Upper Mustang Trek Cost: What You Actually Pay
MountainKick’s 16-day Upper Mustang Trek starts at $1,480 per person for groups of 8 to 12. It’s $1,519 for 4 to 7 trekkers, $1,697 for 2 to 3 and $1,987 for a solo trekker. The package covers the guide, porter, permits, hotel and teahouse accommodation, and the Pokhara to Jomsom flights both ways.
Under the current fee schedule, the Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit is USD 50 per person per day, with no minimum stay. Beyond the package, budget separately for food (generally $30 to $50 a day), tips, personal spending and travel insurance. Most trekkers should budget around $2,000 to $3,000 in total, before international flights and insurance.
- Package price: $1,480 to $1,987 per person depending on group size
- Trip length: 16 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu
- Restricted Area Permit: $50 per person per day, no minimum, included in the package
- ACAP permit: NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals, included
- Guide and porter: included. A licensed guide is required in this restricted area
- Pokhara to Jomsom: flight included both ways. A jeep is a slower alternative
- Kathmandu to Pokhara: tourist bus included. Private vehicle or flight available as an upgrade
- Food on the trail: $30 to $50 per person per day, not included
- Restricted area permit group minimum: removed on 22 March 2026
- Realistic total budget: about $2,000 to $3,000 before international flights and insurance
Last updated: October 2026
In This Guide
- Important 2026 permit change
- How much does an Upper Mustang trek cost?
- What does it cost in total?
- The Restricted Area Permit
- Permit cost by duration
- Does a 16-day trek mean I pay $800 for the permit?
- Can you trek Upper Mustang alone?
- ACAP permit
- Pokhara to Jomsom: flight or jeep
- Kathmandu to Pokhara: bus, private vehicle or flight
- Accommodation
- Food and daily meal costs
- Guide, porter and tipping
- Why Upper Mustang costs more
- Personal expenses
- How much cash to carry
- Extra costs in Lo Manthang
- Travel insurance
- Flight delays and buffer days
- What’s included
- What you pay separately
- FAQs
Upper Mustang is one of the more expensive treks in Nepal to plan for, but the reason isn’t always clear from a single headline number. Between the government permit, the package price, transport choices and daily spending on the trail, it helps to see the whole picture before you book.
This guide breaks down what MountainKick’s Upper Mustang Trek actually costs, what’s included, what you’ll pay separately, and how the recent permit changes affect your total.
Important: The Upper Mustang Permit Cost Changed
If you’ve read other articles about Upper Mustang costs, you may have seen the Restricted Area Permit listed as $500 for the first 10 days plus $50 for each extra day. That was the rule until a Cabinet decision on 18 November 2025 replaced it with a flat USD 50 per person per day, with no minimum stay. The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) confirmed the change shortly after it was announced.
Some sites, including at least one Nepal government tourism page, still show the old $500 figure, so check the date on any source quoting that number. This guide uses the $50 a day rate throughout.
How Much Does an Upper Mustang Trek Cost?
MountainKick’s Upper Mustang Trek is a 16-day package priced by group size. Groups of 8 to 12 pay $1,480 per person. Solo trekkers pay $1,987, since the fixed costs of a guide and logistics are split across fewer people.
That price covers most of what you’d otherwise arrange piece by piece: permits, guide, porter, accommodation, and the flights to and from Jomsom. What it doesn’t cover is food on the trail and personal spending. See the Upper Mustang Trek page for the full itinerary and departure dates.
Upper Mustang Trek Cost by Group Size
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 trekkers | $1,480 |
| 4 to 7 trekkers | $1,519 |
| 2 to 3 trekkers | $1,697 |
| Solo | $1,987 |
The difference comes mainly from the guide, porter, transport and logistics being shared across more people, not from a different itinerary or service level.
What Does an Upper Mustang Trek Cost in Total?
For MountainKick’s 16-day trek, most trekkers should budget around $2,000 to $3,000 per person before international flights and insurance. Group size, food, tips and personal spending make the biggest difference.
| Expense | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| MountainKick package | $1,480 to $1,987 |
| Food on the trail | $300 to $500 |
| Personal spending (showers, Wi-Fi, charging, snacks) | $75 to $150 |
| Nepal visa | $30 to $50 |
| Tips for guide and porter | $150 to $300 |
| Travel insurance | Depends on your policy |
| Typical total before international flights and insurance | about $2,000 to $3,000 |
Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit
The current rate is USD 50 per person per day, with no minimum stay. It replaced the old $500 for the first 10 days plus $50 per extra day in November 2025. The permit is arranged through a registered trekking agency and is built into MountainKick’s package price, along with the licensed guide that’s required for anyone entering Upper Mustang.
Permit Cost by Duration
| Permit days | Cost |
|---|---|
| 3 days | $150 |
| 5 days | $250 |
| 7 days | $350 |
| 10 days | $500 |
| 12 days | $600 |
| 14 days | $700 |
This is the cost for that many days inside the restricted zone. It isn’t the same as your total trip length, as the next section explains.
Does a 16-Day Trek Mean I Pay $800 for the Permit?
No. The $50 daily rate applies only to days covered by the permit, counted from Kagbeni. A 16-day Kathmandu to Kathmandu itinerary includes Kathmandu, Pokhara and travel outside the restricted zone, none of which count. The permit days are already factored into MountainKick’s package price, so you don’t calculate them separately.
Can You Trek Upper Mustang Alone?
Yes. The minimum group size for restricted area permits was removed on 22 March 2026. Solo doesn’t mean unguided, though. A licensed guide is still required. MountainKick’s solo price is $1,987.
ACAP Permit
Upper Mustang also needs an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, since the route passes through the Annapurna Conservation Area before reaching the restricted zone. It costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and is included in the package.
Based on MountainKick’s current permit processing, a separate TIMS card is not being issued for the Upper Mustang trek. Requirements can change, so we confirm the current documentation before departure. See our Nepal trekking permits guide for general rules.
Pokhara to Jomsom: Flight or Jeep
The standard route to the trailhead is a short flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, about 20 to 25 minutes, included both ways in the package. It’s also the leg most exposed to weather delays, since flights only run in the morning before the wind picks up.
A jeep is the slower alternative, taking 6 to 8 hours on rough roads. Ask us about it if you’d rather trade time for cost, or want a backup plan if flights are grounded.
Kathmandu to Pokhara: Bus, Private Vehicle or Flight
The included option is a tourist bus, about 6 to 7 hours each way. Two upgrades are available:
- A private vehicle, roughly $160 to $180 per vehicle each way. It’s faster and more flexible, and good value for couples or small groups sharing the cost.
- A domestic flight of about 25 minutes, if you’d rather not spend a day on the road.
Trek vs Jeep: Which Is Cheaper?
| Trek | Jeep tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Main activity | Limited |
| Duration | About 16 days | Can be much shorter |
| Guide | Required | Required |
| Restricted permit | Required | Required |
| Best for | Trekkers who want to walk | Travellers short on time |
A jeep tour isn’t automatically cheaper, since private vehicle costs add up. Where it saves money is by covering the route in fewer days.
Accommodation
City nights are in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, twin sharing with breakfast. On the trail you stay in family-run teahouses, also twin sharing. Standards are generally better between Kagbeni and Lo Manthang and more basic on the return through Dhakmar and Syangboche. A single room supplement is available on request.
Food and Daily Meal Costs
Meals on the trail are pay as you go, generally $30 to $50 per person per day. Teahouse menus cover dal bhat, noodle soups, momos, fried rice, eggs and porridge, with more Tibetan dishes like thukpa and tsampa past Charang. Dal bhat is usually the best value, since it’s cooked fresh and refilled. Many trekkers avoid meat in the upper valley, because supplies have to be carried in and freshness can be harder to guarantee.
Prices climb the further north you go, since supplies are carried in.
Guide, Porter and Tipping
A licensed guide is included and required for this restricted area. A porter is also included, one per two trekkers with a 20kg load limit.
Tips aren’t included and are up to you. For the 16-day trek, many trekkers budget around $150 to $300 for the guide and porter combined, depending on group size and service. See our guide to tipping guides and porters in Nepal.
Why Upper Mustang Costs More Than Many Nepal Treks
- The Restricted Area Permit, at $50 a day, is a cost most other treks don’t have
- The route needs a flight or a long jeep ride to reach the trailhead
- Fewer lodges and a smaller supply network push up food prices the further north you go
- A licensed guide is required whatever your group size or experience
- Remoteness adds paperwork and logistics that easier treks don’t carry
| Trek | Main cost driver |
|---|---|
| Upper Mustang | Restricted permit and remote logistics |
| Manaslu Circuit | Restricted permit and remote logistics |
| Everest Base Camp | Lukla flights and duration |
| Annapurna Circuit | Transport and duration |
| Annapurna Base Camp | Transport and accommodation |
Personal Expenses
Beyond food, budget for hot showers ($4 to $6), device charging ($3 to $5), Wi-Fi where available ($2 to $4) and bottled water ($2 to $3). Over the trek these usually add up to about $75 to $150.
How Much Cash to Carry
ATMs become very limited beyond Jomsom, so carry enough Nepali rupees before heading north. For food and normal personal expenses, around $400 to $700 in cash is a reasonable starting budget, plus whatever you plan to give as tips. Carry small notes, since change is hard to find in remote villages. For ATM limits and fees, see our guide to money in Nepal for trekkers.
Extra Costs in Lo Manthang
You may also want to budget for:
- Monastery and palace entrance fees, usually small and paid in cash
- Donations at religious sites
- Souvenirs and local handicrafts
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance isn’t included. Your policy should cover trekking and emergency evacuation at the maximum altitude on your itinerary. MountainKick’s current Upper Mustang route reaches about 4,100m at Dhi Pass, its highest point. See our guide to travel insurance for trekking in Nepal for what a policy needs to include.
Flight Delays and Buffer Days
Pokhara to Jomsom is one of the more weather-sensitive flight routes in Nepal, since flights only operate in calm morning conditions. It’s worth keeping one or two spare days in your plans. If your flight is cancelled, you may need to pay for an extra hotel night, meals, a rebooked flight or, in some cases, an extra permit day if your return is pushed back while you’re inside the restricted zone. Insurance doesn’t automatically cover every delay, so check your policy.
What’s Included in a MountainKick Upper Mustang Package
- Airport transfers in Kathmandu
- Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, twin sharing with breakfast, 4 nights in total
- Teahouse accommodation on the trek, twin sharing, 10 nights
- Licensed guide for the full trek
- Porter service
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit
- ACAP permit
- Flights Pokhara to Jomsom and return
- Tourist bus Kathmandu to Pokhara and return
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu
- MountainKick duffel bag, yours to keep
What You Pay Separately
- International flights
- Nepal visa (15 days $30, 30 days $50)
- Travel insurance covering the maximum altitude on your itinerary
- Meals on the trek, generally $30 to $50 a day
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara, except the farewell dinner
- Tips for guide and porter
- Personal expenses such as showers, Wi-Fi, charging and snacks
- Monastery and cultural site fees in Lo Manthang
For more on the guide rules, see our guide on whether you need a guide to trek in Nepal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Upper Mustang Trek cost?
MountainKick’s 16-day package starts at $1,480 per person for groups of 8 to 12, rising to $1,519 for 4 to 7, $1,697 for 2 to 3 and $1,987 solo. It covers permits, guide, porter, accommodation and the Pokhara to Jomsom flights. With food, tips and personal spending, most trekkers should budget about $2,000 to $3,000 before international flights and insurance.
How much is the Upper Mustang permit?
The Restricted Area Permit is $50 per person per day for the days covered by the permit, with no minimum stay. A 10-day permit costs $500 and a 14-day permit $700. This replaced the old $500 for 10 days plus $50 per extra day in November 2025.
Does a 16-day trek mean I pay $800 in permit fees?
No. The permit only covers days inside the restricted zone, not the full Kathmandu to Kathmandu trip.
Can I take a jeep instead of flying to Jomsom?
Yes. A jeep from Pokhara to Jomsom takes 6 to 8 hours compared with the 20 minute flight. It’s slower, but can work as an alternative or a backup.
Can I upgrade the Kathmandu to Pokhara transport?
Yes. The package includes a tourist bus, but a private vehicle (roughly $160 to $180 per vehicle) or a domestic flight are available as upgrades.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. It should cover trekking and emergency evacuation at the maximum altitude on your itinerary, about 4,100m at Dhi Pass on MountainKick’s current route. It isn’t included in the package.
Can I do this trek solo?
Yes. Since 22 March 2026, solo trekkers can get the Upper Mustang permit without a second person. A licensed guide is still required.
Do I need a TIMS card for Upper Mustang?
Based on MountainKick’s current permit processing, a separate TIMS card is not being issued for the Upper Mustang trek. You need the Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit and ACAP, both arranged by MountainKick. Requirements can change, so we confirm the documentation before departure.
How much cash should I carry?
Around $400 to $700 for food and personal expenses, plus your tips. ATMs are very limited beyond Jomsom, so withdraw before you head north.
Planning an Upper Mustang trek?
Talk directly with our Kathmandu team about dates, group size and permits. WhatsApp: +977 985 118 2718.
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