Trip Highlights
- Explore the medieval walled city of Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang, with its unique architecture, narrow alleys, and a sense of being transported back in time
- Witness the arid landscapes featuring deep canyons, eroded cliffs, and sad deserts
- Visit during the Tiji Festival, a vibrant celebration that showcases traditional masked dances, religious ceremonies, and cultural rituals
- Explore ancient monasteries like Thubchen and Jampa
- Conquer high mountain passes such as Nyi La and Lo La
- Immerse yourself in the unique culture and traditions of the Lo-pa people,
- Experience the exclusivity of Upper Mustang with its restricted access, ensuring a more intimate and authentic experience
- Explore remote villages like Kagbeni, Chele, and Ghemi
- Witness stunning views mountains like Annapunra, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri
Trip Overview
Upper Mustang is a rain shadow area in the Himalayas, nestled between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. It is also one of the restricted areas in Nepal (opened to foreigners only in 1992), which requires expensive permits followed by strict regulations to travel. The unique terrain and ecosystem of Upper Mustang offer a trekking experience unlike any part of the Himalayas in Nepal.
The cultural richness of the region, blending with natural wonders and intimate encounters with the natives, makes any kind of trip to Upper Mustang a lifetime venture. If we turn history, Upper Mustang has always acted as a separate kingdom in Nepal. Lo Manthang (3,840 m/12,598 ft) is the capital of Upper Mustang and is also known as the Last Forbidden Kingdom and the Walled City.
As the Upper Mustang is a rain shadow area, the landscape is desert-like with huge rocks, barren cliffs, deep gorges, sand fields, and canyons. The culture and traditions of the locals (known as Lo-pa) in the Upper Mustang are deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. One of the main reasons for this is the border with Tibet. There are many centuries-old monasteries, stupas, mani walls, and chortens scattered around the region.
You will go past remote villages and cross different mountain passes under 4,000 meters before reaching Lo Manthang. The mud-brick houses, narrow alleys, and traditional architecture offer a great insight into the local's practices. Likewise, the journey to Upper Mustang offers views of Himalayan mountains like Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna, etc.
The restrictions on the number of tourists aim to protect Upper Mustang's cultural and natural heritage from the negative impacts of mass tourism. This measured approach ensures that the local way of life, ancient monasteries, and traditional practices remain intact, allowing future generations to appreciate the region's authenticity.
How to travel to the Upper Mustang?
You can travel to Upper Mustang by private jeep, do a bike tour, or trek. The accommodation and meal facilities along the route are fantastic, ranging from budget-friendly to luxury 4-star hotels. You can choose the accommodation as per your budget. The most famous ones are mentioned below:
Upper Mustang trek:
Flight: Kathmandu - Pokhara - Jomsom (vice-versa)
The Upper Mustang trek goes from 14 to 18 days. You can customize the itinerary as per your timeframe with us. Trekking is one of the most adventurous ways of exploring the Upper Mustang, as you will get to spend more time with the locals.
The trek typically begins with a flight to Jomsom, followed by a gradual ascent through the Kali Gandaki River Valley. You will traverse arid landscapes, deep canyons, and traditional villages, including Kagbeni, Chhusang, and Samar to Lo Manthang.
The trekking route passes through high mountain passes, such as the Nyi La and Lo La, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Upper Mustang overland tour:
An Upper Mustang overland tour offers a distinct perspective, allowing travelers to explore the region's remote landscapes and ancient culture through a road journey. This adventure typically begins with a drive from Pokhara to Jomsom, passing through picturesque villages and along the Kali Gandaki River.
The overland route provides a different experience, as travelers witness the gradual transition of landscapes from lush valleys to arid terrains. The journey allows for stops at ancient monasteries, caves, and other cultural landmarks that showcase the rich history of the region.
While the road journey brings the convenience of vehicle travel, it still presents challenges due to the rugged terrain and high-altitude passes.
Upper Mustang bike tour:
For adventure enthusiasts seeking a thrilling experience, the Upper Mustang bike tour combines the challenge of high-altitude biking with the exploration of a culturally rich region. This unique journey involves biking through diverse landscapes, from the lower valleys to the arid plateaus of Upper Mustang.
Starting in Pokhara, bikers follow the trail along the Kali Gandaki River, gradually ascending to the higher altitudes of Upper Mustang. The biking route includes challenging terrains, rocky paths, and occasional river crossings.
The journey takes bikers through traditional villages, allowing a firsthand experience of the region's cultural heritage. The bike tour provides a sense of freedom and flexibility, allowing participants to cover more ground and explore hidden gems off the beaten path.
Tiji Festival:
You have the option to do a Tiji festival trek, a Tiji festival overland tour, or a Tiji festival bike tour with us.
Tiji festival is the most important festival celebrated by the locals of the Upper Mustang. It is a three-day festival. In 2024, the Tiji festival is taking place from May 5th to May 7th. You can travel to Upper Mustang during the festival and spend three days in Lo Manthang observing the festival and celebrating it with locals.
Folklore behind the Tiji festival:
The Tiji festival traces its roots to Tibetan Buddhism, particularly the myth of Dorje Jono, a deity often revered as the protector against demons. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Dorje Jono over a demon named Ma Tam Ru Ta, who caused havoc and drought in the region.
The festival is celebrated with rituals, mask dances, and religious ceremonies. The dancers wear vibrant costumes and ornate masks, each representing various deities, demons, and mythological characters. Likewise, the monks conduct various religious ceremonies, including chanting prayers, rituals, and the creation of intricate sand mandalas.