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Upper Mustang Permit Update 2025: New $50/Day Rule Explained

Upper Mustang Permit Update 2025: New $50/Day Rule Explained

Kabiraj

Updated on November 30, 2025

Upper Mustang Trek has always been one of Nepal’s most culturally rich, historically important, and environmentally sensitive trekking regions. It has been categorized as Restricted Area to protect its Tibetan-Buddhist heritage and fragile environment. So, all foreign trekkers (including Indians) had to pay an expensive special permit; USD 500 entry fee with 10 days of validity, plus an additional $50/day if trekkers stayed beyond that duration.

In November 2025, to address the issue of the expensive Upper Mustang Trek Permit, the Nepal Government announced a major change to the old permit fee. Under the new rule, the mandatory $500 base fee has been removed along with no 10-day minimum requirement, and travelers should now pay $50 per person per day, regardless of how long they stay.

Tourism officials and trekking associations believe this change will improve accessibility while still maintaining the controlled flow needed to protect Upper Mustang’s culture and landscape. For trekkers, who had been planning a trek to Upper Mustang can now rethink their plans, budget more easily, and organize their trip under the new $50 per day rule.

This guide will break down the 500$ old rule, the new USD 50/day policy, the reasons behind the change, and what it means for Upper Mustang trekking in 2025 and beyond.

Upper Mustang Cave in the Stoned Walls

Why New Permit System Matters Right Now?

Unlike other trekking regions, Upper Mustang is not just an area to trek but also a living cultural museum. Within it lies Lo Manthang, ancient walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo, as well as monasteries, sky caves, desert canyons, and ancient rituals. They are ancient and preserved in their most primitive forms. The restrict permit regulations were applied because Upper Mustang holds invaluable cultural importance and is near the Tibet’s border.

Over the last several years, Mustang, along with the rest of the world, has faced an economic downturn, with tourism and tourism-related businesses suffering the most. The significant number of travelers dropped. So, mustang locals had been requesting the government to reconsider the old, rigid fee structure, arguing that the cost barrier was preventing tourism recovery.

The most recent, $50-a-day permit fee, is a welcomed change. Impacts are mostly to be felt by trekking companies, guides, locally operated homestays, and others, as well as all those wishing to visit Upper Mustang. Changes are expected to be most significant in the 2025 tourism schedule.

Why Upper Mustang Is Restricted Trekking Region?

Despite the new rule, Upper Mustang is still restricted trekking area and it requires special Restricted Area Permit. The reasons behind it to be classified as restricted area are:

Upper Mustang clear skies

To understand why the permit system existed, it is important to know the reasons behind the Restricted Area classification:

Border Sensitivity: Upper Mustang lies near the border with Tibet (China). Restricted Area classification designation helps Nepal Government regulate and monitor movement in the region.
Cultural Preservation: Upper Mustang holds one of the most authentic Tibetan-Buddhist cultures in the world. Rituals, monasteries, and traditional communities require protection from unrestricted tourism.
Sensitive Ecosystem: Mustang's desert terrain is delicate. Rapid tourism could risk erosion, desertification, and damage to ancient caves and archeological sites.
Protection of Ancient Heritage: Lo Manthang, sky caves like Jhong and Choser, Tiji Festival traditions, and centuries-old monasteries need preservation.
Controlled Tourism for Sustainability: The (Restricted Area Permit) RAP fee ensured only serious, respectful travelers visited the region, keeping annual numbers manageable.

These reasons remain valid and upper mustang still remains restricted, but the permit structure has been modified to support today’s tourism needs.

What Was the Old Upper Mustang Trekking Fee?

For decades, the Upper Mustang permit fees were as follows:

$500 per person for the first 10 days (mandatory, even if you stayed shorter or go for a day)
Extra $50 per day per person after 10 days

This meant that even if a traveller for 1 day in Upper Mustang, it would cost same as full 10-day. So, the old rule discouraged many travelers from exploring the region unless they planned to stay 10 days in Upper Mustang.

Upper Mustang New Restricted Area Permit Fee (2025 Update)

In November 2025, Nepal Government introduced the new Restricted Area Permit Fee which is more simpler and flexible.

The New Upper Mustang Permit Fee: $50 Per Person Per Day

Trekkers now should pay:

$50 per person per day: The new rule sets the Upper Mustang permit cost at a simple, flexible rate of $50 per traveller per day. It means travelers need to pay only for the exact number of days they spend inside the region.
No mandatory 10-day base fare: Trekkers no longer need to buy a minimum 10-day permit, meaning you are free to plan shorter or longer itineraries without paying for unused days.
No initial $500 fee: The old permit rule of paying a fixed $500 upfront has been entirely removed. This makes the Upper Mustang trek far more affordable and accessible than before.

Why Was Change Necessary?

Multiple factors influenced the government’s decision about Upper Mustang Permit

Tourism Decline After Covid-19: After the pandemic, the recovery of tourism has been very slow, especially in remote regions like Mustang, where livelihood directly depends on tourism.
Expensive Permit Cost Discouraged Travelers: Upper Mustang became known as one of the most expensive trekking destinations in Nepal because of its Restricted Area Permit fee.
Pressure From Local Authorities: Local governments and tourism operators in Mustang continuously demanded reforms to revive the region’s economy.
Competition With Other Restricted Regions: Regions like Dolpo, Humla, and Nar-Phu are gaining popularity. A lower permit fee makes Upper Mustang competitive again.

Old Permit System Vs New Permit System

Permit Type	Old System	New System (2025)
Upper Mustang RAP	$500 mandatory	$50 per person per day
Extra Days	$50/day	$50/day (same rate, no base fee)
Short-duration treks	Same cost as 10 days	Pay only for actual days
Cost flexibility	None	Fully flexible

What Remains Unchanged?

Restricted Area status: Dispite the change, Upper Mustang is still a controlled region (Restricted Area) due to its cultural and environmental sensitivity.
A licensed guide is still mandatory: Like before, solo unguided travel to Upper Mustang restricted. All the travellers should have a licensed guide.
Group-based permits continue: Individual permits are still not issued; at least two trekkers must apply through an agency.
Immigration-issued permits only: Travellers must still obtain the permit from the Department of Immigration via an authorised agency.

Key Benefits of the New $50/Day Permit Rule

1. Upper Mustang Becomes More Affordable

The following example demostrates how it becomes affordable, specially for travellers who are planning to spend short days in Upper Mustang

Examples:

2-days in Upper Mustang : Old $500 → New $100 (save $400)

5-days in Upper Mustang: Old $500 → New $250 (save $250)

10-days in Upper Mustang: Old $500 → New $500 (slightly more, but flexible)

Tracllers doing shorter routes are benefited by this rule.

2. Trekkers Only Pay for Time Actually Spent

Under the new rule, you should pay only for the real number of days you stay in Upper Mustang - no more paying for unused days or being locked into a fixed 10-day permit. It means no wastage of unused days.

3. Local Economy Revival

Flexible fee means more travelers which in return mean direct/indirect higher income for:

Lodges
Restaurants
Guides
Porters
Jeep drivers
Local shops

4. Encourages Cultural Tourism

Visitors now have the freedom to explore side villages like:

Choser
Yara
Tangge
Ghami
Ghar Gompa

5. Flexible Itineraries for All Trekkers

The new permit fee structure supports both short and long itineraries as they will not be mandatory fee base fee of 500$.

Potential Concerns of New Permit Fee Structure

While beneficial, the new rule also brings challenges. They are as follow:

Increased Tourist Flow: This could lead to crowded trail, cultural disturbances and evironment stress as well.
Risk of Unregulated Travel: With the reduced fee likely bringing more trekkers, it’s important for authorities to maintain strict checkpoint monitoring to prevent rule violations and protect the region’s sensitive environment and culture.
Higher Need for Waste Management: More trekkers may mean more waste unless properly managed.

Despite these challenges, the benefits still outweigh the drawbacks when managed responsibly.

How to Get the New Upper Mustang Trek Permit (2025 Process)

Upper Mustang still is a Restricted Area, so the rules are still strict even with the new pricing.

Documents Required for Upper Mustang Trek Permit

Valid passport
Nepal visa
Passport-size photos
Travel insurance (recommended)

Guide Requirement

A licensed trekking guide is still mandatory despite the new rule. In addition to that, independent trekking is still not allowed.

Where to Apply for Upper Mustang Trek Permit

Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu through a registered trekking agency

Permits are issued online and checked at multiple points including Kagbeni and Lo Manthang.

Upper Mustang at At a Glance

Upper Mustang, also called 'Hidden Kingdom of Nepal', is located in the Mustang District of the Gandaki Province. It is characterized by desert mountainous terrain with altitudes app. 4,200 m. Lo Manthang, the ancient and historic capital, stands at 3,840 m. The location in a Himalayan rain shadow makes for a dry, cold, and windy landscape. Some travellers compare it to the surface of the moon. The combination of the landscape with Tibetan deep canyons, centuries old, and the magic of the place makes for an adventurous and unique trekking destinations in Nepal.