For centuries the Kingdom of Lo was closed to the outside world. Today a jeep road reaches its walled capital, and the 4 Days Upper Mustang Tour from Pokhara (3 nights / 4 days) lets you combine the great pilgrimage temple of Muktinath with the ancient Tibetan culture of Lo Manthang and the border pass of Kora La – all by road, in just four days. Jeep transport, a private guide, the special restricted-area permits for foreign visitors and full board in tourist-standard hotels are included.
The adventure begins with the drive up the Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, past Beni, Tatopani and the apple village of Marpha to Jomsom and Kagbeni, with an afternoon visit to Muktinath for the holy bath under its 108 spouts. Next day you cross into the restricted zone and drive through a surreal landscape of red cliffs, cave-dotted canyons and chortens to Lo Manthang (about 3,800 m), a mud-walled medieval city of monasteries, narrow alleys and a royal palace.
Day three is for exploring: the multi-storey cliff dwellings of the Jhong Cave at Chhoser, the windswept Kora La (4,660 m) on the Tibet border, and the 15th-century Thubchen and Jampa monasteries with their extraordinary murals. On the last day a long drive brings you back down the Kali Gandaki, past sacred Dhumba Lake, to Pokhara. If you prefer a gentler pace, our 5-day version adds a night at Kalopani.
Why choose this tour?
- Muktinath, Lo Manthang and Kora La in a single short trip.
- Restricted-area permit, private guide and full board included.
- Ancient cave dwellings and 15th-century monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism.
Who is it for?
Adventurous travellers, photographers, culture lovers and pilgrims with limited time. Sightseeing is easy, but this is a high-altitude trip (up to 4,660 m) with long, rough jeep days, including an 11–13 hour return drive. Best from April to November; Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow, so it is also a good monsoon destination.
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