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Mustang Region

Former Kingdom of Lo, Gandaki Province

Upper Mustang was a forbidden kingdom until 1992 and kept its own monarchy until 2008. It sits in the rain shadow behind Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, which makes it the one major Nepal trek that works through the monsoon.

3,840 mLo Manthang Altitude
RequiredRestricted Permit
10,000+Sky Caves
1380Kingdom Founded
Explore Trips
Mustang Region
3,840 mAltitudeTrans-Himalayan NepalRegion
MUSTANG REGION TRIPS

Trips Starting from Mustang Region

Hand-crafted itineraries that start in Mustang Region, from a single sunrise day-trip to multi-week Himalayan expeditions.

Mustang Region
About Mustang Region

The Walled City of Lo Manthang

Lo Manthang is a walled settlement at 3,840 m that served as the capital of the Kingdom of Lo, founded by Ame Pal in 1380. Mustang stayed a distinct monarchy inside Nepal until 2008, when the republic formally ended the royal title; Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista, the last king, died in 2016. The district was closed to foreigners entirely until 1992, and it remains a restricted area today, which is why the culture survived so intact.

Geography is what makes Mustang look nothing like the rest of Nepal. The district lies in the rain shadow north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, so the monsoon that soaks the rest of the country largely misses it. The result is an arid, ochre and grey plateau of eroded cliffs, cut by the Kali Gandaki, that reads as Tibetan rather than Himalayan. The gorge itself, measured between Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri, is among the deepest on the planet. Sky caves are dug into the cliffs by the thousand, some 3,000 years old, and many are still unexcavated.

Most trips to Upper Mustang run 10 to 16 days. The Upper Mustang Trek walks north from Jomsom through Kagbeni and Ghami to Lo Manthang, and increasingly uses jeep sections where the road now runs. The Tiji festival trek times arrival for the three-day monastic dance held at Lo Manthang each May, which is the single best reason to go. If Upper Mustang's permit cost is the obstacle, Jomsom and Muktinath sit in Lower Mustang and need only the standard ACAP permit.

3,840 mLo Manthang Altitude
RequiredRestricted Permit
10,000+Sky Caves
Highlights

Things to do in Mustang Region

Standout experiences hand-picked by our local guides.

  • 01
    Lo Manthang
    A walled capital at 3,840 m, founded 1380. Four storeys of royal palace and three major gompas inside the walls.
  • 02
    Tiji Festival
    Three days of masked monastic dance each May, staging the defeat of a demon. Book a year out.
  • 03
    Sky Caves
    Thousands of chambers cut into vertical cliffs, some 3,000 years old, holding burials and manuscripts.
  • 04
    Kali Gandaki Gorge
    Measured against Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri on either side, among the deepest gorges on Earth.
  • 05
    Muktinath
    At 3,800 m, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. 108 spouts and a gas flame burning above water.
  • 06
    Monsoon Trekking
    The rain shadow keeps Mustang walkable in July and August, when most of Nepal is closed in.
  • 07
    Ghar Gompa
    Founded in the 8th century, older than the kingdom itself, with Padmasambhava's rock paintings.
  • 08
    Restricted Access
    Closed until 1992 and permit-controlled since. Numbers stay low by design.
When to visit

Best time to visit Mustang Region

Mustang inverts the Nepali calendar. Because it sits behind the rain shadow, June to August is genuinely good here, while winter closes the district with cold and wind rather than snowfall.

Jan
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Apr
May
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Aug
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Best Good Avoid trekking Avoid
  • ★ BEST SEASON
    Spring
    March – May
    The prime window, and Tiji falls in May. Clear, dry, and the trail reopens after winter. Afternoon wind up the Kali Gandaki is relentless from about 11am. Temperatures shown are Lo Manthang (3,840 m).
    2°C – 18°C
  • GOOD
    Summer
    June – August
    The rain shadow keeps Mustang dry while the rest of Nepal is under monsoon. Warm days, green barley terraces, and the only good high trekking in the country. Access flights to Jomsom can still be weather-delayed.
    8°C – 23°C
  • ★ BEST SEASON
    Autumn
    September – November
    Clear and stable, with the Yartung horse festival at the turn of the season. The most comfortable temperatures of the year.
    -2°C – 16°C
  • MONSOON
    Winter
    December – February
    Bitter and windy. Much of Lo Manthang's population migrates south to lower ground for the season, and many lodges close. Not recommended.
    -12°C – 7°C
Good to know

Mustang Region questions, answered

How much does the Upper Mustang permit cost?
Upper Mustang is a restricted area and the permit is charged per person for a fixed initial period, with a daily rate after that, on top of the ACAP permit. It is the most expensive trekking permit in Nepal by a wide margin. Because the Department of Immigration revises the rate, ask us for the current figure when you book. You also need a licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers.
Can you trek Mustang during the monsoon?
Yes, and it is one of the few places in Nepal where that is true. Upper Mustang sits in the rain shadow behind Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, so June to August stays largely dry while the rest of the country is under cloud. The catch is access: flights into Jomsom still depend on Pokhara weather, so build in buffer days.
What is the Tiji festival and when is it?
Tiji is a three-day masked dance at Lo Manthang, performed by the monks of Choedhe monastery, that re-enacts a deity defeating a demon and restoring water to the kingdom. It falls in May, with the exact dates set by the Tibetan lunar calendar and confirmed only a few months ahead. It is the busiest week of Mustang's year, so accommodation inside the walls needs booking well in advance.
Is Upper Mustang still a kingdom?
Not officially. The Kingdom of Lo was founded by Ame Pal in 1380 and kept a recognised monarchy inside Nepal until 2008, when the new republic abolished the royal title. Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista, the twenty-fifth and last king, died in 2016. The palace still stands at Lo Manthang and the family remains locally respected.
How hard is the Upper Mustang trek?
Moderate. It sits mostly between 2,800 and 3,900 m, so the altitude is milder than Everest or Manaslu, and there is no high pass to force. The difficulty is the wind, which builds up the Kali Gandaki most days from late morning, and the aridity. Roads now cover part of the route, so several itineraries mix jeep and walking days.
What's the difference between Upper and Lower Mustang?
Permits and cost, mostly. Upper Mustang, north of Kagbeni, is a restricted area needing the expensive special permit, a guide and two trekkers. Lower Mustang, which includes Jomsom and Muktinath, needs only the standard ACAP permit and can be done far more cheaply. Lower Mustang gives you the gorge and the pilgrimage site; Upper Mustang gives you the walled city and the Tibetan plateau.
When is the best time to visit Mustang?
May for Tiji, or September to October for the clearest and most comfortable conditions. July and August are the contrarian pick: the rain shadow keeps Mustang open while every other high trek in Nepal is washed out. Avoid December to February, when the wind is severe and much of Lo Manthang empties out.