Upper Mustang Trek

Upper Mustang covers the northern two-thirds of Mustang District of Dhaulagiri Zone in Nepal.

It is still popular as the Kingdom of Lo. Upper Mustang lost its official monarchical recognition with the new reforms in the Government of Nepal in 2008. But, the last monarch, Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista (born c.1933), is still revered by the citizens as their king (raja or gyelpo).

This is the reason Upper Mustang fame as the “Last Lost Kingdom of Nepal”. Until 1992, foreigners were not allowed to visit the place which earned Upper Mustang the term ‘Forbidden Kingdom’.

This history of Upper Mustang made it one of the most popular trekking routes of Nepal. The territory of Upper Mustang remained isolated from the 14th century. The time when this walled city was found and built by the warrior Ame Pal in 1380. The walled medieval capital of Upper Mustang has a name Lo Manthang. Stepping through the town gate into the capital offers a vista of narrow alleyways, long walls of beautiful prayer wheels. And herds of farming animals in the ‘Lost Kingdom’ is an amazing sight to behold.

The architectural extravagance in Lo Manthang exhibits the four-storey royal palace. And the beautiful monasteries like the Thugchen Gompa built in the 15th century. Or, the city wall itself. The amchi museum and school are a must visit to further comprehend the heritage.

You will witness the pattern of the history passing from generation to generation. You can take a short stroll to a small monastery and a century old cave dwelling situated high in the rocks.

Two weeks of this ultimate trek route promises to be an adventure in its own separate rights.