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FINALLY the Upper Mustang $500 permit is DEAD! But, is Upper Mustang dead on the road too?
Join us as we break down the most controversial trekking update in the Himalayas!
The "Forbidden Kingdom" of Upper Mustang just got a major policy shake-up. Nepal's government has scrapped the mandatory $500 minimum fee for its Restricted Area Permit (RAP), switching to a flexible $50 per day structure.
Is this the tourism relief local entrepreneurs are cheering for, or does it open the door to unwanted mass tourism in a culturally fragile region?
In this episode, we dive into the new details from guidebook author David Ways, debate the local calls for permit fees to fund cultural subsidies directly, and discuss the complex reality on the ground: from the growing road network to the non-negotiable requirements like the two-person group minimum and mandatory guide.
What We Cover:
💥 Fee Flip-Flop: The breakdown of the $500 lump sum vs. the new $50 daily rate.
💰 The Local Fight: Why community leaders welcome the change, and yet no push for cultural funding.
🚧 Mandatory Hurdles: The non-negotiable rules that haven't changed (Guide, 2-person minimum, and ACAP).
🛣️ Roads & Regulation: How Mustang's new infrastructure is forcing the government to re-think its "restricted" status.
👮 A Better Permit Alternative: Finally we look at a suggestion from David Ways on a new proactive "restricted" status for Eastern Upper Mustang.
Perfect for: Anyone planning a trip to Nepal, trekking industry professionals, or listeners interested in how economic policy impacts remote Himalayan cultures.
Read more about the Upper Mustang Trek and more about Upper Mustang Permits
Read the information in this podcast in Upper Mustang Permit drops to $50
View all episodes
By David WaysJoin us as we break down the most controversial trekking update in the Himalayas!
The "Forbidden Kingdom" of Upper Mustang just got a major policy shake-up. Nepal's government has scrapped the mandatory $500 minimum fee for its Restricted Area Permit (RAP), switching to a flexible $50 per day structure.
Is this the tourism relief local entrepreneurs are cheering for, or does it open the door to unwanted mass tourism in a culturally fragile region?
In this episode, we dive into the new details from guidebook author David Ways, debate the local calls for permit fees to fund cultural subsidies directly, and discuss the complex reality on the ground: from the growing road network to the non-negotiable requirements like the two-person group minimum and mandatory guide.
What We Cover:
💥 Fee Flip-Flop: The breakdown of the $500 lump sum vs. the new $50 daily rate.
💰 The Local Fight: Why community leaders welcome the change, and yet no push for cultural funding.
🚧 Mandatory Hurdles: The non-negotiable rules that haven't changed (Guide, 2-person minimum, and ACAP).
🛣️ Roads & Regulation: How Mustang's new infrastructure is forcing the government to re-think its "restricted" status.
👮 A Better Permit Alternative: Finally we look at a suggestion from David Ways on a new proactive "restricted" status for Eastern Upper Mustang.
Perfect for: Anyone planning a trip to Nepal, trekking industry professionals, or listeners interested in how economic policy impacts remote Himalayan cultures.
Read more about the Upper Mustang Trek and more about Upper Mustang Permits
Read the information in this podcast in Upper Mustang Permit drops to $50