Upper Mustang jeep tour

  • Tiji festival in Mustang

    Tiji Festival in Mustang

  • Upper Mustang driving tour

    Mask dancing during Tiji festival

  • Tsarang village Upper Mustang

    Tsarang village Upper Mustang

With the extension of the dirt road, Upper Mustang has been a popular jeep tour destination. Jeep tour or 4WD driving tour of Upper Mustang saves your travel days but allows more time to visit highlights of the trans-Himalayan region. The tour is done with licensed, knowledgeable and experienced guides and drivers. It is a combination of road trip with excursions and cultural immersion experiences. There are several side hikes, village tours, archaeological sites and monasteries to visit. The driving tour is just an alternate to Mustang trek. Tourists can still stay and eat in local teahouses and visit all the places of the once forbidden kingdom.

The Upper Mustang driving tour could be customized for as less as 6 days. However, we recommend the longer tour to enjoy the fast-changing landscape, Himalayan scenery and the ethnicity. You can combine this driving tour with visits to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha and Chitwan national park.

: Driving tour
: 10 days from Kathmandu
:Moderate to Difficult
4WD driving to the remote trans-Himalayan region with harse weather and maxim. altitude of 4,000 m. Lodge accommodation with attached toilet, hot shower for most of the nights.

: August - June
Best time is from Mid September - December and March - May
: Teahouse & hotel
: Private car & Flight

USD 2250
Includes
Excludes
  • Necessary permits
  • Private 4WD for the round trip
  • Upper mustang and Annapurna conservation permits
  • 3 star standard accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast and taxes included.
  • Lodge accommodation during the drive to Upper Mustang with three meals a day.
  • Licensed, experienced and knowledgeable guide
  • Down Jacket, Sleeping bag, duffle bag for the trek

  • Delay and cancellation because of naturl phenomenon.
  • Any type of insurances. Rescue and evacuation will be done on your account.
  • Bottled drinks and beverages.
  • Tea breaks, snacks or anything purchased directly beside three meals included.

Motorcycle tour of Mustang

Upper Mustang is also a popular motorcycling tour destination in the Himalayas. There is nothing more exciting than crossing the Himalayas from the lush southern foothills to the hidden Shangri La of Lomanthang. Motorcycle tours give the riders flexibility of stopping anywhere to enjoy the scenery and reach the remote corners. Motorcycle tour of Upper Mustang from Kathmandu could be organized from 10 - 12 days.

Mustang tour highlights

  • One of the most scenic drives through the valley wedged between two 8,000 m peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.
  • Traverse the Himalayas from its lush southern slopes to the arid alpine desert of trans-Himalayas within short time.
  • Experience the lost Tibetan kingdom with unspoiled Tibetan culture and landscape.
  • Explore the highly spiritual Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, honey comb caves and the medieval walled city of Lo Mangtang.
  • Cultural immersion experience of intact Tibetan Buddhist lifestyle and trans-Himalayan village life.
  • Detour of lake city Pokhara, charming Thakali villages and the popular pilgrimage site Muktinath.

Tiji festival 2024

Visit Mustang for Tiji festival 2024 starting from Kathmandu on 10 May. May is perfect time to visit Upper Mustang as it is less crowded tourist season and dry month. Participate in the most occult Tibetan Buddhist festival celebrated in commemoration of victory of good over the evil. Explore the lost Tibetan kingdom when it becomes more lively with age old rituals and mask dancing.

Mustang from September to December

The rain shadow of the Himalayas and warm summer make it the best trip for September. With crisp sky and warm sunny days, October and November are the peak tourist season for the entire Himalayan regions. With the temperature ranging between 15 to - 8 C, it is still possible to visit Mustang in December.

Mustang driving tour Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu, pick up and transfer to Hotel.

Our represent will be at the airport as per your flights details given earlier. Drive to the hotel and rest. In the evening, briefing about the trip.

Day 02: Drive to Pokhara – 200 km / 6 hrs

We drive west of Kathmandu to Pokhara through the lush mountain valleys. The road winds along scenic valley basin dominated by farming terraces and charming villages connected by suspension bridges. Closer to Pokhara, we will see snow peaks of Annapurna and Manaslu range in the backdrop.

Day 03: Drive to Kalopani – 190 km / 8 hrs

Enjoy the scrumptious breakfast with in vicinity of Phewa lake and the Himalayas. After breakfast, we set out on our journey to Mustang. We first drive west to the town of Beni and then head upstream Kali Gandaki river. The Kali Gandaki valley at this point becomes the world’s deepest gorge, wedged between Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and Annapurna I (8,091 m). Kalopani is the most scenic village situated with the view of both Himalayan giants.

Day 04: Drive to Tsarang. 120 km / 6 hrs. Explore Tsarang.

We are literally in trans-Himalayan region. The landscape changes from lush green to arid, windy valley after Kalopani village. Kaligandaki snakes along the wide and far reaching valley that have been eroded in thousands of years. The villages of Tukuche and Marpha, we pass by are popular for Apple orchard and the brandy. From Kagbeni, we register our permits and literally enter the restricted area of Upper Mustang. These were the dwellings of ‘Khampa warriors’ who were fighting against Chinese in 1960es. Elders from the village still recall their memories. On the way, you can visit Chungsi cave believed to be meditated by Guru Rinpoche (Padmashambhava). Tsarang is one of the historically and culturally important village in Upper Mustang. The village have some ancient stupa, palace and monastery with murals. It is believed that the monastery used to host ceremony with up to 10,000 monks it its hay days.

Day 05: Hike to Ghar Gompa and drive to Lo Manthang, the walled city.

Short hike to Ghar Gompa, allows you to explore and see the farm, pastures and the monastic life off the main village of Mustang. Ghar Gompa is believed to the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery established by Guru Rinpoche even before the ‘Samye monastery’ in Tibet. Its rustic ancient appearance with mystic painting and sculptures is rarely seen elsewhere. Later drive to Lo Manthang and check in local lodge. Later walk around the Michelle Paisel’s ‘Lost Tibetan Kingdom’. The place has less changed since then.

Day 06: Explore the higher reaches of Lo Manthang.

Visit Namgyal gompa, sky caves of Chhoser and the Garphu gompa. Honeycomb caves of Mustang dating back to over 3,000 years have been subject of excavation for archaeologists from around the world. These caves have been used for burial, meditation and also for living. Some of them are still being used in Chhoser and nearby villages.

Day 07: Drive back down to larjung village. Explore the Ghhursanbo cave and the water in the higher reaches of the village and enjoy the view of snow peak.

Day 08: Drive back to Pokhara.

Day 09: Drive back to Kathmandu.

Day 10: Drive to the airport for final departure.

Tour inquiry >


Accommodation in Mustang is a basic lodge run by local families for few nights. There are a couple of decent hotels with attached bathrooms in Lo Manthang and Jomsom. Western commode toilets and 24 hrs hot showers are available throughout the trip even in the lodge with a common bathroom.
The teahouse offers local and simple international cuisines which meet basic standards in taste and hygiene. Cereals, pancakes, local breads and eggs are available for breakfast. Pasta, fried rice / noodle, potato roasty, curry, rice with tomato, chicken or vegetable soup are common for lunch and dinner. Some places also have Pizza, apple pie and custard. Dal Bhat (set meal with rice, lentil soup, curry) and Momo (dumpling with vegetable / potato or meat stuffed ) is the most common local food.
Upper mustang tour allows travelers to cover a wide distance in hours which would otherwise take days of trekking and without missing the beautiful landscape, Himalayan scenery and the cultural experience. Experience the dramatic change in landscape from lush Himalayan foothills to windswept valleys in yellow, orange and brown. Traverse the Himalayas through the gorge wedged between two 8,000 m peaks of Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri and discover the lost Tibetan kingdom of Mustang. However the road is mostly unpaved although most sections are graveled and maintained. The road is winding and vertiginous at points. Driving a tour of Upper Mustang is adventurous yet rewarding.
Even though it is one of the adventurous driving tours crossing the Himalayas, our well trained and experienced crew know how to make the trip safe and enjoyable. Choice of right vehicle, responsible driver and the flexible itinerary with ample time to explore off the vehicle make our Upper Mustang driving tour the best.

Mustang Jeep Tour w/ us:

  • Support local company.
  • Expertise over 20 years.
  • Cost effective Treks.
  • Cultural immersion experience.
  • High quality services.
  • Eco friendly & sustainable practices.

Mustang Tour Map
Upper Mustang trek map.

Mustang Tour Review

Great experience with itournepal, from early stages to completion. We went for a 2 weeks motorbike tour in Mustang, starting from Kathmandu. Rabi managed successfully all the organization of the trip including immigration papers (Covid19-required), itinerary, accommodation, motorbikes, backup car, mechanics, guide, etc. The "tentative" itinerary turned out to fit our expectations splendidly, and almost no changes were made during the journey.
- Benjamin R - Tripadvisor
Lonely planet has listed Mustang trek in third position under its list of 'Best in Travel 2013'. The extensive road expansion will soon change its essence. So this is last chance to see Mustang.

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Optional Activities

Everest sightseeing flight.

Everest sightseeing Flight

The 1 hr. fixed wing Himalayan sightseeing flight is the best way to see Mt Everest and other peaks east of Kathmandu.
USD 250 230 till September
  • Window Seat
  • Everest View
  • Airport
Hiking & short treks
The foothills of Himalaya provide beautiful short and easy treks and day’s hike starting from either Pokhara or kathmandu.