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Mustang

Mustang

Treks, Jeep Tours and Multi-Activity Adventures

Once known as the Kingdom of Lo, the Upper Mustang region of Nepal was famously off limits to all foreigners until the 1990's. However, even now Mustang remains a restricted area beyond Kagbeni.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MUSTANG

From Kagbeni to enter the Upper Mustang region a special and rather costly permit is required. 

  • What awaits is an other worldly landscape, mysterious sky caves, traditional tiny villages and an authentic culture. For many the lure of the fabled walled city of Lo Manthang is the ultimate prize. 

    That it required days of arduous trekking over high passes to reach meant that for many, forbidden or otherwise, reaching Lo Manthang was simply a pipe dream. Of course the permit cost deters many also, but all of this keeps Mustang special and special it is. This unforgiving, high altitude mountain desert is quite unlike any other part of Nepal as it lies behind the Himalayas on the Tibetan Plateau. 

    Protected from the monsoon by the Himalayas means that this is an arid landscape carved by the winds of Central Asia. Weirdly shaped eroded cliffs coloured by striking earth pigmentation in variations of ochre, red, amber, blue and brown suggest that this could be Mars. Scattered, white-painted villages, Tibetan monasteries and ancient wayside inns, a legacy of hundreds of years of cross-border trading, just seem to blend perfectly with the hostile, barren mountainscapes of Mustang.

    Upper Mustang still remains the destination of choice for the adventurous Himalayan connoisseur.

    But, some things are changing. A rough and bumpy jeep road now exists meaning that trekking is no longer the only option. However, this wild and unforgiving land has not been tamed, even by 4WD a Mustang Jeep Tour is an adventurous and often challenging journey.

    We have suggested itineraries below that explore both Upper and Lower Mustang. We consider Upper Mustang to be beyond Kagbeni to Lo Manthang and Lower Mustang to be Kagbeni down into the Kali Gandaki and to Thasang. Lower Mustang trips don't need a restricted area permit and venture as far as Kagbeni, yet they too still afford a glimpse of Upper Mustang.

    Our Mustang treks and Mustang Tours can all be tailor-made too.

Most Popular Regions

10
Days

Mustang Jeep Tour to Lo Manthang

Max Altitude
4200m

The impossible is now possible. A private journey by 4WD vehicle from Pokhara into the forbidden kingdom of Mustang and to the fabled, remote walled capital of Lo Manthang. NOTE: We only use the best available "Land Cruiser type" vehicles and good accommodation with proper beds and en-suite every night!

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14
Days

Forbidden Mustang

Grade
Challenging
Max Altitude
4200m

Just the name 'Mustang' fires the imagination. A wild, barren & arid high mountain desert that's more 'Tibet' than Nepal. From Jomsom you trek through this unforgiving yet incredible landscape over high passes to reach the legendary capital Lo Manthang. Returning via a different route.

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12
Days

The Mustang Raid

Grade
Moderate
Max Altitude
3900m

Unique & quite possibly the ultimate two week Nepal Adventure. Mountain bike and raft down the Kali Gandaki-the world's deepest valley. A beautiful day trek to a sacred Himalayan lake beneath magnificent Dhaulagiri too.

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9
Days

Mustang Magic Luxury Lodge Trek

Grade
Easy / Moderate
Max Altitude
2900m

Overnighting in the Annapurna Comfort Lodge, Kagbeni and the Thasang Village Comfort Lodge. Discover the Tibetan part of Nepal and the Kali Gandaki Valley.

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See more of Mustang in this wonderful, short video filmed in 2015

Don't Forget

We can customise
all our trips to Nepal.

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Read our Nepal Travel Guide

Nepal is home to a beautiful and varied landscape, a wealth of cultural sights, and a diverse people. Here’s everything you need to know, from the capital of Nepal to visa rules.
Nepal Travel Guide
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Snow Cat Travel is the brand name of and trading as Rural Heritage Journeys PVT LTD of Nepal with a Head Office in Kathmandu. Our parent company Rural Heritage Nepal owns and operates select boutique, heritage hotels in Nepal such as the Famous Farm at Nuwakot and the Old Inn at Bandipur.
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