Mustang Region

Mustang is by far Nepal most restricted trekking area. It was only opened to foreigners in 1992 and has been strictly regulated ever since. Mustang is in the North west area of Nepal that is part of the Tibetan plateau. This area has long been inhabited by Tibetan Buddhists and no where else in Nepal can such rich, untouched culture be found. Trekkers are not common here which is why this trek provides such a rare and up close look at a society that has remained unaffected by change for centuries. Unfortunately there is a high price to pay have such an experience. Permits are seven hundred dollars per person for 10 days and 910$ for 13 days. The starting and ending point for all treks in Mustang is Jomsom which can only be reached by plane. Trekking in Mustang is truly one of the rarest and most rewarding experiences in all Nepal. Mustang is the old kingdom of Lo. Actually the capital of the Mustang district is Jomsom, but the real Tibetan style district lies north of Kagbeni and is usually referred to as Upper Mustang. The real capital, Lo Manthang, where the present king lives, is a fantastic square-walled town sitting on the 'Plain of Prayers'. The small kingdom of Mustang, closed to westerners until 1992, is an enchanting land of windswept vistas, red walled monasteries, and feudal towns. This tiny kingdom was not only a major corridor of trade from the 1400's to before the Chinese occupation of Tibet, but also figured importantly into early Buddhism in Tibet. Local legend tells the tale of the great founder of Tibetan Buddhism, Padmasambhava, who before building Samye (the oldest monastery in Tibet) came to Mustang to stand guard against and do battle with the evil powers out to destroy Buddhism. The temple of Lo Gekhar in eastern Mustang was built by Padmasambhava after his triumphant battle and still stands guard today.