Are you looking for an exciting trekking journey to do this holiday? If yes, today’s blog is the best answer for your question. Choose the Upper Mustang Trek Nepal for enticing and mythical experiences inside the hidden secret region of Nepal. There are many stories and fable tales regarding the Upper Mustang region of Nepal. Therefore, this blogger has tried to incorporate all necessary information about visiting the Upper Mustang region of Nepal.
In Western Nepal’s northern border, there sits the mythical and mystical villages beyond the mountains. Famously, these villages are called as the Himal Paari Ko Gaon (Village behind mountains). The region endows spiritual, pilgrimage, serene, tranquil, and diverse landscape experiences. In addition, the region also offers breathtaking scenery of mountains from Dhaulagiri range to the Annapurna range. The presence of the world’s deepest gorge, the Kaligandaki Gorge and Fossils rich shores of river make this place equally important for the geographical researchers!
Find out more about spending quality holidays in the Upper Mustang region of Nepal via this blog:
Why Upper Mustang is called forbidden kingdom of Nepal?
Nepal is the secular republican state since 2008 abolishing the monarchy system of governance. Even the country was the republican state, the Upper Mustang region of Nepal used to practice monarchy as they had a King or Guelpo. The last king of the Upper Mustang region is Late Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista. His sons didn’t continue the cultural heritage and nowadays the region no longer has an official king.
The region is rich in the Tibetan cultural and traditional heritages. The people still practices the Tibetan Buddhism. It was opened in 1992 to foreigners to visit. The unique landscape, political turmoil, culture, and traditions are the reason that the region is under the restricted region of Nepal. It is to protect the natural and cultural significance of the region.
How to reach Upper Mustang?
The best way to reach the Upper Mustang is by trekking even if there is the road connectivity to Upper Mustang region all the way to the border between China and Nepal. However, travelers can reach the region by taking either flight to Jomsom and then driving or by driving from Pokhara as well. Four wheel jeep is required for the tour. If you are doing the Upper Mustang Trek Nepal then you will have to start the trek from Jomsom after flight or jeep drive! It takes about 25 minutes to 30 minutes by flight from Pokhara. There is no direct flight from Kathmandu to Jomsom.
The road distance between Pokhara and Upper Mustang is about 220 kilometers and further 18 kilometers to the border between China and Nepal. So, the best way to reach Upper Mustang is by jeep or by trekking. It takes about 14 to 15 days to complete the Upper Mustang Trek Nepal.
Geographical Landscape of Upper Mustang
Over the years, the soil erosion caused due to high wind tides have formed the unique landscape of the region. There are many crevasses on the hills of the region and lots of canyons as well as gorges are formed. In fact, the world’s deepest gorge, the Kaligandaki gorge is also present in the region. Besides these peculiar landscape, the region has many hidden caves on the hills. These caves are believed to have been built naturally and by human beings to get shelter from war and famine. Interestingly, the region is in the rain shadow area. It experiences little rainfall. Therefore, the region is also called as the Himalayan desert of Nepal.
What is the best way to explore Upper Mustang? Trek or Tour ?
There are two types of holiday activities that you can do to explore the Upper Mustang region of Nepal. They are either tour or trekking. Tour is possible by using four wheel jeep, motorcycle and mountain bike. However, trekking involves walking through various villages starting from Jomsom to Lomanthang. Some trekking itineraries include the section of Yara and Ghara as well. The choice is yours. If you wish to spend more time acclimatizing and understanding the culture and nature of the region then it is best to do the Short Upper Mustang Trek Nepal. For some tour can be suitable option than the trekking. However, the risk of altitude sickness is very high while driving straight to Lomanthang from Pokhara. Ultimately, it is the travelers’ choice but this blogger clearly thinks that the Upper Mustang Trek Nepal is the best way to explore the region.
Upper Mustang Jeep Tour follows the same road to and from Lomanthang. However, trekking has many options. The Upper Mustang Trek, Tiji Festival Trek, Yara Ghara Lomanthang Trek, Upper Mustang Trek with Luri Gompa, etc. are famous options.
What is the cost of Upper Mustang Trek Nepal?
The cost of the Upper Mustang Trek Nepal starts from 1600 $ per person to 2500 $ per person according to the preferences of the trekkers and choice of facilities. The package includes lodging, food, guides, porters, and permits during the trek including transportation for the standard services. If you are looking for the reasonable price for the trek then this blogger highly recommends the Nepal High Trek. This is the agency that specializes in managing the off the beaten and major trekking trips inside Nepal. Traveling to special places must become hassle free and the agency can provide you such environment in the most competitive rate.
How much is the trek permit for Upper Mustang?
Trekkers need special restricted area permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit for trekking activities. The cost of the restricted area permit for Upper Mustang is 500 $ per person for 10 days and 50 $ per person per day extra if the trek goes beyond 10 days. The cost of the ACAP is 20 $ per person. Please note that the trek is not allowed for a solo trekker. In addition, independent trekking is not allowed inside the restricted Upper Mustang region. Trekkers must be in a group of at least two trekkers and they must be guided by the trekking guide who has license and must be assigned by the Nepal Government registered trekking agency. If you fail to comply by all these rules then you are not fit to trek to Upper Mustang. Therefore, make sure to contact the reliable trekking agency based in Nepal for the mesmerizing walking holiday in Nepal’s forbidden kingdom up in the Himalayas. The Annapurna Circuit with Mustang Trek is an ideal, beautiful journey highly offers the various nature and cultures with numerous peaks too.
Can I trek to Upper Mustang during Monsoon season? Best Season ?
Do you know that the Upper Mustang region is called as the rain shadow region of Nepal? Yes, it is because the region experiences less rainfall. Therefore, it is suitable to do trekking in the monsoon season as well. Normally, the best season to do trekking activities or tours in the region is during the months of spring and autumn season. Please note that lots of domestic tourists choose the months of winter season to visit the region. Nowadays, the construction of the road has opened doors to many of the domestic travelers also to reach the region easily. In fact, people use the Lo Manthang as the transit place to visit Nepal – Tibet China border. Contact your travel agency to find out the most suitable dates for the Upper Mustang Trek in Nepal.
Earlier, the provision of accommodation and meals during the off season was very poor. In fact, people used to migrate to lower altitude places during monsoon and winter season. Nowadays, the improved accessibility has prompted people to stay in the trail throughout the year opening their tea houses or eateries. Therefore, please note that there is no issue of lodging and meals in the region throughout the year.
When is Tiji Festival celebrated in Upper Mustang?
In 2025 dates for Tiji Festival are 26th to 28th August. This is the most sacred festival to the people of the region. The festival takes place in the monastery where monks perform colorful dances and chants mantras. It is celebrated to mark the victory over evil. According to myth, the region was freed from the captivity of the demon by the monk called Dorje Jono. Ever since, the people celebrate the festival with lots of exuberance. People from all over the world attend the festival. If you wish to attend the festival then book the Upper Mustang Trek Nepal during the late August or contact your trekking agency to find out the dates and book the trek accordingly.
Please go through our trekking blogs about the Upper Mustang Trek. You will find in depth about the Upper Mustang Trek cost, Tiji Festival, Seasonal benefits of trekking in Upper Mustang, and itinerary details. The region is probably the most interesting place to be at least once in a lifetime. Travelers can get the experience of Nepal’s most famous tourist city (Pokhara), Annapurna region, and mystical restricted villages beyond mountains!
Please follow our blogs to get authentic information about traveling to Nepal. If you wish to know about any thing related to traveling to Nepal then feel free to email us. We will publish the blog according to your preferences and queries. Mail us at the nepalhightrek@gmail.com or reach out to our WhatsApp number +9779851142116.
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