Things to Do in Upper Mustang

Mustang is one of the premier and one of the most looked-after destinations in Nepal. The reason why this place has so many eyeballs staring is the fact that it is the Hidden Kingdom of Nepal. The whole place of Mustang was, until 1950, a detached kingdom and a royal dynasty led by Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista, who used to reign here till 2009.

Every area of Mustang has different landscapes and vegetation from south to north. Mainly, the regional landscape consists of Lower and Upper Mustang. Upper Mustang is more of a forbidden kingdom, previously called the Kingdom of Lo. There are several things to do in Upper Mustang.

The Upper Mustang has the most domination covering nearly two-thirds of the area of the Mustang district. And it has three rural municipalities, including Lo Manthang, Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda, and Varagung Muktichhetra. It holds a beautiful mixture of history, culture, and adventure; no matter the purpose behind the travel, your soul will be satisfied fully. There are a lot of attractions and things to do when visiting Upper Mustang; some of them are included here.

An Introduction to Upper Mustang

Upper Mustang, as the name suggests, refers to the upper part of the Mustang district. It was a restricted kingdom till 1992, making it one of the sacred places of the world. One interesting fact is that, even currently, many people living there speak the Tibetan language.

The region is massively influenced by the Tibetan culture; major activities here include tourism, animal husbandry, and trade. The last official king to rule until 2009 was Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista. He was born in the Lo-Manthang Palace in Upper Mustang. Currently, members of the royal family are spread across the world in various cities.

The climate of Upper Mustang is pretty cool, and it lies in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri ranges. Upper Mustang is located on an ancient trade route between Nepal and Tibet. Tourism to Upper Mustang is relatively higher, and foreigners have been allowed only since 1992.

To visit this region, foreigners need to obtain a special permit. The majority of people follow Buddhist culture, very similar to that of Tibet and China.

Things to Do in Upper Mustang

There are plenty of activities you can indulge in during the tour of Upper Mustang. Upper Mustang has so much to offer that visitors can’t get bored. Getting to see the glimpses of Tibetan-influenced culture and Himalayan landscapes is one of the bare minimums; having said that, let’s explore what are the things you can do.

Trekking and Hiking

First and foremost, what you can do is trekking, as the trekking in Nepal is not short of a heavenly adventure. You can trek up to Lomanthang, or to Upper Mustang. You can even do a short hike around the Chhoser. In order to do the trekking, you have to separate a fair number of days, reaching a moderate altitude.

Start with a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then to Jomsom. And then begin the trekking journey passing the deepest gorge, the Kali Gandaki gorge. There are several trekking routes that you can follow, either the standard route of the trail to Lo Manthang, or others. 

There are many teahouses and lodges there, and based on the trek you’re going there may be certain permits and regulations that you have to follow. Trekking or hiking in this region offers you pleasant experiences with amazing natural beauty and a serene atmosphere. You will get to know more about the locals and their culture.

4WD Jeep Safari Tour

If you’re not so much a fan of walking and trekking, then you can also do the full tour of Upper Mustang on 4 wheels. This is one of the luxurious experiences that you can indulge in with your friends, family, or loved ones. This tour is ideal for experiencing the ancient Kingdom of Lo, Lomanthang, and high-altitude desert scenery.

Not only that, but you’ll also get to see plenty of historic Buddhist sites with proper comfort. The 4WD Jeep safari removes the factor of physical tiredness and exhaustion caused by the long-distance trekking. It is much needed due to the rough and rugged terrain.

This off-road adventure is going to be a memorable experience for you, as you can enjoy the drive and scenery together. The journey also takes you to Lo Manthang and several other cultural and religious sites. The jeep safari tour mostly begins from Pokhara, driving towards Jomsom and doing the full circuit drive to reach Lo Manthang.

Mountain Bike Tour

If you love adventurous rides to make the journey more thrilling, you can head to Upper Mustang on a mountain bike. The rough, bumpy trail for biking adds even more excitement and fun to the tour. You can start the riding part from Kagbeni and enter the restricted area of Upper Mustang, crossing several villages.

Reaching Lo Manthang and exploring the ancient area, bypassing the Kali Gandaki river and riding on its bank, is a whole different kind of experience. To add the cherry on top, you will get gorgeous views of the mountains, plateaus, and the riverside cliffs.

A bike ride with your mates or family members can be a really memorable experience. However, make sure to ride safely as the road trip is not that easy.

Pony Ride

If slow-motion ride experiences while watching the scenery and soaking in the views is your thing, then pony riding is the best option. In order to do pony riding in Upper Mustang, you don’t need prior experience; the guides will train you fully. The tour of the pony usually starts from Jomsom, taking you to Kagbeni and Lo Manthang.

The pony ride is a great way to visit these diverse landscapes, pristine monasteries, and explore villages. You don’t have to walk, but you can still take part in the adventure in the high altitudes, doing the proper sightseeing of the Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal.

Explore Tibetan-style Landscapes

Upper Mustang falls in the desert area and is one of the rare desert parts of Nepal. It falls in the rain shadow of the Massif Annapurna and the beautiful Dhaulagiri ranges. You’ll also discover several Tibetan plateaus and red cliffs, especially on the route to Lomanthang.

It may remind you of the Grand Canyon, but it is comparatively smaller.

Explore ancient monasteries

Upper Mustang is equally famous for its monasteries, which are of 8th-to-15th-century. Here lie plenty of Buddhist monasteries, especially built during the ancient period, and hold significant importance. The 8th-century Ghar Gompa is one of the renowned monasteries of this region. The 15th-century Thubchen and Jampa Lhakhang of Lo Manthang are another reputed monastery known for its intricate architecture.

Similarly, there are several other small monasteries well preserved to date, and they provide insights into the religious aspect for locals and tourists. These monasteries mostly include murals, statues, and scriptures reflecting the past and history of this region.

The majority of popular monasteries are located mostly in these places: Lo Manthang, Tsarang, and Chhoser. 

Visit Ancient Meditation Cave

On the cliff of Upper Mustang, there is a cave named Chungsi. It stands tall in the sky, and you can explore it and the surroundings. This ancient cave is nearly 8th century and is very popular. The majority of the locals say that Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) is believed to have meditated in this place. There are also various other secret that makes this place mysterious.

Experience the ‘Tiji’ festival

One of the most hyped up and celebrated festivals in Upper Mustang isthe  ‘Tiji festival’. The legend and the celebration behind this festival is the ‘win over evil’. Many locals say that in the past, Mustang was surrounded by evil energy. Dorje Lono, who is one of the key deities of the Upper Mustang region, is believed to have fought the demon and made the entire Mustang clean and free of evil power.

Thus, after that, every year Tiji festival is celebrated with the ‘win over the evil’. This festival is celebrated by dance, singing, and chanting rituals. Held annually in Lo Manthang, this three-day festival is quite popular, and people from all parts of the world come to see and take part in it.

Visit Muktinath

A trip to Mustang remains incomplete without visiting Muktinath temple. Muktinath is a very popular sacred site for both the Hindu and Buddhists. It is located at an altitude of 3,762 m (12,343 ft); in fact, it is regarded as one of the highest temples in the world.

It is a temple of Lord Vishnu with a statue of Lord Buddha in it. He is one of the major deities of the Hindu religion. This temple is significant for Buddhist devotees as well. It is said that the Guru Rinpoche visited here during his meditative journey. There are 108 sacred taps and 2 sacred lakes here. Many visitors come here every single year and dip their bodies in the belief of having salvation after their death.

Explore apple orchards

Mustang is very famous for the production of apples, and here lie plenty of gorgeous apple orchards. So please keep in mind to visit Marpha village, where these apple orchards are. Marpha is a very renowned village for apples and their products.

Export of apples is done to various parts of Nepal as these are very tasty, juicy, and organic. Apples of Marpha are of real quality, and almost majorty of the people here are aware of it. In the nearby surroundings, you can visit local distilleries too. Stroll around and get knowledge regarding how apple brandies are made.

Meet New People

You can stroll around the village of Upper Mustang and get in touch with the locals. Just by talking with them, you can get to know their beliefs, traditions, and lifestyle. You can walk in the narrow alleys of Marpha and Kagbeni, immerse yourself in nature, and meet new people.

Mostly, their way of living, simplicity, and the culture they follow are so new and unique, and they will give you new perspectives, too.

People and Culture of Upper Mustang

Upper Mustang is bordered by Tibet, and the inhabitants of this region are Loba or Lowa. These are basically of Tibetan origin and share very common instincts, nature, and culture with the Tibetan people. They are pretty warm, affectionate, and follow their religion very seriously.

The majority of people in this region follow Tibetan Buddhism, and the ancient monasteries, chortens, and mani walls also provide a representation of it. Talking of festivals, the Tiji festival is celebrated as the main festival here, along with the Lhosar, which is also the Tibetan New Year.

Yartung is also a popular horse riding festival here. To run the household, most people rely on agriculture, mainly the production of potatoes and barley, which is huge. Some do animal husbandry, sheltering yaks and goats, and selling their milk as an economic source.

The main language they speak is Lowa-Baragaunle, with fluent Nepali too when needed.

Key Festivals and Traditions of Upper Mustang

There are several festivals that are celebrated in the Upper Mustang region. Some of them are:

Tiji Festival

The most popular and main festival of this region. Lasts for three days. The main reason behind the celebration is the triumph of goodness over evil, and it is widely celebrated by dancing and singing. Usually falls in the month of May.

Yartung Festival

Yartung is another popular horse riding festival that mostly falls in the month of August. The festival is also marked as the end of the summer season, welcoming the winter months. Main activities include horse riding and archery, whereas some people celebrate it by singing and dancing.

Sonam Lhosar (Tibetan New Year)

Sonam Lhosar is the Tibetan New Year. This festival is celebrated by spending some quality time with family members, friends, and loved ones. The day is spent praying, cooking tasty meals, and gathering in large numbers.

The dress of both males and females is also largely influenced by the Tibetan culture. Men wear a dress called ‘chuba.’ It is a very long coat worn over a skirt. Similarly, women wear a gown called ‘boku.’ Multi-colored aprons are worn outside of it, along with one or two stone-like pieces of jewellery.

Weather and Climate of Upper Mustang

Upper Mustang has a pretty dry weather and climate all year round, even when it rains. It dries up quickly, and the main reason behind this is the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. It rains very little compared to other regions or parts of Nepal.

Spring (March to May)

The weather is ideal during this time, not too hot nor too cold. Skies are also pretty clear. It is a really good time to do sightseeing tours and trekking as well. During the spring season, the temperature remains 10°C to 20°C.

Summer (June to August)

The summer season means monsoon time in Nepal. It isn’t the ideal time to do a tour here; however, the area is not much affected due to its rain-shadow location. This is known as the off-season travel, and the trails are pretty accessible, too. The temperature is a bit high during this time, ranging from 15°C to 22°C.

Autumn (September to November)

This is another perfect time to make a visit to the Upper Mustang region. The weather remains pretty clear and dry with good visibility for sightseeing. The temperature is also suitable during this time, ranging from 8°C to 18°C. One of the best times to do sightseeing tours, as well as hiking/trekking.

Winter (December to February)

During the winter season, this region gets quite cold. Doing the sightseeing tours and trekking may be really tough during this time as the temperature drops to even -5°C, and on milder days it reaches nearly 10°C.

The temperature is quite freezing, and some snowfall might also happen. We don’t recommend that you make a visit to this

Best Time for Upper Mustang Visit or Trek

To get the best possible views and weather conditions, you should visit the Upper Mustang region from either September to December or March to June.

Doing the sightseeing tour or trekking in these times is best in terms of views and experience.

Upper Mustang in Spring

In spring, you’ll see blooming rhododendron, and the climate is also mild. You’ll see clear blue skies and good visibility, making it an ideal time for sightseeing and trekking purposes. Exquisite views of the Himalayas can also be experienced during this time.

Upper Mustang in Autumn

Right after the monsoon, autumn begins, making the weather open, the air clean, and removing all the dust and pollution. The days are bright, and sunny skies remain clear, too. Since the autumn begins right after the heavy rainy season, the visibility is also good. The Himalayan peaks also look shiny, gorgeous, and offer the best possible views.

Upper Mustang FAQs

What are the main attractions in Upper Mustang?

There are several beautiful places in Upper Mustang that will make your journey truly worthwhile. There is the ancient Kingdom of Lo Manthang, the sky caves in Chhoser, which are pleasing to the eye. Plus, you can also visit the globally renowned Muktinath temple and other charming villages.

What is the Upper Mustang famous for?

The desert landscapes found here are very rare. You will not see that in other parts of Nepal. Other than that, there are sky caves and the amazing Lo Manthang kingdom.

Is Upper Mustang worth visiting?

Yes, absolutely. The Upper Mustang offers you a unique taste and adventure. The ancient Tibetan culture and the pristine monasteries add to the charm even more. Overall, visiting Upper Mustang will make you come again and again.

Which is better, Upper Mustang or Lower Mustang?

Lower Mustang has more greenery and more accessible villages. On the other hand, the Upper Mustang is situated at a higher altitude and is dry more like a desert. The vibe it offers is also more like a remote. If you’re looking for a more remote area with adventure and more soltitude then Upper Mustang is suited for you.