# Upper Mustang Jeep Tour to Lo Manthang > The Upper Mustang jeep tour takes you by 4WD to Lo Manthang (3,840 m), the medieval walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo, known as the "Forbidden Kingdom" of Nepal. From Pokhara the route follows the Kali Gandaki through Jomsom and Kagbeni into a desert landscape of red cliffs, ancient sky caves, whitewashed chortens and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries such as Thubchen and Jampa Gompa.It's the easiest way to see Upper Mustang without trekking, it suits travellers short on time or fitness, and it visits Muktinath temple on the way back. The tour runs April–November, including the Tiji festival in May. The Upper Mustang restricted area permit, ACAP, private jeep, guide, lodges and meals in Mustang are included. ## Trip facts - **Destination:** Nepal - **Duration:** 9 days - **Difficulty:** Easy to moderate - **Activity:** Jeep tour - **Max altitude:** 3,840 m / 12,598 ft (Lo Manthang), passes up to about 4,000 m - **Best season:** Apr–Nov (Tiji festival in May) - **Group size:** 2–6 per jeep - **Accommodation:** Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, lodges in Mustang - **Meals:** Breakfast, lunch and dinner in Mustang - **Price:** from US$1,690 per person - **Web page:** https://himalayanhiking.com/upper-mustang-jeep-tour - **Book:** https://himalayanhiking.com/booking?trip=upper-mustang-jeep-tour ## Overview **Quick answer:** an Upper Mustang jeep tour to Lo Manthang takes about 9 days from Kathmandu, costs from US$1,690 per person including the restricted area permit (US$500 for 10 days at the time of writing), and needs no trekking. The road from Jomsom to Lo Manthang is rough but drivable from April to November. Upper Mustang lay closed to outsiders until 1992 and preserves one of the purest Tibetan cultures anywhere. Lo Manthang's 15th-century walls enclose the royal palace and monasteries with some of the finest Buddhist wall paintings in the Himalaya, restored by international conservation teams. Beyond the town, cliffs are honeycombed with thousands of man-made caves, some over 2,000 years old. ### Upper Mustang jeep tour at a glance Trip factDetailsDuration9 days from KathmanduDestinationLo Manthang, 3,840 mRoutePokhara – Jomsom – Kagbeni – Chele – Ghami – Lo Manthang – MuktinathGradeEasy to moderate (rough roads, altitude)TransportPrivate 4WD jeep with driverPermitsUpper Mustang restricted area permit and ACAPBest timeApril–NovemberCostFrom US$1,690 per person### Upper Mustang jeep tour cost Cost itemDetailsFull package (this trip)From US$1,690 per person, based on a shared jeepRestricted area permitAbout US$500 per person for 10 days (included)ACAP permitAbout NPR 3,000 (included)Private jeepIncluded for 2–6 travellers### Highlights - **Lo Manthang**, the walled city of the Kingdom of Lo. - **Thubchen and Jampa monasteries** with restored murals. - **Chhoser sky caves** and the Garphu and Nyphu cave monasteries. - **Ghar Gompa** and the red cliffs of Dhakmar. - **Muktinath temple**, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. ### Upper Mustang jeep tour or trek? The **trek** takes about 14 days and lets you explore villages slowly on foot; the **jeep tour** reaches Lo Manthang in two days from Jomsom, so it suits older travellers, photographers and anyone short of time. ### The Tiji festival Tiji is a three-day masked dance festival in Lo Manthang in May, celebrating the victory of good over evil. We run special departures timed for the festival; book early as lodges fill up. ## Highlights - Lo Manthang, the walled capital of the Forbidden Kingdom - Ancient sky caves and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries - Desert canyons and red cliffs of Upper Mustang - No trekking required: private 4WD jeep - Muktinath temple and medieval Kagbeni ## Day-by-day itinerary ### Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m) Someone from our office will be waiting at arrivals to take you to your hotel. Permit paperwork. _Altitude: 1,400 m · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 2: Fly to Pokhara (820 m) Short flight to Pokhara; free afternoon by Phewa Lake. _Altitude: 820 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 3: Fly to Jomsom (2,720 m), drive to Kagbeni (2,810 m) Early flight through the Kali Gandaki gorge to Jomsom, then drive to the medieval village of Kagbeni, gateway to Upper Mustang. _Altitude: 2,810 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Lodge_ ### Day 4: Drive to Ghami (3,520 m) Enter the restricted area and drive via Chele and Syangboche past red cliffs and chortens to Ghami. _Altitude: 3,520 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Lodge_ ### Day 5: Drive to Lo Manthang (3,840 m) via Ghar Gompa Visit Ghar Gompa and Dhakmar, then continue to Lo Manthang. _Altitude: 3,840 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Lodge_ ### Day 6: Explore Lo Manthang and the sky caves Visit Thubchen and Jampa monasteries and the palace, then drive to the Chhoser caves and Garphu monastery. _Altitude: 3,840 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Lodge_ ### Day 7: Drive to Muktinath (3,800 m) Drive back south and cross to Muktinath for the temple and 108 water spouts. _Altitude: 3,800 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Lodge_ ### Day 8: Drive to Jomsom, fly to Pokhara Morning drive to Jomsom and flight to Pokhara (or drive if flights are cancelled). _Altitude: 820 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 9: Fly to Kathmandu and departure Flight to Kathmandu and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. _Altitude: 1,400 m · Meals: Breakfast_ ## What is included - Airport pick-up and drop-off in private vehicles - 1 night 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 (5 nights) with all meals - Licensed English-speaking guide - Monastery entry fees - All government and local taxes ## Not included - International flights and Nepal visa fee - Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara - Travel insurance covering travel to 4,000 m - Extra permit days if the trip is extended - Drinks, personal expenses and tips ## Useful information ### Altitude Lo Manthang is at 3,840 m and the road crosses passes around 4,000 m. The route climbs gradually, but take it easy, drink plenty of water and tell your guide about any symptoms. ### Roads The road is unpaved, dusty and bumpy, with river crossings. Travel days are 5–7 hours. Landslides can cause delays in the monsoon. ### Weather Upper Mustang lies in a rain shadow, so it can be visited during the monsoon. Afternoons are windy and dusty; nights are cold, especially from October. ### Permit The restricted area permit costs about US$500 per person for 10 days and requires at least two travellers with a licensed guide. We arrange it; send us your passport copy in advance. ## Packing list - Warm down jacket and layers - Buff or scarf against dust and wind - Sunglasses, sun hat and high-factor sunscreen - Comfortable shoes for village walks - Lip balm and moisturiser - Head torch - Passport and copies ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I go to Upper Mustang by jeep? Yes. A road now reaches **Lo Manthang** from Jomsom, and 4WD jeep tours run from April to November. ### How long is the Upper Mustang jeep tour? About **9 days** from Kathmandu, including flights to Pokhara and Jomsom. ### How much does the Upper Mustang jeep tour cost? From **US$1,690 per person**, including the restricted area permit, jeep, guide and lodges with meals in Mustang. ### How much is the Upper Mustang permit? About **US$500 per person for 10 days**, plus US$50 per extra day, at the time of writing. ### Why is Upper Mustang called the Forbidden Kingdom? It was a semi-independent kingdom closed to foreigners until 1992. ### What is the best time to visit Upper Mustang? **April–November**. Because it is in a rain shadow, it is also good in the monsoon. ### Is the road to Lo Manthang safe? It is rough but used daily by local jeeps; our drivers are experienced on the route. ### Can I see the Tiji festival? Yes, on our May departures timed for Tiji. ### Do I need a guide for Upper Mustang? Yes. The permit requires a licensed guide and at least two travellers. ### Is altitude a problem? Lo Manthang is at 3,840 m; the gradual approach helps, but mild symptoms are possible. ### Can I combine it with Muktinath? Yes, Muktinath is included on the way back. ### Jeep tour or trek to Upper Mustang? The jeep tour is faster and easier; the trek is slower and more immersive.