Upper Mustang Tour 2026: New $50 Permit & Best Routes

13-Day Upper Mustang Tour Itinerary

Below is the detailed day-by-day upper mustang tour itinerary. All distances and driving times are approximate and may vary based on road conditions and group pace.

Day 01  |  Arrival in Kathmandu  (1,300 m / 4,265 ft)

Welcome to Nepal! Your Upper Mustang tour begins the moment you land at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. A Hi Nepal Travels & Treks representative will meet you at the arrivals hall with a name board and transfer you to your hotel in a private vehicle.

After check-in, the afternoon is free to rest and recover from your flight. If you arrive early enough, a short stroll around Thamel, Kathmandu's vibrant traveller hub, is a great way to get your first feel for Nepali culture, street food, and the chaotic energy of the capital.

In the evening, your trip leader will hold a detailed pre-tour briefing to go over the itinerary, permits, packing, altitude awareness, and any questions you may have.

Overnight: 3-star hotel in Kathmandu 
Meals: Welcome Dinner

Day 02  |  Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing  (1,300 m / 4,265 ft)

Today is dedicated to discovering the extraordinary cultural and spiritual heritage of Kathmandu, a city that packs seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites into a single urban valley. A licensed city guide accompanies your group throughout.

Morning: Begin at Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest Hindu temple in Nepal, located on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. Witness ancient rituals, funeral pyres, and sadhus meditating in the riverside ghats. Continue to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas on Earth and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the air hums with the chanting of Tibetan monks and the scent of juniper incense.

Afternoon: Visit Swayambhunath Stupa (the famous 'Monkey Temple') perched on a hilltop with panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley, then head to Patan Durbar Square, a breathtaking medieval palace complex that showcases the finest Newari architecture in Nepal, including intricately carved wooden temples, stone courtyards, and golden statues.

The evening is free for shopping for trekking gear, souvenirs, or exploring a local restaurant.

Overnight: 3-star hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 03  |  Kathmandu to Pokhara by Private Jeep  (822 m / 2,697 ft | ~200 km | 6–7 hrs drive) 

After an early breakfast, your private jeep departs Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway, one of Nepal's most scenic road routes. The journey follows the Trishuli and Marsyangdi river valleys, passing through lush sub-tropical forests, small market towns, terraced hill farms, and dramatic gorges.

Arrive in Pokhara in the early afternoon. The drive is comfortable and relaxed with a tea stop en route. Pokhara is Nepal's adventure capital and one of its most beautiful cities, a serene lakeside destination backed by the white giants of the Annapurna massif.

Spend the evening strolling Lakeside (Phewa Tal), watching the reflection of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) on the lake at sunset, and enjoying the relaxed restaurant and café scene.

Overnight: 3-star hotel in Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 04  |  Pokhara to Jomsom by Private Jeep  (2,720 m / 8,924 ft | ~150 km | 6–7 hrs drive) 

An early start today as we head north along the Kali Gandaki River valley, the route that once formed the ancient Salt Trade Route between Nepal and Tibet. The road climbs steadily through a stunning series of landscapes: verdant terraced hillsides give way to the Myagdi and Baglung districts, then pass through the lively town of Beni and the famous hot springs village of Tatopani.

From Tatopani, the drive enters the Kali Gandaki Gorge, flanked on both sides by peaks exceeding 8,000 metres (Annapurna I to the east, Dhaulagiri to the west). The gorge is technically the world's deepest, with the river below and the summits above separated by over 5,500 metres of vertical relief.

The road continues through the charming apple-orchard village of Marpha and Tukuche before arriving in Jomsom, the administrative headquarters of Mustang District and the main gateway to Upper Mustang.

Overnight: Lodge in Jomsom 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 05  |  Jomsom → Muktinath → Kagbeni → Chhusang  (2,980 m / 9,777 ft) 

Today is a day of sacred sites and gateway landscapes. Begin with a jeep ride up to Muktinath Temple (3,760 m / 12,333 ft), one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in the Himalayas, sacred to both Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists. The temple complex includes 108 water spouts, an eternal flame fed by a natural gas seep, and the Jwala Mai temple where fire and water coexist miraculously.

Descend back through Jharkot village, an ancient fortified settlement with a spectacular gompa, then continue north to Kagbeni, the dramatic medieval village that marks the entry point to the Upper Mustang Restricted Area. Your licensed guide will present the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) at the checkpoint here.

Beyond Kagbeni, the landscape transforms dramatically. The green terraces and pine forests of lower Mustang give way to a lunar desert of bare ochre cliffs, wind-carved rock formations, and a dazzling sky seemingly wider than anywhere else in Nepal. Continue through the narrow canyon to reach Chhusang village.

Overnight: Lodge in Chhusang 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 06  |  Chhusang to Ghami  (3,520 m / 11,549 ft)

Drive north deeper into the Upper Mustang restricted zone. Cross the Kali Gandaki River on a dramatic suspension bridge and pass beneath towering canyon walls striped in shades of red, gold, and violet, the result of millions of years of sedimentary layering and erosion. The route passes through Chele village and climbs over a high windswept plateau with sweeping views of the trans-Himalayan landscape.

At Samar, a beautiful cluster of white-washed chortens (stupas) marks the entrance to the village. Continue past Syangboche and descend into Ghami, one of Upper Mustang's largest villages, famous for its exceptionally long Mani Wall, said to be the longest in Nepal at approximately 300 metres. The Mani Wall is carved with Buddhist mantras and prayers, representing centuries of devotion.

Visit the Ghami Monastery before settling in for the evening.

Overnight: Teahouse in Ghami 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 07  |  Ghami to Lo Manthang — The Walled City  (3,840 m / 12,598 ft) 

Today is the most anticipated day of the Upper Mustang tour. After breakfast, continue north through the barren plateau landscape, passing through Tsarang (Charang) village, home to one of Mustang's oldest monasteries and a dramatic ruined fortress perched on a ridge. The monastery at Tsarang houses rare Buddhist thangka paintings and ancient scriptures.

The final approach to Lo Manthang is one of the most extraordinary moments in Himalayan travel. As the jeep crests the final hill, the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang appears, a medieval fortress-city rising from the plateau like a vision from another century. The whitewashed walls, golden-roofed gompa towers, and fluttering prayer flags make for a sight that no photograph can fully capture.

Pass through the city's historic gate and check in to your lodge inside the walls. The afternoon is free to wander the narrow stone streets, observe daily life, meet local Loba people, and simply absorb the extraordinary atmosphere of this living medieval city.

Overnight: Lodge in Lo Manthang 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 08  |  Full Day Exploration: Lo Manthang & Chhoser Sky Caves 

Dedicate a full day to exploring Lo Manthang, the ancient capital of the former Kingdom of Lo, and its extraordinary surroundings.

Lo Manthang City Tour: Begin at the Royal Palace, a four-storey structure that was home to the Lo Raja (king) for generations. Although the formal kingdom was dissolved, the palace remains a remarkable monument. Visit the three great monasteries within the walls:

• Thubchen Gompa: a 15th-century monastery with stunning interior murals depicting the life of the Buddha
• Jampa Lhakhang: one of the oldest gompas in Mustang, housing a 15-metre clay statue of Maitreya (the future Buddha)
• Chchode Gompa: the main monastery of Lo Manthang with vivid tantric murals and ancient religious artefacts

Chhoser Sky Caves: In the afternoon, drive or take a horse (optional, additional cost) to the towering red cliffs of Chhoser to visit the famous sky caves, thousands of hand-carved cave dwellings set into the sheer cliff face at dizzying heights. 

Archaeologists believe some date back 2,000–3,000 years. The caves have yielded ancient manuscripts, human remains, and Buddhist paintings, their origins remain partially mysterious.

Optional: visit the nearby Niphu and Garphu monasteries for additional Buddhist art and architecture.

Overnight: Lodge in Lo Manthang 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 09  |  Leisure / Cultural Day in Lo Manthang & Drive to Marpha 

The morning offers flexible time in Lo Manthang, perhaps the most valuable hours of the entire upper mustang tour. Options include:

• A sunrise walk along the outer walls of the city for panoramic plateau views
• Visiting the small local museum showcasing Lo Kingdom artefacts and royal history
• A short hike to a viewpoint or nearby village of Tingkhar or Namgyal Monastery
• Attending morning prayers at one of the monasteries, a profoundly moving experience
• Interacting with local Loba women selling hand-made crafts and jewellery in the village square

After lunch, begin the return journey south through the dramatic landscapes of Upper Mustang. The afternoon drive retraces through the ochre canyons and plateau back to Marpha, a charming village renowned for its apple orchards, apple brandy, and well-preserved stone-paved lanes.

Enjoy a glass of local apple cider or brandy, Marpha is Nepal's apple capital, and explore the village's immaculate lanes before dinner.

Overnight: Lodge in Marpha 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 10  |  Marpha to Pokhara by Private Jeep  (822 m / 2,697 ft | ~150 km | 6–7 hrs)

Depart Marpha after breakfast on the long but spectacular return drive through the Kali Gandaki Valley to Pokhara. The journey southward offers a completely different perspective on the same landscapes, the morning light painting the canyon walls in golden tones, the river roaring through the gorge below.

Stop at Tatopani (literally 'Hot Water' in Nepali) for a refreshing dip in the natural hot springs , a deeply welcome reward after days in the high-altitude desert. Continue south through Beni and along the river valleys, arriving in Pokhara by evening.

Enjoy a well-deserved dinner at a lakeside restaurant and a good night's sleep in a comfortable hotel.

Overnight: 3-star hotel in Pokhara 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11  |  Pokhara Sightseeing Tour 

A full day to explore Pokhara, Nepal's second-largest city and the country's adventure and tourism capital. With the Annapurna Range rising dramatically to the north and the glittering Phewa Lake at its heart, Pokhara is one of Nepal's most beautiful settings.

Morning: Visit Sarangkot Hill (1,592 m) for sunrise views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, on a clear morning, this is one of the finest mountain panoramas in Nepal. Descend to visit Bindyabasini Temple, Pokhara's oldest and most sacred Hindu temple.

Midday: Explore Davi's Falls (Patale Chhango), a dramatic waterfall that plunges into an underground gorge, and the adjacent Gupteswor Mahadev Cave, a sacred Shiva shrine. Then visit the International Mountain Museum, which chronicles the history of Himalayan mountaineering and celebrates the great peaks and the people who climbed them.

Afternoon: Enjoy a relaxed boat ride on Phewa Lake, gliding toward the iconic Tal Barahi Temple, a small pagoda on an island in the centre of the lake. The reflections of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain, 6,993 m) on the lake's mirror-calm surface are unforgettable. In the late afternoon, walk or drive to the World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa), a gleaming white Buddhist stupa on a hilltop above the lake, accessible by boat and stairs, for sunset views over the city.

Overnight: 3-star hotel in Pokhara 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

 Day 12  |  Pokhara to Kathmandu (Drive or Flight)

Option A - Drive (Recommended, Scenic): Depart Pokhara after breakfast on the 6–7 hour return drive along the Prithvi Highway to Kathmandu. Enjoy one final look at Nepal's mid-hills countryside before returning to the capital.

Option B — Fly (Time-Saver, Additional Cost): A 25-minute mountain flight from Pokhara Airport to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, with a chance of stunning aerial views of the Himalayan range on clear mornings.

Arrive in Kathmandu by mid-afternoon. The rest of the day is completely free, ideal for last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel, exploring the Asan Bazaar for handicrafts, or a farewell dinner at one of Kathmandu's excellent restaurants. Your trip leader can recommend the best spots for authentic Nepali cuisine or international food.

Overnight: 3-star hotel in Kathmandu 
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 13  |  Final Departure from Kathmandu 

Your 13-day Upper Mustang tour concludes today. After a final breakfast at the hotel, your Hi Nepal Travels & Treks representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in a private vehicle, timed to arrive at least 3 hours before your international departure.

As you fly out over the Himalayas, take a final look at the mountains that have framed your journey, the same peaks that have watched over Lo Manthang for a thousand years. You carry with you not just photographs, but the memories of Lo Manthang's ancient gates, the sky caves at Chhoser, the endless ochre plateaus, and the warmth of the Loba people of Upper Mustang.

Safe travels , and we hope to see you again in Nepal!