Upper Mustang Trekking Difficulty

Upper Mustang trekking difficulty can be rated as a moderate level trekking in Nepal. Upper mustang Nepal offers stunning landscape, mixed of dry mountains & snow capped Himalayas. Desert like scenery in this journey is a remarkable adventure for those who are looking for good monsoon/rainy season trek in Nepal.

Modern world & digital development has not impacted the traditional cultural aspect of Upper Mustang Nepal.

This is neither an easy nor a challenging trek in Nepal. Despite being somewhat far away from the city and isolated remote villages, Upper mustang region’s trekking paths are wide and fairly easy on the legs. Most of the time, the trekking trail is open & wide.

Upper mustang trekking trail follows the motorable route in some sections which are large enough for cars/trucks to pass. The walk is on relatively flat terrain with no any steep uphill for ascend and descend.

However, if you wish to trek in the Yara Ghara region of upper mustang Nepal – expect some ups and downs. Yaraghara trail of Upper mustang trekking difficulty is comparatively harder than regular Upper mustang trek. The difficulty level is tough in yaraghara trail – because of no tea houses in between the destinations and destination villages being isolated and far from each other.

Upper Mustag trekking difficulty
Villages you will stay in your Upper Mustang Trek will look like this – Doesn’t it resembles the Tibetan houses?

Thus – upper mustang trekking difficulty depends on which trail you want to choose for your trek.

What is the famous of Upper Mustang Nepal?

The continuous archeological findings from the upper mustang Nepal – the region’s ancient monasteries, culture, and centuries-old caves are mysterious.

Villages are constructed in the Tibetan style, and the homes are painted white with piles of firewood on the roofs. These traditional houses of upper mustang region are believed to be centuries old.

Upper Mustang Trekking Difficulty – factors

  1. Walking hours

 You must walk for a maximum of 5 to 7 hours every day on the trail of upper mustang, which is relatively dry. 7 hours of hiking in the relatively flat terrain with gradual rise in altitude is not hard walk. However, continues walking for several days for around 5 to 7 hours every day does make upper mustang trekking moderately difficult.

It is quite difficult and hurtful but the view of mountains, environmental vibes, dry landscape, people, culture, monasteries and habitats will make all those pain go away. As your bag pack weight also affect your walking thus do not carry more stuff by yourself. If you can hire a porter for around USD 20/30 a day – why don’t you hire one? Its helps to decrease the load off your legs & backs; and give employment to locals from Upper mustang region.

upper mustang trekking
Upper Mustang Trekking Difficulty can never be compared with this beauty of nature where desert mountains contrast with Himalayas

Therefore, for both novices & expert walkers, six to seven hours of nonstop trekking in the Himalayas is little bit of difficulty and painful. Therefore, traveling in an Upper mustang requires both physical and mental health fit & sound.

  2. Altitude of upper mustang trekking difficulty

While traveling to Upper Mustang, altitude is not a significant problem. During the trekking duration, you are never higher than 4000 meters. Thus, Upper Mustang region of Nepal is also famous as a tour destination for those who does not have longer vacation for Nepal.

Altitude sickness will not be a problem while trekking in Upper mustang. However, altitude sickness symptoms can be seen from altitudes higher than 2500 meters. Normally, altitude increases, the oxygen content decreases, making breathing challenging. But in case of Upper Mustang – change in altitude is not very different from one destination to another stop. This is why, trekking in Upper Mustang will not be difficult from the height prospective.

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    Even if you get altitude sickness, they won’t be severe or problematic. Even if you do have altitude sickness in the upper Mustang, by any bad luck, there is a well maintained motor able road from all the way to Lo manthang & beyond, which makes your rescue easier risk free.

    Risk free in a sense that – unlike clouded sky stopping the rescue in Everest or other parts of remote trekking of Nepal – clouded sky will not be an issue for jeep to drive downhill.

    You might also encounter other symptoms in addition to minor headaches, which is very normal in the mountains. Anyone of any age could experience it due to the new environment’s comparatively low air supply.

    3. Terrain

    The Upper Mustang Trekking has its ups and downs, just like other treks around the Himalayas does. But the uphill and down hill of Upper mustang region is not steep as in other region trekking in Nepal.

    You won’t have to worry about the terrain, though, if you’ve already tried comparable treks. Comparable treks for upper mustang can be Mardi Himal trekking, Ghorepani poonhill trekking, Bhimtang valley trek, Annapurna base camp trekking or any trekking below 4000 meters.

    4. Remoteness of Upper Mustang Nepal

    Upper mustang trekking
    Upper mustang is a excellent mini Tibet trekking in Nepal

    Although the remoteness of the area has little sense on how adventurous the walk is. Please do not take it as other remote trekking of Nepal. Upper mustang trekking difficulty is irrelevant of its remoteness.

    One village is far from another village because of nature of upper mustang terrain. Greenery is manmade, fertile land is scars, very few people reside in the upper mustang Nepal – this how upper mustang region became remote trekking route in the lower altitude of Nepal.

    Although, many teahouses and other lodging options can be found in the destinations Upper Mustang. Good interior finishing of modern finishing from in bathrooms, bedroom and kitchen has made upper mustang trekking difficulty more dilute. A single room is also an option for an additional fee. The majority of the Upper Mustang would have no issues with your mobile network.

    You must remember, though, that you are in the once-forbidden land. So don’t anticipate any form of contemporary luxury. This means – your tea house accommodation, food and surrounding will not be as comfort as back home. Which makes upper mustang trekking difficulty moderate – not an easy like poonhill or jomsom-lower-mustang trekking.

    5. Temperature and Climate

    The weather has a significant impact on upper mustang trekking difficulty. Nepal has 4 seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. All of these 4 season comes in Upper Mustang Nepal.

    Upper Mustang hiking is most enjoyable in the spring. If you want to go to upper mustang with less crowded tourist in the cities of Nepal, trek to upper mustang in monsoon season. In monsoon, rest of the Nepal Himalaya is clouded and hence very few people trek in this time of the year. With less people in rest of the trekking region of Nepal – upper mustang will have less trekkers as well.

    But, in contrast to other trekking trails of Nepal, upper mustang trekking has good weather in monsoon as well. During this time of year, the daytime temperature typically ranges from 15 to 26 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature drops by 5/6 degrees Celsius at night.

    Monsoon trekking in Nepal is not recommended because of the rainfall. But, Upper Mustang Nepal lies in the rain shadow zone – and hence no worries of rainfall in this region.

    upper mustang trekking
    Picture of town of Jomsom – this town is gateway to upper mustang, lower mustang & famous thorong la pass trekking in Nepal.

    It will be more challenging to travel upper mustang Nepal in the winter season. Due to the considerable snowfall, the temperature may drop by 0 to 5 degrees during the day and by -20 to -25 degrees at night. This condition could be challenging with thick snow on the trail of upper mustang. Upper mustang trekking difficulty for the winter can be rated strenuous.

    Nepalgram Adventure can draft a suitable itinerary for Upper mustang trekking with consideration of your interest and the length of holiday for your Nepal travels.

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    Choosing the appropriate season for the hike will therefore help to lower the Upper Mustang Trek Difficulty Level.

    About Author

    I grew up in the mountains & got university education in Kathmandu to become an engineer. But with homely environment of mountains interest me to become a trekking & tour guide, by passion. I have been 6574 meter to the highest & fortunately got chance to explore most of Nepal and bit of abroad.

    Eventually, passion converted to profession and here i am on behalf of Nepalgram - a Trekking agency in Nepal.

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