Upper Mustang Trek Permit 2026 — Cost, How to Get It and Complete Guide
Introduction
Upper Mustang is Nepal's most mysterious and restricted trekking destination. Known as the forbidden kingdom of Lo — a hidden Tibetan Buddhist kingdom that remained closed to the outside world until 1992 — Upper Mustang requires a special restricted area permit that only 1,000 trekkers per year can obtain.
This complete 2026 guide tells you exactly what permits you need for Upper Mustang Trek, how much they cost, how to get them, and everything else you need to plan this extraordinary journey to Nepal's forbidden kingdom.
At Global Nepal Treks (Licence No. 3058, Kathmandu) we specialize in Upper Mustang Trek and arrange all permits for our clients.
Upper Mustang Trek Permits 2026 — Complete List
You need 3 separate permits for Upper Mustang Trek:
Permit | Cost 2026 | Issued by | What it covers |
Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit | $500 per person per 10 days | Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) + Immigration | Access to restricted Upper Mustang area beyond Kagbeni |
ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) | $30 per person | Nepal Government | Entry to Annapurna Conservation Area |
TIMS Card | $20 per person | TAAN/NTB | Trekker identification and safety tracking |
Total | $550 per person |
Important 2026 update: The Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit increased from $500 to $500 per 10 days — any additional days beyond 10 require extension permits at $50 per day. Most standard Upper Mustang itineraries are 10–12 days in the restricted area.
Can I Get Upper Mustang Permits Myself?
No — you cannot get the Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit independently.
The Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit can only be issued to trekkers who are part of an organized group through a licensed Nepal trekking agency. Individual applications are not accepted by the NMA.
This means:
You must book through a licensed agency (like Global Nepal Treks, Licence 3058)
Minimum group size of 2 trekkers is required
A licensed guide must accompany you throughout — this is both legally required and practically essential in the remote Upper Mustang terrain
For the complete guide to Nepal trekking without a guide 2026 and why solo trekking is now illegal in Nepal — see our full guide.
Why is Upper Mustang a Restricted Area?
Upper Mustang was closed to all foreign visitors until 1992 — nearly a decade after most of Nepal opened to tourism. The Nepalese government maintained the restriction to:
1. Protect Tibetan Buddhist culture
Upper Mustang is home to one of the world's most intact Tibetan Buddhist communities outside Tibet. The Lo people (Loba) have maintained their culture, language, and religious traditions for 500+ years. Unrestricted tourism would rapidly erode this cultural integrity.
2. Control environmental impact
The rain shadow landscape of Upper Mustang is extremely fragile. The permit system limits visitor numbers to protect the delicate desert ecosystem.
3. Manage border sensitivity
Upper Mustang shares a long border with Tibet (China). The Nepalese government restricts access to maintain border security.
4. Generate conservation revenue
The $500 permit fee generates significant revenue for local community development projects and conservation in the region.
What Makes Upper Mustang So Special?
Lo Manthang — The Forbidden City
The walled capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lo sits at 3,840m. Its mud-brick walls, royal palace, four major monasteries, and cave dwellings date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Walking through Lo Manthang feels like stepping into medieval Tibet.
Ancient cave paintings
The cave monasteries above Lo Manthang contain murals dating to the 14th century — among the oldest and best-preserved Buddhist art in the Himalayan region. These caves were carved directly into the cliff face by communities who lived here centuries before Nepal as a nation existed.
Rain shadow landscape
Upper Mustang sits beyond the Annapurna range rain shadow — it receives very little monsoon rainfall even when the rest of Nepal is drenched. This creates a dramatic arid landscape — terracotta cliffs, deep gorges, wind-carved rock formations — unlike anywhere else in Nepal.
Unique advantage of the rain shadow: Upper Mustang is one of the only Nepal trekking destinations that is excellent in June, July, and August — the monsoon season. While EBC and Annapurna routes are wet and cloudy, Upper Mustang has blue skies and dry trails. This makes it perfect for trekkers who can only travel in summer.
Upper Mustang Trek Best Time 2026
Season | Months | Conditions | Recommendation |
Spring | March–May | Warm, some wind, clear skies | ✅ Good |
Monsoon | June–August | Rain shadow — DRY and clear | ✅ Best unique advantage |
Autumn | September–November | Clear, stable, cool | ✅ Excellent |
Winter | December–February | Very cold, some snow | 🟡 Possible — experienced only |
The key insight: Upper Mustang in July is blue skies and dry trails while the rest of Nepal is rainy. This is the BEST time to visit Upper Mustang — and most trekkers miss this completely.
For a complete month-by-month guide to best time to trek Nepal 2026 — see our full seasonal guide.
Upper Mustang Trek Itinerary 2026 — 14 Days
Day 1: Kathmandu — arrive, permit collection, briefing
Day 2: Fly Kathmandu → Pokhara (25 mins) or drive (6–7 hours)
Day 3: Pokhara → Fly to Jomsom (2,720m) · Drive/trek to Kagbeni (2,810m) — restricted area begins
Day 4: Kagbeni → Chele (3,050m) — 5–6 hours · First Upper Mustang canyon views
Day 5: Chele → Syangboche (3,800m) — 6 hours · Red canyon landscapes
Day 6: Syangboche → Ghami (3,520m) — 5–6 hours · Ancient mani wall
Day 7: Ghami → Tsarang (3,670m) — 5 hours · Tsarang Monastery
Day 8: Tsarang → Lo Manthang (3,840m) — 4–5 hours · HIGHLIGHT — Arrive at Forbidden City
Day 9: Lo Manthang full day — palace, Thubchen Gompa, Jampa Lhakhang, cave paintings
Day 10: Lo Manthang → Drakmar (3,810m) via Choser caves — ancient cave monastery
Day 11: Drakmar → Ghiling (3,570m) — different return route
Day 12: Ghiling → Kagbeni → Jomsom (2,720m)
Day 13: Fly Jomsom → Pokhara · Drive/fly → Kathmandu
Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu
Upper Mustang Trek Cost 2026
Global Nepal Treks — from $1,750 per person all-inclusive
Item | Included |
Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit ($500) | ✅ Included |
ACAP permit ($30) | ✅ Included |
TIMS card ($20) | ✅ Included |
Licensed NTB Sherpa guide | ✅ Included |
Porter | ✅ Included |
All accommodation | ✅ Included |
All meals | ✅ Included |
Jomsom flights | ✅ Included |
Airport transfers | ✅ Included |
24/7 emergency support | ✅ Included |
Total additional costs to budget:
Nepal visa: $50
Travel insurance: $100
Tips: $250
Personal spending: $100
Total trip: approximately $2,250
For a complete breakdown see our Nepal trekking agency guide on choosing who to book with.
Upper Mustang Trek Difficulty
Difficulty: Moderate
Upper Mustang reaches a maximum altitude of 3,840m at Lo Manthang — significantly lower than EBC (5,545m) or Annapurna Circuit (5,416m). The lower altitude makes it more accessible for trekkers who are concerned about altitude sickness.
However:
Strong winds are common — especially in spring (March–May)
The terrain is remote and rugged — dusty trail sections
Some days are long (6–7 hours of walking)
Tea house facilities are more basic than EBC route
Verdict: Upper Mustang is one of the more accessible major Nepal treks in terms of altitude. Good fitness is required but it is suitable for moderately experienced trekkers.
Cultural Etiquette in Upper Mustang
Upper Mustang is a living cultural landscape. Respectful behaviour is essential:
Always walk clockwise around mani walls, stupas, and monasteries — this is the Buddhist tradition
Ask permission before photographing people — particularly monks, elderly residents, and women
Remove shoes before entering monasteries — always without exception
Do not touch or move religious objects — even small stones placed deliberately
Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees when visiting religious sites
Avoid public displays of affection — culturally inappropriate in these communities
Your Global Nepal Treks guide will provide a full cultural briefing before entering Lo Manthang.
Frequently Asked Questions — Upper Mustang Trek Permit 2026
Q: Can I extend my Upper Mustang permit beyond 10 days?
Yes — extension permits cost $50 per additional day and must be arranged through your licensed agency. Global Nepal Treks arranges extensions for clients who wish to spend more time in Lo Manthang or explore additional areas.
Q: Is the $500 permit included in my package price?
Yes — Global Nepal Treks includes the complete Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit ($500), ACAP ($30), and TIMS ($20) in our all-inclusive package price of $1,750 per person.
Q: Do children need the full $500 permit?
Children under 10 years do not require the restricted area permit. Children aged 10–18 pay the same permit fee as adults. Contact us for family trek pricing.
Q: Can I visit Upper Mustang during monsoon season?
Yes — and we strongly recommend it. Upper Mustang's rain shadow makes June–August actually excellent trekking conditions while the rest of Nepal is wet. Blue skies, dry trails, and far fewer trekkers than peak season.
Q: What is the difference between Upper and Lower Mustang?
Lower Mustang (Mustang district below Kagbeni, including Jomsom and Marpha) does not require a restricted area permit. It is freely accessible. Upper Mustang — the restricted area above Kagbeni including Lo Manthang — requires the $500 permit. The ancient walled city of Lo Manthang, the cave paintings, and the most dramatic landscapes are all in Upper Mustang.
Q: Can I fly into Upper Mustang directly?
Jomsom Airport is the gateway — flights operate from Pokhara (25 minutes, $80–120 per person one way). From Jomsom you drive or trek to Kagbeni where the restricted area begins. There is no direct flight to Lo Manthang.
Q: How many trekkers visit Upper Mustang each year?
The permit system limits visitors — approximately 3,000–5,000 trekkers visit Upper Mustang annually. This compares to 50,000+ for EBC Trek. Upper Mustang remains one of Nepal's most exclusive and uncrowded trekking destinations.
Book Upper Mustang Trek 2026
Saroj Ghimire is the Director of Global Nepal Treks (Govt Licence No. 3058, Kathmandu). Since 2008 he has guided over 1,000 trekkers to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna, Upper Mustang, Island Peak and more. Member of NMA, TAAN and NTB.
📧 info@globalnepaltreks.com · 📞 +977-9744258519 · 🌐 globalnepaltreks.com
🌐 globalnepaltreks.com/nepal/trekking/upper-mustang-treks
Free customised Upper Mustang itinerary within 24 hours.
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