Mustang- Tourism Area

Mustang

 Mustang (formerly Kingdom of Lo) is one of the tourism areas of Nepal which has much great potential to attract the tourists all around the globe. Mustang was a lost kingdom of Tibet and although it is now part of Nepal, traditions and cultures remain purely Tibetan. It lies at an altitude of 3,835 meter on the northern-west part of Nepal about 400km roadway from the capital city i.e. Kathmandu. Mustang is also called as ‘the country behind the Himalayas’.

Mainly, Mustang is differentiated into two regions i.e. upper mustang and lower mustang. The Upper Mustang was a restricted demilitarized area until 1992 which makes it one of the most preserved regions in the world. Tibetan culture has been preserved by the relative isolation of the region from the outside world with a majority of the population still speaking traditional Tibetan languages. The region has a trans-Himalayan climate which is cool and semi-arid. It is in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The upper mustang is mostly popular for adventurous trekking and lower mustang is famous for natural scenery.

Route

Route to Mustang from Kathmandu

The most convenient approach to get to Upper Mustang is to fly from Pokhara to Jomsom and begin the trek from that point. The flight is attractive in itself, flying through the deepest gorge in the world, between the Dhaulagiri and the Nilgiri. Firstly, you need to reach Pokhara by flight from Kathmandu or by bus in a long way through the Prithvi Highway (from 6 to 8 hours, it costs no more than 12$). Then you can go to Jomsom by jeep or by flight (20 minutes) or walking for 3 days. Jomsom is the starting point to explore Lo’s Kingdom. The trail follows the famous Kali Gandaki river upstream to Kagbeni. From Kagbeni the restricted area of Upper Mustang starts.

10 awesome facts that attracts tourists all around the globe

  1. Jomsom

Jomsom Bazar

The origin of Kaligandaki River is in the Mustang district. Kaligandaki River makes the second deepest gorge of the country. The Jomsom valley lies in the shade of these mountains which is drained by the Kaligandaki River.  This gorge is another attraction of Mustang. The authoritative focus of Mustang is at Jomsom which has had an airplane terminal since 1962 and has turned into the fundamental vacationer passage point since Mustang was opened to western sightseers in 1992.

 2. Natural Diversity

Vegetation of Mustang

Since Mustang is situated at the northernmost part of the country, the area is rich in natural biodiversity. Apple fields and rhododendron timberlands enhances the beauty of Mustang. The tropical snow capped and coniferous timberland occupies a little portion of Mustang. The biodiversity of the area swiped whole slopes with pink and red rhododendron backwoods bursting with birdsongs.  Residing in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri, life in Mustang revolves around tourism, animal husbandry and trade.

 

3. Awesome Adventures

Cyclists on the adventure of highlands

Mustang is well known for awesome adventures, for example, cycling, rock climbing, trekking, horse hustling and riding. The geological structure of Mustang is involved good highlands and lowlands with plain, which makes it appropriate for mountain cycling, trekking. The trek to Upper Mustang passes through an almost tree-less barren landscape, a steep rocky trail up and down hill and panoramic views of Niligiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several other peaks. Upper Mustang trek also offers an opportunity to explore the thousand years of old monasteries, caves, local tribes and grand delights of the diverse scenes. Mustang is stride with the mountain ranges such as Annapurna and Niligiri range. Being absence of enough transportation facilities, local people raises horses in their home for transportation reason.

4. Muktinath temple

Piligrims taking bath on the holy water taps of Muktinath

Muktinath temple is the sacred spot for Hindus and Buddhists. Muktinath is one of the most important holy places among “Four Dhams” of Hindu heavenly places being situated in the mountain region. In Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa all the elements are represented, not only earth, air and holy water, but also fire. Beside trees are growing at an unusual altitude. For this and reasons unseen yogis from both religions do their meditation at Muktinath. It is a great example to our world of a sacred place shared in harmony by devotees of two world religions. The most suitable time to visit Muktinath is from March to June, as the climate conditions would not be sufficiently sheltered to go in different months. The voyage goes through numerous archaeological destinations and sanctuaries. The 108 water taps and relentless gleaming flame is another fascination of this sanctuary.

5. Valleys

Kaagbeni on the bank of Kaligandaki river

Jomsom, Kagbeni, lomangthang are sure lovely valleys that lie in Mustang region. Jomsom is fundamentally an administrative and commercial center with government authorities and traders rubbing shoulders with the nearby occupants of the locale, known as Thakalis. Kagbeni which lies close to the intersection with the trail to Muktinath, is a town in Upper Mustang, situated in the valley of the Kaligandaki River. Lomangthang which lies in Upper Mustang is well known for trekking adventures.

 

6. Cultures and Traditions

Buddhist monks on Tiji Festival

The magical 'Kingdom of Lo' or Upper Mustang, the last example of living Tibetan culture in Nepal, used to be a piece of the Tibetan realm, and is along these lines firmly identified with Tibet. Tibetan Buddhism is as yet being polished in an exceptionally immaculate structure and towns are inherent Tibetan style even today. Cultural trails in the region take into the homes of Gurungs in the lowlands, the hospitality of Thakalis around Jomsom, Manangis in the east and Tibetans in the arid north. The typical culture of people living in mountainous region can be observed and enjoyed clearly in Mustang. Another fascination of Mustang district is the Tiji Festival affected by Tibetan Buddhism. The Mustangi individuals have their own specific manner of family life, which is entirely shocking for some pariahs. Every one of the siblings in the family is hitched to a solitary young lady, what you may call a practice of polyandry.

7. Thakali Food

Traditional Thakali Food

Thakali food is another attraction of this culture and Mustang itself. The food is the renowned all through the nation which can be delighted in at its starting point place Mustang. Distinctive local products of apples, for example, wine, brew, dried items and so on can likewise be delighted in. Thakali cuisine uses locally grown buckwheat, barley, millet and dal, as well as rice, maize and dal imported from lower regions to the south. Grain may be ground and boiled into a thick porridge that is eaten in place of rice with dal. A kind of dal is even made from dried, ground buckwheat leaves.

8. Snowfall

Naurikot Village of Mustanf covered by snow

Being encompassed by the snow topped mountains Mustang gets the snow falls much of the time and for the most part in the winter season. Guests can appreciate the snowfall and snow games in mustang during this time. A visit to the snowy spots should be possible with the horse ride during this period.

 

 

9. Himalayan range

Annapurna and Nilgiri panorama, Nepal

Mustang being in the northern part of the nation is gifted with the mountain ranges, for example, Annapurna and Niligiri range. The Jomsom valley lies in the shade of these mountains which is drained by the Kaligandaki River. Mountains include the magnificence of Mustang.

10. Houses of Mustang

The Royal Palace in Lo Manthang (Mustang)

Mustang is a medieval town, encompassed by a colossal town walls. Entering Mustang leads into an alternate world. In Mustang, voyagers can discover the royal residence of the king, a tremendous 4 story high building. In addition, there are a couple of lovely huge religious communities, for instance the Thugchen Gompa, constructed in the fifteenth century. The indigenous populace stem to a great extent from the Thakali ethnic gathering, a famed trading people who now make a living as inn-keepers for the countless tourists and pilgrims passing through.

To put it plainly, Mustang keeps on being a position of profound deep sense of spirituality and fascination.  East of Lo Monthang; Mustang - A Lost Tibetan Kingdom and Himalayan Pilgrimage, each of them praising the ethics of the zone. On the off chance that you are occupied with Buddhist craftsmanship and culture and need to stroll through Himalayan history, Mustang remains the ideal destination. With the Tibetan plateau in your sights and the wind in you hair, it is the trek of a lifetime. Explore Mustang and find out how the thousands years of isolation has kept the culture, lifestyle and heritage intact for centuries.