Trek Introduction

The Lower Mustang Trek or Jomsom Muktinath Trek is located in the Annapurna region of Nepal, next to the Tibet border. This Lower Mustang trek distance is 219 km from Kathmandu. This area occupies some of the most popular treks in Nepal. The Mustang Trek, the third most popular in the whole Annapurna area, passes through inviting towns, Kagbeni, Jomsom, Muktinath, and Lo-Manthang.

In the Lower Mustang trek itinerary, there is an option for two hours of white water rafting accompanied by lunch on the Trishuli River. If you don’t want rafting, then you can visit the Manakamana Temple instead with an optional cable car ride.

After trekking to Lower Mustang, this brings you a whole-day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. You will be visiting Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest Hindu shrine. Afterwards, proceed to Boudhanath Stupa, the biggest Buddhist stupa. Then, in the afternoon, drive to Patan City and Patan Durbar Square. Have a farewell dinner with a cultural show in the evening at a typical Nepali restaurant.

Geography, and mighty winds, are what make the Lower Mustang Trek so popular in Nepal. In this Annapurna region, at the western end of the Himalayas, there lies a great cultural heritage inhabited by a different ethnicity: Manangi, Thakali, and Loba, with several Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and temples.

The Lower Mustang trek altitude goes up to 3,802 meters. Therefore, it is a lovely journey through the remote area of the Mustang District. It’s a great way to discover ancient trails, rich culture, and wonderful landscapes. The Lower Mustang trek from Kathmandu along deep canyons carved by the Kali Gandaki River and up high-altitude desert areas in Upper Mustang.

It is, therefore, the right choice to sum up a lifetime experience trekking in Nepal at any age: Jomsom Muktinath trek.

Highlights

• Explore the historical and also the cultural Kathmandu Valley.
• Drive through green hills and local settlements to Pokhara.
• Discover the Gurung village of Ghandruk.
• Catch the sunrise view from Poon Hill.
• Admire the views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.
• Taste fresh apples and apple products at Marpha.
• Visit the Muktinath temple. It is a holy site for Hindus and Buddhists.
• Enjoy the flight from Jomsom to Pokhara.
• Create a lifetime experience.

Lower Mustang Trek Difficulty

This Lower Mustang Trek difficulty is medium and reaches wonderful landscapes. This route offers a detour to Muktinath Temple and then continues with the Upper Mustang trek. Contact us for the Upper Mustang trek itinerary details. No technical climbing is involved, and most of the time, you’ll just be walking on flat or gently rolling terrain—much of it semi-arid lands, canyons, and high plateaus towards the end.

The Lower Mustang trek reaches as high as 4,310 meters at Dhakmar and provides great vistas of the area. You will mostly be walking; some of the ascents and descents can be quite steep. This Lower Mustang trek from Kathmandu takes around 13 days depending upon your chosen route. You will walk an average of around 5-7 hours a day, hence you need to be fit and also have experience regarding previous treks. You can easily download the Lower Mustang trek map from the internet, or you can contact us to get it.

Altitude Sickness During Trek

Traveling above 2,500 meters can result in altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness. Anyone can experience altitude sickness regardless of their physical fitness.
Those who have had altitude sickness before, who exercise or drink alcohol before acclimatizing, and those with preexisting respiratory problems are more prone. We recommend that you consult your doctor before the trek to seek advice specific to your medical requirements.
Some symptoms of altitude sickness can be:

• headache
• loss of appetite
• feeling or being sick
• feeling tired
• dizziness
• difficulty sleeping

 
If you experience any symptoms or discomfort, please inform the guides. We’ll adjust by adding extra acclimatization days or slowing the trekking pace based on your condition.

Altitude sickness is a genuine risk during Himalayan treks. However, it’s preventable. You can avoid altitude sickness by:

• Ascend slowly
• Don’t drink alcohol during the trek
• Stay hydrated
• Use medications
• Eat a healthy diet, especially plenty of carbs

Best time for Lower Mustang Trek

Autumn and spring are considered the best time for the Lower Mustang trek. March to May and from September to early December are regarded as the best times for visiting Nepal because those periods are considered the peak time for traveling.

However, you can trek at any time of the year in Nepal. Even the trek in Lower Mustang in December is fantastic. The upper Mustang never gets wet during the monsoon time due to its notebook position throughout the Annapurna Himalaya range.

Lower Mustang Trek Price

The Lower Mustang trek price starts from US$ 1898 to 3695 depending on the pax. Just in case you want to add extra days is possible but it will increase your Lower Mustang trek cost. If you have limited time, then you can go for the Short Mustang 6-day trek. Also, don’t miss out on the famous Annapurna Base Camp trek 10 days,  the Annapurna Base Camp 6 days trek, or the Annapurna Circuit Trek 13 days. On the other hand, if you are interested in the tour, then check out Nepal Highlights 7-day tour.

Permit for Lower Mustang Trek

You will need two permit for the Lower Mustang trek.

• TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System)
• ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project)

Similarly, we strongly reccommend to have travel insurance for your safety during the trek. It should cover medical expenses and emergency helicopter rescues in case of natural calamities, injuries, or altitude sickness. This ensures a safe and worry-free trip.

Food and Accommodation

The remote Mustang region offers great beauty trekking with its culture. The Lower Mustang Trek Map guides you through various terrains from high passes to deep gorges that lead towards Lo-Manthang, the capital of the region. Accommodation and food are not an issue while on the Lower Mustang Trek. You will find different availability of accommodation in the camps. The traditional teahouses of Mustang villages provide trekkers with simple food and a place to stay.

Basically, these are small rooms with slight comfort and basic facilities such as a bed and blanket. Added to this, the teahouses are associated with food and beverage supplies so that the trekkers do not have to carry burdensome supplies with them. For more comfortable experiences, attached bathrooms, and hot showers are also available with electricity in the lodges. Delicious meals are served along with snacks in the lodges, which provide a filling meal after the trek.

Lower Mustang trek caters to the different desires of the trekkers; the accommodation provided in the lodge varies from the simple teahouse to the luxurious lodge. It is also an exhilarating option for those who are looking to have real adventure trekking in Nepal.

Tipping for Guides and Porters during the trek

Tips are a reward, either monetary or not, presented by customers or clients to people who have served in different sectors for their exemplary deliverables. On the Lower Mustang Trek, gratuity is not included but is still expected to be given to the guides and porters for their service. You also have the option to tip on your last trekking day if you are satisfied with their work. It’s a way to show appreciation for their hard work and services, but the choice to tip is entirely up to you. 

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