Upper Mustang also known as the Kingdom of Lo is an upper part of the Mustang district located in the Gandaki province of Nepal. The kingdom of Lo was restricted until 1992 which makes it one of the preserved regions of Nepal.
Table of Contents
Upper Mustang is famous for the ancient Buddhist monasteries, caves, and castle-like houses which give the vibes of heaven. The majority of the people speak the traditional Tibetan language and follow Tibetan culture.
Foreigners have been allowed to upper Mustang since 1992 but they require a permit from the government of Nepal.
Permit required for the trek of Upper Mustang (kingdom of Lo)
Restricted area permit for upper Mustang
The Kingdom of Lo is restricted due to border security as it is near the Tibetan border. Also to control illegal activities and due to other various reasons we need a permit from the concerned authorities.
The upper Mustang permit covers the area of the Lo Manthang Rural Municipality, Lo-Gekar Damodar Kunda Rural Municipality, and Baragung Mukti Chetra Rural Municipality. We need to show [ermit at the entry point of chele.
Required documents
- Passport with a validated Nepalese visa
- Passport size photo
- Travel Insurance
- Filled in a form from the immigration department
An Upper Mustang entry permit can be obtained from Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Only registered agencies can apply for the permit. They will ensure that all the documents are ready for the application.
The cost of the restricted area permit is 500 USD per person for the first 10 days and 50 USD per person for each day thereafter.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit
The Annapurna conservation area project area is also the first conservation area and largest protected area in Nepal with an area of 7,629 sq. km. ACAP is the resident area for 10,000 people of different cultural backgrounds. Annapurna Conservation has great biodiversity and is a habitat to 1,226 species of flowering plants, 105 mammals, 518 birds, 40 reptiles, and 23 amphibians.
ACAP permit is required because the trekking trail for the upper Mustang will pass through this conservation area. A permit is required to record the number of people that visited the place and to protect the natural resources of the area from different activities.
Required documents
- Passport
- 2 passport-size photo
- Travel Insurance
- Travel itinerary
- Estimated date to be on trail
ACAP permit is issued by the Nepal Tourism Board Office in Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, and the Nepal Tourism Board Service Center in Damside, Pokhara
The cost for the upper Mustang ACAP can be classified into two categories. First of all, the cost of the permit for the citizens of SAARC nations is Nrs1000. Likewise, the cost for other nation citizens is Nrs3000. At last, the permit is free of cost for children below the age of 10.
NOTE: You need to have Nepalese currency for the payment. If you are with travel agencies then you shouldn’t worry that much because they will manage everything for you.
- Filming or Documentary permits
Filming or documentary is only allowed after a special permit is issued by the Nepal Ministry of Information and Communication. The fees or costs depend upon the devices that you will use. So, the use of camera drones is allowed after you receive the permit.
Terms and conditions for Upper Mustang Trek Permit
- A restricted area permit (RAP) and Annapurna conservation area project permit(ACAP) are needed to trek the upper Mustang region
- The RAP and ACAP can only be obtained from a government-registered, licensed local trekking agency.
- The RAP and ACAP cannot be extended once you enter the region.
- Cost and fees are non-refundable.
- It is important to plan your travel itinerary
- You need to carry all the required documents(citizenship, passport, etc.)
- The trekkers are responsible for following the Leave No Trace principle, and respecting the local culture, and tradition of the region.
- Violating the terms and conditions may result in fines and punishment as per the law.
In the end, getting a trekking permit is necessary to have a successful and safe journey to the route. So, travelers are recommended to give the right information to government bodies. We recommend you have travel insurance and carry documents with you as we need them at a checkpoint.
Conclusion
Upper Mustang is truly a beautiful and unimaginable place to travel with your family and friends, with proper guidance and mindset, you can have an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime in the Kingdom of LO also known as Upper Mustang. So don’t hold back with the procedure of trek permit. Start planning your trek with us.
