Upper Mustang Jeep Tour

Duration: 12 Days    Based on 1 review
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About Upper Mustang Jeep Tour

The Upper Mustang Jeep Tour also known as the Upper Mustang Overland Tour is one of the best tours in the Himalayan region of Nepal. It is a great alternative for those who do not have enough days for the Upper Mustang trek or do not want to walk 4-7 hours per day.

This tour will take you to the last small forbidden kingdom of Nepal located in the Trans-Himalayan region which was opened for tourists only after 1992. If you are looking for a similar tour to Tibet then Upper Mustang will be the best choice. The tour provides an opportunity to explore the barren landscape of the Tibetan plateau and medieval culture, monastic charm, and spiritual holy place in the Himalayas. The people living in this area are quite similar to Tibetan and their culture is similar to each other. Stunning views of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167 M), Mt. Annapurna (8091 M), Nilgiri, Tilicho Peak, Tukuche Peak, & many more snowcapped mountains can be seen during the tour accompanied by Buddhist monasteries, chortens, stupas, wall caves, peaceful villages and the warm hospitality of the local people.

This 12-day Upper Mustang Jeep Tour takes you to the Tibetan border, Kora La (4660 M) where you can do side trips. You will be taken on a thrilling natural adventure across arid landscapes, barren ridges, deep canyons, eroded cliffs, and 4000-meter high passes which will leave you breathtaken and wanting more – an unforgettable adventure that is not to be missed.

Highlights

  • Lo-Manthang, a walled capital city of Upper Mustang which was built-in 1380 AD by the first King of Lho, ‘Ame Pal’
  • Last forbidden kingdom with people of rich culture and tradition that resembles the Tibetan people
  • Off-road jeep ride on the almost treeless barren landscape similar to the Tibetan Plateau
  • Breathtaking views of mountains like Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tilicho, and Annapurna ranges
  • Centuries-old monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism and the rare Bon religion
  • Off-road jeep ride along the World’s deepest gorge,' Kali Gandaki Gorge
  • Kora La pass, one of the oldest border routes used for salt trading

 

Itinerary

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Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1350 M) and transfer to hotel

You will land at the Tribhuvan International Airport and be welcomed by one of our representatives. He will guide you to your hotel. In the evening, you will meet with your tour guide in the hotel lobby who will brief you about the day 2 program. 

  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M

You will go on a guided sightseeing tour to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will visit one of the holiest temples of Hindus, the Pashupatinath temple. Nearby this temple is located the largest in Nepal, Boudhanath stupa. After visiting these places, you will head to Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. In the evening, you will meet with your guide who will brief you about the tour.

  • B&B
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M

After having breakfast, you will drive to Pokhara through the Prithvi Highway enjoying beautiful views of lush green hills, rivers, waterfalls, terraced fields, and small settlements. Pokhara will welcome you with excellent views of Mt. Fishtail, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and Mt. Annapurna. In the evening, you will have free time to stroll in the Lakeside market or boat on the tranquil Fewa Lake.

  • B&L
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Pokhara
  • 825 M
  • 6-7 hours

Leaving Pokhara behind, you will drive to Marpha via Kusma Bazar and Beni. From Beni, you will drive on a rugged road alongside the Kali Gandaki River’s Valley. The Kali Gandaki River’s gorge is the world’s deepest gorge. You will drive through several beautiful villages mainly Tatopani, Ghasa, Kalopani, Larjung, Tukuche, etc. along the Kali Gandaki Valley. Starting from Ghasa, you will be officially in the Mustang district and from Larjung you can see the changes in the landscape, settlements, and cultures as well. Finally, you will arrive at Marpha where you can see lots of Apple plantations. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Marpha
  • 2680 M
  • 8-10 hours

From today, you will be entering the Trans-Himalayan region. Starting the drive in the morning, you will pass by Jomsom, headquarter of the Mustang district, and reach Kagbeni. At Kagbeni, your guide will register the restricted area permits and literally enter the restricted area of the Upper Mustang. On the way, you will stop by the villages, caves, viewpoints, and monasteries to have a short visit. You will pass by various beautiful villages like Tangbe, Chhusang, Chele, Samar, Syanboche, and Ghilling before arriving at Ghami. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Ghami
  • 3520 M
  • 6-7 hours

After breakfast, you will cross a river for a short visit to the longest mani wall in the Mustang region. Then, you will head to Ghar Gompa via Dhakmar village. Ghar Gompa is the oldest monastery in Nepal and Tibet, which was built by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) in the 8th century. After visiting around for some time, you will drive down to the second-largest ancient settlement of Upper Mustang, Tsarang. You will visit the ancient palace and monasteries then drive to the capital of Upper Mustang, ‘Lo-Manthang’. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Lo-Manthang
  • 3810 M
  • 4-5 hours

Today, you will do the full exploration of Lo-Manthang. You will start first by visiting the 4 main monasteries: Jampa Lhakhang or Jampa Gompa, the oldest, built in the early 15th century and also known as the "God house", Thubchen Gompa, a huge, red assembly hall, and gompa built in the late 15th century located just southwest of Jampa Gompa, Chodey Gompa, now the main city gompa, and the Choprang Gompa, also known as the "New Gompa". After completing the visit to these monasteries, you will head to Summer Palace via a crossing of a river from where you can get wonderful views of the Himalayas, landscapes, and Lo-Manthang. You will visit Namgyal Gompa as well.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Lo-Manthang
  • 3810 M

Today you will visit the surrounding villages like Choser, Garphu, Niphu, Nyamdo, Kimaling, and Thinggar and return back to Lo-Manthang in an anti-clockwise way. After breakfast, you will drive a little further to Choser to explore the sky caves and then to Garphu Gompa. From there, you will drive to Thinggar via Nyamdo and Kimaling villages. You will visit the ancient palace of Thinggar. And then, you will drive to Lo-Manthang.   

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Lo-Manthang
  • 3810 M

You will return back driving through the same main route until Tsarang. From there you take a route on the left and drive down all the way to a huge riverbank of the Mustang Khola. Crossing the bridge, you will drive all the way to Luri Gompa via the beautiful villages of Surkhang, Yara, and Ghara. Luri Gompa is a 15th-century monastery built in a cave on top of a hill. After that, you will drive back to Tsarang and rejoin the main route and drive all the way to Chhusang.    

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Chhuksang
  • 2980 M
  • 6-7 hours

In the morning, you will leave Chhusang behind and drive to Kagbeni from where you will take the left route to Muktinath, a pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus. You will drive on a blacktopped road up to Muktinath. After visiting the holy site of Muktinath, you will drive the same way to Kagbeni to rejoin the main route and continue the drive to Tatopani where you can enjoy the natural hot spring. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Tatopani
  • 1190 M
  • 7-8 hours

Driving the same way back, you will drive to Pokhara on a rugged vehicle road while passing through many beautiful villages, waterfalls, and alluring forests. Later in the evening, you will have free time to rest or explore around. 

  • B,L&D
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Pokhara
  • 825 M
  • 6-7 hours

After having breakfast, you will drive to Kathmandu presenting us with a scenic view. Upon reaching Kathmandu, you will spend the rest of the day relaxing. In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner organized by the company. 

  • B,L&D
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M
  • 6-7 hours

After having breakfast, one of the members of our team will take you to the airport for your flight back to your home.

  • B&B
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What’s Included

  • 3 nights of accommodation in a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu and 2 nights in Pokhara on a BB basis.
  • All the necessary permits including a special permit for the restricted area and paperwork.
  • Tour lodge/Tea House accommodations with twin sharing basis during the tour.
  • Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, hot drinks) during the tour.
  • Rescue and evacuation arrangements in case of emergency. 
  • Kathmandu valley tour with a tour guide in a private vehicle.
  • All the staff’s salary, meals, accommodation and insurance.
  • Government taxes, service charges, and official expenses.
  • Professional English-speaking guide during the tour.
  • Private 4WD Jeep for the whole tour
  • All airport and hotel transfers.
  • Excess baggage charges during domestic flights (only 15kg altogether).
  • Meal while you are in Kathmandu and Pokhara, i.e. Lunch and Dinner.
  • Tips for the guide, assistant guide, and driver (Tipping is expected).
  • Medical evacuation cost (In case of emergency).
  • Sightseeing/Monument entrance fees.
  • Your Travel Insurance (Compulsory).
  • Your personal expenses.
  • International airfare.
  • Nepal entry visa fee.
Departure Note

If the departure dates do not match your time frame, leave us a message. And we will customize the trip according to your desire and availability of time.

Useful Information

Upper Mustang Special Permit
To limit the number of visitors in order to reduce the impact on the environment on local culture and environment, the Nepal government has made it mandatory for visitors to have a special permit to enter the Limi Valley. And to obtain special permits, visitors should be at least two going through a government-registered agency.   

Client Reviews

Rating:  
Review by : Liya Tang, China

What a wonderful journey!

Well..first of all, here is a brief introdution of .our tour group.  Our travelling last 18 days and our group is about an archaeological suvey  of Upper Mustang area.   We followed the tough routes Sujan knew and visited many castles, gompas, chodens and sites. Sujan and his son Suresh both were our guides and they hired two drivers for us and they accompanied us for the whole journey. It is our honor that our group was his first tour group after his new tourism company was set up.  Therefore I must write a review from my heart!     Firstly what I have to say is that the trip was quite safe due to the rich experience in route as well as in driving. Actually speaking,  Sujan had been a local mountain guide for several years before he founded his own company.  Besides, it seems Mr. Sujan experienced a  tough teenage years which also brough him lots of life experience and encouragement.   Secondly, the journey was quite well arranged.   There was not any time to waste during our investigation. So thanks very much for his reasonable, systematic and scientific arrangement.   Thirdly, the most important is that Sujan, Suresh and two drivers are with much good qualities, MODESTY, KINDNESS, GENTLENESS,  CONSIDERATION and BRAVERY .  For example, every morning, Sujan woke up us alway,  he ordered our meals always and they let us eat firstly always. What's more, you know some of girls incluing me were frequently with fear of heights very much, sometimes I was even afraid of crossing a low wooden bridge which was just over a creek.  At that time, they would encourage us and help us to overcome difficulties.     Finally, Sujan and Suresh have talent in languages. They can both speak English and French fluently and can speak a little Japanese, and learnt some Chinese.   In conclusion, if you choose Sujan as your guide during any kinds of trips in Nepal,  you will have  a quite wonderful experience, especially you will have a quite nice Nepali friend!   Best Wishes For Sujan's Family and Company!