The jeep tour to Upper Mustang provides much more comfort and accessibility, and is a more reasonable option for travel. You will be covering a greater distance and doing so in less time, while being able to enjoy the ride and not having physical exertion to reach very remote villages.
Upper Mustang is referred to as the Forbidden Kingdom. Until 1992, this area was closed to outside visitors. Upper Mustang retains a unique Tibetan-based lifestyle and culture as well as Tibetan-based history. All of these elements, being somewhat combined with being remote and isolated, add mystique and extra appeal for travelers.
You will experience amazing desert-like landscapes, irregular rock formations, and homes carved into the cliffs and rocks. You will be able to observe ancient monasteries, attend festivals that have been celebrated for centuries, enjoy the hospitality of the local people, and be completely immersed in their Tibetan world.
Upper Mustang Jeep Tour Itinerary (5-7 Days)
Day 1: On the first day, you will leave Pokhara and fly to Jomsom or drive along, depending on the season, while having a glimpse of the well-known Kali Gandaki Gorge and astonishing mountains. Jomsom is the heart of the Mustang tour and an adventurous start to your experience.
Day 2: Day 2 starts with a jeep ride to Kagbeni and Lo Manthang. This is where the amazing arid beauty of Mustang will be revealed with sweeping desert terrain and towering cliffs.
Day 3: This is the day you explore Lo Manthang fully with a visit to the royal palace, ancient monasteries, and an interesting cave. This metropolis is deep-rooted in culture and history, which goes back in some aspects to the 15th century.
Day 4: On day 4, you will visit Chhoser Cave and its ancient sky cave, and Ghar Gompa, the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monastery. These are amazing sites, especially because of their history and spirituality.
Day 5-7: This is the day that you will start getting back to Pokhara. You can decide to visit the holy pilgrimage spot of Muktinath, which is a diversion to culture enthusiasts and site seekers alike, or visit the miniature apple town of Marpha, which has famous orchards. After that, you will cover your retracing steps back to Pokhara.
Best Routes & Road Conditions
Flying can be the easiest way to get to Jomsom from Pokhara, but the flight takes 20-30 minutes over the Annapurna and Kali Gandaki Gorge. However, flights can be weather-dependent and sometimes canceled. Driving can be rough and takes a longer 8-10 hours, but provides you with a road trip adventure and meet locals along the way.
The road from Jomsom to Lo Manthang is dusty, bumpy, and rugged. It can be challenging to drive as well. However, the driving experience provides beautiful desert landscapes and steep, death-defying cliffs that you really can only experience in Upper Mustang, and it is freaking awesome!
Occasionally, we were allowed to take off-road detours that brought us to secret deserts and valleys, incomprehensible panoramic viewpoints, and remote villages only accessible by these detours. Although rough, these encounters reveal genuine local culture and natural beauty beyond traveled paths.
Required Permits & Costs (2025/2026)
Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to the upper Mustang is USD 500 per person in the first 10 days and USD 50 per day onwards. It should be purchased by a government-registered trekking agency, not available for application on its own.
Besides the RAP, you will require an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which should cost about NPR 3,000 (roughly USD 30). ACAP has to obtain access to the secure Annapurna Conservation Area that encompasses sections of the track to Upper Mustang.
All foreign travelers are required to have a registered guide or driver in the Upper Mustang. Independent access to the area without the guide or driver is forbidden; hence, there is no tension about safety, compliance, and promotion across the limited region.
Choosing the Right Jeep & Travel Style
When it comes to choosing a private jeep tour or a group jeep tour, it is generally a matter of personal preference. Private jeep tours give you the greatest flexibility, privacy, and you can frequently go at your own pace. In contrast, group jeep tours are less expensive and allow you to meet others, but rely on a set itinerary and offer less room in their Jeeps.
Serious jeep vehicles, like a 4×4 Land Cruiser, are much more comfortable, reliable, and powerful on the rough terrain of Mustang, offering a better ride for you and your companions. Smaller jeeps can go off the road on narrow paths, but are usually less stable without the comfort of a larger vehicle.
There are well-known reputable agencies that provide a variety of jeep rentals in Pokhara with skilled agencies and guides. The companies that manage permits also maximise your travel experience and ensure the jeep vehicle is well-maintained. You will learn many new travel insights and get the best use of the borrowed vehicle for maximum travel enjoyment.
Must-See Stops on the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
The beautiful town of Kagbeni is the entry to Upper Mustang, which has a blend of medieval and Tibetan cultures. This ancient village is located at the junction of the Kali Gandaki River and the Jhong River, which provides a unique example of Mustang’s culture and includes a unique landscape.
The walled city of Lo Manthang, the former capital of the kingdom, has ancient monasteries and the Queen City. It is surrounded by its mud-brick buildings enshrining an ageless Tibetan Buddhist society, and its monasteries are decorated and provide a spiritual and cultural focal point.
Chhoser Caves are located southwest of Lo Manthang, and they are known as part of the cliff dwelling sky caves that were excavated from the cliff hundreds of years ago. These cave dwellings used to be the shelter of the locals and monks, and the archaeological and cultural experience will leave you astounded by the presence of striking cliffs.
Muktinath is a holy place both to Hindus and Buddhists and is located in Mustang. It is well-known because of its temple and natural springs, as it represents spiritual harmony and attracts both followers and travelers who require blessings in their trip to Upper Mustang.
Challenges & Tips for a Smooth Journey
The altitude of Lo Manthang extends to 3,840m, and therefore, the right way to visit Lo Manthang without facing altitude sickness is to allow efficient acclimatization. Gradually increase your altitude, keep hydrated, sleep well, and do not consume alcohol to allow your body an easy process towards the thinner air and smaller proportions of oxygen.
In Upper Mustang, the road conditions are bumpy and dusty, and it will need patience and stamina to cope. Pack dust masks, good shoes, and waterproof gear to prepare you to expect bumpy rides, particularly between Jomsom and Lo Manthang on unpredictable routes and weather.
Accommodations are simple, and the teahouses serve simple food and have modest rooms. Wi-Fi is intermittent or absent altogether, so prepare it by packing offline entertainment and charging any appliance you can when the opportunity arises to take an enjoyable, comfortable ride.
Best Time for an Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
One of the most suitable times to do the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour is spring (March to May) when the weather is pleasant with clear skies, green and colorful landscapes. The vibrant Tiji festival is also hosted in May, an aspect that gives a cultural boost during this time.
Ideal post-monsoon conditions occur during autumn (September to November ) with clean air, warm days, and cool nights. It provides a fantastic travel experience since the dry weather with amazing visibility makes it ideal to explore and take photographs.
Avoidance of the monsoon season (June to August) is also advisable because the roads are muddy and risky. But since Mustang is in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, it gets less rainfall, but movement is sometimes hard during high rainfall.
Conclusion: Is This Jeep Tour Worth It?
Upper Mustang Jeep Tour gives an exciting and exclusive experience to visit the region because it is affordable and comfortable, yet it enables one to visit remote cultural and natural locations. It is perfect when someone wants to have a less active but engaging experience of getting exposure to the history of Mustang.
The Jeep tour is going to be of particular interest to culture lovers, photographers, and travelers who are short on time, as key highlights are covered efficiently. It provides you the opportunity to enjoy the culture of Tibet and spectacular landscapes without the need to be a fit trekker or have endurance.
In order to provide itself a smooth experience, you should make a reservation with trusted tour operators that secure the permits, the services of a guide, and vehicle fitness. It ensures security, comfort, and an educational travel experience filled with local guides over your Upper Mustang tour.
