This five-day journey follows the Kali Gandaki Valley into a stark Himalayan desert shaped by Tibetan Buddhist traditions, where special permits and licensed guides help protect its fragile landscape and heritage. You travel past windswept canyons and cliffside villages to the legendary walled city of Lo Manthang, where ancient monasteries and cave dwellings offer a rare glimpse into a centuries-old kingdom. The route continues via the sacred pilgrimage site of Muktinath before descending back to greener hills.
We can also offer a 7-day Upper Mustang bite-sized trip. Scroll down for further information. These trips are easily incorporated into an itinerary from Pokhara.
Day 1 – Drive from Pokhara to Kagbeni, via Jomsom
Duration: approx. 6-7 hours drive
Altitude 2,804m
Upper Mustang was largely closed to foreign visitors until 1992, when Nepal first allowed limited tourism to protect its fragile culture and environment. Even today, access is still regulated. Travellers need a special permit and must travel with a licensed guide, which helps preserve the region’s Tibetan Buddhist traditions and delicate high-altitude landscape. Its long isolation is exactly why Upper Mustang feels so distinct.
Your journey begins in Pokhara, leaving behind lakes and green hills as the road follows the Kali Gandaki Valley northwards. The scenery gradually shifts from fertile farmland to rugged mountain terrain. After passing through Beni, the route climbs steadily into the Himalayas, where the air becomes drier and the landscape more dramatic. By the time you reach Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang, you’ll find yourself in a windswept high-altitude desert framed by snow-capped peaks.
Day 2 – Drive from Kagbeni to Lo Manthang
Duration: approx. 5-6 hours drive
Altitude 3,810m
Today’s drive takes you deep into Upper Mustang, a remote Himalayan region close to the Tibetan border. Leaving Kagbeni’s narrow lanes and mud-brick houses behind, the landscape becomes increasingly stark and otherworldly. The route passes through villages such as Chhusang and Chele, where colourful cliffs, deep gorges, and fluttering prayer flags line the way. Vegetation becomes sparse, replaced by vast open valleys and striking rock formations as you approach the walled city of Lo Manthang. Relax after the long drive – you’ll explore tomorrow.
Day 3 – Explore the ‘Forbidden Kingdom’ of Lo Manthang
You’ll spend today acclimatising and exploring the legendary “Forbidden Kingdom” of Lo Manthang. Set high on the Tibetan plateau against a stark Himalayan desert backdrop, this remote walled city flourished from the 15th to 17th centuries as the capital of the Kingdom of Lo and an important hub on the trans-Himalayan salt trade routes.
Wander through its narrow alleys and mud-brick streets, where whitewashed houses, fluttering prayer flags, and ancient monasteries reflect centuries of Tibetan-influenced culture. You’ll have time to visit the monasteries of Jampa Lhakhang, Thubchen Gompa, and Chode Gompa, that are well-known for their Tibetan artwork and living spiritual traditions.
Day 4 – Drive from Lo Manthang to the sacred temple of Muktinath
Duration: approx. 3-4 hours drive
Altitude 3,800m
Leaving the ancient walled city behind, the road descends through wide valleys and traditional Tibetan-influenced villages such as Ghami. The landscape remains stark and windswept, with dramatic mountain views and very little vegetation. After passing Kagbeni, greenery slowly returns as the route follows the Kali Gandaki River toward Jomsom, a lively mountain town.
From here, continue to Muktinath — one of Nepal’s most important pilgrimage sites. This centuries-old, hillside temple is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, and has long been a crossroads for pilgrims traveling between Tibet and Nepal. Known for its 108 holy water spouts and an eternal flame, it’s said to cleanse sins and grant spiritual liberation.
Day 5 – Drive from Muktinath to Pokhara
Duration: approx. 7-8 hours drive
Altitude 827m
This morning you’ll visit Muktinath’s sacred temple complex. The road then descends through the Kali Gandaki Valley, passing prayer-flag-lined hillsides, mani walls, and traditional villages. As you leave the high mountains behind, the dry terrain gradually gives way to greener slopes and subtropical vegetation. By the time you return to Pokhara, the familiar lakeside scenery feels worlds away from the stark beauty of Upper Mustang.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Discover the remote Upper Mustang in 7 days
If you have more time and would like to spend a little longer exploring Upper Mustang we can also arrange a 7-day trip. It’s a round trip from Pokhara – as per the shorter 5-day trip – and you’ll explore the remote walled city of Lo Manthang and the sacred temple of Muktinath, which are the highlights of the region. The 7-day trip follows a slightly different route from Pokhara, and you will spend an extra day at Lo Manthang.
Day 1: Pokhara – Tatopani. Duration: approx. 5 hours drive.
Day 2: Tatopani – Ghiling. Duration: approx. 5 hours drive.
Day 3: Ghiling – Lo Manthang. Duration: approx. 3 hours drive.
Days 4 & 5: Explore Lo Manthang
Day 6: Lo Manthang – Marpha. Duration: approx. 7-8 hours drive.
Day 7: Marpha – Pokhara. Duration: approx. 6-7 hours drive.
If this sounds of interest, add the 7-day trip to your travel plan.