Mustang Travel Guide
Stunning Culture of a Remote Tibetan Kingdom
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Beyond the rain shadow of the Himalayas, far north of Pokhara in the upper reaches of the Kali Gandaki River valley lies the mysterious Kingdom of Lo, known as Mustang outside the region. Closed to visitors until 1991 a trek into Mustang is not an easy one, but the rewards are huge with a unique landscape and wonderful culture to discover as you trek and in the stunning walled capital of Lo Manthang.
Lo is a strongly Tibetan-influenced region and was, until being absorbed into Nepal in the early 1959’s, a separate kingdom ruled by a king who could follow the lineage of his ancestors back some 25 generations. The early history of the region is unclear wrapped as it is in myth and legend however the Loba people of the region generally trace their history back to 1380, though there are accounts of the area being settled as far back as the 8th century.
It was in or around 1380 that the capital Lo Manthang was established. The dry, high altitude desert that is Mustang and the absence of large amounts of wood have resulted in earthen and stone buildings being the norm, with mud-brick or rammed earth walls; Lo Manthang is built in this way and the stunning gompas inside the city’s earth walls are testament to the strength of this building technique.
The relaxing of regulations a little have meant that a steady trickle of hardy trekkers now make the journey into this amazing land. It’s not an easy place to visit as the trekking is hard and the climate is difficult with strong winds common, nor is it cheap as permits are expensive but the rewards for those lucky enough to visit are ample. This is truly the trek of a lifetime to a wholly unique corner of the world.
Attractions in Mustang
The attractions of Mustang are many from the amazing scenery of stunning ochre-coloured mountains, with valley floors an iridescent green during the growing season, to the villages and capital of Lo Manthang with it Buddhist gompas. A visit showcases what is a unique Tibetan culture and allows a window onto the unchanging lives of the people of the region. Visits are strictly controlled with sustainability at the forefront of any trek so travellers can trek in the knowledge that their visit is not having a negative impact on the communities they meet.
Activities in Mustang
The trek permit starts from Kagbeni, 2 hours north of Jomson on the Kali Gandaki River. Reaching Jomson from the lowlands is a trek of around 4 days or a short flight from/to Pokhara(preferable given the trekking to come), so a visit to Mustang is not necessarily a short affair, though it can be done in 16 or 17 days from the UK. Two trek permits are available – 10 days and 13 days. The 10-day permit is usually sufficient to allow for a thorough exploration of Lower Mustang and Lo Manthang.
Relaxing
A visit to Mustang is a fairly arduous experience, but the experience of camping in this stunning remote area makes up for any hardship. Wrap up against the cold and enjoy the clear night skies looking forward to another day of amazing vistas tomorrow.
Getting Around
There is no other way to visit Mustang other than as a group (which can be as small as 2 trekkers). Entry and exit must be made on foot, except in the case of a medivac emergency when helicopters must be used.
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