Upper Mustang Forbidden Kingdom

Upper Mustang photo gallery

Online quotation for trekking insurance

The Upper Mustang trek in September 2008 will be led by Alan Ward. Alan is a very experienced trek leader, in 2006 he was one of 11 worldwide finalists in the Wanderlust Top Guide Awards competition following recommendations from clients, for more information on his background and experience.

Upper Mustang is located north of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri and at an average of 4000m is geologically and culturally part of the Tibetan plateau. The valleys are arid and dry with colourful rock formations often containing many thousands of cave dwellings high up in the cliffs.

The first trekking parties were allowed into Upper Mustang in 1992. Now the Nepalese government require a special entry permit with surcharge to enter Upper Mustang. Very few people (about 700 trekkers each year) visiting the Kingdom and as a result it is one of the few places left where one can see undisturbed Tibetan culture.

Mustang is a remote semi-independent Tibetan Kingdom with a fantastic walled capital called Lo Manthang. Upper Mustang was once part of Tibet and was used by the salt caravans crossing the Himalaya into Nepal. It became an independent kingdom in 1380 and the current royal family trace their lineage back to this time. In 1960's Mustang was a strong hold for Tibetan Khampa guerrillas fighting the occupying Chinese forces. The CIA supported these fighters and secretly trained some of them in the US.

If you would like more information click here to download the Trip Dossier

OUTLINE ITINERARY- please note, this itinerary has been extended by one day as of April 3rd, 2008.

• Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu
  
• Day 2 Sighteeing in Kathmandu
  
• Day 3 Fly to Pokhara
• Day 4 Morning flight to Jomsom (2,713m), trek to Kagbeni (2,810m).
• Day 5 Day walk around Kagbeni (2,810m).
• Day 6 Trek to Chussang (2,920m).
  
• Day 7 Trek to Samar (3,500m).
• Day 8 Trek to Ghiling (3,500m).
  
• Day 9 Trek to Tsarang (3,500m) via Ghami.
  
• Day 10 Trek to Lo Manthang (3,770m).
• Day 11 Explore Lo Manthang.
• Day 12 Trek to Ghara Gompa (3,879m).
• Day 13 Trek to Damagaon (3,549m).
• Day 14 Trek to Samar (3,500m).
• Day 15 Trek to Kagbeni.
• Day 16 Trek to Jomsom.
• Day 17 Fly to Pokhara and on to Kathmandu.
• Day 18 Sightseeing in Kathmandu.
• Day 19 Fly back home

Take a look at our other western led treks in Nepal for October 2008:

Manaslu Circuit
Mera Peak expedition

Take a look at our Nepal extensions:

Royal Chitwan National Park