Upper Mustang Royal Tour by Jeep
Six days by private jeep from Pokhara up the Kali Gandaki valley to Muktinath and the walled city of Lo Manthang, once the capital of the Kingdom of Lo, and back by Dhumba Lake and Thini village. No trekking, with a licensed guide throughout.
6 days · Religious & Cultural · From US$ 1,500
Enquire- Duration
- 6 days
- Group size
- Private — from 2 guests
- Best season
- Apr–Nov
Overview
Upper Mustang is the old Kingdom of Lo, a small Tibetan kingdom that kept its own king under Nepal until 2008. Foreigners have only been allowed in since 1992, and only with a special permit. Its capital, Lo Manthang, is a walled town of whitewashed houses and red monasteries on a high, dry plateau north of the Himalaya.
This journey reaches it by road instead of on foot. A private jeep and your licensed guide take you from Pokhara up the deep Kali Gandaki gorge, past Marpha’s apple orchards and Kagbeni’s old fort village, to the temple at Muktinath, then back to Jomsom for the night, and the next day north into the restricted area to Lo Manthang. On the way back you stop at Dhumba Lake and the village of Thini before the long drive down to Pokhara.
It is a short trip for such a remote place, and the days on the road are long and dusty, on unpaved mountain roads. In return you see the whole length of Mustang in less than a week, without trekking.
Highlights
- A night in Lo Manthang, the walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo
- The Muktinath temple, holy to Hindus and Buddhists
- The Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna
- Dhumba Lake and the old village of Thini near Jomsom
- Private jeep and licensed guide for the whole journey
Gallery
Day by day
Morning flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara (about 25 minutes), where your private jeep and guide meet you. Drive by Beni and the Kali Gandaki valley to Lete (2,480 m), beneath Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I. About 5–6 hours on a rough road. Night at See You Lodge.
Up the wide, windy valley through Tukuche and Marpha to Jomsom, then on past Kagbeni to Muktinath (about 3,710 m) to visit the temple and its 108 water spouts, and back down to Jomsom (2,740 m) for the night. Sleeping lower than the temple is easier on the body before Lo Manthang. About 5 hours of driving with stops. Night at Hotel Om’s Home (standard room for Comfort, deluxe room for Luxury).
Drive to Kagbeni, enter the restricted area and continue north past cliffs full of ancient caves, Chele and Ghami, to Lo Manthang (3,840 m). About 6–7 hours. In the afternoon, walk the lanes inside the walls with your guide and visit the monasteries that are open that day. Night at Royal Mustang Resort.
An early look at Lo Manthang in the morning light, then the long drive south to Jomsom (2,740 m), about 6–7 hours. Stop at Dhumba Lake, a small green lake held sacred by local people, and at the old village of Thini above the river. Night at Hotel Om’s Home in Jomsom.
Down the Kali Gandaki, past the hot springs at Tatopani, to Pokhara. About 7–8 hours on the road. Evening by Phewa Lake at Hotel Barahi in Lakeside (Comfort) or at a villa at The Pavilions Himalayas (Luxury).
A morning flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu and a private transfer to your hotel or onward plans.
Choose your comfort
| Comfort tier | Lodging | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | See You Lodge in Lete, Royal Mustang Resort in Lo Manthang (standard room), Hotel Om’s Home in Jomsom (two nights) and Hotel Barahi in Lakeside, Pokhara. Breakfast daily. | From US$1,500 |
| Luxury | See You Lodge in Lete, the best room at Royal Mustang Resort in Lo Manthang, a deluxe room at Hotel Om’s Home in Jomsom (two nights) and a villa at The Pavilions Himalayas, Pokhara. Breakfast daily. | From US$1,590 |
What’s included
Included
- Airport pickup and drop by private car in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Flights Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu and airport taxes
- Private 4WD jeep with driver for the whole trip from Pokhara
- Upper Mustang restricted-area permit (RAP) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Five nights in hotels and lodges at your chosen level, with breakfast
- Licensed guide throughout the journey
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Kathmandu hotel before and after the tour (we can arrange it)
- Lunches and dinners, drinks, hot showers and battery charging where charged
- Monastery entry fees and donations in Lo Manthang
- Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover (required)
- Tips for your guide and driver, and personal expenses
Dates & departures
Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, so it can be visited from April to November, including the summer monsoon, although the road below Jomsom can be blocked by landslides in July and August. Winter is very cold and many lodges in Lo Manthang close. The Tiji festival in Lo Manthang usually falls in May — ask us for the dates. 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 to trek?
No. The whole route is by private jeep on unpaved mountain roads. You walk only around villages, monasteries and viewpoints, at your own pace.
Will the altitude affect us?
You visit Muktinath (about 3,710 m) for a few hours but sleep lower, in Jomsom (about 2,740 m). The next night in Lo Manthang (3,840 m) is still about 1,100 m higher, which is a fast climb. Most healthy travellers manage with mild symptoms such as a headache or poor sleep. Drink plenty of water, move slowly and tell your guide at once if you feel unwell; if needed we descend. Please ask your doctor before you travel, especially with heart or lung conditions.
How long are the drives?
Between 5 and 8 hours a day on Days 1 to 5. Days 3, 4 and 5 are the longest. The roads are rough, dusty and bumpy in places, and the timings depend on road conditions and stops.
Why is a special permit needed?
Upper Mustang is a restricted area. Foreigners need a restricted-area permit, charged per day, on top of the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, and must travel with a licensed guide through a registered agency. Since March 2026 a second guest is no longer required. We arrange both permits; they are included.
What are the hotels like?
Comfortable but simple. Mustang’s hotels are small and family-run, with private bathrooms; hot water, heating and power can be limited, especially in Lete and Lo Manthang. The Pokhara night at the end is in a full-service hotel.
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.
Upper Mustang Royal Tour by Jeep: the complete guide
The route at a glance
Kathmandu → Pokhara (flight) → Lete (2,480 m) → Jomsom (2,740 m), with a visit to Muktinath (3,710 m) → Kagbeni → Lo Manthang (3,840 m) → Dhumba Lake and Thini → Jomsom (2,740 m) → Pokhara → Kathmandu (flight). All driving is by private 4WD jeep.
Permits
You need the Upper Mustang restricted-area permit, charged per day for the days you spend north of Kagbeni, and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. They are issued through a registered agency with a licensed guide. We arrange and include both.
Altitude
This trip climbs quickly. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol on the first nights up high, walk slowly and tell your guide straight away about headaches, nausea or unusual tiredness.
Weather and what to pack
Days are mostly sunny and dry, but afternoons are windy and dusty and nights are cold, even in summer. Bring a windproof jacket, a warm layer, sunglasses, a buff or scarf for the dust, sun cream and lip balm.
Money and connections
Bring Nepali rupees in cash for drinks, monastery donations and small purchases; cards are rarely accepted beyond Jomsom. Phone signal is patchy and Wi-Fi is slow.
Enquire about this journey
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