Upper Mustang trekking , the beautiful region of Himalayas, is synonymous with beauty. In the Tibetan language, the word mustang refers to fertile land. Once the capital of the prosperous kingdom Lo Manthang and now is an isolated and unscathed region, posing the most unique cultures in the world and beauty second to none. Upper Mustang Trekking is most definitely an unforgettable and once in a life experience. Up until 1992, it was a constrained and demilitarized region and it has contributed to the conservation because of its culture and natural beauty.
Upper Mustang trekking start from Kagabni which is a day distance from beautiful city Pokhara by land transport . We can also fly to Johmsom for around half and hours from Pokhara and trek to Kagbani for three hours because is Kagbeni itself is a gorgeous village where Thakali people leaves. Upper Mustang trek start and end at Kagbeni, the remote area permit is applicable from there. We need minimum of group of two trekkers for trekking and individual trekkers are not allowed to enter above Kagbeni. The guide is compulsory.
The trek is relatively easy and any physically fit person can trek this route with ease. The experience and the view of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri Mountain ranges are very gratifying, among others. We will trek via the permitted route of the Lo Manthang and reach the max altitude of around 3,800m. Our fifteen days’ itinerary is designed to give you maximum fun, refreshment and adventure to experience living in the Himalayas. We arrange basic tea house, necessary staff, applicable permit, transportation, arrangements for upper mustang trek and our upper Mustang trekking began from Kathmandu and sand at Pokhara.
Upper Mustang Trekking Elevation
Trip Highlights
– Exploration of ancient Himalayan region
– the visit to picturesque places
– the deepest gorge of the world
– ancient Buddhist monasteries
– Ancient monasteries
– unique culture and ambience
– Lo Manthang
– spectacular view of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Free and arrangement day.
Day 03: Kathmandu - Pokhara.
Day 04: Pokhara - Jomsom- Kagbani.
Day 05: Kagbeni - Tsehile (3110 m).
Day 06: Tsehile - Syangbochen (3800 m).
Day 07: Syambochen - Tsrang (3570 m).
Day 08: Tsarang-Lomanthang (3530 m).
Day 09: Explore Lomanthang (3760 m).
Day 10: Lomanthang - Tsarang. (3,570m)
Day 11: Tsarang - Syambochhen.
Day 12: Syambochhen - Chuksang (3050 m).
Day 13: Chuksang - Kagbeni.
Day 14: Kagbeni - Jomsom (2743 m).
Day 15: Jomsom - Pokhara.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.
Once you land in Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), our airport representatives will receive you and take you to your hotel, Transfer to the hotel and free time .
Day 02: Free and arrangement day.
Today is a leisure day. We can do some last minute shopping for trekking such as trekking gears and all , can also do city sightseeing as an option.
Day 03: Kathmandu - Pokhara.
We will travel to scenic city of Pokhara via Prithvi Highway by bus, will be approximately 6 hours long. We can see luscious green hills, dwindling rivers and faraway Himalayans on our way. Pokhara will serve as our gateway to the Annapurna Region. We can travel around this beautiful lake city in the evening or go for boating in the Phewa Lake. Hotel in Pokhara.
Day 04: Pokhara - Jomsom- Kagbani.
Early morning drive to airport to board your flight 25-minute flight to Jomsom. Upon arrival in Jomsom we will meet with our crews and proceed toward Kagbeni. Jomsom is the headquarter of Mustang. We will fly north-west from Pokhara. From Jomsom, we will hike for arounf 3 hours along the bank of Kali Gandaki River to reach the beautiful settlement of Kagbeni, which is also the gateway to Upper Mustang. It is located in the bank of 2 rivers.
Day 05: Kagbeni - Tsehile (3110 m).
After breakfast we will proceed toward Tsehile. We will follow the trial of the bank of Kaligandaki, The journey passes through the beautiful settlements of Tangbe and Chunksang. Before we reach, we will cross the Kali Gandaki over the bridge. After climbing through the steep terrain for about 30 minutes we will reach our destination for today. We can see the stunning Nilgiri from here.
Day 06: Tsehile - Syangbochen (3800 m).
The trek today is exciting because we will cross 4 passes today, which are Taklam La (3240 m), Dzong La (3550 m), Baga La, Yemdo pass (4000 m). We will also climb a ridge and descend down a gigantic gorge. There are very few families in Syangbochen. We will spend the night in lodge.
Day 07: Syambochen - Tsrang (3570 m).
Today, we will gently hike uphill and then cross a pass. There are 4 pass altogether to cross today, which are Shyammochhen La, Nyi or Nya La (4050m), Ghemila (3520 m), Tsarang la (3920 m). After crossing the Nyi La Pass, we will trek downhill for about half an hour and then reach a junction. The right one leads to Charang and the left one leads to Ghami. On our way to Tsrang from Ghemi, we will see the great chorten. There are about 60 families residing in this small village.
Day 08: Tsarang-Lomanthang (3530 m).
The trial today will lead us to the driest part of Mustang. The trek today will be a bit tiring. However, we will be gratified with the beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains along the way. Lomanthang is the ancient city of the Himalayans, and there still is a ruling monarch although monarchy has been removed in Nepal. We can visit the Lomanthang Palace, Charang Chu Canyon on reaching our destination.
Day 09: Explore Lomanthang (3760 m).
Today is a leisure day or exploration day. We will explore this medieval town which has a very rich history. We shall visit the Namgyal Gompa, which will take us 2 hours. We can also visit Tingkhar, a small village and Champa Lakhang where the largest Buddhist statue is located. We will spend the night in Lo Manthang in an overnight in Lodge.
Day 10: Lomanthang - Tsarang. (3,570m)
Today we will trek downhill to Tsarang from the same route. The journey today will be fun and not tiring since it is downhill trek. we will stay the night at Tsarang.
Day 11: Tsarang - Syambochhen.
With Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri in the backdrop, we will hike down to Syambochhen today via the holy Rachen Gompa. Rachen Gompa is of great religious value, since it is believed that it grew by itself in the lap of rocky cave. We will spend the night in Lodge.
Day 12: Syambochhen - Chuksang (3050 m).
Today we will trek down the steep ridges and hills to reach Chuksang. We will trek to Tetang along the way, which is a beautiful village situated between two hills. We will spend the night in overnight camp in a Lodge.
Day 13: Chuksang - Kagbeni.
Today we will trek through the Jharkot village and visit the Jharkot Monastery in the region. We can also visit the Tibetan Herbal Medicine center and the historical fort of Jharkot. We will trek down to Kagbeni along the banks of Kali Gandaki.
Day 14: Kagbeni - Jomsom (2743 m).
Today is the last day of the trek. We will descend to Jomsom and the trek downhill will be relatively easier today.
Day 15: Jomsom - Pokhara.
All flights to Pokhara start morning only. We will wake up early and catch a flight to the lake city of Pokhara.
Trip Cost US$ 1,695 Per person
Cost Includes:
- Two night deluxe hotel in Kathmandu on B/B, one before and one after the trek.
- Two night Hotel in Pokhara , one before and one after the trek on B/B
- Airport pick-up and drop services.
- Ticketing permit and all needed document
- Entry Permit for Annapurna Conservation Area.
- A professional license Holder Trekking Guide including all his expenses with full insurance cover.
- A Strong Porter among the two trekkers ( one porter sharing among two member ) including all his expenses including full insurance during the trek.
- Basic tea house accmodation during the trek
- All surface transportation to the starting point and from the ending point of the trek
- All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner )
- Equipment like sleeping bag, down jacket if you do not have your own.
- Necessary insurance for trekking staff.
- A trekking route map.
- First Aid kit box with basic medicine,including Oximeter and pulse meter checker.
- Emergency Rescue assistance arrangement, pay by your travel insurance.
Cost Excludes:
- Drinks / Beverage.
- Nature of personal expense
- Extra night and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Activities in Kathmandu and Pokhara such as sightseeing tour.
- International airfare -Travel insurance (compulsory).
FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions
Trekking to a new place can always be nerve-wracking disregard of the number of times you might have done it. Every place has its own culture, non-verbal norms and values, government policies and so on.
Having even the basic knowledge about the place can boost your confidence and give you a positive anticipation of the experience you can gain from the place.
If you are looking forward to trek in Nepal, this article will indeed be of great use to refer to. Answered below, are some of the most frequently asked questions about trekking in Nepal.
1. Is trekking difficult?
The difficulty level of the trek entirely depends upon the trek you chose.
If you happen to be trekking for the first time, or your physical condition does not permit you to (because of age or other medical conditions) you can always look for easy treks.
Easy treks have shorter number of days, less distance to be walked in a day, and relatively lower altitudes. You do not have to have prior experience or knowledge to trek to these places.
If you are adventurer and are looking for some thrill, you have plenty of options to choose from. Difficult treks have longer number of days. You will have to walk for 5-7hrs a day on an average and these treks are mostly situated in high altitudes. These treks also demand a good level of physical fitness.
Unlike other product, trekking is not about more for better. The difficulty level has got nothing to do with the experience you can gain from a trek.
Go for what you want to and what your physical ability will allow you to. Do not push yourself too hard. Trekking is not a competition. Its relaxation.
2. Is trekking expensive?
This entirely depends upon how much you are willing to spend on your trek. You can trek luxuriously by spending lavishly or you can backpack. It all depends upon how much your bank balance allows you to.
You will get accommodation for as less as 3-4$ per night, or you can pay up to 60-1004 per night for luxury resorts. On an average, you will need not more than 10$ for a meal. If you are looking for economical places, you can eat 3 meals for 10$! But eating at such places come at a great cost of low hygiene rate.
Bottom line: Nepal is not an expensive place when it comes to tourism. It is probably one of the places you can have the most economical luxury trek comparing to what a luxury trek would otherwise cost in your country!
3. What preparations should I make before trekking?
It is always a good idea to involve yourself in doing physical exercises before trekking. Not that you have to be all athletic and muscular to trek. An average level of physical fitness will make the journey less stressful.
Ending up with sore muscles, blisters, joint pain, and back pain can be very discomforting while trekking. This is unlikely to happen if you exercise beforehand.
Start exercising at least a month before the trek. You can do cardio exercises like running, jogging, long walks, cycling and swimming. Carry a light backpack along with you to get used to it. Gym work out can be a good option too. Just don’t over-do it.
If you are going on an easy trek, you need not be very physically fit. But prior exercising is still a good option. You will only make your journey more comfortable.
4. What are the things I need to pack?
There are a long list of things you will need for trekking. The things you carry can affect the entire experience of your journey. So make sure that while purchasing any gear, make no compromisation on the quality or the brand of the equipment.
To know about the things you require, refer to the following link-
5. Do I need special permission to trek?
You will not need trekking permits in any of the treks in the Everest region, the Annapurna region and also in the Langtang region. But you will have to pay entry fees while entering a conservation area or a national park.
Trekking permits are a must for trekking in the restricted regions. The permits are available for purchase in the department of immigration located in Dillibazaar, Kathmandu. For further information, refer to-
http://www.taan.org.np/pages/trekking-permit-fees
6. Is drinking water easily available?
Availability of drinking water is not the problem. The problem is the cost of it at higher altitude. As you gain height, the price of water rises up to 2-3$ per liter.
An alternative way of getting drinking water is by having your water bottles filled in tea houses. Tea houses will provide you boiled water for about 0.4-0.7$ per liter. They are completely safe for drinking.
Therefore, do not forget to take at least two water bottles with you.
7. What kind of food is available during trekking?
Food is not of any concern while trekking. You will get all kinds of cuisines. For breakfast, tea houses will provide you with eggs cooked in your preferred style along with pan cakes, bread butter, roti, and so on.
Various other dishes like pizza, pasta, momo, chowmein and many more are also available. The most preferred dish is Dal Bhaat. It is a typical Nepali meal. Rice is served with vegetable curry, lentils, tomato chutney and meat curry. The best part- an extra helping will no cost you extra! The meal is highly nutritional. It will also keep you fueled for long walks.
8. What kind of accommodation should I expect?
Accommodation depends upon the type of trekking you are going for. There are two types of trekking
1. Tea house trekking:
You will be spending your night in tea houses. Tea houses are local lodges and hotels. They are small and comfortable enough. Most rooms are shared with two small cots that have mattress, pillows and sheets. If you need spare blankets, you can always ask for it. The rooms have attached bathroom, western flush designed and shower. You will have to pay for hot shower and electricity.
Dormitories are also available and a very low cost of about 3-4$ per night. These come with common toilets and bathrooms.
The cleanliness of the rooms may not live up to your expectations. Bring your own pillow if possible. Conjunctivitis is a common case you might fall sick of.
2. Camp treks
In this type, you will spend your nights in tented camps. Such treks mostly lie in the restricted regions. These regions do not have enough facilities to accommodate many people.
9. What are the risks associated with trekking?
Trekking is an extreme sport and does come with a lot of risks. Some unavoidable risks are avalanche, heavy rainfall, earthquake, landslide and other such natural calamities.
You might fall and injure yourself or catch some viral flue. The deadliest risk of trekking is AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness. This sickness occurs when a great altitude is gained and the body fails to adjust to the changing pressures associated with it. Anyone can fall a victim of the sickness and if not treated in time, it can be fatal.
10. How to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)?
There is absolutely nothing you can do to prepare your body for altitude sickness. But yo can take few precautionary measures to avoid it. They are-
- Attain height gradually and slowly
- As you cross over 2000meters, reduce your number of walking hours and walk slow
- Drink plenty of water
- Take ample rest. Take more rest if you feel like your body is asking for it
- Eat high caloric food
- Avoid smoking or drinking
11. How to diagnose AMS?
In order to detect AMS, you need to be aware of the symptoms of them. They are-
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Upset stomach
- Feeling unsteady
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Difficulty sleeping
If you notice any of the symptoms, take immediate precautionary measures such as:
- Do not climb any higher for the next 48 hours
- Descend to a lower altitude if possible
- Take complete rest until you feel well
- Do not exercise
- Do not smoke
- Drink plenty of water
- Take external oxygen supply if necessary
- Take anti-sickness medicines
If you see no further improvement in your heath within the next 48 hours, you will have to be deported to Kathmandu in a helicopter. Therefore, do not forget to issue and insurance that will cover you helicopter reuse cost.
12. Do I need a guide/porter to trek?
There is no such hard and fast rule that you must have one. But it is highly advisable to travel with them. Some of the treks cannot be trekked without a guide most of them are the restricted ones.
A guide is someone who will help you with navigations. He will also have a better idea about the places to live in and eat at can negotiated prices for you. They will also help you during medical emergencies.
A porter is someone who will carry your load for you so that you can enjoy long walks.
In case you hire them, you are entirely responsible for providing them with trekking gears, food and accommodation and other medical facilities.
Guide/porter as also available these days. These are people who play the role of both a guide and a porter. Hiring them will save you from bearing an additional cost.
13. Can I trek solo?
To some places, yes. But trekking solo in the restricted area is completely forbidden. You will have to trek in a group.
A lot of people trek solo in Nepal and have thoroughly enjoyed. Trekking solo has its own benefits. You will not have to adjust your schedule according to anyone. You can also follow your own route as you wish to. Also, finding your way, especially in the non-restricted regions, is very easy. The routes are well marked and pretty straight.
Nepal is completely safe for solo trekkers. But you will also have to be a little more careful while travelling alone.
14. What is the difference between trekking independently and trekking with an agency?
Trekking independently means trekking without an agency. You can hire a guide or a porter if you want to. You may also have a trekking partner. But the entire journey depends upon the way you want to take it.
In treks organized by agencies, they will have a well-planned schedule designed for you which you will have to strictly follow. Most of the times, you will be travelling with a group. The agency will also provide you with a guide and a porter. Trekking with an agency will be a little more expensive than trekking independently or solo.
15. Which is the best season to trek in Nepal?
Every season as its own charm. However, the best seasons are spring lasting from April to May and autumn lasting from September to November.
In these two season, Nepal sees the maximum number of tourists who come to trek. These are the busiest months of the year. The weather is highly pleasant and favorable for long walks. The trails are blossoming with fresh leaves and flowers. The clear skies allow you to get a great view of the magnificent Himalayas.
Conclusion
The above information covers up almost everything you need to know about trekking. If you happen to have any queries, please feel free to leave a comment below or inbox us at [email protected]
