Trekking in Upper Mustang is a privilege that only a few travelers get every year. From barren arid land surrounded by rocks of all kinds of colors & formation to rich culture & tradition, Trekking in Upper Mustang is an ultimate adventure for any travel enthusiasts.
The region remained restricted for several hundreds of years for any visitors and was opened in 1992 that makes it one of the most preserved regions of Nepal. Today, Upper Mustang comes into the restricted areas of Nepal, and you need to get permits from Nepal Government and have to accompanied by a government registered guide to trek in this region.
Upper Mustang is also called the hidden Kingdom of Nepal as the region has it's own king till date, however, Mustang's autonomy was abolished in 2008. The capital, Lo Manthang is the home of its last king. The region is highly influenced by Tibetan culture and people here also speaks the Tibetan language. Geographically, Upper Mustang is part of Tibetan plateau, which makes trekking in Upper Mustang similar to trekking in Tibet. As a matter of fact, back in days Upper Mustang also used to be the commercial area connected with Tibet and India.
After Kagbeni, you will officially enter in Upper Mustang area. Trekking in Upper Mustang will lead you to the altitude of 3,000 meters to 4,200 meters depending upon your itinerary. Comparatively, the elevation is not high like other famous trekking trails of Nepal, yet the trail and weather conditions can make journey arduous.
Located in the rain shadow of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Upper Mustang receives less to almost no rainfall during the monsoon season. This makes trekking in Upper Mustang the perfect option during this time of the year. Likewise, Winter comes with extreme cold, and it is not a good time to go on a trek during this season.
Accommodation facilities are not so developed in Upper Mustang, of course, to keep the region preserved, therefore, you are advised to be fully self-sufficient especially in fuel during the trek. Porters are easily available to carry your necessities, and if you want you can also hire mules to carry your load, which is more economical as well as environment-friendly.
Beautiful whitewashed houses, barley fields, and colorful prayer flags add a splash of color to the barren landscape of this region. Upper Mustang is popularly known for its extremely preserved and rich tradition & culture.
You will find ancient monasteries, temples, chortens, gompas, and mani walls throughout the trail, this makes the journey even more joyful. You will get to experience completely unique values, customs, and beliefs then the rest of the world as well as Nepal itself on Upper Mustang trekking.
Along with this, you will also get to taste their food. No doubt, your mind will be blown away by the living style and tradition of locals, however, traversing in Upper Mustang will be worth spending your time, energy, and money. Living far away from the hustle of the big cities and modernization, people here are known for their warmest heart and hospitality. You will not find yourself at a completely new place even though you are in one because of the locals.
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