Landslide Cuts Off Upper Mustang Highway
12 May 2026 Alpine Asian Treks
The only highway connecting Upper Mustang to the rest of Nepal has been severed by a massive landslide. Since the morning of May 11, 2026, the vital road link to Muktinath and Lomanthang has remained completely blocked.
This highway isn’t just any road—it’s the lifeline for trekkers, pilgrims, and locals heading into the remote trans-Himalayan region of Upper Mustang. And right now, that lifeline is broken.
Dozens of travelers, including both pilgrims on their way to Muktinath and trekkers bound for Lomanthang, have been left stranded on both sides of the collapse.
According to Sagar Timilsena of the district police officer, efforts are already underway to clear the track. But nature isn’t making it easy.
The landslide was violent—rock, sand, and mud plunged from over 500 meters above, sweeping across the roadway in a chaotic mix. The risk is especially high during the rainy season, when such erosions become sudden and unpredictable.
Police have urged travelers to avoid unnecessary trips along this route until the road is fully reopened.
A Journey Through the World’s Deepest Valley
In recent years, Upper Mustang has seen a sharp rise in both international and domestic travelers choosing overland routes. And it’s easy to see why.
The 765-kilometer Beni-Jomsom highway snakes alongside the Kaligandaki River—cutting through the deepest valley on Earth. The views are surreal: on one side stands the Annapurna massif, on the other, the majestic Dhaulagiri. It’s the kind of road that stays with you long after the journey ends.