Upper Mustang Jeep Tour

Pokhara elevation: 827 meters/2,713 feet

Kagbeni elevation: 2,810 meters/9,219 feet

Begin the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour with a scenic drive from Pokhara to Kagbeni (gateway to Upper Mustang). The journey takes you through Beni-Jomsom road, crossing enchanting routes full of natural beauty and diverse landscapes. The drive passes through charming villages and magnificent valleys alongside the Annapurna mountain range, offering a thrilling adventure. The jeep drive towards Kagbeni incorporates traversing the offroad routes and river crossings, covering a significant distance of around 200 kilometers/124 miles.

Upon reaching Kagbeni, colorful scenery changes into the widespread arid terrains. Kagbeni is a medieval town with an incredible setting of mesmerizing Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. It is situated at the meeting point of Kali Gandaki and Jhong River. The town is rich in historical heritage with abundant ancient architecture. Explore the exceptional geological structure of Kagbeni while traveling in a comfortable jeep. This rugged off-road exploration encounters you with diverse ethnic groups and the cultural riches of the region.

Duration: 8-10 hours

Charang elevation: 3,560/11,680

A jeep drive from Kagbeni to Charang connects Lower Mustang to Upper Mustang. Start driving through this enchanting village, following the Kali Gandaki River Valley encircled by the snow-capped mountains. Driving through the diverse landscapes and scenery offers an adventurous experience. Traverse through arid deserts to beautiful valleys and make quick stops at major highlight points like Jomsom and ancient Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery of Kagbeni. Grab the opportunity to explore the pristine beauty and Tibetan-influenced unique culture of the region.

After covering a distance of approximately 55 kilometers/34 miles, you will reach Charang, a village with historical and cultural importance. It is the second largest village in Mustang with an ancient fortress. Marvel at the Tibetan style architecture and houses with wooden carved doors and windows. Explore the magnificent Red Gompa, an ancient Buddhist monastery from the 14th century, and soak into the regional culture by interacting with charming residents.

Duration: 3-4 hours

Lo Manthang elevation: 3,840 meters/12,599 feet

The journey continues, leaving Charang and heading towards Lo Manthang. The drive follows the high-altitude off-road trails, crossing the highest point, Chogo La Pass (4,320 meters/14,173 feet). With a stunning backdrop of Annapurna, Nilgiri, Tilicho, and Bhrikuti, the downward jeep drive through several tributaries crossings takes you to Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang. The distance covered by a jeep tour from Charang to Lo Manthang is around 14 kilometers/8.7 miles.

Lo Manthang is a famous historical center of the Upper Mustang, often known as a hidden kingdom. This walled city in the Upper Mustang region has a historic Royal Palace and several century-old monasteries. Lo Manthang is characterized by its unique landscapes and the richness of Tibetan Culture. Along with proximity to the Tibetan border, Lo Manthang is amazingly surrounded by the snow-capped Himalayas.

Duration: 1-2 hours

Spend a rest day at Lo Manthang, witnessing the exploring the city. Lo Manthang has rich historical and cultural heritages with several ancient monasteries like Jampa Lhakhang, Chodey Gompa, and Thubchen Gompa, reflecting the Buddhist culture. It has mysterious caves, some of which are used as a space for meditation by the solace seeking monks. Take a look at the widely prevalent pristine Tibetan culture.

Communicate and interact with the local communities to know and understand their way of life, customs, and traditions. The sense of exchanging culture during a journey can be a rewarding experience. Explore and photograph the surroundings of Lo Manthang, which is encircled by a captivating beauty. In regards to the high altitude of Lo Manthang, take time to rest and acclimatize, allowing your body to adjust to the height. The accommodation in Lo Manthang provides a unique experience of local culture and hospitality. Staying at local guesthouses and lodges provides facilities like simple bedding and shared bathrooms with limited electricity availability. However, the effort of local accommodations can be seen in terms of providing maximum comfort, although in the remote high-altitude setting.

Lo Manthang to Kagbeni is a backward journey following the same route. The jeep tour provides you with an opportunity for a flexible stop at scenic viewpoints that may have missed earlier. Several cultural sites and picturesque traditional villages pass by. Leaving the arid landscapes of Upper Mustang and several monasteries behind, the jeep drive traverses the rocky terrains and river crossings. The panoramic views of the surrounding mighty Himalayas add excitement to the journey while completing the loop to reach Kagbeni. The typical distance covered during the journey is approximately 72 kilometers/45 miles, within duration of 5-8 hours.

Kagbeni provides a different accommodation experience with its vicinity to the Kali Gandaki River and awe-inspiring backdrop of mountains like Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. However, the facilities are basic, with shared rooms and limited services. The village displays the ancient traditional Mustang architecture, which is Tibetan-influenced and well-preserved to date.

Marpa elevation: 2,670/8,760

On this day, we make an initial travel by jeep from Kagbeni, covering a short distance of around 20 kilometers/12.4 hours for around 1-2 hours to reach Muktinath (3,800 meters/12,467 feet). Driving from Kagbeni to Muktinath includes traversing through enchanting Mustang landscapes. The routes ascend towards the higher elevations with magnificent vistas of the surrounding Himalayas. Be cautious of the high elevation, which may lead to possible altitude sickness. Acclimatize and explore the cultural and religious significance of a sacred pilgrimage site, Muktinath.

The next drive will be from Muktinath to Marpha, covering approximately 28 kilometers/78 miles a distance in 2-3 hours. The trail leads descending paths from the higher elevation of Muktinath to the village with unique charm, Marpha.

Marpha is known for its apple orchards and apple brandy production. Taste the Marpha apples and explore the Thakali settlements and several Buddhist monasteries. The beautiful terraced fields of Marpha are encircled by the mesmerizing vistas of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. Local people are experts in wood carvings and metal crafts, which you can buy as souvenirs.

We continue to get back from the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour journey, traveling from Marpha to Tatopani and finally back to Pokhara. As we make our way to Tatopani, we drive from the arid landscapes to sub-tropical forests, following the southward of Kali Gandaki River. The road distance between Marpha to Tataopani is around 45 kilometers/ 28 miles, and driving for around 2-4 hours will take us to our destination.

Tatopani (1,200 meters/3,937 feet) is well-known for its natural hot springs. Dipping into hot springs provides a relaxing sum up to the journey. You can have quality time chilling and rejuvenating after a long road trip. You can bath one more time in the Tatopani natural springs to start fresh on a final drive to Pokhara.

Driving from Tatopani to Pokhara takes you through picturesque villages like Beni and Nayapul. The journey passes through varied terrains, river valleys, and vast forested regions. Along the way, Ghorepani and Ghandruk villages are encountered, with PoonHill viewpoints and unique Gurung cultures. After driving for 5-7 hours, we finally arrive back at Pokhara, a lake city surrounded by the wonderful Annapurna range.