Overview
Upper Mustang with Luri Gumba is one of the most popular trekking destinations, known as forbidden kingdom of Nepal with ancient monasteries, historical caves, amazing landscape and unique culture. Mustang is lies northern central part of Nepal, beyond the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Big Mountains. An amazing land formation, majestic Himalayan scenery, ancient’s walled city, and cave civilization has existence here as former Tibetan tradition.
Mustang is in Restricted Area; due to its culture influence sensitive from outsider, geological structure and politically issue of Tibet border, it was opened for trekkers since 1992 for the Trekkers. There is strictly controlled for mass trekkers to preserve the culture and biology. Mustang is isolated from the outsider culture and untouched by modernization. So, it is able to preserve its uniqueness. There is remaining a Sky Burial funeral ritual in Upper Mustang and Nepal High Himalaya region. The Monk (Lama) decides in which funeral ritual is going to be using looking dead person date of birth and death time. There are not enough words to describe its beauty and artistic treeless barren landscapes. Mustang is nearby Tibet border, people of here are following Tibetan Bon Buddhism. They have the true Tibetan life style handover from centuries. This is full of mysterious land with ancient Silk Road civilization and manmade cave’s city. There are in-numbers unexplored Caves and villages remain centuries old monastery and Stupas.
Ame Pal was founder of Mustang, who established himself as King of Tibetan territory,.. it was become territory of Nepal around 1800. The former Raja (King) Jigme Parwal Bista is 25th generation of Ame Pal dynasty. The mud built huge Royal Palace is still remaining in Lo-Manthang, where you can visit Royal family. Countless remarkable historical shrines such as manmade caves, Buddhist Chorten, Monastery, Mane wall, people culture, tradition and belief which are survival for new generation. They are preserving their indigenous knowledge, which was hand over from their ancestor. It is very important role to conserve the culture and eco system in this time as well. The traditional cultivation methods, herbal medicine, nomadic animal husbandry, religious faith and fast and festivals are another attraction for every trekker. Tiji, Chhongo (Losar), Gyang Khorto, Degyap, Dhayang, Tharpi Tharchang, Yartung, Folgyang, Mane Rimdu etc. many festivals are celebrate here.
The artistic barren landscape, rugged mountains along with the enchanting view of Mount Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and other panoramic mountains. People of here are practicing polyandry marriage system as their authentic tradition and to avoid farm fragmentation. To look around just Lo Manthang is not enough even for whole one day, there are several Gumba, houses, fort, caves. The five stories, forty four rooms Jhong Cave at Choser village but remind you about Silk Road civilization. More than thousands years old monasteries such as Choser Gumpa, Namgyal Gumba, Tiger monastery, Ghar Gumba and Luri Gumpa proved you about it’s significant. The Upper Mustang trekking is magical and isolated area fascinates and inspires every visitor.
Normally, you will get in Jomsom by 15 to 25 minutes scenic flights from Pokhara, from where your trip begins. But now a day there is road access to the Jomsom along the Kaligandaki River Bank with amazing mountains scenery. Even you can drive to the Lo Manthang (South Plane Aspirations) called walled city. Mostly the trail goes through the Kaligandaki Valley following the riverbed with traditional villages. Kagbeni is the gateway of Upper Mustang; where you need you check in and out your special permit. The sacred Lake Damodar Kunda is origin of Kaligandaki which is famous for Shaligram (fossils); the Hindus and Buddhist believe that it is incretion of God Vishnu. You need to cross Kaligandaki river times to again in a same day. You will visit various villages; Chhusang, Chele, Samar (Red Clay), Ghami, Dhakmar (Red Rock) and Tsarang /Charang (Cock’s Crest) with incredible landscape and unbelievable live hood. There are several passes on this trip; Mui La an elevation of (4,270 m) is one of the highest pass.
We cross the Kaligandaki valley and follow the Damodar Kunda trail to the Dhi, Yara and Gara village, from where you will day hike for the Luri Gompa. Then we trek through the Tangge and meet the trail at Chhusang. In this part is very basic tea houses facilities and need to stay local house also. After lifetime experience about Mustang you will return to Jomsom and fly back to Pokhara and Kathmandu for your destination. We Amazing Nepal Journey glad to organize Trip to Upper Mustang by expert local Guide and porters for your ultimate satisfaction. As Mustang is in rain shadow area, monsoon season also best time for this trek. We can to do trekking in July , August , September.