Upper Mustang Jeep Tour is among the emerging tours in Nepal. The Mustang overland tour includes the most secluded hills and mountains of the Mustang district situated between Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Annapurna (8091m), Tilicho Peak, Thorung Peak, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Damodar I, preserved by natural challenges. It is regarded as the forbidden kingdom hidden behind the shadows of the Himalayas by locals and trekking specialists.The adventure initiates with a jeep ride to Pokhara from Kathmandu. Next, from Pokhara, we will proceed to Jomsom. Jomsom serves as the headquarters of Mustang, representing the Mustang region and its tourism.
The Mustang jeep Tour will acquaint you with the cultural and natural wealth of Mustang through a full day of immersion in the customs, traditions, and lifestyle of the ancient city. The drive will advance towards Muktinath, which stands out as another highlight of the journey. The upper Mustang trail follows the path of the Kaligandaki gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, to Kagbeni by jeep. Along the way, we encounter various natural marvels such as Tatopani – a natural hot spring, the beautiful Marpha Village, famously referred to as “The apple garden,” and Kagbeni, the notable religious site and pilgrimage before reaching the gateway to Lo Manthang. Lo Manthang is the breezy valley that flows from South to North towards the Tibetan border.
The Mustang Overland Tour will elevate you to the altitude of 3840 meters; you need not be concerned about altitude sickness, but you must be mentally ready for the challenges of the tour. Nevertheless, there will be a medical team available to assist you if necessary. This tour is a low-risk adventure that can be undertaken throughout the year and by travelers of all ages.
Jomsom serves as the tourism center of Mustang, abundant in its traditions, culture, and cuisine. It also acts as the entrance to the Mustang region. The area is enchanted by the mystical vistas of the Himalayas and the magnificent natural diversity of Mustang. The scenery is adorned with pine forests, complemented by insightful views of the hills and mountains. Most of the residents are influenced by Buddhism and engage in Buddhist practices. Numerous stone temples and goombas are located throughout this region. Jomsom represents a blend of natural and cultural variety.
Kaligandaki River, renowned for its distinctiveness and beauty, features the unique Shaligram (a golden black stone found exclusively here). According to Hindu mythology, Shaligram is regarded as part of Lord Vishnu and holds significant importance in Hindu culture. Shaligram is one of the most sacred stones in Hinduism and is venerated as Lord Vishnu. People beleive that worshipping Shaligram grants the strength to combat inner evil and brings immense peace.
Lo Manthang is an ancient kingdom of Mustang that remains quite secluded from the external world. It was also the historical capital of Mustang. This enigmatic location has not gained recognition and is still considerably distant from modern tourism. Due to its mysterious nature, only a few visitors come to this place. It wasn’t opened to foreigners until relatively recently, but it has become a primary destination for tourists in the past few years. A tour of the royal palace in Lo Manthang provides insights into the culture and traditions practiced by the ancient tribes who resided there.
The Tiji festival is regarded as the most auspicious in Upper Mustang and is highly esteemed among the local tribes. Tiji is celebrated to commemorate the triumph of good over evil. It is believed that the Mustang region faced adversity due to a demon causing widespread disease that threatened lives and depleted water sources. Dorje Jono battled this demon and emerged victorious, reclaiming all the water and saving Mustang from desolation. To honor and celebrate this historic event, Tiji is marked with prayer chants and vibrant dances. Since Tiji follows a lunar calendar, the dates of the festival vary each year.
Muktinath, revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, attracts visitors year-round. It stands as one of the four most significant religious sites in the nation. It is among the most crucial religious locations in the country and draws hundreds of thousands of local and international travelers throughout the year. Within the Buddhist temple, there is an ever-lit candle (khanda diyo), regarded as a symbol of peace and harmony. It is believed that visiting this site at least once in a lifetime can provide liberation from worldly pain and suffering. It is one of Nepal’s eight sacred religious sites.
At the start of the tour from Pokhara, you will witness the most captivating and mystical views of various Himalayas mountains. You would observe Annapurna, Fishtail, Tilicho, Thorung, Annapurna I, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri mountains alongside the picturesque landscape of the Chure range and the Kaligandaki river flowing through. In the background, you will enjoy an astonishing view of towering cliffs and rock formations enveloping the valley. The Annapurna conservation area will provide an opportunity to appreciate the mystical geographical allure of the Mustang region, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for travelers.
The inhabitants of the Mustang region possess distinct living philosophies and standards that differ from the modern world. Their livelihoods are mainly based on tourism, animal husbandry, and trade. Most individuals embrace Buddhism and communicate in the Tibetan language. The local ethnic group, known as Thakalis, is well-known for its unique culture, traditions, and cuisine. Thakali food is spoken of within the tourism community and is favored by many tourists who visit the area.
The enjoyable journey is filled with fun, recreation, and education regarding the tribes of the upper Mustang. The Upper Mustang Jeep Tour will traverse a rugged road, with certain sections experiencing low visibility due to weather factors. We will travel through many stunning and captivating locations in Upper Mustang. You will have sufficient time to appreciate the beauty and diverse culture of the local inhabitants. A minimum of two individuals is required to start this tour.
There are numerous options for side excursions while exploring the Upper Mustang, but since we will be learning extensively about the local culture and traditions, we may want to visit the local Buddhist monasteries. We will explore Ghar Ghumba, a side trip from Charang. There are four primary monasteries in Lo Manthang, namely Jhampa Ghompa, Chhyode Gompa, Chhujung Gompa, and Thupchen Ghompa, and we will have the opportunity to visit all four during our trek.
Foreign visitors were permitted entry into the region in 1992; however, only a few tourists have travelled to this area. To access this region, foreigners must secure a special permit.
Jeep Safari permissions fall under the trekking category, so the permits’ fees are comparable to those for trekking. Each foreigner costs $500 for 10 days, with an extra $50 per day for any days beyond the 10-day permit. Obtaining the ACAP costs NPR 3000 per individual.
To acquire the permit, you must be part of a group of at least two individuals. As such, Royal Holidays Adventure can assist in accommodating a group of travelers in the region if you are travelling alone. You can reach out to us directly for that.
Generally, Lo Manthang is accessible to everyone at any time throughout the year, but to adjust to the climatic conditions and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the towering mountains and the greenery of the hills, the most favorable times of the year are March-May and September-November. You need not worry about the weather being dreary or chilly during this season. You can enjoy the views freely and indulge yourself in the best possible weather and climate.
There are teahouses available to host you during the upper Mustang overland tour. You will receive a warm reception and an opportunity to learn about Nepali culture and traditions. Local people are running those tea houses and offer basic amenities such as hot showers, clean restrooms, comfortable bedding, and healthy meals, with some teahouses providing internet services, suite rooms with attached bathrooms at low prices. Numerous modern amenities are available during the tour since it is one of the primary tourist destinations in Nepal.
Royal Holidays Adventure offers last-minute reservations along with pre-booking based on the visitor’s convenience. You may arrange a last-minute excursion to Upper Mustang up to 48 hours prior to the planned time to have your tour organized according to your needs.
The price of the Mustang Jeep tour depends on the days of spending and the amenities you want in your package. However, Royal Holidays Adventure has this 8 days Upper Mustang Jeep tour at $1400 per person including all the entry permits and the road costs. This is one of the best deals you can find for the Mustang Tour with Royal Holidays Adventure.
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