Upper Mustang Trek & Drive

The Upper Mustang Trek & Drive is a 12-day itinerary that combines private 4WD transportation with selected walking sections. It allows you to explore the major highlights of Upper Mustang without walking the entire route.

You travel through places such as Kagbeni, Samar, Ghami, Charang, Lo Manthang, Chhoser, Dhakmar, and Muktinath, with private transportation used for the longer road sections.

The itinerary takes 12 days, including your arrival and departure from Kathmandu.

The trip combines domestic flights, private 4WD transportation, sightseeing, and trekking sections in Upper Mustang.

The trip starts and ends in Kathmandu.

You fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, travel toward Mustang by road and flight, explore Upper Mustang, and return to Kathmandu via Jomsom and Pokhara.

No. This is important to understand before booking.

The itinerary combines 4WD travel and trekking. You walk selected sections of the route, while longer sections between villages are covered by private 4WD.

The highest point is Chogo La at approximately 4,280 m / 14,042 ft.

You cross the pass while trekking from Lo Manthang toward Dhakmar.

The trip is graded moderate.

You do not need technical climbing experience, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours on uneven mountain trails and travelling at elevations above 3,000 metres.

Yes. Previous trekking experience is not essential.

You should have a reasonable level of fitness and be comfortable walking for several hours. Proper preparation is recommended because some sections are at high altitude.

The amount of walking is considerably less than on a traditional Upper Mustang trek because private 4WD transportation covers several longer sections.

The main walking sections include Samar to Syangmoche via Chungsi Cave and Lo Manthang to Dhakmar via Chogo La.

A reasonable level of fitness is sufficient for most travellers.

Regular walking, hiking, stair climbing, and cardio training before the trip will help you feel more comfortable during the walking sections.

Yes. You will travel and walk at elevations above 3,000 metres, with the itinerary reaching approximately 4,280 metres at Chogo La.

Altitude affects everyone differently, so walk at a steady pace, stay hydrated, rest properly, and tell your guide if you feel unwell.

Tell your guide immediately.

Depending on your symptoms and overall condition, your guide may recommend resting, stopping the ascent, or descending to a lower elevation. If necessary, our team can coordinate emergency assistance.

Not everyone needs altitude medication.

If you are considering medication for altitude sickness, speak with your doctor before travelling. Medication should not replace proper acclimatization and careful monitoring.

Some preparation is recommended, particularly if you do not regularly hike.

Walking regularly, doing uphill or stair training, and taking longer walks on weekends are good ways to prepare. You do not need an extreme training program.

Upper Mustang is a remote mountain region, so travelling with an experienced local team is important.

You will have a local guide and private transportation throughout the trip, and our team will monitor road, weather, and trail conditions during the journey.

Age alone does not determine whether you can complete the trip.

Your fitness, walking ability, and ability to handle altitude are more important. If you have concerns about travelling at high altitude, it is best to discuss them with your doctor before booking.

You first fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then continue toward Mustang using a combination of road travel and domestic flights.

The route takes you through Tatopani, Jomsom, and Kagbeni before entering Upper Mustang.

Yes. The package includes the domestic flights specified in the itinerary: Kathmandu–Pokhara, Jomsom–Pokhara, and Pokhara–Kathmandu.

Flight operations are subject to weather and airline conditions.

Yes. Flights from Jomsom can be affected by wind, clouds, rain, and poor visibility.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, our team will help arrange the most practical available alternative and adjust the itinerary when necessary.

We use a private 4WD vehicle for the road sections of the trip.

A 4WD is appropriate for the rough and uneven mountain roads in Upper Mustang.

Road conditions vary.

You should expect rough, rocky, dusty, and uneven sections, particularly in remote areas. Some journeys can be quite bumpy, but the private vehicle gives you more flexibility and comfort than travelling on public transportation.

Yes. Mountain travel requires some flexibility.

Flight schedules, road conditions, weather, landslides, or other local circumstances can occasionally affect the planned itinerary. If changes are necessary, safety comes first, and we will try to preserve the main highlights of the trip.

You will stay in 4-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and local tea houses or guesthouses during the mountain journey.

Accommodation becomes simpler as you travel deeper into Upper Mustang.

The standard accommodation arrangement is twin sharing.

Private rooms may be available at an additional cost, depending on the guesthouse. Because accommodation is limited in some remote villages, private rooms cannot always be guaranteed.

Facilities depend on the guesthouse.

Some rooms have attached bathrooms, while others use shared facilities. Bathrooms are generally more basic in remote parts of Upper Mustang.

Hot showers may be available at some guesthouses for an additional charge.

Availability varies by village and guesthouse, so it is best not to expect hot showers every day.

Electricity is available in the main settlements, although charging facilities can be limited in remote areas.

Bring a power bank and charge your devices whenever you have the opportunity.

Some guesthouses offer Wi-Fi, usually for an additional charge.

The connection can be slow or unreliable in remote areas, so you should not depend on having regular internet access.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included during the mountain journey.

Breakfast is also included with your hotel stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

You will find a mixture of local and common trekking meals.

Dal bhat, rice, vegetables, noodles, potatoes, soups, pasta, and other simple dishes are commonly available along the route.

Yes. Vegetarian food is available throughout the journey.

If you have specific dietary requirements, let us know when booking so we can make arrangements where possible.

Some villages have small shops selling biscuits, chocolate, noodles, chips, and other packaged snacks.

For a wider choice, it is better to purchase your preferred snacks in Kathmandu or Pokhara before entering the remote areas.

Bottled water is available at various points, although availability and prices vary.

We recommend carrying a reusable water bottle and using properly treated or filtered water when available.

You should not drink untreated tap, spring, or natural water directly.

Use properly filtered, purified, or treated water during the trip.

Pack only what you need for the mountain journey.

Your main belongings can be carried in the World Alpine Treks duffel bag, while your day-to-day items can stay in a small daypack.

Yes. A sleeping bag is included in the package.

You will use it during the mountain journey and return it after completing the trip.

Trekking poles are optional but useful.

They can provide extra support on rocky trails, particularly during ascents and descents.

Bring comfortable, well-broken-in trekking shoes or boots with good grip.

Avoid bringing brand-new footwear that you have never used before.

Yes. If you have belongings that you do not need for the mountain journey, you can normally leave them at your hotel in Kathmandu or Pokhara or with our team.

Travelling lighter will make the walking sections easier.

Yes. A small daypack is useful for carrying the things you need during the day.

Keep items such as water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, documents, medication, and an extra layer in your daypack.

The package costs USD 2,400 per person.

The price includes the services listed in the package, including accommodation, meals during the mountain journey, domestic flights, private 4WD transportation, permits, and guide support.

You need an Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).

World Alpine Treks arranges the required permits as part of the trip.

Yes. The required permit arrangements and applicable permit fees are included in the package price.

We recommend carrying around NPR 20,000–30,000 per person for personal expenses.

This can cover drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, charging, hot showers, souvenirs, tips, and other personal purchases.

ATM facilities are very limited once you enter the remote areas.

It is best to withdraw enough Nepalese cash in Kathmandu or Pokhara before heading into Upper Mustang.

Card payments are not reliably available throughout Upper Mustang.

For this reason, you should carry enough Nepalese cash for your personal expenses.

No. Tips are not included in the package price.

Tipping is your personal choice and can be based on the service you receive from your guide, porter, driver, and other supporting staff.

Yes. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance for this trip.

Your policy should cover high-altitude trekking up to approximately 4,280 metres, medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip interruption, and other relevant travel risks.

If a serious emergency occurs, our team can coordinate the necessary assistance and evacuation arrangements.

The actual cost of an evacuation should be covered by your travel insurance according to the terms of your policy.

If you need to stop the trip because of illness, injury, or another personal reason, our guide will help determine the safest available option.

Additional transportation, accommodation, or other costs resulting from an early departure are normally the traveller's responsibility unless covered by your insurance.

Yes. Solo travellers are welcome.

A solo departure can be arranged with a private guide and private transportation. The price for one person may differ from the standard per-person group price.

Yes. We can arrange private departures for couples, families, friends, and groups.

Private travel also gives you more flexibility with walking pace, stops, and daily timing.

Yes. We can adjust the itinerary according to your travel dates, interests, fitness level, and available time.

Depending on your plans, you may be able to add extra days, increase the walking sections, or combine the trip with other destinations.

Yes. Extra nights can be added before or after the main itinerary.

This can be useful if you want additional time for sightseeing, shopping, rest, or a buffer before your international flight.

Yes. Upper Mustang can be combined with other destinations in Nepal if you have enough time.

Depending on your interests, you can add places such as Pokhara, Annapurna, Chitwan, or Kathmandu Valley.

We recommend booking as early as possible, particularly for spring and autumn.

Restricted-area permits, domestic flights, accommodation, private transportation, guides, and other arrangements need to be organized before your trip.

We normally require your passport details and travel insurance for the restricted-area permit and domestic travel arrangements.

We will also need your travel dates and any important requirements, such as dietary needs or accommodation preferences.

Yes, group size can usually be adjusted before departure, subject to availability and booking conditions.

Because permits, flights, accommodation, vehicles, and other services depend on group size, let us know as early as possible if someone joins or leaves the group.

Minor changes may be possible depending on availability.

Changes involving flights, permits, accommodation, or private transportation may require additional arrangements or costs. Contact us as early as possible if you need to make changes.