The Government of Nepal has announced that foreign tourists visiting Upper Mustang, located near the Nepal-China border at North Korala, will now be charged USD 50 per day.

Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, shared the decision following a Cabinet meeting, stating that it involves amendments to Schedule 12 of the Immigration Rules, 2051.

Under this new rule, foreign tourists will no longer be required to pay a lump sum fee of USD 500 for a 10-day trek. Instead, tourists will pay only for the number of days they stay in Upper Mustang.

Previously, foreign tourists entering Upper Mustang had to pay a minimum trekking fee of USD 500 for 10 days. Those who stayed beyond the initial 10 days were charged an additional USD 50 per person per day.

Local leaders welcomed the move. Lopsaang Chomphel Bista, Chairperson of Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality, noted that while their demand to remove Upper Mustang from the “restricted and controlled areas” list has not been fully met, the decision partially addresses the concern. Tsinirbu Gurung, Chairperson of Lomanthang Rural Municipality, also described the decision as positive.

Upper Mustang falls under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project and has been designated as a restricted and controlled region. Previously, the high trekking fees discouraged most foreign tourists, who preferred to return via Kagbeni and Muktinath.

Annually, around 150,000 foreign tourists enter Mustang, but only about 3–4% visit Upper Mustang due to high costs and restricted access.