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The
Mustang trek, goes to the fabled, long forbidden Kingdom of
Mustang. The kingdom awaits those interested in exploring
the high altitude trails and extreme deserts of this remote
part of the world.The Mustang trek is located within north
central Nepal, north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Ranges.
Currently, to go on Mustang trek, participants must agree
to certain ecological guidelines necessary to ensure that
the unique sights, culture, and beauty of Mustang are respected
and preserved. |
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Recognising
the special nature of this old, tiny kingdom, the Nepalese
have imposed a surcharge for anyone wishing to trek past Kagbeni,
the border of Upper Mustang. With legal trekking groups only
being allowed in for the first time in March 1992, you would
be part of a small privileged minority to visit this remote
outpost of Nepal. Mustang is the old kingdom of Lo. Actually
the capital of the Mustang district is Jomsom, but the real
Tibetan-style district lies north of Kagbeni and is usually
referred to as Upper Mustang. The real capital, Lo Manthang,
where the present king lives, is a fantastic square-walled
town sitting on the 'Plain of Prayers'. Mustang has an average
elevation of 13,200ft/4,023m and is located to the north of
the mountain giants of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna and is therefore
north of the main Himalayan range and geographically is part
of the highlands of Tibet. It is a vast high arid valley,
characterised by eroded canyons, colourful stratified rock
formations and has a barren, desertlike appearance. |
