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