Pokhara to Mustang
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Ways to make the journey
20 min
Small aircraft fly from Pokhara to Jomsom at 2,720 m through the gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, one of the most dramatic flights in Nepal. Flights run only in the morning, before strong winds rise in the valley, and cloud often delays or cancels them. We book the first departures, keep a spare day in every Mustang journey and have a car on standby as a backup.
7–9 h
The road from Pokhara runs via Beni, Tatopani and the Kali Gandaki gorge to Jomsom, with long stretches of rough, dusty or muddy surface and occasional landslides. It is a hard day, but it passes waterfalls, the hot springs at Tatopani and the villages of Thakkhola. We use 4x4 vehicles with experienced drivers and can break the journey with a night in the valley.
6–7 h from Jomsom
Beyond Jomsom and Kagbeni, a dirt road runs north through Upper Mustang to Lo Manthang at about 3,840 m. Travel here needs a restricted-area permit, a licensed guide and an agency booking. Most of our guests spend a night or two in Jomsom first to acclimatise, then drive north in a 4x4, stopping at villages, caves and gompas. Check current status before you travel.
Worth a stop
- Tatopani hot springs
- Marpha
- Kagbeni
- Chhusang and the cliff caves of Upper Mustang
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How do I get from Pokhara to Mustang?
Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom, about 20 minutes, on a morning flight; that is the usual route. The alternative is a road of about 160 km through Beni and the Kali Gandaki gorge, 7–9 hours in a 4x4. From Jomsom, Upper Mustang and Lo Manthang are a further 6–7 hours by 4x4 and require a restricted-area permit.
Why do Jomsom flights only run in the morning?
Strong winds blow up the Kali Gandaki valley from late morning, making landings at Jomsom unsafe, so flights operate only in the early hours. Cloud over the gorge also causes frequent delays and cancellations. We book the first departures, add a buffer day to every Mustang journey, and switch to a 4x4 by road when flights are grounded for long.
Do I need a permit for Upper Mustang?
Yes. Upper Mustang, north of Kagbeni, is a restricted area. Foreign visitors need a special permit, currently USD 500 per person for the first 10 days and USD 50 per day after, booked through a registered agency with a licensed guide, plus the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. Jomsom and Muktinath need only ACAP. Check current status before you travel.
Is the road from Pokhara to Jomsom safe?
It is passable for most of the year in a 4x4 with an experienced driver, but it is rough, narrow in places and prone to landslides in the monsoon. Travel times vary widely with conditions. We use it as a backup to flights or for travellers who want to see the gorge, and we avoid driving it after dark.