Nepal, a small Himalayan nation includes many beautiful places. Among numerous places of value, the one that is a trekkers’ PARADISE is the huge and thrilling Annapurna region. This magical place spans about 5 districts and is divided into two parts namely the ‘rain area’ and the ‘rain shadow area’. The Rain area starts from Pokhara and stretches through Ghorepani and Ghandruk. The trail leading to these parts are densely forested and it thrives in wildlife. The demarcation point in the rain area and rain shadow area starts from Manang as the landscape tends to transform into arid desert. Since ancient times, the desolate parts of Mustang have enchanted and allured travel fanatics. More specifically, Upper Mustang has a grasp on travelers that aren’t found elsewhere.
In ancient times, Upper Mustang used to connect Tibet and was a corridor for trade. It comprised of a handful of kingdoms that were united under the crown in Lo Manthang. Since 1790, it became a part of Nepal, and the Lo Manthang kingdom was dissolved in 2008. This area had a strict policy on privacy and did not allow tourists and foreigners until 1992. The people living in these parts follow Tibetan Buddhism and some of them are even Tibetans. The isolation from the outside world has led to the conservation of the amazing culture in these parts. A visit to this culturally and naturally rich place will leave you with a lifetime supply of memories.
How difficult is Upper Mustang Trek?
The trails that lead to Upper Mustang sees a drastic change in elevation and landscape. When you start from Pokhara, the trails are green and forested. You need to walk on steep staircases and endure hard climbing. On average, you need to walk at least 6 hours a day. During the walk, the elevation may get you plus you have a high possibility of attracting travelers’ stomach. The trail sees an increase in altitude by at least 200 meters on a timeframe of 10 days. You need to acclimatize properly if you are to going on Upper Mustang trek. After the green terrain, you will face dry and barren trails of Upper Mustang. The strong winds may topple you so be careful. In some parts, you won’t find tree houses or lodges so the only option available is camping. It can be pretty tough on a chilly day. Thus, the Upper Mustang trek is a difficult one, and it requires proper training & hiking experience to complete it.
What should I carry during Upper Mustang Trek?
During your journey to Upper Mustang, you need to carry some mandatory things, which will help the journey to run smoothly. You will need to carry a windproof & dustproof jacket, airtight sunglasses, eye drops, dust mask, and waterproof sunscreens.
Permits needed to Travel in Upper Mustang region
Upper Mustang is a restricted area and to enter this part of Nepal, you will need a travel permit along with your TIMS. It is mandatory for every non-Nepali citizen. This permit is called the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), and it costs approximately 500 USD per person for a period of 10 days. If you wish to add extra days, then it cost 50 USD for an additional day. To obtain a Restricted Area Permit, you need to travel through a registered trekking company in Nepal.
About route
A trek in Upper Mustang lasts for about 17 days. Like many other treks, it starts from Kathmandu, and after you indulge in a quick sightseeing tour of the major UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu valley like Pashupatinath & Kathmandu Durbar Square, you head towards Pokhara. You need to fulfill the legal formalities like documentation and trekking permits while you are in Kathmandu. You can either fly to Pokhara or drive there. Regardless of the method you use, your journey will be nothing but amazing.
Spend the night in Pokhara by visiting Lakeside and the Fewa & Rupa lake. The next day, you fly to Jomsom and admire the surreal views of frosty peaks that include Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Jomsom is an ancient trading hub between Nepal and Tibet. Walk along the banks of the Kaligandaki river to arrive at Kagbeni and feel free to admire the illustrious monasteries. Interact with the locals of Tharu and Gurung communities before finding yourself in the beautiful Chele village.
Further, walk along the isolated ridges that paint the picture of surrounding peaks. As the elevation increases, you rest at Syangboche at 3,800 meters and then walk on the chorten filled trail that leads to Ghami. Admire the picturesque cliff at Ghami and learn the myth of Guru Padmasambhava. From Tsar, you proceed towards Lomanthang. This was the ancient capital of Mustang, and it comprises of 150 houses & is home to the biggest Tibetan Gompa in Nepal. The view is also stunning from here. There are numerous monasteries and settlements nearby Mustang and they are worth a visit.
After staying in Lomanthang, you head to Drakmar. The road provides a view of Ghar Gompa, which dates back to the 7th century. Observe the gorgeous cliffs in these parts, and later, head back to Syangmochen. After spending a short time in the Chungsi cave monasteries, you walk on a vertical canyon and observe the Kali Gandaki gorge. Observing the Nilgiri mountains, you find ourselves at Chhuksang. Walkthrough the cinematic gorges once again to reach Jomsom, and from there, fly to Pokhara where this amazing trip will end.
Things to do in Upper Mustang
Adventure sports
Upper Mustang is a great place to get involved in adventure sports. You can involve in sports like mountain biking and cycling off the cliffs. There are many rocky ridges here, which are suitable for rock climbing. There are horses here too, and you can also do climbing while setting on a horse. The steep hills and flat trails make a great place for adventure sports.
Jeep safari
If you want to escape the heavy trekking, then you can indulge in a jeep safari. The tour goes through the rugged terrain, and it saves you from the hassle of walking. This jeep safari tour is suitable for small children and old people. The drive goes through the diverse landscape and valleys.
Hiking and trekking
Upper mustang is a great place to indulge in some trekking either light or heavy. The dry and picturesque trails explore quaint towns and monasteries. You can even hike up to the Kora La Pass.
Taste unique cuisine
The traditional dishes in Upper Mustang is pretty unique. The people living in these parts are Thakali. This is the place from where the world-famous Thakali dish has been originated. You can enjoy the local products, which include apple, beer, and fried dishes. The locals in Upper Mustang are famous for making dishes like Tibetan bread, tea mixed with salt & butter, and other delicacies.
Enjoying the snowfall
The famous Annapurna region comprises of mountains like Annapurna, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, and Macchapucchre. This region does not receive much rainfall, but it does receive snowfall in winter.
Things you should know before going on Upper Mustang Trek
- While taking the Upper Mustang trek, you need to understand that it takes place in the most isolated part of Nepal, and there aren’t many luxury hotels & deluxe teahouses available. You have to stay in simple places with bare minimum facilities. If you travel at peak tourist season, then you won’t even get that. The rooms are not very spacious and some parts do not have lighting too. They share a common toilet though.
- The roads in Upper mustang are barren and dry. There are motorbikes and jeep that run on them. The roaring winds plus the vehicles generate a lot of dust, which can cause nose, throat, and eye irritations. Be sure to carry a dust mask.
- The one thing that Upper Mustang is full of is monasteries. During this trek, you can explore monasteries in the towns like Samar, Dhakmar, Tsaharang, and Ghemi. To observe big monasteries, you can visit Kagbeni, Lo Manthang, and Jomsom.
- It does not come as a surprise that Upper Mustang faces electricity problems. It is still on the phase of development so these sorts of things are pretty common.
- There are many caves in Upper Mustang, and they have a reputation for being enigmatic plus they charge bit heavy too. The entrance fee goes to maintain a nearby school and monastery too.
Upper mustang is a must-visit site not only in Nepal. The ancient roads carved by hundreds of years of nature has made this place a favorite for many.
So, what are you waiting for?
Pack your bags and go on a journey that is bound to last all eternity.
