Mustang Region

Mustang lies north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges along the Kali Gandaki valley, on the border with Tibet. Lower Mustang, with Jomsom and the temple of Muktinath, is reached by flight from Pokhara or by road; Upper Mustang, the former kingdom of Lo, is a restricted area.

The Upper Mustang Trek walks through dry canyons, cave dwellings and Tibetan-Buddhist villages to the walled town of Lo Manthang (3,840 m); our trek takes 19 days including Kathmandu. Jeep tours, the Tiji Festival trip and mountain-bike tours follow the same route, and the Jomsom Muktinath Trek covers Lower Mustang.

Upper Mustang needs a restricted area permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, with a licensed guide and at least two trekkers; Lower Mustang needs only ACAP and TIMS. Mustang lies in a rain shadow, so it can be visited from spring to autumn, including the monsoon months.