Mustang the last Forbidden Kingdom in Nepal
Mustang trek is an exceptional, extended trek in a remote and wholly unique corner of Nepal – a step back to a simpler time, a great cultural trek to Himalaya and totally safe!
Mustang the lost Tibetean Kingdom in Nepal was 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 (Guru Rimpoche), who before building Samye (the oldest monastery in Tibet) came to Mustang to stand guard against and do battle with the evil powers trying to destroy Buddhism. The temple of Lo Gekhar in eastern Mustang was built by Padmasambhava after his triumphant battle and still stands guard today.
Our route of Mustang trek will take us across the vast Kali Gandaki riverbed, up over windswept passes at 14,000 ft. and across the ‘Plain of Aspirations’ to the walled capital city of Lo Manthang. All this through a landscape of indescribable vastness and beauty, home to the famous snow leopard, the endangered Bharal (blue sheep), and the mythical Mehti (abominable snowman). Rimmed by 20,000 + snow capped peaks and bathed in hues of orange and red rocks with sporadic fields of vibrant green, yellow and red of barley, maize, and buckwheat. A trip to Mustang is truly a travel back to the old centuries.
The Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs provide an impressive backdrop as you trek up the Kali Gandaki river valley to the ancient city of Lo-Manthang. Mustang is quintessentially Tibetan in character and to date largely unspoiled. However, the advent of a planned new road (progressing slowly) is likely to change this – so the time to see Mustang is now, before its too late and to wonder about the beauty of this Kingdom.
