Lo Manthang, the walled capital of Upper Mustang

Upper Mustang Overland Tour

The old walled kingdom of Lo, across the high desert.

Upper Mustang is the other side of the Himalaya: a Tibetan-Buddhist kingdom of ochre cliffs, cave dwellings, and walled villages, closed to outsiders until 1992 and still restricted today. The road north leads to Lo Manthang, the walled capital.

We handle the restricted-area permit and the logistics; you travel by road, stop where you want, and sleep in simple lodges along the way.

Highlights

Lo Manthang, the walled capital of old Lo
Restricted-area permit handled for you
High desert, cave gompas, and ancient monasteries

A typical 8-day shape

A typical overland shape. Upper Mustang needs a restricted-area permit, which we arrange for you. Fly into Jomsom to save the long drive days, or add nights in Lo Manthang to explore the walled city properly.

Day 1By mountain road
Pokhara to Jomsom
The long day up the Kali Gandaki gorge to Jomsom, the staging point for Mustang.
Time
8–9 hours drive
Elevation
2,720 m
Stay
Lodge, Jomsom
Day 2By mountain road
Jomsom to Kagbeni
A short run to the medieval village of Kagbeni, the gateway where the restricted area begins, with time for its alleys and old gompa.
Time
1–2 hours drive
Elevation
2,810 m
Stay
Lodge, Kagbeni
Day 3By mountain road
Kagbeni to Ghami
Through the checkpost and north into the high desert, past Chele and Samar to the red-cliffed village of Ghami.
Time
5–6 hours drive
Elevation
3,520 m
Stay
Lodge, Ghami
Day 4By mountain road
Ghami to Lo Manthang
Past the long mani wall and the caves of Dhakmar to the walled capital of the old kingdom of Lo.
Time
4–5 hours drive
Elevation
3,840 m
Stay
Lodge, Lo Manthang
Day 5On foot
Lo Manthang
A full day in and around the walls, the old royal palace, the great gompas, and the cave monasteries of Chhoser.
Time
Full day
Elevation
3,840 m
Stay
Lodge, Lo Manthang
Day 6By mountain road
Lo Manthang to Ghami
Begin the return south, taking the western trail past Ghar Gompa where the road allows.
Time
5–6 hours drive
Elevation
3,520 m
Stay
Lodge, Ghami
Day 7By mountain road
Ghami to Jomsom
Back down through Kagbeni and along the gorge to Jomsom.
Time
6–7 hours drive
Elevation
2,720 m
Stay
Lodge, Jomsom
Day 8By flight
Jomsom to Pokhara
The final drive down the Kali Gandaki to the lake, or a morning flight from Jomsom.
Time
8–9 hours drive
Elevation
820 m
Stay
Back in Pokhara

Ways to do it

The full drive from Pokhara
By road the whole way up the Kali Gandaki, over the high desert to Lo Manthang and back. The classic overland trip.
Fly in to Jomsom
Fly Pokhara to Jomsom and pick up the vehicle there, cutting two long road days off each end. Best if time is tight.
Longer in Lo Manthang
Add nights in the walled city for the cave monasteries and the surrounding villages, at an unhurried pace.

Getting there

Private vehicle the whole way, up the Kali Gandaki and north into the restricted area. A licensed guide is mandatory in Upper Mustang and is included.