Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek

Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek Cost

Our Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek costs USD 2170.00 per person. It’s an all-inclusive package that covers accommodations, meals, guides, domestic flights, ground transfers, permits, and logistical support to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free experience.

Our package includes four nights at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara with a full buffet breakfast. Additionally, it includes eight nights in traditional teahouses and four nights of fully catered tented camping in the remote mountains of Upper Mustang.

As part of the package, we provide a government-licensed lead guide, porters, and their support team. Their salaries, meals, accommodations, transportation, insurance, and emergency support fund are all covered in the package price. Additionally, it covers the cost of all necessary permits and documentation, including the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP).

A large part of the package fee covers transportation and logistics, including private airport transfers, local bus or jeep rides, and domestic flights between Jomsom, Pokhara, and Kathmandu. Groups traveling together are eligible for special discounts of up to USD 120 per person, depending on the group size. Contact us with your preferred travel dates, group size, and any special needs for a personalized quote.

Note: The package cost does not cover international airfare, Nepal visa fees, travel insurance, gear rental or purchase, extra snacks/drinks, or tips for trekking staff. We recommend budgeting around USD 20-30 per day in cash for personal expenses during the trek.

Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trekking Permit

Trekking in the Upper Mustang region requires two mandatory permits — the Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.

At Nepal Gateway Trekking, we handle all permit applications and documentation well in advance of your arrival to ensure a smooth and hassle-free start to your trek.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

Since the Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek is located within the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), all trekkers must obtain the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) to enter the region. The ACAP was established to support the conservation and management of biodiversity and high-altitude ecosystems in the Annapurna region. Managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), part of the permit fees is directly used for wildlife protection, local community development, and trail maintenance. 

Cost: NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals for a single entry.

Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

Upper Mustang is designated as a restricted area by the Nepal government to protect its delicate high-altitude ecosystems, national borders, and centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist culture from mass tourism. To access the Upper Mustang region (beyond Kagbeni), all trekkers must obtain the Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP). This permit is issued by the Department of Immigration through a government-registered trekking agency.

Cost: USD 50 per person per day for all nationals. 

Note: As of November 2025, Nepal has replaced the flat $500 fee for Upper Mustang with a USD 50 per day permit. Additionally, the restricted area permit no longer requires a minimum group of two trekkers, allowing solo trekkers to apply for the permit through a registered trekking agency (a trekking guide is still mandatory). Be aware of outdated permit information circulating online.

When is the Best Time for Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek?

Like most treks in the Himalayas of Nepal, autumn and spring are the two best seasons for the Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek. These months offer stable weather, comfortable walking conditions, fewer flight delays, clear skies, and stunning mountain views.

The Upper Mustang region lies in a high-altitude rain shadow north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. This means the region receives relatively less monsoon precipitation and remains accessible for a longer period than most trekking routes in Nepal. However, each season comes with its own advantages and challenges, making season selection more critical than it actually seems.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is arguably the most popular trekking season in Nepal, and the Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek is no exception. These months offer the most stable weather, crisp temperatures, clear skies, and some of the finest mountain views of the year.

The lower villages remain relatively mild, with daytime temperatures ranging from 12°C to 20°C, while higher-altitude settlements are noticeably cooler, with temperatures between 5°C and 15°C. The autumn nights often get colder, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to -10°C depending on elevation.

Autumn offers the most favorable conditions for camping above Yara Gaon and crossing the high-altitude passes, with stable weather, dry trails, and clear visibility. Even during peak season, most trekkers choose the Everest and Annapurna regions, leaving Upper Mustang and Damodar Kunda surprisingly remote, isolated, and uncrowded.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is the second-most popular trekking season for the Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek. These months bring the perfect combination of stable weather, clear mountain views, and blooming wildflowers.

Unlike other seasons, spring transforms the barren Trans-Himalayan landscape of Mustang into a colorful spectacle. During these months, the lower valleys come alive with blooming rhododendrons, while the upper plateaus are carpeted with pink buckwheat flowers and Mustang Mint.

Spring temperatures are similar to those of autumn but are slightly warmer. Daytime temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C, while at night, they drop to around 2°C to -6°C depending on the elevation. Trails are generally dry and firm, with minimal snowpack in the high-altitude sections beyond Yara Gaon.

In addition to the favorable weather and mild temperatures, spring offers the rare opportunity to experience the grand Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang.

Monsoon (June to August)

While much of Nepal experiences persistent monsoon rainfall, Upper Mustang stands out during these months. Protected by the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, the high, barren valleys of Mustang receive little to no rain and stay relatively dry during this season.

Daytime temperatures during the monsoon remain relatively warm, ranging between 18°C and 25°C, while nighttime temperatures range from 0°C to 8°C. During the monsoon, the arid valleys of Upper Mustang come alive with lush fields of barley and buckwheat. This creates a surreal visual contrast between the green farmlands below and the ochre-colored desert cliffs towering above.

Besides that, the monsoon season coincides with two of Upper Mustang's most significant cultural events, the Yartung Festival in Lo Manthang and the Janai Purnima pilgrimage to Damodar Kunda. As a result, this season provides a rare chance to observe centuries-old traditions and experience the region's vibrant cultural and spiritual heritage.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is the least ideal season for the Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek. These months bring extreme weather, intense cold, and heavy snowfall, especially in the upper parts of the trek.

While the lower valleys are relatively manageable, temperatures in the upper valleys can drop to -25°C at night. Because of the freezing conditions, many teahouses and mountain lodges at higher elevations close for the season.

Winter is also the worst time for camping beyond Yara Gaon. Heavy snow, freezing temperatures, and strong winds often make the high mountain passes impassable, leaving the remote Damodar Kunda region largely inaccessible during winter.

That said, winter transforms the desert-like valleys of Upper Mustang into a snowy wilderness. It offers crisp, dry air along with stunning views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Nilgiri, and Tukuche Peak. With very few trekkers willing to brave the winter weather, you'll often find the trail completely to yourself.

Difficulty level of Trekking to Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda 

Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek is a challenging, high-altitude adventure through one of Nepal’s most remote mountain regions. Unlike typical treks, this grueling journey involves crossing rugged terrains, narrow ridges, deep gorges, cave dwellings, and several high mountain passes.

The main challenge of the Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek is the high altitude. During this 17-day trip, you’ll spend 11 nights above 3,000 meters, including four consecutive nights above 4,500 meters at Ghuma Thanti and Damodar Kunda. Besides that, this trek involves crossing several high mountain passes above 3,000 meters, including Batsyak La, Bhena La, Nyi La, Ghami La, Mui La, and more.

Regardless of your fitness level and experience, trekking at such elevations puts you at constant risk of altitude sickness. Even seasoned trekkers may experience mild headaches, disrupted sleep, reduced appetite, and slower recovery. So, it is crucial to keep a steady pace, stay well hydrated, and follow a gradual acclimatization schedule throughout the trek.

Additionally, daily walking typically ranges from 6 to 8 hours across challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions. While the trail in the lower villages is well-maintained, the upper section has loose scree, rocky moraine, and occasional snowfields. Since there are no teahouses above Yara, you’ll need to spend four nights in a tented camp, which often increases the difficulty considering the remoteness and severe weather.

Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek is perfect for experienced trekkers who have previous high-altitude trekking experience and are comfortable with basic camping conditions in remote mountain regions. Although this trek is doable with proper preparation, we do not recommend it for first-time trekkers.

Training for Trek to Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda

Trek to Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda is a remote, challenging journey that demands high physical fitness and mental resilience. While it doesn’t require technical climbing skills or elite-level training, proper preparation is essential for navigating rugged terrain, high altitudes, mountain passes, and tough weather conditions.

For active trekkers, eight weeks of training is usually enough. However, those with lower fitness levels should consider at least a 12-week program to build a strong foundation.

Your training plan should cover the following areas:

Cardiovascular Endurance

Like most high-altitude treks, the Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek requires sustained aerobic effort to travel through remote mountains for over two weeks. Having good cardiovascular fitness improves your lung capacity and prepares your body to perform effectively at high elevations.

Begin with three to four sessions of low-impact activities like brisk walking, swimming, cycling, and jogging. In the first few weeks, keep each session between thirty and forty-five minutes. Gradually increase the intensity, duration, and frequency of your workouts over time. Consider adding stair climbing and incline treadmill exercises to prepare for the steep sections on the trails.

Leg Strength and Stability

Your knees, ankles, and lower back are likely to bear the most strain from the rugged terrain and high passes of the Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek. Therefore, having strong legs and a solid core is beneficial for pushing through steep climbs and protecting your joints on loose descents.

Add two to three strength training sessions weekly, doing three sets of 15-20 reps for your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves. Begin with light exercises like squats, lunges, step-ups, planks, and calf raises using just your body weight. After a few weeks, start adding weight and gradually increase repetitions to continue making progress.

Conditional Hikes

Regular hiking is one of the most effective ways to prepare for a long-distance trek. Unlike gym training, hiking and hill walking sessions help build endurance, strengthen your legs, and adapt to changing trail conditions.

Find some good trails and hills near your home and go for weekly or biweekly hikes. Start with easy, half-day hikes, and gradually work up to full-day or multi-day hikes by the final weeks of your training. Besides conditioning your legs and body, these hikes are excellent for testing your gear in real-world conditions and breaking in your trekking boots.

If you live in a flat area, we recommend using a stair machine to strengthen the muscle groups used during long, sustained climbs.

Stretching and Flexibility

Although often overlooked, good flexibility and joint mobility can give you a significant advantage on high-altitude treks. Spend 10-15 minutes on dynamic stretches (leg swings, walking lunges, hip circles) before each training session to increase blood flow, warm up your muscles, and prepare your joints for movement. 

Similarly, spend 15-20 minutes on static stretches (hamstrings, calves, hip flexors, quads) at the end of each session to help your body cool down, improve muscle flexibility, reduce stiffness, and support muscle recovery. We strongly recommend adding at least two yoga sessions each week to enhance flexibility, balance, and breathing control for steep sections. 

Altitude Preparation

One of the biggest challenges of the Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek is the high altitude. Realistically, no amount of training at home or in the gym can prepare your body for these high-altitude conditions. Proper acclimatization only happens by spending enough time in the mountain itself. If you have access to trails above 2,500-3,000 meters at home, spend a few days there before heading to Kathmandu.

If not, the best way to prepare for altitude is through High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). You can combine HIIT workouts with deep breathing exercises to help your body adapt to lower oxygen levels at high elevation. Additionally, training with altitude masks or a simulated hypoxic system can give you a good physiological edge before the trek.

Mental Preparation

Approaching the Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek with the right mindset can actually take you a long way. Long days at high altitude, basic teahouse accommodations, unpredictable weather, poor sleep, several nights of camping, and accumulated fatigue can really take a toll, even for experienced trekkers.

Therefore, we recommend reading guidebooks and blogs to understand the conditions and set realistic expectations. Mental preparation also involves practicing patience and becoming comfortable with cold mornings, tired legs, simple accommodations, repetitive foods, and extreme fatigue. Cultivating habits like mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises can help you stay calm and maintain a positive mindset during the trek.

Rest and Recovery

Don't forget to take time for rest and recovery. Your muscles repair and become stronger during recovery than during the workout itself. So, schedule one to two full rest days per week throughout your training period.

Spend your rest days engaging in light activities such as gentle yoga, mindfulness movement, stretching, and meditation to maintain momentum, improve blood flow, reduce muscle stiffness, and support faster recovery. Additionally, prioritize seven to eight hours of sleep, stay hydrated, and eat nutritious foods to enhance your training and recovery.

In the last two weeks before departure, reduce your workouts by 40-50% of your peak training load and engage in light activities to enhance recovery. 

Acclimatization and Safety

The Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek is a high-altitude adventure through the arid Trans-Himalayan deserts of Nepal. Starting at 2,710 meters in Jomsom, this trek climbs to 5,450 meters at the summit of Batsyak La Pass.

Over 17 days, you’ll spend 11 nights above 3,000 meters, including four consecutive nights above 4,500 meters at Ghuma Thanti and Damodar Kunda. You'll also cross several mountain passes above 3,000 meters, such as Batsyak La, Kyumu La, Bhena La, and others.

Typically, altitude-related symptoms can occur at any elevation above 2,500 meters. Once you go above the 4,000-meter mark, the risk of altitude sickness nearly doubles compared to lower elevations. It’s common for most trekkers to experience mild symptoms like headaches, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, fatigue, and poor sleep at these heights. However, it’s crucial not to ignore these early warning signs. Recognizing these symptoms early and taking appropriate action can help you stay safe, recover more quickly, and avoid an unnecessary descent.

At Nepal Gateway Trekking, your safety is our top priority! That's why our Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek itinerary is carefully designed with gradual ascents and acclimatization days to ensure safe altitude adjustment.

Things You Should Do to Acclimatize

• Always walk at a pace that feels comfortable for you rather than trying to keep up with others. On shorter days, consider taking an afternoon hike above your sleeping altitude to help boost acclimatization.
• Stay well hydrated during the trek by drinking three to four liters of water each day. We highly recommend keeping a water bottle or hydration pack nearby and taking small sips regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty. If plain water feels unappealing, try adding electrolyte powder or tablets to enhance the taste and support better hydration.
• Our itinerary includes two acclimatization days at Lo Manthang and Damodar Kunda. These days are crucial parts of the trek and should never be skipped, no matter how good you feel. Make the most of these days to hike to higher elevations before returning to your teahouse. This "climb high, sleep low" method helps your body adjust better before heading to higher elevations.
• Although it is common to lose your appetite at high altitude, you should still eat a reasonable portion at each meal to keep your body fueled and maintain your energy throughout the trek. Choose carbohydrate-rich foods like dal bhat, potatoes, and pasta, as they provide sustained energy, support digestion, and help your body perform more efficiently at high altitude. We also suggest bringing a few of your favorite snacks to add variety, since meals at high altitude are often basic and repetitive.
• Avoid or strictly limit alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, and other stimulants during the trek. These substances are known to mask altitude-related symptoms, dehydrate your body, disrupt sleep quality, and increase your heart rate.
• Although sleep is often lighter at high altitudes, it should always be a top priority. Proper sleep supports recovery, helps your body acclimate, and prepares you for the next day.
• No matter the season, always wear a three-layer system to protect yourself from harsh weather and keep your body temperature stable. We strongly recommend wearing UV-protective sunglasses and covering exposed skin (head, neck, and arms) to protect against cold winds and intense sunlight during the trek.
• Make it a habit to check in with yourself regularly during the trek. If you experience any altitude-related symptoms, inform your guide right away. Early assessment and quick action can prevent your condition from worsening and reduce the risk of serious complications.

Travel Insurance

It is a mandatory requirement for trekkers to have valid travel insurance when booking a trek with Nepal Gateway Trekking. You must show proof of your insurance policy before booking the trek to ensure safety and financial protection.

Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek is a high-altitude adventure in the remote Himalayas of Nepal. While much of the section has access to jeep roads, Damodar Kunda sits at 4,890 meters with no road access, no permanent shelters, and no medical facilities. In case of medical emergency or altitude-related illness, helicopter evacuation is the only realistic rescue option, which can easily cost several thousand dollars.

Your travel insurance must explicitly cover all of the following requirements.

• It must include high-altitude trekking up to 5,500 meters in Upper Mustang. Typically, standard travel policies are not designed for high-altitude trekking and often exclude altitude coverage above 2,500-3,000 meters. Before purchasing your insurance policy, verify that it covers high-altitude trekking activities and the specified altitude limit.
• It must provide comprehensive coverage for helicopter rescue and medical evacuation up to at least 5,500 meters in altitude. This is the most crucial coverage requirement in your policy. Since helicopter rescues in remote mountains can cost anywhere from USD 3,000 to 10,000, this coverage can protect you from a substantial financial burden.
• It must cover medical expenses for accidental injuries and altitude sickness, including treatment, hospitalization, and medical repatriation to your home country if necessary.
• It must provide full coverage for trip cancellation and interruption due to injury, illness, family emergencies, or other unforeseen events. Additionally, it must cover loss, theft, or damage to your personal belongings, trekking gear, and travel documents.

Pro Tip: Send us a digital copy of your insurance certificate, emergency contact information, and policy number so our operations team can arrange medical assistance or emergency evacuation if needed.

Accommodation

Your stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara will be at a comfortable 3-star hotel with private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and wellness services. These luxury accommodations provide an excellent base for pre-trek preparation and post-trek recovery.

On the trail, you’ll spend eight nights in simple, family-run teahouses and four nights in a tented camp. The teahouses usually offer twin or dormitory-style rooms with thin mattresses, mink blankets, and soft pillows. While the teahouses in lower valleys have attached bathrooms, those in the upper valleys have basic facilities with shared squat toilets and cold-water washing services.

Like most teahouses in the mountains, the facilities in the Upper Mustang region typically have a large dining hall that also serves as a communal sitting area, where trekkers mostly gather for meals and relaxation. The dining hall is usually kept warm, friendly, and welcoming by a traditional wood-burning stove at its center.

Beyond Yara Gaon, there are no tea houses or permanent shelters of any kind. Therefore, you'll spend four consecutive nights in fully equipped tented camps. We provide all essential camping gear and a dedicated camping crew to set up the camps and prepare your meals. For these nights, we recommend bringing a sleeping bag (rated to at least -20°C) and a sleeping bag liner for extra warmth.

Meals

Our package includes breakfast only during your stay at the 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Lunches and dinners in both cities are at your own expense and arrangement. During the trek, all three meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are included. Breakfast and dinner are served at the teahouse where you're staying, while lunch is provided at rest stops along the route.

Food on the Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek is hearty, warming, and closely tied to Nepali and Tibetan cultures. Since the teahouse menus are quite limited, expect simple, nourishing meals rather than fine dining. Dal Bhat (Nepal's iconic combination of steamed rice served with lentil soup, seasonal vegetables, and home-made pickles) is the staple in the mountains and is readily available at most teahouses.

Besides Dal Bhat, teahouse menus usually include thenduk, thukpa, noodle soups, momo, fried rice, potato dishes, chowmein, and pasta for lunch and dinner. Although meat options like buffalo, yak, and chicken are available, we recommend sticking to vegetarian dishes as they tend to be fresher and safer in the remote mountains. Breakfast options include porridge, chapati, muesli, omelets, toast, pancakes, and Tibetan bread. The teahouses often serve breakfast with a hot drink of your choice, such as tea or coffee.

Beyond Yara Gaon, all meals are prepared by our dedicated trekking cook and kitchen crew at the camp using portable stoves. Meals at the camp are simple, hearty, and carb-rich, such as Dal Bhat, Sherpa stew, noodles, pasta, canned vegetables, and hot soup.

Drinking Water

Like most treks in the Himalayas, teahouses in the Mustang region offer both untreated tap water and boiled drinking water for trekkers. Although most locals, guides, and porters drink tap water without treating it, we strongly recommend against doing so. Untreated stream water can contain harmful bacteria or parasites that may cause severe stomach illnesses, which, in the worst case, might force you to cut your trek short.

Instead, carry a reusable water bottle or hydration pack and refill it with boiled water at teahouses and rest stops along the trail. While teahouses in the lower villages often include boiled water in the room rate, expect to pay a small fee of USD 1-5 per liter in the upper regions. For extra safety, always purify water before drinking using purification tablets or a SteriPen UV purifier. It is also recommended to carry a few sachets of electrolyte powder to improve the taste of tap water and help you stay hydrated.

The local shops and teahouses of Upper Mustang also sell bottled mineral water. However, we strongly advise against buying them to minimize plastic waste and protect the fragile mountain environment.

Hot Shower

Hot showers are usually available in the lower part of the trek, but become a rare luxury as you go deeper into the high-altitude desert of Upper Mustang. From Chhusang to Lo Manthang, teahouses typically use electric or gas geysers to provide a reliable hot shower for a small charge of USD 2-5.

Beyond Lo Manthang, the teahouse might only offer a bucket of hot water heated by a wood-fired stove at best. They often charge about USD 3-6 for a single bucket of hot water. At the campsites of Ghuma Thanti and Damodar Kunda, there are no shower facilities at all.

One practical tip is to take a thorough shower in Lo Manthang during the acclimatization day. Once you head north, use wet wipes, damp towels, or basin washes to clean up at the end of each day until you reach the more developed teahouses in the lower villages.

Mobile Network and Internet Connectivity

The Upper Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek passes through some of the most remote villages in the Mustang region. Given its remoteness, mobile network and internet connectivity are available but remain limited and unreliable. You can expect decent mobile coverage and 3G/4G services from both NTC and Ncell in main villages like Jomsom and Lo Manthang. However, mobile signals drop significantly in remote villages, mountain passes, and high plateaus.

Most teahouses in Upper Mustang offer paid Wi-Fi. While the lower valleys have decent connections, it can be slow, unreliable, and expensive in the upper valleys due to high usage and bad weather. The teahouses usually charge USD 2-5 per device for Wi-Fi.

Beyond Yara, you'll be completely disconnected from the digital world, with no mobile signal or internet access. We recommend informing your family members about the lack of connectivity and your expected check-in dates before leaving Lo Manthang.

Electricity

Despite its remoteness, electricity is available in most villages of Upper Mustang. However, its availability gradually declines as you ascend to more remote valleys during the trek. The lower villages like Jomsom, Chhusang, and Dhakmar have reliable electricity and charging facilities at most guesthouses.

Teahouses in this region depend on small hydropower or solar panels to supply enough electricity for lighting and charging. They usually have a communal charging station in the dining hall with limited outlets. Prioritize charging your most essential devices first, as teahouses charge USD 2-6 per device. Lo Manthang has the most reliable electricity along the entire route, powered by a centralized power grid. Take advantage of your acclimatization day here to charge all your devices to full capacity before heading into the high, remote sections.

Yara Gaon has basic solar electricity with a limited and unreliable supply, while the campsite above Yara has no electricity at all. Our camping team will carry a small battery to light up the area. However, your power bank will be your only resource for charging during your stay at the campsite. We strongly recommend bringing a power bank rated at 20,000 mAh or higher to charge your phones, cameras, and headlamps. Also, consider carrying a universal travel adapter compatible with Type-C and Type-D plug sockets.

ATMs and Money Exchange

Although some teahouses and shops in the main villages accept foreign currencies and cards, most prefer cash transactions in Nepali Rupees (NPR). Therefore, it is wise to carry cash in Nepali Rupees for personal expenses such as hot showers, Wi-Fi, battery charging, snacks, and drinks. 

Kathmandu is the best place to handle all money matters before the trek. ATMs and currency exchange counters are widely available around Thamel. The exchange counters in Thamel offer competitive rates for all major currencies, including US dollars, Euros, and British pounds. If in doubt, you can visit a few counters to compare rates and find the best deal. Likewise, most ATMs these days accept international debit and credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard. However, international withdrawals usually come with a fee of around USD 4-5 per transaction.

If you miss the opportunity to exchange enough cash in Kathmandu, you can rely on Pokhara as a dependable backup. The Lakeside area has plenty of ATMs and currency exchange counters. However, exchange rates there are less favorable than in Kathmandu.

While Jomsom also has several ATMs and exchange facilities, you shouldn't depend on any of them. ATMs in remote mountain areas often run out of cash, encounter technical problems, or are simply out of service. Also, the exchange rates in the mountains are generally less favorable than those in Kathmandu and Pokhara. 

Guide and Porter Information

Nepal Gateway Trekking provides an experienced team of guides, porters, and crew members for all high-altitude treks. Our guides are government-licensed professionals with more than a decade of experience leading treks and expeditions in the remote Himalayas of Nepal. 

For this trek, we assign a senior trek leader with extensive experience on this route. Their firsthand knowledge of this remote terrain ensures safe navigation and efficient logistics. Our guides are WFR-certified with advanced training in first aid, altitude sickness management, and mountain rescue protocols. This expertise allows our guides to make critical safety decisions on the trail, including assessing weather conditions, adjusting the pace, and evaluating trail safety.

Our porters are the true backbone of all our treks and an integral part of our team. These hardworking individuals carry your luggage, camping equipment, and essential supplies across the remote, desert-like terrains of Upper Mustang so you can trek comfortably. Additionally, they also help set up your campsite in Ghuma Thanti and Damodar Kunda. We assign one porter for every two trekkers to ensure a proper porter-to-trekker ratio and adhere to a strict weight limit to protect their well-being.

At Nepal Gateway Trekking, we are committed to treating each member of our trekking team fairly and ethically. We make sure that our guides and porters receive above-industry wages, quality equipment for high-altitude trekking, daily allowances for meals and accommodation, and comprehensive travel insurance throughout the trek.

Gratitude for the Trekking Crew

Tipping is a common way to show appreciation to guides, porters, and crew members in Nepal. Although not mandatory, it has been a tradition in Nepal’s travel industry for decades and is highly expected by the guides and porters.

Note that there are no strict rules on tipping amounts. It depends entirely on the quality of service, client satisfaction, and trek difficulty. As a general guideline, it is recommended to tip 15% of the trek cost to the lead guide and 10% of the trek cost to the porters and crew members. The best practice is to give tips to each member in separate envelopes during the farewell ceremony in Yara or Jomsom.

In addition to cash tips, non-monetary donations such as trekking boots, down jackets, sleeping bags, trekking poles, sunglasses, and headlamps are widely accepted and appreciated by the porters and crew members. Also, we recommend sharing reviews, experiences, and trek photos on online platforms and personal blogs to help the team attract more clients in the future.