The Government of Nepal has revised the entry rules for Upper Mustang; going forward, it will institute a $50-per-day fee for foreign visitors rather than continuing a long-standing $500 minimum for trekking permits. The decision was approved by the Cabinet through an amendment to the country’s Immigration Regulations.
Under the new system, the tourists entering the restricted Upper Mustang region will be charged strictly based on the number of days they stay, as opposed to paying a fixed 10-day minimum fee. According to the officials, the change is intended to increase the inflow of tourists into the region, which has seen very limited foreign visitation due to high permit costs.
Local leaders and tourism entrepreneurs welcomed the government’s move, saying it partially met their long-standing demand to ease restrictions that have traditionally discouraged travelers. Although Mustang district attracts around 150,000 foreign visitors every year, only 3-4 percent used to access Upper Mustang because of the steep entry fee.
It has been called the “Last Forbidden Kingdom,” and Upper Mustang is still largely a restricted area because of its sensitive border location and its peculiar Tibetan-influenced culture. While the reduced fee is expected to significantly boost tourism, other restrictions such as mandatory guides for foreigners remain in place.
According to tourism stakeholders, the revised permit rule would facilitate short trips and tailored itineraries, which, in turn, will contribute to the flourishing of the local economies dependent on trekking and hospitality services.
Government officials said the updated regulation will come into effect immediately, with further guidelines to be issued by the Department of Immigration.
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