Horse Riding in Nepal: Into the Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang
Most people come to Nepal to trek. Some travelers explore Nepal on horseback instead, following remote trails far beyond the usual trekking routes. The Mustang region in the mid-Himalayas sits in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, which means clear skies and dry trails when the rest of Nepal is deep in monsoon. The landscape is unlike anywhere else in the country: barren ochre cliffs, ancient cave dwellings, whitewashed villages, and the wide gravel bed of the Kali Gandaki — often described as one of the world’s deepest valleys, flanked by two of the world's highest peaks towering thousands of meters above the valley floor.
The region divides into Lower and Upper Mustang. Lower Mustang, centered around Jomsom and Kagbeni, is accessible to all visitors and offers dramatic scenery, Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and traditional Tibetan village life. Upper Mustang — known as the Forbidden Kingdom — is a restricted area requiring special permits for entry. The region only became accessible to foreign travelers in 1992 and continues to feel remote even today. Riding into Lo Manthang, the walled capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lo, is an experience few travelers to Nepal ever have.
What the riding is like
Trails in Mustang follow the Kali Gandaki valley and its tributaries, climbing through high passes above 4,000 meters and descending into remote villages where the harvest is still done by hand. The horses here are well-suited to the terrain — sure-footed on steep cliff trails and comfortable at altitude. On the more challenging sections of the Upper Mustang route, even experienced riders occasionally dismount and lead their horses down the steepest parts.
Riding options in Mustang range from shorter introductory routes through the Lower Mustang valley to multi-day expeditions into the Forbidden Kingdom, rated Challenging and designed for riders in good physical condition. Most itineraries begin with time in Kathmandu and Pokhara before flying into Jomsom to start the riding section.
Culture and history along the route
Mustang preserves a form of Tibetan Buddhist culture that has largely disappeared elsewhere. You'll visit centuries-old monasteries, pass mani walls and chortens along the trails, and overnight in villages where local traditions remain deeply rooted in everyday life. On the 18-day Upper Mustang expedition, the group meets members of the former royal family of Mustang in Lo Manthang — an experience few visitors to Nepal encounter.
The tours above offer two very different ways to experience Mustang — from a shorter introduction to the landscapes and culture of Lower Mustang to a full expedition into the remote Kingdom of Lo. If you'd like help choosing the right route for your riding experience and travel dates, feel free to contact us.
