This is the accessible face of Mustang. The trail follows the Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge on earth, north through the rain shadow of the Himalaya into a dry, wind-carved landscape that feels far closer to Tibet than to the rest of Nepal.
The route finishes at Muktinath, a temple complex at 3,800m sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. No restricted-area permit is needed, which keeps the cost far below an Upper Mustang expedition.
Trip Highlights
- Muktinath Temple with its 108 water spouts and eternal flame
- Kagbeni, a medieval village of mud-brick alleys at the gateway to Upper Mustang
- The Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge in the world
- Marpha, famous for apple orchards and apple brandy
- Trekkable through monsoon thanks to the rain-shadow position
- No restricted-area permit required, unlike Upper Mustang
Overview
This is the accessible face of Mustang. The trail follows the Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge on earth, north through the rain shadow of the Himalaya into a dry, wind-carved landscape that feels far closer to Tibet than to the rest of Nepal.
The route finishes at Muktinath, a temple complex at 3,800m sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. No restricted-area permit is needed, which keeps the cost far below an Upper Mustang expedition.
Trip Highlights
- Muktinath Temple with its 108 water spouts and eternal flame
- Kagbeni, a medieval village of mud-brick alleys at the gateway to Upper Mustang
- The Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge in the world
- Marpha, famous for apple orchards and apple brandy
- Trekkable through monsoon thanks to the rain-shadow position
- No restricted-area permit required, unlike Upper Mustang
