Upper Mustang

About this trek

A high-desert kingdom of ochre cliffs, sky caves and the walled capital of Lo Manthang — a fragment of old Tibet preserved in Nepal's rain shadow, north of the Annapurnas.

Upper Mustang spent centuries as a forbidden Buddhist kingdom on the salt route to Tibet. Wind-carved canyons, cliff-cut cave dwellings and whitewashed gompas lead to Lo Manthang, a still-inhabited walled city of monasteries and a royal palace.

Our 16-day route is moderate underfoot but high and dry, with time in Lo Manthang for the surrounding monasteries and cave complexes. Best walked in summer, when the rest of Nepal is under monsoon.

Trek highlights

Trek at a glance