Upper Mustang Jeep Tour

Himalaya Trip’s representative will pick you up at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. They will help you transfer you to your hotel in a private vehicle. Your tour leader will provide you with a briefing on the tour. Then, you are free to explore around as you please.

On the second day, we will pick you up from your hotel after breakfast. You will then tour the UNESCO World Heritage Sites around Kathmandu, including Pashupatinath, Boudhnath Stupa, and Swayambhunath Temple (Money Temple). These sites have religious and cultural significance and are sacred to Nepalese. After an eventful day, you will return to your hotel and prepare for the next journey.

Your trip begins with an early morning drive to Pokhara. The vehicle will take the scenic Prithvi Highway along the Trishuli, Marshyandi, and Seti Rivers. Along the way, you will pass by beautiful countryside and green hills. It takes 7 to 8 hours to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu, which covers 200 km.

There may be a few bumpy rides, but the road connecting the two cities is smooth and well-paved. Pokhara is a famous tourist hub and gateway to several trekking destinations in the Annapurna region. Beautiful green hills surround the tranquil city, and you can witness several snow-capped mountains from here. You will stay overnight at a hotel in Pokhara.

You will catch an early flight to Jomsom from Pokhara. It is a scenic 20-minute flight that takes. Jomsom is the administrative headquarters of the Mustang district. The town has beautiful traditional houses, vibrant local markets, and several lodges. It is the starting point of the Upper Mustang trek and tour. From Jomsom, you will head towards Kagbeni. The stunning landscapes and topography will amaze you.

The Kagbeni village is considered one of the oldest in the Himalayan region. The picturesque village sits at an elevation of 2,800 meters. You will either take a jeep or trek to Kagbeni (according to your itinerary). It takes around 45 minutes of jeep drive from Jomsom. Meanwhile, it takes 3 to 4 hours of trekking. The road leading to the village is rocky and graveled. After reaching Kagbeni, you will also visit the famous Kagbeni monastery.

The destination for the day is Syangboche. You will begin your journey by showing your permits at the Kagbeni Checkpoint. The jeep will drive on a rough, bumpy road along the Kali Gandaki River. There are a few steep sections, and the jeep may have to cross several rivers. Then, you will come across villages like Tangbe and Chele. From Chele, you will continue to drive towards Syangbonche.

Similarly, you will also begin to gain some elevation. As you drive by, you can witness the spectacular view of the desert-like landscapes, mountain vistas, and rocky cliffs. After passing the Ghyakar and Samar village, you will reach the Chungsi cave. You will briefly visit the Chungsi Cave before continuing your drive. Syangboche sits right beside the Beni-Korala Highway and overlooks the Kali Gandaki River. You will rest overnight at a lodge in Syangboche.

From Syangboche, you will head north toward Ghami, which is among the large villages of Upper Mustang. The jeep will continue riding on the rough roads, passing by the semi-arid landscapes. En route, you will also pass several picturesque settlements with traditional houses, monasteries, and prayer wheels.

Upon reaching Ghami, you will continue driving to Tsarang. Your Jeep has to cross the Ghami La Pass at an altitude of 3,520 meters. The pass offers stunning panoramic views of the area. Similarly, you will also come across towering red cliffs and several ancient caves. Then, you will reach the historic village of Tsarang, which sits near the Kali Gandaki River.

Tsarang is a beautiful village with a rich culture, monasteries, and palaces. The locals practice Buddhism, which is evident in its influence on ancient architecture. We will visit these old monasteries, palaces, and narrow stone-paved alleyways.

Before you set off to Lo Manthang, the destination for the day, you will visit the Ghar Gomba. The Gomba is about 5 km uphill from Tsarang and is one of the oldest monasteries of Mustang, dating back to the 8th century. Upon reaching the Ghar Gomba, you can see several ancient small mud chorterns around its premises. Then, you will drive to Lho Manthang.

The road will slowly gain altitude to reach Lo La Pass at 3,950 meters. You will first glance at the Lo Manthang from the top of the pass. You can witness the gleaming vistas of Mount Annapurna, Nilgiri, Tilicho, and more. From Lo La Pass, the road slightly descends to Lo Manthang while passing by barren landscapes. This day’s final stop will be Lo Manthang itself.

Lo Manthang is one of the world’s preserved places. Here, you can see traditional houses, farmlands, ancient heritages, and monasteries. On this day, you will explore the city and gain in-depth insights about it.

You can visit the mysterious and ancient Chhoser cave. Likewise, you can tour monasteries like Namgyal Monastery and Jgmi Prabal Bista Palace (Royal Palace) or visit the Korala Border/ Tibet Border. You will stay another night at Lo Manthang.

You will say goodbye to Lo Manthang and head towards Muktinath. The Jeep will once again travel on the familiar route to Kagbeni. You will again pass by Chusang, Syanboche, and Chele villages. You can also see the mountains like Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Thorang Peak, Tukuche, and more. From Kagbeni, the jeep will drive towards Muktinath, which sits at the foothill of the Thorong La mountain pass.

Muktinath houses the sacred and holy Muktinath temple. It is a religious and cultural site for Hindus and Buddhists. The main temple is the holy abode of Lord Vishnu. Similarly, there are 108 water spouts that pilgrims believe purify one's sins. You will stay overnight at Muktinath.

The destination for the day is Tatopani, famous for its natural hot spring. The narrow, dusty road follows the route to Jomsom. Then, you will drive along the Kali Gandaki River south of Jomsom. As you drive by, you will cross the village of Marpha, also known as Apple capital. You will also pass by beautiful apple orchards.

From Marpha, the jeep will slowly descend to Ghasa and towards Tatopani. Likewise, the scenery changes from barren landscapes to alpine meadows and to subtropical verdant. The jeep will also cross several suspension bridges along the way. After reaching Tatopani, you can dip in the hot spring and relax your muscles.

After breakfast at a lodge in Tatopani, you will drive back to Pokhara. The Jeep again takes the road alongside the Kali Gandaki River towards the south. There are few paved sections, but most of the road is rough and graveled. Enjoy your drive as you pass through charming villages and hillside terrace farms.

Once you reach Beni, you will begin driving southeast towards Pokhara. The road now goes alongside the Myagdi River. You will pass by famous villages like Kusma and Nayapul as you descend. Upon reaching Pokhara, you can relax by the lakeside or participate in other tourist activities.

You will get up early in the morning and drive back to Kathmandu via Prithvi Highway. The drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes 7 to 8 hours. The alternative to driving is taking a 30-minute flight. Driving is budget-friendly while taking a flight is a little expensive. We will drop you off at your hotel in Kathmandu.

Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at the airport two hours before your scheduled flight. We hope your trip with Himalayan Trip was memorable and enjoyable. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to see you again in the future!