Mustang is a beautiful district in Nepal. Its headquarters is Jomsom. The Marsyangdi River is in the east of Mustang and to the west lays the world’s deepest gorge, carved out by the wild waters of the Kaligandaki. Mustang is also known as the lost kingdom of Tibet. All of its cultures, reties and festivities purely resembles Tibetan, even though it is a part of Nepal now. This district is famous for tourism, trade and animal husbandry. Mustang is the homes of Gurungs, ethic group, in the lowlands, Manangis in the east and Tibetans in the arid north. Gurungs, Thakalis and Manangis have great hospitality in Mustang. Each year thousands of visitors come to Mustang to experience this culture and the multitude of peaks. Perhaps the greatest asset to the Land of Mustang however is the endlessly hospitable and friendly people.
Mustang is part that is geologically one of the most dynamic on the planet. As 40 million years ago Mustang was under what is called the Tethys Sea and was completely submerged under water. It was located at the south edge of one of the two continents called Laurasia. This ancient sea still proves itself in all the sea shells and fossils that are dotted throughout the region on the valley floor and on the hills and ridges. These fossils called Shaligrams in Nepal and are around 100 million years old and are held by Hindus to be holy as forms of the god Vishnu.
This valley is a geologists dream. Everywhere one looks there are formations of ancient rock protruding from the valley walls. Upper Mustang trek, Jomsom Muktinath Trek, Damodar Kunda Trekking, Lower Mustang trekking are the popular trekking routes in Mustang.
Except late December to beginning of March, rest other months, including October and November are recommended for trek. The month of May often holds a famous festival of Tiji.
The district of Mustang is one of the most beautiful and varied districts in all of Nepal. The southern border reaches down into the middle hills near the Pokhara Valley while the northern half stretches up through the Himalayan ranges onto the Tibetan Plateau. The Kali Gandaki River flows beneath lofty snow-clad peaks creating a stunning landscape.
The most famous Upper Mustang trek offers a chance to explore the thousand years of old monastery, caves, local tribes and scenic beauties of the different landscapes. There is almost tree-less barren landscape, a steep rocky trail up and down hill and panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and several other peaks. This is a place where natural beauty, wildlife, history and culture co-exist.
The Upper half of Mustang is a restricted area and was only opened to foreigners in 1992. Each year only a few 1,000 people are allowed to enter and even then only under strict regulations. People entering must be traveling with a registered guide agency and have an environmental officer with them. Upper Mustang has had little experience with tourism, underlining the need to respect both the natural landscape as well as the people and heritage.
This varied terrain provides unique habitat for huge number of species of animals and birds as well as some of the world’s most endangered species such as the Snow Leopard. Here, rare and exotic animals such as musk deer and blue sheep are seen traversing the steep valley walls and golden eagles float on the wind that comes up the valley.
Overview
The district of Mustang is one of the most beautiful and varied districts in all of Nepal. The southern border reaches down into the middle hills near the Pokhara Valley while the northern half stretches up through the Himalayan ranges onto the Tibetan Plateau. The Kali Gandaki River flows beneath lofty snow-clad peaks creating a stunning landscape.