Welcome to the once forbidden kingdom of Nepal that travellers now can’t get enough of
RINA KUMARI MANDAL
Trekking is one of the most popular activities among tourist in Nepal. Among the many popular destinations, Mustang is a dream destination of many trekkers and a popular and mystical place which was renowned as the forbidden kingdom of Nepal.ad
Mustang is also referred to as the Mini Tibet of Nepal. Situated at an altitude of 3840 meters in the North-West part of Nepal this beautiful land has two major divisions i.e Upper Mustang and Lower Mustang. Upper Mustang is popular for adventure trekking while the lower Mustang is famous for its natural offerings.
Muktinath Trek
Muktinath Temple is a sacred place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists. Muktinath is one of the sacred spots among the four “Dhams” for Hindus. This trek takes you through amazingly serene villages. You will also see exciting waterfalls, jungles, and stark, barren landscapes. The adventure takes you through many archeological locales and sanctuaries. The 108 water taps and the continuous glowing fire is another fascinating feature of this temple.
Walkthrough Jomsom
If you love trekking there’s good news. Trek to Mustang starts after landing at Jomsom Airport. You can also drive to Kagbeni from Pokhara via Marpha and Jomsom. Jomsom spreads over the banks of the Kali Gandaki and also happens to be the area’s base camp.
From here, you get to see the towering peaks of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. It is the district headquarters and administrative and commercial center of Mustang. You get to meet local inhabitants of the region- the Thakalis.
Explore Marpha – The town of Apple Orchards
Marpha lies in the Trans-Himalayan rain shadow zone and remains pretty much untouched by monsoon. Unique for its many-storied old stone houses, built by hand it is also famous for the delicious apples grown in the lush valley that lies between the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri mountains. Be sure to try them along with a slice of the locally made apple pie.
Explore the sky caves in Chhusang
Chusang village is a small settlement located on the upper mustang trekking route. The village rests between Tangbe and Chele. It has a colorful surrounding with gigantic red, orange and silver-gray cliffs. And the place has the remnants of cave dwellings and ancient history. These attractions will keep your curiosity high at all times.
View the Deepest Gorge
The origin of the Kaligandaki River is in Mustang district. This river makes the second deepest gorge in the country and drains the rocky soil and highlands of mustang to flows towards the south of the country. The landscape and cliffs created by the gorge will keep you wonderstruck.
Witness desert vegetation in the Himalayas
Although the location lies in the shadow of the Annapurna and Nilgiri range, the soil of this region is desert-like. Being at an altitude the wind blows throughout the day. Rock soil and rocky highlands make the location suitable for rock climbing.
Bike tours in the Himalayas
Also the dream destinations for bikers you can take a tour on a Royal Enfield to both Lower and Upper Mustang. Discover the wild tracks through high Himalayan deserts. It is the best way to get a closer look at the place. A must-go option for those who like a ride on the wild side.
Lo Manthang, monastery and royalty
The major attraction to explore in the walled city of Mustang is the Royal Palace of Lo Manthang and old monasteries built in the early 15th century.
Ngonga Chode, Dragkar-Thegchen Ling monastery, Jampa gonpa, Thupchen gonpa are the four major monasteries inside the former kingdom of Lo. Also, if you are lucky you can witness the Bon Buddhist practices and their cultural activities.
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