Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
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Date of Departure
Trip Information
Duration
14 days
Max Altitude
4600 Kora La
Difficulty
Moderate
Starts from
Kathmandu
Trips Ends at
Kathmandu
Activity
Trekking
Travel through the barren and dry landscapes of Jomsom and Kagbeni into Lo Manthang
Get a taste of the vibrant Tibetan traditions and culture
Take a trip through history as you make your way through fascinating caves and monasteries
Indulge in local beverages such as apple wine in Marpha and the locally brewed brandy
Visit the archaic temple of Muktinath, an important shrine for both Hindus and Buddhists
Get enthralled by a look at the world’s deepest gorge- the Kali Gandaki
Upper Mustang Jeep Tour Overview
Along the Nepal-Tibet border lies a semi-arid land of vibrancy known as the Kingdom of Lo or the Forbidden Kingdom. It is a place of pristine beauty and was inaccessible to the world until 1992. It was only in recent years that this region was opened for tourists. Thus has preserved the natural cultures of Nepal and Tibet.
The tribal people of this region still speak the traditional, unadulterated Tibetan languages. As such Upper Mustang Jeep Tour is a must for cultural buffs.
The northern two-thirds of the Mustang District in Gandaki Pradesh, Nepal, form the Upper Mustang region. Upper Mustang had such a strategic location that it controlled the trade between India and the Upper Himalayas for centuries.
Why Upper Mustang is so Different
You will find a stark contrast between the topography in most of Nepal and Upper Mustang. The latter resembles the Tibetan landscape to a great extent. It lies along the rain shadow area of the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri range.
Since it lies in the rain shadow area, it features a semi-arid type of climate and has mostly deserted lands. You will find scattered, small villages throughout the landscape. It is interspersed with the vibrantly hued Buddhist prayer flags and the dull Himalayan landscape.
Vegetation is scarce at such extreme temperatures. When you enter the city of Lo Manthang, you will feel that you are transported to a different dimension. You can explore exotic caves, age-old monasteries and stupas, and narrow lanes. It tells you an exciting tale about a mysterious land from the past.
Previously, this region could only be traversed on foot. With modernization, a dirt road has been developed that could support jeeps to the very top. If you take the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, you will travel through amazing landscapes in the trans-Himalayan range.
You will halt at stops that will give you a taste of the exotic Tibetan culture. You can easily course through the entire landscape in a short period if you are taking the jeep tour. You can taste all the barren flavours of the rugged mountains of the Forbidden Kingdom in this trip easily and comfortably.
Trip Highlights:
Travel through the barren and dry landscapes of Jomsom and Kagbeni into Lo Manthang
Get a taste of the vibrant Tibetan traditions and culture
Take a trip through history as you make your way through fascinating caves and monasteries
Indulge in local beverages such as apple wine in Marpha and the locally brewed brandy
Visit the archaic temple of Muktinath, an important shrine for both Hindus and Buddhists
Get enthralled by a look at the world’s deepest gorge- the Kali Gandaki
Upper Mustang Jeep Tour Route:
The Upper Mustang Jeep Tour takes you through pristine, untouched Himalayan landscapes. The higher you go, the drier the surrounding becomes, and you are taken to more spectacular sights.
The Jeep tour through Upper Mustang starts once you reach Pokhara. The travel takes a 6-hour drive from Kathmandu.
The next halt will be at Kagbeni. You will reach this place after driving through Tukuche, Marpha, and Jomsom. Settlements will become sparse in the deep-seated Kagbeni with few Thakali and Gurung villages here and there. It should be noted that the elevated height gives you some stunning views.
The tour will then take you through Sammar, Dajong La, Bhena La, and Syangboche La into Ghilling. Tsarang comes after Ghilling. After that, according to the itinerary, you will finally reach the capital of Upper Mustang. We reach the much-awaited Lo Manthang- the Forbidden Kingdom!
In Lo Manthang, the jeep will take you on an exploration journey through the walled city and into Kora La. The road back is the same as the one you took while going in. The return journey will have a halt at Marpha for its juicy apples and delicious apple-based beverages.
On the way to Marpha, you can also visit the Muktinath temple. It is a holy shrine of Vishnu, important to both Hindus and Buddhists. This shrine is situated at an immense height of 3800m above sea level.
You will find the road to be a mere dirt trail with a slippery slope and very sharp turns. However, any heavy vehicle, such as the jee,p can easily battle through this road without much ado.
The dive may not be as comfortable as you could have it. The rugged terrain is well compensated for by the breathtaking beauty of this amazing place.
Best Season for Upper Mustang Jeep Tour:
A jeep tour is easier compared to trekking through the Upper Mustang. You do not have to deal with the huge extremities of temperature that are prevalent throughout the year.
If you are driving through the dirt road in winter, it becomes quite difficult. The road remains snow-covered, and chances of skids and slips are much higher at such a time.
The period between March and November is the best time to visit Upper Mustang. This is the most favourable season with brighter skies and snow-covered peaks.
The vegetation in this land also flourishes during that time, giving way to the most striking landscapes. The weather during the day is also bearable, thus making way for a pleasant tour.
Fee & Permits for the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour:
Upper Mustang was not open to tourists till very recently (1992). Hence features an untouched, well-preserved landscape. However, tourism is rapidly developing in this region. It welcomes many trekkers and tourists travelling by jeep, visiting this unique place.
If you want to visit this amazing place, the government will charge you a fee. Upper Mustang restricted area permit costs USD 500 for 10 days. If you want to extend your stay, you will be charged USD 50 per day per person for each extra day of stay.
A group of at least 2 people is mandatory to acquire permission to enter this land. Solo travellers are not given permits. There are check posts at Kagbeni where police officials will check for your permit as you enter Upper Mustang.
The Highest Point
The Upper Mustang Jeep Tour will take you through the trans-Himalayan range. It has some of the highest mountains in the world. Yes, you heard it right! The altitude in the Upper Mustang jeep tour for most of is not strenuous and quite manageable.
Places such as Kora La, Muktinath, and even Lo Manthang are located at a higher altitude. The highest point you will reach is Kora La at an elevation of 4600m above sea level.
Challenges in the Upper Mustang jeep tour
One of the key challenges during the Upper Mustang jeep tour is the Mustang road conditions. The Upper Mustang jeep tour difficulty can be considered moderate. It is an amazing chance for off-road driving in the Nepali Himalayas.
During the journey, we ride a 4WD jeep. It offers the best performance in the off-the-beaten-path drive. Likewise, it is a trans-Himalayan jeep safari experinced once-in-a-lifetime.
Itinerary Detail
What is Included / Not Included
- International airport transfers as per the itinerary.
- 3 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on twin sharing basis on BB plan.
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Pokhara on twin sharing basis on BB plan.
- Kathmandu Sightseeing by professional English speaking tour guide.
- Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu ground transportation by private vehicle.
- 4WD Jeep Pokhara to Lo-Mangthang to Jomsom by 4WD Land Cruiser/Mahindra Scorpio.
- 3 meals a day during the trip (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) as mention in the itinerary.
- Accommodation while Mustang in twin sharing basis in guesthouses.
- Annapurna conservation area permit and TIMS card.
- Upper Mustang Restricted area permit fee.
- Professional government license holder English speaking trekking guide and supporting staff.
- Salary, Food, Drinks, Accommodation, Transportation, and Insurance for the Guide and driver.
- Sleeping bag and duffel bag during the trek. (Refundable after finish the trip)
- Medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
- All government and local taxes.
Himalayan Trekkers promises to manage the best, most comfortable, and preferred accommodation. Generally, in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, we arrange basic three-star facilities.
If available, you can opt for a more budget-friendly option or upgrade to a more luxurious hotel by paying a little extra. Although not all places may have modern facilities, we make sure to arrange safe and comfortable accommodation.
In general, hygienic and safe tea houses/local lodges/ home-stays with all the basic facilities are arranged. But you can, if possible, personalize according to your preference.
Meals During Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
Breakfast is usually included with your B&B Accommodation within the cost that is evident. For other meals in the city, you would have to pay separately.
Often in the cities, you can choose from many different cuisines and varied food services. We can always help you find the right place to fit your taste.
In more remote areas, usually, there are not many options. But you can always find hygienic and well-prepared food. Moreover, almost all the meals during the trek are included in the cost.
We can help you make changes according to your preference and budget, but only if choices are available! On top of that, Himalayan Trekkers also organizes Welcome and Farewell Dinners as a symbol of warm greetings.
Please go through the detailed itinerary for more information. We are always there to help you travel to your heart’s content.
Drinking Water During Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
Hydration is key to a pleasant journey in the Himalayas. Thus, water is available at all different stages of the expedition, from lower trekking routes to higher base camps.
The lower areas have local streams and teahouses. The climbers can refill their water bottles for a fee in teahouses and lodges.
In areas away from civilization, the team makes sure safe drinking water is always available. They do it by purifying the water through means such as boiling and water purification tablets. The jeep also carries bottled water for the trip.
They are also advised to drink plenty of water for hydration and to avoid altitude sickness. In the tour, travelers get ample chances to replenish their water supply along the tour.
Proper hydration aids not only in physical performance. It also plays a very important role in acclimatization.
