Mystical Mustang: 17-Day Trek to the Lost Kingdom

The Mustang trek is a journey into one of Nepal’s most remote and mystifying regions—the hidden valleys of Upper Mustang, tucked between Tibet and the high Himalayas. This isolated kingdom, distinct from anywhere else in the world, offers a rare glimpse into a culture and landscape that has remained remarkably untouched for centuries.

At the heart of Upper Mustang lies Lo Manthang, the walled city that once belonged to the Tibetan kingdom of Gungthang until the 1830s. Its early history is steeped in myth and legend rather than documented history, adding to its allure. Though modernity has slowly crept in, Upper Mustang still mesmerizes visitors with its dramatic scenery and the community’s unwavering dedication to preserving its ancient traditions.

Today, efforts are underway to restore the fading cultural legacy—crumbling monasteries have been rebuilt, and ancient Buddhist teachings echo once again through the voices of young monks studying in traditional robes. Lo Manthang, home to about 300 households, is organized into four distinct castes: the royal family, common villagers, blacksmiths, and the butchers and millers. The village now enjoys solar-powered electricity, small herb gardens, fluttering prayer flags, and neatly stacked firewood—some of which, in earlier times, families were duty-bound to supply to the royal household.

Ancient customs like sky burials and polyandry are still practiced in some areas, providing deep insight into the resilience and uniqueness of Upper Mustang’s cultural fabric.

Legend holds that Guru Rinpoche—the revered Buddhist saint—once battled a powerful demon among Mustang’s snow-capped peaks, desert canyons, and wind-swept plains. According to lore, after vanquishing the demon, he scattered its remains across the land: its blood formed Mustang’s towering red cliffs, and its intestines lay near Ghami, where locals later built Nepal’s longest mani wall in reverence, atop the site of the fallen demon.