Upper Mustang Driving Tour

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    Upper Mustang Driving Tour Highlights
    • Get enough time to prepare your trip in Kathmandu. Exploration of UNESCO heritage sites at Kathmandu valley and enjoy activities in Natural city Pokhara
    • Panoramic Himalayan views in entire trip and plateau land escape at Upper Mustang
    • Get closer with typical Tibetan Buddhist cultures, friendly peoples
    • Visit Monasteries, caves, Sky caves and Temples
    • Tour with comfirtable jeep, friendly driver and profesional guide        

    Upper Mustang driving tour is a tour design for those peoples who do not have enough time to explore Upper Mustang by walking for long days or does not want to involve in adventure trekking. Short day driving tour will have enough time to explore Upper Mustang also called little Tibet in Nepal. Driving with a four-wheel jeep is an adventure guided tour to the most stunning valleys of Upper mustang with spectacular mountain views inside place of ethnic cultures.

    Upper Mustang, the rain shadow area of Nepal Himalayas is best to visit from March till October. The route is more famous for trekking but now, it has build a rough route in the area and a driving tour is also suitable with comfirtable jeep. Nepal Highland Trek provides a comfortable jeep with helpful and friendly guide in your tour. Your tour starts from Kathmandu and drives with same jeep or flies to Pokhara, the natural city of Nepal. Place of chilled out with beautiful lakes and clear view of the panoramic Annapurna mountain range. Next day drive start and reach at lower Mustang area for overnight. Numerous local villages provide tourist standard accommodations and foods on the way in your driving tour. Another one day driving and staying again in lower mustang region where the area is less vegetation, Tibet influence settlement and panoramic mountain ranges.   

    Third day of your tour after starting from Pokhara, cross-checking point of the restricted area and reach Upper Mustang region. Upper Mustang Jeep Tour cross scenic Barley and Buckwheat filed, apple orchard, Chortern and typical houses are picturesque sights. Driving crosses Chele village (3050m) and Syangboche (3800m), which are big villages in Upper Mustang area. You also got to cross Nya La pass of 4010 miter. You will feel less oxygen and minor difficulties in breathing. The area all around is less vegetation and heavy windy during the day. Reach at Ghami (3490m) and taking rest is more helpful to acclimatize your body in high altitude.  

    Our ultimate destination is Lo-Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang reach within one single day of driving from Ghami. Lo-Manthang is a walled city connecting with Tibet border. The village is noted for its tall white-washed mud-brick wall, century’s oldest monasteries, king palace, caves and off course panoramic Mountain views. One day full exploration in Lo-Manthang covers major visiting places. You also have the option to stay another day and visit another part of Lo-Mangthang. The special cultural activities from local peoples can be seen at the time of the local festival. The biggest festival in the Upper Mustang area is the Tiji festival and is held in one of the biggest monastery in Lo-Manthang.

    For the Upper Mustang driving tour, we need at least two peoples. Need special restricted area permit to obtain from the department of immigration of Nepal. Cost only for that permit is USD 500 per person for any foreigner. The restricted area starts after Kagbeni village. The only government fully license trekking agencies are allowed to obtain permits. Nepal Highland Treks is fully government licensed and you will enjoy and explore Upper Mustang driving tour with our dedicated guide and driver team. There are other optional way to reach Upper Mustang and its capital Lo-manthang. The shortest and the luxury way to explore Upper Mustang in short period is Helicopter tour.  

    Upper Mustang driving tour during Tiji festival

    Tiji is the biggest Buddhist festival organize in Lomanthang. The main days of the festival run for three days. The festival is about a ritual performed by Buddhist Lama (monks). Heads of Lama from different monasteries gather there to perform this ritual festival. The main aim of the festival is the myth of a son who had to save the Mustang kingdom from destruction. This is an annual festival that happens every year around mid-May and lasts for 3 days. The monks of Lo Manthang's "Choedhe" monastery perform ritual dances during the celebration. Management of this festival provides a comfortable stay with entrance fees for tourists who wants to observe this festival from nearby. Nepal Highland treks organize driving, trekking, or a motorbiking trip to Upper Mustang to explore the Tiji festival.    

    Upper Mustang Driving Tour Itinerary
    • Day 01:Arrive at Kathmandu (1340m) Overnight at Hotel
    • Day 02:Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley. Overnight at Hotel
    • Day 03:Fly or drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (840m). Overnight at Hotel
    • Day 04:Jeep drive from Pokhara - Beni - Tatopani - Kalopani (2600m - 6 Hours). Overnight at local tea house
    • Day 05:Jeep drives Kalopani to Kagbeni 2900m - 6 Hours. Overnight at local tea house
    • Day 06:Jeep drives Kagbeni to Ghami (3510m - 5 Hours). Overnight at local tea house
    • Day 07:Jeep drives Ghami to Lo Manthang (3840m - 3 Hours). Overnight at local tea house
    • Day 08:Explore Lo Manthang (3840m). Overnight at local tea house
    • Day 09:Drive back to Chhuksang (2980m). Overnight at local tea house
    • Day 10:Drive back to Tatopani (1190m - Hours). Overnight at local tea house
    • Day 11:Drive back to Pokhara (840m - Hours). Overnight at local tea house
    • Day 12:Fly or drive back to Kathmandu (1340m). Overnight at local tea house
    • Day 13:Departure
    • Day 01:Arrive at Kathmandu (1340m) Overnight at Hotel

      Representative from Nepal Highland trek pick up you from international airport and transfer to Hotel. If time permits talk about your trip and collect your original passport for Upper Mustang special permit. We need your original passport for few hours to issue Upper Mustang restricted area permit. 

    • Day 02:Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley. Overnight at Hotel

      Escort you with our guide and transportation to major 3 places of Kathmandu valley. Pashupatinath temple, Bauddhanath stupa and Kathmandu durbar squire, which are all listed in UNESCO heritage sites. Back to hotel, final preparation of your trip and stay in trip briefing with your guide and driver. You will enough time to buy or even rent your equipment in case any thing lack 

    • Day 03:Fly or drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (840m). Overnight at Hotel

      It takes 6 hours drive with your jeep to Pokhara. Another option is to take 25 minutes flight. Pokhara is natural city of Nepal. Beautiful lakes and laps of Annapurna range can be seen from your hotel. You will get time for evening walking around Pokhara Lake side. If you are flying, you will have enough time to make sightseeing in major highlight of Pokhara. 

    • Day 04:Jeep drive from Pokhara - Beni - Tatopani - Kalopani (2600m - 6 Hours). Overnight at local tea house

      Start driving after your breakfast in hotel. It is paved road till Beni. 100 kilometer and takes about 3 hours. Rough road begins after Beni. Driving road is bank of Kali Gandaki River and huge waterfalls. Reach at Tatopani visit the natural hot spring. Further drive for another an hour to reach Kalopani. Stay overnight in one of the typical local lodge here. 

    • Day 05:Jeep drives Kalopani to Kagbeni 2900m - 6 Hours. Overnight at local tea house

      Rough road cross several cultural villages. Among them getting from jeep and short walking within Marpha village would be nice. After short driving from Marpha Jomsom village, where small and only one airport base of Upper Mustang. Cross Kaligandaki river and reach at Kagbeni village. Walking and explore around the village, apple field, monasteries and typical streets. 

    • Day 06:Jeep drives Kagbeni to Ghami (3510m - 5 Hours). Overnight at local tea house

      You also can explore typical village Kagbeni at morning time. Than our drive reach at Upper Mustang area after crossing permit checking point at the end of Kagbeni village. Almost of driving road is via bank of Kali Gandaki River, and typical settlement of local peoples. Pass 3800 miter altitude village and Nya La pass of 4010 miter. Reach at Ghami and overnight at local tea house. 

    • Day 07:Jeep drives Ghami to Lo Manthang (3840m - 3 Hours). Overnight at local tea house

      Quite exited day today to reach ultimate destination of this tour, Lo-Manthang. We cross several Mani walls and big village called Charang. Panoramic Mountain View is always seen as different angel view. You will than view wall covered village from far. It is better to take rest once you reach at tea house, which help your body to acclimatize. Evening small walking tour around the village of Lo-manthang 

    • Day 08:Explore Lo Manthang (3840m). Overnight at local tea house

      Today explore Namgyal gumpa which is situated at hilltop of valley and an important for the local peoples. Your tour continues to Tingkhar village. Tingkhar village is the last village and main village of Lo Manthang. If time permits visit another attraction of four stories of King Palace with panoramic Himalayan view surroundings.

    • Day 09:Drive back to Chhuksang (2980m). Overnight at local tea house

      Morning visit at Lo-manthang. Latter start driving back after memorial exploration around Lo-Manthang. The same view of plateau land and panoramic Himalayas during whole day. Reach at Chuksang and overnight at local tea house.

    • Day 10:Drive back to Tatopani (1190m - Hours). Overnight at local tea house

      We leave upper Mustang region and enter lower part of Mustang. Mixed of Nepalese and Tibetan cultural villages are quite impressing to explore on the way, and still good view of Himalayas. Reach at Taotopani village. Enjoy evening bathing at natural hot spring pond and overnight in local lodge 

    • Day 11:Drive back to Pokhara (840m - Hours). Overnight at local tea house

      Drive back to city after long stay at remote area. You will reach Pokhara by lunch time. Transfer hotel and be fresh. You will have free time in Pokhara. If you ask us to make any activities there, you are welcome. 

    • Day 12:Fly or drive back to Kathmandu (1340m). Overnight at local tea house

      You have option either to take same jeep drive to Kathmandu or to take flight. Trasfer to Hotel and overnight

    • Day 13:Departure

      Final departure to home, representative from Nepal Highland Treks drop you to international airport. 

    Cost Details
    Includes
    • Arrival and departure arrangement
    • 3 nights accommodation in Kathmandu on twin sharing, three star category hotel
    • 2 nights’ accommodation in Pokhara on twin sharing, three star category hotel
    • Every morning breakfast in the hotels of Kathmandu and in Pokhara
    • One full day guided tour in Kathmandu valley with tour guide, private transportation and entrance fees
    • Private four wheel Jeep for Upper Mustang
    • Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu drive
    • Upper Mustang restricted area permit
    • Annapurna consecration area permit
    • Professional, friendly, helpful and English speaking guide
    • Good jeep driver
    • 8 night’s accommodation in local tea house during jeep driving tour in Upper Mustang
    • All the foods during tour
    • Medical kid box
    • Emergency evacuation arrangement in case of need
    Excludes
    • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and in Pokhara
    • Personal equipment, Nature of personal, insurance
    • Extra activities, tipping to staffs 
    • Upgrating hotel in Kathmandu Pokhara. It is also possible to upgrate your Hotel in Lo-manthang and Jomsom 
    • Cost of tele-communication, internet Wifi 
    • Extra cost for specific language guide, other than English language speking

    Jeep tour to Upper Mustang itinerary can customize as per clients interest. If you are single pax and want to make Driving tour to Upper Mustang, we may give you opportunity to join our group.   

    Useful Information

    Accommodation in the trip
    Our package is including 5 nights hotel in Kathmandu and in Pokhara. It is 3 star category hotels with breakfast and twin sharing. Accommodation in entire trekking is in local tea houses (Local guest house) on twin sharing. Entire tour in Upper Mustang region have tourist standard rooms with attached tioilet and shower. Upper Mustang region have limit tea house accommodation, at the time of main season it may have over flow of tourist mainly in local festival time.

    Foods in the trip
    Kathmandu and Pokhara have lots of restaurants to choose for your Lunch and Dinner. Breakfast is including in the package that is provided by same hotel you are staying. During your trekking, same tea houses you are going to stay provide you breakfast and Dinner. Lunch is on the way at suitable place. All the foods during trekking is including in the packages. Hotel and restaurants provide you international standard foods in entire Upper Mustang.

    Guide and Jeep driver
    Your guide and jeep driver to Upper Mustang are from Kathmandu. They are our regular staffs more responsible, friendly, and helpful English speaking. You will meet them in Kathmandu before starting your trip. All the staffs are fully equipped, insured and package including their foods, accommodation on the way.

    Drinking water during in the trip
    Drinking water is extra cost from package. During the trek it is available bottled mineral water, boiled water fill in your own bottle from every tea houses or can use even normal water from Tap. Bottled mineral water is available in every guest houses, shops in entire Upper Mustang. As you hike high altitude, cost of bottled mineral water and boil filtered water increase. Water from local taps can be also used as drinking water by purification with purification tablet and filter it yourself. Most of the trekkers are drinking bottled mineral water and boiled filtered water. Trekkers are using local tap water rarely. It is good to bring boxes of mineral water bottle from Pokhara. It is expensive in Upper Mustang region.   

    Equipment list
    You do not need much equipment in this trip, since all the time you will be driving. Only warm clothes are need. Our itinerary has enough time to be prepared with your proper equipment in Kathmandu.  
    Clothing List
    Warm head cover cap
    Muff to cover mouth from heavy wind and cold
    2 pairs warm inner thermal and inner trouser
    1 pair warm outer trouser
    1 pair warm wind proof warm outer trouser
    One pair light and warm jacket or sweeter
    One pair down jacket
    One pair wind proof jacket
    2 pairs light shocks
    2 pair warm shocks
    1 pair light shoe or sandal while staying inside guest house
    1 pairs light trouser or half paint while you are in low land region
    2 pairs of light t-shirt
    Warm glove
    Small bag pack
    Duffel bag to keep your goods and put it inside jeep
    Down Sleeping bag with its Inner *     (* = Nepal Highland Treks provide in returnable based)

    Other accessories
    Head lamp with enough battery
    Camera and its battery
    Battery charger
    Phone and charger
    lip care
    Sun cream
    Toilet papers
    Hand wash lotion
    Thoth brush add paste
    Washing shop and bath shampoo
    Quick dry towel

    First Aid Kit Medicines 
    In every trekking package, our guide will carry first aid kit box containing medicines of anti altitude, anti Diarrhea, pain relief, Antibiotic, anti cold, anti vomiting, anti headache, fever, bandages, handplast and anti septic lotion . If you are taking any regular medicine that is compulsory to bring yourself.

    Some Dos and Dont’s during Upper Mustang Trip
    Upper Mustang route is sensitive land which is one of the restricted areas. It is unspoiled and exotic land which is sensitive. Treat the land and local peoples with care and respect.  Try your best to keep environment clean and show appreciation for culture and traditional religious beliefs.
    Make Upper Mustang region litter free: Do not through any litter; put it in dustbin fixed by national park or in local tea houses. Sanitary napkins and tampons should be wrapped properly and through it right place. Take batteries back to your home country for safe disposal or reuse.   
    Respect local cultures, custom and peoples: Route of Upper Mustang is combination of different cultural ethnic group of local peoples. Their culture, customs, living style and any function is typical and it is important for them. So respect all these while you are there. You can involve respectfully in those function.   
    Take your guide with you in every hiking and climbing: our guide will be always with your while driving every days. Few days in the itinerary are as acclimatization day and hiking around for recovering stamina. Take your guide with you in all these activities. It is Himalaya and do not be more exited, take advice from guide to take any decision.  
    Do not through foods after order: Foods are all carried from Pokhara or from Kathmandu. It takes a week time to reach all the foods in the area of Lo Manthang. It is important that you order only sufficient food which you can finish. Do not waste any foods in the region. Meet items are not fresh in the high region. The land is out of scarifies any animals, and meets are all carried from out of region. This is the reason meets are not fresh.

    How to get Nepal Visa and its cost?
    Visa for Nepal is available on your arrival. 15 days Nepali visa is enough for your as your trip is for 13 days including arrival departure days. USD 30 is the visa cost of 15 days. If you want to spend more than 15 days time, it is better to take a month visa which cost USD 50 per person. You only need your original passport and cash (any currency).          

    Tour cost is based on 2 pax group. If you are more than 2 pax, cost reduce. Please let us know. Our fixed departure cost may change as per total pax.Jeep tour to Upper Mustang itinerary can customize as per clients interest. If you are single pax and want to make Driving tour to Upper Mustang, we give you opportunity to join our group.  Upper Mustang is restricted area and restricted area permit need to obtain for foreigners other than Nepali national. Permit cost is USD 500 minimum for 10 days and USD 50 per person per day if you require to spend more than 10 days in Upper Mustang area. Restricted permit apply after Kagbeni only. Only registered trekking companies are allow to issue Upper Mustang trekking permit. Trekking with Government registered trekking guide is compulsory in this region. Minimum 2 trekkers are require to ubtain trekking permit and trekking in Upper Mustang.    

    Trip with super luxury accommodation

    There is few super luxury accommodation during Upper Mustang driving tour. Jomsom have super luxury hotel, Hotel Moksha is the one. Lo-manthnag where you will stay more overnights and have super luxury hotel. Royal Mustang resort is the one super deluxe hotel there. There is option to customize your tour itinerary to meet super luxury accommodation of Jomsom. Drive can reach back to Jomsom from Lo-manthang in single day easily.   

    Client Reviews

    • Great Service in our Upper Mustang tour

      Recently, we made a Upper Mustang tour with them. Their service was excellent. First of all, our guide Sarjan as well as the agency boss Hemanta, they are both generous and friendly people who were happy to cooperate with. Despite of adverse weather conditions they both made anything possible to manage the situation and at the end we succeeded getting as close to the original tour goals as possible. There was no one wish left open and it was never a problem to adjust the plan according to our wishes and needs. We were actually a group of photographers and without our guide it would not have been possible to arrange some of the shootings with local people, especially in the Mustang region.

      Juraj Z
      Juraj ZSlovakia,October 18, 2022
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