Upper Mustang Trek by Jeep Drive

Lo Manthang

Standing at 3,810 meters above sea level, Lo Manthang is the Upper Mustang's showpiece, an ancient walled city once considered the capital of the former sole independent kingdom of Lo. Being walled in and encircled by imposing earthen ramparts with the Himalayan deserts and distant snow summits providing a dramatic backdrop, this medieval city is more like a living museum of Tibetan civilization. A 14th-century founding by King Ame Pal, Lo Manthang enshrines ancient monasteries such as Thubchen, Chode, and Jampa replete with magnificent frescoes, huge clay statues, and incense-followed chanting barely interrupted by prayer.

Cobblestone streets spiral past whitewashed dwellings, horse stables traditional in design, and little chortens, offering glimpses of a lifestyle that has changed very little in centuries. It also has the old royal palace, the official residence of the king of Mustang, whose descendants cling to the traditions of their kingship and cultural independence. Going to Lo Manthang is to step into a world frozen in time and Tibetan, where ancient religious practices, Buddhist rituals, and indigenous attire coexist untouched by the modern world. For travelers on a Jeep journey in Mustang, Lo Manthang is the cultural and spiritual highlight of the journey-a place where geography and myth meet.

Best Season for Jeep Tour in Upper Mustang

Spring (March to May) 

Spring is the perfect season. The weather’s great. The sun's out, the chill is gone from the air, and you can feel your fingers. It's just pleasant.

But the real reason to go in spring is for the Tiji festival in Lo Manthang. It's not some polished show for tourists; it's a raw, powerful, three-day spiritual event that's been going on for centuries. It's loud, it's chaotic, and it's incredible. If you want to see the culture alive and kicking, this is it. It’ll be crowded, but it’s crowded with the right kind of energy.

Autumn (September to November)

If you ask me, this is the time. The summer rains have scrubbed the air clean. The sky is a deep, impossible blue, and the mountains look so close you feel like you could throw a rock and hit them. The air is so crisp it feels like it would shatter if you dropped it. If you have a camera, this is your time to shine.

It's cool out, but not cold. It’s just perfect weather for being on the road. The harvest is happening, so there's life in the villages. For pure, eye-watering beauty, it doesn't get better than this.

And what about the other times?

Summer (June to August)

It’s a desert, so it doesn't get hammered by the monsoon like the rest of Nepal. You can have a great trip up there in the summer. The big "but" is the road to get there. The drive from Pokhara can be a complete mudfest, with landslides and delays. It’s a roll of the dice. If you make it through, you'll have a great time, but getting there and back might test your patience.

Winter (December to February)

I’m just going to say it: don’t go in the winter. It is seriously, bone-chillingly cold. So cold that most of the locals leave and head to Kathmandu. Teahouses shut down, and snow can block the roads. It’s just not the right time to experience the place. Unless you have a very specific reason and a high tolerance for suffering, just wait for the good weather.

Upper Mustang by Jeep Tour Difficulty

The Upper Mustang Jeep Tour is a soft adventure for tourists who prefer to have cultural tours and scenic drives rather than tough trekking. Since the tour is conducted entirely by a 4WD vehicle, it tries to minimize long-distance walking and therefore is appropriate for any age group-families with children and even senior citizens. The trail does go through high-altitude terrain, however, with a high of 3,840 meters in Lo Manthang. Even though gradual climb and limited physical exertion reduce the risk of high-altitude illness, mild effects like headache or shortness of breath might result. Natural acclimatization is provided by the tour with frequent stoppages.

The road conditions also have a role to play. The Jomsom road is off-road, rough, and sometimes dusty, with some bumpy parts and exhausting on long distances. Our experienced local drivers drive high-clearance 4WD vehicles such as Land Cruisers or Mahindra Scorpios for comfort and safety on this dirt off-road track. Teahouses and local lodges are utilized for overnight stays on the tour, and although they are friendly and clean, they are basic-such as shared bathrooms and no or limited electricity or hot water-especially in villages off the main path.

The weather is another reason why the tour is demanding. As there is a history of windy, arid, and sometimes dusty afternoons in the Mustang area, day and night temperatures vary greatly, and visitors are recommended to come in layers and with guards. Aside from these minor inconveniences, the tour is otherwise open, accessible, and richly rewarding, and one gets the chance at close intimacy with Mustang's religious landscape and Tibetan-style culture without ascents.

Meals and Accommodations on Tour

Accommodation

This trip has two different feels when it comes to bedding down for the night.

First, there’s the city part-Kathmandu and Pokhara. Here, we put you up in a proper hotel. You’ll get your room, a private bathroom, and a hot shower you can stand in for twenty minutes if you want to. It’s your basecamp for civilization, a place to recharge your batteries and your electronics before and after the real adventure.

Then there’s the Mustang part. And this is where the real experience is. Up in the high country, we stay in what everyone calls teahouses. Don't picture a hotel. Picture a rustic, family-run stone house. Your room will be simple-a couple of wooden beds, some surprisingly warm blankets, and maybe a nail on the wall to hang your jacket. That’s it. It’s no-frills, but it's clean and it's genuine. Some places have Wi-Fi or a hot shower you can pay for, but it’s all a bit of a gamble. The electricity is solar, so you learn to live with it. This isn't about luxury; it’s about being there.

Food

You’ll eat well. Simple as that. In the cities, breakfast is on us. For lunch and dinner, you’re on your own, and that’s a good thing. The food scene is fantastic. You can get anything you want.

Up in Mustang, we’ve got you covered for all three meals. The undisputed champion of the mountains is Dal Bhat. It’s a mountain of rice, a bowl of lentil soup, some curried vegetables, and a bit of pickle. It’s what everyone runs on, from porters to mountaineers. And the best part is the unwritten rule: you can always ask for seconds. You'll eat a lot of great Tibetan food, thukpa noodle soup that will bring you back to life, pan-fried noodles, and momo (dumplings). Breakfast is usually eggs, porridge, or Tibetan bread, which is a bit like a thick, fried pancake and is amazing with honey. It’s simple, hearty, and honest food.

A quick note on water: Plastic bottles are a plague on these mountains. Please bring a reusable bottle. You can fill it up anywhere and use a filter or purification tablets. It's an easy way to make a big difference.

Permits and Travel Insurance

Permits

• Restricted Area Permit (RAP): It is the most important permit for Upper Mustang. It is priced at USD 500 per person for the initial 10 days and USD 50 per day for every additional day. The permit can be obtained only from an officially licensed trekking agency and not individually.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Since the trek traverses the Annapurna region, all must have this permit as well. It costs NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 25) per person.
• TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System): For Upper Mustang, there is no TIMS card if you already have a RAP. Yet, it is often included in trekking packages for insurance tracing and emergency contact purposes.

All the arrangements of permits will be done by Nepal Intrepid Treks, so the journey will be easy and completely compliant.

Travel Insurance

Travel coverage for everyone on the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour is paramount. While this tour is jeep-driven and does not include risky hiking, it does include crossing high altitudes over 3,800 meters, remote terrain with poor infrastructure, and bumpy off-road driving. Your travel policy should hence cover:

• High-altitude travel (up to 4,000 meters or above)
• Emergency air evacuation medical care (helicopter rescue is the only access to Mustang)
• Trip interruption or cancellation
• Loss or delay of baggage
• Personal accident and medical costs

We strongly advise you to get insurance from a well-established international company before you arrive in Nepal. Make sure your policy explicitly covers emergency helicopter evacuation and high-altitude medical costs, as these are vital in light of the inaccessibility of Upper Mustang.

Benefits of Booking an Upper Mustang Jeep Tour with Us

Traveling to Upper Mustang is an extraordinary undertaking because the adventure needs planning, cultural knowledge, and special local contacts. At Nepal Intrepid Treks, we design immersive and safe, enriching experiences through the last forbidden kingdom. This is why choosing us means your once-in-a-lifetime experience: 

• All-inclusive, hassle-free package
• Guaranteed Restricted Area Permits
• Expert local guides
• Reliable 4WD vehicles
• Best available accommodations
• Unique cultural immersion.
•  Customizable itineraries
• Detailed pre-trip support
• 24/7 in-country assistance
• Responsible and ethical tourism

Packing Tips for Upper Mustang Jeep Tour

Upper Mustang is a remote area where you won’t get many necessary items easily. So, pack wisely. While planning for a Jeep tour in Upper Mustang, you need to plan a comfortable packing list.  

• Warm Down Jacket 
• Fleece Jacket or Softshell
• Thermal Base Layers
• Long-Sleeve Shirts
• Quick-Dry T-Shirts
• Windproof/Waterproof Jacket
• Comfortable Trousers
• Warm Hat & Sun Hat
• Buff/Neck Gaiter 
• Gloves
• Undergarments & Socks
• Comfortable Walking Shoes
• Slip-on Sandals or Crocs
• UV-Protected Sunglasses
• High SPF Sunscreen & Lip Balm
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Headlamp or Flashlight
• Small Daypack 
• Trekking Poles
• Personal Toiletries & Towel
• Wet Wipes & Hand Sanitizer
• Altitude Sickness Pills (Diamox)
• Basic First Aid Kit
• Water Purification Tablets
• Toilet Paper
• Camera/Phone with Extra Batteries or Power Bank
• Travel Adapter (Type C, D, M used in Nepal)
• Travel Documents
• Cash in Nepalese Rupees (NPR)
• Notebook/Journal