Upper Mustang Trek Difficulty

A journey to Upper Mustang leads you via different landscapes, altitudes, and settlements. Trekking in isolated Kingdom Lho- Manthang is a moderately difficult journey. Although there are no standards set to determine the difficulty, several factors play a vital role to make the trek easy-moderate and difficult. 

Trekking in Upper Mustang may offer you a lifetime memorable experience providing the great opportunity to explore Tibetan plateaus, Himalayan settlements, alpine atmosphere, and trans-Himalayan terrains. Regardless of any gender and age, every people can afford this trek. But one should have a well physical condition with some cardiovascular exercises prior. 

Marching Upper Mustang offers the panoramic views of the Himalayas as Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs. Trekking in the lap of the Himalayas in the rain shadowlands is breathtaking. This trek is safe and convenient as well. This untouched land is the blessing of nature. 

Although this trek is important historically, culturally, naturally and religiously, there are some challenges as well. The factors determining the difficulty of the trek are explained. 

Duration of the Trek/ Walking hours

The entire journey completes spending more than two weeks. Depending upon your time interest or preferences the trek can be made longer and shorter. So, walking two weeks in the Himalayas in the lower oxygenated land walking around 125 kilometers may be challenging if you are new in Hiking. 

Next, you should walk 6-7 hours each day. Walking via the rough trials above 3000 meters can add a brick in the challenges. But walking slowly in own pace, have sufficient acclimatization days during the trek helps to complete the trek successfully. 

Climate and temperature

Like other sections, Upper Mustang also witnesses four seasons a year- Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. These seasons are also the determining factors of the trek difficulty. 

To trek Upper Mustang, the spring season is the perfect season. This time, it witnesses the average temperature between 12-16 degrees Celsius in the day time. But the temperature may decrease up to 6-2 degrees Celsius in the night time. This season offers the panoramic views of the Himalayas. Trekking there in other seasons like Summer, Autumn is also comfortable. 

But if you wish to travel in the Winter season, you will encounter more challenges. Due to the heavy snowfall, the temperature may decrease 0-5 degrees at daytime and -20 to -25 degrees in the night time. This condition may be a challenging one. 

So, choosing the best season for the trek will cooperate to reduce the difficulty of this trek. 

Altitude

Walking above 3000 meters means walking in the Himalayas. Trekking in the high altitude may cause the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness which includes a headache, nausea, giddy or vomiting, the difficulty of breathing and so on. 

According to your choice, the highest point of this journey varies. Whatever your choice, you should not trek higher than Marang La at 4230m. 

But walking at your own speed, having proper acclimatization days, staying hydrated may help you to complete this journey successfully. 

Physical fitness

Although previous trekking experience is not obligatory, trekkers must have some cardiovascular exercises before the journey. The trekkers with heart, blood, and lung problem may encounter many problems and they need to consult with their doctors before the journey. 

Remoteness

The journey to the isolated zone experiences the traditional culture lifestyle and tradition. The trekkers should not expect well-established lodges and hotels in this journey. The teahouses therearound offer the basic amenities as hot meals, clean beds with clean and hygienic rooms on a sharing basis, toilets and so on. 

Opened in 1992 only, this area is untouched by modern lifestyles and western culture. But due to the attractions of the internal as well as the external excursionists, several facilities are being added. Some places have well WIFI facilities and we can talk via phones perfectly. 

Terrain

Trekking in the Himalayas, you should encounter several ups and downs. As in other journeys, this trek also has several ascends and descends sometimes continuously. Walking via rough terrains following the rocky trails can be challenging in itself. So, preparation is obligatory before the journey. 

Final Words

Upper Mustang Trek, a perfect choice for those who wish to explore the history, culture, and lifestyle of the Himalayas. The popular places as Lho Manthang, Kagbeni, Jomsom, Muktinath are the awesome places to visit. Walking via Kali Gandaki river valley witnessing the dazzling views of the Mountain ranges is breathtaking in itself. 

But for this adventure, you should have the sound preparation to complete this trek successfully.