Upper Mustang
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Mustang is an ancient Himalayan Kingdom, the former Kingdom of Lo which lies in the north-east of Nepal and bordering with China. Lo Manthang itself is a walled city ruled by religious king. However, the monarchy ceased to exist as the Kingdom on October 7 2008. It is roughly 80 km long (north-south) and 45 km at it’s widest and is at an elevation of over 2500 m. Mustang is also known as a “Tibet outside the Tibetan border” and hence it fosters the original Tibetan culture, although it is now politically part of Nepal. Upper Mustang consists of two distinct regions: the southern part and the northern where language, culture and traditions are alike to those of the Tibetan people. It is a destination cherished in the imaginations of connoisseur trekkers, who prefer to undertake a journey with a difference into the kind of lands which cannot be encountered anywhere else in the world.
Part of Mustang’s allure springs from the fact that it has been open to tourists for less than 20 years and so retains its ‘time capsule’ qualities, with its people living exactly the same lifestyle they have followed for centuries and its buildings looking like pictures from a book of ancient history. Lying north of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, Mustang is an extremely arid region, with snow-crested mountains and barren hills reaching deep inside the vast Tibetan plateau. Strong cold winds sweep through its narrow canyons and over its plains and erosion has left its mark in weird and wonderful rock formations. Amazingly, humans have inhabited this apparently alien environment for centuries, creating their settlements along rivers and creeks, with now inaccessible caves high up in the vertical cliffs, which were primitive dwellings 2000 years ago. Much later the region came under the influence of the Tibetan Yarlung dynasty and in the fifteenth century the independent kingdom of Lo was founded by Amepal, whose invitation to the famous Buddhist scholar Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo led to a cultural zenith never to be reached again in the following centuries. It was probably due to its remoteness that even in the times of later conquest Mustang was always given a high degree of autonomy. It was not officially absorbed into Nepal until 1950 and the years after the Chinese invasion of Tibet turned out to be very difficult for Mustang, because large numbers of Tibetan freedom fighters set up camp and attacked nearby Chinese troops, placing Nepal in a precarious situation. In the 1970s the Dalai Lama asked the guerrillas to stop fighting and the Nepalese government arrested and sentenced some of the leaders. It is probably fair to say now that it is Mustang rather than Tibet which keeps the last remnants of the true Tibetan lifestyle unspoiled by foreign occupation.
Mustang trek is suitable for any walker looking for something a little more challenging and energetic. It does not require that you have any previous trekking or mountaineering experience. Although the terrain is not difficult, some vigorous hiking experience is useful. And it does not require any technical experience; only that you be in good physical condition and be able to hike for 4-6 hours over hilly terrain with a light day pack. Untouched by modern civilization as everywhere in the Himalayas, this area provides spectacular mountain scenery highlighted by Dhaulagiri at 8167 meters and Annapurna I at 8091 meters. During the trek you will be surrounded by more than 35 mountains over 6000 meters high. The elevation of the trails rises from the 2815 meters to 4230 meters above the sea level. This region is full of some of Nepal’s oldest Buddhist Monasteries, ancient and isolated villages with narrow streets and white or colored houses. All of it and more you will see during the trek! Trekking in this region is operated from mid February till late November however, Spring and Autumn will be the best period to visit the region.
Other Trekking Regions of Nepal
Part of Mustang’s allure springs from the fact that it has been open to tourists for less than 20 years and so retains its ‘time capsule’ qualities, with its people living exactly the same lifestyle they have followed for centuries and its buildings looking like pictures from a book of ancient history. Lying north of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, Mustang is an extremely arid region, with snow-crested mountains and barren hills reaching deep inside the vast Tibetan plateau. Strong cold winds sweep through its narrow canyons and over its plains and erosion has left its mark in weird and wonderful rock formations. Amazingly, humans have inhabited this apparently alien environment for centuries, creating their settlements along rivers and creeks, with now inaccessible caves high up in the vertical cliffs, which were primitive dwellings 2000 years ago. Much later the region came under the influence of the Tibetan Yarlung dynasty and in the fifteenth century the independent kingdom of Lo was founded by Amepal, whose invitation to the famous Buddhist scholar Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo led to a cultural zenith never to be reached again in the following centuries. It was probably due to its remoteness that even in the times of later conquest Mustang was always given a high degree of autonomy. It was not officially absorbed into Nepal until 1950 and the years after the Chinese invasion of Tibet turned out to be very difficult for Mustang, because large numbers of Tibetan freedom fighters set up camp and attacked nearby Chinese troops, placing Nepal in a precarious situation. In the 1970s the Dalai Lama asked the guerrillas to stop fighting and the Nepalese government arrested and sentenced some of the leaders. It is probably fair to say now that it is Mustang rather than Tibet which keeps the last remnants of the true Tibetan lifestyle unspoiled by foreign occupation.
Mustang trek is suitable for any walker looking for something a little more challenging and energetic. It does not require that you have any previous trekking or mountaineering experience. Although the terrain is not difficult, some vigorous hiking experience is useful. And it does not require any technical experience; only that you be in good physical condition and be able to hike for 4-6 hours over hilly terrain with a light day pack. Untouched by modern civilization as everywhere in the Himalayas, this area provides spectacular mountain scenery highlighted by Dhaulagiri at 8167 meters and Annapurna I at 8091 meters. During the trek you will be surrounded by more than 35 mountains over 6000 meters high. The elevation of the trails rises from the 2815 meters to 4230 meters above the sea level. This region is full of some of Nepal’s oldest Buddhist Monasteries, ancient and isolated villages with narrow streets and white or colored houses. All of it and more you will see during the trek! Trekking in this region is operated from mid February till late November however, Spring and Autumn will be the best period to visit the region.
Trekking Programs of Upper Mustang
| Upper Mustang Trek (Tea-House) | Upper Mustang Trek (Camping) |
| Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek | Saribung Himal Trek | Teri-La Pass Trek |
| Upper Mustang Trek (Tea-House) | Upper Mustang Trek (Camping) |
| Mustang Damodar Kunda Trek | Saribung Himal Trek | Teri-La Pass Trek |
Other Trekking Regions of Nepal