Useful Information
Equipment and Packing Lists
After booking with the Nepal Adventure Team, please pack the necessary items as listed:
- Travel documents: passport, visa(if you have one), travel insurance, air tickets, voucher, passport photo (x 2)
- Bank cards or credit cards, travelers' cheques, etc
- Comfortable boots and runners/sports shoes.
- 6-8 pairs of socks woolen/cotton.
- Fleece jacket, Down / Duvet Jacket, and Rain / windproof jacket.
- Gloves- 2 pairs.
- T-shirts 4-6 pcs, shirts(woolen/cotton).
- A cap for the day and a woolen hat or Balaclava for evening/morning wear.
- Trousers.
- Short and tracksuits.
- Sleeping bag (4 seasons) with inner liner.
- Large and small towels.
- Toiletries.
- Water bottle.
- Sun /snow glass.
- Ski / walking poles(optional but useful).
- First Aid/medical kit.
- Rucksack/backpack.
- Duffel Bags(carried by porters or animals).
- Torch / Flashlights with spare batteries.
- Pen knife/ Swiss knife.
- Scarf/mask (for dust and wind).
- Personal hygiene stuff.
- Any other extras you feel are necessary, like binoculars, cameras, books, journals, etc.
Permits required for the Upper Mustang Ride Tour
The Upper Mustang area was only made accessible to foreign visitors by the Nepalese authorities in 1992. However, anyone who wants to enter this area has to pay a price accompanied by a special permit, commonly called a Restricted Area Permit (RAP). The Department of Immigration issues these permits; however, they allow only multiple travelers as a way of granting access. If you are in a single room, kindly let us know so we can accommodate you to join another group tour.
Besides the RAP, you need to buy an ACAP permit, and your trek will be considered only when you have registered with the Trekkers' Information Management Systems (TIMS). These regulations protect the culture and geophysical location of Upper Mustang, and the visitor gets to experience the real mountain life of the people. On this exceptional Jeep tour, police will impact you in Kagbeni before allowing you to proceed further on the tour.
Passport and Visa
A visa is mandatory for all foreign visitors, barring those coming from India; hence, all international travelers must obtain a visa. However, visa acquisition is very easy without many stringent measures put in place. There is a Nepalese Embassy or consulate in many parts of the world where you can apply for a visa. You can also get the visa on arrival at Kathmandu Airport. For the application process, you must attach two passport-sized photos, the visa fees, and a passport valid for travel.
The fees for a tourist visa are as follows:
3-day transit visa: Free of cost
15-day visa: USD 30
30-day visa: USD 50
90-day visa: USD 125
Accommodation During the Tour
Besides the stunning scenery and opportunities to experience the local culture and way of life, the Upper Mustang Jeep Ride also means you will not starve or freeze to death. While on the trek, all meals are included; this means you enjoy a wide range of food. Some typical Nepalese local food that can be eaten include daal, bhat, curry, and pickle, added with authentic Nepalese Tibetan and Continental Indian food available at local lodges and teahouses. Further, you don't have to worry about meals and snacks throughout the trip because you will receive welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu. It is only included in the breakfast since the flexibility of eating local cuisines is available at breakfast time in both the locations of Kathmandu and Pokhara.
By this, the accommodation needed is intended to be comfortable and easily accessible at all journey stages. Meals: All meals are provided while you are trekking: breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea/coffee, and snacks in a tidy, packed manner or suitable places as per itinerary. During the trekking, the accommodations are more basic but comfortable. They are found in mountain lodges where trekkers can rest after a fulfilling day. Thus, it should be mentioned that sometimes toilets and bathrooms are shared in the teahouses. If you wish to have a single room, this is possible if you book this option at a bit extra charge. These careful preparations guarantee that every part of your Upper Mustang Jeep Ride – food, accommodation, and many others – is not merely boring but is also constructive.
The Best Time for This Tour
The best season to take the Upper Mustang Jeep Ride tour is in the early spring, March to May, and during the autumn months, September to November. These periods are considered the best for traveling because of the improved weather conditions.
The streets are a bit crowded because students from southern states come to the university during spring, when the weather is great and wildflowers such as rhododendrons bloom. There is also less air pollution, and more often, there is a clear blue sky with puzzling views of mountains like the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Nilgiri ranges. This season is also not as busy, which helps people experience these places in a more calm and enthusiastic manner.
Autumn is another favorable tourism season since the temperatures are also constant and precipitation levels are low. This season has no obstructions such as fog and, therefore, is the best time to socially engage in the stunning sceneries and steep geographical features of Upper Mustang. Moreover, unlike other parts of the world, the post-monsoon climate is also very pleasant as the air becomes very clean, making the beautiful countryside and stunning views even more beautiful. The places also become colorful with the local festivals, which can be a great way to experience the cultural and traditional taste of Mustang in the Autumn season.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must when you travel abroad. Therefore, before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you. Our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals because they cover all the expenses if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen.
Health and Fitness Required.
No previous experience is required since it's a moderate trek. However, being healthy physically and mentally is very important. It is better if we prepare ourselves a few days/weeks before the start of the trek by jogging and running regularly since we will be walking a lot of ups and downs in the hills, ridges, villages, and mountains. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions should inform us beforehand.
First Aid Kit/High Altitude Sickness
Nepal Adventure Team strongly suggests that you have your first aid or medical kit. This trip takes you to some high altitudes, though not much. The slow walks and regular stops between the walks will help you acclimatize to high altitudes, saving you from the high altitude sickness called AMS(acute mountain sickness). Gaining altitude without proper consideration of AMS is fatal.
Your Guide and Porter
Since mountain trekking takes you to remote places over high altitudes, the leader should have a piece of significant knowledge in the field so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you there, clearing any obstacles on the way. theNepal Adventure Team can proudly say that our guides are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced, and licensed. They have undergone a lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and make your journey smooth and pleasant.
Our porters are always fully equipped with the gear they need, insured, and completely looked after, as per the company policy. They are our backbone. We allow a maximum weight of 25 kg to be carried by one porter. We make sure that they are well-paid and well-treated.
Precautionary Note:
Trekking has been established for a long time in Nepal, so the itineraries are modified and moderated so that you can take them easily a nd slowly. DO NOT RUSH AND ENJOY. There is plenty of time, and the guide will always keep track of you. It might be a bit harder or colder, but you will get used to it.
Additional Money
Every traveler is different, and they spend their own way. Some spend on food and drinks, while others on souvenirs. Either way, consider your own spending habits and also tipping, an emergency fund ($200), etc., before you pack up and leave.
Trip Specific Safety
Your guide is always there for your safety concerns and looking after your valuables. But you have to be equally careful. Carry some sort of wallet or belt for your important documents and money. The hotels have a safety deposit box where the lock is recommended before passing the luggage.
A Couple of Rules
Possession or using any illegal drugs is intolerable. It is because of the law that respects the local people and their culture. The group will be expelled in such a case.
Responsible Tourism
Nepal Adventure Team strongly believes that we all are equally responsible for acting in favor of the local people and the surrounding environment. Our clients, too, have an important role in
A. respecting the local laws, customs, and beliefs
B. always ask for permission before doing something locally or consult the leader
C. keep the area the same as you found it, wherever you go, and dispose of rubbish
D. support local skills to encourage positive sides of tourism.
