of 14 to 30 members must pay a fee of USD 1,500.
Pokhara to Upper Mustang Tour - 6 Days
Spanning 6 days of Upper Mustang Overland Tour from Pokhara, the brief jeep journey begins and finishes in Pokhara. The price of this tour stands at USD 1,399 per person when traveling with 8 to 12 individuals. With only 2 to 3 travelers, the total cost amounts to USD 1,550 per individual. Groups ranging from 4 to 7 members will need to pay USD 1,470 per person.
Additional expenses
Visa Fees
To travel to Nepal, you must obtain a proper visa which amounts to USD 30 for 15 days while USD 50 secures entry for 30 days and USD 125 covers the 90 days. Visa fees are available from Kathmandu airport upon arrival or through online purchase before your arrival.
Trekking Gear
Daily rental of trekking gear in Kathmandu costs between USD 2 and USD 5 per item while purchasing new equipment will set you back USD 200 to USD 500.
Tips for Guides and Porters
Giving tips to your guide and porter is considered proper etiquette during any hiking expedition. The appropriate amount for guides is between USD 50-100 along with USD 30-60 for each porter though the total depends on their service quality during your trekking experience.
Personal Snacks
Energy bars, dried fruits and chocolate provide essential energy during tired times along the trail. Dedicate USD 20-40 from your budget to buy extra snacks beyond basic food costs.
Hot Showers
Each hot shower at teahouses comes with an additional cost ranging from USD 3 to USD 5 per use. The elevation creates price hikes because water heating requires valuable fuel that needs transportation into higher altitudes.
Charging expenses
Your electronic devices require constant charging which becomes expensive when you travel to distant areas. The expense of electronic device charging at teahouses ranges between USD 2 and USD 5.
Souvenirs
Handicrafts from Upper Mustang stand as one-of-a-kind collectibles that cannot be found anywhere else. Small prayer flags along with bracelets can be purchased for USD 5-20 each while traditional paintings and handwoven rugs become the expensive items that cost between USD 50-200 and more.
International Airfare to and from Kathmandu
The initial expense for an Upper Mustang Trek journey starts with your journey to Nepal. The initial expense for an Upper Mustang Trek journey starts with your journey to Nepal. United States ticket prices for a round-trip journey to Nepal generally fall between USD 800-1,500. The average flight costs from Europe to reach Nepal range between USD 600 and USD 1,000. You can find round-trip Australian flights to Nepal starting between USD 700 and extending to USD 1,200. Asian nations close to Nepal such as India, Thailand and China present budget-friendly flight options between USD 200 to USD 500. Traveling during peak seasons demands higher flight expenses.
Tip: Booking airline tickets in advance between three and six months for better prices.
Tips for cutting expenses
Avoid buying and renting gear instead
Rent your trekking equipment from Kathmandu and Pokhara shops to reduce your expenses since you borrow travel equipment for single-use purposes. You can rent jackets, sleeping bags and poles from numerous shops at very reasonable rates each day.
Trek in a Group size
Joining a group cuts costs! The total cost for shared expenses among group members reduces when you split expenses such as permits, guides and transportation. Groups composed of over 5 participants receive the lowest possible prices.
Buy an NTC SIM card to avoid paying the Wi-Fi charge
A low-cost NTC SIM card (including Ncell) works effectively for mobile data needs. The Wi-Fi services in teahouses usually come with an added expense so using local data plans allows people to make calls and browse without additional payment.
Carry bottled water from the teahouses
Use a refillable bottle to obtain boiled or filtered water at tea houses for less than USD 2 per liter. Ask at any location for free water refill service.
Carry a power bank and quick snacks
Charge ports and snacks at teahouses require additional fees, so pack your food supplies, including nuts, chocolate,e and energy bars, before your trip. Using a power bank allows you to avoid paying for phone charging at teahouses. Small savings add up!
Trek through the registered local trekking agency
Local Nepalese agencies charge lower prices in comparison to international companies as they provide affordable arrangements including permits, transportation and guide services. Plus, you support Nepali businesses! Check reviews before booking.
Conclusion
Strategic planning for permits, guide costs, food and transportation expenses enables a well-organized journey to the Upper Mustang. Trek costs depend on which season you choose and whether you walk instead of using jeeps and your total group size. Upper Mustang offers both jeep tours and classic treks that deliver breathtaking scenery with cultural heritage sites. Ready to explore?"
Our company Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition provides an exceptional package that guarantees an unforgettable Upper Mustang Trek experience. You can find more information by reaching us through WhatsApp or telephone number +977 9851016814 or by emailing info(a)destinationhimalayatreks.com regarding our cost-effective and tailored trekking packages in Nepal. Also, if you are looking for budget friendly treks, you can look forward to opting for Short Manaslu Trek, Langtang Valley Trek,Poon Hill Trek, ABC Trek that do not demand any restricted permits and also falls under budget friendly expedition as well.
