Around Annapurna and the Magical Kingdom of Mustang: An Unforgettable Expedition
A stay in the Annapurna region and the Kingdom of Mustang will allow you to share in the lives, passions and experiences of world-renowned climbers and Sherpas. This unique combination of two trekking adventures – The Annapurna Circuit, a highly regarded and popular Himalayan trek, and trekking in the Mustang region – will take you on an adventure you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
We’ll begin our adventure with a trek around the realm of Annapurna, the world’s tenth-highest mountain. We’ll be traversing a geographically and culturally diverse landscape, starting at 800 metres above sea level and climbing to a staggering 5,416 metres above sea level at the Thorong La Pass.
Next, we’ll combine this adventure with an exploration of the forbidden kingdom of Mustang. You’ll trek along rocky, steep trails and admire panoramic views of the Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and other nearby Himalayan peaks. The route takes you through mountain peaks, glaciers and picturesque valleys. This region, which has been isolated for thousands of years, has preserved a truly unique culture and way of life, virtually unchanged for centuries. Houses in the Kingdom of Mustang are mostly built of stone and sun-dried mud bricks. You’re sure to appreciate the architecture of the city walls and the four-storey palace in Lo-Manthang, which are among the most beautiful historical monuments in the region.
Mustang is a place where people have preserved age-old traditions and ways of life, including family life. Some of these are rather controversial, such as the practice of polyandry (where all the brothers in a family are married to the same woman). The Mustang region is known as the Last Forbidden Kingdom; the area was closed to foreigners until October 1991. In Mustang, the people call themselves Lobas and have their own king, Jigme Palbar Bista. When Nepal was declared a republic in 2007, the government officially stripped him of this title. However, the inhabitants of the Forbidden Kingdom continue to respect him and regard him as their leader.
Entry to the Kingdom of Mustang is strictly controlled and requires a special permit. In this way, the locals seek to protect their traditions from outside influences and preserve the ecological balance. The road in this area is being extended, and in a few years’ time, many of the area’s charms and traditions are likely to no longer be accessible. This is therefore the perfect time to experience the culture and traditions in a form as untouched by Western civilisation as possible.
During the trip, there will of course also be time to explore Nepal’s extraordinary capital – Kathmandu, founded in 723, with numerous monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You’ll visit the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, where you’ll have the chance to witness the burial rites for the deceased, as well as the Buddhist sanctuary of Boudhanath and Durbar Square – the pride of the capital’s residents.
To begin with, our trek won’t be too strenuous; it’s more of a brisk walk through terraced rice fields, forests, charming Nepalese villages and amongst their warm-hearted inhabitants. After a while, we’ll venture into increasingly higher mountain regions, with a harsher climate, where you can almost feel the breath of the Himalayan peaks and their age-old power. Part of the Mustang region isn’t particularly physically demanding, but you should be prepared for trekking in arid, dry and windy areas.
This trip will be suitable for any well-prepared traveller. The route does not present any technical difficulties, but you should ensure you are in good physical condition and have a positive attitude.
