The Himalayan Luxury Escape — 10 Days | Nepal Lion Tours

The Himalayan Luxury Escape Overview

The Himalayan Luxury Escape is a 10-day private luxury tour of Nepal’s Mustang region and the Annapurna Himalayas, combining two domestic flights, two private helicopter sectors, six nights in a luxury mountain retreat and guided cultural days in the Kali Gandaki valley. It reaches a maximum altitude of 3,710 metres (12,172 feet) at Muktinath, is graded easy because all long-distance travel is by air or private vehicle, and suits travellers who want close-up Himalayan scenery, heritage sites and premium comfort without multi-day walking.

The journey starts and ends in Kathmandu. From Kathmandu you fly to Pokhara (822 m / 2,697 ft), then continue by private helicopter into Lower Mustang to base yourself at Jomsom (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) for six nights. From there the itinerary explores Marpha (2,670 m / 8,760 ft), the pilgrimage complex at Muktinath (3,710 m / 12,172 ft), the villages of Jharkot (3,550 m / 11,647 ft) and Jhong (3,700 m / 12,139 ft), and the ancient trading town of Kagbeni (2,840 m / 9,318 ft) on the Kali Gandaki river. The return leg flies back to Pokhara by helicopter, adds a private Annapurna helicopter tour with a mountain landing, and finishes with a scenic domestic flight to Kathmandu.

With Nepal Lion Tours, the package starts from USD 3,325 per person on the standard tier and USD 4,489 per person on the luxury tier, including private airport transfers, both domestic flights, private helicopter sectors arranged through a licensed charter operator, luxury accommodation, meals as per the itinerary, a licensed English-speaking guide, the applicable conservation permits and trekking gear such as a down jacket, sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map.

What Makes the Himalayan Luxury Escape Special?

The defining feature of this package is how you move through Nepal. Instead of a two-day road approach up the Kali Gandaki, the itinerary replaces the long overland stages with a private helicopter sector from Pokhara to Jomsom and a matching private helicopter flight back to Pokhara, both arranged through a licensed charter operator. That frees up six consecutive nights in one place — the luxury retreat at Shinta Mani Mustang — rather than a different teahouse each night.

The middle of the trip is built around Lower Mustang’s cultural triangle. Muktinath is one of the few places in the Himalayas sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, at 3,710 m / 12,172 ft. Around it sit Jharkot and Jhong, with narrow lanes, stone houses, mani walls and monasteries, and below it Kagbeni, the mud-brick town at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Jhong Rivers and the traditional gateway to Upper Mustang. West of Jomsom, Marpha is known for whitewashed stone houses, cobbled lanes and Thakali culture.

The closing chapters are equally distinctive. Day 9 is a private Annapurna helicopter tour with a mountain landing, with aerial views of Annapurna I (8,091 m / 26,545 ft), Annapurna South (7,219 m / 23,684 ft) and Machhapuchhre (6,993 m / 22,943 ft) before you set down for photographs at a suitable high-altitude location, subject to weather and landing conditions. Between them sit two soft days built around wellness, yoga, spa treatments, a private excursion or an active choice of horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking or archery — the reason this itinerary is called an escape rather than an expedition.

Why Choose the Himalayan Luxury Escape?

If you have 10 days in Nepal and want the Himalayas without the logistical weight of a trekking route, this package is the practical answer. It uses Kathmandu, Pokhara and Jomsom as road- and air-accessible bases, stays in one luxury property for six nights, and reaches a maximum altitude of only 3,710 m / 12,172 ft with no night spent above 2,720 m / 8,924 ft.

It is also efficient. Two short domestic flights and two helicopter sectors replace roughly two full days of mountain road travel, so the middle of the itinerary belongs to sightseeing, culture and rest rather than transfers. Everything is arranged as a private package: private vehicle transfers, a private helicopter charter, guided excursions and a fixed set of inclusions, which means fewer compromises and no shared group schedule.

Who Is This 10-Day Luxury Tour Suitable For?

The Himalayan Luxury Escape is a good choice for:

• Couples and honeymooners who want Himalayan scenery with premium comfort
• Families and multi-generational groups who cannot commit to walking days
• First-time visitors to Nepal who want Kathmandu, Pokhara and Mustang in one trip
• Travellers with limited time who would rather fly than drive the Kali Gandaki road
• View-hunters who want Annapurna and Dhaulagiri panoramas from the air and on the ground
• Guests interested in Himalayan culture — Muktinath, Kagbeni, Marpha and Jharkot
• Anyone celebrating a special occasion who values spa time, private activities and slow evenings
• Photographers wanting a mountain landing and aerial perspectives of the Annapurna range

No trekking experience is required. The one caveat is altitude: Day 4 is a 7–8 hour excursion that climbs to 3,710 m / 12,172 ft, so you should be comfortable with a full day of vehicle-and-walking sightseeing at that height.

Guide’s Note — Nepal Lion Tours

“From our experience operating Mustang departures, the moment travellers remember is the helicopter arrival: you leave Pokhara’s green hills behind, cross the barren Kali Gandaki corridor between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, and land at Jomsom with the whole valley in front of you. The flight times and the landing site on Day 9 depend on weather and aviation clearance, so we build the itinerary with flexible afternoons rather than tight connections.” — Nepal Lion Tours Trek Team

Quick Facts

The Himalayan Luxury Escape Route and Elevation

The Himalayan Luxury Escape route is a loop built around air links and one fixed mountain base. It begins in Kathmandu (1,400 m / 4,593 ft), uses a domestic flight and a private helicopter to reach Jomsom (2,720 m / 8,924 ft), works outward by private vehicle to Marpha, Muktinath, Jharkot, Jhong and Kagbeni, then reverses the air journey via Pokhara (822 m / 2,697 ft) with a scenic flight back to Kathmandu.

Because you sleep in the same lodge for six nights, the route reads more like a series of radiating day journeys than a linear trek. The longest of them is Day 4, the Muktinath–Jharkot–Jhong–Kagbeni circuit, which is also the only day that exceeds 3,000 m / 9,843 ft. Everything else stays close to the valley floor at 2,670–2,720 m / 8,760–8,924 ft.

Himalayan Luxury Escape Route at a Glance

Himalayan Luxury Escape Elevation Profile

The elevation profile of this package is unusual: instead of a steady climb and descent, it is flat with one spike. You start at 1,400 m / 4,593 ft in Kathmandu, drop to 822 m / 2,697 ft at Pokhara, step up to the constant 2,720 m / 8,924 ft of Jomsom for six nights, and make one day trip to Muktinath at 3,710 m / 12,172 ft before returning to the same bed that evening.

Physically, that structure matters. There is no consecutive ascent, no pre-dawn climb and no heavy pack to carry, but Day 4 packs roughly 1,000 m / 3,281 ft of gain and loss into a single excursion of 7–8 hours, with short walks at Muktinath, Jharkot, Jhong and Kagbeni in between. Staying at the same altitude every night gives the body a stable recovery point, which is the main reason the itinerary tolerates that day trip so comfortably.

A trekking map and elevation profile can be provided with your package materials so you can follow the route, altitudes and excursion stops throughout the 10 days.

How to Get to the Himalayan Luxury Escape

The Himalayan Luxury Escape starts in Kathmandu, not Pokhara. You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, transfer to a luxury hotel by private vehicle — a 30–45 minute drive depending on traffic — and the movement begins on Day 2 with a scenic domestic flight to Pokhara followed by the private helicopter sector into Mustang.

Because both long-distance legs are flights rather than road journeys, the itinerary avoids the 20-plus-hour mountain road approach that overland Mustang itineraries require. That is the single biggest practical advantage of this package, and it also means weather is the variable to plan around rather than road conditions.

If you are arriving on an international flight, allow buffer time before Day 2. Domestic flights in Nepal are routinely affected by morning clouds, and an evening arrival the day before your first domestic leg is strongly advised.

Kathmandu to Pokhara: Flight or Road?

You have several options for reaching Pokhara, although this package uses the domestic flight:

*Road travel times are approximate and can vary with traffic, road construction, weather and road conditions.

A Kathmandu to Pokhara flight is the fastest option and is how this package is scheduled, because Day 2 continues from Pokhara to Jomsom the same morning. Domestic flights are generally reliable in the early morning, but they can be delayed or cancelled by weather or operational conditions, which is why we keep the helicopter sector as a separate, re-bookable arrangement rather than a fixed connection to an international departure.

The road journey takes longer but keeps you overland at a relaxed pace. If you are building your own extension and are not pressed for time, the private-vehicle option gives you flexibility; if you are joining the Himalayan Luxury Escape as scheduled, the flight is the sensible choice.

Pokhara to Jomsom by Private Helicopter

From Pokhara, the package continues with a private helicopter charter to Shinta Mani Mustang at Jomsom (2,720 m / 8,924 ft), arranged through a licensed charter operator rather than flown in-house by Nepal Lion Tours. The return sector on Day 8 is listed at approximately 45–60 minutes of flying time, and the outbound sector covers a similar distance north up the Kali Gandaki corridor.

The flight path runs over deep valleys, rugged mountain terrain and high Himalayan ridges, with the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges visible on a clear day. Luggage is handled as part of the transfer arrangement, and your representative meets you on arrival in Pokhara and again at the Jomsom landing point.

Helicopter movement in Nepal is weather-dependent. Morning slots are normally preferred because mountain flying is generally calmer earlier in the day, and your team re-times or re-schedules sectors when conditions require it.

Guide’s Note — Nepal Lion Tours

“From our experience operating Himalayan Luxury Escape departures, the Kathmandu–Pokhara–Jomsom connection is the longest travel day of the itinerary: a 30–45 minute airport transfer, a 25–30 minute flight, then the helicopter sector north. We recommend arriving in Kathmandu at least one day before Day 1, keeping the morning free of tight onward bookings, and letting our team confirm the helicopter slot the evening before rather than planning around a fixed clock.” — Nepal Lion Tours Trek Team

Returning to Kathmandu After the Tour

On Day 10 you fly from Pokhara International Airport to Kathmandu — a 25–30 minute domestic flight that the itinerary schedules within a 2–3 hour window including airport transfers — and are met by your representative for a private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for international departure.

If your international flight departs later that evening, you can leave your luggage with the team, share a final Nepali lunch near the airport, or simply wait in the departure hall. Travellers who prefer not to connect the same-day can add a night in Kathmandu and fly out the following morning.

Once you are back in Kathmandu, you can also continue your Nepal travels by road to Pokhara, Chitwan or Nagarkot, or add a cultural day in the capital before flying home.

A Practical Tip for International Travellers

Do not schedule your international departure too tightly after Day 10. Domestic flights in Nepal occasionally move by a few hours, and airport traffic in Kathmandu can be heavy during peak departure banks.

The safer approach is to overnight in Kathmandu after the tour if your onward flight is on the same day but early, or to keep a full day of buffer before any long-haul connection. With the domestic flight, the private airport transfer and the international check-in all arranged as separate stages, the return is straightforward — it just needs room to breathe.

The Himalayan Luxury Escape Difficulty, Fitness & Altitude

The Himalayan Luxury Escape is graded easy. There are no trekking days, no technical sections and no multi-hour climbs with a packed bag — all long-distance travel is by domestic flight, private helicopter or private vehicle. That said, easy does not mean effortless: Day 4 is a 7–8 hour excursion to 3,710 m / 12,172 ft with several short walks on uneven village paths, and Days 3, 5, 6 and 7 each involve 5–6 hours of sightseeing at altitude.

For reasonably fit travellers who are comfortable being on their feet for a few hours at a time, the package is very manageable. There is nothing technical anywhere in the itinerary, accommodation is premium every night, and the highest point is reached and left again within a single day.

Where the Effort Actually Is?

The effort in this itinerary is concentrated in three places.

Day 4, the Muktinath circuit, is the demanding one. It combines a long road day with visits to four separate sites — Muktinath at 3,710 m / 12,172 ft, Jharkot at 3,550 m / 11,647 ft, Jhong at 3,700 m / 12,139 ft and Kagbeni at 2,840 m / 9,318 ft — plus a return to Jomsom, all inside 7–8 hours. Altitude, the cumulative stops and the sheer length of the day make it tiring even though the travel is by vehicle.

Days 3, 5, 6 and 7 are the moderate middle: 5–6 hours of activity, but always with a vehicle base, a lunch break and the option to shorten. Walking distances on foot are typically 2–4 hours on trails around Marpha, Jomsom or the surrounding Mustang landscape, on stony, uneven, wind-exposed ground.

The helicopter and flight days carry no physical effort at all, but they do demand schedule patience. Everything else — transfers, check-ins, timing — is handled by the team, so the practical requirement is simply punctuality and a tolerance for early starts.

Guide’s Note — Nepal Lion Tours

“The one day travellers underestimate is Day 4. It is not the altitude so much as the combination: an early start, 7–8 hours out, four sites, and a finish at 3,710 m / 12,172 ft before the long drive back to Jomsom. From our experience operating this route we suggest a warm layer, sun protection, your own water bottle and a light daypack for the day, plus a relaxed evening at the retreat afterwards — and if anyone in the group feels headachy or unusually tired, tell your guide rather than pushing through the final stop.” — Nepal Lion Tours Trek Team

How to Prepare for the Himalayan Luxury Escape

You do not need an intensive training programme for this package. The most useful preparation is general fitness, comfortable walking endurance and a little awareness of altitude.

• Walk regularly before you travel: Three to four sessions a week of 45–60 minutes, gradually lengthening the walks, will make the excursion days noticeably easier.
• Practice hills and stairs: Uphill and downhill walking on uneven ground prepares your legs for village paths, stone steps and the slopes around Muktinath and Kagbeni.
• Build leg strength: Simple squats, lunges, step-ups and calf raises help with the repeated on-and-off of vehicles and the short climbs between village levels.
• Take a few longer walks: Complete several walks of 2–3 hours before departure so you know how your body handles a full morning on your feet.
• Prepare for altitude gently: Drink regularly, avoid alcohol on the flight day, and plan an easy first 24 hours at 2,720 m / 8,924 ft rather than filling the afternoon immediately.
• Avoid last-minute overtraining: Arrive rested. The itinerary is designed to be enjoyable, not earned.

How Difficult Is the Himalayan Luxury Escape Compared with Longer Treks?

Compared with the classic Annapurna Circuit (14–18 days, 5,416 m), Everest Base Camp (12–14 days, 5,545 m) or even the Upper Mustang trek (14–18 days, 3,810 m), this package is dramatically lighter: a maximum altitude of 3,710 m / 12,172 ft, a maximum of 7–8 hours on any single day, no nights above 2,720 m / 8,924 ft, and no carrying of luggage between stops.

It is longer in calendar days than a short foothill trek such as Ghorepani Poon Hill (4 days), but the daily load is smaller. The honest trade-off is that you exchange the deep-immersion rhythm of consecutive walking days for comfort, air time and a fixed, well-appointed base — which is exactly what a luxury escape is meant to do.

Altitude, Acclimatization & Safety

The Himalayan Luxury Escape reaches a maximum altitude of 3,710 metres (12,172 feet) at Muktinath on Day 4, and you sleep every night at or below 2,720 m / 8,924 ft at Jomsom, apart from the Kathmandu and Pokhara nights at 1,400 m / 4,593 ft and 822 m / 2,697 ft.

At 3,710 m / 12,172 ft, some travellers experience mild symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS), particularly on a long sightseeing day with limited rest. The single-night stay at 2,720 m / 8,924 ft gives a helpful acclimatization base before the Muktinath excursion, and the descent back to the same lodge each evening keeps the exposure short.

Himalayan Luxury Escape Altitude Profile

• Kathmandu — 1,400 m / 4,593 ft: Arrival city and first night, at a comfortable low altitude.
• Pokhara — 822 m / 2,697 ft: Lowest point of the itinerary, your base for the Annapurna helicopter tour.
• Jomsom / Shinta Mani Mustang — 2,720 m / 8,924 ft: The fixed base for six nights and the highest overnight of the package.
• Marpha — 2,670 m / 8,760 ft: Day-3 cultural village in the Kali Gandaki valley, just below the base altitude.
• Muktinath — 3,710 m / 12,172 ft: Highest point of the itinerary, reached on the Day 4 excursion and left the same day.
• Jharkot — 3,550 m / 11,647 ft: Heritage village above Muktinath, visited mid-morning on Day 4.
• Jhong — 3,700 m / 12,139 ft: Monastery village on the Day 4 circuit, close to the itinerary’s high point.
• Kagbeni — 2,840 m / 9,318 ft: River-confluence town on the afternoon of Day 4, back at valley level.

How the Body Adapts to Altitude

As you gain altitude, atmospheric pressure falls and less oxygen reaches your lungs with each breath. Your body responds by breathing faster and increasing circulation; longer-term adaptation involves further physiological changes that take days rather than hours.

The practical approach is simple: sleep low, walk at a comfortable pace, eat and drink normally, rest when you can and tell your guide how you feel. On this itinerary you sleep at 2,720 m / 8,924 ft for six consecutive nights before the day trip to 3,710 m, which is a genuinely forgiving profile compared with routes that gain 500–600 m of sleeping altitude per day.

Symptoms of Altitude Sickness to Watch For

Mild AMS symptoms can include:

• Headache
• Nausea or reduced appetite
• Fatigue or unusual tiredness
• Dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping

Tell your guide promptly if these appear or get worse. More concerning symptoms can include:

• Severe or persistent headache
• Repeated vomiting
• Confusion or unusual behaviour
• Difficulty walking or poor coordination
• Shortness of breath while resting

If significant altitude-related symptoms develop, the priority is to stop ascending and seek medical advice. Descending to a lower altitude is the correct response when serious altitude illness is suspected, and on this itinerary that means returning to Jomsom at 2,720 m / 8,924 ft or, if necessary, arranging evacuation by helicopter through a licensed charter operator.

How Nepal Lion Tours Supports Altitude Safety

• A low, stable sleeping altitude: Six nights at 2,720 m / 8,924 ft and no overnight above it, so the body is never pushed to adapt quickly.
• Government-trained, wilderness first-aid qualified guides: Guides and group leaders on Nepal Lion Tours departures complete a wilderness first-aid medical course and monitor how the group is feeling each day.
• Early communication: Guests are encouraged to report headaches, nausea, dizziness or unusual fatigue early rather than pushing through a sightseeing day.
• No night at the maximum altitude: The 3,710 m / 12,172 ft high point at Muktinath is a day visit, with the return to the same lodge at 2,720 m the same evening.
• Health and safety: Your guide can assist with basic first-aid and coordinate a response if you become unwell. Travel insurance covering trekking in Nepal, medical treatment and helicopter evacuation appropriate to this itinerary is strongly recommended — helicopter movement on this package is arranged through a licensed charter operator.

Best Time for the Himalayan Luxury Escape

The best time for the Himalayan Luxury Escape is autumn (October–November) and spring (March–May), when skies over the Kali Gandaki are most stable, helicopter flying windows are longest and the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri panoramas are clearest. The package can be arranged year-round, but winter adds cold wind and monsoon brings cloud to the lower valleys — although Mustang itself sits in the Himalayan rain shadow and stays drier than most of Nepal.

Autumn — September to November

Autumn is the best overall season for this package, particularly October and November. Post-monsoon conditions bring clearer skies and settled weather across the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, which matters twice here: for the ground-level views from Muktinath and Kagbeni, and for the helicopter windows on Days 2, 8 and 9.

It is also the busiest period in Nepal, so flights and helicopter slots are in demand. Booking well ahead is worthwhile, and morning departures are easier to secure than late-afternoon ones.

Spring — March to May

Spring is another excellent window, with warming temperatures, dry trails around Marpha and the Kali Gandaki, and wildflowers appearing on the lower slopes near Pokhara. Mountain views are often at their best in the morning before afternoon haze builds.

Late spring can be warm in the valley floor at Jomsom during the day, while evenings stay cool at 2,720 m / 8,924 ft. Layers cover the range comfortably.

Winter — December to February

Winter brings cold, clear conditions and quieter sites. Days are usually bright with excellent visibility when the sky is settled, but the Kali Gandaki corridor is famous for its wind, and temperatures at Jomsom can drop sharply after sunset. Bring a genuine cold-weather layer, gloves and a warm hat.

Muktinath also sees snowfall on occasion in winter, which can affect the road over the Thore La approaches and, in rare cases, helicopter schedules. Flexibility in the itinerary is built in for exactly this reason.

Monsoon — June to August

Monsoon is the least suitable season for reliable flying and views. The lower valleys around Pokhara and the approach corridors receive heavy rain, cloud builds through the day, and helicopter sectors may be delayed or re-timed.

Upper Mustang sits in a rain shadow and is considerably drier than the rest of Nepal, so once you are at Jomsom conditions are often workable — but the connecting flights are the weak link. Travellers who choose this window should be comfortable with schedule changes and reduced long-range visibility.

Which Season Should You Choose?

Choose autumn if clear Himalayan panoramas and settled flying weather are the priority — it is the classic answer for this itinerary. Choose spring for warmer days, fewer crowds than October and pleasant conditions on the cultural excursions. Winter suits travellers who prefer quiet sites and crisp views and are ready for cold, windy evenings at 2,720 m / 8,924 ft, while monsoon is best left to travellers with flexible dates who understand that mountain flights may move.

Weather in the Himalayas changes quickly in any season, and helicopter operations depend on it more than ground itineraries do. Checking the forecast shortly before departure is recommended, and keeping Day 10 clear of same-day onward commitments is always sensible.

Guide’s Note — Nepal Lion Tours

“On clear October and November mornings the view from the Muktinath terrace typically opens all the way up the Kali Gandaki, with Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna massif on either side; by mid-morning haze can already be building over Pokhara. From our experience operating these departures, the practical rule is simple — if the flying window is early, take the early slot, and let the ground excursions run in the clearer afternoon light.” — Nepal Lion Tours Trek Team

The Himalayan Luxury Escape Permits & Regulations

The Himalayan Luxury Escape route enters the Annapurna Conservation Area, so trekkers and tour guests need the applicable conservation-area entry permit and trekking registration before the Mustang days begin. The itinerary covers Jomsom, Marpha, Muktinath, Jharkot, Jhong and Kagbeni, all inside ACAP, and stops at Kagbeni rather than continuing into the restricted Upper Mustang zone beyond it.

For guests booking with Nepal Lion Tours, the required permit and registration arrangements are handled as part of the pre-trip preparation, so you do not navigate the application process independently. Current Nepal trekking rules also require foreign trekkers to be accompanied by a licensed guide travelling through a registered agency.

Himalayan Luxury Escape Permits at a Glance

*Fees are based on current Nepal Tourism Board information and can be revised by the relevant authorities. Confirm the applicable fee and requirements when booking.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is the entry permit required to travel inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. On this package it covers your time in Lower Mustang — the Jomsom valley, Marpha, the Muktinath temple area, Jharkot, Jhong and Kagbeni.

What you need:

• A valid passport
• The applicable ACAP entry fee
• Permit documentation arranged through your registered trekking agency

Current Nepal Tourism Board information lists the ACAP fee at NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, with children under 10 generally free. If you book the Himalayan Luxury Escape with Nepal Lion Tours, the company handles the permit arrangement according to current regulations and includes the applicable permit cost in the package where it is stated in your inclusions.

TIMS Card for the Himalayan Luxury Escape

The TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Card records trekker, guide and route information for Annapurna-area travel. Cards are processed through registered trekking agencies, with traveller and itinerary details submitted as part of the registration.

The TIMS fee varies by nationality and current regulation, so the applicable charge should be confirmed at booking. For guests travelling with Nepal Lion Tours, the registration is handled as part of the trip preparation, and your guide carries the documentation during the tour.

Do You Need a Restricted-Area Permit?

No, not for the standard Himalayan Luxury Escape route.

The itinerary covers Kathmandu, Pokhara, Jomsom, Marpha, Muktinath, Jharkot, Jhong and Kagbeni and does not pass the restricted-zone checkpoint beyond Kagbeni. Upper Mustang’s Restricted Area Permit therefore does not apply to this package.

If you extend your stay and travel north of Kagbeni — toward Lo Manthang, for example — a Restricted Area Permit becomes mandatory at the current rate of USD 50 per person per day inside the restricted zone (the fee structure was revised in December 2025), together with a licensed guide and a registered Nepali agency. Rules can also change, and a modified itinerary may have different requirements, so your trekking company should confirm the current position before departure.

Who Arranges the Permits?

When you book the Himalayan Luxury Escape with Nepal Lion Tours, the team arranges the required ACAP permit, TIMS registration and licensed-guide arrangements as part of the pre-trip paperwork.

You should still carry your original passport during the tour, as it may be required for identification or permit checks at Jomsom and Muktinath. Because government fees and trekking regulations can be revised, the final permit requirements and charges should always be confirmed before departure.

Food & Accommodation on the Himalayan Luxury Escape

Accommodation on the Himalayan Luxury Escape is premium throughout: a luxury hotel in Kathmandu, six consecutive nights at the luxury mountain retreat Shinta Mani Mustang in Jomsom, and a luxury hotel in Pokhara. This is not a teahouse trek — you stay in booked rooms with private facilities, dine in-house, and move out on guided excursions each day.

Meals follow the itinerary precisely: a welcome dinner on Day 1, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days 2–9, and breakfast on Day 10 before your departure flight. Your representative and guide coordinate check-ins, meal timings and dietary requirements at each property.

Accommodation on the Himalayan Luxury Escape

The package uses three properties across nine nights, all selected for location and comfort rather than price.

• Kathmandu luxury hotel — 1 night (Day 1): A premium property at approximately 1,400 m / 4,593 ft with a private arrival transfer, welcome dinner and leisure afternoon.
• Shinta Mani Mustang, Jomsom — 6 nights (Days 2–7): The signature base at 2,720 m / 8,924 ft, an exclusive retreat with refined dining, wellness facilities and immediate access to the Lower Mustang landscape.
• Pokhara luxury hotel — 2 nights (Days 8–9): A lakeside-standard property at 822 m / 2,697 ft for the final chapters of the trip beside Phewa Lake.
• Room configuration: Double or twin sharing as requested, with private bathroom wherever the property provides one — the standard Nepal Lion Tours arrangement is the best available room at each stop.
• Facilities: Hot showers, in-room heating and cooling, electricity and device charging, and housekeeping daily at all three properties.
• Wellness and leisure: Spa and wellness treatments, gardens and terraces, and quiet spaces at the Jomsom retreat — these are central to how Days 5 and 7 are built.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi is available at the properties, although speed and reliability in Jomsom are naturally more limited than in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Property names in Kathmandu and Pokhara are confirmed at booking so that the team can guarantee the best available room for your dates.

What Food Is Available on the Himalayan Luxury Escape?

Meal quality is a deliberate part of this package. The Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels serve international and Nepali menus, while the Jomsom retreat offers a refined daily menu built around seasonal produce and regional Thakali cooking.

• Dal bhat with rice, lentils, vegetables and pickle
• Momos and Tibetan-influenced dumplings
• Noodles and noodle soups
• Fried rice and stir-fried dishes
• Pasta and Western-style mains
• Soups, including Thakali and tomato options
• Potatoes and vegetable curries
• Eggs, omelettes and breakfast classics
• Porridge, muesli and fruit
• Pancakes, toast and preserves
• Tea, coffee and hot drinks with included meals

Dal bhat remains the reliable energy meal in the mountains, and Thakali kitchens around Jomsom and Marpha are known for it. Vegetarian meals are widely available at every stop. If you follow a vegan, gluten-free or other specific diet, or have a food allergy, tell Nepal Lion Tours before departure so the properties can be briefed in advance — advance notice is what makes special requests work in remote locations.

What Food and Accommodation Are Included?

The table below reflects the day-by-day itinerary. The published package page does not yet carry a formal inclusion list, so always check the final inclusions provided at booking.

Individual services can change depending on dates, group size and operating conditions, so confirm the final written inclusion list with Nepal Lion Tours at booking.

Drinking Water on the Excursion Days

Safe drinking water matters more at 2,720–3,710 m / 8,924–12,172 ft than most travellers expect. Do not assume that untreated tap or spring water is safe to drink.

Bottled water and boiled or treated drinking water are normally available at the properties and on excursions. For a more environmentally responsible option, carry a reusable bottle and use a suitable water filter, purification tablets or another reliable treatment method — this also reduces the single-use plastic that reaches the Kali Gandaki valley.

Drink regularly through the day rather than to a fixed target, and increase your intake when you are active, windy conditions dry you out, or you are at altitude. Your guide can advise on refuelling points for the long Day 4 excursion.

Staying Comfortable During the Trip

A few simple preparations make the evenings much easier:

• Carry a reusable water bottle you actually like drinking from.
• Pack a warm layer for evenings at 2,720 m / 8,924 ft and for the Muktinath day.
• Bring a power bank — charging is easy in hotels but you will want power on the road.
• Keep some cash in Nepalese rupees for drinks, snacks, tips and personal purchases.
• Tell your guide about dietary requirements before the trip starts, not at the table.
• Download maps and documents before arriving in Jomsom, where connectivity is thinnest.

After a day exploring the arid Kali Gandaki corridor, a warm room, a proper dinner and a quiet evening at the retreat are a large part of what makes this itinerary work.

Why Book with Nepal Lion Tours?

A great Himalayan holiday is about more than the number of sights on an itinerary. The quality of the helicopter operator, the choice of properties, how transfers and permits are handled and whether someone is reachable when plans change all shape the experience. With Nepal Lion Tours, the Himalayan Luxury Escape is run as a private package with a fixed itinerary, local staff and a clearly defined set of inclusions.

• Local, licensed English-speaking guides

Each departure is accompanied by a government-licensed guide who speaks English and travels with you through Kathmandu, Mustang and Pokhara. Guides bring practical knowledge of the route — the timing of the Muktinath road, where to pause in Kagbeni’s alleys, how the wind behaves in the Kali Gandaki and how to read a helicopter weather window. French, German, Spanish, Russian and Japanese language-speaking leaders are available on request rather than as standard staff.

• A registered trekking company you can verify

Nepal Lion Tours is a registered company in Nepal — Reg. No. 184920/074/075 — based in Thamel, Kathmandu, and a member of the Nepal Tourism Board, TAAN, KEEP and the Thamel Tourism Development Council. Company and licence documents are available to travellers who want to verify the operator before booking.

• Private departures from two travellers

The Himalayan Luxury Escape can be arranged from just two travellers, which makes it natural for couples, friends and families. You travel on your own dates, at your own pace, without joining a fixed group schedule or waiting for other guests.

• Two private helicopter sectors and an Annapurna mountain landing

The package is built around private air movement: Pokhara → Jomsom, Jomsom → Pokhara and a private Annapurna helicopter tour with a mountain landing on Day 9. All helicopter flights are chartered through a licensed third-party operator — Nepal Lion Tours does not own aircraft — and are re-timed by the team when conditions require it.

• Private transfers and straightforward logistics

Airport pickups, hotel transfers, domestic flight check-ins, helicopter coordination and permit paperwork are handled by the local team. From the moment you land at Tribhuvan International Airport to the moment you check in for your international flight, one point of contact manages the sequence.

• Premium comfort, private departures, and no group-tour rush

Six nights in a single luxury retreat, the best available room at each stop, private rooms wherever the property can provide them, and a pace set by you rather than a fixed group schedule. This is a premium-access itinerary: the comfort is the point, not an optional upgrade.

• A local team you can contact before and during your trip

From the first enquiry to the final transfer, Nepal Lion Tours provides a direct point of contact for questions about dates, permits, properties, packing and preparation — by booking form or WhatsApp at +977-9851039020.

Book the Himalayan Luxury Escape

Ready to fly into the Kali Gandaki, stand at Muktinath at 3,710 m / 12,172 ft, and finish with a private Annapurna mountain landing? The 10-day Himalayan Luxury Escape brings together private helicopter sectors, a six-night luxury base in Mustang, Himalayan heritage sites and the lakeside calm of Pokhara in one carefully run package.

Trek at a Glance

• Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
• Price: From USD 3,325 per person (standard tier) · From USD 4,489 per person (luxury tier)
• Difficulty: Easy — private helicopter, private vehicle and guided sightseeing
• Maximum Altitude: 3,710 m / 12,172 ft at Muktinath
• Accommodation: Luxury hotel in Kathmandu, Shinta Mani Mustang (6 nights), luxury hotel in Pokhara
• Meals: Welcome dinner on Day 1, full board on Days 2–9, breakfast on Day 10
• Permits & Registration: ACAP entry permit and applicable TIMS registration, arranged by Nepal Lion Tours
• Transportation: Private transfers, two domestic flights and two private helicopter sectors as per the itinerary
• Guide: Licensed English-speaking guide
• Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 14 days before departure, subject to the booking terms

Current group rates (standard tier, per person): 1 traveller USD 3,325 · 2–4 travellers USD 3,159 · 5–9 travellers USD 2,993 · 10+ travellers USD 2,826. Luxury tier: 1 traveller USD 4,489 · 2–4 travellers USD 4,265 · 5–9 travellers USD 4,040 · 10+ travellers USD 3,816. The final price can vary depending on group size, dates, services and requested itinerary changes.

Ready to Start Your Mustang Adventure?

Secure your Himalayan Luxury Escape dates with Nepal Lion Tours today. Send your preferred travel date and group size through the booking form or WhatsApp at +977-9851039020, and the team will help confirm the itinerary, helicopter slots, properties, permits and transfers.

Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, with friends, or with family, we’ll help you prepare for a smooth and enjoyable journey from Kathmandu to Mustang and Pokhara.

Your Mustang helicopter is waiting — choose your dates and start planning your escape today.

Related Mustang and Annapurna Treks

If you enjoyed the Himalayan Luxury Escape, these related adventures offer different ways to explore the same region — from a road-based journey through Upper Mustang to classic Annapurna trekking routes.

If you want to go further, Upper Mustang continues north of Kagbeni into the walled city of Lo Manthang, while the Annapurna Circuit adds serious altitude and a full traverse of the range. You can also combine this package with time in Pokhara, a Chitwan jungle safari, or a cultural day in Kathmandu — and if you prefer trekking to flying, the shorter Ghorepani Poon Hill Luxury Trek covers the Annapurna foothills at a gentler pace.