Upper Mustang Trek - 14 days

Best Time to Trek to Upper Mustang Valley

In general, the ideal seasons for undertaking any expeditions here are Spring and Autumn; despite the fact, this Upper Mustang Trek can also be done in monsoon and winter as well, which tends to be one of the major perks of being located within a rainshadow area. However, if you are a beginner and want to undertake this trek to Mustang, then you shall choose between mid-March to May, and September to November as the climatic condition matches the temperature perfectly, making the trip easier and smoother to navigate with no challenges.. 

Nonetheless, every four seasons in Upper Mustang valley features something unique and distinct, where one can truly immerse oneself in the rich culture and breathtaking views of landscapes, in an enchanting way. 

What to expect in Spring (March to May)?

In Upper Mustang, the whole valley is thrived with wild flowers and blooms along the colorful flora, making the rugged trailhead pleasing to gaze over during the hike. Just walk down the alley, enjoying the cultivation of agricultural plants and vegetation of a Mediterranean-like climate, lavender, you can truly expect the unexpected while meandering around this timeframe. The temperature is mild and less windy, which means it is easier to trail with a stunning vista of the Himalayas as a backdrop and various flowers, including rhododendrons and wild alpine flowers, bloom perfectly, adding a vibrant tone to nature. 

Apart from all of the perks, the main highlighted part about Upper Mustang Trekking in spring is that, the main festival that is celebrated here every year, by the loba (Tibetan Buddhsim) community falls - Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang falls in between these months, hence, if your holiday timing matches with the festive season, then you should not miss out this season of Spring.

What to expect in Autumn (September to November)?

Autumn is regarded as another suitable and ideal time to trek to Mustang in Nepal, as the clear views of stunning landscapes, hills, and crystal clear skies due to moderate temperatures make the overall expedition perfect to begin with. Even though it is also known as the peak time of the year, you can see fewer footprints and meet less no. of hikers along the trail, as Dashain-Tihar falls between these months. YES! you might feel like, how festive season makes the route quieter, what happens is at this peak season, many individuals avoid hiking and rather spend time with their family, rather than hiking. Hence, if you want a serene environment to get immersed in and also love to boast in the culture of locals, well then, Autumn is definitely for you.

What to expect in Monsoon and Winter?

Well! If it were any other trek, in Nepal, to be honest, these months are usually considered the off seasons and tough to even complete that too within the restricted area. However, as this region sits in a rain shadow area, with a bare minimum chnace of rainfall, even at the high precipation season like monsoon and summer (June to August), so you can ease yourself and venture out on the Upper Mustang Trek in monsoon easily without thinking much about what kind of climatic condition to expect and tracking weather forecast every time. The weather simply remains dry, with just a little bit of a spark of raindrops, which makes the trip even more lovely, hiking with mild humidity. 

Regarding the winter span of the year, if you are opting for high passes as well, then make sure to plan your itinerary accordingly, as the pathway remains mostly blocked, and the last part is concerning! During winter, the accessibility of the tea house is relatively low, as the locals in the higher trails close their lodging service and head down to the lower sections. Nonetheless, if you are an adventure seeker, then you should commence this expedition in winter and monsoon. 

We at Destination Himalaya Treks always look forward to making your expedition. No matter what timeframe you choose, we'll craft the itinerary accordingly, so despite of your holiday duration and timing, you can complete the expedition. To know more about the seasonal pros and cons, you can read our blog about: Best time for Upper Mustang Trekking.

Upper Mustang Trek Difficulty

Located at such a high elevation of 3840 meters and also being situated in an isolated and restricted area in Nepal, Upper Mustang Trek falls under a moderate difficulty one. Nevertheless, if you want to explore the rugged terrains and the Himalayan dry Tibetan plateau landscape, despite being your age or having prior experience, this trek surely can be completed with ease.

Situated in the rain shadow area, you can expect the unexpected climatic conditions, which remain the same and dry throughout the year with less chance of rainfall, so it opens the gateway to every enthusiastic hiker having a proper mindset, and yes, a basic level of physical fitness.  However, temperature can drop significantly between day and night, resulting in extremely windy conditions. So, you must be prepared for any unexpected weather changes.

Although the trek doesn’t demand any prior experience, a basic fitness level to make it through for a long duration of almost 5-6 hours is a must. Sometimes, you must trail through steep ascents and narrow gorges. Daily hours of a minimum of 4 hours are expected while embarking on a trek to Upper Mustang. Trekkers with average physical fitness and good health conditions can complete this trek without any challenges, so do not settle back just because it is situated in an isolated area with limited amenities.

Proper preparation and guidance before heading to the Mustang Trek is crucial to make this trek completely hassle-free. So, we recommend you participate in cardio, daily hikes, and physical training months before starting the trek. Also, it is highly advised to take necessary health tests and include high-altitude trekking while arranging your travel insurance policy to avoid any kind of adverse situation. To know more in a detailed way, you can check our recently posted blog: How difficult is Upper Mustang Trekking?, which breaks down the difficulty level and also emphasizes some tips to navigate easily.

Risk of Altitude Sickness during Upper Mustang Trekking

The one and foremost concerning factor to any trek that is situated at such an elevation, would be altitude sickness, as who would wants to face the hassle during the trip and ruin the expedition. Meanwhile, while trekking in Upper Mustang, the risk of such AMS factor would be bare minimum, as the highest elevation it reaches is at Lo Manthang - 3840 meters, which doesn't touch the height of 4000 meters, so you can undertake this hike at ease.

On top of that, our Upper Mustang Trek itinerary is set with a gradual ascent of 400 to 500 meters, with a slow to medium level of pace, so you can gradually adapt to the rising elevation, without any challenges of thin air. Ascending at such a steady speed helps in getting used to and adjusting to the unusual air at the Himalayas and makes it easier to take an uphill walk at high altitude. Our expert teams have set the 14-day itinerary of Upper Mustang, ensuring that every level of trekker can smoothly complete this remote area trek with ease. 

Even though the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness is minimal, there are some preventive guidelines that you must follow. That being said, it is always better to follow the preventive measures and be prepared accordingly, rather than regretting later. 

1. If you feel any sort of discomfort, such as rapid heartbeat, which happens due to low oxygen, difficulty in breathing, feeling like vomiting or nausea, severe level of headache, skin turning completely pale, then inform the guide immediately, or your fellow hikers, or someone nearby.
2. At every stopping point, try to watch over the oxygen level - pulse rate by oximeter, and if it goes below the normal level, then please inform the guide immediately.
3. Do not rush yourself and try to make your way at your own pace, Sometimes, we might panic or feel excited about meeting the pace of other hikers. But, please remember that every hiker has their own prior experience, and not everyone matches the pace of others, so walk slowly as per the itinerary and do not overdo yourself.
4. Please remember that the Upper Mustang region of Nepal is located in one of the most isolated sections, with some undergoing construction, or you can say a risky trailhead that is affected by landslides, so make sure to walk with a guide. Follow the navigation of the guide as he knows every corner and leads you through safe sections.
5. Avoid undertaking any alcohol or caffeine in high levels, or even cigarettes, as it can make your heart beat go faster and more rapidly, making you lose control, and also lead to a high chance of severe AMS.

Accommodations during the Upper Mustang Trek

The primary lodging facilities along the Upper Mustang Trek route are mostly teahouses/ guesthouses with comfortable enough basic amenities. Every lodge that trekkers will be staying in is run by the local family of this region. So, don’t expect a lot of luxury facilities in their guest houses. Although everything is basic, you will get clean, hygienic, and warm hospitality after long hours of trekking. 

Rooms are simple with single or twin beds, with one sitting table, and include room service for meals as well. But, we highly recommend you dine in the kitchen area, as it has a big shared fire heater to warm you up. In the lower sections of this trek, it is common to get an attached bathroom in a room. But as you go into the upper regions, it is quite hard to get one and costs double the price. Nonetheless, if pre-booking is done earlier, the room with a connected bathroom can be arranged in some sections while trekking in Upper Mustang.

The extra charge must be paid for the use of facilities like a hot water bucket for showering and laundry in the guesthouse. Electricity is in the form of solar power, it is asked to pay 4$ to 5$, depending on the hour, as rooms don’t have any cables to plug in for charging. So, it is always best to carry a power bank/ capacitor along with you. 

Food and Drinking Facilities availability

Throughout the Upper Mustang Trekking, you’ll receive three meals per day with a wide range of menu options consisting of Asian and Western cuisines that cater to the tastes of all the people trekking to the region. Although every teahouse serves a variety of cuisines, we also highly recommend trying their local foods such as Tibetan bread with Tibetan salt tea, Thukpa, and many others that reflect their Tibetan culture.

On the breakfast menu, there are many options available, such as toast, omelet, hot porridge with milk, noodle soup, Nepali spiced tea, coffee, and lemon tea, which are provided as your choice before the hike. During lunch and dinner, the foods are made according to your preferences from the menu, including Dal Bhat, ramen, Nepali noodles, fried rice, non-veg and veg curry, dry meats, Thenduk, momo, noodles, apple pie, pasta, etc. So, you don’t have to worry about food throughout the trek. Just make sure to eat fully to increase your stamina for walking.

It is highly recommended to have Dal Bhat during lunch or dinner. This Nepali food is full of nutrients. Along with rice, you will get lentils, curry, and green vegetables with pickles, and the amazing part is you can refill this as much as you can without any extra charge. So, it is highly preferred by trekkers.

Note: Although the region has a variety of foods and drinks available, we highly advise you to avoid any kind of alcoholic beverages or caffeinated items to prevent altitude sickness. It is kindly advised to drink hot soups (essential), ginger tea, lemon tea, black tea, and hot lemon water, which help to warm your body in cold temperatures.

Upper Mustang Trek Permits

As the Upper Mustang sits near the border of Tibet, it is a restricted area. To trek in this region, there are two permits required: the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). We, Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition will arrange all necessary permits for the trek. 

The special restricted area permit costs around USD 500 for one person, and if you tend to extend the trek (within the Upper Mustang region) for more than 10 days, then you’ll need to pay an additional USD 50 per day. 

For the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project), foreigners must pay $30, and $15 for SAARC nationals. Without this permit, it is not allowed to enter the conservation area, as this region is situated in the Annapurna Conservation Area. The permit fee directly goes to preserve the natural diversity and maintain the trekking trails. Without these permits, entry into this conservation area is not allowed. 

To get through this restricted area and attain the permits for Upper Mustang Trekking, there are major rules set by the government of Nepal:

• You must trek along with at least one other person, and this requirement does not include the guide and porter. This means that there should be a minimum of two trekkers in your group, excluding any hired guides or porters.
• You must apply for permits through a registered local agency for special permits.
• You need to take at least one licensed guide along with you by a local authorized trekking agency.

Travel Insurance

With our trekking experience of many years, we are well-known about the incidents that might, unfortunately, occur during high-altitude trails, so travel insurance is necessary for us to cover any sort of possible accidents.

This Upper Mustang Trek 14 days takes you to an elevation of 3840 meters above sea level, Many trekkers may find no difference, but many problems like high altitude sickness or unexpected hazard situations could occur and health injury may also occur, for this reason, we will always guarantee that our clients have full benefits. Insurance must cover all kinds of helicopter rescue, all medical treatment bills, flight delays or cancellations, etc.

Therefore, traveling insurance can never be obtained in a rush, so please check your insurance policy in detail for the trek. After the booking is confirmed with us, make sure to send your detailed travel insurance to trek in the Mustang region which will help us to arrange the emergency helicopter service and medical expenses quickly.

Please note that it is always best to arrange the travel insurance policy from your own home country.

How to prepare for the Upper Mustang Trekking?

Before embarking on this adventurous journey, there are many things to consider to make this trek a complete hassle-free.

Mental Preparation:

Although trekking to the Upper Mustang is not quite challenging compared to other treks, trekkers may face unfavorable weather conditions and unexpected situations in remote areas due to which a high level of perseverance, persistence, and patience are required.

It is more important than being physically fit as the trekkers feel the rise of altitude changes and tiredness and being in a remote area is not as easy as it sounds if you are a beginner. So, you must know that you are trekking to the limited facilities area which is a completely new world from city life, and be prepared accordingly.

Physical fitness:

Heading towards the mountain area means ascending every day with a high level of elevation through various ascends and descends with some narrow steps for which high stamina and being physically fit are mandatory as trekkers have to walk for at least 4-6 hours each day.

To strengthen the body you can do some sorts of cardio like running, cycling, and hiking with some kgs of loads in the bag that makes the challenging trek smoother for beginner trekkers as well.

Research:

Even though there will be a professional guide throughout the Mustang Trek, it’ll be great if you do proper research regarding the trail route. In addition, also about the favorable season, distance, elevation, and most importantly accommodation which would be the best choice for you with our DHT management team.

Medical Considerations:

Before heading towards this 14 days Upper Mustang Trek, please pay 100% attention to your health and medical conditions to prevent any health issues as the Manaslu region accessibility is limited and remote, immediate access to health care isn’t easy there so it is highly recommended to do a whole body check-up right before embarking on this journey and be prepared accordingly to the guidelines of a doctor.

Essential Travel Tips for the Upper Mustang Trek 

• Always carry a power bank and solar batteries as in the upper region, there is no electric plug available in the room and lodges charge you $2-$8 to plug in your phone for the charging.
• Bring cash with you, estimating the additional expenses you might incur during the trek, as ATM services are not available in remote areas.
• Pack only essential items that are necessary for this trek. Don’t overpack the trekking bag as it becomes quite strenuous while ascending.
• Even if you hire a porter, carry a small bag to hold your essential gadgets and other basic items, such as a water bottle, charger, phone, headlamp, basic first aid kit (for minor injuries), etc.
• Carry water purification tablets to purify the water provided by the lodges. 
• Don’t forget to carry high-SPF sunscreen, as the dry air in the Mustang region can damage your skin due to overexposure to the sun.
• Carry granola bars, protein bars, Snickers, mini chocolate bars, dry fruits such as almonds, cashews, nuts, and others (as you wish).

Booking Procedure

Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition is a registered government-approved trek and tour operator in Nepal that has been serving trekking services for more than 15 years to many clients across the world. You can securely make your tour reservations with us as we are also members of TAAN (Trekking Agency Association of Nepal) and Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Hence, you can book your trips in Nepal with full confidence with us.

For the confirmation of your Upper Mustang Trek Package, we require a 10% advance payment after the reservation is made. Please send us your necessary documents, such as a copy of your passport, passport-sized photos, and arrival flight information (if made) within a few days. You can send booking amounts through bank transfer and online from our websites.

After your booking is done, we’ll arrange everything for you that is necessary for the trip. After arrival in Nepal, you can make payments through Credit card, Cash, or bank transfer. For more detailed information, please email at info(a)destinationhimalayatreks .com or WhatsApp: +977 9851016814, +977 9851146814.