Pokhara to Upper Mustang Tour - 6 days

What is the best time to visit Upper Mustang?

Well! If it were any other trek, it would be a chaos which season to choose for. Meanwhile, as the Upper Mustang region of Nepal lies within a rain shadow area, you can do this tour to the Upper Mustang valley at any span of the year. It is an all-season tour, There’s no such thing as the peak/off-season or any month of the year that offers great views with surreal experiences. It’s a personal preference and of course! the holiday time duration. However, every season offers something unique, something beautiful. Below is the short breakdown that hopefully clears the doubt about which season to choose:

What to expect in Spring (March-May)?

Spring is most probably one of the preferable seasons for Upper Mustang as the main Tiji Festival that spans for straight 3 days falls in between May and tends to captivate individuals across the globe. Not only that, as we pass by the jeep tour we can see blooming forests of rhododendrons, pine, and crops beautifully grown adding a thriving color, and yes! the lovely apple plantation in the cherry red passing by Marpha “Apple of Garden” making the drive rewarding. 

On top of that, the temperature only ranges from 15 to 22 degrees Celsius which offers a perfect way to undertake a 4 WD jeep ride as it won’t be too hot or cold inside the vehicle. The climate is impeccable to even do a short hike/ excursion nearby without being all sweaty and drained out.

What to expect in Autumn (September-November)?

Autumn is another ideal time to undertake this tour as the weather blends perfectly with the temperature (10 to 15 degrees Celsius) providing an impeccable period for the jeep ride. Besides, as it falls right after the end of monsoon (heavy rainfall), there is a bare minimum or you can say 0 chance of rainfall that could lead to traffic jams, and landslides stretching the journey by delays. The main festival of Nepal-Dashain & Tihar falls between Sep to Oct allowing you to get cultural insights into how they are celebrated on the border of Tibet. Even if you missed out on “Tiji” this festive season surely won’t disappoint you.

What to expect in Winter and Monsoon?

If it was any other treks, then a journey to the Himalayas around this offseason: Winter & Monsoon would be highly unlikely. However, as it is a rain shadow area and a tour by vehicle, the Odyssey during these seasons won’t cause any hassle. The temperature usually falls to 0 to 15 degrees (day temperature) and - 10 degrees Celsius at night time during winter. That is why, it is highly suggested to pack some warm clothes, as it gets insanely frigid at some stops after crossing Kagbeni at night with windy air. Nonetheless, the trip can easily be made during both off-seasons with rewarding heavenly views.

How difficult is the Upper Mustang Overland Jeep Tour?

The Upper Mustang Tour is doable to every individual of any age group which is an easy excursion as it is a trip by the private jeep. As, this package is created to be the substitute for long-duration treks that take a minimum of 14 days to complete, perfect for those who want to explore the upper Mustang Nepal without any leg trembling situation and a strenuous walk along the rugged terrains, with several ups and downs.

Altitude sickness is the bare minimum case on this trip, as we’ll slowly pass by many settlements step by step without rushing things out. Yes! It does reach an altitude of 3840 meters at Lo Manthang, however, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) won’t be a problem. However, you must be prepared for a 2-3 hour hike as we will also do a short trip nearby to popular spots such as caves, and monasteries, which aren’t accessible by vehicle. The hike won’t be challenging as it is just a short stroll covering only a few km in distance. 

Hence, this 6-day Upper Mustang Tour from Pokhara is a hassle-free journey that doesn’t demand any pre-preparation, or age restriction and surely is beginner-friendly. There is only one thing to be a bit concerned about; if you are traveling with children then, please make 24-hour supervision of them. As it is a remote area it is crucial to be mindful. Make sure they are well supervised, although the safety will be 24-hour supervised by the tour guides. Thus, it is an effortless smooth tour that lets you explore the best out of this region without any fuss. 

What types of foods and accommodations are available during the Pokhara to Upper Mustang Tour?

Being a worldwide famous expedition, Upper Mustang tends to cater to all the preferences of every individual worldwide. Throughout the tour, you will undoubtedly get the best amenities, top-notch lodging infrastructure, and hygienic meals undoubtedly.

• Foods: A wide range of meal options from Western, Indian, and Asian to locals are available throughout the trip. You just have to choose from the menu and it’ll be prepared according to your choice. If you are a little hesitant whether vegan (plant-based foods) are accessible or not. Then, do not worry! a variety of vegetarian choices will be given to you. It is highly recommended to try “Dal Bhat”- a Nepali food that has at least 4-5 side dishes of spinaches, pickles, lentil soup, veg-non veg option, and rice. The best part is! It can be refilled as much as you can.
• Accommodation: Throughout the Upper Mustang Trip, you’ll be facilitated at the best tea houses available at the stopping point. The lodges are basic, unique, and structured in Tibetan style offering a twist to your staycation. The rooms are well infrastructure with a cozy double bed, commode washroom, comfortable mattress, and pillows. 
• Amenities: Every tea house has wifi, a hot shower, laundry, charging, and drinking beverages (hot, and cold) facilities.

What Permits are required for the Upper Mustang Tour by Jeep?

Even though, it is a trip by jeep or you can say via vehicle, it is necessary to obtain permits as Upper Mustang lies within the restricted areas. To get access in this region, 3 permits are required: TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and the most important one, RAP (Special Restricted Area Permit)

The special restricted area permit costs around USD 500 i.e. NRS 67,000 per person and if you wish to extend the trip within the upper Mustang region then, it costs $50 for every additional day after 10 days.

ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit fee): It costs approx. $30 for foreigners and $8 for SAARC nationals. Without this permit, it is not allowed to enter the conservation area as this region is situated in an Annapurna Conservation Area. The permit fee directly goes to preserve the natural diversity and maintain the trekking trails. Without these permits, entry into this conservation area is not allowed. 

TIMS Card: USD 20 and NRS 2800 per person for every visitor

What are the requirements for Upper Mustang Permits?

To get access within this region, there are some rules set by the government of Nepal:

• Firstly, the special permits must be obtained through a registered local trekking agency.
• Secondly, solo travel is prohibited which means you must visit this region with a registered tour guide.
• Thirdly, a valid passport and visa must be given during the application.

Note: After your booking is confirmed, all the required permits will be arranged by us.

Transportation Facilities

Throughout, the Upper Mustang Tour from Pokhara the comfortable, high-quality vehicle will be provided i.e. rated 4 WD Mahendra Scorpio with AC. The Mustang trailhead is quite bumpy with dusty roads, so we can only do this trip by jeep or land cruiser, it ensures a smooth ride without any frustrating ride. Cars wouldn’t cater to the rugged parts and it also is quite challenging to pass by the unpaved road. Hence, to ensure safety and comfortability we’ll drive by the jeep. 

If you are in Kathmandu and haven't arrived in Pokhara then, we can provide you with 2 options: 

Option 1: Flight KTM-Pokhara: The fastest option would be through the flight to Pokhara which only takes 25-30 minutes, but you must inform us as soon as possible as during the peak season it is too difficult to book flight tickets last minute.

Option 2: Deluxe Bus: Another option is a tourist standard bus that costs around USD 10-15 depending upon how luxurious you want a bus to be! 

Note: If you want to book tickets whether by air or road then, we can manage tickets for you! The transportation cost to Pokhara must be borne by yourself. As this tour package starts from Pokhara.

Pokhara to Upper Mustang Tour Cost for 2025 and 2026

For this 6-day Overland Mustang Tour from Pokhara price/cost starts from $ 1500 to $ 3500 covering all the requirements for the trip. The price depends on how many people each group holds. For instance, if you looking forward to doing this trip alone then, the cost will be $ 3500 covering a single 4 WD jeep only for you due to which the price gets higher. If you have team members exceeding 14 then, it can cost you way more and the best deal till USD 1500. 

Our Pokhara to Upper Mustang package cost covers all your accommodation, food, permit fees, vehicle costs everything required for the tour. However, you must have travel insurance of your own for emergencies (which is rare) just for safety purposes. Check our include and exclude sections for a detailed overview.

Travel Tips for Upper Mustang Overland Tour (ATM, Communication, Personal Expenses, Altitude Sickness)

1. Exchange your money in Pokhara into NRS (Nepali Rupees) before the trip starts, foreign currency doesn't work in the Mustang region. However, if you've Dollars, Euros, or INR (Indian currency) then it does work in some places. But, it's better to carry Nepali currency.
2. Even though, this package includes all your necessities for the trip, some extra expenses might be required for you like laundry, a hot shower, extra beverages, buying souvenirs, or any emergencies, so carry cash estimating the personal expenses. $10-$15 per day would be enough. 
3. Every tea house/lodge has WIFI or telephone facility, for communication while you are traveling by jeep bring 1 SIM Card of NTC in Pokhara for internet and quick conveyance to back home. It only costs around NRS 120/- for 1 week data package- Cheap and Convenient.
4. If you are travelling during monsoon season do not miss out! tracking the weather conditions beforehand (will be done by us), so you don't get stuck for long hours due to landslides, or traffic congestion along the way.
5. The risk of altitude sickness is the bare minimum, meanwhile, if you feel any sort of discomfort like nausea (a feeling like vomiting), difficulty in breathing (rapid heartbeat), losing appetite, insomnia (no sleep at all), or even dizziness (loss of control and faintness) then, inform the guide quickly to acclimatize or rest in a stop point before things get worse.
6. Get some quick snacks along with you whatever you prefer to get a quick munch in, also it is highly recommended to consume any gingery items like dry ginger, or ginger soup which helps to keep you warm (if you aren't allergic).
7. Avoid dry meat, high sugar, caffeine, or any sort of alcohol or cold beverages that could lead to a rapid heartbeat and cause a sad stomachache (diarrhea).

Ready to Join Us? Sign Up Now with the Safe Booking Procedure!

Willing to sign up with us for the Pokhara to Upper Mustang Tour? Well! do not wait longer, we have a safe booking process where you just need to deposit 20% for the confirmation and the remaining amount can be paid before the trip starts upon your arrival in Nepal. 

If you have any queries then, you can talk to us anytime: give us a call or Whatsapp us at +977 9851016814 or mail us at info(a)destinationhimalayatreks.com. .