A Dream place for homies and outsider: Upper Mustang, Nepal

A Dream place for homies and outsider: Upper Mustang, Nepal

Want to go on an extraordinary adventure to an unspoiled and pure location away from the hustle and bustle of modernization? A tour that was accomplished by SADHGURU(the world famous guru and owner of ISHA-FOUNDATION) and that satisfies your need for travel, independence, and curiosity while also introducing you to one of Nepal's natural treasures. The Upper Mustang Trek takes hikers into the otherworldly landscapes of the Mustang region.  Located in the rural part of western Nepal, the environment is similar to Tibet’s. It is an arid land, though full of beautiful, blossoming mountain flowers. The Kaligandaki River brings life to the area.  You will find great pleasure in hiking on this unique trail.  The former Lo Kingdom seems to be undisturbed by the passing of time. You will be blown away by the mysterious caves, suspended several dozen meters high into the side of a cliff.  Equally spectacular is the Tibetan culture found in the area.  You will find the people to be most kind and inviting. The Upper Mustang area, which used to be a yak caravan route to trade with Tibet, was opened to foreigners in 1992. The region transports you to a unique experience beyond description, and the Upper Mustang Trek is an excellent choice.

Major Highlights of the Upper Mustang Trek

Local tribes and rich & unique culture

Mustang is Earth's secret paradise. Furthermore, their native lifestyle and culture are undiscovered. The native tribes and their rich and distinct culture are hence the first incentives to visit Upper Mustang. Mustang, located on the border, displays Tibetan-influenced art and old heritage. Upper Mustang is inhabited by the Loba ethnic group. They are similar to Tibetans in every way, including their way of life and language. Their culture and customs trace back to the ninth century when the Yalung Dynasty brought Buddhism to Tibet. Religion and customs spread from Tibet to Mustang. Tiji Festival is the major festival of the Mustang Region that brightens up Upper Mustang as a whole.

Tiji Festival

The Tiji Festival is a purifying rite held at the start of each harvest season. Tiji Festival has a long history that is enhanced with myths and stories rather than documented facts. Tiji is derived from the phrase "Ten Che," which means "hope of Buddhism prevailing in the world for peace" and essentially celebrates God's victory over demons. Various types of dance ceremonies are held over the course of three days to ward off the demon. It is based on the mythology of Lo Manthang. Many decades ago, a little child named Dorje Jono battles his evil father, who wreaks havoc in the Mustang by causing water scarcity, a valuable resource in the region. Ultimately Jono defeats the demon and banishes him away from the arid land.

Mystic landscapes and isolated villages

Mustang's mystical scenery and remote settlements deserve to be on your bucket list. Because this is a secluded area, the paths remain virgin and undiscovered. Nature is at its most beautiful in the wild places. There is no other place to enjoy yourself apart from the crowds and chaos. Many communities pass across this region as you walk. Some of the prominent communities of Upper Mustang are Kagbeni, Jomsom, Chhusang, and Marpha. Every community has its own history and is distinct from the others. Their localities and cultures are exceptionally diverse. Their topography and environment also change gracefully.

Ancient monasteries

When we study Himalayan Buddhism, the first name that comes to mind is Upper Mustang, because this was the sacred place visited by the great Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmashamvaba), who also founded the first Buddhist monastery in Upper Mustang, at the Lo Gyaker (Ghar Gumba Monastery). Mustang has since seen the construction of several monasteries, many of which are historically and chronologically significant. Exploring the Upper Mustang means discovering the amazing historical sites that are present there. Those monasteries serve as models and educational institutions for Buddhists to see and learn about Himalayan Buddhism. The majority of the monasteries are 1200 to 1000 years old, with ancient sculptures and other things within.

Mysterious Caves

The Upper Mustang is full of enigmatic caverns. The distinctive landscapes and caves in the upper section of Mustang set your vacation there apart from any other trip you might take to other regions of Nepal. Although caves appear to be man-made, it is unclear how they were created in that environment. Zhong Cave, Tangbe Cave, Koncholing Cave, and cave monasteries are the most well-known caves in Upper Mustang. The Zhong cave is claimed to contain 108 caves, all of which are connected and well-maintained. We can see the water and food stockpiles located inside the cave. These caves were constructed during China's rule over Tibet, which lured people from Tibet to Mustang and caused them to settle there. A cave monastery called Koncholing Cave is situated in the sparsely populated area of Mustang. The mural inside the cave demonstrates that Buddhism originated in the Himalayan region in antiquity. A study team from the Himalayan Foundation USA also identified numerous other caverns and monasteries. I also hope the Upper Mustang and Dolpa region has a lot more caves.