Destinations

To trek into upper mustang is a rare privilege. Here you will experience the way of life of the true mountain people, for years, cut off from the rest of Nepal. In many ways, a trek into upper mustang is similar to trekking into Tibet, which geographically it is a part of. The district of Mustang was, until 1950, a separate kingdom within the boundaries of Nepal. The last king, the raja of mustang, still has his home at the ancient capital, Lo Manthang.

Access to upper Mustang has only been possible for non-Nepalese trekkers for around ten years and, even today, access is still heavily regulated and restricted. To enter upper Mustang, that is to travel further north than Kagbeni, trekkers need a special trekking permit and must be accompanied by a government appointed environmental officer. The expenses of the environmental officer have to borne by the group. Trekker must have arranged their trek through a government recognized trekking agency in order to be issued permits. The cost of the trekking permit is US$700 per person for ten-day trek in the restricted area.

Upper Mustang, being in the Himalayan rain shadow, is one of the few parts of the country that are suitable for trekking during the summer monsoon period. Even at this time, the upper kali Gandaki valley is still quiet dry with only occasional rainfall. The Mustang trek is not particularly difficult, the highest point reached is only 3800 meters, but the conditions at times can be arduous. There are few accommodation facilities available above Kagbeni so groups must be fully self-sufficient, especially in fuel. While porters are available in Jomsom it is preferable, in Mustang, to use mules to carry the loads. These pack animals are available locally and are more economical, and certainly more environmentally friendly, than human porters.

The Mustang trek requires a minimum of nine days starting and ending in Kagbeni. This allows the trek to be completed within the ten-day permit period. The route basically follows the kali Gandaki valley but, on occasions, climbs high above the valley walls. The settlements are scattered with little sign of cultivation between villages. In Mustang, little will grow without irrigation, which makes the settlements reminiscent of oases.

Lo Manthang, the old capital, is reached in four days and at least one extra day should be spent here for local sight-seeing. Ponies are available for hire for this purpose.

The return trip can either follow the upward route or, for an alternative, the eastern bank of the kali Gandaki may be followed.

»	Annapurna Information	»	Siklish Trek
»	Annapurna Circuit Trekking	»	Lamjung Trek
»	Annapurna Sanctuary Trek	»	Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
»	Annapurna Foothills Trek	»	Upper Mustang
»	Jomsom & Muktinath Trek	»	Pokhara Short Trek

• Annapurna Region Trek
• Everest Region Trek
• Langtang Region Trek

• Annapurna Base Camp Trek
• Round Annapurna Trek
• Ghorepani Poonhill Trek
• Gandruk Village Trek
• Kaligandaki Muktinath Trek
• Annapurna Base Camp & Muktinath Trek
• Everest Base Camp Kalapather Trek
• Jiri Everest Base Camp Kalapather Trek
• Everest Base Camp Gokyo Trek
• Gokyo Chola Pass EBC Trek
• Gokyo Trek
• Langtang Valley Trek
• Langtang Helambu Trek
• Langtang Gosaikunda Trek

• Round Dhaulagiri Trekking - 22 Days
• Mustang Lo-manthang Trek - 19 Days
• Arun Valley Trekking - 17 Days
• Pike Dudhkunda Taksindu - 16 Days
• Kanchenjunga Trekking - 24 Days
• Makalu Base Camp Trekking - 13 Days
• Limi Valley Simikot Hilsa Simikot Trek
• Renjo Pass Trekking - 13 Days
• Round Manaslu Trekking - 20 Days
• Dhorpatan Jaljala Pass Trek - 16 Days

• Mera Peak Climbing - 20 Days
• Island Peak Climbing - 19 Days
• Pisang Peak Climbing - 23 Days
• Lobuche Peak Climbing - 25 Days
• Yala Peak Climbing - 16 Days