7 Things To Do In Mustang Tour

By Author: Kopila Sen
Total Articles: 27
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Mustang is the Himalayan Shangri La protected by the Himalayan barrier and the harshness of arid Tibetan plateau. At the altitude of 3,800 m above the sea, throne of Mustang kingdom was protected for centuries by 8 m high rammed earth wall inside which lived 180 houses of his kinsmen. This southerly territory of Tibet known as the ‘land of aspiration’ remained aloof from the political turmoil its neighbors went through until the date. Untouched by the outside world, Mustang nourished the medieval Tibetan art, culture and medicinal practices. Upper Mustang is the trans-Himalayan land politically in Nepal but geographically and culturally it is Tibet.

There are a lot to see and visit. Every trait of landscape, culture, archaeology, religion and history is awe-inspiring and will make traveler ponder. However here are the lists of seven must to do things in Mustang.

Cross the world’s deepest valley

Wedged between two 8000 m peaks, Kali Gandaki valley is the world’s second deepest valley. This was one of the major trans-Himalayan trading routes linking with Silk Road. Enjoy the dramatic change ...
... of the landscape from lush green southern valleys to the picturesque alpine territory in a single day. Kalopani village is perfectly located with view of both the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Hike to Titi Lake and to Ghhursanbo cave to see the charming villages and the awe-inspiring sceneries with gigantic snow peaks looming at a distance.

Traders of Thak Khola

The lower Mustang is dominated by Thakali people who are renowned as successful hoteliers and caterers. Their finest kitchen and neat houses are the result of the centuries they spent in trade and hospitality along the salt trading route of Kali Gandaki River. Thak Khola region was sovereign principality from Mustang Kingdom and are religiously and culturally distinct with Lobos of Upper Mustang. They practice a mixture of pre-Buddhist Bon religion with Shamanism and Tibetan Buddhism. The region of Thak Khola is famous for apple orchard. Side hike to Dhumba Lake and Thini village will give deeper insight of Thakali culture.

Explore the Sky caves of Nepal

There are over 10,000 manmade caves perched on the vertiginous cliffs, 155 ft above the ground. Stacked one above the other, these caves is multi-level colonies in the mountains. Excavations have found burial caves with 3,000 years old corps. The sky caves were also used as shelters to keep them safe from bandits and protected from cold winters. Murals and religious structures found in other caves shows that they were also used for meditation and prayers by both Bons and Buddhists alike.
The most important caves to visit in Mustang are the Chhoser cave (Jhong cave) and Luri Gompa. Chhoser cave is complex of over 40 interconnected caves hewn up to fifth story on the cliff. While the group of Luri Gompa caves monasteries still have frescos, stupa and other religious materials inside.

Monasteries older than in Tibet

Anthropologists have traced the presence of human activities along the Kali Gandaki valley as old as 10,000 years. Mustang was safe haven for several practices including the Shamanism from Mongolia, pre-Buddhist Bon religion and the earlier from of Buddhism. The presence of 6 - 8th century monasteries and Bon temples in Mustang prove the coexistence of religious which doesn’t exist in Tibet anymore . The 6th century Chhairo Gompa (Tashi Shagagh Jyochen Chhoyokhor monastery) and the 8th century Lo Ghyakar Gompa are older than the Smaye monastery of present day Tibet.

Lo Manthang, the southern land of aspiration

Walk down the cobblestone streets of the earthen walled city of Lo Manthang is like walking back in time. About 180 households live in the compact wood and mud structures inside the 8 m tall wall.
This is the only existing Himalayan settlement with a fortification wall. The wall with 1.5 m width at the base shelters the palace, three monasteries and the palace. There are several rows of Mane walls and Chhortens within the settlement and along the circumambulatory path directly outside the wall. Listed in the tentative UNESCO Heritage sites, Lo Manthang, the earthen walled capital of Mustang is about 600 years old.

Tiji Festival Tour

Untouched by the political turmoil that Tibet went through, Mustang still celebrates the 400 years old mask dancing festival of Tiji. Many of such ceremonies have been stopped because of the Cultural Revolution. The festival is based on the meditative dance of Vajrakilaya with meaningful gestures and movements to empower his blessings and ward off the negativity. In the three day long festival, monks commemorate the story of Dorje Jono (Buddha) who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang. With thunderous music of horns and drums, Monks recites the hymns in the Chode monastery inside the walled city amid ceremonies.

The festival occurs at the end of Spring, mostly in the month of May. However the date differs each year in the Gregorian calendar as the Tibetan calendar relies on the lunisolar system.

I am an adventurer from the Himalayas of Nepal. I like trekking and discovering new places. I have a degree in culture and love to read non fiction books. I also write travel journals and blogs.