Upper Mustang, the old kingdom of Lo, is a restricted area. The Department of Immigration now lists its permit at USD 50 per person per day, replacing the old USD 500 for 10 days. You also need the ACAP permit, a registered agency and a licensed guide. Treks to Lo Manthang (3,840 m) run 11 to 15 days, and agencies list about US$1,500 to US$1,650 per person.
Mustang · Permits: Restricted area permit: Upper Mustang, Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit (ACAP)
Key facts
- Highest point
- 3,840 m, Lo Manthang (en.wikipedia.org, checked 2026-10-23)
- Days
- Standard trek 11 days; 14 to 15 day versions; 7-day jeep tours exist (nepalalternativetreks.com, checked 2026-10-23)
- Lo Manthang altitude
- 3,840 m (en.wikipedia.org, checked 2026-10-23)
- Restricted permit
- USD 50 per person per day (immigration.gov.np, checked 2026-10-23)
- Getting there
- Pokhara to Jomsom by flight (US$150 to US$170 one way for foreigners) or by road (nepalalternativetreks.com, checked 2026-10-23)
- Difficulty
- Moderate (our scale)
Permits
| Permit | Fee and conditions |
|---|---|
| Restricted area permit: Upper Mustang | USD 50 per person per day, as listed by the Department of Immigration. (immigration.gov.np, checked 2026-10-23) This replaced the old flat fee of USD 500 for the first 10 days. TAAN's fee page still shows the old fee; see the contradictions below. |
| Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit (ACAP) | NPR 3,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, tax included. Single entry. Children under 10 need no permit. Double fee if bought at a check post. Online payment by card adds 2.9%. (epermit.ntnc.org.np, checked 2026-10-30) |
Guide rule
Official rule Restricted areas (Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Tsum, Nar Phu, Dolpa, Kanchenjunga and others)
A licensed guide and a registered trekking agency are required. Since 22 March 2026 you may go as a single trekker with your own guide. (immigration.gov.np, checked 2026-10-23)(kathmandupost.com, checked 2026-10-30)
What it costs
Ranges published by agencies and guides, per person, in US dollars. They are not quotes. Check what each price includes.
- 11-day trek
- US$1,460 to US$1,550 per person (nepalalternativetreks.com, checked 2026-10-23)
- 14 to 15-day trek
- US$1,500 to US$1,650 per person (nepalalternativetreks.com, checked 2026-10-23)
- 7-day jeep tour
- US$1,150 per person (nepalalternativetreks.com, checked 2026-10-23)
Upper Mustang: cost and permit calculator
Per person, from the fees and day rates on this site. Permit fees are official where the issuer publishes them; guide, porter and flight prices are what agencies publish. Change any number.
Sources: permit fees on permits and rules; day rates, flights and package prices in each trek guide's cost section.
The permit change in plain words
For years Upper Mustang cost a flat USD 500 for the first 10 days, even for a shorter visit. The government announced USD 50 a day in November 2025, and the Department of Immigration's fee table now shows USD 50 per person per day. TAAN's own fee page still shows the old figure, so check the amount on your agency's quote against the Department of Immigration page.
Restricted area rules that apply here
- The permit is issued only through a registered trekking agency.
- A licensed guide is required; since 22 March 2026 a single trekker can get the permit.
- Upper Mustang is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so the ACAP permit is needed too.
How to book this trek safely
- Find the agency in our directory of TAAN General Members and open its TAAN profile link to confirm the name and registration number match what the agency sent you.
- Ask for the agency's Department of Tourism trekking licence number as well. TAAN membership and the government licence are two different records.
- Get the itinerary, the price and what it includes (permits, flights or transport, guide, porter, lodges, meals) in writing before paying anything.
- Buy travel insurance that covers trekking up to at least 3,840 m and helicopter rescue. Read the altitude limit and the evacuation clause yourself.
- Pay the deposit to the company's own account or by card, not to a personal account or wallet, and keep the receipt.
Travel insurance for Upper Mustang
Check three things in the policy wording before you buy:
- Trekking is covered up to at least 3,840 m, the highest point of Upper Mustang.
- Helicopter rescue or evacuation from the mountains is covered, and what you must do first (most insurers want a call to their emergency line before a helicopter is sent).
- Any conditions about using a licensed guide or staying on official trails.
We do not link to any insurer yet. When we do, we will show each policy's altitude limit and rescue terms next to the link.
Questions
- How much is the Upper Mustang permit in 2026?
- USD 50 per person per day, according to the Department of Immigration's fee table. The old USD 500 for the first 10 days no longer appears there.
- Can I go to Upper Mustang alone?
- Not without a guide. Since March 2026 you can get the permit as a single trekker, but a licensed guide and a registered agency are required.
- How many days do I need?
- 11 days for a standard trek, 14 to 15 days for longer routes, or about 7 days by jeep.
Get quotes for Upper Mustang
Tell us your dates and group once. Only agencies we have checked against TAAN's member directory will see it, and only to send you a quote. Free, and no account.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Lomanthang Rural Municipality. Checked 2026-10-23.
- Nepal Alternative Treks (agency): Upper Mustang trek, updated 2026-07-07. Checked 2026-10-23.
- Department of Immigration, Nepal: Trekking route and permit fee. Checked 2026-10-23.
Permit and rule sources are listed on the permits and rules page. Spotted something out of date? Send a correction.