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Upper Mustang Overland Tour
This road trip takes you to Muktinath, a quiet place where people come to pray. You’ll also visit Lo Manthang, a town with small white houses and narrow streets. On the way, there are apple trees, big mountain views, and friendly faces. It’s the kind of journey you’ll think about for a long time.
per person
USD 2,260
Duration
12 Days
Difficulty
Moderate
Requires some level of experience in trekking with basic physical ability.
Best Season
March- April- May-June- July- Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov
Max. elevation
3,840m/ 12,595 Ft
Trip Code
CT-10060
Destination
Nepal
Region
Mustang Region Treks
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Guest House | Hotel
Transportation
Private vehicles
Route
Pokhara- Kagbeni- Cheale- Geling - Charang- Lo Manthang- Drakmar -Muktinath - Jomsom- Pokhara
Upper Mustang Overland Tour 2024 Highlights
- Explore the stunning forbidden kingdom and restricted area of Upper Mustang.
- Walk around different isolated and remote villages near the Kaligandaki River.
- Visit Muktinath, one of Nepal’s most important Hindu and Buddhist people.
- Aerial views of mountains like Annapurna Massif, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri range during flight to/from Jomsom.
- Consider visiting the historic King’s Palace in Lo Manthang, the oldest structure there. This five-story white-washed building is a crucial landscape and a glimpse into the region’s rich history.
- Visit ancient temples, charang, and monasteries in this majestic Mustang tour.
- Experience the beautiful and culturally significant Tiji festival of Mustang.
Upper Mustang Overland Tour Overview
The Upper Mustang Overland Tour, also known as the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, is a stunning tour of the Upper Mustang region. This excursion takes you to one of Nepal's most beautiful but restricted areas. This tour is the best way to learn the Tibetan Buddhist culture of the region and also find out why it is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists of Nepal.
If you're looking for an adventurous way to explore the remote and restricted settlements of the Gurung, Thakali, and Tibetan people, then the 12-day jeep tour to Upper Mustang is one of the best options.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to start on this incredible journey and discover the hidden wonders of this beautiful region! Mustang is a paradise for unique cultural exploration, where you will find different temples, monasteries, chortens, and mani walls.
During this fantastic Upper Mustang tour, you will visit some of Nepal's most beautiful places. Attractions include Kathmandu, Pokhara, Tatopani, Jomsom, Kagbeni, Lo-Mangthang, Tingkhar Valley, and Namgyal Gompa.
Hence, the Overland Jeep Tour of Upper Mustang is the quickest way to explore the Forbidden Kingdom. For those who don't have three weeks to spare and those who are not physically able to trek through these complicated terrains, this jeep tour is the best alternative to reach one of the most beautiful regions of Nepal.
Upper Mustang Overland Tour Itinerary
Arrival In Kathmandu
Highest Altitude
1,350 m
When you arrive in Kathmandu, the representative of CoreTreks at Tribhuvan International Airport will welcome you. They will then take you to your hotel and help you check-in. The hotels usually have three stars or more, and you will receive complete hospitality. Overnight stay at Hotel.
No Meals
Hotel
Trek Preparation Day And Kathmandu Sightseeing
Highest Altitude
1,350 m
On the second day of your trek, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast at Kathmandu Hotel before starting your preparations for exploring the Upper Mustang.
Remember, since the Upper Mustang lies in a restricted area, you need a special restricted area permit, which can only be issued by the trekking agency. You’ll also have amazing Kathmandu sightseeing.
You’ll spend your day visiting three places in Kathmandu listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List: Pashupatinath, Swyambhunath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Breakfast
Hotel
Kathmandu To Bandipur To Kathmandu
Drive Hours
5 hours
Highest Altitude
1,350 m
On the third day of the Upper Mustang Overland Tour, you will take an excursion to Bandipur. The Jeep tour takes about five hours, and you can enjoy the stunning scenery of the Kathmandu Valley and other remote villages along the way. This will be a fun drive for the day, and we will return in the evening. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Hotel
Kathmandu – Pokhara – Tatopani (Hot Spring)
Drive Hours
10 hours
Highest Altitude
1,350 m
Today, we will drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara on the beautiful Prithvi highway. Depending on traffic, reaching Pokhara from Kathmandu should take approximately 6 hours. As we drive through the winding highways, we’ll take breaks for lunch. The drive to Pokhara is an incredible experience in itself.
Upon driving for a few hours, you will arrive at Pokhara. You should take a break there, indulge in a delicious lunch, and explore the scenic lakeside area.
Once you’ve filled Pokhara, you must proceed towards Tatopani, where you can rejuvenate yourself in the luxurious Hot Springs.
Overnight stay at a Hotel either in Pokhara or Tatopani because, in some cases, tourists directly go from Pokhara to Jomsom without stopping in Tatopani.
Hotel
Tatopani (Hot Spring)- Jomsom – Kagbeni
Drive Hours
4-5 hours
Highest Altitude
2,804 m
The fifth day of the tour takes you to Jomsom and Kagbeni. First, you will have breakfast in Tatopani. The Jeep tour is the best way to explore these beautiful parts of the Annapurna region.
As you move northwest of Tatopani, you will reach the deepest gorge in Nepal, made by the Kali Gandaki River. The said gorge is known as Kali Gandaki Gorge.
From Tatopani, you will see this fantastic attraction like Kali Gandaki Gorge, and you will drive towards Jomsom. Jomsom is one of the region’s most beautiful areas. After a brief stroll around Jomsom, you will head towards Kagbeni.
The wonderful Kagbeni area from your jeep looks stunning. Along the way, you will see apple vineyards where a famous drink named Marpha is prepared for locals and tourists to enjoy. After around seven hours of driving, you’ll reach Kagbeni, where you can stroll around and meet local people.
Kagbeni is also a sacred place for Hindu locals visiting for the Shraddha ceremony. The belief is that the spirits of dead people get cleansed, and they will get freedom in the afterlife if their sons participate in the Shraddha ceremony in Kagbeni. Overnight Stay at Hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel
Kagbeni To Ghami
Drive Hours
3 hours
Highest Altitude
2,950 m
The sixth day of this Upper Mustang Overland Tour begins with a delicious breakfast in Kagbeni. After that, you’ll start driving towards the local river banks till you reach Chuksang, which lies at an altitude of over 2950m. In this area, you’ll come across many ancient caves and some Dhandas, where you can look at majestic photos.
This drive will give you a detailed introduction to the Mustang region, which you might have seen if you have ever been on a Muktinath tour. As you move from the Kaligandaki River, you start driving on the new trail heading towards Samar.
Now, you move forward from Samar, reaching the small village of Syanmochen, before taking a quick breather in Geiling. From Geiling, you start climbing an off-beaten ascent as you drive to Ghami. Ghami lies at an altitude of 3520m. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Breakfast
Hotel
Ghami To Lo- Manthang
Drive Hours
3 hours
Highest Altitude
3,840 m
Today is the seventh day of the trek. After breakfast in Ghami, we will continue your upper-land tour towards Lo Manthang. Many people trek from Ghami to Tsherang and then to Lo-Manthang the next day, but since we are in jeeps, it is possible to reach Lo Manthang today.
In the first one and a half of our tour, we will reach a beautiful village in Tserang. You can stroll around Tserang and visit an old monastery in Ghar Gompa, after which you can continue moving towards Tserang Khola. Another one-hour drive will take you to Lo-Manthang.
Only the King, Queen, and highly respected priests can enter through the vast front gate as others must walk to pay respect to Chenrezig, a highly respected figure for Buddhists. You will have your dinner in the hotel and overnight stay there.
Breakfast
Hotel
Explore Namgyal Gompa & Tingkhar Valley
Highest Altitude
3,370m
Today is the day for exploration, mostly on foot. First, you will visit an essential monastery in Namgyal Gompa that is significant for people who are learning or interested in Buddhism. In around 2 hours, you will thoroughly explore Gompa, after which it’s time to move towards the Tingkhar Valley. The Tingkhar Valley is also one of the spots where you can click amazing photos, which leads to a small but beautiful Tingkhar village.
Tingkhar Valley is another significant place to learn about Tibetan culture and tradition. After a few hours in the village, we will return to Lo Manthang. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Hotel
Lo- Manthang –Chhoser – Marpha
Drive Hours
4-5 hours
Highest Altitude
3,840 m
Today, we begin to retrace our steps as your drive moves forward from Lo-Manthang. The first destination is Chhoser, which is about 20 km from Lo-Manthang. Since the terrain is a little tricky, it might take 1 to 1.5 hours to reach Chhoser.
You can have lunch in Chhosar, after which we will move to Marpha. The stunning backdrop of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges will make the tour even more special. After about one hour of extra jeep driving, we will reach Marpha, where you will have dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel
Marpha – Pokhara
Drive Hours
5 - 7 hours
Highest Altitude
2,670 m
The drive back to Pokhara continues, and today, we will cover about 60 km from Marpha to Kathmandu. The stunning views along the driveway make the tour very special. The enormous cliffs of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and other mountains are visible from the highway.
Once you arrive in Pokhara after a long drive, you can check in at your hotel for some rest. Afterward, you can explore the city and its local pubs or take a boat ride on Fewa Lake. You can then return to the hotel for dinner and spend the night there.
Hotel
Pokhara – Kathmandu
Drive Hours
8 hours
Highest Altitude
1,350m
Another 8-hour drive awaits us as we travel from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Today is the last day of your adventurous Upper Mustang Overland Tour. You might be getting sick of riding a jeep throughout your 12-day trip, but since today is the previous day, you’ll forget all the bumps you have taken, enjoy the travel, and remember the best days from this tour.
You will arrive in Kathmandu in the afternoon or evening. After arriving, you will be checked into your hotel. In the evening, you can briefly stroll around Kathmandu Valley to shop, visit local pubs and clubs, or stay in your hotel. Since Today is the final day of your tour, you will receive a complimentary farewell dinner from us. Overnight stay at Kathmandu hotel.
Kathmandu
Departure
Highest Altitude
1,350 m
The last day of the Upper Mustang Overland Tour begins with breakfast at the Kathmandu Hotel. Based on the time of your flight, you will either relax in your hotel or prepare to check out.
Our representative will help you check out with your luggage and drive you to the airport in a private vehicle. This concludes your fantastic tour, and we hope you enjoyed your stay in Nepal. We hope to see you again if you want to enjoy the same tour or other treks from Coretreks.
Breakfast
Not satisfied with this itinerary?
CoreTreks offers a customized itinerary option that allows you to personalize your trek according to your preferences and requirements.
Upper Mustang Overland Tour Altitude Chart
Altitude in:
Temperature by Month at Upper Mustang
Trip Includes
- Airport transfers by Private Vehicles.
- TIMS Fee- Trekkers’ Information Management System & Annapurna Conservation area permit (Please bring two passport-size photos).
- Special permit for Upper Mustang.
- During the tour, three daily meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- Farewell dinner in a traditional Nepali restaurant with cultural performances.
- Twin-sharing accommodation during the Tour. (7 Nights).
- One highly experienced, helpful, and friendly guide. His food, accommodation, salary, and equipment. Accident insurance.
- Local and government taxes.
- Personal care & attention.
- Standard twin-sharing accommodation in three-star hotels in Kathmandu & Pokhara, breakfast included. (5 Nights).
- Kathmandu—Pokhara—Jomsom—Lo Manthang—Tatopani—Kathmandu by Luxury 4 Wd Jeep. (A private vehicle is also available at an additional cost if you want both ways.)
Complimentary Services
Available After Complete Booking
Trip Excludes
- Personal mountaineering gears
- Travel and Rescue Insurance
- Tipping to the crew.
- Optional trips and sightseeing if extended
- Visa fee: You can obtain a visa quickly upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu.
- All kinds of beverages, including mineral water, Phone calls, laundry, and hot shower during the Mustang Tour
- International airfare and airport departure tax
Essential info for Upper Mustang Overland Tour
Places To Visit While In Upper Mustang Overland Tour
Upper Mustang is a place of several monasteries that are worth visiting. Here is a list of some of them:
1. Chungsi Cave Monastery near Syanmochen/Samar: This monastery belongs to the Ningmapa sector of Buddhism and has a “Chhevum Bhumba” structure made of stone and soil. The major statues and images here include Tara Devi, the Statue of Guru Rinpoche, and Jhoao Chasapani.
2. Tashi Chyoling Gompa, Ghiling: This monastery is 571 years old and belongs to the Ngorpa sub-Sect of the Sakyapa sect. The major monastic rituals here include Molam, Mandala Puja, Ketor Puja, Dhukpa Chesi, Kangso Chyachchha, and Kangso Puja. The major statues and images here include Sakyamuni, Jhampa, NgorChen, Padma Samabhawa, Chhepame, Dalai Lama, and Lhobo Khenjen (Ghhenchen).
3. Lo Geme Shad Drup Darkeling Gompa, Ghami: This Sakyapa sect monastery is 590 years old and was founded by Sonama Lodo. The major monastic rituals here include Heverja, Khyuri Dhunmje, and Mela. The major statues and images here include Buddha Pravamandal 2’6″ high, Bajra Satwa 2’3″ high, Buddha Statue 2’9″ high, Ngor Chhen Kunga Sangpo, Sakyamuni, Dorjesemba, Midhukpa.
4. Jhampa Gompa, Lomanthang: This Sakya sect monastery was established in 1387 AD and houses gold-painted tantric Mandalas. The major monastic rituals here include Molam Chhyang and Ngyugne. The major statues and images here include Jhamapa Chhempo, Rhikpa Jampa, Dharma Birwa, and Lhamu Hoser Chenge Singham.
5. Thupchen Gompa, Lomanthang: This Sakyapa sect monastery was established in the 15th century and has wooden beams in Dukhang carrying the Buddhist mantra inside the Gompa. The major statues and images here include Thupchen, Namgyal Chhorten, Chen Tejik, Jampalyang Gurun Rinpoche, Dhristrarastra, Baishnawan, and Birudhak Birupaksya.
6. Chhyode Gompa, Lomanthang: This Sakyapa sect monastery was established in 1757 AD and has beautiful Thanka and Images. The major monastic rituals here include Tenchi, Saka Dhawa, Lolam, Bayang Yaarne, Lhabap, and Duchhen. The major statues and images here include Dorje Sonnu, Dorje Dhhang, and Sange Thukpa.
7. Chhujung Gompa, near Lomanthang: This Sakyapa sect monastery.
8. Garghu Dhejing Chhyoling Gompa, Garphu, Chhoser: This Ningmapa sect of Sakyapa monastery is 500 years old. The major monastic rituals here include Chyuchi Ngyugne, Mahakala Puj, Hyum, Kengyur, Tengyur, Ghyutor, and Chhempo. The major statues and images here include Guru Rinpoche, Dhorje Chhyang, Chhewang Lhindu, and Siiji Shhyamjo. The monastery has the footprint of Guru Rin
FAQs For Upper Mustang Overland Tour
General
Can I get drinking water during my Upper Mustang Jeep Tour?
What is the highest elevation of the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour?
Which permit do you need to explore Upper Mustang?
How difficult is Upper Mustang's jeep tour?
Where is the former forbidden kingdom of Mustang located?
Upper Mustang Overland Tour Additional Information
Benefits Of Booking Upper Mustang Overland Tour With Us
- Explore a comfortable and convenient trek to the Overland Tour of Upper Mustang with CoreTreks.
- Coretreks handles all the permits and papers needed to travel to restricted regions of Nepal, such as the Upper Mustang.
- Coretreks arranges all the logistics for your treks, making navigating and worrying about transportation services easy.
- Coretreks also plans and implements food and Accommodation services so that you will receive the best services during your trek.
- CoreTreks has experienced guides that will assist you and make sure your trek is secure. They also provide necessary information on the places you will visit.
Permits For Upper Mustang Overland Tour Cost
It is essential to know that before heading out for 12 days on the Upper Mustang Overland Tour, you must issue some essential permits. Only if you have these permits will you be eligible for this tour, especially in restricted areas like Mustang.
Restricted Area Permit
One of the special permits is the restricted permit that your trekking agency must issue for you. First, you must need at least two members on a tour; another criterion is paying $500 for ten days. The charge for the extra day costs $50 per day.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
To trek through Mustang, you must obtain a permit from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). The trekking trail passes through the Annapurna conservation area, which stretches throughout Mustang, and failure to obtain this permit violates the law.
The permit fee is essential to protecting the area’s flora and fauna and developing trails in the Annapurna region. Therefore, obtain the permit before starting your trek to avoid legal consequences.
Permit Cost:
- NRs. 1000 / approx $10 per person: SAARC nationals:
- NRs. 3000 / approx $ 30 per person: Fee for other foreign nationals
Best Time For Upper Mustang Overland Tour
When discussing the best time to go on a trek or tour in Nepal, many people often suggest the Spring and Autumn seasons. The Spring Season is from March to May, whereas the Autumn Season is from September to November.
However, you can add one more season for the Mustang tour: the Summer / Monsoon season. The Summer / Monsoon season in Nepal starts from June to August. Generally, during the monsoon season, Nepal experiences relentless rainfall, but since Mustang lies in the rain shadow area, this region is unaffected by rainfall.
Only the lower altitude locations in the Mustang region experience rainfall, which affects the places and makes the trails more slippery and wet. So, for this Upper Mustang Tour, the best month of touring or trekking is March to November.
Remember, you must be careful during the monsoon season in lower altitude areas, as there is a chance of frequent rainfall and a higher risk of floods and landslides.
The worst season for the Upper Mustang Overland Tour is winter. Although it is possible to trek the region in winter, the harsh weather and intense cold can make your experience much more challenging. The temperature during the day is still cold, ranging from around 5 to 8 degrees. It decreases well below -15 degrees in the evening and sometimes reaches -20 degrees.
The wind pressure is quite relentless, and there is a considerable possibility of snowstorms, blizzards, and avalanches. The changing weather will surprise you: one minute, you will be staring at a shining sun, and the next, you might get pelted by rapid winds or a heavy hailstorm.
Accommodation Facilities
The Upper Mustang Overland Tour lasts 12 days. During these 12 days, you will stay in accommodation facilities we curated for seven days. These facilities can be hotels, lodges, or tea houses.
You won’t need to bring tents during your tour as all regions have lodging facilities. Accommodations are usually shared, and you’ll have a room with an attached bathroom whenever possible.
To make your sleep warm and cozy, all beds come with warm pillows, blankets, mattresses, bed sheets, etc. Cold-water showers are available in these tea houses, but you must pay extra for hot showers.
The accommodation facilities in Kathmandu and Pokhara will differ from those of tea houses in Lo-Mangthan, Kagbeni, Jomsom, Muktinath, and Upper Mustang. In city areas like Kathmandu and Pokhara, you can stay in three—to five-star hotels with all the services, which is not the case in basic lodges and teahouses in remote, restricted locations.
Difficulty Level
The Upper Mustang Overland tour ranges from easy to moderate in difficulty. The primary factor creating difficulty in this tour is the altitude. During your Upper Mustang tour, you will reach an altitude of over 3900m as you reach Nyangal Gompa, Sky Cave, and Tingkhar Valley.
The chance of altitude sickness is relatively high as you pass an altitude of 3000m. You will start feeling symptoms like headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc. Even on a Jeep Tour, you will feel acute mountain sickness if your body is not acclimatized.
Unlike other treks, the Jeep Tour comprehensively reduces other difficulty factors, such as distance, duration, fatigue, etc. However, weather, climate, temperature, and altitude still make the journey fascinating and challenging.
Packing List
Pay attention to your packing list if you want to make your Upper Mustang trek or tour fun and create never-before-made memories. Some essential items, such as clothing, medical healthcare, toiletries, or equipment and gear, are prerequisites for any trek or tour in Nepal.
- Money
- Camera
- Hiking shirts
- First aid kit
- Hooded rain jacket
- Heavyweight winter gloves
- Headlight with extra batteries
- Sunscreen
- Lightweight gloves
- Thermal bottle
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Winter hat insulating hat
- Polypropylene underwear
- Nail clippers
- Essential gear
- Toothbrush
- Cell phone
- Water purification
- Backpack or daypack
- Medium-size drying towel
- Watch
- Trekking pole
- Fleece jacket
- Toothpaste
- Binoculars
- Toiletries
- Sleeping bag
- Long sleeved shirt
- Hiking Boots
- Sweater
- Small mirror
- Deodorant floss
- Notebook and pen
- Personal accessories
- Sun hat or scarf
- Face/body wipes
- Extra passport-size photos and photocopies of passport
- Bio-degradable bar soap
- Down jacket
- Lightweight cotton pants
- Sunglass with UV protection
- T-Shirt (bring Lightweight wool)
- Thick wool socks
Tour Guide And Safety
Hiring at least one guide is essential during your Upper Mustang Overland Jeep Tour. The guide will help you navigate from one place to another and will also help keep you safe and secure from known and unknown circumstances.
You are choosing a guide essential to making your excursion fun and safe. These guides must be highly experienced, qualified by the Nepal Tourism Board, speak multiple languages, and know how to deal with emergencies and uncommon situations in the mountains.
The foremost objective of the guide is your safety. Guides will help you with all kinds of safety concerns. From issuing permits to maintaining an acclimatization plan, everything depends on guides. Be sure to follow their instructions, as they are highly qualified and experienced in such rough terrain.
End Note
Hence, your 12-day Upper Mustang Overland Tour is the best way to explore Upper Mustang if you don’t have much time for a trek. Moreover, this tour is also for those who don’t have the physical stamina or capability to go on a challenging and strenuous Upper Mustang Trek.
So, if you want to visit one of the most beautiful restricted areas in Nepal and explore in a comfortable 4WD Jeep bus, make sure to book your first Overland Jeep tour of Upper Mustang.
Travellers Reviews
57 Reviews in TripAdvisor
Advisor linkSo Much to Take In, So Worth It
Honestly, I was overwhelmed in a good way by everything we experienced in Nepal. There’s just so much to explore. We chose Mustang for our tour because we wanted to see the Tiji Festival, which is an important part of Sherpa culture.
The trip was full of amazing views, quiet mountain villages, and kind people. Nepal’s mix of cultures and landscapes is truly inspiring. It was powerful to see people from different backgrounds living together peacefully. One of the highlights was seeing the Sky Caves it’s hard to believe they were made by hand. And the mountains felt like nature’s way of protecting the country.
Huge thanks to CoreTreks for making the journey smooth and meaningful. They were patient, informative, and truly professional. If you’re thinking of trekking or touring Nepal, I really recommend checking them out.
Daisy
United States
Cultural Treasures and Warm People
Mustang is such an amazing place to visit in Nepal. It’s full of old structures and deep culture. We explored many hidden spots that aren’t even known outside the local areas. The people in Mustang are hardworking and truly inspiring.
During our trip, we also visited Pokhara, old caves, ancient monasteries, and even witnessed the Tiji Festival. It felt like a blessing to experience a place where positive beliefs guide everyday life.
I highly recommend CoreTreks for your trip to Nepal. They’re professional, experienced, and trustworthy. If you’re planning a tour or trek, CoreTreks is the team to go with.
Eliza
Australia
Awesome Gateway
Nepal is a great place for travelers. The views are beautiful, and the culture is full of history. It’s perfect for people who love trekking and exploring.
When we visited the Mustang region, we saw old monuments that are still well cared for. The Sherpas in the villages work really hard and live with strong beliefs. I was touched by how happy they are with simple lives.
CoreTreks helped us with everything. Their team knows Nepal so well. I really think others should try this kind of trip too.
Reuben
United Kingdom
Plan your private Trip
If these dates do not suit your plans, please contact us to request alternative dates. We are more than happy to customise the itinerary and schedule to better fit your needs.
There is no additional cost on the private trip. Group discount will be applied on checkout.
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