Mustang Trek - Then and Now
Upper Mustang Trek is an exploration of the concealed valleys of the restricted region of Mustang in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. This Mustang trek unfolds the mystery of the walled kingdom of Upper Mustang. Interestingly this region is nestled between Tibet and the Himalayas - a place different from the rest of the world, once forbidden by the Buddhist Kingdom in Nepal. The walled city of Lomanthang used to be a part of the Tibetan kingdom of Gungthang until the 1830s. The early history of Lomanthang is embellished in myths and legends rather than recorded facts. Even though it is changing it still surprises the visitors with its stunning vista and the stubborn way it clings to its unique culture. Indeed the culture is fighting back, crumbing artworks are being restored. Crumbing monasteries have been rebuilt and refilled with the sound of bald children in robes studying the ancient Buddhist ways.
There are around 275 houses in Lo Mangthang having four castes. The royal castle, the everyday folk, the blacksmiths, and the butchers and millers. The whole Lo Manthang village has solar electricity nowadays. Decorative style small herb garden of various holy decorations, flapping flags, and of course stacked firewood. There was a time when certain families needed to supply firewood for the royal family. Sky burial and polyandry remain in practice in this upper mustang region.
It is believed that Guru Rinpoche had fought with demons among the Mustang's snow-capped mountain, desert canyons, and grassland. Once Guru Rinpoche killed the demon, it is said he scattered the demon’s body parts across the Mustang valley. Consequently, its blood formed the towering red cliffs and its intestines tumbled near Ghami where people have later build the stone prayer wall. Thus the longest prayer wall in Nepal on top of the demon’s intestines is still on display.
Upper Mustang Trek- The Once Forbidden Kingdom
Upper Mustang Trek in Nepal was officially opened in 1992. Particularly limited numbers of trekkers are only allowed each year. Thus protecting and conserving the local Tibetan tradition and the fragile environment of Mustang in Nepal. It unfolds the fabled forbidden kingdom's vast and arid valleys, eroded canyons, yak caravans, and of course, the mysteries of hidden sky caves in Mustang bewilder the visitors. Furthermore the colorful-painted mud-brick houses next to the majestic mountains of Nilgiri, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Surprising this Mustang Trekking is one of the best treks to do even during the monsoon season in Nepal. Hence it lies in the rain shadow, north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, completely sheltered from the monsoon. We take the return Pokhara Jomsom Pokhara flight to avoid the lower rainy section hike in the Annapurna region. The best advantage of doing this cultural and restricted region trek during monsoon time is that the village is full of local people busy with their everyday work. Furthermore, the whole region is in bloom which makes really a fabulous contrast with the wind-eroded hills, red cliffs, and snow-capped mountains in the background – a great vista. Thus the trekking experience to the medieval walled kingdom of Lo Manthang in Nepal is once in a lifetime destination.
Trek booking open in Spring, Fall, or Monsoon in 2022 and 2023
Being on the lee wind side of the Annapurna Himalayan range it won't rain much in the northern Mustang region is one of the best trekking destinations even in the Monsoon season in Nepal. Of course, Spring or Fall is the ideal time to go for the Mustang trek. We have our set group departure trip dates for 2022 and 2023 to join it. Having a group of family and friends together, we can customize the trip dates and itinerary at reasonable trek cost based on your time duration and requirements.
