Mustang which means fertile plain in Tibetan Language. Mustang was once an independent kingdom before 17th century. Mustang is the former kingdom of Lo but now its the part of Nepal in the North central part since 18th century. By the order of the Government of Nepal its monarchy ceased to exist on october 7, 2008. But there is still current unofficial king called Raja. The kingdom of Lo, the traditional region and Upper Mustang are one and the same, comprising the northen two- thirds of the present day at Mustang District. Its the boarder of Republic of China on the Tibetan Plateau between the nepalese provinces of Dolpo and Manang. The culture is Tibetan Buddhist. The people of Upper Mustang area are Thakalis, Gurung and primarily Tibetan. Mustang is largely dry and arid with annual precipitation in the range of 250-400 mm due to its position in the rain shadow of the Annapurna Massif and the Dhaulagiri Range towards the south.
Foreign travellers have been allowed to the region since 1992 but tourism in this area is regulated. Foreigner need to obtain a special permit to enter in this area. Mustang is one of the most resticated trekking area of Nepal but now its being very good destination for trekker. Upper Mustang is well marked by official "Mustang" boarder signs just north of Kagbeni where a police and ACAP checks permits for non-Nepalese seeking to enter the region, and at Gyu La (pass) east of Kagbeni.
Upper Mustang Trek
The Upper Mustang trek brings you into the hidden world of the old Buddhist kingdom of Mustang, also called Lo. Lo used to be part of the Tibetan empire, and is therefore closely related to Tibet. Tibetan Buddhism is still being practiced in a very pure form and villages are built in Tibetan style, with white washed houses with firewood tucked on the roofs.