Lower Mustang Luxury Tour: Muktinath and Kagbeni
Seven unhurried days from Kathmandu to Pokhara and up the Kali Gandaki valley to Jomsom, Muktinath and Kagbeni by private jeep, with Dwarika’s Hotel and The Pavilions Himalayas on the Luxury level. No permits beyond the conservation area fee and no trekking.
7 days · Religious & Cultural · From US$ 1,420
Enquire- Duration
- 7 days
- Group size
- Private — from 2 guests
- Best season
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Overview
Lower Mustang is the part of Mustang you can visit without the restricted-area permit: the wide, windy upper Kali Gandaki valley around Jomsom, with apple orchards at Marpha, the mud-walled village of Kagbeni and, at the head of the valley, the temple of Muktinath, a pilgrimage place for Hindus and Buddhists alike.
This tour reaches it comfortably. After a night in Kathmandu and a day by Phewa Lake in Pokhara, a private jeep takes you up the Kali Gandaki gorge to Jomsom (on the Luxury level you fly the 20-minute hop instead, weather permitting). A full day takes you to Muktinath, Kagbeni, Thini village and Dhumba Lake before the drive back to Pokhara for a quiet afternoon, and a farewell dinner with music and dance in Kathmandu.
The mountain roads are long and unpaved and the Jomsom flights depend on the weather, so the plan keeps a gentle pace either side of the Mustang days.
Highlights
- Muktinath temple, holy to Hindus and Buddhists, at about 3,710 m
- Kagbeni, the old fort village at the gate of Upper Mustang
- Dhumba Lake and the village of Thini near Jomsom
- The Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna
- Luxury level: fly to Jomsom, Dwarika’s Hotel and The Pavilions Himalayas
Gallery
Day by day
Private airport pickup and transfer to your hotel: Hotel Barahi (Comfort) or Dwarika’s Hotel (Luxury). The rest of the day is yours.
A short morning flight to Pokhara. Explore Lakeside and Phewa Lake with your guide by private car, then free time. Night at Hotel Barahi in Lakeside (Comfort) or a villa at The Pavilions Himalayas (Luxury).
Comfort: private jeep up the Kali Gandaki valley by Beni, Tatopani and Ghasa to Jomsom (2,720 m), about 7–8 hours on a rough road. Luxury: a 20-minute morning flight from Pokhara to Jomsom between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, with the jeep as backup if the flight is cancelled. Night at Hotel Om’s Home.
Drive to Muktinath (about 3,710 m) to visit the temple and its 108 water spouts, then down to Kagbeni and its red monastery at the edge of Upper Mustang. On the way back, the old village of Thini and the small green Dhumba Lake below Nilgiri. Night in Jomsom.
The long drive down the Kali Gandaki to Pokhara, about 7–8 hours. The rest of the day is free for a spa treatment (not included) or a walk by the lake. Night at Hotel Barahi (Comfort) or The Pavilions Himalayas (Luxury).
Morning flight to Kathmandu and a free afternoon. In the evening, a farewell Nepali dinner with traditional Newar and cultural music and dance. Night at Hotel Barahi (Comfort) or Dwarika’s Hotel (Luxury).
Private transfer to Kathmandu airport for your onward flight.
Choose your comfort
| Comfort tier | Lodging | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Hotel Barahi in Kathmandu and in Lakeside, Pokhara, and Hotel Om’s Home in Jomsom, all with breakfast. Private jeep both ways between Pokhara and Jomsom. | From US$1,420 |
| Luxury | Dwarika’s Hotel in Kathmandu, a villa at The Pavilions Himalayas near Pokhara and a deluxe room at Hotel Om’s Home in Jomsom, all with breakfast. Flight up to Jomsom, private jeep back. | From US$2,280 |
What’s included
Included
- Airport pickup and drop by private car in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Flights Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu (and Pokhara–Jomsom on the Luxury level), with airport taxes
- Private jeep from Pokhara to Mustang and back
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Six nights in hotels at your chosen level, with breakfast
- Farewell dinner with a cultural show in Kathmandu
- Licensed guide from Pokhara to Mustang and back
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Lunches and other dinners, drinks
- Spa treatments and monastery donations
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your guide and driver, and personal expenses
Dates & departures
March to May and September to November bring the clearest views. Lower Mustang is dry and can be visited in the summer monsoon too, but the road below Jomsom can be blocked by landslides in July and August. Jomsom flights only run in the morning and in good weather. The price shown is for the Comfort level, per person, for two guests travelling together and sharing a room. Ask us for solo or larger-group prices.
Questions, answered
Do we need the Upper Mustang permit?
No. Jomsom, Muktinath, Kagbeni and Thini are outside the restricted area, so only the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is needed. It is included.
Should we fly or drive to Jomsom?
The flight takes 20 minutes and saves a long day on a rough road, but it only runs in good morning weather and has tight luggage limits. The Luxury level flies up and drives back; the Comfort level drives both ways. You can switch either way — ask us for the price.
Will the altitude affect us?
You sleep in Jomsom at 2,720 m and visit Muktinath at about 3,710 m for a few hours. Some people feel short of breath or get a mild headache up at the temple. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide if you feel unwell.
What is the hotel in Jomsom like?
Hotel Om’s Home is a comfortable, family-run hotel a few minutes’ walk from the airport, with private bathrooms. It is simpler than the hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Is this trip suitable for older travellers?
Yes, for anyone comfortable with long car days on bumpy roads and short walks at altitude. There is no trekking.
Is the price per person?
Yes. The price shown is per person for two guests travelling together and sharing a room. Tell us your group size and dates and we will send an exact quote.
Lower Mustang Luxury Tour: Muktinath and Kagbeni: the complete guide
The route at a glance
Kathmandu → Pokhara (flight) → Jomsom (2,720 m, by jeep or plane) → Muktinath (about 3,710 m), Kagbeni, Thini and Dhumba Lake (day trip) → Pokhara (jeep) → Kathmandu (flight).
Permits
Only the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is needed. We arrange it and it is included.
Jomsom flights
Flights run early in the morning and are often delayed or cancelled by cloud or wind. Checked luggage is limited to about 10–15 kg per person, so leave extra bags at your Pokhara hotel.
Weather and what to pack
Mornings are calm and sunny; afternoons are windy and dusty. Bring a windproof jacket, a warm layer for the evenings, sunglasses, a scarf or buff, sun cream and comfortable shoes. Shoulders and knees should be covered at the temples.
At Muktinath
Many Hindu pilgrims bathe under the 108 water spouts and in the two ponds; you are welcome to watch or take part. Shoes come off inside the temple.
Enquire about this journey
Share a few details for a private, tailor-made proposal.
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