A trek to the upper Mustang region is a very rare opportunity. Here in this region, you will be able to experience the true lifestyle of the mountain people who still live in the far-flung region where much hasn’t changed for hundreds of years. The region even had an officially recognized king until the 1990s.

A trek to the upper Mustang may seem like one to Tibet because the region is geographically located on the Tibetan plateau. The region was only previously a military-restricted zone until the 1990s and was an autonomous kingdom until the 1950s. The gateway to Upper Mustang is the beautiful town of Kagbeni, and trekkers will need a special trekking permit and should also be accompanied by a government-appointed official.

Since the region lies in the Himalayan rain shadow, it does not get a very good extent of rainfall even in the monsoon region, making it suitable to trek even in the monsoon region. A trek to the Mustang region does not include any significant technical difficulties and can be done even by novices, as the highest elevation reached is only 3,800m. However, the region is very cold in the winter and very windy throughout the year. It is not advised to trek in the winter due to difficult weather conditions.

There are accommodation sites dotted throughout the region, so there are very good facilities for food and lodging. The Mustang Trek takes at least nine days to complete and starts and ends in Kagbeni. The route follows the Kali Gandaki Valley, which is the deepest gorge in the world and five times deeper than the Grand Canyon.

The settlements are scattered, and the cultivation is done very little due to unfavorable circumstances.  Very little grows without irritation; hence, the region is like a desert guarded by mountains and very nuclear settlements in fertile areas.

You will be able to meet the predominant inhabitants of the region, the Thakalis, in Mustang. The Thakali culture and traditions are very heavily influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. It is very fascinating to see their houses, settlements, and lifestyle, which have sustained themselves so beautifully even in such harsh terrain. While trekking in the Mustang region, we can have the most awe-inspiring view of the giant Dhaulagiri Massif and the Nilgiri Mountain Range. We will also have a splendid view of the Mt. Annapurna range while trekking upwards. One of the highlights of the trek is the Kali Gandaki Gorge, formed between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. It will be a very memorable experience to trek through the beautiful and iconic settlements like Jomsom, Kageni, and Marpha, to name a few.

Lo Manthang, the capital of the Mustang Kingdom, is reached in four days, and mostly a day is allocated for sightseeing of the beautiful and unique walled settlements. You can also ride on ponies to take a tour if you are interested. You can return from the same route, or you can also trek down through the eastern bank of the beautiful Kali Gandaki River.

KEYPOINTS:

Where is Upper Mustang?

Upper Mustang is located in the north-central part of Nepal, nestled in the rain shadow of the Himalayas.

What country has a region called Mustang?

The country that has a region called Mustang is Nepal.

What region does Mustang lie in?

Mustang lies in the north-central region of Nepal, bordering Tibet to the north.

Which villages are in the lower Mustang?

Some villages in lower Mustang include Jomsom, Kagbeni, Marpha, and Tukuche.