Upper Mustang Overland Adventure is rated moderate in difficulty. It is designed for travelers with no prior hiking experience. The trip involves moderate physical activity, including daily hikes of 2 to 3 hours on varied terrain. You can expect gradual altitude gains, but no technical challenges. This trip is suitable for anyone with a basic fitness level and is a great introduction to trekking in Nepal. You will encounter some ups and downs, including short hill climbs and the familiar Nepali flat, with a mix of small climbs and descents.

No previous hiking experience is required for this trip, but you should be moderately fit and enjoy walking. You should be able to walk 2 to 3 hours each day and be adaptable to high altitude conditions. Previous trekking experience is helpful, but not required. All travelers must be in good physical health to participate fully in the trip. Our itinerary is designed with ample time for acclimatization to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.

The Road conditions in Upper Mustang are rough and change with weather and season. The route consists mainly of dirt and gravel roads with uneven surfaces, dust, and occasional river crossings. Driving speeds are slow due to terrain and altitude. We use well maintained four wheel drive vehicles to ensure safety and comfort. The itinerary is designed to balance driving time with rest, cultural visits, and short walks, making the journey manageable and rewarding. This approach ensures that every day is manageable, immersive, and rewarding, offering a true taste of Upper Mustang’s unique landscapes and heritage.

The best season to do the Upper Mustang Overland Adventure is from late March to late November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (Sept to Nov) are ideal, offering clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and excellent mountain views. Spring brings blooming rhododendrons and fresh green landscapes, while autumn offers crisp air and the best visibility. Monsoon is also a good time for this trip. Upper Mustang lies in a rain shadow area, so it receives much less rain than other regions of Nepal. The monsoon season brings fewer crowds and lush, green landscapes, making it a great time to visit.

For the Upper Mustang Overland Adventure, we use private Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps that are 2007 model year or newer. These vehicles are well-suited for the rough and varied terrain in Mustang, providing a stable and comfortable ride throughout the journey. Each jeep is driven by an experienced driver who has strong knowledge of the region, road conditions, and local driving challenges. Our drivers are skilled at handling mountain roads and ensure a safe and smooth travel experience. To maintain comfort and safety, we limit the number of passengers to a maximum of five per jeep. This allows ample space for luggage, provides a more relaxed ride, and ensures better visibility and comfort during long drives.

Yes, It’s mandatory and highly recommended to get travel insurance before embarking on any adventurous trips in Nepal. We advise all our clients to get a travel insurance that covers up emergency helicopter evacuation and medical expenses that may be needed in case of the occurrence of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) in high altitudes where there are no other means of transportation available. Medical expenses, Baggage lost, Delays and Cancellation, Death & Repatriation are also another important factor to include when purchasing your Insurance. It is advisable to review carefully the insurance and its coverages before making the final decision.

Importantly, make sure your policy covers emergency evacuation up to the maximum altitude of your trek. For Upper Mustang your policy should provide coverage up to at least 4,000 meters (13,500 feet) is required.

This trip is fully inclusive, meaning that all major expenses are covered—accommodation throughout the trip, all meals while on the trek, permits, transportation, and the services of your guide and staffs are all included in the trip cost.

In Kathmandu, breakfast is included, but lunch and dinner are not. This is intentional to give you maximum flexibility to explore the city’s food scene and choose where, what, and with whom you’d like to eat. For meals in the city, you can expect to spend around $15 USD per meal. Most restaurants in Kathmandu accept credit or debit cards.

During the trek, all meals and accommodation are provided. However, you will still need to carry cash for your personal expenses. These may include alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, bottle water, hot showers, charging, Wi-Fi access, and souvenirs. For these expenses, we recommend bringing approximately $250 USD, exchanged into Nepali Rupees before you begin the trek. Card payments are not accepted in the mountains, and local currency is necessary for all purchases. So, you can exchange major foreign currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, and AUD into Nepali Rupees at banks or authorized money exchange counters in Kathmandu. Alternatively, you can withdraw Nepali Rupees directly from ATM machines using your debit or credit card. Both options are widely available in the city.

All foreigners, except Indian nationals, must have a valid passport with at least six months’ validity to enter Nepal. Nepal visas can be obtained either in advance through Nepalese embassies or consulates abroad or upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

Upper Mustang Overland Adventure trip cost USD 3,055 per person. The cost is an all-inclusive price that covers most of the trip’s expenses, including three times meals a day throughout the trip, accommodation, all ground transportation, a permit, and a guide. Likewise, the cost covers sleeping bags, jackets, and duffel bags, so trekkers don’t need to purchase equipment for one-time use. The cost varies depending on several factors. Yet, the group size is the primary factor that affects the overall cost of the Upper Mustang Overland Adventure. The larger the group, the more you’ll get group discounts, and vice versa.

The gear listed below is recommended for Upper Mustang Overland Adventure. We encourage you to get all the equipment listed below for the trip, and kindly ensure you check and try every piece of equipment. You can also buy them in Kathmandu as they are available in many trekking shops, from branded to local manufacturers in Kathmandu.

Head gears:

• Sunhat
• Warm hat (should cover head & ear comfortably)
• Buffs X 2
• Sunglasses (High-quality, UV-blocking with good all-around protection)
• Headlamp with spare batteries (200-300 lumens output)

Upper Body:

• Thermal or fleece base layer top X 2
• Trekking shirts/t-shirts (Breathable and quick-dry materials) – full sleeve x 2 and short sleeve x 2
• Soft-shell jacket/fleece jacket X 2
• Hardshell jacket with a hood X 1
• Insulated Down Jacket (provided by us at request)

Lower body:

• Thermal or fleece base layer bottom X 2
• Trekking trousers/pants X 2
• Warm trekking trousers/pants X 1
• Hardshell pants (Non-insulated and waterproof)                                                                       

Underwear:

• 5 pairs of synthetic or wool fabrics only
• 2 Sports Bra for women

Footwear:

• Waterproof Hiking Boots (Preferably full to protect/support your ankle)
• Hiking socks X 4 pairs medium to heavy (synthetic and wool)
• Liner socks X 2
• Camp shoes to wear at the teahouse
• Sandals / Flipflops for city

Handwear:

• Softshell gloves X 1
• Mediumweight gloves X 1

Gears / Personal equipment:

• Daypack 30-35 liters with raincover (To carry water and personal items that you may require while hiking)
• Waterproof Duffel bag (provided by us at request)
• Down Sleeping bag (-15 C rated) with compression sack (provided by us at request)
• One liter capacity water bottle X 2 (Nalgene)
• Trekking poles
• Camera with charger or spare batteries (Optional)
• Personal snacks and energy bars (you can buy during the trek too)
• Laundry bag to keep the dirty clothes
• Padlock for duffel bags (Optional)
• Large plastic bags to keep the clothes dry
• Extraclothes to wear in Kathmandu
• Earplugs for lightsleeper
• Card games / Books

Toiletries and hygiene

• Quick-drying towel
• Small face towel
• Toothbrush &Toothpaste
• Face mask
• Water treatment tools
• Deodorants, Soap and Shampoo (Smaller bottle)
• Face and body moisturizer
• Sun screen SPF50+ and Lip balm SPF 30+
• Hand sanitizer/Antiseptic wipes
• Hygiene products
• Basic first aid kit

Documents

• Passport with visa and validity of 6 months after your trip completion
• 2 copies of passport-size photos for travel purposes
• Credit cards in case of emergencies
• Driving ID or any other ID in case of loss of your passport
• Travel Insurance
• Flight tickets