Lo’s kingdom is located along the primary commerce route connecting Tibet and India. Traders followed the Kali Gandaki River’s flow in the 15th to 17th centuries, transporting salt and wool to India and spices and grain back to Tibet. The Kingdom of Lo was a part of Tibet until 1790 before it became part of Nepal. This area is Nepal’s sole stronghold of traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture and religion.
When eastern Tibetans began fighting Chinese soldiers in 1960, the realm was closed to outsiders. Outsiders were not allowed back into the region until 1991. Even today, the upper Mustang is inaccessible to casual visitors. Each year, a limited number of permits are provided to trekking firms. Nonetheless, each trekking expedition in the upper Mustang’s restricted area is accompanied by a government liaison officer.
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