What you explore in our Upper Mustang Jeep tour is Hidden within the deserted mountains, beyond the Himalayas and just beside the Tibetan plateau, Upper Mustang is a heaven for adventure seekers looking for pristine and untouched landscapes and lifestyle. Known as the ‘Forbidden Kingdom’, Upper Mustang was open to outsiders only after 1992, making it very isolated and preserved.
The isolation of this region has contributed to highly preserved Tibetan culture and beliefs with the majority of the people still speaking the native Tibetan language. The landscapes also are pretty identical to the Tibetian valleys, with beige-coloured barren hills surrounding the area. Desolate landscapes with views of some dotted houses and fluttering multi-coloured Buddhist players flags all around is the most accurate description of Lo Manthang.
Entering the city of Lo Manthang is like stepping into a whole new world. Centuries-old caves, ancient monasteries, narrow alleyways and old stupas all seem to tell a story filled with mysteries and vibrant culture.
This Upper Mustang Jeep Tour tour takes you all the way to Lo Manthang passing through some breathtaking trans-Himalayan landscapes and unique Tibetan lifestyle. With the extension of the dirt road, a place which was once only accessible by foot is now travelled all the way luxuriously to the top. This tour is for travellers who want to visit Upper Mustang but have a minimal amount of time. Not only does it save you a ton of time, but also helps you to indulge yourself in the beauty of the forbidden kingdom in absolute comfort and serenity.
Trip Highlights
- Driving through the rugged trails of Jomsom and Kagbeni to Lo Manthang.
- Chance to experience the Tibetian culture and lifestyles.
- Immerse yourself in the beauty of deserted landscapes, ancient caves & monasteries.
- Taste the local apples and the famous brandy as well as the apple wine in Marpha.
- Visiting Muktinath, one of the most important holy shrines for Hindus.
- Opportunity to witness Kali Gandaki Gorge (world’s deepest gorge).
About The Route
The Upper mustang jeep tour commences with a 6-hour drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. From Pokhara, we travel to Kagbeni passing via Tukuche, Marpha and Jomsom. Kagbeni lies deep between the desolate mountains with light settlements of Thakalis and Gurungs and provides stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.
From Kagbeni our tour continues to Ghiling via Sammar, Dajong la, Bhena la and Syangboche la. Enroute to Ghilling, the views start getting more and more spectacular. The trip continues to Tsarang and finally to Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang.
After exploring around Lo Manthang and Kora La, we then head back following the road of Syangboche to Marpha. Marpha is a well-famed village just below Jomsom, famous for its juicy apple trees and local brandy. On the way to Marpha, we also explore the famous Muktinath temple, which sits at a staggering elevation of 3800m.
The road throughout the Upper Mustang jeep tour is mostly off-road and watery, with winding twist and turns. However, a sturdy vehicle should handle it very well. Though the ride may not be as luxurious as you expect, it is satisfactory, and the views seem to compensate for it all!
Related: Upper Mustang Trek
Best Season For Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
Since most of our Upper Mustang road trip will be with a vehicle, we may not have to face much trouble compared to trekking. However, the winter season can be unfavourable for vehicles as the trail are snow-covered and hard to penetrate through. Also, slippery trails can create difficulty while driving steep terrains.
So to avoid any hassles and travelling risk-free, it’s best to visit during the favourable months. The most favourable duration for the Upper Mustang Jeep tour falls between March-November. The skies are brighter, the mountains are snow-capped, and the vegetation is blooming. The weather is also pleasant during the day, making the trip much more vibrant.
Fee and Permits Required For Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
Upper Mustang is a very protected and isolated area. It was only open to outsiders from 1992, making the area remarkably intact and reserved. Despite its remoteness and isolation, it is becoming one of the most famous trekking destinations.
Entering Upper Mustang requires a permit which costs 500$ US Dollars for 10 days and $50 US Dollars per person the following day after that. Also, the government provides a permit to a group having at least two members and not a solo traveller. However, you can gain access to a permit even though you are a solo traveller by getting into a formed group. Police officials in Kagbeni check your permits before you enter Upper Mustang.
Vehicle Used For Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
The path leading to Upper Mustang jeep tour is full of rough and rugged terrains. We need a sturdy vehicle with greater suspension and high clearance. So, we operate a four-wheel drive to pass through the barren ridges, jagged lands and ever-flowing streams. Our driver is also highly experienced and will guide you throughout the Upper Mustang Road Trip.
Highest Altitude During Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
Though this Upper Mustang Road Trip is not in a strenuous altitude, there are few places like Kora La, Muktinath and Lo Manthang, which are present in higher elevations. The highest height we will be travelling during this trip is Kora La, which sits at an altitude of 4600m.
Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing And Preparation
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara by luxury car/jeep
Day 04: Drive From Pokhara To TatoPani
Day 05: Drive to Kagbeni
Day 06: Drive to Ghilling
Day 07: Drive to Tsarang
Day 08: Drive to Lo Manthang
Day 09: Drive to Kora la and back to Chhosar
Day 10: Drive to Syangboche
Day 11: Drive to Marpha via Exploring Muktinath, Kagbeni and Jomsom
Day 12: Drive back to Pokhara
Day 13: Pokhara to Kathmandu by Flight or Bus
Day 14: Departure
Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu
Our representatives will meet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. After checking in, you can choose to explore the marvellous city by yourself or snuggle up in your hotel room.
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing And Preparation
After an early breakfast, our representatives will take you to a full day historical sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley. They include Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and many more. Later in the evening, you have leisure time where you can choose to explore the nightlife of the city.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara by luxury car/jeep
An early morning drive takes us away from the capital city to Pokhara. The journey takes about 6-7 hours with breakfast and lunch stops on the way. The journey is quite a scenic one where you can witness steep moraines with lush landscapes throughout the trip. The road follows along the banks of Trishuli river until Mugling, from where we leave the trail and head towards Pokhara. Overnight stay at Pokhara.
Day 04: Drive From Pokhara To TatoPani
After a light breakfast, we continue our Upper Mustang Road Trip. We pass through the settlements of Kusma and Baglung finally reaching Beni. From there we head west towards Beni and follow along the banks of the Kali Gandaki river. The road after passing Beni starts getting off-road and rocky. We follow the path until we reach Tatopani. Tatopani is famous for its natural hot springs and local activities. Overnight stay at Tatopani.
Day 05: Drive to Kagbeni
On the fifth day of our tour, we drive early leaving Tatopani and heading towards Kagbeni.
Leaving Tatopani, we head towards Kali-Gandaki valley (the deepest gorge in the world). As we continue driving, we pass through the settlements Ghasa and Tukuche into Marpha. Marpha is famous for its apple trees and the wines made from it.
Moving further, we pass through Jomsom, a vast settlement in the Mustang region. The deserted mountains slowly start to come into the picture after arriving in Jomsom. After an approximate 1-2 hours of driving, we finally reach Kagbeni. A light settlement between the gigantic deserted hills. Overnight stay at Kagbeni.
Day 06: Drive to Ghilling
After a quick exploration around Kagbeni in the morning, we have our breakfast and continue on our way to Upper Mustang. Before leaving Kagbeni, officials check your permits, and once they are in order, we are good to go.
The journey commences by, passing the Kali Gandaki river in Chhusang Village. We further continue the journey through jaw-dropping landscapes of Samar Village, Syanboche La and Bhina, finally arriving into Ghilling where we will be spending the night.
Day 07: Drive to Tsarang
We continue our trip by leaving Ghilling and heading towards Tsarang. It is a high altitude and risky road that connects Upper Mustang from Lower Mustang. During winter, this road is usually not passable due to high patches of ice.
Initially, we cross the Gyami Khola and pass through the settlements of Ny la, Ghami la & Chinggel eventually into Dhakmar Village. After a few hours of a scenic ride, we finally reach Tsarang. Overnight stay at Tsarang.
Day 08: Drive to Lo Manthang
A few hours of scenic drive through Sungda la, and Lo la takes us to the capital of the walled kingdom, Lo Manthang. The trail provides excellent views of some of the peaks, namely Nilgiri, Tilicho and Bhrikuti.
Once known as the forbidden kingdom because of its restriction to tourists, this place is growing famous each day because of its is divine, pristine and untouched heritage. Upon reaching here, we explore some of its ancient monasteries, well-famed caves and the stunning landscapes. Overnight stay at Lo Manthang.
Day 09: Drive to Kora la and back to Chhosar
Today we will be driving to Kora La, which sits at an elevation of 4660m and connects the Nepal-Tibet border. The road is rocky, tippy and rugged. After a wholesome lunch, we descend and explore the sky caves of Chhosar. There are many caves in Chhosar used for normal living, burial or meditation. Overnight stay at Chhosar.
Day 10: Drive to Syangboche
We continue our way downwards to Syanboche passing through Ghami, Tamagaun and Ghilling. Since it is a private trip, you can stop the vehicle whenever you want to capture the pictures of the glittering landscapes. Between this journey, we also take a short walk to Chungsi Cave. Overnight stay at Syanboche.
Day 11: Drive to Marpha via Exploring Muktinath, Kagbeni and Jomsom
As we continue our journey, we visit the well-known holy shrine, Muktinath. It is the temple of Lord Shiva and sits at the height of 3800m. Locals believe that whoever bathes in the 108 showers of Muktinath Temple gains absolute purification.
After visiting Muktinath, we descend the pitched road which turns to an off-road one as we reach Kagbeni and Jomsom. After a few hours of a scenic ride, we finally reach the eye-catching village of Marpha, where we spend the night.
Day 12: Drive back to Pokhara
As the Upper Mustang Jeep tour comes to an end, we conclude the trip by driving towards Pokhara. The trail is rocky rugged and narrow with many twisting turns. Despite the gravel roads, the scenery is magnificent with mountains in the backdrop.
We pass through Larjung, Kalopani, Ghasa into Beni, where we have a short lunch and continue our way to Kusma and finally into Pokhara. Overnight stay at Pokhara.
Day 13: Pokhara to Kathmandu by Flight or Bus
We will be making our way back to Kathmandu by either travelling by bus or taking a flight. Travelling through the bus takes about 6-7 hours with lunch, and breakfast stops on the way.
But, if you want to avoid the hassle of a long journey, you can catch a flight that takes you back to Kathmandu in about 30-35 mins. Upon reaching Kathmandu, our representatives will pick you up and escort you back to the hotel.
Day 14: Departure
After a quick breakfast, our representatives will drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport. We bid you farewell and wish you a safe journey with the hope of seeing you very soon!
Trip Cost US$ 2000 Per person
Cost Includes:
- 4x4 Jeep with Driver and fuel
- English Speaking Guide.
- Lodges Accommodation as per the itinerary.
- Breakfast / Lunch and Diner during the tour.
- A cup of tea or a coffee during the breakfast only.
- Seasonal fruits.
- Permit and all necessary documents to travel.
- All highway Tax and road permit.
- Medical box with oxi meter.
- Sleeping bag and down Jackets if you do not have your own.
Cost Excludes:
- All your drinks.
- Extra hotel night in Kathmandu and Pokhara beside the itinerary.
- Tips for guide and driver.
- Wifi and Hotel showers during the tour.
