Upper Mustang Jeep Tour

A Restricted Upper Mustang- Reasons

Upper Mustang shares its border with Tibet, China who is very eager to reestablish the Silk Route. The highway built by China has already touched the Nepal border.

Additionally, Tibet follows the strict rules for its foreign visitors so to avoid disputes, it is one of the reason why Upper Mustang has been restricted by Nepal. The region is also home to very unique environment that nurtures the rare wildlife such as snow leopard, brown bear, wild donkeys, Tibetan argali, etc.

The overflow of tourists may endanger the ecosystem and can be threat to the existence of these creatures. Also, the Upper Mustang has still its authenticity retained which unfortunately Everest and Annapurna have lost.

So all these reasons have made the government declare Upper Mustang as a restricted area.

14 Days Upper Mustang Jeep Tour: Best Time Period

The Upper Mustang lies between the enormous structures of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna because of which the region is often protected from the heavy monsoon rain and remains dry most of the year.

This has created a climate here similar to that of Tibet- the tropical desert with high heat of around 35 degree Celsius and rapid winds. Thus, the region is very pleasant when you chose to visit it in the summer monsoon months of June to August.

However, our jeep tour to Upper Mustang begins from the subtropical climate of Kathmandu and Pokhara, which are highly impacted by the monsoon rains.

So it is best that you take the Upper Mustang Jeep tour in the driest possible weather all over Nepal- the Fall (September-November) and the Spring (March-May) periods.

The optimal condition of good visibility, the driest roads and tracks, pleasant weather, and merciful sun during these times will make your Upper Mustang jeep tour a complete journey without any hassle.

Winter time (December-February) can be quite enchanting, warm, and peaceful in Kathmandu and Pokhara. However, in Lower and Upper Mustang, the severe cold, minus degrees heat, and the forceful winds will make your jeep tour to Upper Mustang quite displeasurable.

Jeep Tour to Upper Mustang: Difficulty Level

Our Upper Mustang Jeep tour is a journey of a moderate nature that combines the balance of adventure as well as comfort. Most of the jeep traveling roads will be along the expansive highway roads and the Kali Gandaki corridor.

However, there will be some sections along composed of dirt tracks and mule routes. There will also be several high passes crossings involved, manageable through a jeep that adds an exhilarating twist to the overall tour.

We promise that 90 percent of the travel will be very pleasurable and comfortable along the tarmac road of Nepal. Additionally, we will be providing you with strong and powerful engines of 4WD vehicles like the Mahindra Scorpio or the Land Cruiser, perfectly suited for the task.

So the challenge during the journey will not come from the roads but from the arid setting and the high elevation of Upper Mustang. The ruggedness and the rusticity of the area means you may miss out on some comforts during the travel, adding to the challenge in the adventure.

Upper Mustang Jeep Tour: Safety and Support

We promise to make our Upper Mustang jeep tour not only comfortable and exciting but also 100 percent safe for you. That’s why for the entire route, we will be utilizing the powerful engines, power, and robust build of the 4WD vehicles (Land Cruiser and Mahindra Scorpio).

These rugged rides are mainly designed to conquer tough terrains such as of Upper Mustang, where stones, rocks, sand, water currents, and high ascensions are normal.

The jeeps are also very spacious, so you won’t feel cramped up inside and carry all your belongings along with the spare parts, repair tool,s and fuels.

We will also look after where you will sleep, what you will eat, and also the permits essential for the tour. All you have to do is be the best passenger and enjoy the ride driven by our competent driver, who is also a skilled mechanic capable of handling any on the spot repairs.

You will also have the guidance of our local experienced licensed guide who will see to the easy off-the-road adventure for you. Additionally, we also have included the rescue and travel provisions as well.

The overnight stays may be quite modest but comfortable enough that they supply hot, fresh meal and a warm shelter for the night.

Who can engage in our Upper Mustang Jeep Tour Itinerary?

Our Upper Mustang jeep tour itinerary will lead you to some of the most enchanting raw nature and landscape of Nepal that is becoming less and less achievable in any part of the world.

Additionally, since the road has reached to the region, tourism is slowly developing in the area, and so the jeep tour, mountain biking trips, and treks are now accessible in Upper Mustang.

Thus, the Upper Mustang jeep tour is eager to welcome everyone: nature lovers, mystery dwellers, researchers, families, children, older adults, and students.

The cultural enthusiast will also find the extraordinary Lho Pa community simply intriguing, as their language, customs, attire, traditions, and festivals are very unique, difficult to see anywhere in Nepal.

However, we do urge our older and young travelers to be aware of the minor challenges and speak up about their discomfort. Also, people with respiratory and circulatory illnesses should talk with their doctors before taking on the Upper Mustang jeep tour route.

Altitude Sickness during our 14-Day Upper Mustang Jeep Tour

The 14-day Upper Mustang jeep tour itinerary consists of quick elevation changes and gains throughout the journey. Thus, you need to adjust very well to the air of Upper Mustang in order to avoid the impact of altitude sickness.

The condition is also known as Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS among travelers and is a very common physical condition that occurs in most travelers going on high-altitude trips.

Generally (in most cases), it results in minor symptoms that resolve and disappear quickly after one or two days of rest. In our Upper Mustang jeep tour, you will also be susceptible to quick altitude changes culminating at a height of above 3500 m, where the air consists of a very low amount of oxygen.

Please do not be mistaken that since you will be driving, you won’t go through AMS. Trekkers, tourists, climbers, cyclists, and drivers all are equally prone to the condition.

To ease your experience, we have one day off in Kathmandu and another in Lo Manthang. The short tours organized during these off days will help you adjust to the Nepali highland air.

Even after all these preventive measures, some travelers may experience headaches, drowsiness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and slight labored breathing.

In such a case, we suggest you drink as much water, sugar drinks, or lemon ginger tea as you can and take adequate rest. While the tour can be continued, in the event of persistent symptoms, it is advisable to descend immediately.

Our guide is also well competent in managing such situations, so do not forget to tell our guide about your physical condition. Diamox, a therapeutic diuretic drug, will be very helpful in the timely adjustment to Mustang ai,r which you can take when in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Essential Training and Preparation for the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour

Our Upper Mustang jeep tour, as the name suggests, is devoid of any long trekking journeys. All the high passes that are encountered en route will be overcome on the jeep as well as the difficult,t rugged terrains of the Upper Mustang.

The entire tour involves only a light hiking journey for the excursion tour that we have scheduled for you in Kathmandu and Lo Manthang. Thus, athletic capability is not a compulsory requirement for our tour.

If you are basically fit and an active individual, then you can well handle the light walks planned on the tour. If you are someone who is a couch potato, then we do suggest you to carry out some small walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, and running a month before the tour.

The major essential component for the tour is our mental strength and the ability to cope with the basic level of comfort available. Additionally, the harsh weather and the arid terrain of Upper Mustang can also test your thinking and adjusting ability.

So be aware of the landscape and the setting of the Upper Mustang by watching the videos available on YouTube. Finally, safeguard yourself from the unfortunate incidents with the right travel insurance plan.

Accommodation and Meal Arrangements

During our 14-day Upper Mustang jeep tour, you will get to enjoy three city nights in Kathmandu and two city nights in Pokhara. We want your time in these two prime cities of the country to be pleasurable.

That’s why we have pre-arranged for you a double-sharing room in a quality three-star rated hotel situated in the prime locations of the cities. Your stay will have your own en suite bathroom with hot water 24 hours, and WiFi. Breakfast every morning in the hotel will await you to start your day.

As the remarkable jeep adventure begins, warm, friendly mountain shelters referred to as the tea houses will be your night lodgings in the overnight villages.

Till Kagbeni, the lodges will come with a double room with an attached bathroom. Once you are in the Upper Mustang territory, this luxury may become scarce, and the tea house setting will also become more and more modest.

However, every night, you will have two single beds with mattresses, pillows, and a warm blanket to pass a comfortable night. As for the latrine facility, the squat-styled toilets may be located inside or outside the lodge premises to be shared.

Three times meals (lunches, breakfasts, and dinners) will be at your service at the tea houses, where from Dal Vat to very tasty Thakali dishes, to the Lho Pas speciality, you will get a diverse selection for your taste.

Transportation

For our jeep tour to Upper Mustang, we will be supplying you with the 4WD four-wheel vehicles such as Mahindra Scorpio or Land Cruiser, which are specially made for the off-beaten rugged terrain such as of Upper Mustang.

With the strongly built tires and suspension, with the powerful horsepower and engine, these vehicle can tackle that come on their way. Plus, the inside of the vehicle is also room, giving you plenty of space to move around and store your essentials.

They are also more fuel-efficient than many other options, so you will have an adventurous yet hassle-free journey throughout. Additionally, we will also be taking care of your international airport pickups and drop-offs, along with the private exploring tour of Kathmandu city.

Travel Insurance

We request that to be aware that travel insurance is a compulsory necessity for our Upper Mustang Jeep tour. The necessity of the special permit for touring in the region makes it a must-have essentials for the tour, as without the right policy and coverage, the permits wont be procurable.

Even if the insurance was not compulsory, we suggest all our travelers to get one for any trek and tour in Nepal. The insurance is not a waste of money, as many of us think; in fact, it is a very important protection that you get in a very small amount.

In the remote mountains and desert-like landscapes of Upper Mustang, you never know what type of climate or injuries and accidents you will get into.

Sometimes the AMS can also get worse needing prompt heli transportation, which can be very pricey if you wish to do it on your own. Likewise, the trip may get canceled, or you may need to stay for a few more additional days, which can disturb your budget from the way you have planned.

So when getting the insurance policy, make sure it covers all the activities above the height of 4000 m. It should also look out for your heli rescue, search, emergency medical assistance, hospitalization, transport, along with the protection against miscellaneous expenses in case of baggage damage or theft, cancellation of trip or flight, and trip delays.

Restricted Area Permit and other Essential Permits for the Jeep tour to Upper Mustang

Kindly understand that if you wish to take any type of trip in Upper Mustang: jeep tour, trek, or mountain biking, then you will need to posses the RAP- the special Restricted Area Permit which you can get only if you join the organized tour through a licensed travel agency like ours.

The group must have at least two travelers and a local certified guide. The RAP, costing $500 per person, is issued by the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Kagbeni and is valid for ten days.

If you want an extension of this permit, then you need to pay another $50 for each additional day.

There are other two important permits that are needed for the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, which are the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) for $30 and the TIMS permit (Trekkers Information Management System) at USD 20 available at the tourist office in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

We will take care of organizing these permits, and the expenses have already been included in the total cost of our Upper Mustang Jeep tour package.