The mystical Mustang region is a blend of Tibetan civilization, crumbling monasteries, ancient caves, and breathtaking deserts. The famous Upper Mustang Trek (17 days) leads you through the walled village of Lo Manthang, over ancient monasteries to regions of sheer cliffs and valleys tinged with ochre. Shorter cultural experiences include Lower Mustang Trek, which covers the lush Kali Gandaki Valley. The challenging Damodar Kunda Lake Trek (22 days), takes a route to renowned high-altitude lakes at 4890 meters. Adventure enthusiasts may want to join the Upper Mustang Bike Tour (14 days) which offers ADU rides through ragged trails set against the magnificent backdrop of the Himalayas. It is also possible to connect to well-known routes such as the Jomsom Muktinath Short Trek (8 days) which is ideal for time-constrained pilgrims and trekkers. This is later incorporated into the Jomsom Muktinath Trek (14 days) , which combines Annapurna vistas with Mustang’s stark beauty.
Mustang’s Tibetan heritage is exceptionally well-preserved and its landscapes, often compared to Tibet’s high desert. While Upper Mustang is accessible with a special permit ($500 for 10 days), it also offers untouched medieval villages and cave complexes such as Chhoser which are simply breathtaking. Mountain biking provides an exciting alternative to trekking with rocky paths through deep gorges and along apple orchards and orchards. Ideal times to visit are spring (April-June) and autumn (September-November). Mustangs rugged treks to Damodar Kunda along with cultural rides through Lo Manthang allow countering every expectation one might have for Nepal.
