A road now runs the length of the old Kingdom of Lo, and for travellers who cannot spend two weeks walking, a jeep tour is the best way to see it. We drive in short stages, sleeping at Kagbeni and Ghami on the way up so the climb to 3,840 m is gradual, and stay three nights in Lo Manthang, enough to see the 15th-century murals of Jampa Lhakhang and Thubchen, walk the walls and drive north to the cave complexes of Chhoser.
On the way back we return through Tsarang and Chhusang to Muktinath, which suits mixed groups where some come for the culture and some for darshan. The final night in Jomsom sets up the morning flight to Pokhara. Roads in Upper Mustang are graded but rough and dusty, and river crossings rise on summer afternoons, so our drivers start early. Walking is optional and short, though we encourage the last stretch over the Lo La on foot.
Highlights
- Three nights in Lo Manthang, walled capital of the Kingdom of Lo
- 15th-century murals of Jampa Lhakhang and Thubchen Gompa
- Five-storey Jhong Cave at Chhoser
- Tsarang's monastery and royal dzong, Ghami's long mani wall
- Muktinath darshan and Kagbeni's old village
- Private 4WD with experienced Mustang driver
Elevation profile
4,010 mWhere you sleepHigh point of the daySleeping altitude rises more than 500 m above 3,000 mCheck acclimatisation
Day by day
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DAY1
Arrive in Kathmandu
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. If you land early, visit Boudhanath stupa, the centre of Tibetan Buddhist life in Kathmandu and a good introduction to the culture you will meet in Lo. In the evening we brief you on the tour, collect passport or voter ID details for the Upper Mustang restricted area permit (prepared in advance) and check your warm clothing.
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DAY2
Fly to Pokhara
Morning flight to Pokhara. Spend the afternoon by Phewa Lake, take a boat to Tal Barahi temple or visit the International Mountain Museum for background on the peaks and peoples of the Annapurna region. Repack into a soft bag within the Jomsom flight limit of about 10–15 kg; the rest stays at the hotel. Early night.
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DAY3
Fly to Jomsom, drive to Kagbeni
Fly at dawn up the Kali Gandaki gorge to Jomsom (2,720 m) and meet your jeep and driver. Drive 40 minutes to Kagbeni (2,810 m), the gateway to Upper Mustang. In the afternoon, walk the tunnelled lanes of the old village, visit Kag Chode monastery, see the clay khenis and walk to the river confluence to look for Shaligram. Overnight at Red House Lodge, in a centuries-old house with its own shrine.
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DAY4
Kagbeni to Ghami via Chhusang
Pass the checkpoint into Upper Mustang and drive up the Kali Gandaki through Tangbe to Chhusang (2,980 m), stopping to photograph the red cliffs and cave openings. Cross the river near Chele and climb past Samar and Syangboche, the road topping out near the Nyi La at around 4,010 m with wide views back to Nilgiri and Annapurna. Descend into the green bowl of Ghami (3,520 m). Short walk in the village before dinner.
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DAY5
Ghami to Lo Manthang via Tsarang
Walk beside Ghami's long mani wall, then drive to Tsarang (3,560 m) to visit its 15th-century Sakya monastery and the five-storey dzong of the old kings. After lunch, continue towards the Lo La (about 3,950 m); we suggest walking the last stretch over the pass for the first view of Lo Manthang's walls, with the jeep waiting below. Check in at Royal Mustang Resort, just outside the main gate.
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DAY6
Lo Manthang walled city and gompas
A full day in Lo Manthang. With a local guide, visit Jampa Lhakhang with its giant Maitreya and mandala murals, Thubchen Gompa's red assembly hall, and Chhoede Gompa with its museum of masks. See the royal palace from the square and, if the family permits, inside. In the afternoon, walk across the fields to Namgyal Gompa and the village of Tingkhar, or visit the amchi school to learn about Tibetan medicine.
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DAY7
Chhoser caves excursion
Drive north for about an hour through the Nhichung valley to Chhoser. Climb the ladders and tunnels of Jhong Cave, a five-storey complex of more than 40 rooms cut into the cliff, and visit Nyiphu Gompa, built into the rock face, and Garphu Gompa across the river. Return to Lo Manthang for a late lunch and a free afternoon, perhaps walking the circuit of the walls at sunset.
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DAY8
Lo Manthang to Muktinath
A long drive south: through Tsarang and Ghami, back over the pass near the Nyi La and down past Syangboche, Samar and Chele to Chhusang and Kagbeni, then up the side valley to Ranipauwa (3,700 m) below Muktinath. Lunch stop in Ghami or Chhusang. A detour to Ghar Gompa and the red cliffs of Dhakmar can be added for 2–3 extra hours. After three nights at 3,840 m, sleeping at Muktinath is comfortable.
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DAY9
Muktinath darshan, Marpha, Jomsom
Walk up to Muktinath temple (3,710 m) early, when the courtyard is quiet, for darshan, the 108 spouts and the Jwala Mai flame. Drive down via Jharkot to Jomsom and continue 20 minutes to Marpha for lunch, a walk along its flagstone lane and a taste of apple brandy or juice. Return to Jomsom for the night, ready for the morning flight.
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DAY10
Fly Jomsom to Pokhara, tour ends
Take the morning flight back to Pokhara, where the tour ends at your hotel or the airport. If you need to connect to Kathmandu the same day, we book a Pokhara–Kathmandu flight for the afternoon (supplement), but we recommend an extra night in Pokhara in case the Jomsom flight is delayed.
Route map
- 1Kathmandu 1,400 m
- 2Pokhara 822 m
- 3Kagbeni 2,810 m
- 4Ghami 3,520 m
- 5Lo Manthang 3,840 m
- 6Muktinath 3,710 m
Included
- 9 nights on twin sharing: 3-star in Kathmandu and Pokhara, Red House Lodge, Royal Mustang Resort (3 nights), Hotel Om's Home and best available lodges in Ghami and Muktinath
- Breakfast daily, dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and lunch and dinner from day 3 to day 9 in Mustang
- Kathmandu–Pokhara and Pokhara–Jomsom–Pokhara flights
- Private 4WD jeep with driver from Jomsom to Lo Manthang and back
- Upper Mustang restricted area permit (5 days) and ACAP permit
- Licensed English-speaking guide throughout, local guide in Lo Manthang
- Gompa entry fees in Lo Manthang and Tsarang, Jhong Cave entry
- Airport transfers and all government taxes
Not included
- International flights
- Pokhara–Kathmandu return after the tour
- Ghar Gompa detour (extra jeep hours)
- Lunches in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation
- Drinks, laundry and personal expenses
- Extra nights caused by flight delays
- Tips for guide and driver
Popular add-ons
- Ghar Gompa and Dhakmar detour on day 8≈ US$ 60 per jeep
- Horse ride from Lo Manthang to Chhoser instead of jeep≈ ₹3,000 per person
- Helicopter return Lo Manthang–Pokhara (charter)≈ US$ 3,500 per helicopter
Good to know
- Price is per person on twin sharing for 4 travellers in one private jeep, including Royal Mustang Resort in Lo Manthang. Couples pay more per person; budget versions with family lodges cost less.
- Upper Mustang permits now cost US$ 50 per person per day (since late 2025), charged for the days you are inside the restricted area, here Kagbeni to Muktinath. Check current status before you travel.
- Restricted area rules require a registered agency, a licensed guide and at least two foreign travellers; solo travellers join a small group.
- Roads are rough and dusty; summer afternoon meltwater can make river crossings slow. Lodges outside Lo Manthang are simple and unheated.
- Lo Manthang is at 3,840 m and the road crosses about 4,010 m. Ascend slowly, drink well and tell your guide about any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Trip details
- Starts
- Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport)
- Ends
- Pokhara
- Stay
- 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, Red House Lodge in Kagbeni, Royal Mustang Resort in Lo Manthang, best available lodges elsewhere
- Transport
- Kathmandu–Pokhara and Pokhara–Jomsom flights, private 4WD jeep in Mustang
- Walking days
- 6
- Styles
- Culture tours, Photography, Family holidays
- January avoid
- February avoid
- March good
- April best
- May best
- June best
- July good
- August good
- September best
- October best
- November good
- December avoid
Hotels on this trip
Questions about this trip
How much does an Upper Mustang jeep tour cost?
Our 10-day Upper Mustang jeep tour starts at US$ 1,350 (₹1,13,000) per person on twin sharing for four travellers in one private jeep, including flights from Kathmandu, permits, guide, Royal Mustang Resort in Lo Manthang and meals in Mustang. Couples pay more per person. Check current status before you travel.
Can Indians go to Upper Mustang?
Yes. Indian nationals need the Upper Mustang restricted area permit and ACAP permit through a registered agency, travel with a licensed guide and be at least two in a group. Send passport or voter ID copies when booking. Rules and fees can change; check current status before you travel.
How long is the drive from Jomsom to Lo Manthang?
About 80 km and 6–8 hours by 4WD in one go. We split it over two days, with nights in Kagbeni and Ghami, plus a stop in Tsarang, which is gentler for acclimatisation and allows sightseeing. The return to Muktinath, about 95 km, takes 7–8 hours.
Is the Upper Mustang jeep tour suitable for seniors?
Fit seniors manage well, since there is little walking. The challenges are rough roads, dust, cold nights and altitude up to about 4,010 m on the road and 3,840 m for sleeping. Anyone with back problems, heart or lung disease should take medical advice. Royal Mustang Resort offers heated rooms.
How many days do I need for Upper Mustang by jeep?
Eight days is the practical minimum from Kathmandu; ten days lets you sleep three nights in Lo Manthang, see Chhoser caves and add Muktinath. Shorter trips mean faster ascent and more altitude risk. A helicopter day tour is the alternative for very short schedules.
What is the best time for an Upper Mustang jeep tour?
April to June and September to October are best. Upper Mustang lies in a rain shadow, so July and August are also possible and fields are green, though Jomsom flights and the Pokhara road suffer from monsoon. Avoid December to February, when it is very cold and many lodges close.
Is the road to Lo Manthang paved?
No. The road from Jomsom to Lo Manthang is graded dirt and gravel with river crossings, rough sections and dust. High-clearance 4WD jeeps with experienced local drivers handle it daily in season. Summer afternoons bring higher river levels, so we drive in the morning.
Can we see Tiji festival on this jeep tour?
Yes, if dates match. We can shift this itinerary so your three Lo Manthang nights coincide with Tiji in May. Rooms and jeeps book out months ahead for Tiji week, so tell us early. The festival dates follow the Tibetan calendar and change each year.
Do I need a guide for Upper Mustang?
Yes. Upper Mustang is a restricted area, so foreign visitors, including Indians, must travel with a licensed guide arranged by a registered agency and in a group of at least two. The guide also handles permits at checkpoints, gompa access and logistics.
