Planning the pilgrimage
Permits, realistic budgets, and itinerary options for the Pokhara-to-Korala route. Rules and prices here reflect typical current requirements — always confirm current fees with a registered agency before booking.
Permits
ACAP — Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
NPR 3,000 (~$23) for foreign nationalsRequired for the entire route, including Pokhara-side approach.
Issued at: Nepal Tourism Board office, Kathmandu or Pokhara
TIMS — Trekkers' Information Management System card
$10–20Standard trekker registration card; usually arranged by your agency.
Issued at: Nepal Tourism Board office, Kathmandu or Pokhara
RAP — Restricted Area Permit (Upper Mustang)
$500 for first 10 days/person, then $50/day afterMandatory beyond Kagbeni. Requires a minimum group of 2 travelers and a licensed guide — independent solo trekking is not permitted in this zone.
Issued at: Only issued through a registered Nepali trekking agency in Kathmandu/Pokhara
Budget snapshot
Rough total cost per person for a 12-day itinerary, excluding international flights.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Permits (ACAP + TIMS + RAP, 10 days) | $535 | $535 |
| Guide + porter (12 days) | $300–420 | $420–600 |
| Lodging + food (12 days) | $240–360 | $500–700 |
| Jeep/flight legs (Pokhara–Jomsom, local jeeps) | $150–250 | $250–400 |
| Estimated total | ≈ $1,225–1,565 | ≈ $1,705–2,235 |
Suggested itineraries
7 days
Fast, jeep-based
Pokhara → fly to Jomsom → jeep to Kagbeni, Muktinath, Lo Manthang → fly back
Best for: Limited time, want to see Lo Manthang without multi-day trekking
12 days
Balanced trek + jeep
Pokhara → Jomsom (fly) → trek/jeep to Kagbeni → Muktinath → Chele → Ghami → Charang → Lo Manthang → Chosser → return by jeep
Best for: Most common itinerary — real trekking days with jeep support on the return
18+ days
Full trek both ways
Pokhara → trek the full Kali Gandaki valley up through every village → Lo Manthang → Korala → Garphu/Tangge extension → trek back out
Best for: Purists, photographers, and pilgrims wanting the complete slow journey
Best season
Upper Mustang sits in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, so it stays trekkable even during Nepal’s monsoon (June–August) when most other regions are washed out. The most popular windows are March–June and September–November, with the Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang (dates shift yearly, typically May) drawing the biggest crowds. Winter (December–February) is bitterly cold and windy, with many teahouses closed.