Treks in theForbidden Kingdom

Upper Mustang is a mysterious, ancient, and hardly accessible kingdom located north of the Annapurna region. Popularly known as the Kingdom of Lo, Mustang belongs to Tibetan land and culture in every sense. This isolated realm only became available for trekking around a decade ago, and its long-lived, unspoiled lifestyle remains unchanged precisely because it was closed to individual visitors for so long.

The Landscape

Mustang trekking means walking through dry, barren, and otherworldly landscapes. The region hides behind the majestic Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, sitting in a deep rain shadow with far less rainfall than the rest of Nepal. Strong afternoon winds sweep through the valley, adding to the sense of a place apart from time.

The trail passes along the bed of the valley for most of the journey. During the rare rainy spells, trekkers walk along the valley edge when river levels are high. But rain is the exception here, making Mustang trekking viable almost throughout the year.

Why Upper Mustang

• No high pass crossings required. Along the Lo Manthang route, trekking is considered much easier than other high-altitude treks.
• No need for great physical strength, making it accessible to a wide range of trekkers.
• Unspoiled Tibetan culture and lifestyle preserved for centuries, unchanged by outside influence.
• A rain-shadow climate that keeps the region trekable during monsoon season when most of Nepal is closed.