Upper Mustang Trek: Inside Nepal's Forbidden Kingdom
Key Takeaways The upper mustang restricted area trek accesses one of the last intact Tibetan Buddhist kingdoms in existence. Closed until 1992, Upper Mustang preserves medieval monasteries, a walled capital city, and a culture of extraordinary continuity in a desert plateau landscape unlike anywhere else in Nepal. Lo Manthang at 3,840 meters contains four major monasteries with some of the finest Tibetan Buddhist murals in Nepal, the Raja's palace, and the nearby Chhoser cave complex of ancient cliff dwellings. Allow at least two nights. The permit system changed in late 2025 to USD 50 per person per day, replacing the previous fixed USD 500 for 10 days. This gives trekkers more flexibility on itinerary length. Monsoon (June to August) is one of the best seasons due to the rain shadow effect. Spring (May) is essential for the Tiji Festival. Both require advance booking for Lo Manthang accommodation. Until 1992, no foreign visitor had legally set foot in Upper Mustang. The region...