Upper Mustang Overland Tour
The Upper Mustang Overland Tour is one of the most exclusive journeys in Nepal, taking travelers deep into the former Kingdom of Lo – an ancient Tibetan-influenced region that remained forbidden to outsiders until 1992. Known as the “Last Forbidden Kingdom”, Mustang is famous for its desert-like landscapes, eroded cliffs, mysterious caves, centuries-old monasteries, and the walled city of Lo-Manthang.
Unlike other trekking regions, Mustang offers a unique blend of Himalayan desert scenery and rich Tibetan Buddhist culture, making it feel like a journey back in time. With its restricted area status, only a limited number of visitors enter each year, adding to its exclusivity. The overland route allows you to reach Lo-Manthang and Mustang’s highlights in comfort – blending road travel with short hikes and cultural exploration. Trekkers are rewarded with:
Highlights
- Explore Lo-Manthang, the legendary walled city of Mustang
- Witness ancient monasteries like Thubchen, Jampa, and Namgyal Gompas
- Discover mystical caves carved into cliffs by early settlers
- Experience the barren yet beautiful Trans-Himalayan landscapes
- Drive across the Kaligandaki Gorge, the world’s deepest gorge
- Visit local villages such as Kagbeni, Tsarang, and Ghami
- Immerse in authentic Tibetan Buddhist culture
- Chance to attend the Tiji Festival (if visiting in May)
Basic Information
- Destination
- Duration
- Start / End Location
- Accommodation Type
- Difficulty Level
- Max Altitude
- Age Limit
- Transportation Mode
- Upper Mustang
- 13 Daya
- Kathmandu / Kathmandu
- Teahouses/Lodges/Hotels
- Moderate
- 3840m
- -
- -
Best Season
Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Inclusions
- Airport transfers in Kathmandu
- Domestic flights (Pokhara–Jomsom–Pokhara)
- Sharing bus / Jeep for overland travel
- Accommodation (hotel in cities, guesthouse/lodge in Mustang)
- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner during the tour)
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- Restricted area permit & ACAP permit
- Sightseeing tours in Kathmandu & Pokhara
- First aid
Exclusions
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (laundry, snacks, drinks)
- Tips for guide & driver
- Visa fees
Tour Plan
- Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
- Pickup and transfer to hotel in the city
- Dinner at hotel or cultural Nepali restaurant
- Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu (3–5 star options available)
- Wake-up call and morning tea/coffee
- Breakfast at hotel
- Fly to Pokhara (25 min scenic flight with Annapurna & Dhaulagiri views)
- Lunch at Lakeside, Pokhara
- Sightseeing in Pokhara:
- Boating on Phewa Lake
- Davis Falls & Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
- Stroll along Lakeside shops & cafés
- Dinner at hotel or local restaurant
- Overnight: Hotel in Pokhara (Lakeside resort/hotel)
- Wake-up call and tea/coffee
- Breakfast at hotel in Pokhara
- Drive to Tatopani via Beni & Kali Gandaki Valley (6–7 hrs)
- Lunch en route at roadside village lodge
- Highlights: Waterfalls, terraced fields, river valleys, hot springs
- Dinner at local lodge
- Overnight: Lodge/teahouse in Tatopani (basic accommodation)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Drive through Mustang’s rugged terrain to Thasang (5–6 hrs)
- Lunch en route (Marpha or local village)
- Highlights: Dhaulagiri & Nilgiri mountain views, apple orchards, Tibetan-style villages
- Dinner at local lodge
- Overnight: Lodge/guesthouse in Thasang (simple, clean)
- Morning tea/coffee and breakfast
- Drive to Kagbeni (4–5 hrs)
- Lunch at lodge in Kagbeni
- Explore Kagbeni Monastery, ancient alleys, traditional mud houses
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Traditional Mustang-style lodge in Kagbeni (basic comfort)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Drive through desert landscapes of Mustang (5–6 hrs)
- Lunch en route with valley views
- Highlights: Wind-eroded cliffs, longest Mani wall of Mustang, dry valleys
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Teahouse/lodge in Ghami (basic, shared facilities)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Drive Ghami → Tsarang (3–4 hrs)
- Lunch at lodge in Tsarang
- Visit Tsarang Monastery, fortress, chortens & Mani walls
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge/teahouse in Tsarang (basic Mustang-style lodge)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Drive Tsarang → Lo-Manthang (3–4 hrs)
- Lunch on arrival in Lo-Manthang
- Highlights: Desert canyons, cliff caves, panoramic Mustang plateau views
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge/guesthouse in Lo-Manthang (best available)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Guided tour:
- Royal Palace of Lo-Manthang
- Jampa, Thubchen & Chode monasteries
- Traditional Tibetan-style houses & alleyways
- Lunch in town
- Optional: Horseback ride to Chhoser caves & meditation chambers
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Lodge/guesthouse in Lo-Manthang
- Morning tea/coffee and breakfast
- Long drive back through Mustang valleys (7–8 hrs)
- Lunch at Kagbeni or en route
- Highlights: Kali Gandaki Gorge, Annapurna & Dhaulagiri range views
- Dinner at lodge
- Overnight: Tourist-standard lodge/hotel in Jomsom (attached bath available)
- Early wake-up and light breakfast
- Morning flight Jomsom → Pokhara (25 min scenic)
- Lunch at Lakeside, Pokhara
- Afternoon leisure: boating, café hopping, shopping
- Dinner at hotel or lakeside restaurant
- Overnight: Hotel in Pokhara (lakeside resort/hotel)
- Morning wake-up call and breakfast
- Fly Chitwan → Kathmandu (25 min)
- Lunch in Kathmandu hotel
- Dinner at Hotel
- Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
- Wake-up and breakfast (if time permits)
- Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport
- Departure for onward journey
- End of tour