Upper Mustang costs more than most Nepal treks, and for good reason. The restricted-area permit alone costs more than some entire treks elsewhere in the country. But the prices changed in 2025, and the new structure actually makes the trek more accessible than it used to be. Here is what the full trip costs in 2026, broken down so you can budget properly.
How Much Does the Upper Mustang Permit Cost in 2026?
Until 2024, the Upper Mustang restricted-area permit cost a flat USD 500 for 10 days. If you stayed longer, you paid USD 50 per extra day. This meant a short trek and a long trek cost nearly the same in permits, which discouraged shorter itineraries.
From 2025, Nepal's Department of Immigration switched to a daily rate. The permit now costs USD 50 per day. For the standard 10-day Upper Mustang trek, your permit comes to USD 500. That is more than the old flat rate, but the daily structure means a shorter 8-day itinerary now costs USD 400 instead of the old USD 500.
On top of the restricted-area permit, you also need:
- TIMS card: NPR 2,000 (about USD 15)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 3,000 (about USD 22)
Total permit costs for a 15-day trek: roughly USD 787.
What a Guided Trek Actually Costs
Most trekkers book Upper Mustang as a full package because the logistics are complicated and independent trekking is not permitted in the restricted area. You must have a registered guide and travel with a licenced agency.
Here is what package prices look like in 2026:
| Category | Price Range (per person) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | USD 1,300 - 1,600 | Basic teahouses, group departures, shared guide |
| Standard | USD 1,800 - 2,400 | Better lodges, private guide, smaller group |
| Premium | USD 2,800 - 3,500 | Best available rooms, private guide and porter, all meals |
These prices typically include permits, accommodation, a guide, ground transport from Pokhara to Jomsom (or the flight), and meals on the trail. They do not usually include international flights to Nepal, Kathmandu hotels, travel insurance, or personal gear.
How Much Money Do You Need Per Day in Upper Mustang?
Even on an all-inclusive package, you will spend money on the trail. Here is what to expect:
- Hot drinks: NPR 150-300 per cup (USD 1-2). Tea and coffee at high-altitude teahouses cost more than in Kathmandu.
- Charging devices: NPR 200-500 per charge (USD 1.50-3.50). Bring a power bank.
- Hot showers: NPR 300-500 (USD 2-3.50). Not available everywhere above Lo Manthang.
- Snacks and extras: NPR 500-1,000 per day if you want chocolate, biscuits, or extra food.
- Tips: Budget USD 10-15 per day for your guide and USD 8-10 per day for porters.
A reasonable daily budget for extras is USD 15-25 per day, so USD 225-375 for a 15-day trek.
How Do You Get to Upper Mustang?
Upper Mustang starts from Jomsom, which you reach from Pokhara. You have two options:
- Flight (Pokhara to Jomsom): USD 120-140 one way. Takes 20 minutes but cancels frequently due to wind. Book early in the season.
- Jeep (Pokhara to Jomsom): USD 25-40 one way. Takes 8-10 hours on rough roads. Cheaper and more reliable.
Most packages include one-way transport, usually the jeep. If you want to fly both ways, expect to pay an extra USD 100-150.
Full Budget Summary
| Cost Item | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trek package (15 days) | USD 1,400 | USD 2,100 | USD 3,200 |
| Daily extras (15 days) | USD 225 | USD 300 | USD 375 |
| Kathmandu hotels (3 nights) | USD 45 | USD 120 | USD 300 |
| International flights | USD 400-1,200 | USD 400-1,200 | USD 400-1,200 |
| Travel insurance | USD 80-150 | USD 80-150 | USD 80-150 |
| Total | USD 2,150-3,020 | USD 3,000-3,870 | USD 4,355-5,225 |
Ways to Reduce the Cost
The biggest variable is group size. Permit costs and guide fees are fixed, so splitting them across 4-6 people makes a real difference. A solo trekker pays the full guide cost alone. A group of four splits it four ways.
Travelling in shoulder season (late March or late November) can reduce package prices by 10-15 per cent, though weather becomes less predictable. The jeep to Jomsom instead of the flight saves USD 80-100 per person each way.
One thing you should not cut costs on is your guide. Upper Mustang is remote, the culture is sensitive, and the logistics require someone who knows the area well. A good guide is the difference between a trip you remember for the right reasons and one you remember for the wrong ones.
Is It Worth the Price?
If you have done the Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp and want something completely different, Upper Mustang delivers. Lo Manthang feels like stepping into a different century. The landscape shifts from green valleys to Tibetan desert in a few days. You will not see crowds. The permit fee keeps the numbers low, and that is precisely what makes the trek special.
For a full day-by-day itinerary and current pricing, see our Upper Mustang Trek - 10 Days page.
What Does Upper Mustang Cost Compared to Other Restricted Treks?
Nepal has several restricted-area treks, each with different permit structures. Upper Dolpo costs USD 500 for ten days. Nar Phu Valley costs USD 100 per week. Tsum Valley costs USD 35 per week. Upper Mustang at USD 50 per day is the most expensive per-day permit in Nepal.
But the infrastructure in Upper Mustang is better than any other restricted region. Lo Manthang has proper guesthouses with attached bathrooms, hot showers, and restaurants serving Tibetan, Nepali, and Western food. Dolpo has basic camping facilities. Tsum has simple teahouses. The permit price reflects not just exclusivity but the actual quality of the trek itself.
For trekkers deciding between restricted regions, Upper Mustang offers the best balance of cultural depth, comfortable accommodation, and dramatic landscape. It is the restricted trek that even non-hardcore trekkers can do comfortably.
Upper Mustang is expensive because the restricted area permit costs $50 per day and the logistics require jeep transport, fuel, and supplies carried into a region with no shops. But it is also one of the most extraordinary cultural experiences in Asia. The walled city of Lo Manthang, the cave monasteries, the wind-carved cliffs — you are paying for access to a place that time forgot.
See our Upper Mustang Trek for exact 2026 pricing.
WhatsApp:+977 9810351300
Email:[email protected]
Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday and third-generation Himalayan guide. TAAN Member #1586.
