Upper Mustang Trek (http://bit.ly/upper-mustang) assimilates the adventure of hiking on the rugged paths and cultural immersion and learning of the greater Himalaya region of Mustang. A former independent kingdom, Upper Mustang is a restricted area in Nepal and getting a permit to enter the region can found to be bit expensive and rare.
The capital of Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang, is a center of ancient Tibetan art and culture. The greater inhabitants of Upper Mustang still do follow their former monarch "Raja Jigme Dorje Palabar Bista."
2. “Also known as “The Forbidden City” or “Little
Tibet,” it opened for the foreigners only in 1992,
however, the inflow of tourists is strictly regulated.
Mustang (meaning “fertile plain”) is the former
kingdom of Lo.
3. “The palace of Raja Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista, the last monarch
of Mustang. He still lives inside the palace in Lo Manthang.
4. The cliffs of Upper Mustang consist of the
human-made caves situated at about 13,800
ft (4,200 meters). The experts, while uncov-
ering the caves, found human corpses dat-
ing back 1,500 years.
“It is believed it to be an ancient burial site
of the locals, which was later used as a hide-
out during Wars.
6. “Stupa (Chorten) is an important religious monument in
Tibetan culture expressing significant religious symbolism
and presenting Buddha’s physical presence.
A Chorten seen while crossing Lo Manthang. Being Ti-
betan in nature, Upper Mustang is well endowed with
such iconic ancient Tibetan monuments.
9. Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Day 02: Fly to Jomsom (8,910 ft) & trek to Kagbeni
(9,374 ft)
Day 03: Kagbeni to Chele (10,004 ft)
Day 04: Chele to Syanbochen, (11,398 ft)
Day 05: Syanbochen to Ghaymi (11,546 ft)
Day 06: Ghaymi to Charang (11,480 ft)
Day 07: Charang to Lo Manthang (12,136 ft)
Day 08: Lo Manthang to Ghar Gumpa
Day 09: Ghar Gumpa to Ghiling (12,484 ft)
Day 10: Ghiling to Chele (10,004 ft)
Day 11: Chele to Jomsom (8,856 ft)
Day 12: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara
Day 13: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
ITINERARY
10. “Mustang’s status as a kingdom ended on October 7, 2008 when its
suzerain Kingdom of Nepal became a republic. The influence of the
outside world, especially China, is growing and contributing to rapid
change in the lives of the people in the region.
11. Around 800 tourists visit Upper Mustang every year. The higher permit cost
and strict regulations makes it less accessible. The permits can only be ob-
tained from a registered trekking agency in Nepal.
PERMIT COST = $500 (Valid for 10 Days)
Additional Day = $50
12. A Living Room inside a Tea-house in Mustang
Mustang was famed as a Camping trail, but now, with
the establishment of lodges, Tea-house trekking is pos-
sible and enjoyed by most of the trekkers in the region.
Tea-house trek saves Cost!
13. “Rain-shadow ~ A rain shadow is a dry area on the lee side
of a mountainous area (away from the wind). The mountains
block the passage of rain-producing weather systems and cast a
“shadow” of dryness behind them.
Upper Mustang falls under Rain shadow areas of Nepal, along with Upper
Dolpo and Jomsom. Because of the lack of rainfall in the most of the region,
the land becomes dry and arid, which remains hot during the day and cold
during the night, resembling Gobi desert in China/Mongolia.
14. “Tiji comes from the word “ten che” meaning the hope of Buddha
Dharma prevailing in all worlds and is effectively a spring renewal
festival.
Tiji Festival
The Tiji festival is a three-day ritual known as “The chasing of the Demons,”
that centers on the Tiji myth, celebrated every year on May.
15. “We found ourselves in the midst of a festival (Tiji Festival) in which over a thousand
men, women and children were taking part [...] The women looked superb in hand-
woven sleeveless Chubas (a bath-robe style dress made of thick wool) over bright, loose
silk blouses. Around their wastbands were tucked two aprons, a short one that hung
down in front, the other caught in the belt and hanging down behind to the ground [...]
Many women were literally smothered with ornaments of silver and precious stones
necklaces of bright orange corralline stones alternating with turquoises ivory-white
bracelets made of truncated conch shell. ~Michel Peissei
16. 17 days
Trekking, Sightseeing
Leisurely to Moderate
4,010m/13,152 ft at Nyi Pass
Teahouse
Full board on trek
Hotel/Teahouse
Flight/Tourist bus/Jeep
Mar - May & Sept - Nov
2 - 10 Persons
Trip Length
Activities
Difficulty
Max Elevation
Trek Style
Meal
Accommodation
Transportation
Best Month
Group Size
Upper Mustang
Trek
*For more info. on trek, guides and cost, Check @Upper Mustang Trans-Himalaya Trek
17. “TRAILING UPPER MUSTANG
www.nepalvisiontreks.com
977-1-4424762, 977-1-4423297
info@nepalvisiontreks.com
The Slide is produced by Nepal Vision Treks & Expedition,
an Adventure-travel specialist in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and
India.
“An initiative for ethical tourism.”
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