The upper Mustang jeep tour is a thrilling adventure, providing an opportunity to witness the unique landscapes, ancient monasteries, and the distinctive culture of the region. Embarking on a Jeep tour through the Upper Mustang is a captivating adventure that unveils the mystique of one of Nepal’s most remote and restricted regions. Nestled in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, Upper Mustang offers a surreal landscape of arid valleys, dramatic cliffs, and ancient cave dwellings.
The Upper Mustang tour by jeep is an invitation to traverse the road less traveled, where every turn reveals the mystique of this hidden Himalayan gem, leaving unforgettable memories of a journey through time and rugged terrain.
Best season for the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
The best seasons for the Upper and Lower Mustang tour are April and May to June. During late spring and early summer, days are fine with clear blue skies and less rain around lower areas. As well fewer chances of snow at Upper Mustang, where days are longer to enjoy the drive and scenic views. It is windy from afternoon till evening falls.
The next best time is from early autumn, beginning of September to early November. Most days are crystal clear with blue sky, a perfect season to visit Upper Mustang and other Himalayas. But much cold mornings and nights the days are short due to minimum sunlight hours. The wind-chill factor adds extra freezing temperatures during the morning and late afternoon.
Permits required for the Upper Mustang Tour by Jeep
Permits are required for travelers visiting Upper Mustang, whether by trekking or other means such as a jeep tour. The following are the permits required for the Upper Mustang tour by jeep.
1. Restricted Area Permit
The Special Restricted Area Permit is a mandatory permit for all foreigners entering the Upper Mustang region. You can’t apply for the special permit independently. There have to be at least two people in the group. It is issued by the Department of Immigration of Nepal located in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Moreover, it cannot be issued unless the application for at least two foreigners is handed in together.
2. Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is required for entering the Annapurna Conservation Area, which includes parts of the Upper Mustang region. Moreover, you can get the permit either from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara or from the ACAP counter in Pokhara.
3. Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card
The TIMS card provides information about the trekker’s safety during the trek and also helps track their movement. This is also one of the mandatory permits for your journey through the trails of Upper Mustang. This card can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board office located in Kathmandu or Pokhara or you can also get it from the TIMS counters located in trekking areas. It is mandatory for all those who plan to explore the region via ground.
How much does the Upper Mustang tour permit cost?
The upper Mustang permit fee varies from permit to permit. And, the permit cost may also vary depending on the season and the duration of the trek.
1. Restricted Area Permit
The Restricted Area Permit costs around $500 for the first 10 days and an additional $50 for each extra day.
2. Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit costs around NPR 3000 (Around $25).
3. Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card
The Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card costs $10 for group trekkers and $20 for individual trekkers.
How long does the upper Mustang jeep tour take?
An Upper Mustang Jeep Tour from Kathmandu typically spans around 10 to 14 days, offering a captivating exploration of the mystical landscapes and ancient culture of this remote region. The journey kicks off with a transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by a road trip to Jomsom. From Jomsom, the jeep adventure takes you through Kagbeni, Chele, and various picturesque villages like Syangboche, Ghemi, and Charang, culminating in the ancient capital, Lo Manthang.
After immersing yourself in the cultural wonders of Lo Manthang, the return journey unfolds over several days, with stops in notable locations. The tour concludes with a flight or drive back to Pokhara and a return to Kathmandu.
While this timeframe provides a comprehensive experience, individual itineraries can be tailored based on preferences and conditions, ensuring a memorable and personalized exploration of Upper Mustang.
Accommodation during the Upper Mustang Jeep tour
Accommodations during an Upper Mustang tour by jeep vary depending on the village and its level of development. Larger villages like Kagbeni, Jomsom, and Lo Manthang offer guesthouses and lodges with relatively more amenities, including attached bathrooms and sometimes Wi-Fi.
In smaller villages, basic teahouses are common, providing simpler accommodations with shared facilities. While these lodgings may lack luxury, they offer an authentic experience and a chance to connect with local communities.
Depending on the itinerary, camping in certain locations may also be an option, allowing for a more flexible schedule. Travelers should be prepared for a range of accommodations, embracing the unique charm of each stop along the journey through the remote and captivating landscapes of the Upper Mustang.
Upper Mustang jeep tour from Kathmandu
Your journey begins and ends in Kathmandu. You drive towards Pokhara then head to Tatopani via Beni. After a peaceful night, you drive towards Kagbeni and Muktinath, and from there, you drive to Ghami then Lo Manthang. After reaching Lo Manthang, you stay and explore the areas. Then drive to Chhuksang the next day. From there, you drive to Kalopani then Back to Pokhara. And head back to Kathmandu the following day.
Upper Mustang jeep tour from Pokhara
Starting from the lofty valley of Pokhara, a gateway to the most popular treks, our jeep tour will take you to “the forbidden kingdom” of Nepal. Then we drive to Kalopani by jeep and Drive to Muktinath (3800 M Elevation) and stay Overnight at Kagbeni (2800 M Elevation). Drive to Lo Manthang and later the next day, explore the magic of Lo-Manthang and Chhosar. Drive back to Jomsom crossing several local villages, Kaligandaki River, Buddhist stupas, and monasteries on the way. And finally, you will drive down to Beni and continuously drive to Pokhara.
Upper Mustang jeep trip price
The best price offered by Himalayan 360 for the Upper Mustang jeep tour is $2,099 per adult. This price range includes all the facilities and services that you need while traveling to Upper Mustang by Jeep comfortably.
Here is the table of price
| No. of Pax | Price per person | No.of Jeep |
| 2-3 | $1999 | 1 |
| 4-5 | $1799 | 1 |
| 6-10 | $1644 | 2 |
| 11+ | $1611 | 2+ |
Outline itinerary of Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
- Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
- Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and preparation for Mustang
- Day 3: Drive to Pokhara
- Day 4: Drive from Pokhara to Tatopani
- Day 5: Drive from Tatopani to Muktinath and drive down to Kagbeni
- Day 6: Drive from Kagbeni to Ghami village
- Day 7: Drive from Ghami – Tsarang (Lo pass 3950Mt) – Lo Manthang
- Day 8: Exploring Lo Manthang.
- Day 9: Drive from Lo Manthang to Jomsom.
- Day 10: Drive from Jomsom to Pokhara
- Day 11: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Dau 12: Departure
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3932M
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Kathmandu
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Kathmandu
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English, Hindi, Chinese
Overview
Upper Mustang Overland Tour on Jeep ride, takes you from the beautiful Pokhara city starting and ending point of the journey. Covering a distance of a week duration, as drive leads from Pokhara valley towards Far North West beyond the Himalayas.
The adventure continues from low warm paddy farm fields following the main road, and then on dirt mountainous tracks. Drive heads to Kaligandaki River, and in between giant Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Annapurna, which forms the world’s deepest gorge. Following the river upstream towards cooler higher alpine zone reaching the apple country of Tukuche and Marpha charming villages.
The road winds up reaching Jomsom the headquarters town of Mustang district, as the drive follows up around the river valley. Reaching Kagbeni village the entry and exit point of Upper Mustang, a fascinating place to experience.
From Kagbeni onwards within the strong Buddhism culture of Tibetan heritage, the drive follows the Old Trans Himalaya Salt Trade Trail. An important caravan route for trade in between Nepal and Tibet, the border to Tibet is situated beyond Upper Mustang.
The drive follows towards Upper Mustang’s dry terrain beneath huge canyon walls and towering windblown cliffs. As the road follows on winding barren country past the nice villages of Chusang, Syangboche crosses over Nyi-La pass. The top of the high ridge offers a spectacular panorama of country landscapes with distant snow-capped peaks.
The fantastic journey follows over high ridges and within windswept terrain reaching lovely Ghami village. Exciting settlements, houses, and villages path lined with magnificent religious monuments with prayer walls and spinning wheels.
Finally, the drive enters the former forbidden walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang, where travelers will be taken back to the medieval era. In the early days known as a walled city, but at present, it is more of an old-fashioned town. But very interesting to explore the streets lined with shops, stores, and prayer monuments.
At Lo-Manthang an extra day to enjoy a leisure tour around places of interest visiting its famous old monasteries. Includes tour of former fort palace situated in the center of a town. The palace residence of the last Raja king was Jigme Palbar Bista, who lived from the age of 86 till 2017.
After an enjoyable and marvelous time and experience within the walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang. The return journey leads back on the same exciting and scenic route back to Jomsom and then toward Pokhara. Where our wonderful Upper Mustang Overland Tour finally concludes, after an amazing time and adventure beyond the Himalayas to Upper Mustang.
Highlights
- An adventure around pristine wilderness on world highest rugged highways.
- Exceptional scenery of windblown canyon and towering cliffs with snow peaks.
- Overland journey beyond the massif Himalayan range to scenic Upper Mustang.
- An extension of world largest Tibetan plateau the former Lo kingdom of Mustang.
- A photographer’s paradise amidst dramatic landscapes the land of enchantment.
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