Upper Mustang

FAQS

• 1. Will somebody come to pick me up at the airport upon arrival ?
  Yes, our representative will be there to greet you at the airport. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel by a private car/jeep.
• 2. Is there an Orientation program ?
  Yes, there is going to be a small orientation/briefing program before we embark on our adventure by the tour manager, leader/guide.
• 3. What is the overnight accommodation like ?
  For nights in cities, we use standard/superior standard/deluxe rooms whereas, during the trek, we use lodges/tea houses/guesthouses/home stay for our clients, and whatever is available and accessible. We also arrange sleeping bags for our clients, on their request.
• 4. How big are the groups ?
  We believe in operating small intimate group to provide personal attention and services to our guests. Small groups can enjoy the trek hassle free and enjoy the customized trip according to their need and suitability. We do not incorporate more than14 People in a group, unless we get special requests from our clients.
• 5. Is this a popular trek ?
  Upper Mustang is one of the most popular trekking routes in the world. Upper Mustang is a thrilling experience where you can explore ancient monasteries from the 14th century, Buddhist shrines, Tibetan culture, rustic villages and beautiful hospitable people of Mustang. It is little bit hard to do this trek so you will have to be physically and mentally fit and healthy to do this trek.
• 6. Is Travelling in Upper Mustang safe for women ?
  Yes, Nepal can proudly boast as one of the safest countries in South Asia for women, you will find people very friendly and respectful especially towards women. Locals are very respectful and welcoming toward women and tourist in general and our guides will make sure you are comfortable and safe while trekking in remote areas.
• 7. What about security during trekking ?
  We make sure to take security measures during trek to make your trip delightful. We hire experienced and license holding guides to safeguard your life in mountains. We suggest you to follow the guide’s instruction carefully and take responsibility for personal belongings. Always keep your valued belongings near you and lock the door from inside during the night.
• 8. What sort of food can I expect in trekking ?
  Upper Mustang is trekking region and mostly we spend our night at Guesthouse. In Guesthouse, you can get pasta, noodles, bread, soup etc. Dal Bhat (Rice, Lentils and Vegetables) are great way to gain energy for the strenuous trek. As you trek higher, it’s better to avoid meat because non-vegetarian is heavy meals which may cause food poisoning so we avoid it.
• 9. Is the drinking water safe in trekking region ?
  There are plenty of water stations on each stop on the route. You can easily fill up the bottle from the open taps. We recommend that you bring water purifier tablets with you or at least get it from Kathmandu before you depart for trekking. You can also buy mineral waters but we usually recommend tap water which is pure and it helps us not promoting plastic bottled water.
• 10. What mode of transportation do you use ?
  We use private transportation for sightseeing inside the Kathmandu Valley and to drive towards Pokhara too. We also drop and pick up from the starting and ending point of trek on private car or Jeep depending on the number of travellers.
• 11. What is the best season for trekking in Upper Mustang ?
  Spring season (March to June) and autumn season (September to December) are the best time to do this trek. Upper Mustang Trek can be done even in the mild monsoon.
• 12. Will I be taken care of during emergency ?
  Before coming to Nepal, make sure that you are covered by insurance policy for the altitude of 5500 meters. In the case of an emergency like altitude sickness, dehydration or any medical conditions ask your tour leader/guide to contact us as soon as possible so that we can manage/arrange helicopter for the rescue. Then you will be transferred to hospital for the treatment.
• 13. What is appropriate dress for trekking ?
  Trekking in Upper Mustang is a little bit hard and tiresome activity that requires a lot of physical movement. So, pack your active wears and trekking pants for at lower altitudes. Weather at high altitude is unpredictable so carry a light weight waterproof jacket along with thick down jacket, pant and thermal inner wear to escape severe cold. Needless to say, good shoe is very important for trekking in rough and snowy terrain. So invest on good quality shoes or rent it from us in a minimum price. As you are trekking in remote village, try to wear modest clothes to quickly gel up with the local people without hesitation.
• 14. Is it possible to alternate or change the day trips ?
  We customize the trip according to your preference but if you need to change plan during the trek, consult the guide.
• 15. Are we sure to get room while trekking ?
  We contact the lodge/guesthouse owner for reservation of the room before trekking on a particular day. On other days, porters reach the destination on advance and book the rooms for you. But there are always going to be exceptions but even in those cases, we may have to be flexible about very basic sleeping arrangements. We always try to make sure that we have everything well arranged.
• 16. Are your guides reliable and certified ?
  All our guides are trekking experts holding license from Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Government. They are the most valuable assets of the company. Guides know the trekking route like the back of their hand and use their expertise in ensuring your safety in the mountains.
• 17. How can I charge my electronics during the trip ?
  While trekking in higher lands, you need to pay for charging the electronics upon request to the guesthouse owner. The best idea is to bring your own power bank with you. It is easier and cheaper.
• 18. Is there any communication while we are on trekking ?
  In some villages, you can make local and international calls from telephone provided by the guesthouse owner after paying the price directly. Our guide is also provided with a mobile phone. In case of emergency, you can use his mobile and make a call.
• 19. Can I add extra days to my trekking trip ?
  If you need extra day to complete the trekking, you'll need to inform the guide in advance and the guide will let the company know. Adding a day to trekking can result in many changes in other arrangements such as transportation, guide’s schedule, flight details, hotel bookings and all, so we really don't recommend this to our clients unless there is an emergency case. But it is true that those changes could be made but it will cost extra. The best way to do it is to inform the agent company about it.
• 20. What immunizations will I need ?
  Before coming to Nepal, make sure you are covered for diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus. Make sure you are in best shape to complete the trekking without any complication.
• 21. How many hours do I have to trek each day ?
  Usually, we have to walk about 7-9 hours a day. But it should not be taken as certain thing because the hours of walk depends on client’s speed. So it is really relative.
• 22. How will my booking be processed ?
  To confirm your booking, a deposit of 15% of total trip amount is required if you are booking at least a year in advance before trip departure date. If booking is made between 100-364 days before the trip departure, you'll need to pay 20% to confirm the trip. If payment is made between 99-60 days, 25% of the total trip amount will need to be paid and if booked between 59-30 days, 50% of the total trip amount needs to be paid and finally, if you are booking 29 days prior to trip departure, then 100% payment should be made. The payments can be easily made by the bank transfer. The due balance is payable on arrival in Kathmandu with cash (preferably USD/EURO) or card on POS/credit card machine. Please note that non refundable fee is 10% or $200 whichever is greater.
• 23. Can we use the credit card during the trek ?
  No, you cannot use the credit card during the trek. You have to withdraw the money before you start the trek. You can use credit card only in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
• 24. Do we need to carry our bags by our self or you will provide porters ?
  You have to carry your personal bags with water bottle and medicines and remaining bags will be carried by porters to make you easy to trek. The weight limit for porters is 15 KG.