Upper Mustang Overland Tour-11 days

Duration: 11 Days   |   Based on 1 Review
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trip Style: Trekking and Tour
  • Transport: Private Vehicle / Jeep
  • Food: Full Board Plan
  • Accommodation: Hotel And Guest House
  • Group Size: 2+
  • Max Elevation: 4,650 m

The 11-day Upper Mustang Overland Tour is an isolated tour in Nepal Himalaya and is popular for ultimate tourist overland activities becoming popular among the tourist things to do in Nepal. Upper Mustang known as Lo Manthang is the most preserved Kingdom between Dhaulagiri I (8156 m) and Annapurna I (8,091 M). Upper Mustang is like a barren land and a rain shadow area of Nepal in the Annapurna region.

The Upper Mustang overland tour follows the Kaligandaki Gorge (the deepest gorge in the world) to Kagbeni by jeep. Along the way, we pass Tatopani-Natural Hot Spring, Marpha Village- "The apple garden" Kagbeni-the religious pilgrimage, and enter into the Lo-Manthang. The Lomanthang is a windy valley that blows from the south toward the Tibetan border. The majority of the people believe in Tibetan Buddhism speak the semi-Tibetan language and practice the same culture as Tibetan. Life in Mustang revolves around tourism, animal husbandry, and trade. Kagbeni is the starting and ending point of the Upper Mustang restricted area trekking and tour. Upper Mustang is also a part of the Annapurna Circuit situated in the northern part of Jomsom (65km) towards the Tibetan border.

Road Trip to Upper Mustang

The road trip to Upper Mustang is safe and well-paved in most places. It is just 60 km from Kagbeni to Lo-Mangthang. Along the way, you may experience the manmade sky cave, Monastery, Chortens, and Mani wall. Sometimes you can make a side trip by walking for the best viewpoint and Monastery. There is a local jeep service sometimes to Lo Manthang but it is overcrowded, risky, unsafe, and may not be available all the time. So it is recommended to have a private jeep for your safe and comfortable journey. While you are taking a private jeep tour, you have an opportunity to visit all the recommended places in this secret valley.

The Upper Mustang overland tour starts from Kathmandu with a private jeep drive to Pokhara and up to Lo-Manthang. After a deep study of our expertise, we kindly suggest and propose you take a jeep drive from Kathmandu throughout the trips and avoid the flight disturbance from Jomsom to Pokhara and vice versa. The road distance from Kathmandu to Pokhara is 200 KM, Pokhara to Jomsom is 155 km, and Jomsom to Lomanthang is 60 km. It is a pleasant drive with beautiful scenery of the Mountain range with diverse landscapes. You will be driving very little distance every day, but you will be spending more time exploring the villages and monasteries in each place. Please see the below day-to-day tour itinerary and feel free to write back with your thoughts you may have. Optional you can fly in and out from Jomsom to make your trip shorter.

Accommodation and food while on the Upper Mustang Tour

The Upper Mustang trek accommodation throughout our trek is in tourist standard and comfortable lodges which are run by local families. Each lodge has a central common area with a large wood stove that provides heat and a cozy atmosphere. The bedrooms are unheated and generally have two beds with mattresses, pillows, and a blanket. You will need to bring a sleeping bag (3 seasons is fine)

The lodges mostly have showers that are powered by gas/electricity and they mostly have western toilets (some lodges do also have squat toilets). Food on the Upper Mustang trek is very good quality and a mixture of local Nepali / Tibetan and Western food. The common, tasty local meal is Dal Bhat with rice, lentil soup, vegetables, Papad, pickle, and vegetable curry.

Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara- there is a huge selection of hotels but our package includes two-star standard accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The hotel we offer on our program comprises a clean, array, with hot and cold showers, TV, and Telephone, and is centrally located. If you would like to upgrade the hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara is also possible for an additional cost. Please kindly let us know.

Places to visit while in Upper Mustang

Monastery Details of Upper Mustang that you will visit while on the trip.

1. Chungsi Cave Monastery Near Syanmochen/Samar

  • The sector of Buddhism: Ningmapa
  • Major Statues/Images: Tara Devi, Statue of Guru Rinpoche, Jhoao Chasapani
  • Remark: "Chhevum Bhumba"(Stone and soil structure increasing itself)

2. Tashi Chyoling Gompa,Ghiling

  • The sector of Buddhism: Ngorpa sub-sect of Sakyapa sect
  • Established Date/Old: 571 years old
  • Major Monastic rituals: Molam, Mandala Puja, Ketor Puja, Dhukpa Chesi, Kangso Chyachchha, Kangso Puja ets
  • Major Statues/Images: Sakyamuni, Jhampa, NgorChen, Padma Samabhawa, Chhepame, Dalai Lama, Lhobo Khenjen (Ghhenchen)
  • Major Religious books: Ghetongma, Kangyur, Ketatangi, Tangka, Sakya Kabub, and Lhamed among them some are in gold script
  • Remark: Founded by "Lhobo Ghenchen Lama"

3. Lo Geme Shad Drup Darkeling Gompa, Ghami

  • The sector of Buddhism: Sakyapa sect
  • Established Date/Old: 1414 AD (590 years old)
  • Major Monastic rituals: Heverja, Khyuri Dhunmje, Mela
  • Major Statues/Images: Buddha Pravamandal 2'6" high, Bajra Satwa 2'3" high, Buddha Statue 2'9"high, Ngor Chhen Kunga Sangpo, Sakyamuni, Dorjesemba, Midhukpa
  • Major Religious books: Sakya Kabum-03, Ghetangma-03, Lhamde-10, Kengyur-103, Tengyur-215
  • Remark: Founded by Sonoma Lodo

4. Jhampa Gompa, Lomanthang

  • The sector of Buddhism: Sakya sect
  • Established Date/Old: 1387 AD
  • Major Monastic rituals: Molam Chhyang, Ngyugne
  • Major Statues/Images: Jhamapa Chhempo, Rhikpa Jampa, Dharma Birwa, Lhamu Hoser Chenge Singham
  • Remark: Gompa houses tp Gold painted tantric Mandalas

5. Thupchen Gompa, Lomanthang

  • The sector of Buddhism: Sakyapa sect
  • Established Date/Old: 15th century
  • Major Statues/Images: Thupchen, Namgyal Chhorten, Chen Tejik, Jampalyang Gurun Rinpoche, Dhristrarastra, Baishnawan, Birudhak Birupaksya
  • Remark: The Hude wooden beams in Dukhang carry the Buddhist mantra inside the Gompa

6. Chhyode Gompa, Lomanthang

  • The sector of Buddhism: Sakyapa sect
  • Established Date/Old: 1757 AD
  • Major Monastic rituals: Tenchi, Saka Dhawa, Lolam, Bayang Yaarne, Lhabap, Duchhen
  • Major Statues/Images: Dorje Sonnu, Dorje Dhhang, Sange Thukpa
  • Remark: Thompa houses of beautiful Thanka and Images

7. Chhujung Gompa, near to Lomanthang

  • The sector of Buddhism: Sakyapa sect

8. Garghu Dhejing Chhyoling Gompa, Garphu, Chhoser

  • The sector of Buddhism: Ningmapa sect of Sakyapa
  • Established Date/Old: 500 years old
  • Major Monastic rituals: Chyuchi Ngyugne, Mahakala Puj, Hyum, Kengyur, Tengyur, Ghyutor, Chhempo
  • Major Statues/Images: Guru Rinpochhe, Dhorje Chhyang, Chhewang Lhindu, Siiji Shhyamjo
  • Major Religious books: Rinjin Dhorje, Kathang Dherng, Kathang Sanlingma
  • Remark: The footprint of Guru Rinpoche on stone

9. Nyiphuk Namdol Norbuling Gompa, Nyiphuk, Chhoser

  • The sector of Buddhism: Ngorpa sub-Sector of Sakyapa
  • Established Date/Old: 600 years old
  • Major Monastic rituals: Saka Dhawa, Ketor Dhinchhu, Dhukpa Chhesi, Mahakala Puja
  • Major Statues/Images: Dhorje Chhyang, Sakyamuni, and Lo Khenchen Sonam Lindup
  • Major Religious books: Ghetongba, Todsum, Dhomang, Khaj yuk Vembu, Lo Khejen Sonam Lhindup

Highlights

  • Upper Mustang is one of the most preserved secret regions of Nepal
  • Touring in Upper Mustang is a rare privilege in the Annapurna region with the most scenic drive
  • Explore the city of wall-Lo Manthang
  • Experience the Bone and Khampas culture in Upper Mustang
  • Upper Mustang is a rain-showed area of the Annapurna region.

Outline Itinerary

Open All Days Close All Days
Day 01: Kathmandu (1,350 m) Arrivals and transfer to Hotel

Upon arrival, you will be collected from the airport by our company representative who will escort you to the hotel. The rest of the time is free and leisure

  • No Meals
  • Hotel
  • 1,350 m

This is a leisure day in Kathmandu. Prepare for a permit and check for the necessary gear.

  • Bed and Breakfast
  • Hotel

After having breakfast at your hotel, you will start your overland trip to Pokhara by private vehicle. It goes through Prithivi Highway to the beautiful lake city Pokhara enjoying the scenery of villages in the lush hillside landscape along the way. Arrive and check in to the Hotel and walk around beautiful Fewa-Lake and enjoy the evening lives of Tourist hub Lake-Side Pokhara.

  • Bed and breakfast
  • Hotel
  • 810 m

Your adventure trips start after having a good breakfast. It is 165 km through the Beni-Baglung highway. Along the way, you will pass Tatopani, Ghasa, Marpha, and Jomsom. It is adventurous mountain road driving with delightful scenery with amazing landscapes along with the world's deepest Gorge "Kaligandaki Gorge." Arrival and check-in Guest House.

  • Full Board plan
  • Guest House
  • 2,800 m

We start our real adventurous tour today. Our drive today involves Chhusang, Chele, and Samar Village. Take our Lunch and walk around Samar, visit Chhuyer Chorten, explore Samar Gompa, and enjoy the view of Annapurna and Nilgiri. After having lunch, we drive to Sangbochen via Vana or walk 8km via Ramchung Cave (Chungsi Cave Monastery) enjoying great views of Tilicho peak, Yaskawa Kang, and Damodar Danda. Next, we drive to Yamada La pass at 3,850m with Chorten and down the beautiful valley of Ghiling with its surrounding field of barley, wheat, buckwheat, potato, and Tashi Chyoling Gompa. Overnight at Guest House

  • Full Board Plan
  • Guest House
  • 3,600 m

Today we start our tour with a drive to Ghami with its beautiful fields surrounding the entire village where we explore the old Winter Palace of Lo-Kingdom and Shad Drup Darkeling Gompa related to the Sakyapa sect of Buddhism founded by Sonama Lodo in 1414 AD. Then again we drive and cross a bridge over the Ghami Khola and hike an hour to explore Dhakmar another beautiful village with the striking sight of red cliffs glowing brightly in the sun. Then we further drive to Charang Village, Mustang’s second-largest town, with a monastery built by Bsum Grub Dorje in the 16th century AD and around 1000 inhabitants.

After having Lunch you will walk to Gyakar village (3,950m) which houses a century-old Ghar Gompa with beautiful rock paintings. Ancient Ghar Gumba was built in the 8th century by a Tibetan magician Guru Padmasambhava related to the Nyingma sect of Buddhism. According to a local legend, anyone who makes a wish at the Gompa will have it fulfilled. We explore the Gompa and continue to Lo-Mangthang or back to Charang and drive to Lomanthang.

  • Full Board plan
  • Guest House
  • 3,850 m

Lo Manthang is a walled town in the remote Upper Mustang region of Nepal. We spend the day touring three major gompas of the town namely Jhampa, Thupchen, and Chhoeda. All of these gompas have undergone expert restoration over the last two decades. Then, we drive to Kora la (4,660m) take pictures, and drive back to Chooser to visit caves and monasteries and back to Lomanthang.

  • Full Board Plan
  • Guest House

We drive back to Jomsom through the same route, Enjoy the beautiful views at Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri en route.

  • Full Board Plan
  • Guest House
  • 2,700 m

We take an early morning 20 minutes flight from Jomsom to Pokhara and take another connected half-hour flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara. You will be collected from the Kathmandu airport by our company representative who will escort you to your hotel. We arrive back in Kathmandu by mid-afternoon when you have time for some shopping or to just relax in your hotel.

  • fare well
  • Hotel
  • 1,350 m

Your journey ends today, as per your request we escorted you to the airport for your onward flight. Or You may stay longer time.

  • Breakfast
  • No hotel

What's included

  • Airport pick up and drop off by private vehicle
  • All transportation Kathmandu-Lomanthang-Jomsom by a private Jeep
  • Three-night accommodation in Kathmandu in twin sharing including breakfast
  • One-night hotel in Pokhara on a (B/B basis)
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)  whilst the Mountain
  • Clean and comfortable Six-night accommodation at teahouses during the Mustang tour period
  • Government-approved Professional English speaking guide throughout the trip
  • All necessary paperwork, company services charges, and local taxes
  • Annapurna conservation entry permit and Upper Mustang Restricted area permit for 10 days.
  • Jomsom to Pokhara by flight
  • Pokhara to Kathmandu by flight
  • Meals whilst in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Clients' Personal Travel insurance
  • International airfare to and from Nepal
  • Nepal entry visa, Visa can obtain on your arrival at Kathmandu Airport and cost 30 USD, 50 USD, and 125 USD for 15 days, 30 days, and 90 days respectively.
  • Drink including - water, cold drinks, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and other personal expenses
  • Hot shower during the Mountain tour.
  • Personal necessary equipment
  • Gratuities for guide and driver
Request a Private Date

This itinerary may differ slightly during your tour. Occasionally itineraries need to change to allow for weather conditions, transportation, your desires, etc. It is recommended that you allow an additional 1-2 days before your international flight to allow for remote flight delays and other unforeseen circumstances

We do list here only confirmed scheduled departures for Upper Mustang Tour. However, we operate this trip on the request of client's requirements. So please feel free to contact us for your preferred departure date.

Useful Info

  • Nepal Visa grants on arrival at Kathmandu airport. Please take 2 passport-size photographs. 6-month valid passport from the date of arrival in Nepal.
  • Once the Trip is confirmed by paying a 10% deposit, The deposit is non-refundable but you may postpone the trip without paying an additional fee.
  • Once the trip is started, there is no cancellation.
  • This trip is suitable for those who are keen to know about Buddhism and Tibetan culture and tradition. 
  • On our Silver Jubilee 25th anniversary, Global Adventure Trek offers a 50 USD discount for the Upper Mustang Overland trip.

Client Reviews

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Vicky, Spain

Amazing Experience with GAT

We were group of 5 willing to have a lifetime trip to Mustang in Annapurna. We had many research and ...

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