Most trekkers assume summer (June–August) is off-limits in Nepal. Upper Mustang is the glorious exception, sheltered behind the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs in the trans-Himalayan rain shadow.
The Kingdom of Lo
Experience ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, red sandstone cliffs, and the royal city of Lo Manthang without the summer rains that hit lower regions.
Season FAQs
Upper Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges, receiving less than 200 mm of annual rainfall.
A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) costing $500 USD for the first 10 days ($50/day thereafter) plus an ACAP permit is required.
Lo Manthang is the walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo, famous for 14th-century Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, royal palaces, and sky caves.
Trekkers fly from Pokhara to Jomsom, then trek or take 4WD jeeps north along the Kali Gandaki river valley into Kagbeni and Lo Manthang.
The 3-day Tiji Festival usually takes place in May, featuring colorful masked ritual dances celebrating the triumph of good over evil.
