Tucked behind the mighty Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, the Upper Mustang Trek is a rare journey into Nepal’s one of the last forbidden kingdoms. This journey takes you to one of the most restricted and culturally preserved regions in the Himalayas.
Exploring Upper Mustang gives a rare opportunity to witness the high-altitude desert landscape that is completely different from the green forests and the terraced hills that are found in other popular trekking regions. This forbidden kingdom was closed to foreigners till 1992 and still requires a special permit for entry, which has helped this ancient kingdom preserve its unique Tibetan-influenced culture and heritage.
This is not an ordinary Himalayan trek. It is an adventure that feels like a portal into a lost world of medieval times with walled cities, labyrinthine alleyways, ancient monasteries and barren desert canyons sculpted by the howling winds.
Culturally, the region is Tibetan in language, religion and lifestyle. The villages in this restricted Himalayan region showcase traditional Buddhist architecture, prayer walls and chortens. If you trek during the Tiji Festival you will get the chance to witness colorful rituals that have remained unchanged for generations.
What makes the Mustang Nepal Trek more unique is its accessibility during the monsoon months. As the region is sheltered by the Himalayas and is perched in the trans-Himalayan rain shadow zone, this trek offers clear skies and dry trails even when much of Nepal is drenched in the summer rain.
With its restricted access and mandatory nature, this journey to the ancient Himalayan kingdom remains exclusive, remote and deeply rewarding. If you are seeking more than just mountains, something raw, ancient and untouched, the Upper Mustang Trek is one of Nepal’s most captivating trekking experiences.