Mustang attracts a lot of adventurers who want to explore life within the mud walls. It is the best place to experience a secluded life from the rest of the world.
It is divided into two regions: Upper Mustang region (average elevation of 3,000-4,000m| 9,800-13,100ft) and Lower (average elevation of 1950-3000m|6,430-9,482ft). The upper part is a restricted area of Nepal. Thus, You need a restricted area permit before travelling to the upper region.
To go for a Mustang trip in Nepal, you can either choose a flight option to fly from Pokhara Valley or drive on a 4WD tour. You can explore the Mustang region in tours like the Upper Mustang Jeep Tour or just the Mustang Trek.
In this blog, we will cover about Mustang Nepal Trip (both the lower and upper Mustang regions).
Overview
Travelling to Mustang varies depending on your budget, time, and physical and Mental preparation. You have different options for travelling via air, jeep, or walk. If you are looking for comfort throughout your trek, travelling via air and further by road is much preferable. However, travelling by road is also possible if you are on a budget. You also have the option of a private jeep for a Luxury road trip.
If you are someone looking for adventure, you can also trek to the Upper area by hiking. However, It is not suggested.
The best seasons to visit Mustang are Spring, early and late Summer, Autumn, and early Winter. You will also get to immerse yourself in the festivals of the local people such as the Yartong and Tiji Festival.
How to get to Mustang?
Getting to Mustang is a good adventure. This journey shifts you from the bustling city life of Pokhara and Kathmandu to the secluded area of Lo Manthang:
Fly to Jomsom and start the tour
To get to Mustang, start with a direct flight from Kathmandu. If coming from Pokhara, take a flight to Jomsom for stunning views of the Annapurna mountains during the 20-minute journey.
Upon arrival in Jomsom, travel by private jeep to visit places like Kagbeni, Muktinath, and Lo Manthang. Alternatively, consider trekking from Jomsom or Kagbeni to begin your exploration of the Upper Mustang.
By Road Transportation
Road transportation is preferred by a lot of adventurers. You can either fly to Pokhara from Kathmandu and then start your journey on the road. Or, to keep it a full-road adventure, you can take a bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara as well.
By Private Jeep
The private jeep tour is the best way to explore the Mustang region because it allows for stops to take in the amazing views. Since there isn't a direct route from Kathmandu, the trip starts with either a drive or a flight to Pokhara.
From Pokhara, the journey continues to Kagbeni. The route from Pokhara to Kagbeni follows the Jomsom highway, passing through places like Tatopani, Ghasa, Lete, Kobang, Marpha, and Jomsom. Additionally, from Lete, the views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, South Nilgiri, and more.
The path from Kagbeni to Ghami crosses Chhusang and Chele, where the Kali Gandaki Gorge can be seen. Sky Cave is also visible in Chhusang itself. The journey from Ghami to Lo Manthang goes through Dhakmar and past Ghar Gompa, a place to learn about Tibetan Buddhism. The route continues through Tsarang and Syangmoche to reach the hidden city of Lo Manthang.
Arriving in Lo Manthang happens late in the day, so the night is spent there. The next day is for exploring the Chosser Sky Caves and travelling up to the Kora La border.
By Local Bus
Travelling to the Mustang region by local bus includes the option of finding a service that goes as far as Muktinath or Jomsom. From these points, travellers will need to arrange either a private jeep hire or continue on foot to reach Lo Manthang.
It's important to note that buses may not be consistently available, which can make this mode of transportation less convenient. Therefore, many travellers tend to avoid using local buses for this journey.
By Hike
Reaching Lo Manthang can also be done by hiking. This moderate trek reaches a maximum altitude of 3,810 meters (12,500 feet). The actual trek begins from either Jomsom or Kagbeni. From Jomsom, the path goes to Chaile, then to Syangmoche, and next to Ghami. From Ghami, the trek continues to Tsarang and finally to Lo Manthang.
However, this trek is not preferred by many. Most of the time, the route does not follow a hiking trail. Instead, hikers walk on the main highway due to the geography, with only a few hours on actual hiking trails. This mix of highway and hiking trails makes this option less popular.
When is the Best Time for a Mustang Nepal Trip?
The best time to visit Mustang depends upon the weather and road conditions. The following are the times to visit.
Spring (March-May)
Spring is a popular season for the tour. The sky is clear, and the weather is warmer than other times. The landscape is colourful. The Tiji Festival usually happens in May according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar. In May, it's possible to celebrate the Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang with the locals, making the tour more special. The Tibetan New Year also typically lies between January to Early March. So, You may also get to celebrate the Tibetan New Year in spring. However, it can be crowded because of the festival. Also, the Upper area is windier in the Spring.
Summer (June- September)
Summer is also a great time to visit. The weather is warm, and the landscapes are lush and green. The crowds are smaller compared to other seasons. The Yartong Festival, which usually happens at the end of September according to the Tibetan Lunar Calendar, can also be enjoyed. While there is monsoon rain from July to September, it is usually not a big problem since Mustang receives little rainfall throughout the year.
Autumn(September-November)
Autumn is considered the peak season to visit. The clear skies and pleasant temperatures make it a popular time to travel. However, because it is peak season, accommodation prices and crowds may increase. You will get to observe Mani Rimdu during Autumn. It is a kind of ritual/Festival that celebrates the arrival of Guru Rinpoche from India to Tibet. He is known to introduce Buddhism in Tibet.
Winter(December-February)
You will get to see snow-capped mountains. During winter, the region is rather dry so there is no problem of rain. The accommodation will also be available at a comparatively lower price. However, you may experience freezing weather.
Losar is celebrated in the place from Late December to January. It is considered the New Year for the Tibetans.
Festivals that determine the Best time to travel to Mustang
If you are someone who prefers cultural experience along with nature then Spring and summer are the best choice for you. This is because you will also get to experience Tiji and Yartong Festival.
Tiji Festival
Tiji Festival is a grand 3-Day Tibetan-Buddhist festival celebrated in the Forbidden City of Lo Manthang. The term ‘Tiji’ comes from the word Tenchi. Tenchi translates to the meaning of ‘Prayer for the World Peace’.
The festival links to the legacy of Dorje Jono and Padmasambhava. It is a long ritual that consists of prayer chants and colourful masked dances.
On the first day, the locals prepare to start the festival. One can hear loud horn sounds from the Tibetan horns also known as Dhungchen. The ceremony starts from the monastery which includes local monks and performers. The monks sit under the large Thangka painting hung on the southern wall of the square. After this, The “Tsa Chaam”(Masked Dance) starts which tells the victory of good over evil.
On the second day, The monks perform the “Nga Cham” dance. The second day tells the story of Dorjo Jono who tried to bring a demon to the Buddha Realm.
Females dance in their traditional attire and jewellery. The second-day performance is significant. It showcases the generation of celestial palaces and deities.
The third day starts with ceremonial music followed by a masked dance called “Rha Chaam”.This dance shows the end of the Demon.
The closing ceremony is more vibrant filled with dance and music.
Yartong Festival
In the Tibetan language, Yartong refers to the end of the summer. The festival is a kind of a fair. Thus, The Yartong Festival literally refers to a fair/festival celebrated to give a bid to the summer. The chief and the senior individuals of the locality bless their younger generations. The date for the Yartung festival is set by a Lama who is considered a spiritual master. Typically, It is observed on the full moon day at the end of September.
A fair is conducted by the locals and the monks which consists of competitions like Horse racing. Many other competitions are held, too. Travelers get to taste traditional Tibetan food during the festival. This festival lasts up to three days.
Permits Required for Restricted and Non-Restricted Area of Mustang
The region is classified into two parts. The upper part is a restricted area of Nepal. Thus, it requires a restricted area permit. However, you don't need any restricted area permit for the lower region. The following are the permits required:
Restricted Area Permit
Lo Manthang was not open to foreigners till 1994. This is because the locals want to have a secluded life from the rest of the world. So, this area requires a restricted area permit.
You need a restricted area permit from the region after Kagbeni. This was done to decrease the number of tourists. The Tibetan influence has affected this mindset of the people of Lo Manthang.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
The whole place lies under the Annapurna Conservation Area. You may find endangered wildlife in the lower Mustang such as the Chinese Pangolin, Himalayan musk deer, Snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, and many more.
Additionally, the ACAP permit is required for any foreign visitors here.
Why is Mustang differentiated into Lower and Upper Parts?
Many factors such as geographical, historical, and administrative factors influence the differentiation of the region.
The lower area(Thak Khola) and The Upper area(Lo) have geographical differences.
The highest altitude you can reach in the upper region is the Korala border(4,660m|15289ft). However, if you are only going to Lo Manthang then, The highest altitude is (3860m|12598ft). For the lower region, The highest altitude reached is Muktinath (3800m|12468ft).
The region also shares cultural differences. The upper region is dominated by Tibetan Buddhism as the ancestors of this region were migrants from Tibet. However, The lower region has a mix of both Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. You will find Thakalis, Chhetris, Brahmins, and a few more. To preserve the Tibetan-influenced culture, The upper region was isolated from the lower region.
The Kingdom of Lo was independent until the 1950s. The Lower area shares many similarities to the rest of Nepal while the Upper part is only connected to Tibetan culture. It had a different administrative structure than the rest of Nepal. This proved to be one of the main reasons for differentiating the region.
Trip Idea for Mustang Tour
Mustang offers several luxury ways of travel in the region. From helicopter tours to the Mustang Valley to the Upper Mustang Trek, you can involve in a Mustang Trip easily.
Visit Lower Mustang
As Mustang district is divided into lower and upper, we will discuss the first come first. To visit Lower Mustang, you have several options like involving in a trek to helicopter tour.
Jomsom - Muktinath Temple Tour
For this tour, you can easily start from Pokhara and go on a drive to Jomsom. It usually takes around 3-4 days to cover the Mustang region. Here is what the itinerary can look like:
Day 1: Drive or fly to Jomsom; stay in Om's Home Jomsom
Day 2: Drive to Muktinath Temple via Kagbeni; stay in Lo Mustang
Day 3: Drive to Lubra, the only Bon Buddhist Village in Nepal and back to Jomsom; stay in Om's Home Jomsom
Day 4: Fly back to Pokhara
Muktinath Helicopter Tour
This is another fascinating tour for travellers who want to visit Muktinath Temple but are time-constricted. The 45-minute spectacular flight takes off from Pokhara and lands at Muktinath. You can visit the temple for around an hour and then fly back to Pokhara in the next 45 minutes. Within a day with a scenic flight, the helicopter tour is a perfect luxury choice.
Involve in Wellness at Shinta Mani Mustang
Mustang offers even retreats and wellness. With Shinta Mani being open for a while, it is now a luxury traveller's choice to get here. You strictly need at least 5 nights and 6 days to be involved and stay in Shinta Mani Mustang. Alongside wellness, travellers can easily enjoy the beauty of the Mustang region by travelling around Jomsom, Marpha, Lubra, Muktinath, and Kagbeni. You can choose to trek or do the driving tours in the region.
Shinta Mani Mustang also offers the Traditional Tibetan Medicinal process to get involved in wellness with which many Everest Luxury Holidays Travellers have experienced a successful result.
Visit Upper Mustang
The Upper Mustang region, with no doubt, is a journey to the past. With centuries-old ancient Monasteries, the mud-walled city, and local villages, this Kali Gandaki River Valley is truly a fascinating place to travel. Here are the ideas for the Upper Mustang Trip:
Upper Mustang Jeep Tour
The Upper Mustang Jeep Tour is usually for 7 days. You start the jeep tour from Pokhara itself. However, for a more luxurious option, you can choose to fly to Jomsom by a scenic flight of 15 minutes from Pokhara. Upper Mustang is a preserve of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. During the Upper Mustang Tour, you visit the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang, stone houses, the world's deepest gorge; the Kaligandaki Gorge, and many more. Here is the trip itinerary:
Day 1: Drive or fly to Jomsom and drive to Marpha Village
Day 2: Drive to Ghami via Kagbeni and Chhusang, hike up to Chungsi Cave Monastery
Day 3: Drive to Lo Manthang via Dhakmar and Ghar Gompa
Day 4: Drive to Chhoser sky caves, explore Lo Manthang
Day 5: Drive to Ghami via Tsarang and Marang Village
Day 6: Drive to Kalopani for the best view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range
Day 7: Drive to Jomsom and fly to Pokhara or directly drive to Pokhara
Conclusion
Mustang Nepal Trip offers a good adventure for travellers. You can explore the region by Trekking, jeep, or flying. You will get to experience the Tibetan-influenced culture and sceneries of the mountain.
