Upper Mustang Trekking

Upper Mustang region lies in the boarder of Nepal & Tibet, because of the location, Upper mustang is called isolated or hidden kingdom of Nepal. Far away from the city, inside the mountains and those deserted mountains looks similar everywhere; that is why trekking or tour in Upper mustang alone is not safe.
Nobody lives up in the mountains of Upper Mustang in the winter, the thick snow and no vegetation makes life hard. People of upper mustang migrate from one place to another according to season. Because of all these reasons: Upper mustang is restricted region.
Reason for Upper Mustang to be restricted can be bulleted as below:
• Pristine cultural and traditional value
• Remote destination where independent travel is restricted
• Similar landscape of deserted mountains to make visitors disappear easily
• Winter is tough with thick snowfall
• Upper Mustang has scattered villages and very low population
• Difficult geography
• Antique heritage to be protected

Either road way or by airway, there is two possible methods to get to Upper Mustang.
From Kathmandu or Pokhara, you can drive to jomsom in a tourist bus. Above Jomsom, you must have to rely on private transportation to drive all the way to Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang.
If you want to go by air, you need to take flight to Jomsom. Small plane operates flight to jomsom from Pokhara and from Kathmandu. The flight to Jomsom from Pokhara will be about 20 minutes. From Jomoson onwards, you need to hire private transportation and mostly jeep indeed.
To go to Upper Mustang, you can ride motorbike as well. Motorbike tour to Upper Mustang will be an adventure.
As a foreigner, to get to upper mustang you must have restricted region’s permit and a single person without guide cannot travel to Upper Mustang. But for Nepali traveler, you do not need special permit but need to buy local permit and a single traveler is restricted to travel to Upper Mustang.

Mustang is famous for its own kingdom, famous as hidden kingdom of mustang whose headquarter is Lho Manthang. Mustang is also famous for sky burial and deserted landscape resembling Tibet.
However, Mustang region is divided into 2 different sections; one as lower mustang region and another as upper mustang region.
Upper Mustang is famous for antique culture and strange tradition. In gist upper mustang is famous by king of Upper mustang whose palace is at Lho manthang village, still in existence at 2020.
Lower mustang is famous for Mustang gate and numerous caves around. Historical and archeological sites in upper mustang tells stories from centuries ago, which is a famous side of lower mustang.

Highest point of Upper Mustang trekking or tour is Lho manthag village, located at 3840 meters or 12595 feet above the sea level. Upper mustang is considered a low altitude trekking in Nepal. As trekking to Upper mustang starts as low as 700 meters at Beni or 2000 meters as Jomsom; thus this restricted trekking of Upper Mustang is regarded as comfortable trekking or tour destination in Nepal; in accordance to altitude.
Altitude profile of Upper Mustang trekking trail or tour schedule do not rise by lot. There are few destinations like Syangboche, where tourist can have a acclimatization side trip. Thus, upper mustang height is not an issue for travelers

Altitude wise, upper mustang trek is considered as an easy trekking destination. But still, the toughness of trekking or tour to upper mustang depends with the time and season of travel to upper mustang.
Upper mustang is a rain shadow zone destination in Nepal. So traveling during monsoon season is regarded a favorable time for upper mustang. Monsoon in Nepal is from June to early august.
Winter trekking in upper mustang is hard. The thick snow and heavy snow fall frequently blocks the trekking trails as well.
Trekking Upper mustang in weather favored time is not hard for following reason:
• Gradual altitude profile with some acclimatization hikes
• Wide trekking trail with interesting landscapes
• Average maximum altitude
• Upper mustang trekking must be a guided trek with a local trekking/tour guide

Rain shadow zone like upper mustang and Dolpo region of Nepal are famous as desert of Nepal. But in general understanding; people says, mustang is desert of Nepal. People just mark upper mustang as deserted landscape of Nepal, because; Upper Dolpo region of Nepal is still hidden, there is no road network & hence even Nepali do hot have idea about how is the landscape of Upper Dolpo.
More precisely, Upper mustang region above Mustang gate or above Chaile village can be called as desert of Nepal. The region is more like dry mountains, no greenery, lies in Tibetan plateau; that is why this region is called desert of Nepal.

Upper Mustang is one of the best monsoon treks in Nepal, thus; if you are trekking in the month of June to August, you will be okay with summer outfit. Temperature in the monsoon will be around 10 to 25 degree Celsius.
But clothes to wear to travel to upper mustang depend with weather. If you travel to Upper mustang during winter, you must have to be prepared with cold of winter. Temperature in the winter might go below negative 20 degree Celsius.

Muktinath is at the height of 3760 meter/123333 feet above the sea level or feet. Muktinath is at the base of Thorong la pass of Annapurna circuit trek in Nepal.
Muktinath is also gateway to Mustang Nepal. The temple of Muktinath is a famous pilgrimage site in Nepal, for both Hindu and Buddhist.
Precisely, Muktinath lies in the lower part of mustang Nepal. However, upper mustang is the region above Muktinath. To some extent, you can assume Muktinath as a boarder in between upper mustang and lower mustang Nepal.

Mustang is a popular because of its distinguished identity. Distinguished with landscape from rest of Nepal, connected with Tibetan plateau, different life style of people and houses and majorly for the fact they have their own king.
Reason to prove, why mustang is popular; can be listed as follow:
• Upper Mustang has its own kingdom and palace is at Lho manthang
• Symbolic King of Upper Mustang used to be recognized by Nepal government
• Landscape of Upper Mustang is like a deserted mountain and very similar to Tibet
• Situated in Tibetan plateau, Upper Mustang has Korolla Boarder which connects Nepal and China
• Snow Mountain, dry landscape and scattered village are famous element of upper mustang
• Historically & archeologically important monasteries like Ghar Gompa are situated in Upper Mustang region
• Upper Mustang region has sky burial practice, even till date 2020
• Upper Mustang is a one of the best monsoon treks in Nepal

Because Mustang is different from rest of Nepal, there are plenty of reasons to visit Mustang. Some of the reasons to visit Mustang are listed below:
1. To visit Muktinath Temple – a holy temple
2. To see dry landscape alike to Tibet
3. Visit Lho manthang village with Palace of Kingdom of Lho
4. Skip the rain in other trekking regions of Nepal
5. To experience different culture and tradition
6. To pay respect in many of the monasteries of Upper Mustang region

The roadway distance from Kathmandu to Mustang is 380 kilometer or 238 miles.
As there are 2 ways to travel to Mustang – by air and by land, so it will take 1 to 3 days to get to mustang region. But to get to upper mustang; another couple of days are needed.

It is 174 kilometer or 109 mile from Pokhara to mustang, it is road way distance from Pokhara to mustang.
You can fly or drive from Pokhara to get to Jomsom, to get to mustang region of Nepal. It takes a day to 2 days to get to Mustang from Pokhara. Mustang is near from Pokhara than from Kathmandu.

To get to Muktinath there are few options of travels as follow:
• Travel to Muktinath by road: – To get to Muktinath by road you need to take bus or jeep from Pokhara to Jomsom. Jeep is considered safe and easy travel, in comparison of public transport; however you can always have option to hire a private comfortable vehicle. After getting to Jomsom by bus or jeep; you can either start trekking to Muktinath or drive by road. The road connectivity is all the way to the Muktinath temple.
• Travel to Muktinath by plane: – You can fly from Pokhara to Jomsom, it is recommended to take early flight as far as possible. After getting to Jomsom airport, you will have 2 options to get to Muktinath temple:
1 – Trekking :- you can start trekking from Jomsom to Muktinath. Jomsom to Muktinath can be a day trek or 2 days trek. If you want to split into 2 days stay one night at Kagbeni village. Kagbeni is the gateway of upper mustang trekking tour route.
2-Driving: – Jomosm to Muktinath is a fine road, so driving on this well maintained road is easy and doable. You can get to Muktinath from Jomsom in about 2 hours, by jeep. However, Trekking is recommended over driving.

Muktinath temple is in the entrance of Mustang Nepal, so you can get to mustang Nepal as in the similar way you get to Muktinath.
Please read the answer for How do I get to Muktinath?
Note – Once you get to Muktinath, from there as well; you will have 2 options to travel to mustang or to upper mustang. One way you can trek along the trekking route to mustang and upper mustang region. In another way, you can drive along the road to get to mustang or upper mustang.

Muktinath is 170 kilometer or 106.25 mile from Pokhara. It takes approximately 8 hours to get to Muktinath from Pokhara by jeep.
But there is another option to get to Muktinath from Pokhara. You can take flight from Pokhara airport to Jomsom at first & drive from Jomsom to Muktinath temple, secondly. This way of travel will be approximately 3 hours to get to Muktinath from Pokhara.

Muktinath temple dates back to 18th century (precisely 1815) the Hindus worship as a Vishnu Temple – Lord of Liberation. Buddhist worship in this temple, since they believe temple is related to Buddhism tantric and by far Hinduism and Buddhism are interrelated religion.

There are 2 famous options to get to Lo Manthang. One on jeep ride or motorbike ride by road and another by trekking.
If you want to travel to Lo Manthang by road on jeep, you can get to the village in a day from Pokhara. Rom Kathmandu you need to fly to Jomsom and take jeep to Lo Manthang to travel in a day timeframe. If you fry to Pokhara from Kathmandu and again fly to Jomsom from Pokhara, you can drive to Lho manthang from Jomsom in a day.
By trekking you need 5 to 15 days from Kathmandu or from Pokhara. If you look at our itinerary for motorbike tour to upper Mustang and trekking package itinerary for Upper Mustang; you will easily get what above means.

You can drive to Kagbeni. To drive to get to Kagbeni there are 2 options; one you can drive all the way to Kagbeni village from Pokhara or from Kathmandu another you can fly to Jomsom either from Kathmandu or from Pokhara and take a jeep from Jomsom to Kagbeni.
Apart from Drive to kagbeni, you can take flight to Jomsom and then trek for 4-6 hours to get to Kagbeni.

Upper Mustang trek is considered as a moderate trek. Highest altitudes of Upper Mustang trek being 3840 meters or 12595 feet above the sea level, at Lho Manthang village; it is a low altitude trek in Nepal.
Because of this low altitude and plane terrain hiking route of Upper Mustang trail, trekking considered as a moderate trekking. Apart from walking for 6 to 8 hours a day (including breaks), trekking to Upper mustang is an easy trek.

As a restricted trekking trail, we recommend you not to travel relying on Google map. The map on Google might be accurate, but the instant discoveries on the trail and confusing routes will make upper mustang trek by relying on Google map.
Trekking trail goes along the villages, and the villages of upper mustang region are scattered. Small village with limited number of locals, upper mustang trekking route has many optional trails, which might be confusing to travel on your own. However for non – Nepali travelers; you must have to have a local trekking guide to trek to Lo manthang.

3840 meters or 12595 feet is maximum altitude you will be sleeping in the upper mustang trek. But if you hike around and go towards the boarder of Kororla for an excursion, then the altitude of Upper mustang might go till 4000 meters or 13120 feet to its max.

To get to Upper mustang permit you need to apply at Nepal immigration office in Kathmandu. Following is the detailed process to get restricted/special permit of upper mustang region:
1. Contact local trekking company in Kathmandu, Nepal and ask them for the permit. Note – Restricted trekking routes in Nepal (like upper Mustang) cannot be explored independently, yo must go along the local trekking company, by law.
2. Submit the related document asked by the trekking company or fill in the online form of Immigration office if you do not want to share the documents.
3. On arrival at Nepal, submit your passport to the local trekking company, they need it to show in the office of immigration in Kathmandu
4. Your special permit to upper mustang will need a working day to get ready
5. You can start your journey to Upper Mustang region

Yes, Ghar Gomba is inside the restricted region of upper mustang, thus you must have a special permit to get to Ghar Gomba.

Upper Mustang weather is preferably great in the monsoon. The season wise weather of upper mustang region is described below:
• In Monsoon – Upper mustang lies in the rain shadow zone of Nepal. It doesn’t rain in monsoon at Upper mustang region. That is why; monsoon is regarded as the best tome to trek in the region. No rain, not cold, a bit cloudy season of monsoon has great season to travel to upper mustang, both for tour or trekking activity. Temperature ranges in between 15 to 20 degree Celsius.
• In winter – winter in Upper Mustang is the worst of all season. The thick snow on the rite of trekking or tour route will not be in the favor of traveler. Also the locals of upper mustang migrate to the lower regions of mustang in the winter. Winter is not recommended for upper mustang travel. But winter can be an option for skiing in the region. Temperature ranges in between -5 to 10 degree Celsius.
• In autumn – autumn in upper mustang is okay for travel. However, upper mustang region might face snowfall in the autumns as well. But the snow will not be as bad as in the winter season. Temperature ranges in between 0 to 20 degree Celsius.
• In spring – spring is another best season to travel to upper Mustang. Spring in upper mustang is neither cold nor hot, but it is best time of the year with no snow fall. Temperature ranges in between 5 to 25 degree Celsius.

You might not find complete information in internet itself. Upper mustang is restricted trekking trial and very few people visit to this location that is why there are very few trekking blog on Upper Mustang.
How to get more information about this destination? It is suggested to contact trekking agency in Nepal and they will help you to get the relevant information as per interest.

You can do upper mustang motorbike ride with a special permit for the restricted region. And it is moderate level of riding, not easy ride like a high way motorbike ride. Upper mustang motorbike ride is on the off road mostly graveled. After riding above Jomsom the road all the way to Lho manthang is a of road ride.
In the monsoon the road might be full of mint dust making the ride harder, whereas in the winter; thick amount of snow on top of the road surface will not entertain the ride.
Upper Mustang Motorbike ride is an adventure.

People visit to Mustang for its natural beauty. Famous as hidden kingdom inside Nepal, upper mustang is also famous for its historical evidence and living tradition of then. Nepali visit to upper mustang because this part of rain shadow zone of Nepal is different from the rext of the landscape in Nepal. For foreigners, there are many reasons to visit to upper mustang. Some of the reasons to visit to Upper Mustang are as follows:
• To see deserted landscape of Nepali mountains
• Visit Muktinath temple – Muktinath is famous among Hindu as well as Buddhist community in Nepal
• Explore the antique and archeological importance of Tibet-Nepal relation
• Explore monasteries and Gomba, that dates back to BC
• People often visit upper mustang to witness the sky burial
• Visit Ghar Gomba – This monastery has historical relation with Tibetan monastery or Potala palace
• To explore the caves, forts and Manni walls from long ago

Yes, you need special permit for upper mustang restricted region tour. Either for trekking or tour in this upper mustang region, as foreigner, you must need to buy a permit, a special permit.
Either you go on upper mustang tour on foot, by jeep, with horse, by mountains bike or motorbike ride; you must have to have a special permit applicable fr the upper mustang region. You can find this special permit at the immigration office at Kathmandu. But to get the permit for restricted region, one must go through trekking tour agency.

Among many things to see in upper mustang, Upper mustang is region for its kingdom and practice of king in the region. Also famous as hidden kingdom, upper mustang is famous for its isolated location in Nepal Tibet boarder.
In top 3 points, upper mustang is famous for:
• Rain shadow zone or monsoon trekking tour destination
• Hidden kingdom of Nepal with its palace located at Lo manthang village
• Ghar Gomba & Tiji festival

Department of Immigration, located in Kathmandu Nepal gives upper mustang permit. As a restricted region of Nepal, you must go through a trekking agency in Nepal, to get the permit for Upper Mustang.

Upper Mustang altitude profile is a gradual rise with 500 meters height gain at the beginning and ends being flat at 3840 meter or 12595 feet. Looking at the profile of Upper mustang trekking trail profile, it is an easy trekking trail, with respect to height of different destination.

Upper mustang trek is a best trek for monsoon season. All other region of Nepal gets rain in monsoon, but upper mustang lies I the rain shadow zone and hence upper mustang is famous as a best monsoon trek.
Apart from the monsoon you can trek upper mustang ion autumn and spring as well. In autumn and spring, other part of Nepal trekking trail is best time to visit, in this context if you are looking for the following things on y9our trek, upper mustang trek can be a best option for you. Best option even in comparison to Everest, Manaslu or Annapurna region trekking. The comparison parameters can be:
• If you are looking for Desret3ed landscape like of Tibet
• Are you looking for descend altitude trekking with multiday hike along the wide trail?
• Is history and culture your interest?
• Are you looking for a less visited trail with fewer crowds of trekkers?

There are few options to see weather forecast of upper mustang. You can simply search on Google for the international weather forecaster. Apart from that Nepal government has mountain weather forecast for every 7 days on government’s website. You can find precise weather forecast of upper mustang from Nepal government mountain weather forecast web page.
However, you need to trek with a trekking agency from Nepal at the end of the day. DO not bother researching and finding weather forecast for upper mustang. Instead you can simply ask to your trekking agent from Nepal and they will update you about the temperature.

In general, height is not an issued for AMS while doing upper mustang jeep tour. In most contexts, with most of the trekking agency, they will have provision of supplemental oxygen in the jeep tour.