New Upper Mustang Permit Rule: Daily USD 50 Fee for Foreign Travelers

Nepal Ends Mandatory 10-Day Minimum Fee for Upper Mustang Permit; Introduces a Flexible Daily Rate of USD 50 For Foreing Travellers.

KATHMANDU, NEPAL 11 November 2025 -The Government of Nepal has declared a major policy change in the Upper Mustang Permit( restricted region), replacing the compulsory 10-day fixed charge system with a daily payment version.

Foreigners visiting the Upper Mustang will be required to pay USD $50 per person per day, whereas a mandatory lump sum payment is no longer required, which is inclusive of a minimum ten-day visit.

The Spokesperson of the Government and the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, announced the decision during a recent cabinet meeting. This was done by amendment of Schedule 12 to Immigration Regulations, 2051 (1994).

Check out: Upper Mustang Trek Package

Table of Contents

Key Policy Change

Earlier on, foreign tourists who intended to travel to Upper Mustang had to buy an Upper Mustang Permit of USD$500 for a minimum of 10 Days, whether they used the entire duration or not. And a charge of $50 per person per day was applied to any accommodation over 10 days.

According to the new Upper Mustang Permit rules, the new provision has eliminated the lump sum of $500 that one had to pay at the outset. The tourists will now pay just $50 as a daily fee within the Upper Mustang restricted area.

Minister Kharel explained that this policy change is aimed at making the historic and culturally diverse part more accessible and match fee arrangements with real travel arrangements.

Boosting Tourism and Local Economy

Upper Mustang

Upper Mustang shares the direct northern border with China(the Tibet Autonomous Region), and it is controlled by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) due to sensitive areas. The high rate of the Upper Mustang Permit fees was one of the main discouragements to the foreign travellers.

According to the reports, every year around 15,000 foreign tourists visit the Mustang district, only three to four percent proceed past Kagbeni and Muktinath into the Upper Mustang.

So now, under this flexible Upper Mustang Permit fee system, it is expected that it will boost the number of visitors in the Upper Mustang. Now, due to the flexible payment system, tourists should not have to return from lower Mustang. It will help them to encourage visitors to visit the Upper Mustang without the burden of the initial mandatory fee.

Positive Reception from Local Authorities

Local leaders of Nepal have welcomed this government decision about the new Upper Mustang Permit Policy in a positive way. Also, Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality Chairman Lobsang Chhophel Bista expressed satisfaction even though his request was to remove Upper Mustang from the restricted list. Has said that the new government decision has partially addressed the long-standing local concern about tourism in Upper Mustang.

Similarly, Tashi Norbu Gurung, Chairman of Lo Manthang Rural Municipality, acknowledged the change as a positive and constructive step forward for the region.

Essential Restrictions That Remain:

Despite the change in the flexible Upper Mustang Permit fee system, it is important to note that Upper Mustang remains a restricted and controlled area. This means:

Mandatory Permits: All foreign nationals still need to have Restricted permits and Annapurna Conservation Area Permits( ACAP) to visit here.
Group Travel: Foreign travellers must travel to Upper Mustang in a group of at least two people. Solo travel is banned here due to the restricted area.
License Guide: Another important thing that foreign travellers need to understand is that you cannot travel to Upper Mustang without having a licensed guide with you. The Nepal government must have licensed your tour guide.
Authorized Travel Agents: All the travel arrangements for the Upper Mustang must be processed through the registered trekking agencies in Nepal. So, while booking the Upper Mustang trip, make sure to choose the tour agency that handles all your permits, food, accommodation, logistics, transportation, and other essential things required while travelling.
Environmental and Cultural Sensitivity: During the visit to the Upper Mustang, all the visitors must respect the environment regulations and show respect to the Mustang local culture and traditions.

Worth reading: Mustang Jeep Tour Package

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Upper Mustang Is Restricted Area?

The government of Nepal put Upper Mustang in the restricted areas list due to the following reasons:

Upper Mustang shares a direct border with Tibet, making it a politically sensitive zone.
Upper Mustang has a great history. It was once an independent Himalayan Kingdom.
The government limits visitors to protect its culture, caves, monasteries, and desert landscapes.
High permit fees were used to control mass tourism.

2. What Makes the Upper Mustang Special for Travellers?

Upper Mustang has lots of things to see and explore. Here is the top highlight of these places so that you can understand why Upper Mustang is Special:

Ancient walled city of Lo Manthang
Sky caves and old monasteries
Tibetan-influenced culture
Dry desert landscapes like “Mini Tibet”
Rare festivals such as the Tiji Festival
One of Nepal’s last preserved Himalayan cultures

3. What is the Difference Between the Old Upper Mustang Permit Fee and the New Permit Fee?

Old System:

USD 500 for the first 10 days (mandatory)
Plus USD 50 per day after 10 days
Not flexible
High entry costs discouraged visitors.

New System (2025):

USD 50 per day
Pay only for days used
More flexible, cheaper for short treks
Encourages longer stays if travellers want

4. How the New Daily Upper Mustang Fee Benefits Travelers?

Many people will ask now, “Is the Upper Mustang permit still expensive? Now it’s not due to the following reason:

Much cheaper for short visits
Fair cost based on the number of days
Encourages budget travellers
Makes Upper Mustang more accessible
Easier to plan flexible itineraries
Encourages tourists to explore beyond Kagbeni and Muktinath

What Is the Expected Impact of the New Upper Mustang Permit Fee on Tourism?

There will be short-term and long-term impacts due to the new flexible payment system on the Upper Mustang Permit. Here is how:

More people will now visit the Upper Mustang.
Higher income for homestays, jeeps, horse rentals, and local guides
Boost for small hotels and tea houses
Increase in jobs for local guides and travel agencies
Longer trekking seasons due to easier access

What Are the Permit Requirements for Upper Mustang? (Updated Checklist for 2026)

Travelers must have:

Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
ACAP permit
Licensed trekking guide
Minimum group of two people
Passport copy + original passport
Travel insurance(optional)
Booking through a registered agency

How to Apply for the Upper Mustang Permit?

To apply for the Upper Mustang Permit:

Choose a registered trekking or tour agency from Nepal.
Send passport copy, travel insurance, and dates.
The agency submits the application to the Department of Immigration, Kathmandu.
Pay permit fees.
Receive a permit and start a tour or trek.

When is the Best Time to Trek in Upper Mustang?

Best seasons: Spring (March–May) and Autumn (Sept–Nov) due to clear sky and pleasant weather conditions.
Summer is also possible because it is a rain-shadow destination, but you need to check road conditions before heading.
Winter is cold and many lodges close, so we don’t recommend you to visit in this season.

How Much Does the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour Cost?

The cost of a Jeep tour to Upper Mustang varies quite a lot depending on the tour company, trip duration, group size, and inclusions (like meals, accommodation, and permits).

Here is the average cost according to the itinerary days:

Upper Mustang Jeep Tour 6 – 7 Days: USD 1,400 and 2,000 per person
Upper Mustang Jeep Tour 10-14 Days: USD 2,100 to 4,000 USD per person

How Much Does the Upper Mustang Trek Cost in Nepal?

To complete the Upper Mustang trek, it takes around 14-17 days. The actual Upper Mustang trek cost depends on the itinerary days and the level of service you want.

Upper Mustang Trek 14-17 Days Cost: USD 1,700 to 2,500 USD per person
Luxury Upper Mustang Trek Cost: Above USD 5,000 per person.

What is the Best 7-day Upper Mustang Jeep Tour Itinerary?

Here is the best 7-day Jeep tour itinerary:

Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara

Day 2: Pokhara to Jomsom

Day 3: Jomsom to Lo Manthang

Day 4: Lo Manthang exploration

Day 5: Lo Manthang to Muktinath

Day 6: Muktinath to Pokhara

Day 7: Pokhara to Kathmandu

November 19, 2025January 4, 2026 by Sujan Kapri