Mustang is known for its trekking tours and mountain sightseeing in Nepal. Elevated at an altitude of 3840m, this city is divided into two parts: Lower and Upper Mustang.
This city is a great destination for those who want to immerse in Tibetan culture. It is located near the Tibetan Plateau, Lo Manthang.
Lower Mustang is well-known for natural scenery while upper Mustang is famous for its trekking and hiking trails, monasteries, caves and local tribes. This destination is rich in vegetation with a range of rhododendron plantations, apple fields and is strong with Buddhist culture.
Visitors get to see the lifestyle of the mountain people, their day-to-day routines and their customs. Visitors can take a look at a number of Tibetan shrines, monasteries, caves and villages.
There are many best places to visit in mustang but among of them selected places to visit lower and upper mustang given below.
Marpha Village:
The town of Apple Orchards
Marpha is one of those places where we can do this, an oasis of magic and history that will allure visitors time and again with tokens of an era that is not fully forgotten.
Unlike other villages along the Annapurna Circuit, Marpha has deliberately worked to preserve its unique heritage and architecture. The apple village lies in the Buddhist region which has small Gumbas and meditation centers too. It has also a local apple wine industry.
The important local business is a tourism and mule rearing. The other business is the salt trading business, dealing with China and Tibet.
Jomsom:
Gateway to the Forbidden Kingdom
Nestled below soaring Nilgiri and Dhawalagiri mountains, Jomsom is a beautiful town in Mustang. Jomsom is the major administrative center of both government and private sectors. Many visitors come from Pokhara to Jomsom and start their trek to Lo Manthang.
Hindu and Buddhist culture attract thousands of footfalls every year. The town is a part of the Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna foothill treks. It connects with off the beaten trails like Dhaulagiri Circuit and Upper Dolpo.
Located at an altitude of 2740 meters above sea level within Annapurna Conservation Area. Jomsom has plenty of attractions to be a destination on its own.
Muktinath:
Vishnu temple, sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
Situated at an altitude of 3,710 meters (12,172 feet) at the base of the Thorong La mountain pass in the Mustang district. Muktinath is a highly venerated sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists.
Hindus call the site Mukti Kshetra, which literally means the “place of salvation”. It is one of the most ancient temples of the God Vishnu and the Vaishnava tradition in Nepal. Buddhists call Muktinath Chumming Gyatsa, which in Tibetan means ‘Hundred Waters’.
Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, meditated here on his way to Tibet. If you want to visit the Kingdom of Tibetan Buddhists but have a very short time then this Lower Mustang trek is designed for you. With limited time, you can bring the most out of it from Lower Mustang.
Damodar Kunda
Holy Lake in Upper Mustang
Damodar Kunda lies is high up in a rain-shadow area of the Himalayas north of the famous Annapurna range of the Mustang region. Damodar Kunda is the source of Kaligandaki River. In the Hindu mythology, the lake is considered as the Head of Lord Bishnu and Muktinath as his mouth.
Hindus believe to experience sacramental divinity to attain atonement from all their sins after dipping into this holy lake. Another mythical story says that two sons of Kuber were released from sins and suffering after dipping into the lake, following the instruction of Lord Krishna.
Damodar lake is also famous for the place to find good Saligram. The best season to visit Damodar Lake is the full moon of August. It is because a big festival occurs every year on August when thousands of Hindu Pilgrims visit.
Moreover, you can visit Damodar Lake from April to September.
Charang or Tsarang
The Tibetan Influenced Village
The village of Tsarang is just south of the walled town of Lo Monthang, the capital of the Kingdom of Mustang. The village of Tsarang (Charang) has numerous stupa structures, a monastery (gompa) and a fortress (dzong).
The village was once an important halt for the ancient caravan trade that once perilously plied their way between Tibet and India carrying large amounts of salt. Nowadays Charang is a peaceful, serene sort of place……the kind of place where you can “feel the spirituality”.
Lo Manthang
The Wall City of Upper Mustang
Lo Manthang is very scenic, its attracts many tourist to discover an isolated region for centuries. Highest altitude of Lo Manthang trek is 3840 meters / 12598 feet above sea level.
Lo Manthang is the capital of the Upper Mustang. This is a culturally enriched area that used to be the former Royal Palace and was a separate kingdom of Nepal. But now it is considered the lost forbidden kingdom of Nepal, the only semi-desert here in the country.
Since this place carries a great deal of religious significance, you can find many Buddhist monasteries here that have remained well preserved. You can find Thubchen Gompa and about twelve caves that display ancient Buddhist belongings.
