Upper Mustang is a remote and mystical region in Nepal because of its Tibetan culture, dramatic desert like landscapes, and ancient Himalayan heritages. Which is often referred as the last forbidden kingdom. Since 1992 this reason have been favorite to the foreigners and is still a place lost in time. This place offers windswept valleys, medieval villages and cliff hugging monasteries. Upper mustang offers you a great experience in Nepal.
For those who are looking for wad for the trip to upper mustang then jeep tour is best for you. Jeep tour is the ideal way to explore Upper Mustang, offering comfort, adventure, and access to difficult-to-reach places.
This blog will take you through everything that you need in your jeep tour to mustang region. What you need, how much cost money and the things you need pack while giving a visit to upper mustang all is included in this blog so you will be able to understand more.
What Makes Upper Mustang Special?
Historical Significance is one of the important factor that makes the upper mustang special this place is known as a former kingdom. It has unique Tibetan culture and heritage which makes this place so attractive.
Upper mustang offers you a beautiful scenic landscapes where you get to acknowledge the desolate yet striking landscapes. The landscape looks desert-like terrain, jagged cliffs, and snow-capped peaks all in one combination.
Upper mustang is hidden gem of Nepal with diverse cultural and spiritual significance. The monasteries, caves, and traditional settlements makes Upper Mustang a living museum. Places like luri gumba and ghar gopma helps to attract Buddhist pilgrims from across the Himalayas. Waking on the monasteries and villages feels like an entire living museum, where the traditions and culture are preserved.
Why Choose a Jeep Tour to Upper Mustang?
Accessibility
Upper mustang is located at the high altitude which makes the location very challenging destination for trekkers and other travel enthusiastic. A jeep tour will helps travelers who don’t have that kind of physical ability for lengthy tour, to travel safely without any kind of tiredness.
Comfort and Efficiency
A jeep tour will help you to cover large areas and visit multiple sites in a shorter period of time. A jeep tour can help you to cover the experience of upper mustang in less than 8 to 10 days. This offers you to have efficient travelling without sacrificing your experience. The lodges along the routs are very comfortable and travelling by jeep will help you to explore more rural areas.
Adventure with Comfort
With the jeep travel you will get the combination of both excitement and comfort. This jeep travelling is ideal for those who want to explore without long, strenuous treks. You will get to experience the bouncy rocks along the routes to the upper mustang.
The Route: What to Expect from Your Jeep Tour
Pokhara to Jomsom is your starting point to reach Upper mustang. You can start your journey wither with flight or road. First you will start your journey from Pokhara then from there you will fly to Jomsom. The flight is short but you will get the authentic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Journey to Upper Mustang will be a total adventure experience for you. You will dive from Jomsom to Lo Manthang. From Jomsom your adventure will start where the various stops will your experience from the traditional villages to the sights along the way, villages like Kagbeni, Chuksang, and the famous ancient monasteries.
Lo Manthang is the capital of Upper Mustang where you will get to explore the town’s unique architecture, the royal palace, and vibrant Tibetan culture. The other highlights of this places are caves, monasteries like the Ghar Gompa, and ancient cliff dwellings. You will get to visit local communities and enjoy the hospitality of the Mustang people.
Return journey is same as your starting journey but in reverse you will reach the route to Jomsom and back to Pokhara.
Key Attractions on the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
Lo Manthang is the capital of Upper mustang and the major attraction of the place. It is also known as the walled city. This place is rich in history. Ancient Monasteries like Ghar Gompa, the Luri Gumba, and other spiritual sites are main attraction to the Buddhist people and tourists. Caves and Cliff Dwellings is the major factor that makes mustang living museum it is the insight into the traditional lifestyle of Upper Mustang’s people. Where the traditions are preserved. Kagbeni one of the he village located at the edge of the Mustang region and is gateway to Tibet. These places will bring total adventure to your life.
The Best Time to Take an Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
The best season for
Upper Mustang Jeep Tour is spring March to May and autumn September to November these season will help you to get the scene of clear skies. There is high chances of you enjoying the pleasant weather. These seasons are the ideal seasons to visit in Upper Mustang.
You should avoid visiting to Upper Mustang during monsoon season. During the monsoon season June to August the roads are muddy because of the rain and it’s hard for the jeep to pass through the routes. The travelling time will be lengthy and challenging for both your driver and you.
During winter season the temperature is cold. You can expect snow covered landscapes during the winter season.
The Unique Culture of Upper Mustang
Upper Mustang is highly influenced by Tibetan culture. Most of the people follows Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan is the major local language if you want to communicate with the locals then you have to be able to understand Tibetan language. Customs in the Mustang region is highly preserved so you have to be respectable toward them.
Festivals and traditions are so different in Mustang region. Tiji Festival is the major festival celebrated in this region. This festival include the masked dance which is the ritual to drive away the evil spirits and the customs of the local people are very unique.
Each religious sites have its own stories to tell. Monasteries are the ancient temple for the people around this region. Prayer flags have its own significance. These places holds so many spiritual energy and you can expect so much more from here.
What to Expect on the Road: The Jeep Ride Experience
The road conditions in these region is dusty as it gives the feeling of desert. The rugged roads, dust, and bumpy rides adds adventure to your jeep tour. Highways aren’t smooth, it is mainly rocky.
You should travel with an experienced guide and driver familiar with the terrain for your better safety. Hire the local drivers as they know the unpredictable roads. The comfort is 5 out of 10 as the roads are very bumpy.
You will get to experience the dramatic landscapes that unfolds from the jeep, including views of the Nilgiri and Annapurna ranges.
Preparation for the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
You should be physically prepared. You should be well prepared for the altitude and long days on the road. Try doing yoga and cardio vascular activities. Focus on your breathing techniques. Stay hydrated and eat nutritious food as you need more energy.
Packing essentials should be useful don’t bring unnecessary gadget. Clothing, camera gear, and other items should be welly packed for your jeep tour.
You have to respect the culture and tradition of the local people to bring respect you can wear appropriate dress. Understand local customs before styling it unnecessarily which will trigger locals if you can manage a gift you can also bring gifts for local communities as an appreciation.
Cost of the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
A standard jeep tour includes transportation, permits, guides, accommodation, etc. The total days to travel is 8 to 10 days so the total cost will be around 1800 dollars to 2500 dollars in USD depending on your group size and tour operator.
Jeep trek is more expensive than the traditional trek as jeep trek have lots of facilities, you don’t have to walk neither you will face physical exaction and your trek timing will be shorter meanwhile the traditional trekking needs more physical training and preparation your journey depends on your feet.
Upper Mustang is restricted area so to travel the restricted area you need to pay 500 dollars for first 10 days and 50 dollars day after. To travel Annapurna Conservation Area permit you need 30 dollars. Your tour guide will handle your permit.
What Travelers Say About the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
“I feel like driving into another world. The science, the ancient villages, the wind in the cliffs its mythical place I’ll never forget ‘’ Sarah, USA
“Lo Manthang took my breath away. I’ve travelled all over Nepal, but nothing compares to the surreal beauty and peaceful energy of Upper Mustang” Ravi, India
Conclusion
Upper Mustang road trip is one of the best experience you can get from Nepal. This place is literally the museum with highly preserved tradition, culture and monasteries.
If you are tired of long walks then Jeep tour to upper mustang is best for you are you ready to have an adventure trip to the bumpy roads, then get ready with your best local driver who will drive you through the beauty of Upper Mustang.
