Nepal has many destinations that provide amazing trekking experiences. Because Nepal is a multicultural nation, the land is occupied by various ethnic groups. Nepal is also considered one of the very last places on earth where unsullied ancient traditions are still in practice. One such place is the Upper Mustang. Trekking in Upper Mustang in Nepal is a matter of amazing arid landscapes and experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture and tradition in its finest form. Mustang, also known as the former Kingdom of Lo, is home of the Tibetan Buddhist people who still have kept the traditions of their ancestors alive to date. Visiting Upper Mustang is like going back in time; the villages and the landscape seem like they have come right out of a history book. Because of the region’s relative isolation for the longest time, the people of Upper Mustang have managed to preserve their culture without the constraints of modernization. A restricted dematerialized area till 1992, Trekking in Upper Mustang is unlike anything else the country offers. One of the main differences when it comes to trekking in the Upper Mustang as opposed to trekking at other famous trekking destinations in the country is about the region’s topography. Unlike the green alpine forests or the snowy acreages, Upper Mustang instead offers amazing rock formations and corroded hills and cliffs that give the region a semblance of the badlands. With amethyst terrains and arid environments, Upper Mustang is an alien-like region where Gumbas and chortens line the hills and the contrast of the terra is seen vibrantly as its brown landscape clashes brightly against the silver Dhaulagiri Himal. Being a region located in the rain shadow zone of the Dhaulagiri, rainfall here occurs seldom and makes trekking in Upper Mustang in the summer the best option. The whole of the region has many smaller settlements and villages occupied by people following the Tibetan Buddhist religion. The inhabitants of this region are Thakali, Gurung, and more traditionally Tibetan. Most of the settlements of the region lie near the Kali Gandaki River. Upper Mustang is also located right along the ancient salt trading route. This feature allowed the former Lo Kingdom to be the center of trading in ancient times.

Once an independent kingdom, Upper Mustang still has close ties with the language and culture of Tibet. For the majority of the 15^th and 17^th centuries, solely controlled the trading route between the Himalayas and India. After its annexation into Nepal, trekking in Upper Mustang wasn’t opened until much later, and still to this day, the trekking activity to the region is controlled and regulated. A special permit is required for trekking in Upper Mustang and the best time for trekking here is from March to December. Highlights of trekking here include ethnic villages like Geling, Charang, Lo Manthang, Drakmar, and Shyangmochen among many others, and authentic experiences of observing and being a part of Tibetan Buddhist tradition and culture. The temple of Muktinath also lies in the region; the temple is held in the most sacred regard by both the Hindu and the Buddhist people and is referred to as “the place of liberation”. Trekking in Upper Mustang in Nepal is quite fascinating and one of the most memorable and different trekking experiences in the country. From its bone-white cliffs to the mysterious sky caves that were recently discovered, Upper Mustang is a place of many wonders and hidden treasures. It is an experience that allows one to be close to one of the last refined cultures that are still practiced as they were centuries ago. It is one of the best trekking experiences in Nepal.

Trekking in Upper Mustang in Nepal 2024.

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