The ancient kingdom of Mustang, sitting in the rain shadow of the Annapurna Trek and Dhaulagiri, is arguably one of Nepal’s most fascinating, yet least-explored trekking regions. This part of Mustang has stunning landscapes, villages perched atop cliffs, and an exceptionally well-preserved Tibetan Buddhist way of life. Beginning in what some would say is “the last forbidden kingdom,” this guide will dedicate a thorough examination of the details describing the 16-day trek in Mustang, and what made it such a compelling experience for people seeking adventure, especially in the ideal trekking month of October.
The Forbidden Kingdom: Understanding Mustang’s Allure
Until 1992, Upper Mustang was closed off to foreign travellers, preserving the centuries-old Tibetan-Buddhist culture in remarkable isolation. Furthermore, more than 15 years after its border re-opening to the outside world, Upper Mustang remains impressively authentic, largely due to strict permit regulations and sheer distance from metropolitan hubs.
The name of the region is derived from the Tibetan “Mun Tan,” which means “fertile plain,” but what trekkers will discover could not be farther from its namesake; the area is an arid, high-altitude desert that the wind has sculpted into unrivalled shapes and forms over millions of years.
The former Kingdom of Lo, as the locals call it, still exists today as a semi-autonomous region of Nepal with its own royal family, heritage and traditions until the crown in Nepal was abolished in 2008. Every village along the trek retains that essence of rich and unique culture.
Why October Presents Prime Trekking Conditions
The departures on October 6th and October 20th perfectly match Mustang’s ideal trekking period. After the monsoon rains have ceased, and with October being a month of stable weather, blue skies present dramatic visibility over the wild and vast landscape. At this time of year, daytime temperatures are very moderate (around 10-15 degrees), and while nights can get quite a bit colder, you can manage the conditions with a warm sleeping bag, down jacket, and the right gear.
This time of year also coincides with harvest season in the villages along the route, which should be exciting to see, as local farmers will be busy harvesting their crops and preparing for the winter ahead. With the freshness of the air after the monsoon, the atmospheric clarity allows for excellent photographic conditions where you can see into the distance and those mountain ranges seem almost tangible.
Geographical Wonders of Upper Mustang
The geographic area of Mustang really sets it apart from the other trekking regions of Nepal. Mustang is found in the trans-Himalayan region of Nepal, situated within the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Gandaki Valley, flanked by Annapurna on one side and Dhaulagiri on the other. These peaks are so high that they create a rain shadow over this region; thus, the landscape of Mustang is arid and more Tibet-like than the lush greenery of southern Nepal.
The geological diversity encountered during the trek appears almost impossible for a single region. Trekkers will witness:
- Dramatic eroded cliffs forming natural amphitheatres with colours ranging from burnt sienna to pale yellow
- Wind-carved hoodoos and stone formations resembling melting candle wax
- Ancient seabed fossils called “saligrams” (ammonites) embedded in riverbanks, evidence that this high-altitude desert once lay beneath the Tethys Sea
- Natural caves networked through cliffs that served as meditation retreats for Buddhist practitioners for centuries
- Dramatic river canyons with seasonal changes in water flow creating evolving landscapes
These formations are most spectacular in October’s clear light, when morning sun casts long shadows across the textured terrain, creating photographic opportunities unique to this region.
Cultural Encounters: Beyond the Landscape
The major differentiator of the Mustang trek as compared to other expeditions in the Himalayas is the rich cultural aspect. The people living in this area, known as Loba, adhere to traditions much more akin to Tibet than mainstream Nepalese culture. Its dialect, architectural style and religious practices have remained preserved by centuries of seclusion.
Trekkers witness living Buddhist traditions through:
- Monasteries (Gompas) housing ancient manuscripts and art
- Sky Burials and Burial Caves, revealing practices largely vanished elsewhere
- Seasonal Festivals, depending on timing, where mask dances and rituals bring mythology to life
- Traditional Medicine is still practised by local amchis (doctors)
- Distinctive Cuisine including tsampa (roasted barley flour), butter tea, and locally distilled spirits
These cultural elements aren’t staged for tourism but represent authentic continuing traditions despite modernisation gradually reaching even this remote corner of Nepal.
The Mystical Side of Mustang: Sacred Sites and Rituals
Upper Mustang’s spiritual landscape remains as compelling as its physical terrain. Throughout the trek, you’ll encounter sites of profound significance to Tibetan Buddhism:
Chortens and Prayer Walls
Along this journey, we find many elaborately built chortens (Buddhist shrines) and mani walls (stone structures inscribed with prayers). These sites are not only historical but are also places of reverence and living ritual where local people circumambulate each as an act of devotion. Some chortens house relics that are centuries old and believed to protect the land surrounding them.
Lo Manthang’s Sacred Temples
The walled city of Lo Manthang is home to three important temples: Jampa Lhakhang (Maitreya Temple), Thupchen Gompa, and Chöde Gompa. These temples house some of the most influential Tibetan Buddhist murals still in existence, 15th-century paintings on walls and ceilings depicting mandalas, bodhisattvas, and tantric deities that art historians literally consider priceless and are protected under movement restrictions and museum and library laws.
Furthermore, the temples are living institutions of worship that promote a sequence of traditional daily activities involving butter lamp offerings, recitations by monks, and in some temples, a sequence of circumambulations for worshippers.
Cave Monasteries
Most impressively, the Chhoser caves showcase a vertical honeycomb of man-made living spaces, sculpted from conglomerate cliffs, in the form of multi-story cave complexes that included entire monastic communities, meditation caves, assembly halls and storage rooms- all linked via Tunnels and ladders. They are over 2500 years old and represent, alongside Chhoser itself, some of humanity’s cleverest adaptations to an austere environment.
Agriculture and Adaptation in the High Desert
Even in a very challenging environment like Mustang, the people have formed highly developed agricultural systems to maintain life at high altitude. The ingenious irrigation systems take glacial meltwater, using stone-lined irrigation channels to produce barley, buckwheat and even orchards of apples. Agricultural practices have changed marginally over the centuries, but climate change has created new challenges here.
The conventional agricultural calendar governs each and every facet of community life. October is a particularly lively month as harvest time and related occupations become most intense. Fields become populated by families, harvesting their fields by cutting the grain with hand sickles and threshing the crops using traditional methods. For photographers and cultural enthusiasts alike, the agricultural traditions in practice give a glimpse into the soon-to-be extinct way of life that exists in most places.
Wildlife Encounters Along the Trail
While Mustang’s arid landscape might initially appear inhospitable to wildlife, the region hosts remarkable biodiversity adapted to high-altitude desert conditions. Lucky trekkers might spot:
- The elusive snow leopard, which maintains sustainable populations in Mustang’s remote valleys
- Blue sheep (bharal) navigate seemingly impossible cliff faces with remarkable agility
- Lammergeier vultures (bearded vultures) with their impressive 9-foot wingspans, soaring on thermal currents
- Tibetan wolves that still roam the higher reaches beyond settlements
- Golden eagles hunting across the vast open spaces between mountain ranges
Birdwatchers find particular value in Mustang’s location along migratory routes between the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia, with October offering opportunities to observe species in seasonal movement.
Practical Considerations for Trekkers
Permits and Regulations
Upper Mustang remains highly regulated, requiring special permits currently priced at €500 for a 10-day stay (with additional days requiring supplementary fees). These permits necessitate booking through registered trekking agencies and travelling with licensed guides.
Physical Preparation
The hike is moderately difficult. On average, you’ll find yourself hiking for 5-7 hours each day. While some days may feel long due to the rugged nature of the terrain and its altitude (above 4,000m), a suitable fitness base is still required. Plan for reasonable expected challenges with altitude, since altitude won’t be a problem most of the time if you acclimatise as per the itinerary.
Essential Packing
When trekking in Mustang in October, you must prepare for extreme temperature variations. You will require layered clothing—some lightweight hiking clothing when the sun shines, and dry insulating layers for the evenings when it gets cold. Good sun protection is critical in a high-altitude desert, similar to being more careful about carrying enough water purification systems.
Tip: Glacier Safari Treks provides you a well curated packing list, making sure you have all that you need without overpacking.
Accommodation and Facilities
Tea houses and guesthouses along the route offer basic but comfortable accommodation. While simpler than facilities on more commercial trekking routes, these establishments provide authentic cultural immersion. Electricity remains intermittent beyond the larger settlements, making portable power banks essential for photography enthusiasts.
Photographic Opportunities: Capturing the Last Forbidden Kingdom
For photography enthusiasts, Mustang offers incomparable opportunities that distinguish it from any other trekking region:
- Light quality is unique to high-altitude deserts, with dramatic shadows and clarity rarely found elsewhere
- Cultural authenticity with opportunities to document traditions largely unchanged for centuries
- Architectural wonders, including the distinctive white, red, and ochre buildings with their distinctive woodwork
- Portraits of local people whose weathered faces tell stories of high-mountain adaptation
- Night skies unpolluted by artificial light, revealing astronomical features with exceptional clarity
October’s stable weather creates ideal conditions for both landscape and cultural photography, with consistent light throughout the day and minimal weather disruptions.
Environmental and Cultural Responsibility
Responsible trekking practices are crucial to preserve Mustang’s fragile ecology and cultural heritage for the future. Following the paths, practising a ‘leave-no-trace’ ethic, respecting local customs surrounding taking photographs and visiting religious sites, and ensuring fair trade interactions with your local economy contribute to sustaining this incredible area for future trekkers.
Climate change impact is more visible in Mustang every year, and transitions from seasonal (summer) precipitation to monsoon (non-tidal) precipitation means traditional water management systems may be negatively impacted. Supporting community-based conservation initiatives via local guides is valuable support for us to do our part in sustaining Mustang.
The Modernisation Challenge
Mustang Trek has considerable cultural authenticity; however, gradual modernisation increases throughout the region. With new motor roads now connecting some of the villages, arriving brings new benefits and difficulties for a more traditional way of life. Visiting now offers a chance to view cultural traditions that have occurred for hundreds of years, but are on a path of uncertainty with increased connectivity.
This period of transition offers a good time to visit Mustang. It is accessible for responsible tourism but maintains cultural features that are increasingly rare in the world. The treks in October 2025 are opportunities to view the traditional rituals of harvest, forms of restoration building techniques, and methods of production of textiles that may alter wildly in the decades ahead.
Experience the Extraordinary with Glacier Safari Treks
If you’re interested in participating, Glacier Safari Treks has departures on October 6th and October 20th, with a knowledgeable and supportive guide, leading you through Mustang with 40 years of experience in Nepal’s remote areas. Our guides possess a wealth of cultural understanding and organisational experience, all of which assures you will have a smooth trekking experience. Likewise, our familiarity and trust with local communities will allow you opportunities to experience the cultural life of the locale in ways that most independent travellers might not have access to.
The 16-day Mustang trek involves far more than simply engaging in a form of exercise, it will transport you through places and cultural traditions that are becoming increasingly scarce in our standardised world. Walking on ancient commercial trails, in expansive phenomena of blue sky, encircled by wind-eroded cliffs and age-old monasteries, you can experience a world less ubiquitous and decidedly more elemental.
For the adventurous traveller seeking experiences beyond the ordinary, Mustang’s forbidden kingdom awaits, particularly during the crystalline days of October when the light, landscape, and living traditions converge to create an unforgettable Himalayan odyssey.
FAQs:
1. Do I need a special permit to trek in Upper Mustang?
Yes. A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required, costing €500 for 10 days, and must be arranged through a registered agency with a licensed guide.
2. When is the best time to trek in Mustang?
October is ideal due to clear skies, moderate temperatures, and vibrant cultural activity during the harvest season.
3. How difficult is the 16-day Mustang trek?
Moderately difficult. Expect 5–7 hours of trekking daily with gradual altitude gain above 4,000m; proper acclimatisation is essential.
4. What should I pack for an October trek in Mustang?
Layered clothing for varying temperatures, sun protection, a warm sleeping bag, and water purification tools are must-haves.
5. What makes Mustang different from other treks in Nepal?
It offers a rare mix of arid desert landscapes, ancient Tibetan culture, cave monasteries, and minimal crowds due to restricted access.