Lo Manthang was founded in 1380 by Ame Pal, and the walled city has changed little in appearance since. The last king, Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista, traced his lineage to Ame Pal.
Source: Upper Mustang
Town in Nepal
Lo Manthang
The walled capital of the old Kingdom of Lo
Lo Manthang is the walled capital of Upper Mustang, the former Kingdom of Lo, at about 3,840 m north of the main Himalaya. Founded in 1380, closed to outsiders until 1992, it keeps its palace, painted gompas and Tibetan way of life. Foreigners need a restricted-area permit (USD 50 a day since late 2025) and a licensed guide.
Photo: Nirojsedhai · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsLo Manthang was founded in 1380 by Ame Pal, a Buddhist ruler who built much of the walled town that still stands. Inside its mud-brick wall are the four-storey royal palace, whitewashed houses with firewood on their roofs, and gompas whose murals are among the finest in the Tibetan world. The people of Lo speak a Tibetan dialect and follow Tibetan Buddhism, mostly of the Sakya school, and many still farm barley and herd goats and yaks.
Upper Mustang was closed to outsiders until 1992, which helped protect its culture and art. The kings of Lo kept their title inside Nepal until the government ended the local monarchy on 7 October 2008; the last king, Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista, died in 2016. In 2007 a shepherd found a cave with 55 paintings of the life of the Buddha, one of many discoveries in the region's sky caves.
Lo Manthang lies in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, so it is dry and good to visit even in the monsoon, from about April to October. A jeep road now runs up the Kali Gandaki from Jomsom, cutting a two-week trek to a few days' drive, but walking parts of it is still the best way to see the canyons. At 3,840 m, plan acclimatisation and talk to your doctor.
Say it like a local · Loba (Tibetan dialect)Gompa
monastery or temple
What to do in Lo Manthang
Inside the wall
The town's wall encloses a maze of lanes, courtyards and stupas around the royal palace. Walk it with your guide early in the morning, when herders take animals out through the single main gate.
Painted gompas
Jampa Lhakhang and Thubchen, both centuries old, hold large Buddha images and wall paintings restored in recent decades. Lamps are dim; ask your guide to arrange entry and carry a small torch.
Sky caves of Chhoser
North of the town, cliffs at Chhoser are honeycombed with man-made caves once used as homes, shrines and tombs. One multi-storey cave complex can be climbed inside with ladders.
Tiji in spring
Each year, usually in May, Lo Manthang holds Tiji, three days of masked dances in the palace square telling how the deity Dorje Jono defeated a demon. In 2026 it fell on 14–16 May. Check current status before you travel.
The canyon road north
From Kagbeni the route climbs past Chele, Ghami and Tsarang through red and ochre canyons, long mani walls and chortens. Ghami has one of the longest mani walls in Mustang.
Field notes
What most guides miss about Lo Manthang
Upper Mustang was a closed territory, off limits to outsiders, until 1992. The monarchy of Lo ceased to exist on 7 October 2008 by order of the Government of Nepal.
Source: Upper Mustang
In 2007 a shepherd in Mustang discovered a cave containing 55 paintings depicting the life of the Buddha.
Source: Upper Mustang
Experiences
Three days worth having in Lo Manthang
Photo: Samdesherpa · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Lo Manthang · 3 hours
Murals of Jampa Lhakhang and Thubchen
With your guide and a caretaker monk, visit the two great gompas inside Lo Manthang's walls, whose centuries-old wall p…
Gompa entry fees and donations ₹300–1,000
Photo: Jmhullot · CC BY 3.0 · Commons
Lo Manthang · Full day
Ride or hike to the Chhoser sky caves
Head north from Lo Manthang by horse, jeep or on foot to Chhoser, where ochre cliffs are cut with hundreds of man-made …
Jeep share ₹2,000–4,000 or horse hire ₹2,500–4,000; cave fee
Photo: Wimbex · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Lo Manthang · 2–3 hours
A morning inside the walls of Lo
Walk the lanes of Lo Manthang as the town wakes: herders driving goats out through the gate, women at the water point, …
Free walk; palace or museum fee where open
Real prices
What things cost in Lo Manthang
ItemIndicative 2026
Restricted-area permit (foreigners, incl. Indians)USD 50 a day (≈ ₹4,300) from Nov 2025; check current status
ACAP permit₹625 SAARC; ₹1,875 others
Private jeep, Jomsom–Lo Manthang one way₹16,000–25,000 per vehicle
Lodge room in Lo Manthang₹600–2,500 a night
Dal bhat or Tibetan meal₹550–900
Licensed guide (required)₹2,500–3,500 a day
Local prices change with season and fuel costs. Check current status before you travel.
Getting there
How to reach Lo Manthang
Air
Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (about 20 minutes, morning only), then continue by jeep. There are no scheduled flights into Upper Mustang.
Bus
No public buses run into Upper Mustang for foreigners' itineraries in practice; local jeeps run from Jomsom but your registered agency arranges transport with your permit.
Road
A jeep road runs from Jomsom via Kagbeni, Chele, Ghami and Tsarang to Lo Manthang, about 80 km, 7–9 hours in one push or better split over two days for acclimatisation. Landslides and river crossings can close it. Check current status before you travel.
Where to stay
Sleeping in Lo Manthang
Saver: Lo Manthang's family lodges offer simple twin rooms, usually with shared bathrooms, from ₹600, and dining rooms heated by stoves; food is mostly dal bhat, noodles and Tibetan bread. Comfort: a few newer lodges inside and just outside the wall have attached bathrooms and solar hot water; book through your agency. Signature: there is no luxury hotel in Upper Mustang. Our signature Mustang trip uses the best available lodge rooms with a private jeep and guide, and pairs them with Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge and Dwarika's.
Questions
Lo Manthang, answered
How much is the Upper Mustang permit in 2026?
Under a November 2025 decision, foreigners pay USD 50 per person per day in the restricted area, replacing the old USD 500 for 10 days. The permit is issued through a registered trekking agency, needs a licensed guide, and normally at least two trekkers. You also need an ACAP permit. Check current status before you travel.
Do Indian citizens need the Upper Mustang permit?
Yes. Restricted-area permits apply to all foreign nationals, including Indians, even though Indians need no visa for Nepal. Apply through a registered Nepali trekking agency. Check current status before you travel.
How do I reach Lo Manthang?
Fly or drive to Jomsom from Pokhara, then go by jeep via Kagbeni, Chele, Ghami and Tsarang, about 80 km. Split the drive over two days to acclimatise. Trekking takes 4–5 days each way.
Is altitude sickness a risk in Lo Manthang?
Yes. At about 3,840 m, with passes near 4,000 m on the way, headaches and breathlessness are common. Ascend over two days from Jomsom, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol at first, and descend if symptoms worsen. Talk to your doctor before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Upper Mustang?
April to October. Mustang lies in the rain shadow, so the monsoon months are drier here than elsewhere in Nepal. May brings the Tiji festival. Winter is very cold and many residents and lodges move south.
When is Tiji festival in Lo Manthang?
Tiji is held each spring by the Tibetan calendar, usually in May. In 2026 it fell on 14–16 May. Book permits and lodges early. Check current status before you travel.
Is there mobile network in Lo Manthang?
Coverage has improved and Nepal Telecom works in Lo Manthang, though it may be patchy along the route. Many lodges have wifi when power allows. Do not rely on it.
Can families do the Upper Mustang trip?
Older children with experience of altitude can, by jeep with gradual stops. It is not ideal for young children or anyone with heart or lung problems; talk to your doctor first.
What should I pack for Lo Manthang?
A warm down jacket, layers, a windproof shell, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, a buff for dust, a headtorch, a sleeping bag liner and enough cash for the whole trip.