Upper Mustang Trekking is a venture to a forbidden land trans-Himalayan kingdom of Nepal bordering to Tibet. It is one of the world classes trekking trails for spectacular trekking experience those who plan trekking in Nepal. This arid landscapes and deep gorges with deep horizon are breathtaking to capture with our eyes and cameras as well. We really do not believe our own eyes to seeing such magnificent gorges, landscapes and mountain views.
Upper Mustang Trekking trail was officially opened for the trekkers only in 1992.
The Upper Mustang Region Conservation Project manages all the flow of tourists and entire sustainable sanitation of this region. Only the limited number of tourists is allowed to enter in this mysterious desert-like kingdom.
The fabled walled and fortified city of Lo-Manthang, mani walls, prayer flags, stone carvings and mountain views including some Tibetan summits and Annapurna range of Nepal are prime notable highlights of this trekking. Nilgiri, Tukche, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri are major peaks to be witnessed in this trekking.
The longest kingship existed in Upper Mustang region of Nepal. They did have their own independent ruling system since very beginning even to modern age.
Upper Mustang region is bordering to Tibet, most of the cultural and trade activities are largely based on Tibetan tradition. Even the people of this region have a better connection to Tibet than Nepal.
Upper Mustang trekking is getting popularity among the tourists who love to trek to less crowded trekking regions as one of the best Nepal Trekking Packages. This area is relatively less exposed and less affected by so-called modernization. The ethnic groups here still practice their classical culture, rituals and rites followed from long past.
Trekkers find Upper Mustang Trekking one of the finest wilderness and solitude trekking among other short treks in Nepal. This trekking trail offers a completely different flavor of trekking in Nepal.
We begin our Upper Mustang Trekking from Pokhara. In order to get Pokhara, we either drive or fly. If we choose to drive, it takes around 7-8 hours and if we choose to fly, it is a short flight of 30 minutes from Kathmandu airport to Pokhara airport. Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara offers us tremendous insights of country life, swift flowing rivers, and even mountain peaks. But we must present the reality of the condition of the road. The road from Kathmandu to Pokhara is normally dusty and not smooth. The traffic is heavy on the narrow road. So, a majority of the tourists who make a trip to Annapurna and Mustang region prefer to take a short flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
Pokhara is a popular tourist hub with infatuating natural blessings. This heaven –like valley provides us several opportunities experiencing exciting opportunities including Boating, Sightseeing Tour, and Paragliding. Fewa Lake, Begnas Lake, Davis’s fall, Gupteswor Cave, World Peace Pagoda, International Mountaineering Museum and Srnagkot, Sunrise and mesmerizing mountain views are prominently popular among the tourists. From Sarangkot, we can do Paragliding and witness Annapurna mountain range with the first fall of the sunrays.
From Pokhara, we again two options: either we fly to Jomsom or drive. Majority of trekkers choose to fly. It is 30 minutes scenic flight beyond the mountain.
Even, Jomsom provides us a slight insight of Himalayan trekking in Nepal. Jomsom is normally windy in the afternoon. We, then, with our equipped team, head to Kagbeni, a beautiful Himalayan town. The red cliffs almost shadowed by rain all around the year are just amazing to capture. Gradually, we get Lo Manthang, the most awaited destination of this trekking. It is a legendary city with mani wall. We explore this city spending one spare day.
We even get to touch with some Tibetan dialect and culture at the border and capture some views of Tibetan peaks.
We finally trek back to Jomsom along the same trail and take a short flight to Pokhara.
Different Nepal trekking companies operate Upper Mustang Trekking but we have to find the most reliable one. We have to obtain Special trekking permit to enter restricted are in Upper Mustang region.
While trekking in Nepal the best time is between late February-March- April and secondly between late September-October-November. Some of the trekkers prefer to travel in May. Trekking in Nepal in May is relatively not favorable. The climate is very hot even on the mountain. The land and hills are dry waiting for the rain.
Trekking in Nepal cost varies from one company to other depending on the quality of service we want. The luxury type of trekking trip costs more than normal trip. However, we must find the most reasonable price to be made for our trekking trip in Nepal.
The mushroom-like grown trekking companies may cheat the tourists offering them with cheaper cost but they may not be reliable. We have to see the company’s profile and its activities and team. Then only, we should book the trip to Nepal.
