Embarking on a trek to the enchanting Upper Mustang region of Nepal promises breathtaking landscapes, ancient caves, and a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Tibetan-influenced communities. But before you dust off your hiking boots and pack your bags, one question lingers in the minds of every aspiring trekker: What will the Upper Mustang trek cost? Fear not, for in this comprehensive guide, we are here to demystify the cost factors associated with this extraordinary journey.
Key Takeaways
- The Upper Mustang Trek offers stunning landscapes and a rich cultural experience, but it comes at a higher cost than other trekking destinations in Nepal.
- Key cost factors include permits, transportation, accommodation, meals, and hiring guides or porters.
- Travelers must obtain special permits for the Upper Mustang; the total permit cost is approximately USD 530 per person.
- Transportation options include flights or local buses, with higher food prices due to remote delivery logistics.
- Budget-conscious trekkers can explore options with local companies to reduce the Upper Mustang Trek cost significantly.
Nepal’s Upper Mustang Trek is a stunning hiking destination, boasting its pristine Himalayan landscape and rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. While exploring this beautiful region can be expensive, the Upper Mustang Trek Cost is notably higher than that of other trekking destinations, such as Annapurna, Langtang, and Everest.
If you are seeking more affordable options, you may consider the Lower Mustang Trek. The Upper Mustang Trek price depends on the group size, the availability of a fixed date, and the method of travel, which can be arranged relatively cheaply.
From permits and transportation to accommodation and meals, we will uncover the hidden expenses and break down the budget for an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Himalayas. So, whether you are a budget-conscious backpacker or a luxury-seeking traveler, join us as we unravel the mysteries of the Upper Mustang Trek cost and help you plan your dream adventure in this awe-inspiring region. Get ready to delve into the details and discover the cost of exploring the hidden gem of the Upper Mustang.
Table of contents
- Why trek to Upper Mustang?
- What will be included in the cost of the Upper Mustang Trek?
- Upper Mustang Trekking Permit Cost
- The guides’ and porters’ prices.
- Transportation (Drive or fly)
- Meals and accommodation
- Telecommunications and wi-fi facilities in the Mustang Region.
- What do you expect to get from a guide from our company?
- How do you know a company that specializes in the Upper Mustang Trek?
- Conclusion: Summarizing the costs and benefits of the Upper Mustang Trek
Why trek to Upper Mustang?
The Upper Mustang Trek offers a unique blend of stunning scenery, cultural immersion, and spiritual awakening, resulting in an unforgettable experience. This popular destination in Nepal is renowned for its breathtaking views and rich cultural heritage. Nevertheless, there are many reasons why you should go for a trek to Upper Mustang.
It’s a small, off-the-beaten track in Nepal. For example, the Upper Mustang is visited by only about 1,500 to 2,300 tourists, while the Everest Base Camp Trek attracts around 30,000 tourists.
It is exceptional, standing over 4,000 meters, due to its colorful cliffs and beautiful alpine pastures. These combinations will take up very few places on this planet!
| Upper Mustang Trek | Quick fact |
| The High Himalayas, such as the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs | Over 6 to 8000 meters |
| Upper Mustang Trek difficulty | 3 of 5 (Moderate) |
| Highest altitude | 4200 meters |
| Best season | Spring, Summer, and Autumn |
| Accommodation | Lodge/Hotel |
| Trek starting & ending point | Jomsom |
| Mode of transport | Flight / Local bus / Local Jeep |
| Trekking days | More than two weeks (12 – 16 days) |
What will be included in the cost of the Upper Mustang Trek?
Generally, the following services are included in the Upper Mustang Trekking cost, while the trekking company sends you a travel proposal. Himalayan Exploration provides customized trekking packages within Nepal.
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project Entry Permit
- Guide and Porters
- Meals and Accommodations
- Transportation such as local bus or Jeep/domestic flights
The Upper Mustang Trek is one of the restricted trekking destinations in Nepal. You must also have a licensed guide or porters via a local trekking agency. You’ll also need to obtain the Upper Mustang permits, which the Department of Immigration issues.
Featured Trips
Upper Mustang Trek
Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Saribung Pass Trek
In contrast, ACAP is from the Nepal Tourism Board. Please note that you may need to apply through a local trekking company for access to the restricted area. However, as mentioned above, you’ll need two different permits.
Trekker’s Information Management Systems (TIMS) does not require trekking in the Upper Mustang. However, if you expand to the Annapurna Circuit, it is mandatory.
Upper Mustang Trekking Permit Cost
| Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit Cost: | NPR 3000 |
| Upper Mustang RAP: | USD 500 per person for ten days |
| Total permit cost: | For one person, USD 530 |
A copy of the passport, photo, and the original key with the visa stamp is necessary to obtain the Upper Mustang Trek Permit. It will take only 3-4 hours to obtain a permit from Sunday to Friday (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Also, make sure that, except for public holidays.
If you don’t have an extra day in Kathmandu to obtain a permit, some companies can issue it without an original passport and visa. If you would like a trekking license issued in advance or to verify with your company, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
The guides’ and porters’ prices.
While Nepal has many trekking trails, tourists can go hiking without a guide. Besides the trekking routes, Nepal restricts solo travel in Upper Mustang.
Obtaining a trekking permit requires a group of at least two trekkers. Please check with your company if you plan to travel solo to see if they can arrange a match or obtain a trekking permit. If you go alone, you will pay double the permit costs and trek with a natural person.
Hiring a professional guide to Upper Mustang is more expensive than any other trek in Nepal. The average daily price is $30 to $35, covering food, lodging, and guide insurance. Of course, the meals are expensive due to remoteness.
Guide and Porter Cost For Upper Mustang Trek:
| Well-trained and Skilled Guide with local knowledge: | US$ 35/day |
| Professional & Experienced Porter/Guide: | US$ 33-35/day |
| Experienced Trekking porter: | US$ 28-30/day |
We also arrange a Porter’s guide if the customers ask us for it. However, the price of hiring a porter is not that different from hiring a guide. Although it is a little more expensive due to food prices and insurance,
Hiring a porter can cost around USD 30 to 35 per day when trekking in the Upper Mustang. This includes lodging, accommodation, and insurance. A porter guide can be beneficial as it helps distribute the weight and carry your belongings along the trail.
Although a qualified guide is highly recommended for safety reasons, their intensive training for obtaining a license should provide confidence.
Of course, it all depends on you as long as you don’t go to Upper Mustang Trek solo without a guide or a porter. Going with either Guide or Guidecom Porter is all-inclusive with the upper Mustang trek cost.
Transportation (Drive or fly)
To start the Upper Mustang trek, take a 20-minute flight to Pokhara and another flight to Jomsom the next day. If someone wants to take a long trip from Kathmandu, there’s a night or day bus to Jomsom.
Although it may be cheaper, traveling from a local bus to the Upper Mustang trek can be challenging. Therefore, understanding how trailhead transport operates is significant when planning the Upper Mustang Trek itinerary.
If you want to make yourself comfortable, I recommend spending the first night in Pokhara after traveling from Kathmandu. It would be best if you also flew to Jomsom the day after tomorrow.
Transportation Cost List for the Upper Mustang Trek
| One–way flight cost to Jomsom: | US$ 124×2 = 248 per person |
| One-way flight cost to Jomsom: | US$ 130×2 = 260 per person |
| Direct Bus from Kathmandu to Jomsom local bus cost: | US$ 28×2 = 56 per person |
| Kathmandu to Pokhara (Tourist Bus): | US$10 ×2 = 20 per person |
Meals and accommodation
As the Upper Mustang is located in a remote area of Nepal, the cost of food is typically higher due to its remote location. Those visiting other base camps in Nepal are aware that food prices tend to rise with increasing elevation. That is because the delivery of food is more complicated.
Supplies are transported from Pokhara to Jomsom by helicopter. So, you might imagine how much work goes into every meal you can eat in the region. You may want to budget approximately USD 8-10 per meal.
It has undergone significant changes in the Mustang Region. You don’t have to worry about finding a place to stay in Upper Mustang this year because plenty of tea houses are available in every camp. If you’re bringing a small group of up to sixteen people, it should be fine to find basic accommodations. The good news is that a twin-sharing bed will cost around US$6 to US$9 per night.
Telecommunications and wi-fi facilities in the Mustang Region.
Only a few spots in the Mustang region have a cell phone signal. However, several villages do have a satellite emergency telephone. Additionally, some lodges in specific towns, such as Jomsom and Kagbeni, offer wireless internet access at an extra cost.
It’s commonly known that if you need to make an extra effort, please don’t claim to be cheap because you’re being paid in the mountains. You may also wish to add additional costs to your budget for any trek in Nepal. Those things are permanently excluded from the Upper Mustang Trek Cost.
- Charging the batteries of your gadgets
- Hot Showers (available at lodges upon request)
- Donations
- Tipping
What do you expect to get from a guide from our company?
- We take your safety and security seriously. We also ensure that all of our guides are highly qualified and Government-authorized.
- Most of our skilled guides come from the mountain region. They are familiar with restricted trekking areas in Nepal, such as Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Upper Dolpo, Upper Mustang, Kanchenjunga, and Nar Phu. So, they know their way in these mountains very well.
- Our guides visit Upper Mustang at least twice a year, so that you can be assured of their extensive experience in this region.
- Our guides are primarily young, yet well-educated and experienced. They can speak English well and are available in other languages.
- Apart from being safe, we want to ensure you enjoy your time with Himalayan Exploration. Therefore, all guides earned 5 out of 5 stars from our previous customers.
- Every guide has an excellent link to the locals and tea houses on the trail, so contacting tea houses or searching for accommodation isn’t a problem.
- Before confirming trekking arrangements, we conduct pre-departure meetings with guides to ensure a positive relationship. You can ask the guide questions and verify expertise and experience. Please let us know if our guide needs to meet your requirements better. We will be happy to provide you with an alternative guide.
Featured Trips
Upper Mustang Trek
Mustang Tiji Festival Trek
Saribung Pass Trek
How do you know a company that specializes in the Upper Mustang Trek?
Here are some tips on finding the right travel company for your next trip to Upper Mustang. Some of the ideas below could save a few hundred dollars while still providing the best service. Collaborating with a large and expensive company requires adequate allocation of resources.
- Check their legal documents to ensure the Nepal government is registered and licensed appropriately.
- Search for a company not listed in Google’s top ads section, as such companies will pass on advertisement costs to customers.
- Check out what other trekkers, such as Tripadvisor, say about the service. These are independent reviews written by consumers and reviewed by TripAdvisor so that you can be sure of the level of service these companies offer. If 90% of their customers are well served, chances are you will provide the same service.
- Consult with a local company to determine whether your guide holds a license, has completed first aid training, undergone high-altitude training, has insurance, and possesses the necessary hiking equipment.
Based on your analysis, various companies offer the Upper Mustang Trek at different prices. Therefore, it may confuse you, as the price range is quite diverse, making it challenging to determine which company to trust. Consequently, it is crucial to have a comprehensive guide for the Upper Mustang Trek before making any decisions.
For instance, to find out how much the Upper Mustang Trek costs. From international tour operators, it exceeds US$ 4000. If you’re looking to lower the cost of the Upper Mustang Trek package, it’s recommended that you search for local travel companies. Doing so can reduce the price from $1,800 to competitive prices, such as $2,500 per person for the same service.
Customize Your Holiday?
Tailor your holiday with help from a local travel specialist that matches your requirements.
There is nothing like a 5-star tea house in the mountain area. As a local trekking company, we offer competitive prices for the Upper Mustang Trek to both Nepali citizens and foreigners.
Conclusion: Summarizing the costs and benefits of the Upper Mustang Trek
In conclusion, the Upper Mustang Trek offers a remarkable adventure in the heart of the Himalayas. While the costs may seem daunting initially, proper planning and budgeting can help make this dream trek a reality. It’s important to consider all the costs involved to make intelligent choices about your travel expenses. This includes permits, lodging, meals, transportation, and the cost of hiring a guide or porter. By understanding these factors, you can plan and avoid any unexpected expenses.
Remember to take advantage of budgeting tips and consider the additional expenses to ensure a memorable and financially manageable experience. So, lace up your hiking boots, prepare your backpack, and embark on an unforgettable journey through the hidden gem of the Upper Mustang.
