Upper Mustang Trek : The Forbidden Kingdom

Journey to the Hidden Wonders of the Himalayas

The Upper Mustang Trek, which takes trekkers through the famous Annapurna Circuit , is a less traveled yet beautifully challenging route. Below 5000 meters, Upper Mustang, sometimes referred to as “The Forbidden Kingdom,” is a wonderful place to go trekking. This magnificent location, which is located at an elevation of 3,840 meters in Nepal’s Mustang province, offers amazing views of the Annapurna, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, and several other mountains.

The Upper Mustang and the Annapurna Range routes were given official approval in 1992 and 1977, respectively. Since then, a large number of adventurous travelers have traveled the Annapurna Circuit-Upper Mustang trail, taking in the pristine natural beauty and diverse Hindu-Buddhist culture along the way.

Experience the Preserved
Civilization of Mustang

The walk effectively unveils the hidden beauty of Manang: The Land Beyond the Mountains, which includes Thorung Phedi, Muktinath Temple, Lo Manthang Municipality (3730m) in northwest Mustang, and a number of monasteries, including Chode Gompa and Choprang Gompa, The Royal Palace, and The Monastic Museum.

Upper Mustang is historically rich in Tibetan culture, language, caverns, and rock art.As it is also known as “The Kingdom of Lo” to this day, the location serves as a historical representation of a legendary monarch, Lo, and some significant events during his reign in the 8th century. The Forbidden Kingdom was a restricted area until 1992, making it one of the most secure locations on earth.

Upper Mustang Trek Route Overview

The walk passes through Kagbeni, the entrance of Upper Mustang, and continues across a desolate environment under the Dhaulagiri massif’s rain shadow to Lo-Manthang, the former capital of the Kingdom of Lo. You can explore caves, rock art, monasteries, and gompas to discover more about the local culture. This thrilling journey definitely includes panoramic vistas of the Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and other mountains!

The King’s palace, Namgyal Gompa, and Tingkhar, the final major settlement in the region’s northwest, are all worth seeing while in Lo Manthang to have a deeper grasp of the local culture.Additionally, there is a museum and school run by an amchi (traditional Tibetan doctor), where travelers can learn about this old medical technique and how it has been modified to address modern concerns.

Gyakar, which is home to the famous Gompa, is a few hours’ walk from Lo Manthang. The more than 1,200-year-old Ghar Gompa is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche, who was visiting these regions at the time.The Gompa is well-known for its cave paintings and for the belief that wishes made here are said to come true. Therefore, make a wish at the Ghar Gompa and intend to come back again soon! The hike is rather difficult due to the dry air and quite high altitude (3,000 to 3,800 meters).

While individuals who were born at this altitude have no trouble moving quickly, tourists will trek more slowly to minimize any complications caused by the altitude. Walking requires 5 to 7 hours a day on average, and some paths are very windy and dry.

Best Season For Upper Mustang Trek

The best seasons for Upper Mustang Trek are fall (September-November) and spring (March-April), as the weather is unusually clear and dry during these seasons. Anyone who wants to enjoy the fully bloomed rhododendrons and witness the magnificent Tibetan festival Tiji can make their trekking plans for late February or early March.

Trek Difficulty & Required Physical Fitness

Despite the fact that it is a small trip, strong fitness is still required. especially because you’ll be walking at a high altitude. You can prepare for your trek at home by doing cardio workouts and walking.

Trip Highlights

Explore ancient kingdom of Lo Manthang
Witness the dry desert-like landscapes with spires and cliffs.
Because the location is under the rain shadow, you can walk about freely without fear of getting wet.
Explore unique caverns, historic monasteries, Gumbas, and Chortens.
Catch a live glance of Tibetan impact on neighborhood’s daily activities and culture.
Breathtaking views of the mountain ranges Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and others
Feel the Tibetans’ spirituality as you watchpeople and monks interact with one another with prayer flags.

Upper Mustang Trek Permits

The Upper Mustang path passes through the Annapurna Conservation Area, thus visitors must get an Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit. Additionally, Nepal has designated Upper Mustang as a restricted region in order to protect the ancient religion and border security as it borders Tibet.

Non-Nepalese should get the following permissions in order to trek across the Upper Mustang:

Foreign nationals are granted an Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit (RAP) worth USD 500 per person for the first 10 days and USD 50 per person per day after that.
For overseas nationals, an approximate USD 30 ACAP permit is required.
ACAP permits are NPR 200 each for residents of SAARC nations.
The permits will be examined at the Upper Mustang Chele checkpoint. You may also get in touch with Rolwaling Trek to take care of your hiking permits.