Upper Mustang Trek - 14 Days
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Since 2018, HoneyGuide has worked with over 1000 independent/group trekkers, 200+ Lodges and 230+ Local Guides/Porters in the Everest Region.
As a concierge, HoneyGuide will:- Answer your queries and help you make an itinerary as per your budget, preference and time.
- Recommend and help you book Flights, Guides/ Porter and Lodges in every night stop at best rates.
- Full trail support- If any changes occur, we will change your scheduled bookings for free.
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HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the last Forbidden kingdom of Lo-Manthang.
- Picturesque views of Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Nilgiri.
- Walk along the ancient Salt trade route along the Kali Gandaki River Valley.
- Side Trip to the 5-storeyed (144 rooms) Jhong Caves.
- Visit to the several ancient Monasteries as old as 13th century.
QUICK FACTS
- Difficulty LevelModerate
- Total Length108 km
- Highest Altitude4,300 meters
- Elevation Profile
- Start locationKagbeni
- Finish locationkagbeni
- PermitsACAP, Special Area permit
- Best SeasonAnytime except dec/Jan/Feb
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
- Chele
(3,064 m)
- Syangmochen
( m)
- Syangmochen
( m)
- Tsarang
( m)
- Tsarang
( m)
- Lo Manthang
(3,825 m)
- Lo Manthang
(3,825 m)
- Lo Manthang
(3,825 m)
- Lo Manthang
(3,825 m)
- Ghar Gumba
( m)
- Dhakmar
(3,807 m)
DESCRIPTION
Housed in the Trans Himalayan region of Nepal, Upper Mustang Trek is a whole different world with white washed landscapes and mysterious cave settlements. The trekking route basically follows the ancient Salt trade route that used to be most popular trade route through the Kali Gandaki River Valley. The secludedness from outside world up until a few decades back, has contributed to preserving the authenticity and rich Tibetan culture of the area. You will encounter beautiful barren landscapes, breathtaking mountains, red cliffs, prehistoric caves, monasteries, chortens, and Loba people in the small village settlements of Upper Mustang.
Good Time to Go: anytime other than late December to early February.
Entry Point: Jomsom/ Kagbeni Exit Point: Jomsom/ Kagbeni
Trail condition: The trail of Upper Mustang is linked by motorable road all along the trail up to Lo Manthang. But the good news is, the roads aren’t very busy and you can skip several sections of the road. You have the option to catch a jeep or hire horses as well.
Accommodation: You can find high end lodges in Jomsom and Kagbeni. Beyond Kagbeni, the lodges are small and very basic all along the trail. Please do not expect high quality service or luxury lodges. Even the number of lodges aren’t very high. However, due to the low flow of trekkers in the area, finding accommodation shouldn’t be a big problem.
Risks: AMS can be an issue if you don’t acclimatize well. So do take time and trek instead of taking jeep directly to Lo manthang. It is advised to avoid the winter as it can get extremely cold followed by heavy snowfall as Mustang lies in the Rain Shadow area. Also, please consider some extra days, as flight cancellation due to bad weather is pretty common.
Route Variations: The route to and from Upper Mustang is pretty straight forward without a lot of route variation. However, you can return from Dhakmar by crossing 2 passes if you wish.
Notes: If you wish to go on this trek, please fill the inquiry form and we will help you plan your trek according to your preference.
FAQS
Traveling to the mountains poses some inherent risks. As such, the best strategy is to prepare for the worst and then hope for the best.
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
The first thing to keep in mind is to see if you have pre-existing conditions that could cause complications at high altitudes. Specifically, suppose you have sickle cell disease, pulmonary hypertension, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, or congenital heart problems. In that case, we highly recommend you consult with a qualified physician before planning a trip to the mountains. Read more.
ALTITUDE-ILLNESS
Given the low amount of oxygen at high altitudes, a sensible ascent is essential to give your body the time to acclimate to the thin air. Failure to do so can lead to your lungs or brain filling up with water leading to death in some cases. The key is not to climb more than 500 meters in one day once you pass the 2,500 meters mark. Read more.
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Given the extreme weather in the high mountains, proper gear and regimen must have a safe and comfortable tour. The three most important things that you have to prepare for are cold, snow, and radiation. As such, invest in the right sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, and clothing. Read more.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We highly recommend everyone get travel insurance covering high altitude evacuation before leaving on a trek to the high mountains. Global Rescue and World Nomads are both highly recommended. For Nepali travelers, please note that insurance that covers helicopter rescue is not available as of now. As such, please be careful while planning your tour and only work with companies that can provide timely evacuation service if needed.
RESCUE AND EMERGENCY
As health facilities are limited in the mountains, a helicopter's evacuation is usually the only option during an emergency. As such, the right insurance provider is essential. If you are not buying insurance for some reason, please ensure that there is someone in Kathmandu who can coordinate payments for a helicopter rescue. Here are some other contacts that might come in handy during an emergency. If you still have questions, please feel free to call / whatsapp us at +977-9801916215 or email Ashish at nectar@honeyguideapps.com
HOW DO I MAKE A PAYMENT?
To confirm your tour, you will have to make complete payment either through one of your integrated payment gateways or transfer the funds to the following bank accounts:
For Nepali citizens:
Account Name:: HoneyGuide Pvt. Ltd. Beneficiary Bank: Himalayan Bank, Patan Branch Account Number: 00606903770018For Indian Citizens:
For USD transfers
Account Name: HoneyGuide Apps, Inc. Bank Name: Silicon Valley Bank Account Number: 3302225311 Swift Code: SVBKUS6S ABA Routing Number: 121140399BOOKING A TOUR
Deposit Required for Reservation: 50 percent of total tour cost Deadline for Full Payment: 2 weeks before the tour begins
CHANGING A TOUR
Two weeks before tour date: No extra charge 1 to 2 weeks before tour date: 10% additional charge Two days to 1 week between tour date: 20% additional charge Within two days of tour date: Above 30% (variable)
CANCELLING A TOUR
Two weeks before tour date: No charge (transaction charges may apply) One to two weeks before tour date: 20% Cancellation Charge Two days to one week between tour date: 50% Cancellation Charge Within two days of tour date: No Refund.
DELAYS AND CHANGES DURING THE TOUR
In case of flight delays/cancellations due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, HoneyGuide will change the dates at no additional costs. However, any extra cost incurred, including but not limited to accommodation and food, will be the responsibility of the traveler.
In case of changes due to the trekker's health issues, HoneyGuide will make all the changes without any additional cost. However, any extra charge because of the changes will be the responsibility of the traveler.
While Nepal's mountains see six seasons, the best period to go to the mountains is from March-May and September-December. However, every season has its quirk, just like people. So keep reading to find your match.
For those going to Everest Region, do check out the Best time to go to Everest post.
January/February (Winter)
January/February is a good time for trekkers willing to brave the cold and snow for empty trails, fantastic mountain views, and wildlife sightings.
March/April (Spring)
This is a period that offers a little bit of everything: a little bit of mountain view, a little bit of warm weather, a little bit of flowers, a little bit of crowd, and a whole lot of fun.
May/June (Summer)
This is the best time for those into nature. The flowers are quite something this time of the year, and the bird activity is fantastic. The monsoon hasn't started, and as such, mornings are still clear with beautiful mountain views.
July/August (Monsoon)
Only for hardcore trekkers who are willing to put up with the elements for an authentic cultural experience and high altitude flowers. Also, flight disruptions are very likely, and chances of mountain views are close to zero.
September/October (Fall)
This period is everyone's darling, and the trails are as crowded as they can be. The mountain views are something to write home about, and the temperature is just perfect.
November/December (Pre-Winter)
Another popular period among trekkers and the driest two months in the calendar. Indeed it has gotten a bit nippy during the mornings and evenings, but it is still manageable. Count on a lot of sunshine and crystal clear mountain views.