Importance of Mustang
Mustang is a sacred place for both the Hindu and Buddhist communities. It is located at the Muktinath Valley in the northwestern part of Nepal. It is geographically divided into two major parts referred as Upper Mustang and Lower Mustang Valleys. Any mode of travel you choose, throughout the journey you get to experience the lifestyle and culture of native Sherpa people, living in the beautiful artistic houses. Mustang is surrounded with the landscape and mysterious region of Nepal. While, looking at the history, it states that the access to the foreigners were only permitted after 1992, and since that it’s has been the popular destinations for trekking and holds the hidden world of lo, the old Buddhist kingdom.
Day1:
Early morning with the warm Espresso from the nearest coffee station we wrapped ours bags and march towards our primary destination “Mustang” from the capital city of Nepal; Kathmandu. Capturing the sunrise with the breezing air and the nature, we ride to our path. In the journey we get to experience the hills station and flows of water beneath the highway gives a sense of the natural beauty of Nepal. After 3hours of drive we halt for lunch at Malekhu. After lunch, we proceed further to complete the rest of the journey. With the magnificent views of the hill station, crossing the city of Lake- Pokhara, we take a pause and light ours bag at the place called Beni for the night stay.
Day 2:
Before the sunrise we head to our destination, In the journey, we take a break for a hot water shower in the place called “tatopani”, where we even have ours breakfast. After spending some hours, we continue our journey. Conquering the various beautiful waterfalls on the way, the stone crafted houses and some apple orchards farm we hold for lunch at Ghasi. After 4hours of drive we reach Jomsom. Jomsom is rich in diverse landscape, surrounded by scenery of rocky cliff and the high peaks of Himalayas with a forest occupied by Rhododendrons and moreover gateway for trekkers to head towards the Upper Mustang region. We stroll to chortens, Buddhist monastery and even a trail following the kali Gandaki River (deepest ravine in the world). In case of early arrival, we march to the unique village of Marpa, where stone flagged streets with flat-roofed houses with a central courtyard is evidence of its architecture.
Day 3:
About one-hour drive from Jomsom we arrive to the highest altitude of lower mustang- Muktinath. According to the Hindu and Buddhist mythology the muktinath is the place of liberation. With the sacred bath in 108 water taps at outer courtyard and dive into the two ponds near to it, is the holy ritual of the people to liberate the sins they had committed. We visit the nearby monastery, temples and march back to Jomsom for the breakfast. After breakfast, we descend back capturing all those mesmerizing memories and halt for lunch at Beni and a night stay at Pokhara.
Day 4:
Pokhara also known as a city of lakes, we start our day visiting to the nearest lake and the hill station to capture the stunning beauty of three out of the ten highest peaks in the world- Dhaulagiri, Annapurna-1 and Manaslu. After lunch, we pack our bags and head back to Kathmandu and rest our day at the provided accommodation.
Experienced by : Sagar Dahal
