If you want a successful trek, you have to consider its difficulties. Those difficulties depend on many factors. Every trekking has its difficulty. So does Upper Mustang Trek.

Upper Mustang Trek is a moderate-level trek. Lets explore in detail about the factors that affect its difficulty:

Duration

The total duration to cover this trek is 14 to 18 days. It covers a distance of 127 km. The route passes through the Kali Gandaki River. You must walk for 6 to 7 hours daily for nearly two weeks.

You need to be physically fit to complete this trek. The duration makes this trek challenging. It is very difficult for beginners. Also, professional trekkers get tired on this trek due to its long duration.

You have to keep walking for such a long distance in a very remote area. So, it will wear you out. All you can do is keep on walking even if you are tired if you want to conquer this trek.

To avoid this difficulty, you have to prepare yourself before trekking. Try some exercises daily to increase your stamina. Walk daily or hike to nearby places for better endurance capability. Mental preparation is also important.

You have to drink water frequently. Staying hydrated is important. Also, take some rest during the journey. Don’t force yourself to continue walking. Walk slowly at your own pace.

Type of Trekker

It depends individually on how you feel about this trek. It is determined based on your fitness and endurance capability if the trek is difficult. If you are a physically fit person, then it may be easy for you. But if you are just a beginner, it is a challenging trek.

This long-duration trek in rugged trails is sometimes difficult for a professional as well. So, you need to be physically healthy. Not only your physical strength, but you need some mental strength as well.

Don’t focus on the destination, and don’t worry about when you will reach there. Just pay attention to your journey and make each mile count. Staying calm and patient helps you to move forward.

Climate

The climate is unpredictable in this region. So, you have to check the weather forecast now and then. Generally, it is clear, fresh, and warm enough in the morning. But once it is afternoon, it is cloudy, windy, and very dusty.

So, you must start your trek early in the morning to avoid this problem. Carry wind protection clothes. The climate may change frequently. It is very hard to predict. But choosing the right time can make this trek easier.

Trail Condition

These trails are full of ascending and descending rugged paths. This area is remote. So, the routes are not well developed. You have to walk through steep ascents and descents. Also, your journey will be for several hours.

The rough and rocky terrains, including the high-altitude pass, make it challenging. The trails normally are tough to surpass. So, choosing the wrong season makes it more challenging. For instance, the winter season is the worst. The trails are slippery due to snowfall. The snow-covered trails are very dangerous.

The main difficult route is the path over Kali Gandaki Gorge. It is a narrow-end trail that feels dizzy when you look down. So, walk carefully and calmly.

Altitude Sickness

This trek takes you to an altitude of 3850 m. You may suffer from altitude sickness once you cross an altitude of 2000 m. Altitude sickness is very dangerous and leads to death if not treated in time.

You have to be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness. The symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. If you notice these symptoms happening to you, then you mustn’t ignore them.

You have to descend immediately to a low altitude. There is a lack of medical facilities. If you have severe symptoms, then the only mode of transportation is a helicopter. That’s why take precautions and cure it in the early stages.

Acclimatization is a method for preventing this sickness. Your body needs to familiarize itself with a higher-altitude environment. So, acclimatizing after every climb of 1000 m is mandatory to avoid altitude sickness.

Weather

Weather is the main factor that determines the difficulty of this trek. If you choose the wrong weather, you will face additional difficulty. Among four seasons, three seasons are feasible for trekking, which includes Autumn, Spring, and Summer. Winter is the worst season for trekking in this region.

Autumn and Spring have moderate temperatures. It is very warm and just perfect for trekking. You can trek comfortably during these seasons. Summer is also doable because it doesn’t rain much in this region. It lies in a rainshadow area where the rainfall probability is very low.

But on the other hand, winter is extremely cold with freezing temperatures. The heavy snowfall blocks the routes, making them unpassable. Your journey may remain incomplete. The extreme weather is too much to tolerate.

So, for an ease in the trek, choose the best time to trek. Only favorable seasons can help you to trek comfortably. You can choose any season among Autumn, Spring, and Summer. Winter is not recommended,

Conclusion

Therefore, this trek is moderately difficult due to those mentioned factors. The main factor is the weather. Choosing the right season for trekking decreases your difficulty by 50 percent. So, make preparations wisely and have fun.

 

Talk with our local travel specialist who can help organize the Upper Mustang Trek. You can inquire about this package directly on our WhatsApp.