Trip Info
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Flight, Car, Jeep & Bus
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3840m
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Hotel & T-House
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Kathmandu
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Kathmandu
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Spring, Autumn & Summer
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Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner with Tea or Coffee
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4
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80
Overview
The Upper Mustang Trek, located in Nepal’s Mustang District, offers a unique journey into a semi-arid desert landscape reminiscent of the Tibetan Plateau. Once the restricted Kingdom of Lo, this region opened to tourists in 1992, preserving its Tibetan Buddhist culture and stark, dramatic terrain. The trek culminates in Lo-Manthang, the medieval walled city and former royal capital.Nestled in the rain-shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, the Upper Mustang Trek is a voyage into a mystical, arid landscape where ancient Tibetan culture and stark natural beauty converge. Once a restricted kingdom closed to outsiders until 1992, this remote region—often called Lo—retains an aura of secrecy, with crumbling cave monasteries, ochre-walled villages, and wind-sculpted cliffs that resemble a Martian terrain. Trekking here is not merely a physical journey but a passage through centuries-old traditions, where horse caravans still traverse dusty trails and prayer flags flutter over fortress-like settlements. Permits are required to enter this restricted area, preserving its fragile ecosystem and heritage. Whether you seek solitude, adventure, or a cultural deep-dive, Upper Mustang offers a trek unlike any other—a hidden gem where the Himalayas whisper tales of the past.
Why Upper Mustang?
- Walk in the footsteps of traders on the historic Salt Route.
- Explore the medieval walled city of Lo Manthang, home to royal palaces and sacred art.
- Witness surreal landscapes: crimson canyons, fossil-rich rocks, and the Kali Gandaki Gorge, Earth’s deepest.
- Immerse in Tibetan Buddhist culture, untouched by modernity.Environmental & Cultural Etiquette
- Eco Practices: Carry out trash, use biodegradable products.
- Respect Local Customs: Circumambulate stupas clockwise, seek permission before photographing religious sites, and dress modestly.
- Landscape: Barren cliffs, eroded rock formations, and the Kali Gandaki River’s fossil-rich banks.
- Connectivity: Limited internet/phone coverage, offering a true escape.
Highlights
- Tibetan Influence: Strong Buddhist traditions with monasteries like Thubchen and Ghar Gompa.
- Lo-Manthang: Home to the 15th-century royal palace and vibrant local festivals.
- Local Monarchy: While Nepal abolished its monarchy in 2008, Upper Mustang's cultural legacy endures; the last king, Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista, passed in 2016.
