Is Self Driving is Possible in Upper Mustang Nepal?

31 Mar, 2025  |   By Trekking Trail Nepal

Upper Mustang is the old kingdom in Nepal that has so many things which Tibet influences. The tour to Upper Mustang is the perfect exploration of the old Buddhist kingdom of Nepal named Lo or Lho. The dry landscapes in the Upper Mustang Region, gratified by the amazing beauty of the mountains, make it a must-visit area in Nepal. Talking about the tours to Upper Mustang, there is a popular Upper Mustang Trek, usually 10-11 days. However, nowadays, there is a famous tour to the Upper Mustang that most tourists from around the globe have loved. Upper Mustang Self Drive Tour is the best tour to explore Upper Mustang for people who can not walk for many days along the trails and experience adventurous trekking.

upper mustang itinerary

Nepal’s rain-shadow area with the old Buddhist kingdom in its heart has so many things to wow you with. You are all in for a great treat starting with the entrance and through the rugged trails. You don’t want to miss this great opportunity of what it’s like to explore the riches of the Himalayas coming at you in a desert cloak. Upper Mustang Self Drive Tour takes you to the north of Kagbeni in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) through the new driving trail. Being linked to the road network in Nepal, the driving tours in Upper Mustang are gaining immense popularity. All the travel enthusiasts who want to explore Upper Mustang via the Upper Mustang Self Driving Tour have a big question: “Is Self Driving Possible in Upper Mustang?” Well, the answer is a big yes. Let’s dive deep into every fact about the newly trending Upper Mustang Tour Package to the rain-shadow area of the Himalayas.

Why is the Upper Mustang Self-Driving Tour getting so much popularity and love?

As with the beginning of the connection of the road network to the Upper Mustang, there were always possibilities of the jeep tours to boom in Nepal. Considering how the new trends to drive your car and take it to the ultimate destination have been booming greatly in India, its popularity for the trails of Upper Mustang is not new. The Korola border between China and Nepal and the Upper Mustang of Nepal, elevated 4,660 m is one of the most anticipated destinations for road trips from India to Nepal.

sija cave upper mustang trek

Self Drive Road Trip to Upper Mustang, Nepal is not only about the destination. The journey is even better than the destination. That’s what it always should be. If you enjoy your journey better than the destination, you get to know more about the Trip and will enjoy it to the fullest. Imagine driving your jeep via the road where you see nature at its best. The river beds, viewpoints, lakes, and the clouds striking the high mountains make it a trip worth every second and penny. Crossing scenic grasslands, apple orchards, and beautiful Himalayan houses is an experience of a lifetime. The feeling of being there at the moment, looking at all these natural wonders, is a dream coming to reality. The self-driving Upper Mustang Road Trip is one of the most special trips in a very short time.

Yes! You can drive to Upper Mustang

You can drive yourself and you own cars or bike to the Upper Mustang. This statement is true in every word. However, you must follow some mandatory guidelines to get permission to drive yourself. The foremost rule you must follow is to be accompanied by a registered trekking guide. Not only this, but you also need to obtain the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. All of this will follow if you already have a jeep-driving license. Even if you have an international driving license, that will work completely fine. You can't get that about the Upper Mustang Trekking Permits if you travel alone. As Upper Mustang is a region, you can’t travel alone. So, at least two travelers should be there, costing US$ 500. As for the question, you can drive to Upper Mustang, but you must follow the guide, guidelines and rules mentioned. With Trekking Trail Nepal, you can drive your own car bikes or jeeps not only in Upper mustang, you can drive to Tibet and Mainland China too with our India Tibet Self-Drive Tour.

Is it possible to drive our vehicles to Upper Mustang, Nepal?

The answer is a big resounding Yes. You can drive your beast on four wheels to the Buddhist kingdom of Nepal -Upper Mustang. The rain-shadow area of Nepal that gives you desert vibes welcomes all travelers on their vehicles for a long drive and a full-time exploration. You don’t only get to explore nature’s supremacy but also get to love the journey more than the destination. You need to take care of one thing: there are some documents you must carry mandatorily with you so that no problem arises in the future.

What documents and costs are needed to take our vehicles to Upper Mustang, Nepal?

As you already got to know that you can take your vehicles to the old desert kingdom of Nepal- Upper Mustang. There are some documents and charges you need to take proper care of while you embark on the journey to the Upper Mustang. Following are the documents you need to have to get an entry inside the restricted kingdom.

budget upper mustang trek

Nepal Entry (SUV or Jeep) NRs. 500 per day

Road Permits NRs. 460 per day

Road Permits Parking NRs. 1000 estimated

ACAP Permit NRs. 1000 per person for SAARC, NRSs 3000 for foreigner

Upper Mustang Permit* US$ 500 per person (for ten days) * means there should be a minimum of 2 travelers (solo trips not allowed).

Does our insurance in India work here on the Upper Mustang Self Drive Journey? | Do we need to make another insurance?

As for the question, insurance made in India doesn’t work here in Nepal. However, to make that work, you don’t need to make another insurance. You can just extend the geography to Nepal, and you will be fine with it. For it, you need to call your insurance company from where you got your insurance issued. It doesn’t cost much, and it also doesn’t require you to follow a long list of procedures. It is a very short procedure. You don’t find it too tedious. So, if you are worried about the insurance policy, you don’t need to anymore.

How long does it take to get to Upper Mustang Self Drive Tour?

Getting a hold of a self-driving tour is a big thing. You need to have the proper itinerary set up for you. Generally, it takes like ten days to complete the whole self- driving tour. However, it also depends on person-to-person how they initiate and carry the trip accordingly. An Upper Mustang Permit lasts for ten days. So, when you take the permit, you finalize what the things you will do on a particular day for ten days are. So, talking generally, it takes around 10-12 days to start and finish the Upper Mustang Self Driving Tour. However, when returning, you can extend the stay in Pokhara for more days. It all depends on how you want your trip to be. The most popular and most-followed itinerary for the Upper Mustang Self-Driving Tour is as follows.

Best Itinerary of Self-Drive Tour to Upper Mustang

The whole Upper Mustang Self-Drive Tour lasts for ten days. Starting off the trip via the entry to Nepal from Sunauli, followed by a drive to the queen of cities- Pokhara. You are driving to Jomsom from Pokhara via the High Bridge following Kali Gandaki until Jomsom on the 3rd day. Continuing the trip, we pass along the Syangboche Pass to Ghami Village. The best part of the trip is a drive to Lo Manthang- The Buddhist Kingdom in Nepal. You get to explore Four Palace, Tibetan Border, Nim- Phu and Chosaar Cave on four wheels, followed by a breakfast at Kalo Pani and Pokhara. You can stay overnight at Kalo Pani Guest House and Pokhara on the seventh and eighth day, respectively.

Finishing off the trip with incredible sightseeing at Pokhara, you get the perfect end to an even more perfect journey. Finally, on the tenth day, you drive back to Sunauli, but this time you have a bag full of memories and a box of chocolates that have every second of your life in the Himalayas. So, whenever you open the box, you won't get full by just taking one bite.

Day 1: Welcome to Sunauli, Official Documentation, and Drive to Pokhara.

Day 2: Free Day in Pokhara when you can check the jeep and do maintenance if needed.

Day 3: Drive to Jomsom from Pokhara via High Bridge.

Day 4: Drive to Ghami Village via Syangboche Pass and Overnight Stay at village.

Day 5: Breakfast and Drive to Lo Manthang- The beautiful Buddhist Kingdom.

Day 6: Sightseeing in Lo Manthang where you explore Tibetan Border and Nim-Phu.

Day 7: Breakfast and Drive back to KaloPani with overnight at Kalopani Guest House.

Day 8: Drive back to Pokhara and overnight stay.

Day 9: Sightseeing, boating, sunrise view at Pokhara and tasty meals.

Day 10: A 6 hours drive back to Sunauli and End of the Upper Mustang Self-Driving Tour.

upper mustang drive tour

Highlights of Upper Mustang Self-Driving Tour Nepal

● Chooser Cave, and Buddhist Monasteries

● Lo Manthang- The Ultimate Buddhist Kingdom in Upper Mustang

● Visit Kagbeni Village

● Overnight at some of the best lodges and teahouses

● Sightseeing at Pokhara

● The Soulful Driving Exploration in the Himalayas

● Meeting local people and diving deep into the rich culture and ideologies

Check out our Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour

Upper Drive Self-Driving Tour Price and Costs

Self-Driving Tour to Upper Mustang is a dream trip for most travelers from around the globe. For an easy trip to adore for ages, you need to have great documentation and carry many documents. But, Trekking Trail Nepal is always on your service to provide you with the best service whenever possible. Whenever you go on a trip, the first thing that ticks everyone’s mind is the cost of the tour and how the costs align with every passing day. India to Upper Mustang Self Drive Road Trip costs around 1,14,999 INR for an Indian National with a minimum of 2 travelers in each group. With more people in a group, the cost for a single person can drop off a bit.

upper-mustang-trek-itinerary

All in all, a self-driving tour to the Upper Mustang is a life-changing experience. If you want to do the trip, you are suggested to do it. Life is all about breaking the shackles and flying high. Trekking Trail Nepal gives wings to your travel adventures. Get ready to drive deep into the trails of the Buddhist Kingdom and Fall in love with nature all over again.

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