Upper Mustang Trek

Journey Route To Upper Mustang

Jomsom is the starting point for the Upper Mustang vicinity for nearly all routes. Most human beings choose to take The 20-minute flight between Pokhara and Jomsom to retailer time and to stop tough journeys by means of bus or jeep on a land. Kagbeni, simply north of Jomsom, whereas the official control point of the restrained region.

The mustang place lies inside the north-west of Nepal; the northern top mustang isolated and shared a border with Tibet. To the south is Kagbeni border metropolis in decrease mustang, passing via the Annapurna circuit. Three trekking routes are handy around top mustang. The most famous is the simple course that connects them through a short western path and an extended Japanese trail. All 3 trails provide dramatically arid geographical region with cute colorful layers exhibited on expanded cliffs regularly surrounded with the useful resource of caves, valleys, and exclusive rock formations. Rivers, saltwater, apple groves, barley farms, special Buddhist structures, and whitewashed settlements are placed under those mountains. The higher mustang trekking trail is no longer properly defined although there are not any passes over 4, three hundred meters, and a fact is obligatory.

Travel and Transportation Modes

There are usually two transportation options before trekking starts.

Flight from Kathmandu to Jomsom 

You can travel directly to Jomsom from Kathmandu, past Jomsom in Pokhara. A one-way travel costs roughly USD 153. Jomsom can be reached from Kathmandu in approximately an hour and 45 minutes. This is a picturesque ride overlooking the mountains and the local farmland.

Bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara

You may also take a bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara and a plane to Jomsom if you do not want to take a trip to Jomsom. Local buses can carry you in 8 hours to Pokhara from Kathmandu. The local bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara is approximately NRs 500 – 600 (USD 5-6).

This means of travel is much cheaper and affordable. You will enjoy the experience along with saving a little money if you have time to spare.

Pokhara Flight from Kathmandu

Through Kathmandu you can also travel to Pokhara. The cost of flight is approximately USD 120. In about 40 minutes, it will take you to Pokhara. The costs often vary according to the seasons.

Jomsom flight from Pokhara

The fastest and the quickest flight to Jomsom is from Pokhara. Air travel from Pokhara to Jomsom costs approximately USD 111. From Pokhara, you can reach Jomsom in 25 or fewer minutes by train.

With great views, the flight is fascinating. From Pokhara you can also enter Jomsom in private jeeps. The roads are very rough, however, so brace your belts for a bumpy journey.

Trekking Permit for Upper Mustang Trek

Only a licensed trekking company that has a USD Bank account is eligible to apply. The online application form can be found on the official website of the Immigration Department, Nepal. Passport information, pictures, and route information and valid hiking visa are required. The licenses may only be issued by the Ministry of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara.- Himalayan Social Journey will take care of your Trekking Permits.

1. Upper Mustang Restricted area permits the US $ 500 each person for 10 days, not night, and the US $ 50 for an extra day. The permit start from Kagbeni and end at Kagbeni village of Mustang.

2. Annapurna Conservation area Permit: NPR 2260 for foreigner and NPR 226 for SAARC country. There are no limits days for ACAP permits.

Trekking Grade: Strenuous

The trail takes a maximum of 7 hours each day. Also, the complete trek finishes in around 15 days or less from the day of trekking, which infers that this trek is simple to make, based on the length of the trek. 

However, you must be aware that walking for 7 hours is not a joke. It's quite difficult and frustrating, too, but at the end of the journey, you'll be greeted with the unparalleled beauty of the secret Himalayas, and this is worth every effort you 'd take to get there.

Preparing for the Trek

You need to train your body and brace yourself for 8-10 hours a day in all weather conditions, to walk on a rugged terrain of 8-20 kg. You're going to walk both below and above the average altitude of Nepal. Trekking under the hot sun and the chilly cold nights is also likely.

Training makes the journey less complicated, safer and more pleasant. So before you go on a trekking experience, you need to spend longer and more effort training. The best way is to get to the top stairs that take one or two minutes. Till you puff, you can do 10 sets. By putting on a backpack from 5 Kg to 20 Kg, you can add strength. Your heart and lungs will become healthy by doing so. One thing you have to remember is that before you start the training program you still have to warm up and stretch. Cycling running, jogging or hill climbing may be another aerobic exercises. Or you can choose any exercise in the aerobic range (70% of your maximum heart rate).Aerobic activity protects the heart and reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. It also strengthens your lungs. It enhances breathing, endocrine, muscle tones and strengthens bones.

Best Time to Trek to Upper Mustang

Summer is not an ideal time to hike in Upper Mustang, as the moonsoon overlaps with the Summer and makes the trail muddy and difficult to get across.

Winter season is also very cold. In the day time , the temperature falls to about – 10oC; it goes beyond -20oC during the night. Therefore, in winter travel seems quite impossible.

Autumn is perfect for hiking, however, but trekking in the spring is strongly recommended, as one of the biggest Mustangis-Tiji festivals is a chance to enjoy .

Risk of Altitude Sickness while on Upper Mustang Trek

While in the trek to Upper Mustang altitude is not a big problem. During the trekking period you are always under 4000 meter, which means you feel less likely than you are to experience severe complications by altitude, even if you feel Altitude Sickness (AS) symptoms such as headache, nausea , or vomiting.

However, you need to be careful about the high altitude acclimatization techniques. Don't go for it if you don't feel like going. The disease of altitude may be fatal.

Meals and accommodation in Mustang Trekking Trails

At all stops along the upper Mustang track there are many tea-houses. There is therefore no need to carry tents. A small number of tea houses with a friendly staff are available for clean and simple service, while tea houses also provide delicious local food.

However, during the Tiji festival, you have to book beforehand for accommodation and food. You can also carry your own tents. Costs range from $4 to $6 on the trekking route. In addition, the price of a single meal is roughly the same.

Communication during Upper Mustang Trek

For mountain trekkers, communication is most critical. Some places have a strong communication network and may not have a place during Upper Mustang trek. Some places also have a satellite telephone. The trek is linked by NTC and Ncell both. Thus, NTC and Ncell number are available for our guides and porters.

Electricity and Connectivity

You will be staying Overnight in the tea houses during your trek. These are small lodges with a common area and a cabin. You can have your food or charge electronics in the community, sometimes use wireless internet and chat with walkers.

Hot water and electricity do not occur in every tea houses. Showering is a luxury and shouldn't usually be done anymore at an altitude of 3,500 m, because warming will be hard when you take a shower again. 

You would need to pay additional for all the above items (douches, hot water , electricity and wifi).To improve your connectivity, carry your phone to the Nepal SIM, you'll get more than you'd think (GPRS/EDGE speed). Village electricity could be perfect during your stay. Villages above 4000 m tend to be the latter. Tea houses can have the potential to charge you either from solar sources or from a battery bank.but it is most wise to either have your own or not depend on electronic devices.

Drinking water while on Trek

Planning to have at least two liters of water when trekking every day is a smart way to start. Filling up water is quick. Taps in, out or in guesthouses mean that there are plenty of places to fill your bottles and/or your water bladders.This could be where you stay, a lunch stop, or a shared public tap used by locals. Use an efficient sterilization method to make sure your water is safe and not contaminated in anyway.Bottled water is available to buy throughout the trek, but we would advise against this for a number of reasons.You do not need them if you use sterilization method. Environment concerns are there and also buying water is expensive up in the mountains. 

Insuring your safety

We suggest taking out an insurance plan for your individual accountability, accidents and illnesses during the service.Regarding the type of activity, you may be asked to show a certificate of insurance for help and support, sanitation and search. This service is private and not free in Nepal, the helicopter will not take off until it is convinced to pay for the insurance.

Single Supplementary

There will be two people accommodated in each room for the duration of the tour. If you prefer private accommodation, you'll find the option for "single supplement" of USD 250. Important:  Please note that during the trek there are some lodges which won't have sufficient rooms to provide private accommodation. So, even if you purchase single supplement you will end up sharing a room for some days of the trek.

Carrying Extra money

It’s difficult to give an exact amount of money that you should bring. Costs will vary according to how much you want to spend for shopping and where and what meals (lunch & dinner) you want to eat. Trekkers find that around $20 (for lunch & dinner) a day is reasonable for the trekking days.

As for the tips, A general rule of thumb for tipping is USD 25 for the guide per traveller and USD 25 for porter between two travellers if you are fully satisfied with their service. So we suggest you allocate a minimum of USD 50 for Tipping. This is just a guideline and you may tip whatever / how much you think is appropriate for the services rendered which made your trek a memorable one

Luggage per one person

For the trek, we'll have one porter for two people as per group size. The porter will carry 10-15 kg per person luggage during the trek. You need to carry your daypack to keep your personal belongings such as wallet, camera, water bottle, dry snack, headlight, gadgets etc.

This Tour With HSJ

Guides and Porters

Our local Nepali team is one of the most experienced, hospitable and respected trekking outfits in Nepal. The team is fully licensed and affiliated with the Trekking Agency's Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepal Tourism Board, Govt. of Nepal, Sustainable Tourism Network, Himalayan Rescue Association and Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project. You will be provided with the professional and an experienced English speaking trekking guide with the good knowledge of the place and the trek. The trekking crew is skilled with the experience of over 10 years, well-trained, friendly guide and, courteous and helpful porters, assured of a wonderfully memorable experience.

For the trek, we'll have one porter for two people as per group size. The porter will carry 12-15 kg per person luggage during the trek. You need to carry your day pack to keep your personal belongings such as wallet, camera, water bottle, dry snack, headlight, gadgets, etc. The safety and concerns of our porters is our collective responsibility. We take our responsibilities towards them and their safety concerns strictly. On your part, please carry only things that are of absolute necessity.

Other Programs and complimentary services with this trip

• Welcome and Farewell dinner

• Yoga Classes

• Spa services

How do we make sure you get the best experience of this trek?

We are your completely flexible travel partner. Want to follow different route? We have you covered. Have extra time in Nepal? Excellent! We have more add-on tours like Chitwan Jungle Safari, Cable Car ride to Chandragiri hills, Cooking and Yoga classes in Kathmandu and so on. Would like to customize the trip? Well, why not? Give us your ideas and we will prepare complete itinerary for you. Do you want to use different standard of accommodations than provided in the itineraries? Of course! You absolutely can. From your arrival until you departure, your wishes are our command. Feel free to make the request.

Equipment and Packaging list for Upper Mustang Trek 

Clothing

• Trekking boots

• Short-sleeved 

• Trekking shirts

• Trekking pants and jackets

• Thermals underwear

• Long-sleeved Trekking shirts

• Insulating down jackets

• Woolen cap

• Trekking Gloves

• Raincoats

First Aid

• Diamox tablets

• Sanitary pads / Tampons

• Anti-nausea Medicines

• Band-aids

• Mosquito and insect repellents

Toiletries

• Soap

• Toilet Paper

• Shampoo

• Sunscreen

• Hand sanitizer

Accessories

• Sunglasses

• Sleeping bag

• Cameras

• Batteries

• Water Bottle

• Solar Chargers

• Hot water Thermos

Important Documents

• Passport

• Travel Permits

Last minute booking

It is best to book in advance but for those who cannot, for whatever reason, make a last minute reservation special arrangement for Himalayan Social Journey. In the case of last minute reservation, 100% tour payment will be approved within 24 hours. We try to operate a trek at any time but we are not liable for the delay in case of last-minute reservation, because of uncontrolled changes such as weather and the availability of accommodation.

Feedbacks

Throughout the years of business, we have always put the customers feedback as our inspiration towards making our company great travel partner. With many ups and downs, and good and not so good feedbacks we have reached where we are now. At the end of the trek, while you are with the crew during farewell dinner, we would appreciate if you give us your valuable feedback, account of good and bad experiences, recommendations and also your honest rating to our trip advisor page.