Upper Mustang permit fee for foreign visitors reduced

By Hari Krishna Sharma,Mustang, Nov. 20: Foreign nationals travelling to Upper Mustang will now only have to pay US$ 50, or the equivalent in foreign currency, for the number of days they actually spend trekking. 

The government has removed the earlier provision requiring each foreign tourist to pay a flat fee of US$ 500, plus an additional charge of Rs. 50 per day for visits longer than 10 days.

Government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, said that Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting amended Schedule 12 of the Immigration Regulations 1994. 

The decision brings relief to SAARC and other international tourists visiting areas that fall under restricted zones due to security sensitivities, including Chhusang -3 and Sangta-5 of Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality, as well as the border-linked areas of Lo Manthang and Lho Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality adjoining China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.

Local representatives, tourism entrepreneurs and stakeholders have welcomed the move, saying it fulfils a demand they have raised for nearly 15 years. 

Tashi Nhurbu Gurung, Chairperson of Lo Manthang Rural Municipality, said past efforts had finally paid off. “Now visitors only need to pay for the days they actually stay. This will ease the pressure on Upper Mustang’s tourism sector,” he said.

They argued that the rule requiring a one-time fee of US$ 500 for a 10-day permit had confined Mustang’s tourism “as if it were kept in a zoo”, and memorandums had been had submitted by various authorities to former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Sher Bahadur Deuba and KP Sharma Oli, among others. 

Since 1992, Upper Mustang had been designated as a restricted region, requiring foreigners to obtain special permits and pay a fixed fee for a limited period. Former Member of Parliament Yogesh Gauchan Thakali regularly raised the issue in the House of Representatives, calling for both a reduction in fees and the removal of the restricted-zone status.

He said that beyond the permit cost, the partial restriction should now be removed as cross-border trade expands. Tourism entrepreneurs believed that, with the Korala border point gradually opening, easing travel for foreign tourists would minimise the risk of visitors returning before reaching key destinations. They said a one-week fee of US$ 50 is more reasonable.

Raju Lalchan, President of the Mustang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said reducing the fee had long been a common agenda for all political parties, elected representatives, tourism businesses and 

stakeholders in Mustang.

Between July and November of the current fiscal year 2025/26 (2082/83), Mustang received 41,430 foreign tourists -- 24,545 men, 16,878 women and seven others. Of these, only around 1,710 reached Upper Mustang.

Tourism operators said that although nearly 100,000 Indian pilgrims visit Muktinath Temple every year, many avoid Upper Mustang due to the high fees and the hassles of travelling to a restricted zone. 

Upper Mustang’s ancient cave settlements, monasteries, Lo Manthang Palace, Korala border point, archaeological sites and unique culture and lifestyle remain major attractions for foreign visitors.