Upper Mustang Trekking is a less crowded hiking area in the northern part of the Annapurna region. If you are interested in the Mountain people and their way of life, the Bon culture, and the Khamba history then surely the Upper Mustang trek is the place that you have to visit.
Upper mustang trek is an alternative similar to the Tibetan plateau. It was officially opened in 1992. Particularly limited numbers of trekkers are allowed every year. The capital city is called Lo Manthang at an altitude of 3,840 m. The royalty fee of 500 USD is collected from every trekker for the improvement of the education, health, and sanitation of local people. It is a Himalayan rain shadow region and the best time of the year from May to September. The rest of the month is cold and harassing weather. The accommodation is well maintained nowadays and served good food. The occupations of locals are husbandry work and harvesting some potatoes, wheat, Barley, and Horse keeping. Mustang Treks require a minimum of 10 days from Kagbeni until return back to Kagbeni or Muktinath.
Lo Manthang, the old capital, is reached in four days and at least one extra day should be spent here to soak in the sights and sounds of this unique walled settlement. Ponies are available for hire if you so desire. The return trip can either follow the same route as the one you took to enter or take an alternative route along the eastern bank of the Kali Gandaki which Global Adventure Trekking suggests in the itinerary. Once you are in Lo Manthang, you will have a day trip to Knchok ling, found in 2007, it is remarkable series of caves sheltering some fine and extremely old paintings. It is 6 hours of walking to go and four to get back. Now you have the option to take a jeep drive to Knchok Ling and back.
Lo Manthang trek starts after taking the short Mountain flight to Jomsom from Pokhara in the morning. Trek through the Kaligandaki-the Holy river where you may find Saligram and fossils along the Kali Gandaki river bank. Till Kagbeni follow the popular Annapurna Circuit trek and take a left turn from Kagbeni for the Lo Manthang trek. Every year Tiji festival is celebrated in Lomanthang of Upper Mustang on the month of May 16th, 17th, and 18th in the courtyard of the Royal palace. The road service is extended towards the Tibet border so Global Adventure is the one that finds the different trek routes to go and back.
Note: We can surely tailor a different Upper Mustang trek route loop with changes in services that best assist your travel requirements. Please feel free to contact us in case of any Upper Mustang trek queries. We will feel delighted to respond to your queries.
Tiji Festival Departure: 8th of May 2023. Tiji festival is an annual 3 days festival celebrated in Lo Manthang of Uppermustang performing a Tibetan ritual and Mask dance.
