Nepal–Mustang–Lo Manthang Overland Expedition Desert Ridges & Sacred Shrines
21 Days • Kaligandaki Gorge, Muktinath Temple & Korola Border Download ItineraryThis 21-day expedition is a rare blend of spiritual depth, desert drama, and high-altitude offroad adventure. From the lakes of Pokhara to the windswept ridges of Upper Mustang, the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang to the sacred shrines of Muktinath, this loop is for explorers who crave scale, solitude, and story.
Trip Overview
Duration→21 Days
Best Season→April–June or September–November (dry roads, clear skies)
Total Distance→~3,500–4,000 km
Vehicle Type→4x4 SUV or ADV bike (essential for Mustang, Korola, Hanuman Chuli)
Difficulty→Very Challenging (border crossings, altitude, offroad terrain)
Permits→
→Indian citizens: No visa required
→Vehicle: Temporary entry permit at Sonauli borderor Lo Manthang
→Nepal: ACAP + TIMS for Mustang, special permit for Lo Manthang
Mobile Network→- Patchy in Mustang, Lo Manthang, Korola; Jio/BSNL in India and Nepal plains
Fuel Planning→Pumps in Pokhara, Jomsom, Kathmandu; carry 40–60 L spare for Mustang leg
Day‑by‑DayItinerar
Day 1: Chandigarh → Gorakhpur
- Distance/Time: ~900 km 14–16 hrs
- Highlights:
- Long highway drive via Lucknow
- Overnight halt near Sonauli border
- Stay: Gorakhpur
- Tip: Carry all vehicle documents for border entry
Day 2: Gorakhpur → Sonauli → Pokhara
- Distance/Time: ~250 km 6–7 hrs
- Border: Sonauli (India–Nepal)
- Highlights:
- Cross border with vehicle permit
- Scenic drive to Pokhara via Siddhartha Highway
- Stay: Pokhara lakeside
- Tip: Visit customs early to avoid delays
Day 3–4: Pokhara exploration + buffer
- Highlights:
- Phewa Lake, Barahi Temple, Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Cave
- Buffer day for permits and vehicle prep
- Stay: Pokhara
- Tip: Apply for ACAP + TIMS + Mustang permit
Day 5: Pokhara → Beni → Tatopani
- Distance/Time: ~120 km 5–6 hrs
- Highlights:
- Enter Kaligandaki Gorge
- Drive through waterfalls and cliff roads
- Stay: Tatopani
- Tip: Check tyre pressure before offroad ascent
Day 6: Tatopani → Jomsom → Kagbeni
- Distance/Time: ~90 km 5–6 hrs
- Highlights:
- Cliff-hugging drive to Jomsom
- Visit Kagbeni Monastery
- Stay: Kagbeni
- Tip: Acclimatize slowly — altitude begins here
Day 7: Kagbeni → Muktinath → Lo Manthang
- Distance/Time: ~100 km 6–7 hrs
- Pass: Muktinath (3,800 m)
- Highlights:
- Visit Muktinath Temple — sacred to Hindus and Buddhists
- Enter Upper Mustang desert
- Stay: Lo Manthang
- Tip: Photography restricted inside temple sanctums
Day 8–9: Lo Manthang exploration + Korola Border
- Distance/Time: ~60 km round trip 4–5 hrs
- Highlights:
- Visit Korola Border (Nepal–Tibet frontier)
- Explore Lo Manthang Palace, Thubchen Gompa, Choser caves
- Stay: Lo Manthang
- Tip: Carry snacks and water — no shops en route
Day 10: Lo Manthang → Hanuman Chuli → Return
- Distance/Time: ~80 km 5–6 hrs
- Highlights:
- Offroad ascent to Hanuman Chuli viewpoint
- Panoramic views of Mustang desert and Tibetan plateau
- Stay: Lo Manthang
- Tip: Drive slow — loose gravel and wind gusts
Day 11: Lo Manthang → Jomsom
- Distance/Time: ~100 km 5–6 hrs
- Highlights:
- Return via Kaligandaki corridor
- Visit Marpha village (apple orchards)
- Stay: Jomsom
- Tip: Try local apple brandy and dried fruit
Day 12: Jomsom → Tatopani → Pokhara
- Distance/Time: ~120 km 6–7 hrs
- Highlights:
- Cliff descent into Pokhara
- Rest and refuel
- Stay: Pokhara
- Tip: Check suspension and brakes post offroad leg
Day 13: Pokhara → Lumbini
- Distance/Time: ~200 km 6 hrs
- Highlights:
- Visit Lumbini — birthplace of Buddha
- Explore Maya Devi Temple, monastic zones
- Stay: Lumbini
- Tip: Best light for photography is early morning
Day 14: Lumbini → Chitwan
- Distance/Time: ~150 km 4–5 hrs
- Highlights:
- Visit Chitwan National Park
- Optional jungle safari
- Stay: Chitwan
- Tip: Book safari in advance
Day 15: Chitwan → Kathmandu
- Distance/Time: ~180 km 6–7 hrs
- Highlights:
- Scenic drive via Mugling
- Arrival in Kathmandu
- Stay: Thamel
- Tip: Visit Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Durbar Square
Day 16: Kathmandu → Bhaktapur
- Distance/Time: ~20 km 1 hr
- Highlights:
- Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pottery Square, Nyatapola Temple
- Stay: Bhaktapur
- Tip: Try local Juju Dhau (curd)
Day 17: Bhaktapur → Raxaul Border → Patna
- Distance/Time: ~300 km 8–9 hrs
- Border: Raxaul (Nepal–India)
- Highlights:
- Cross into Bihar
- Overnight in Patna
- Stay: Patna
- Tip: Carry printed vehicle permit for Indian re-entry
Day 18: Patna → Varanasi
- Distance/Time: ~250 km 6–7 hrs
- Highlights:
- Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ganga Aarti
- Stay: Varanasi
- Tip: Book Ghat-side stay for sunrise views
Day 19: Varanasi → Lucknow
- Distance/Time: ~300 km 6–7 hrs
- Highlights:
- Visit Bara Imambara, Rumi Darwaza
- Stay: Lucknow
- Tip: Try Awadhi thali and kebabs
Day 20: Lucknow → Chandigarh
- Distance/Time: ~700 km 12–14 hrs
- Highlights:
- Long highway return
- Stay: Chandigarh
- Tip: Celebrate completion with local Himachali cuisine
Day 21: Buffer / Rest
- Options:
- Vehicle service, content backup, or rest
- Finish: Chandigarh (trip end)
📍 Route Map for Your Planner
Chandigarh → Gorakhpur → Sonauli Border → Pokhara → Beni → Tatopani → Jomsom → Kagbeni → Muktinath → Lo Manthang → Korola Border → Hanuman Chuli → Jomsom → Pokhara → Lumbini → Chitwan → Kathmandu → Bhaktapur → Raxaul Border → Patna → Varanasi → Lucknow → Chandigarh
Essentials to Carry
- Documents:
- Valid Driving License (DL), Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC), Insurance papers
- Aadhaar or Passport for ID
- Nepal vehicle entry permit (issued at Sonauli border)
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit), TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System), and Special Permit for Upper Mustang (issued in Pokhara or Kathmandu)
- Clothing:
- Layered warm gear (base layer, fleece, down jacket)
- Windproof and waterproof outer shell
- Gloves, woolen cap, sun hat, thermal socks
- Footwear:
- Waterproof trekking shoes with ankle support
- Sandals or slip-ons for camp use
- Health & Safety:
- Diamox (for altitude), ORS, basic meds, portable oxygen canisters
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+), lip balm, sunglasses
- First-aid kit with antiseptics, bandages, and altitude meds
- Gear & Navigation:
- Offline maps (Maps.me, Gaia GPS), printed route backup
- Power banks (20,000 mAh+), headlamps, extra batteries
- Tyre inflator, puncture kit, tow strap, jump cables
- Jerrycans (40–60 L fuel capacity), engine oil, coolant
- Miscellaneous:
- Snacks, dry fruits, hydration salts
- Thermos flask, reusable water bottles
- Camera with extra SD cards
- Trash bags — strict no-litter ethic
Insider Tip:
💡 Insider Tips
- Best season: April–June and September–November for dry roads and clear skies
- Photography: Lo Manthang palace, Korola desert ridges, Muktinath sunrise, Hanuman Chuli panorama
- Local eats: Try thukpa and yak cheese in Mustang, apple brandy in Marpha, Newari cuisine in Bhaktapur
- Eco-ethic: No littering, no drone use near border zones, respect monastery customs
- Road caution: Mustang and Korola stretches are remote, dusty, and cliff-hugging — drive slow and steady
Permits, fuel and checkpoints
- Permits Required:
- Nepal vehicle entry permit (Sonauli border)
- ACAP + TIMS (Pokhara or Kathmandu)
- Special Permit for Upper Mustang (Lo Manthang, Korola)
- ILP for Hanle/Umling La if route extends via Ladakh
- Fuel Planning:
- Reliable pumps: Chandigarh, Gorakhpur, Pokhara, Jomsom, Kathmandu
- Carry 40–60 L spare fuel for Mustang and Korola leg
- Fuel availability in Lo Manthang is limited and expensive
- Checkpoints & Border Notes:
- Customs at Sonauli and Raxaul (vehicle and ID checks)
- Army/ITBP checks near Korola and Hanle
- Local police checks in Mustang and Kathmandu Valley
- Timing Tips:
- Mustang roads best driven before noon
- Avoid driving after dark in offroad zones
- Border crossings open 6 am–6 pm (carry photocopies)
