Mustang was one of the best off the beaten trekking trail in Nepal, still its the best trekking route in Nepal. Overall Nepal is changing with lifestyle, infrastructure, economy and all also Upper Mustang is changing day by day. Rugged Trails Nepal visitors who recently visited Mustang, they say Upper Mustang is no more off the beaten trail now.
It is better to ride than walking over the dusty roads, why they said?
Upper Mustang Trekking Route Information
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Upper Mustang Trekking Route Information
Mustang, also known as Lo, is a Buddhist kingdom, deep in the Himalayas. It was forbidden territory for foreigners until 1991. Nowadays, you can get there with a special, hard to obtain a permit (The US $ 500 for 10 days). This makes a trek through Mustang still a unique experience. The kingdom of Lo used to be part of the Tibetan Ngari Empire, the western part of the Tibetan empire. It is a beautiful, desolate area that is closely related to Tibet. In Mustang, Tibetan Buddhism is still practiced in the purest form. The monasteries belong to the Sakyapa sect, one of Tibetan Buddhist flows. Monasteries (and houses) of this sect are easily recognizable by the red, white and black (or gray) vertical stripes painted on the walls.
We follow the old salt caravan route. Formerly, Mustang residents with salt-loaded yaks and donkeys went to the lower south to trade the salt for grain, rice, sugar, and fuel. At the end of the boundary with Tibet, the salt trade ended with the end of 1959, but at the moment you can see long caravans of Mustang, especially donkeys. Mustang is located in an expanse of the Tibetan highlands and is between the three and four-thousand meters high. You walk along with the most amazing, rocky rock formations. Small, Tibetan-like villages are like green oases between the bare rocks. The goal is the mystical city of Lo Manthang, the capital of Mustang. In Mustang, a strong wind usually rises at noon. Height and the wind can make the trek difficult. Day planning must be seen as a guideline.
Those were in previous days but now things have been changed and it will change a lot in a few years. Upper Mustang is connected with roads from Pokhara and Nepal government is planning to connect a highway to Tibet (China) border. Road construction is going on and almost the 99% Mustang trekking trails are walking on roads. It is not crowded and busy but still the hunks and dust once the jeep/bikes / Trucks come on walking the path. Usually, the roads get busy during the Mustang Tiji Festival and its one of the best times to visit Upper Mustang to see the monk dance.
Culturally rich Mustang still preserves the Tibetan culture and Mustang heritage but once it connects a big highway it will be crowded and already the trail is messed up. Better to visit Mustang within few years otherwise nobody knows Charlie. Charlie is from Maine United State, he was with his friend to see Mustang Tiji Festival.
But the good news for Riders now they can visit Mustang by 4w Jeep and Motorbike. If you are looking for a mountain road trip then Upper Mustang is one of the best places for it in Nepal. Mountain biking lovers will enjoy this extreme landscape Valley and Rugged Trails Nepal had successfully organized many Motorbike and Mountain biking trips in Upper Mustang. For more information about Upper Mustang Trek, don't hesitate to ask our tour expert.
Mountain Biking Tour in Mustang
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