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Upper Mustang Golf Tour: Golf at 4,645 m

The Upper Mustang golf tour takes you by 4WD jeep to Lo Manthang (3,840 m), the walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo, to play the nine-hole Mustang Golf Course at about 4,645 m. Its organisers say it is the highest golf course in the world. Before the round you'll have two nights in Lo Manthang to acclimatise and explore its monasteries, royal palace and ancient sky caves, and the tour returns via Muktinath temple.

Departures can be timed for the Top of the World Golf Classic tournament in late summer. The Upper Mustang restricted area permit, ACAP, flights, private jeep, licensed guide, and lodges and meals in Mustang are included.

CountryNepal
Duration11 Days
DifficultyModerate
ActivityGolf and jeep tour
Max. AltitudeAbout 4,645 m / 15,239 ft (Mustang Golf Course)
Best SeasonApr–Nov; tournament in late Aug–Sep
AccommodationHotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, lodges in Mustang
MealsBreakfast, lunch and dinner in Mustang
Group size2–6 per jeep

Trip highlights

  • Golf on the Mustang Golf Course at about 4,645 m
  • Lo Manthang, the walled capital of the Forbidden Kingdom
  • Sky caves and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries
  • Two nights of acclimatisation before the round
  • Optional departure for the Top of the World Golf Classic

Upper Mustang Golf Tour: Golf at 4,645 m overview

Quick answer: this 11-day tour includes a round on the Mustang Golf Course near Lo Manthang (about 4,645 m) after two nights of acclimatisation, and costs from US$1,990 per person including the restricted area permit (US$50 per person per day). It runs April–November. Read our Mustang Golf Course guide.

The course opened with the first Top of the World Golf Classic on 27 August 2022. It is a simple, natural nine-hole course on stony ground with Himalayan views, not a resort course, and that is what makes it special. The rest of the tour follows our popular Upper Mustang jeep tour.

At a glance

Trip factDetails
Duration11 days from Kathmandu
GolfNine-hole Mustang Golf Course, about 4,645 m
RoutePokhara – Jomsom – Kagbeni – Ghami – Lo Manthang – Muktinath
GradeModerate (altitude, rough roads)
TransportFlights and private 4WD jeep
PermitsUpper Mustang restricted area permit and ACAP
Best timeApril–November
CostFrom US$1,990 per person

Golf at altitude

  • The ball carries further in thin air, so be ready to adjust your club selection.
  • Play in the morning, before the strong afternoon wind.
  • Walk slowly between holes and drink plenty of water.
  • Bring plenty of balls: the ground is stony and rough.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day1
Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel. Permit paperwork and trip briefing.
1,400 m Hotel
Day2
Short flight to Pokhara; free afternoon by Phewa Lake.
820 m Breakfast Hotel Flight
Day3
Early flight through the Kali Gandaki gorge to Jomsom, then drive to medieval Kagbeni.
2,810 m Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodge Flight and drive
Day4
Enter the restricted area and drive via Chele and Syangboche to Ghami.
3,520 m Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodge Drive
Day5
Visit Ghar Gompa and the red cliffs of Dhakmar, then continue to Lo Manthang.
3,840 m Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodge Drive and sightseeing
Day6
Visit Thubchen and Jampa monasteries and the palace; afternoon drive to the Chhoser sky caves.
3,840 m Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodge Sightseeing
Day7
Morning drive up to the course for a nine-hole round with Himalayan views, then return to Lo Manthang to sleep.
3–4 hours (golf) 4,645 m Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodge Golf
Day8
Drive south and cross to Muktinath for the temple and its 108 water spouts.
3,800 m Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodge Drive and sightseeing
Day9
Morning drive to Jomsom and flight to Pokhara (or drive if flights are cancelled).
820 m Breakfast Hotel Drive and flight
Day10
Flight to Kathmandu; free afternoon or an optional round at a Kathmandu golf course.
1,400 m Breakfast Hotel Flight
Day11
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
1,400 m Breakfast

What’s included

Included

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off in private vehicles
  • 2 nights in Kathmandu and 2 nights in Pokhara with breakfast
  • Flights Kathmandu – Pokhara – Jomsom – Pokhara – Kathmandu
  • Private 4WD jeep with driver in Mustang
  • Upper Mustang restricted area permit and ACAP
  • Lodge accommodation in Mustang (6 nights) with all meals
  • Licensed English-speaking guide
  • Arrangements for a round at the Mustang Golf Course
  • Monastery entry fees
  • All government and local taxes

Not included

  • International flights and Nepal visa fee
  • Golf clubs, balls and any green fee or tournament entry fee
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Travel insurance covering travel to 4,700 m
  • Extra permit days if the trip is extended
  • Drinks, personal expenses and tips

Useful info

Altitude

The course is about 800 m above Lo Manthang. You sleep at 3,840 m and only go up to the course for the round, after two nights in Lo Manthang. Tell your guide about any symptoms of altitude sickness; if they appear, we postpone or skip the round.

Equipment

Bring your own clubs, balls and a light carry bag; equipment is very hard to find in Mustang. Golf bags are carried on the jeep. Check your airline's baggage rules for the domestic flights, which have low weight limits.

Tournament departures

The Top of the World Golf Classic is usually held in late August or September, and its dates are announced each year. We can time your trip for it and help with entry, subject to the organisers' rules.

Permit

The restricted area permit costs US$50 per person per day and requires a licensed guide. We arrange it; send us your passport copy in advance.

Packing list

  • Golf clubs, plenty of balls and tees
  • Golf shoes or sturdy trainers
  • Warm down jacket and windproof layers
  • Sunglasses, sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
  • Buff or scarf against dust and wind
  • Lip balm and moisturiser
  • Water bottle
  • Passport and copies

Add-ons & trip options

Extra day in Lo Manthang, including permit day (per person)US$120
Round at the Himalayan Golf Course, Pokhara (per person)US$150
Single room supplementUS$140

Choose add-ons and quantities on the booking form.

More options, quoted on request:

  • Top of the World Golf Classic departure (late summer).
  • Himalayan Golf Course round in Pokhara.
  • Tiji festival departure in May.
  • Drive from Pokhara instead of flying to Jomsom.

Frequently asked questions

On a plateau near Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang.

About 4,645 m (15,239 ft); its organisers say it is the highest golf course in the world.

11 days from Kathmandu.

From US$1,990 per person, including the restricted area permit.

Yes, we recommend bringing your own clubs and plenty of balls.

You acclimatise for two nights in Lo Manthang before playing; mild symptoms are still possible.

We can time your trip for the tournament and help with entry, subject to the organisers' rules.

Yes, non-golfers can walk the course or explore Lo Manthang instead.

April–November; late August–September for the tournament.