Trekking upper Mustang with Dev as guide This is a classic 10 to 14 day trek, and one of the few options in Nepal at the height of the monsoon season, since it traverses a high altitude desert landscape in the rain shadow of Annapurna. It takes you into the formerly closed Kingdom of Lo, and it's medieval mud-walled capital, Lo-mantang. The landscape is at a vast scale, sparsely populated, and with few tourists, partly because it is strenuous to get there, and partly because the $500 permit fee keeps many out. That is all likely to change in the next few years, as a major road is being built from India to Tibet, through the valley. This is a marvel of twisting, precarious engineering, but rather spoils at least one day of the trek, when the foot trail completely disappears. The unique Tibetan culture of upper Mustang is also likely to be diluted as a result of the influx of goods and people, but for now it is still an amazing place.
This is a relaxing trip with plenty of interesting things to see and do. There is a lasting impression of a riot of colours and lush greenery, mad roads and cheeky monkeys.
Fantastic trip and excellent service. The company owner Chhatra was always available, quick to respond to queries and gave sound advice, has a genuine service attitude and is very friendly. I felt in very good hands.
My guide Shiva was extremely nice, helpful, and very knowledgable. I had a number of fellow Trekkers telling me that I seemed to have a lot of luck with my guide. One person said: I rather listen to your guide than mine. Another fellow trekker without a guide said: if I ever do another trek in Nepal I'll make sure I get Shiva as my guide.