TO THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
Mustang Trek | |
Duration: about 9-11 days | This area was completely closed to foreign trekkers until 1991. Mustang is an ancient Himalayan kingdom. Inside the walled city of Lo Manthang are some of the largest Tibetan Buddhist gompas in Nepal. A difficult trek because of high altitude, exposed terrain and continual strong winds. |
This arid, Tibet-like region, which is known as Lo to its inhabitants, is situated at the northern end of the Kali Gandaki. The name probably is a mispronounciation of th town Manthang, the capital of Lo. It has nothing to do with the horse or the car. The district of Mustang extends from south of Ghasa to the tibetan border. The district headquarters is in Jomson. Only so called upper Mustang is a restricted area. In the southern part are five villages inhabited by Managis and in the northern part - the ancient kingdom of Lo - the culture is almost purely tibetan.
The king is Lo Gyelbu, but although the nepali term raja is used here.
The trekking permit for upper Mustang cost minimum 700$ per person for 10 days. Extra days are 70$ each. You are only allowed to visit this region with an liaison officer and only in groups of at last two people. To carry your luggage, you also can consider renting horses in Jomson.
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