- Trek through the ancient marvels and iconic landmarks including Ghar Monastery, Kali Gandaki Gorge, Yama La Pass, and Lo Manthang Palace.
- Insight into the Tibetan culture and their rural life in the charming villages of Chele, Charan, Dramkar, and Chhusang.
- An idyllic escapade through the Mustang highlands, windswept landscapes, barren cliffs, and rugged terrain of Tibetan plateaus.
- A once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend the most prominent festival in the Tibetan Calendar and interact with locals of the Mustang district.
- Enjoy the mesmerizing view of pristine mountains, including Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Damodar Himal, and Annapurna North.
The trek to Upper Mustang is a journey through time, where each route unravels a layer of natural wonder and fascinating history. It offers trekkers a unique experience as they navigate the razor-edge trails surrounded by towering mountains and sheer cliffs of mixed colors. Although the jeep tour to Upper Mustang is garnering popularity, the trek to the high-altitude rain shadow has its unreplicable allure.
The Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang also provides a glimpse into the ancient culture and traditions of Upper Mustang, which is deeply ingrained in Tibetan Buddhism. It allows visitors to watch the infectious chants of Tibetan monks, uncover holy fossil rocks, participate in local festivals, and observe customary rituals including the Tiji Festival, which contrasts Upper Mustang from Muktinath.
Your trek to Nepal’s Hidden Kingdom of Upper Mustang begins after a scenic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. This is followed by a quiet journey on a well-paved road beside the Kali Gandaki River, which makes for an easier walk.
Over the next days of your Upper Mustang adventure, you’ll travel to its lesser-known but timeless villages of Chele, Syanbgboche, and Ghami. For this, you’ll make a strenuous journey on a dirt road, passing through deep valleys and crossing Kali Gandaki River gorges, which not only elevates the adventure but also test your limits.
Despite this, the trek comes with a huge reward. Arriving at each of these beautiful settlements after a long day of trekking brings you a sense of fulfillment and relief. Comfortable local teahouses and warm hospitality with a unique cultural atmosphere enrich your Upper Mustang Adventure.
While Charang sets the stage for the historical understanding of Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang lets you dive deep into it. The Kingdom of Lo gives you a closer look at the centuries-old history and customs of people living in the community like Thakali, Lopa, and Gurung.
The walled city of Lo Manthang, with its mud-brick houses and narrow alleys, displays a timeless allure and natural charm. Meanwhile, its historical landmarks, including the majestic royal palace symbolize the Tibetan heritage and its everlasting legacy.
In this serene village, you’ll discover numerous historic monasteries, colorful Chortens, and prayer walls with significance and architectural wonders. Moreover, these religious sites serve as spiritual sanctuaries for locals and pilgrims, cultivating a deep sense of devotion.
Coming out of Lo Manthang, you’ll continue the Upper Mustang Trekking Expedition and traverse Dhakmar. Dhakmar is a small village resting on a narrow valley together with red cliffs, which offer a stunning view.
The Upper Mustang hike continues with a gentle descent to Ghiling, where you’re met with a 15th-century monastery and rocky mountains. Besides that, you’ll see traditional mountain homes in Ghiling, which are simple yet imposing with deep cultural ties to Tibet.
On Day 10 of the Upper Mustang Trekking itinerary, you’ll return to Chhusang and further trek to Jomsom on the following day. Finally, you’ll fly to Jomsom on the last day of Upper Mustang Trek Nepal whilst enjoying the pristine views of snowcapped mountains.
Mustang’s Vibrant Tiji Festival
Lo Manthang is one of the few towns that doesn’t fool around when it comes to its festivals. It does know how to have fun, with the Tiji festival being an epitome of cultural reverence. Observed in spring, Tiji also known as Tenchi is an annual festival commemorating a victory of righteousness and collective spirit.
The festival recounts the tale of a mythical legend Dorje Sonnu (Vajrakila), who fought his evil father to end Mustang’s long drought. As a mark of respect to their savior and to protect the town from evil spirits, monks from the Choedhe Monastery burnt a wooden figurine of the demon.
For three days, they perform an intricate dance, depicting the battle between the demon and the lone warrior. Their main dancer Tsowo leads the event after completing his three-month retreat, which involves intense training and mental readiness.
To immerse himself in the character, Tsowo reinforces his spiritual connection to Dorje. He even engages in intensive meditation and a dance routine to enhance the role and bring the attendees to his transformative journey.
The festival sees the royal families and residents gather together to observe the formal ceremony and pooja. The locals make their presence known during the display of Thongdrel as well. This is a religious practice in which a painted Thangka is unrolled from the royal palace.
