Mustang lies north of Annapurna in Nepal; the spectacular valley offers several special tastes for international tourists as well as Nepali tourists. This region is highly recommended for tourists who want to learn more about archaeology and ancient Tibetan culture in Mustang Valley.
The Mustang Valley is famous for growing apples and making apple drinks from a local brewery. The Thakali ethnic group is famous for preparing special Dal Bhat (an authentic Nepali food set). The valley is made very unique due to its geographical changes from the starting point to the end of Mustang Valley, called Chosar in Upper Mustang.
The valley is divided into Lower Mustang and Upper Mustang due to its different culture, ethnic groups, landscapes, and cultural practices. Upper Mustang culture practices are more like those in Tibet, as people from Upper Mustang escaped from Tibet when there were conflicts in Tibet. They are Tibetan Nepali people who practice a blended culture. This tour will be a great opportunity for cultural immersion with Thakali and people from the Mustang region.
Upper Mustang people are Buddhist, while Lower Mustang people are a mix of Hindus and Buddhists, with a few groups believing in Bon Po Buddhism. It is different than the mainstream of Buddhism. You will experience a purely Buddhist atmosphere with many old Buddhist monasteries in Upper Mustang while you experience the Bonpo Buddhism of Lubra Village of Lower Mustang. The famous Hindu’s temple is called the Muktinath Temple.
There are also a number of mainstream Buddhist monasteries in Lower Mustang, like in Marpha Village, Kagbeni Village, and Muktinath Village. Both Upper & Lower Mustang Valley follow towards the source of the Kaligandaki River. The Kaligandaki River is considered a sacred river; here one can find Saligram (a special kind of rock that Hindu people believe is god Bishnu).
The Lower Mustang offers massively great close-up views of Annapurna Himalayan peaks closely, while the Upper Mustang offers colorful clay mountains with a background of high Himalayas. The Lower Mustang gets some rains so that its more green while the Upper Mustang is dry like the Tibetan plateau, where it rarely rains.
The Lower Mustang and Upper Mustang Valley are very unlike each other indeed; the combination tour to both valleys makes the experience very exceptional. In addition to the above, the valley offers having a bath in the natural hot spring pool and visiting Himalayan lakes and caves. It is one luxury way to experience both vegetation while admiring its natural beauty.
Luxury Upper and Lower mustang Tour Overview
The Luxury Mustang Tour is a luxurious way to experience the Mustang. It provides you an opportunity to explore sites in the Upper and Lower Mustang areas. Upper Mustang region was restricted for tourists until 1992.
It was also called the walled city of lo as it was kept away from external people with the help of a wall. After making it accessible for tourists, it has been one of the favorite destinations for tourists.
Starting from November 2025, the restricted area permit fee has been reduced from $500 to $50 per day. Which makes it easier for tourists to travel and not need to pay for 10 days for short tours in this area. Starting from March 22, 2026, the Department of Immigration has removed the requirement of 2 compulsory tourists to issue a permit for Upper Mustang. Which means you can enjoy your luxury upper mustang tour or luxury lower mustang tour solo with Adventure Glacier Treks.
When you book a tour with Adventure Glacier, we can also help you arrange a meditation session with a monk in a monastery. Which will provide you an exclusive experience to detox your mind and have a closer spiritual experience with monks.
Why Lower Mustang Valley
- Lower Mustang valley offers experience of Thakali ethnic group and their foods
- Lower Mustang valley is rich in culture and religion, like Hinduism, Buddhism & Bonpo Buddhism
- Lower Mustang Valley allows you a very special opportunity to experience great views of high Himalayas like the Annapurna ranges and the Dhaulagiri range.
- Bathing in the pool of Natural hot spring
- Visiting different lakes like Dhumba Lake
- Sacred temple of Muktinath, Marpha Village, Lundra Village with Bonpo monasteries
- Beautiful Natural waterfalls called Rupchhe Chahara
Why Upper Mustang Valley
- Upper Mustang Valley offers greatly wide ranges of ancient monasteries.
- Upper Mustang Valley is an unique Tibetan plateau in Nepal without Chinese influences
- The Upper Mustang valley experiences the unique types of traditions and beliefs. Enjoy the Tiji festival and experience local culture.
- Upper Mustang Valley inhabitants of Yaks, Himalayan sheep, wild animals like different kind of deer like Himalayan tahr, barking deer, antelope, monkeys, marmots, etc.
- Old caves where people lived for many years to escape from the Tibetan wars
- The special type of colorful clay mountains with snow-capped mountains in the background of the Annapurna Himalayas.
