When is the best time to visit the Upper Mustang?
Spring and Autumn are unquestionably the best seasons to visit the Upper Mustang, particularly during the Dashain festival when locals of Upper Mustang celebrate the beautiful spring festival of Tiji.
The monsoon season is also the ideal time to visit the Upper Mustang because the entire trip to this area of Nepal is to a hidden trans-Himalayan region that is secluded by the massive Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhare peaks in the rain shadow realm.
Here is what you can expect the temperature to be like during your Upper Mustang trek in different seasons:
| Seasons |
Temperature in the Daytime |
Temperature at Nighttime |
| Spring (Mar-May) |
12°C to 22°C |
-2°C to 6°C |
| Summer/ Monsoon (Jun-Aug) |
18°C to 24°C |
8°C to 12°C |
| Autumn (Sep-Nov) |
10°C to 18°C |
-2°C to 5°C |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) |
-5°C to 10°C |
-20°C to -5°C |
To get the most out of the 14-day exciting natural and cultural excursion to the Upper Mustang, I suggest you take extra precautions when packing, gearing up, and choosing equipment because winters there can be extremely cold.
Food and Accommodation During the Upper Mustang Trek
In your Upper Mustang trek, you will stay in tea houses or small lodges which are run by locals who welcome you with great hospitality and offer basic yet cozy rooms and services to enhance your journey.
They usually have one dining hall where you can enjoy your meals and breakfasts. They provide shared bathrooms, Wi-Fi (in some places), hot showers and basic meal facilities.
Here is what you can expect:
Accommodation options in Upper Mustang:
- Rooms are usually on a sharing basis. You can make an advance booking for private accommodation.
- A bed, a thick blanket, and a pillow with a shared squat toilet.
- A communal dining room, heated with a wood-burning stove, where you can bond with fellow trekkers and locals.
- Electricity for charging your electronic devices in most of the trek routes.
- Wi-Fi and internet services might be slow in some areas; however, they are available throughout the trek route.
- Hot showers for a few extra charges are available. But we do not recommend you shower in higher elevations which might increase your chances of catching a cold.
- Camping is also possible; the teahouses have camping space allocated for camping.
If you want to have a luxury accommodation experience during your Upper Mustang trek, then Lo Manthang offers luxury hotels with modern facilities.
Food & Beverage options in Upper Mustang:
Breakfast Menu
| Vegetarian |
Non-Vegetarian |
|
1. Porridge (Oats, Millet)
2. Pancakes (Honey, jam, peanut butter)
3. Tibetan bread with jam or eggs
4. Omelette (Plain, cheese, veggie)
5. Boiled Eggs
6. Tea/coffee/milk
7. Hot lemon (Ginger)
8. Ginger tea
|
1. Omelette with ham or sausage
2. Fried eggs with bacon
3. Pancakes with honey or eggs
|
Lunch Menu
| Vegetarian |
Non-Vegetarian |
|
1. Dal Bhat (rice, lentil soup, veg curry, pickle)
2. Fried rice or noodles (vegetable)
3. Vegetable soup
4. Potato curry or fried potatoes
5. Chapati or Tibetan bread with curry
|
1. Dal Bhat with chicken curry
2. Fried rice or noodles with chicken or egg
3. Thukpa (noodle soup with meat)
4. Chicken or buff (yak meat) curry
|
Dinner Menu
| Vegetarian |
Non-Vegetarian |
|
1. Dal Bhat Tarkari set (unlimited refills)
2. Veg momos (dumplings)
3. Thukpa (veg noodle soup)
4. Pasta or spaghetti (veg sauce)
5. Veg fried rice or potatoes
|
1. Chicken or buff momos
2. Non-veg thukpa
3. Pasta with meat sauce
4. Dal Bhat with meat curry
5. Fried meat with rice or noodles
|
Snacks Menu
| Vegetarian |
Non-Vegetarian |
|
1. Popcorn
2. Biscuits
3. Chocolates
4. Chips
5. Seasonal fruits (limited)
|
Same as veg options (since snacks are generally vegetarian) |
Beverages
| Soft Drinks/ Tea |
Hard Drinks |
|
1. Black tea
2. Milk tea
3. Hot lemon with honey
4. Coffee
5. Ginger or mint tea
6. Soft drinks (Coke, Fanta, Sprite)
7. Bottled or boiled water
|
1. Occasionally, local beer (Chang, Mustang beer)
2. Limited availability of imported alcohol
|
Note: Prices for food and accommodation gradually increase with the increase in altitude.
What is the difficulty grade of the Upper Mustang expedition?
The weather is a big factor when determining the difficulty of the Upper Mustang Trek. But in general, the adventurous journey through the most off-the-beaten Himalayan trail to Upper Mustang is considered moderately challenging. Here is a better insight:
| Seasons |
Difficulty level |
Main Conditions |
| Spring (Mar-May) |
Moderate |
Stable weather, clear skies, and trails. |
| Summer/ Monsoon (Jun-Aug) |
Moderate - Challenging |
Heavy winds, dusty trails, little rain, and warmer days. |
| Autumn (Sep-Nov) |
Moderate/ Best time |
Best weather with clear skies, dry, and easy trails. |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) |
Challenging - Difficult |
Extremely cold, snowy, and slippery trails, with limited stay available. |
How to keep yourself fit for the Upper Mustang Voyage?
As a first-timer in Nepal seeking to trek the higher altitude treks such as the Upper Mustang, involving several days of rambling through some steep uphill and downhill trails in the highly elevated land that can actually cause spotting of acute mountain sickness, it is extremely important to keep yourself physically conditioned and mentally determined while handing over the logistic planning to a reliable local travel and trek operator.
Here's what you can do to prepare mentally and physically:
Physical Preparation
- Incorporate cardiovascular exercises like running, jogging, swimming, etc.
- Walk regularly, aim for 4 to 6 hours of comfortable walking.
- Focus on strength training, especially your legs and core. Exercises like squats, lunges, and step climbing are highly recommended.
- Practice hiking on varied terrain.
Healthy choices
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in carbohydrates for energy and consume enough protein for muscle repair.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
- Practice drinking enough water, with at least 3 - 4 liters a day.
- Keep a positive mental attitude and be prepared for potential challenges.
Why pack lightly for the Upper Mustang Trek?
The rambling to the Upper Mustang involves several days of hiking through rugged terrain at varying altitudes, where carrying a heavy backpack can increase the possibility of physical strain and fatigue, while light backpacking with only essential items provides flexibility with movement, allowing efficient acclimatization and a comfortable pace, mitigating the chances of altitude sickness as well.
Although it is possible to hire porters to decrease the weight on your shoulders, how much they can do is limited, and excessive luggage can cost you additionally. Hence, it is crucial to pack what is necessary in a light manner that ensures the convenient management of your backpack and the hiring of a porter in need without exceeding the weight limits, allowing more freedom with your itinerary and excessive baggage.
Trekking group/single
The Upper Mustang trek is open for private and group adventures, whether you are a solo traveler or a group. So, in case you formed a group of people to go on the trek, then you will be able to avail a lot of special offers that come with the group treks. The best thing is that you get the largest discount with the largest group. However, these group discounts are not applicable when Ammonite Adventure is the organizer of the group.
We are ready to receive groups of any size and pick an assistant guide for any group with 12 or more trekkers. Two trekkers will have a porter and are limited to 9 kg of luggage.
Extra personal expenses on trekking
The Upper Mustang trek package covers most of the expenses related to the whole trek. The major costs are covered, and the only exceptions are that the clients will have to take care of their meals, personal expenses, and accommodation in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and during the trek. Both cities are rich with a variety of hotels/lodges, luxury and budget, and clients can book themselves online.
All of the clients should carry some spending money, which will be used for accommodation and food in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Extra cost is also required for the visa process, the purchase of the travel insurance policy, snacks, hot (tea/coffee) and cold drinks, tips for the crew members, souvenirs, etc. They can carry cash (major currencies) that they can convert the currency only in Kathmandu or Pokhara for Nepali Rupees. The trekking regions will only accept Nepali currency.
Ammonite Adventure Crew
The licensed guides and our local Sherpa lead the 14-day Upper Mustang trek. They will make sure that the trek is hassle-free and unforgettable. Porters will carry your bags, with two trekkers sharing one porter. Each porter can carry a maximum of 18 kg. We can also arrange for a personal porter, if you prefer.
Most members of our team are native to the Himalayan region and are well-adjusted to high altitudes. We pay them fair wages, and they are covered by insurance, provided with food, clothing, lodging, and medical support – all of which ensures their health and safety. By looking after our staff, we are assured that they will be efficient in providing you with the best service during your trek.
Our trek leaders are:
- Wilderness First Aid trained
- Government-certified trekking qualifications holders
- English speakers as well as other languages speakers
- Trained in conservation and biodiversity
- Having the skill of storytelling that allows the sharing of local culture and history
- Having strong communication and facilitation skills
- Having problem-solving skills under pressure
- Being skilled in organisational and logistical planning
- Having a good sense of humor makes for an enjoyable trek
- Being considerate in terms of client needs
- Being committed to sustainable and responsible tourism
Booking and Payment Process
You're in safe hands when you book with us at Ammonite Adventure, a registered trekking agency bonded by the Nepal Government, members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN), and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). To guarantee the trek, you need to make a 10% down payment through bank transfer, Western Union, or online.
For the balance payment, you can pay in Nepal with cash, a credit card, or a transfer. After the booking, you will need to send us a copy of your passport, which should include dependent children, photos, travel insurance, and flight details within a week.
Last-minute booking
We accept last-minute bookings for the Upper Mustang Trek. You must pay for the trip in full 24 hours before the start of the trek. However, last-minute bookings will be subject to the conditions of flights and weather, although we do our best to run treks at any time.
Trip extension
Truly, if you wish to be around for a couple more days after the trek, we are in a position to manage trips for you. You can take part in a number of activities, such as Kathmandu sightseeing, jungle safaris, or activities like paragliding, rafting, or canoeing.
If you like to relax, we can also arrange Pokhara cultural tours or a wellness retreat for you.
Feedback
Once the Upper Mustang Trek is over, there will be a farewell dinner in Kathmandu arranged by Ammonite Adventure. You will receive a printed certificate and have the opportunity to provide feedback on the trek.
