Upper Mustang Trek is a trek in Nepal’s isolated route of the western trans-Himalayan region. The trek is well known for its breathtaking views of tall and majestic mountains, lush vegetation, deep valleys, ethnic settlements, tall rocky colorful cliffs, and caves, in the Mustang region.
Since the Upper Mustang borders Tibet, Tibetan heritage and culture heavily influence the area. so the population and culture in the upper Mustang region all have a distinctly Tibetan flavor to them. Upper Mustang is notable for being a rain shadow region that experiences year-round dryness. Furthermore, the region’s desert-like scenery has a striking resemblance to Tibet’s Ngari region.
The journey to Upper Mustang Trek begins in the city of Lakes Pokhara and ends at the historic city of Lo-Manthang. Passing through the ancient ethnic settlement of the region takes you through a diverse cultural experience. Although the population of the Mustang region is predominately Buddhist a decent chunk of the population also practices Hinduism.
The Upper Mustang trek not only offers rich culture and tradition but also offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas, which include the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri, Annapurna range, Damodar Himal, and numerous other white, snow-capped peaks. One of Nepal’s oldest and most enigmatic places situated at an elevation of 3931m in upper Mustang is Ghar Gompa which is the oldest monastery dating back to the 12th century it was Built by Guru Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche. Similarly many other Hindu and Buddhist revered sites also lie on the route of the Upper Mustang trek which takes you through a vibrant cultural experience.
Every year people from all over visit the Himalayan Kingdom of nepal to experience the Upper Mustang trek. Since then, it has gained similar popularity to its counterparts such as the Everest and Annapurna base camp trek. Upper Mustang Trek’s popularity doesn’t change the fact that the trek is tough and needs a lot of planning and preparation. Hence, one must be aware of the seasons and the weather conditions of the region. In this article, we’ve listed down the season weather conditions as well as the best time to trek Mustang so make sure you read until the end!
Seasons and weather conditions in the Upper Mustang region
Trekking to the Upper Mustang region is one of the most serene and amazing experiences. You may use this wonderful route year-round but it is not advisable to trek during certain seasons and weather conditions. Nonetheless, picking the right moment to embark on the trek is essential. It will make your journey more comfortable and secure your safety as mishaps and natural disasters can occur anywhere. Well, all said and done, the weather plays a major role in how successful an incredible the trekking journey is.
Spring season
The spring season spans from March through May. It is one of the ideal times of year to visit Upper Mustang. During this season Mustang’s temperature is moderate and comfortable. The visibility during this season is also great as it offers an endless view of panoramic snow-capped mountains and a clear and vibrant sky.
The upper Mustang trek also takes you through the lush forest covered with flora and fauna. But this season is the second-best time of year to go trekking or mountain climbing in the upper Mustang region because the weather might get unfavorable during certain times. Overall this season is not too bad. This time of year in Mustang, the temperature ranges from 16 to 20 degrees, which is perfect for trekking because it’s neither too hot nor cold.
One of the most popular festivals in Upper Mustang is the Tiji Festival. During May in the spring, a large number of tourists from all over the world come to Lo-Manthang to celebrate the Tiji festival alongside residents. The Upper Mustang Tiji Festival spans three days. Tiji festival is celebrated according to the lunar calendar.
Monsoon season
June marks the start of the monsoon season and August marks its end. Monsoon season is regarded as an ideal time to undertake the upper Mustang trek rather than other seasons. Since the Mustang region is located behind the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan massifs, even if it is rainy season the region has less rainfall. Hence not interfering with the trip to Upper Mustang during the monsoon season.
Beautiful views of flowers and vegetation may also be seen in the lower Mustang area from June to August. Although the monsoon season is the best time to visit all of Mustang. Rainfall in the lower portion of the Mustang makes the road slippery making the journey less ideal and dangerous to the upper Mustang.
.Nevertheless, locations from Jomsom to Kagbeni won’t be affected by rainfall during Nepal’s monsoon season. But one should be careful of the natural calamities and accidents that might occur along the journey. August is another month of the monsoon season when Lo-Manthang observes the Yartung festival. Yartung festival in Upper Mustang features spectacular horseback riding, singing, dance, and archery.
Autumn season
The monsoon season ends with the beginning of the autumnal season. It’s without a doubt one of the best trekking seasons in Nepal and trekking to the Upper Mustang is best done in the fall. September October and November are the ideal months for Upper Mustang Trek because of the ideal weather.
Now that the monsoon is over deep valleys and lush vegetation all over the region seems to become vibrant and colorful. The weather and visibility are perfect for trekking during this period. This season is somewhat similar to the spring due to clear skies, lush vegetation, and perfect temperature. But bear in mind that the upper Mustang might be overcrowded with trekkers as this is also the peak trekking season in the region.
Winter season
Winter starts from December till February. It is not advisable to trek the Upper Mustang area in the winter as the weather can get severe and there will be heavy snowfall. During the winter, even local ethnic settlements of this area move to the lower Mustang region due to freezing temperatures. Due to the heavy snowfall, it may be more difficult to trace the higher Mustang path than it was during previous seasons.
Therefore, we only suggest modest and quick treks and tour activities. During this season the temperature drops from minus 10 degrees Celsius to as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius as night falls. But for avid adventure freaks Trekking to Lo Manthang may require you to pack appropriate cold-weather clothing along with gear and proper planning. However, trekking is not advisable due to poor visibility and snow-covered routes.
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The ideal time to trek the Upper Mustang?
The upper Mustang trek is not tough in comparison to other treks. The route in this trek has fewer obstacles creating a pleasant trekking experience..After taking a flight from Pokhara you reach Jomsom which marks the start of the journey and continue on foot towards the village of Kagbeni and then to Upper Mustang.
The journey takes you through the ancient city of Lo Manthang, which is encircled by a mud wall. Located in the Upper Mustang region the rain shadow offers a breathtaking sight during the monsoon season. In addition, October and November are the best months to explore the Upper Mustang trek.
Although the peak season offers a pleasant environment and favorable weather it also has its own set of cons. During the peak season, the trails of the upper Mustang might get overcrowded leaving a bitter experience of the trek. Also getting flight tickets and a hotel room might be difficult as well.
At this time of year, Pokhara and Kathmandu will be overflowing with trekkers and tourists to catch a flight for the Upper Mustang trek. Furthermore, the favorable weather might get unfavorable in earlier months of the spring which is a rare instance due to which flights from Pokhara might get canceled or delayed so you must plan well and accordingly. The route to Upper Mustang might cause a problem due to sudden natural calamities such as landslides due to unfavorable weather.
Conclusion
Upper Mustang Trek is a travel destination for people all around the world. However, if you intend to go on the Upper Mustang Trek, you might need to determine the ideal season and weather. If you are a seasoned trekker, you won’t face any problems throughout any season. Still, it is advised to do proper research about the seasons, weather, and the terrains of the Upper Mustang route. Along with choosing the best time, one must also prepare physically mentally, and emotionally to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime trek in the regions of the Upper Mustang.
Reference: https://abovethehimalaya.com/upper-mustang-trek.html
