Culture Trip / Mustang / Nepal

Lower Mustang Overland Trip

6 days

Easy

Inquire

Experience an epic overland drive through Lower Mustang, with scenic hikes, cultural treasures, and stunning Himalayan vistas.

Overview

6 days Total Duration

Kathmandu Trip Start Point

Kathmandu Trip Finish Point

3,762m / 2,343ft (Muktinath) Highest Point

Easy Difficulty Level

Lower Mustang offers an unforgettable overland drive through Nepal’s diverse landscapes, featuring captivating side trips and day hikes. Journey through the ancient Tibetan-influenced villages like Lubra Bon Village and Marpha, known for its scenic beauty and traditional apple orchards. Enjoy relaxing hikes to serene spots such as Dhumba Lake and Kalopani, and take in stunning views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The drive includes visits to the sacred Muktinath Temple, a site of great spiritual and historical significance. This experience blends the thrill of adventure with the charm of cultural exploration.

Highlights

	Scenic Overland Drive: Traverse diverse landscapes with panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
	Cultural Exploration: Visit ancient Tibetan-influenced villages like Lubra Bon Village and Marpha, known for their traditional charm.
	Serene Hikes: Enjoy day hikes to picturesque spots such as Dhumba Lake and Kalopani.
	Sacred Sites: Explore the spiritual Muktinath Temple, renowned for its sacred waters and historical significance
	Apple Orchards: Experience Marpha’s famous apple orchards, adding a unique local flavor to your journey.
	Comfortable Stays: Relax in comfortable accommodations throughout your journey.

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

JanFebMarAprMayJun

JulAugSepOctNovDec

Spring is one of the best times for the Upper Mustang Trek. The weather is pleasant, and the region is in full bloom with colorful flowers. The daytime temperatures are mild, ranging between 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), and the nights can be cool but not excessively cold.

The monsoon season in Upper Mustang experiences less rainfall compared to other regions in Nepal. However, there might still be occasional showers. The landscape becomes greener, and the temperature remains moderate during this time. The average daytime temperature ranges from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). The otherwise whitewashed landscapes become colorful with shades of pink, yellow, and green fields. Getting to the region, however, is a big challenge as the roads are obstructed due to floods, landslides, and rockfalls. The chances of flight cancellation between Pokhara and Jomsom are also high.

Fall is another excellent time for the Upper Mustang Trek. The weather is stable, and the skies are clear, offering stunning views of the Himalayas. The temperatures are moderate during the day, ranging between 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), and it gets colder at night.

Winter in Upper Mustang is cold, especially at higher elevations. The temperatures can drop below freezing, and there may be occasional snowfall. The trek is still possible in early winter, but you need to be well-prepared for the cold weather. High passes will be inaccessible due to snow. The average daytime temperature ranges between 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F).

Group Size	Price per person*
4 - 7 pax	Inquire
8 pax & above	Inquire

	4 hotels, 1 resort
	6 breakfasts
	Ktm - Pkr - Ktm flights Reserved 4x4 vehicle

Valid until Dec 31st, 2024

Scroll to price details

Itinerary

Download Map

Day 1	Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kalopani
Day 2	Kalopani - Marpha
Day 3	Marpha - Dhumba Lake - Muktinath
Day 4	Muktinath - Lubra - Kagbeni - Jomsom
Day 5	Jomsom - Pokhara
Day 6	Pokhara - Kathmandu

Day 1

Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kalopani

	Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara 25 mins
	Drive from Pokhara to Kalopani 4.5 to 5 hrs
	Explore around (Option exploration to Titi Lake)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2

Kalopani - Marpha

	Drive from Kalopani to Marpha 1 hrs
	Explore Marpha

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 3

Marpha - Dhumba Lake - Muktinath

	Trek to Jomsom, via Dhumba lake and Thini village 3 hrs
	Drive from Jomsom to Muktinath
	Explore Muktinath temple and areas nearby

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4

Muktinath - Lubra - Kagbeni - Jomsom

	Trek from Muktinath to Lubra village (old Bon village) 3 to 4 hrs
	Drive from Lubra to Kagebni for lunch
	Explore Kagbeni (the gateway to Upper Mustang)
	Drive to Jomsom

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 5

Jomsom - Pokhara

Drive from Jomsom to Pokhara

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Temple Tree Resort and Spa

Day 6

Pokhara - Kathmandu

	Explore Pokhara
	Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu 25 mins

Meals Included: Breakfast

Expand | Download Map

Prices

Group Size	Price per person*
4 - 7 pax	Inquire
8 pax & above	Inquire

Valid until Dec 31st, 2024

My Own Room

If you’d like your own room in each hotel, please let us know. An additional expense is applicable. Please note that booking a single room is subject to availability.

Includes

	Accommodation Hotels for 5 nights during the tour (twin/double sharing basis) Temple Tree Resort for 1 night in Pokhara (twin/double sharing basis)
	Transportation Kathmandu - Pokhara flights Pokhara - Kathmandu flights Reserved 4x4 vehicle as per the itinerary
	Food 6 breakfasts
	Crew An experienced guide and assistant guide with medical kit Salary, room, board, insurance and any expenses for all crew members
	Permits Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (USD 25 per person)
	Misc 13% Government Taxes

Excludes

Lunch and dinner during the trip (6 days)
Soda, tea/coffee and alcoholic beverages
Additional food
Travel Insurance
Any item not mentioned in Price Includes

My Own Room

If you’d like your own room in each hotel, please let us know. An additional expense is applicable. Please note that booking a single room is subject to availability.

Extra Expenses

Meals: USD 5-10 per meal
Hot beverages: USD 1-3 per drink
Battery charging: USD 1-3 per device
Hot shower: USD 2-5 per shower

Important Details

Health & Safety

You will be accompanied by experienced and knowledgeable tour guide equipped with a first aid kit. Always follow their instructions and stick to designated paths.

While Nepal is generally very safe, there is still a possibility of pickpocketing in touristy areas. Pack your passport, flight tickets, phone, wallet, camera equipment, cash, and all your valuables in your day pack or waist belt. Please don’t bring or carry expensive items like jewelry etc or a large sum of cash while traveling for security reasons.

Water safety is very crucial as one can easily contract waterborne diseases. Drinking tap water is not advised and we recommend drinking boiled/ filtered or bottled water only.

Logistics

Vehicle We provide reserved private vehicles to drive you around for pick-ups and drop-offs as per the itinerary. The vehicle type (car, jeep, van, etc) will be allocated depending on the number of people and terrain.

Food

Meals are left out from price includes to give you full flexibility, depending on your appetite and preference. The hotels and restaurants are hygienic, and have a good selection of food and drink options. For vegetarians and vegans, or if you have any other dietary requirements, please let us know at the time of booking so we can make arrangements.

It is recommended to bring snacks (like chocolates, dry fruits, etc) and energy bars to munch on during the tour.

Water Carrying your own water bottle/hydration pack is mandatory. It is always best to have a bottle (1.5-2 liters) during the tour. You can refill your bottle with boiled or bottled drinking water available at lunch spots and hotels. We highly discourage buying plastic water bottles for environmental reasons.

Toilets While you will find Western-style toilets in hotels and proper restaurants, squat toilets are common in public places and near heritage sites. Toilets may not have running water at all times, resulting in an unpleasant smell. Make sure to bring your own toiletries. Females are advised to carry their sanitary napkins.

Connectivity & Wifi For cellular service, a reliable and hassle-free option is to purchase an international calling plan from your home cell service provider. Another alternative is to buy a local SIM card. NCell and Nepal Telecom are common carriers, both of which offer good network coverage in major cities and towns. Wi-Fi is generally available in most hotels and restaurants, and it’s usually quite fast.

Crew

Tour Guide One lead licensed tour guide and assistant guides (depending on the group size) will accompany you on the trip. All our tour guides speak fluent English, and are highly experienced with an in-depth knowledge of local culture.

Driver You will be accompanied by a driver most of the time. For multi-day trips, vehicle and driver may vary from day to day.

Money

Extra costs to expect Possible expenses, other than meals, could be drinks, tipping, and shopping. Please make sure you have read the Price section thoroughly so you know what you might need to pay for while traveling.

Currency You are advised to carry the local currency (Nepali rupees) as all the service providers transact in rupees.

ATMS and Credit cards In cities, you will find ATMs in numerous locations. Additionally, most hotels, restaurants, and big shops accept credit cards, with an additional fee (usually around 3-5%) applied on top. However, outside of cities and in smaller shops and eateries, cash is the preferred payment method, and ATMs are limited.

Tipping A service charge with tips is included by most hotels and eateries in their bills. For the crew, you are welcome to give some gratuities if you like their service. A good reference is around USD 15-20 per day for the guides and USD 10-15 per day for the drivers, as a group. Feel free to tip higher if you love their service.

Checklist

What to pack

Outfit

•	Comfortable walking shoes
•	A warm layer
•	Sun hat or cap
•	Full sleeved clothes for entering heritage sites

Accessories

•	Day bag
•	Rain gear
•	Sunglasses
•	Water bottle
•	Trail snacks and energy bars (optional)

Electronics

•	Camera with charger and extra batteries
•	Power bank (Optional)

Toiletries and Meds

•	Sunscreen (SPF 30 or above)
•	Sanitizer
•	Bug / Insect repellent
•	Toiletries

Documents & Money

•	Original passport
•	Extra cash (for meals, shopping, etc)
•	Credit card (VISA & MasterCard)

How to pack

Anything that you will need during the day, like rain gear, a warm layer, a water bottle, sunscreen, basic toiletries, your phone, and camera, money, important documents, and a few snacks, goes in your day bag. A 15-25 liters bag is your ideal daypack. It is advised to buy a good quality bag with adjustable waist straps, as good load distribution makes all the difference.

Sign Up

1. Fill up the Booking Form

Please print and fill up the Booking Form. It’s pretty simple and short, please let us know if we can help you with it.

2. Pay to confirm

We’ll send terms and conditions, along with payment details. To confirm your spot, please pay 50% of the trip cost in advance.

Note: Full payment to be made at least 7 days before trip departure.

A few days before the trip, the lead guide will host a small briefing to discuss logistics and safety matters, and also answer any questions you have.

3. Prepare for mountains

Do some light training and set your gears. Then off to the mountains we go!

Lower Mustang Overland Trip