7 Days Upper Mustang Tour from Kathmandu

Overview

A complete road journey from Kathmandu to the roof of Nepal. The 7 Days Upper Mustang & Muktinath Tour from Kathmandu (6 nights / 7 days) travels by private jeep all the way from the capital to Lo Manthang, the walled city of the former Kingdom of Lo near the Tibetan border, and back – with the pilgrimage temple of Muktinath, the hot springs of Tatopani and the lakes of Pokhara along the way. Everything is taken care of: the jeep and driver, full board, a guide for foreign guests, Phewa Lake boating, entry fees and the Upper Mustang restricted-area permit.

After a first night in Pokhara you head into the Kali Gandaki gorge, past Kushma, Baglung, Tatopani, Lete and Marpha to Jomsom and the medieval village of Kagbeni. The third day crosses into Upper Mustang – a high, arid world of eroded red cliffs, cave settlements, chortens and barley fields – to Lo Manthang (about 3,800 m), with its 15th-century walls, royal palace and painted monasteries. Early next morning you visit the cliff caves at Chhoser and the border pass of Kora La, then drive south to Chhusang, a village of ancient caves at the junction of the Narshing and Kali Gandaki rivers.

On day five you visit Muktinath for the holy bath under its 108 spouts and the eternal flame of Jwala Mai, then descend via Jomsom and Marpha to Tatopani to soak in the hot springs. The return passes the Kalika Temple of Baglung and the Kushma Bridge to Pokhara for an afternoon boat ride on Phewa Lake, and on the last day you drive back to Kathmandu, visiting the hill town of Bandipur on the way.

Why choose this tour?

Door-to-door private jeep from Kathmandu – no flights needed.
Restricted-area permit (USD 500 for foreigners), guide, full board and entry fees included.
Lo Manthang, Kora La, Muktinath, Tatopani and Pokhara in one week.

Who is it for?

Adventurous travellers, families, photographers and pilgrims who want to see Upper Mustang without trekking. Sightseeing is easy, but you travel at high altitude (up to 4,660 m) on long, rough mountain roads.

ITINERARY IN BRIEF WITH LOCATION MAP

Trip Facts

Tour Code: PTT-NP-
Duration: 7 Days
Program Type: Sight Seeing
Maximum Altitude: 4000m
Minimum Pax: 1
Mode of Travel: Drive
Start Trip: Kathmandu
End Trip: Kathmandu
Program Grading: Easy

Trip at a Glance

Day 01: Drive Kathmandu – Pokhara (about 200 km, 6–7 hours)
Day 02: Drive Pokhara – Kushma – Baglung – Tatopani – Jomsom – Kagbeni (8–9 hours)
Day 03: Drive Kagbeni – Chele – Chhusang – Lo Manthang (5–6 hours) – the walled city of Lo
Day 04: Chhoser caves and Kora La – Lo Manthang monasteries – drive to Chhusang (about 4 hours)
Day 05: Drive Chhusang – Muktinath – Jomsom – Marpha – Tatopani (about 7 hours)
Day 06: Drive Tatopani – Baglung – Kushma – Pokhara (about 4 hours) – boating on Phewa Lake
Day 07: Drive Pokhara – Bandipur – Kathmandu (7–8 hours)

Trip Highlights

Private jeep journey from Kathmandu to the Tibetan border and back
Lo Manthang, the 15th-century walled city of the Kingdom of Lo
Chhoser cave dwellings and Kora La (4,660 m) on the Tibet border
Muktinath Temple – 108 holy spouts and the Jwala Mai eternal flame
Cave village of Chhusang, Kagbeni, Jomsom and Marpha
Tatopani hot springs, Kushma Bridge, Phewa Lake boating and Bandipur

Itinerary in Details

Day 01Drive Kathmandu – Pokhara (about 200 km, 6–7 hours)
Drive: about 200 km / 6–7 hours by private jeep | Altitude: 822 m | Overnight: Pokhara (full board)

Drive west from Kathmandu along the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers to Pokhara, the lake city at the foot of the Annapurnas. Spend the evening on Lakeside, where the Tal Barahi pagoda sits on its island in Phewa Lake.
- OvernightPokhara
- CountryNepal
- Travel ModeDrive: 200 km / 6 hr / 30 min
- Places VisitedLakeside (Baidam)
- MealsLunch, Dinner
Day 02Drive Pokhara – Kushma – Baglung – Tatopani – Jomsom – Kagbeni (8–9 hours)
Drive: about 175 km / 8–9 hours | Altitude: 2,810 m | Overnight: Kagbeni (full board)

Drive via Kushma and Baglung into the Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I, past Tatopani, Lete and the apple village of Marpha to Jomsom – also called Dzong-Sampa, the "New Fort" – which spreads along both banks of the river at about 2,700 m. Continue to Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang.
- OvernightKagbeni
- CountryNepal
- Highest PointKagbeni
- Altitude2,804m / 9,199ft
- Travel ModeDrive: 175 km / 8 hr / 30 min
- Places VisitedKushma Bridge, Kalika Temple Baglung, Tatopani, Lete, Marpha Village, Jomsom, Kagbeni
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03Drive Kagbeni – Chele – Chhusang – Lo Manthang (5–6 hours) – the walled city of Lo
Drive: 5–6 hours | Altitude: about 3,800 m | Overnight: Lo Manthang (full board)

Beyond Kagbeni you enter the restricted area of Upper Mustang, the former Kingdom of Lo – a high, dry land of wind-eroded red and ochre cliffs, cave-riddled canyons, barley fields and whitewashed chortens, culturally closer to Tibet than to the rest of Nepal. The jeep road passes the cliff caves of Chhusang, the villages of Chele, Syangboche and Ghami, and the long mani walls and red gompa of Tsarang, before the 15th-century walls of Lo Manthang (about 3,800 m) appear on the plain.
- Main experience: arrival at the walled city.
- OvernightLo Manthang
- CountryNepal
- Highest PointLo Manthang
- Altitude3,840m / 12,598ft
- Travel ModeDrive: 85 km / 5 hr / 30 min
- Places VisitedChhusang, Lo Manthang
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04Chhoser caves and Kora La – Lo Manthang monasteries – drive to Chhusang (about 4 hours)
Excursion and drive: about 8 hours in total | Highest point: Kora La 4,660 m | Overnight: Chhusang (full board)

After breakfast drive north to Chhoser, where cliffs are honeycombed with ancient dwellings. The Jhong Cave is a five-storey complex of more than 40 rooms linked by tunnels and ladders, used for centuries as homes, meditation cells and storerooms; the Garphu and Nyphu cave monasteries are nearby. Continue (optional, permits permitting) to Kora La (4,660 m) on the border with Tibet. Back in Lo Manthang, explore the lanes of the walled city with your guide: the 15th-century Thubchen assembly hall and Jampa (Champa) Lhakhang, with some of the finest Buddhist murals in the Himalaya, the Chhoede monastery and the four-storey Royal Palace of the kings of Lo.

After lunch in Lo Manthang, drive about four hours south to Chhusang (2,980 m), between Tangbe and Chele, where caves are cut into the red cliffs above the Kali Gandaki.
- OvernightChhusang
- CountryNepal
- Highest PointKora La
- Altitude4,660m / 15,289ft
- Travel ModeDrive: 60 km / 4 hr · Drive: 60 km / 4 hr
- Places VisitedJhong Cave (Chhoser), Kora La, Thubchen Monastery, Lo Manthang, Chhusang
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05Drive Chhusang – Muktinath – Jomsom – Marpha – Tatopani (about 7 hours)
Drive: about 7 hours | Highest point: Muktinath 3,710 m | Overnight: Tatopani (full board)

Drive up to Muktinath. Muktinath Temple (3,710 m) is one of the most sacred places in Nepal for both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindus worship Lord Vishnu here as Muktinath, the "Lord of Liberation", and it is one of the 108 Divya Desam shrines of Vaishnavism; for Buddhists it is Chumig Gyatsa, the "Hundred Waters", where Guru Rinpoche meditated. Pilgrims bathe under the 108 bull-headed water spouts and in the two sacred kunds in front of the pagoda temple, then visit the Jwala Mai temple, where a natural gas flame burns above flowing water – earth, fire and water together. Then descend via Jomsom and Marpha to Tatopani and relax in its natural hot-spring pools (entry included).
- OvernightTatopani
- CountryNepal
- Highest PointMuktinath Temple
- Altitude3,762m / 12,343ft
- Travel ModeDrive: 115 km / 7 hr
- Places VisitedMuktinath Temple, Jomsom, Marpha Village, Tatopani
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06Drive Tatopani – Baglung – Kushma – Pokhara (about 4 hours) – boating on Phewa Lake
Drive: about 4 hours | Overnight: Pokhara (full board)

Visit the Kalika Bhagawati Temple of Baglung and walk onto the Kushma–Gyadi suspension bridge above the Kali Gandaki, home of a 228 m bungee jump. Arrive in Pokhara for an afternoon boat ride on Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi Temple.
- OvernightPokhara
- CountryNepal
- Travel ModeDrive: 110 km / 4 hr
- Places VisitedKalika Temple Baglung, Kushma Bridge, Phewa Lake, Tal Barahi Temple
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07Drive Pokhara – Bandipur – Kathmandu (7–8 hours)
Drive: about 7–8 hours | End of tour in Kathmandu

After breakfast drive east, stopping at the traffic-free Newar hill town of Bandipur with its 18th-century bazaar, then continue to Kathmandu.
- CountryNepal
- Travel ModeDrive: 220 km / 7 hr / 30 min
- Places VisitedBandipur
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch

Altitude Chart of 7 Days Upper Mustang Tour from Kathmandu

Total Driving Time: 33h Total Travel Distance: 605 km

Driving distance & time shown here are approximate — for city tours the exact distance/duration can vary and isn't always measurable.

Highest point: 15,289 ft / 4,660 m — Day 04 · Chhoser caves and Kora La – Lo Manthang monasteries – drive to Chhusang (about 4 hours)

Services Included

Private jeep Kathmandu to Kathmandu
Accommodation on twin sharing room in tourist standard hotel/Lodge.
Daily Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Boating on Phewa lake
Kushma Bridge and Tatopani entry fee
Guide for foreigner only
Necessary permits, restricted area permit ( USD 500 per person for foreigner ) included

Services Excluded

Beverages (Cold drinks/Bottled water)
Personal expenses, tips, laundry etc
Travel insurance
Overstay due to any natural calamities/strikes etc
Tipping

Trip Notes

Notes for this tour

Pace and grade: Easy sightseeing at high altitude: Lo Manthang is at about 3,800 m and Kora La at 4,660 m. Ascend slowly, drink 3–4 litres of water a day and tell your guide about any headache, nausea or breathlessness. Not recommended for people with heart or lung conditions.
Road travel: Travel is by jeep on mountain roads that are rough, dusty and in places unpaved; driving days are 4–9 hours. Hill roads are winding and travel times can vary with traffic, road works and weather – we stop regularly for tea, toilets and photographs. Please tell us if you suffer from motion sickness.
Permits: Upper Mustang is a restricted area; foreign visitors need a special permit (included) and must travel with a licensed guide. Please send a passport copy at the time of booking.
Clothing: days can be warm when there is no wind, but late mornings and afternoons are very windy and nights are cold – bring layers, a down jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen and good walking shoes for rocky, uneven paths.
Included: Tatopani and Kushma Bridge entry and the restricted-area permit.
Flexibility: the order of sightseeing may be changed to suit festivals, temple closing times, flight schedules or road conditions, without missing any included visits.

Days are relatively warm; especially when there is no wind in the late morning. The appropriate clothing as per the travel period (temperature) and a good walking shoes for rocky and uneven paths are highly recommended. Walking stick would help for those who need support. We suggest you to take normal warm clothes. Light warm jacket, woolen sweater, warm T-Shirts, comfortable shoes, trousers and cotton pants are enough for this trip. We recommended you to bring down jacket for the winter.

Climate
Muktinath and its high valley are located in the Mustang Bhote region. The climate and landscape here are similar to those of the Tibetan Plateau since it is situated in the rain shadow of the Greater Himalayas. The changes in climate from warm to cold take you to the sacred shrine of Muktinath in Mustang district. Flowing through the region from north to south and forming deep gorges is the Kali Gandaki river. The temperature in summer (March to August) hover between Maximum of 16 to 18 degree Celsius and Minimum 6 to 8 Degree Celsius. In the beginning of winter (September to November) the temperature fluctuates between 14 to 16 degree Celsius and 0 to 4 degree Celsius. In the winter (December and Janaury ) the maximum temperature will be 4 to 6 degree Celsius and minimum 0 to -8 degree Celsius. After February and before of November the temperature will be good.

FAQ

7 days. It starts in Kathmandu and ends there. Overnight stops: Pokhara, Kagbeni, Lo Manthang, Chhusang, Tatopani. The day-by-day itinerary above shows travel times, places visited and meals for each day.

March to November is best; Mustang lies in a rain shadow, so it is also a good monsoon destination. Winter (December–February) is very cold and the roads can be affected by snow.

The grade is easy, with a maximum altitude of about 4,000 m. Most healthy travellers manage well, but please take care at high altitude and consult your doctor if you have heart or breathing problems. Children and seniors are welcome with sensible precautions.

Yes. Pokhara is Nepal's adventure capital – tandem paragliding from Sarangkot, the zip-flyer, ultralight flights, bungee jumping, the Annapurna cable car and boating can all be added to your free time. Tell us in advance and we will reserve the best time slot.

Muktinath is at 3,710 m (Lo Manthang about 3,800 m). Most visitors manage well, but you should walk slowly, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and tell your guide at once about headache, nausea or breathlessness. People with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor before travelling.

Bring a towel, a change of clothes, slippers and a plastic bag for wet clothes. The water from the 108 spouts is ice-cold, so many pilgrims bathe quickly in the late morning sun.

Yes. Upper Mustang is a restricted area: foreign visitors need a special permit (currently USD 500 per person for 10 days) and must travel with a licensed guide. We arrange the permit – please send a passport copy at the time of booking. Nepali and Indian citizens have different rules; ask us for details.

Private jeep Kathmandu to Kathmandu; Accommodation on twin sharing room in tourist standard hotel/Lodge; Daily Breakfast, Lunch and dinner; Sightseeing as per itinerary; Boating on Phewa lake; Kushma Bridge and Tatopani entry fee; Guide for foreigner only; Necessary permits, restricted area permit ( USD 500 per person for foreigner ) included.

Beverages (Cold drinks/Bottled water); Personal expenses, tips, laundry etc; Travel insurance; Overstay due to any natural calamities/strikes etc; Tipping.

This package includes 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners, as marked on each day of the itinerary. Other meals are at your own cost; your guide will recommend good local restaurants, and vegetarian, vegan and other dietary needs can be catered for.

Yes. We run this tour privately for your group on the dates you choose, and we can tailor it – add extra nights, change or upgrade hotels, add activities, flights or a guide in your language (Russian, German, French, Spanish, Chinese or Hindi on request). Just send us your wishes.

A deposit of 20–30% of the total tour cost is required to confirm your booking. The remaining balance is payable on arrival in Kathmandu, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Your booking is confirmed once the deposit and the completed booking details are received and we send you a written confirmation. You can enquire through this page, email pigeontravel@gmail.com or contact us on WhatsApp, and we will confirm availability and send a booking confirmation.

If cancel 7 Days before , 100 % will be refund. If cancel 72 hour before, 75 % will be refund. If cancel 48 hour before, 50 % will be refund. If cancel in less than 48 hour before, no refund. Please see the Cancellation Policy section for full details.

We welcome families, and children are very welcome on our Nepal tours. Under 5 years: free of charge when sharing their parents' room and bed (no extra bed). 5 to 12 years: discounted child rate – please ask us for the exact price for your dates and hotel. Above 12 years: charged the full adult rate. An extra bed or a separate room for children is charged as per the hotel's policy; domestic flights are charged at the airline's child fare.

Cancellation Policy

If cancel 7 Days before , 100 % will be refund
If cancel 72 hour before, 75 % will be refund
If cancel 48 hour before, 50 % will be refund
If cancel in less than 48 hour before, no refund

Booking Policy

Booking your Nepal tour with Pigeon Travel & Tours is easy:

Book online with the Book Now button when it is active, or send us the enquiry form / email with your dates, number of travellers and hotel preference.
A deposit of 20–30% of the total tour cost is required to confirm your booking.
The remaining balance is payable on arrival in Kathmandu, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Domestic flight tickets, permits and other non-refundable items included in the package are paid at the time of confirmation.
Please send a copy of your passport and your arrival/departure flight details so that we can arrange pick-up, hotels and tickets.
Your booking is confirmed once the deposit and the completed booking details are received and we send you a written confirmation.

Child Policy

We welcome families, and children are very welcome on our Nepal tours.

Under 5 years: free of charge when sharing their parents' room and bed (no extra bed).
5 to 12 years: discounted child rate – please ask us for the exact price for your dates and hotel.
Above 12 years: charged the full adult rate.
An extra bed or a separate room for children is charged as per the hotel's policy; domestic flights are charged at the airline's child fare.
Children under 10 years receive a free (gratis) Nepal tourist visa on arrival.

Excellent rating
Based on 30 reviews

Pigeon Travel is easily one of the best travel companies I have dealt with! I don’t know how busy Mr Min Katri is, but i think he has many clients on the go, but he made me feel like I was his only customer. He was so conscientious. The guides he organised for my travels in Nepal: Pokhara, Kathmandu, and the Everest flight, Lumbini and then in India at Kushinara for a few days, was well organised with excellent guides, good drivers and cars and a good choice of hotels. They accommodated me with the places I wanted to visit and were very flexible and everything went smoothly, including navigating across the Sunoli border to India, which is chaos at another level. These guys are really excellent. Totally recommend Pigeon Travel. 👍👍

Amal Karunaratna

We spent 4 days in Nepal, visiting different places with the Pingeon Travel Agency, Mr. Min Khatri was very friendly, helpful and was attentive to us at all times, with 24-hour service. for anything we needed and was attentive to us via WhatsApp every day. We booked everything from Spain, they picked us up at the airport and at the end they took us, including a driver, guide in Spanish, visits and hotels, and we had no problem, they complied with everything agreed and we were able to visit everything. The driver (Mr. Pawan) is a very good driver, friendly and kind, and the guide (Mr. Giri) is friendly and helpful. Punctual, helpful and attentive. We were in 2 different hotels, and both were very good, highlighting the one in Kathmandu, Hotel Hyatt Place Kathmandu, a new hotel, excellent service and very friendly. The Pingeon Travel agency is highly recommended and they have everything from tours to complete packages. We were happy with the services.

Maite Sanchez

Fantastic

JagdishMan Rajbhandari

Pigeon Travel has been an exceptional ressource for me in both travel support to and from Nepal, India, and Bhutan. Min Katri is simply always there onnecway or another, checking fright and other arrangements, hotel schedules and in Bhutan excellent ( required) tour guides. As well, he and Pigeon Travel are exceptional in meeting last minute changes to my plans and really are “there” 24/7. I thinking now about next trips and highly recommend Min and Pigeon travel for your trips— as in planning my next trip to India and Nepal and am using Pigeon Travel the whole way. Highly recommend!

Jay Luboff

Wonderful tour with brilliant and knowledgeable guide. Highly recommended!

Frances Wingate

Min is very trustworthy and very easy to speak to. Tour guide and drivers are great and finally arrangement for Everest flight and Nagarkot Mountain View stay didn’t disappoint and we had wonderful time

Chip Yi

Best place to book ticket and travel.

Pratik Khadka

I contacted them via Facebook messenger and asked them for a price estimate for two people to Dubai. The representative told me I will receive the quote tomorrow and it’s been three days I haven’t heard from him yet. I will remove my one star rating once I hear back.

Krishna Giri

It was a well organised trip. The guides were very hospitable and cooperative.Overall it was a wonderful and memorable trip.

puneetha Kunimbedu

It was a memorable trip to Nepal. Thanks to pigeon travels. The hospitality is great and they took good care of us. I would highly recommend this to my mates.

Kavya K

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7 Days Upper Mustang Tour from Kathmandu

Overview

Why choose this tour?

Who is it for?

Trip Highlights

Itinerary in Details

Altitude Chart of 7 Days Upper Mustang Tour from Kathmandu

Services Included

Services Excluded

Trip Notes

FAQ

Cancellation Policy

Booking Policy

Child Policy

Hotel We Use

Vehicle We Use

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7 Days Upper Mustang Tour from Kathmandu

Overview

Why choose this tour?

Who is it for?

Trip Highlights

Itinerary in Details

Altitude Chart of 7 Days Upper Mustang Tour from Kathmandu

Services Included

Services Excluded

Trip Notes

FAQ

1. How long is the 7 Days Upper Mustang Tour from Kathmandu and where does it start and end?

2. When is the best time to do this tour?

3. How difficult is it, and is it suitable for children or seniors?

4. Can I add paragliding or other adventure activities in Pokhara?

5. Is altitude a problem at Muktinath and in Mustang?

6. What should I bring for the Muktinath holy bath?

7. Do I need a special permit for Upper Mustang?

8. What is included in the price?

9. What is not included?

10. Which meals are included?

11. Is this a private tour? Can I customise it?

12. How do I book, and what is the payment policy?

13. What is the cancellation policy?

14. Do you offer child discounts?

Cancellation Policy

Booking Policy

Child Policy

Hotel We Use

Vehicle We Use

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