Upper Mustang: The Forbidden Kingdom
To the north, past the highest Himalayan peaks and beyond the reach of monsoonal storms, is Upper Mustang. Closed to outsiders for centuries, this is a dessicated and frozen land riddled in deep canyons and multi-hued rock formations and dotted with nomadic encampments and ancient Buddhist monasteries holding treasures that date back down through the centuries. Now open to foreign trekkers, visiting this former Himalayan kingdom is a unique adventure into a world of pure Tibetan culture, medieval villages, mysterious caves, and breathtaking desert-like landscapes.
Our adventure through Upper Mustang differs to the tours offered by most other trekking companies in that we priorotise using local guides with a strong knowledge of the culture, history and religious beliefs of Upper Mustang. This local connections means we can oftern gain accsess to temples, caves and nomad camps that other companies cannot. We also make use of a mixture of hiking and a vehicle in order to get you to some of the lesser known corners of the area. In summer we will also visit some of the nomad encampements scattered across the plateau. Throughout this journey we try to use the best available accommodation but with a focus on homestays and sustainable options.
Itinerary
This 19 day/18 night journey starts and ends in Kathmandu and includes ten full days of hiking.
Explore the historic walled town of Lo Manthang
Pray in Muktinath, an important Hindu pilgrimage site.
Discover sacred caves, ancient monasteries, and fabulous chortens
Absorb Tibetan Buddhist culture at it’s most pure.
Visit remote nomdic camps (in summer only).
Go off the beaten track in the hidden village of Naurikot.
Journey Highlights
Key Details
Number of days: 19 days total. 10 days trekking
Start/End: Kathmandu
When: Possible year round
Minimun number of participants: 2
Highest altitude reached: 4280m
Trek difficulty: Moderate
Average hours hiking per day: 5-6hrs
Can this tour be customised? Yes
Accommodation used on this journey consists of upper mid-range boutique and heritage properties in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Elsewhere we use the best available accommodation. Sometimes this can be a simple, but inviting homestay or trekking lodge. At other times small comfortable boutique hotels are used.
Accommodation
Upper Mustang is a restricted area. This means that special permits are needed to trek here (which we obtain for you). But, importantly, permits are only issued to groups of two or more foreign trekkers. Single trekkers cannot visit unless they join forces with someone else. Talk to us and we might be able to put you in touch with other trekkers.
Important!
Prices for our 19 day/18 nights Upper Mustang: The Forbidden Kingdom journey are based on a miniumn of two people travelling together. The prices shown here are based on low season travel and are a miniumn price. The exact price will vary on the numbe rof people in your group, season and accommodation used as well as any additional add-ons.
The Upper Mustang: The Forbidden Kingdom journey starts at US$4777.50 per person for two people.
This price includes:
All transport - including domestic flights - within Nepal
All accomodation - hotels, lodges, guest houses and homestays
All meals excluding lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Applicable Government Taxes
Trekking crew Insurance
Guides and support crew including assistant guides and porters
All entrance fees
All required national park and restricted area permits and trakking permits
This price does not include:
International flights
Visa for Nepal or any third country
Travel insurance (personal travel insurance is compulsory for joining any of our tours. Please confirm with your travel insurance company that trekking in Nepal to above 4000m is included. many travel insurance do not include this or charge an additional fee for it)
Drinks
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Laundry
Phone sim card/internet useage
Souvenirs
Items of a personal nature
Price of this journey
Upper Mustang is unusual for Nepal in that it can be trekked year round. But, there are a couple of clauses to this statement. Upper Mustang is tucked into the rain shadow behind the highest Himalayan peaks. This means that between June and September when the main trekking routes in Nepal are being pummelled by monsoonal storms the Upper Mustang area remains dry and clear. With clear skies, pleasent temperatures, nomads out in the yak pastures and religious festivals taking place in the monasteries, this June to September period is by far the most popular time to trek in Upper Mustang. October and November and April and May are quieter, and the views over to the mountains are arguably clearer, which means this is a superb time to visit. Mid-winter from December to March is harder but possible. It can be bitterly cold up on the plateau and some trekking lodges are closed. But the skies can be crystal clear and there will almost certainly be no other visitors around which means that for the prepared this can also be a good time to visit.