Embarking on the journey to Upper Mustang is a unique way to escape from the bustling city and loosen the stressful life. The magnificent journey to the desert landscapes serves you with excellent beauty and lets you relish your time in a peaceful way. This is an outstanding adventure to the remote and culturally preserved regions of Nepal. Throughout the year, thousands of people from different parts of the world seek to quench their vacations and nerve-racking lives by delving into the distinct part of this topography. The mesmerizing journey takes you to the rain shadow area that resembles the Ngari of Tibet or the Grand Canyon of the USA.

The magical beauty of this region blends with the distinct culture of inhabitants like Gurung, Thakalis, Bhotitya, Tibetan, and Tamang. Along with that, you’ll be astounded by the distinct cultures and traditions that these inhabitants have been carrying for generations. The journey is to the culturally rich region where, along the journey, you’ll pass through numerous chortens, monasteries, mani walls, and other significant landmarks. To prolong the outstanding experience and magnify it twice or thrice, planning the trek during a suitable time is crucial. Planning a stunning journey during a suitable time will let you enjoy the beauty of the region without facing obstacles or challenges along the way.

In addition, planning the Upper Mustang trek during a suitable time will let you immerse in the distinct cultural practices, Buddhist significance, and festive atmosphere. The journey takes you through culturally rich places like Kagbeni, Chele, Syangboche, Ghami, Charang, Lo Manthang, and many more and hopping on the journey during the relevant time will create a space for cultural exploration in depth. You’ll be presented with a marvelous opportunity to relish the beauty of historically and geographically distinct from other parts of the region while also experiencing a smooth and secure journey. Though the Upper Mustang is a remote area, you can have access to your visit by both trek and jeep tour.

Adventurers can witness a variety of landscapes, desert-like vistas, and important sites during the demanding hike at ease. You will also be presented with chances to fully immerse yourself in the unique cultures of the area. Today, we’ll be discussing the suitable and best time to visit Upper Mustang. Every factor, like cultural explorations, challenges along the way, and suitability, is taken into consideration to provide you with the best time to visit Upper Mustang. Each season, with its months, is described to let you have a safe, secure, and amusing experience, but before that, let's look at the major highlights of this trek or tour.

Highlights of Upper Mustang

• Magnificent views of desert landscapes
• The magnificent beauty of the mountainous landscapes of Mt. Fishtail, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna II, and many more
• Scenic drive-through from Kathmandu to Pokhara and stunning flight from Pokhara to Jomsom
• Tibetan lifestyle and rich cultures of Gurung, Thakalis, Bhotitya, Tibetan, and Tamang
• Journey to a culturally rich area, Lo Manthang lies at an altitude of 3850m
• Numerous Gompas like Thubchen Gompa, Chodey Gompa, and Jampa Lhakhang, along with numerous mani walls, chortens, and significant landmarks
• Journey through cascading waterfalls, thundering rivers, gorges, lakes and many more
• Religious importance and historical caves.

Upper Mustang Trek or Tour?

To visit Upper Mustang, you can follow both touring in a jeep or trekking options. The popularly known Kingdom of Lo is a fantastic destination to visit, explore distinct cultures, and sightsee the majestic beauty of desert landscapes and mountainous peaks. While the beauty of the region pertains to any means of traveling, the mesmerizing journey can be carried by 7 days of Jeep touring or 14 days of trekking. In Jeep touring, you’ll catch a scenic drive-through from Pokhara to Kagbeni and continue to Lo Manthang via Charang. On the way returning, you’ll cross Kagbeni and drive through Muktinath, making a night stay at Marpha. From Marpha, you’ll head for Pokhara, and on the way, you’ll pass through Tatopani (one of the famous hot springs of Nepal).

Regarding trekking, you’ll spend your magnificent journey at different stopovers along the way. Firstly, you’ll continue with your Upper Mustang Trek by catching a drive or flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. Upon reaching Jomsom, the trekking journey begins toward Kagbeni. Then, the journey stretches all the way to Lo Manthang through a series of sightseeing places and stopovers like Chele, Syangboche, Ghami, and Charang. Then, the journey continues through Dhakmar, Syangboche, Chusang, and Jomsom, and finally, you’ll arrive at Pokhara. This is an enjoyable journey not only through the aspects of cultural exploration and sightseeing majestic beauty but also the access to a Jeep tour. People who are refrained from trekking can embark on the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, which is also accessible to a wide range of age groups.

Upper Mustang in Spring

The weather condition of the upper Mustang is favorable during Spring (March to May). During this time, the weather and temperature stay pleasant and let you have a hassle-free journey. The temperature stays mild with sunny days which makes it perfect to explore the surroundings. The season is perfect for embarking on the Upper Mustang Trek, as the surroundings will be full of blooming flowers and green fields along the way to the Upper Mustang. Along with that, the weather remains clear during this time which will let you witness the magical Himalayan peaks.

This will present you with a clear and unobstructed beauty of the desert landscapes and Himalayan vistas. The temperature during this time ranges from 15-20 degrees Celsius, and it is the ideal time of year to travel to Mustang in order to witness the Himalayan dry plateau's vegetation. On top of that famous Mustang festival, Tiji also falls in the month of May and lets you immerse in the distinct traditions of the time. Numerous tourists from all over the world come to Lo-Manthang to participate in the three-day Teji festival alongside the locals. The best time to travel to Upper Mustang, Nepal, is during spring blossom.

Pros of Upper Mustang Trek or Tour in Spring

• Spring is a favorable time for trekking or touring the Upper Mustang due to mild weather. The weather and temperature tend to remain pleasant during this time, which contributes to your mesmerizing experience. This alleviates most of the challenges along the way and lets you enjoy the beauty of desert landscapes and mountainous vistas in a peaceful way.

• Spring is considered to be an ideal time to trek or tour because it provides the right balance of warmth and coolness during the day and night. The Upper Mustang region becomes more lively when colorful flowers bloom, enhancing the scenic beauty of the trek. You’ll pass through diverse flora along the way to Upper Mustang, where waterfalls and rivers become more lively.

• Another major aspect of why you should trek or tour the Upper Mustang during Spring is that the days during this season are longer. The days of March, April, and May are longer, which lets you relish the beauty of your adventure for a longer period of time. This extends your exploration time to the fullest without any risks of canceling or postponing the trek

Cons of Upper Mustang Trek or Tour in Spring

• Spring is a suitable time, and there aren’t many climatic challenges during this time, but one of the factors, like overcrowding, can be considered as cons of Upper Mustang Trek in Spring. Being the most suitable time to embark on the Upper Mustang Trek, Spring invites numerous people. Being a popular trekking season, you might encounter more adventurer souls along the way.

• The effects of overcrowding can be further cons of Upper Mustang Trek or Tour in Spring. Due to the increase in the number of travelers and demands, the prices of accommodations and services rise as well. You’ll have to pay extra for the same accommodation and services you receive compared to trekking or touring in the off-season.

• You might also have to compete to acquire accommodations during this time. Already, the Upper Mustang Trek is a remote area with limited accommodation facilities, which can lead to competition to acquire accommodations and services. Also, the Upper Mustang receives less rainfall, but it's best to be equipped with essential clothing and rain gear even if you’re planning the journey during Spring.

Upper Mustang in Monsoon

While the Monsoon (June to August) isn’t considered the best time to trek to many Himalayan trekking sites in Nepal, Upper Mustang, being a rain shadow area, is immune to heavy rainfall and monsoon effects. This is why, Monsoon is considered to be a favorable time for trekking or touring to the Upper Mustang. During this time, the weather is hot and humid with occasional rainfall, making it a considerable time to trek or tour. The temperature during this time ranges from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, with moderate temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius during the night.

The environment turns lively with open cultural celebrations. On top of that, the monsoon or summer season invites less number of trekkers or travelers compared to the peak season like Spring and Autumn. These reasons unite to provide you with a wonderful experience during monsoon. Being a rainshadow area, the trekking journey will be without facing forthcoming challenges like slippery tracks, floods, or landslides. Because of the area's relative quietness at this time of year, it's a great time to travel if you want to avoid crowds.

Pros of Upper Mustang Trek or Tour in Monsoon

• One of the major advantages of trekking or touring the Upper Mustang region is there won’t be rainfall. While the Monsoon season may experience light rainfall, it is not as big a challenge compared to other Himalayan trekking. In addition to this, the monsoon season brings life to the region with blooming flowers and a vibrant environment. Although the Upper Mustang region experiences occasional rain, it summons the breathtaking grandeur of the Himalayan panoramas as the rain passes. As a result, you get to enjoy a calm and pleasant trekking experience.

• Another major advantage of planning the journey to Upper Mustang in the Monsoon is that there are relatively fewer tourists during this time. This lets you have a serene, peaceful, and tranquil experience, opening more space to cultural immersion and local exploration. This also lets you enjoy your journey by clicking pictures and capturing stunning desert and mountainous beauty at peace..

• The journey to Lo Manthang instills a pure connection within and rewards the adventure with a wonderful experience. You’ll get to witness the beauty of the region while immersing in the local cultural practices. There will be numerous chortens and gompas open during this time, which is another bonus point as you can gain insights into the Tibetan lifestyle and Buddhist practices.

Cons of Upper Mustang Trek or Tour in Monsoon

• The disadvantages of the Upper Mustang Trek or Tour in Monsoon are mainly cancellation or postponement of flight. Also, you’ll have to take a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara that takes you through elevated hills alongside thundering rivers that have risks of landslides and floods. The flight from Pokhara to Monsoon can be delayed or postponed during the severe rainfall of the Monsoon. This is why it is important to plan and embark on the journey by proper monitoring of the weather conditions.

• While the Upper Mustang region experiences less rainfall, the journey to the Upper Mustang can pose challenges like slippery trails, the summoning of blood-sucking insects like leeches, and the risks of landslides. The wet trails can lead to muddy and slippery, which can impact the overall trekking experience, but it's nothing if you hop on the adventure by being equipped with the necessary gear and monsoon jackets.

• Sometimes, in the time of occasional rainfall, the cloudy atmosphere can obstruct the clear beauty of the mountainous vistas in the Upper Mustang region. The mist and clouds may obscure the magical beauty of the mountains that you’d usually get to enjoy. While every journey at any time has its pros and cons, it is better to consider weighing out the advantages over the disadvantages and continue the journey. For the Upper Mustang Trek or Tour, Spring, Autumn, and Winter are considered to be the best time. You shall have a wonderful, safe, secure, and amazing experience during this time.

You may also like:

• Jomsom Muktinath Tour
• Jomsom Muktinath Photography Tour
• Upper Mustang Photography Tour

Upper Mustang in Autumn

Another favorable time to hop on the Upper Mustang Trek is during Autumn (September to November). The favorable journey will take you through a cluster of sightseeing places that will bestow you with a clear and crisp mountainous beauty. Along with that, your journey will be smooth while you catch a glimpse of stunning desert landscapes transformed into masterpieces of color. During this time, the climatic conditions of the region tend to stay stable, which contributes to your safe and secure journey. The temperature and weather tend to stay stable and moderate which will let you enjoy the beauty of the region without temperature fluctuations.

Also, the autumn season arrives after bidding farewell to monsoon. This results in clear blue skies and presents you with the transparent beauty of mountains. All conditions are perfect for hiking and touring which is why this region summons many people from different parts of the world. This results in a crowded atmosphere, and autumn is considered to be the best and peak time for Upper Mustang and yet a busier season. The temperature during the day ranges from 15-20 degrees Celsius, while at night it can reach upto 5 degrees Celsius.

Pros of Upper Mustang Trek or Tour in Autumn

• Autumn offers ideal weather that minimizes temperature fluctuations, extreme coldness, and heavy windstorms. The Upper Mustang falls in a rainshadow area, which means it receives less rainfall throughout the year, even in the monsoon. While that may be the case, the autumn season is ideal as it minimizes rainfall and snowfall in that region.

• Autumn is the peak time for trekking or touring any high-altitude region as the season falls in the time of grand festivals of Nepal like Dashain, Tihar, Mani Rimdu, and others. Though the lifestyle up there is Tibetan, it is influenced by Nepali culture and traditions as well.

• Another major highlight of Upper Mustang Trek in Autumn is that it provides you access to stunning photography and videography chances. While clicking pictures and recording can be done at any time, favorable weather during the time of autumn summons a clear and unobstructed beauty of mountains and desert landscapes. This lets you get in touch with nature without any obstruction, fog, or reduced visibility.

Cons of Upper Mustang Trek or Tour in Autumn

• While Autumn is a wonderful time to trek or tour Upper Mustang, factors like cooler nights or temperature drops at night are some of the factors that fall under the Cons of Upper Mustang Trek. It can present you with coldness during the night, which is why it is important to be prepared with warm clothing and extensive packing to deal with temperature fluctuations.

• Another major concern during this time can be the inability of the body to adapt to the changing atmospheric pressure and decreasing oxygen levels. As the nights are cold during this time, this can make it harder for your body to adapt to the changing surroundings, and you might exacerbate altitude sickness symptoms. It is important to stay hydrated and acclimatize properly during this time.

• The Upper Mustang is a remote area and it lacks in providing top-notch facilities. Along with that, the number of guesthouses or lodges in this region is limited compared to other mainstream trekking sites. As autumn is a busier season, you might find it difficult to acquire accommodation at a certain time. This is why it is important to trek or tour through a registered trekking company that gives you access to an experienced guide who shall help you acquire adequate facilities during your stay.

Upper Mustang in Winter

The Winter season (December to February) is not favorable for trekking to Upper Mustang for various reasons. Winter arrives after bidding farewell to the lively environment of Autumn and turns the conditions harsh. Even the inhabitants of the Upper Mustang region leave the place during winter and come back when the temperature and weather start to settle. The winter season summons fluctuating weather conditions that lead to extreme coldness and extreme snowfall. The temperature of this region can drop down to -20 degrees Celsius during this time, and this causes severe coldness in the region.

This really makes it not worth it to trek or tour Upper Mustang during this time. On top of that, most of the teahouses or lodges of the region are closed with limited numbers of locals in the region, which drains your opportunity to immerse in culture and explore the local settlements. While it might not be the best and ideal time to embark on the journey to Upper Mustang during winter, the location is peaceful and has a beautiful snow-covered environment, so it's a considerable time to visit for those who wish to take in the beauty of the place quietly.

Pros of Upper Mustang Trek or Tour in Winter

• While there are numerous issues and forthcoming challenges during the Upper Mustang Trek or Tour winter, there are some aspects that are suitable if you prefer to join the journey during winter. The first advantage of this journey in winter is serenity. During this time, the trails are less crowded, which lets you have a peaceful time in the region. This ultimately contributes to your experience by letting you have alone time by creating a large space for local exploration.

• As the winter is off-season and the region is less crowded during this time, you’ll find the cost of accommodation and services relatively cheaper compared to other seasons. Along with that, the journey takes a different and unique charm in winter as you’ll feel like you’re alone in the grand adventure to the lap of nature. The winter deals with your sightseeing and exploration experiences at budget-friendly prices.

• Another advantage of the Upper Mustang Trek in Winter is its clear mountainous beauty and desert landscapes. Though winter summons coldness, it alleviates obstructed beauty and disturbed visibility. You’ll be able to relish the beauty of the desert landscapes and mountainous vistas positioned in layers without any issues in visibility. On top of that, trekking or touring during winter adds thrill and excitement as challenges during this time are a pure testament to your daring adventurer determination and mental resilience.

Cons of Upper Mustang Trek or Tour in Winter

• If we weigh the pros and cons of the Upper Mustang Trek or Tour in Winter, the cons turn out to be heavier. Although there are some good aspects of the journey to Upper Mustang in Winter that serve you with considerable experience, the challenging aspects make the adventure way worse. During this time, the weather can be harsh, leading to extreme coldness. Extreme coldness then turns into hypothermia and frostbite, which are the major challenges of this region

• In addition, harsh weather conditions can lead to snowfall during this time. Snow blocks certain trails, many places close, and flight availability may be affected. On top of that, many accomodation services can be limited during this time, which is another major concern. As you’ll be ascending toward a higher altitude, the winter season may hinder your body from properly adapting to changing surroundings.

• The temperature drops to extremely low, which leads to ice and slippery trails. The freezing conditions can impose further challenges. On top of that, days are way shorter in winter, which means your trekking activities will be limited to certain times. The settlement will be silent, and this won’t bestow you with opportunities for cultural immersion and Himalayan exploration.