Located in the border of Tibet and Nepal, north of
the Annapurna range, Mustang is probably the finest Himalayan
destination for its opulent cultural legacy and rugged mountain
landscapes. Mustang trekking,
which involves some long hiking days & many passes about 4200
meters, pursues well-known routes via important villages that formerly
served as a blossoming trade route amid Tibet and Nepal. These
white-washed settlements sit amid terrains of barley & home to
wonderful chortens & monasteries, reflect the enduring Buddhist
custom. The region is appealing; a semi arid desert with profound gorges
& rock shelves, bordered by snowy summits. The best highlight here
is a trip to the Lo Manthan, where the King of Mustang sways over his
small monarchy & surveys a globe still ethnically closer to the
heart of Tibet compared to the temples and markets of Kathmandu. This
could be an exceptional voyage to the true gem of the grand Himalaya.
Of
late in 2007, an international crew of explorers have explored precious
articles of historical and cultural significance in the Upper Mustang
caves. In the high caves that need technical climbing experience they’ve
found gorgeous Buddhist murals & historical articles dating back to
800 years ago. Nevertheless, the Mustang trekking will surprise you
with an unusual trip to a place ideally undamaged by modernity,
sustaining its old Buddhist culture, customs and precious arts in the
high Himalayan Mountains. Those who are not limited by time can expand
their Mustang hiking trip further than Lo Manthang & explore these
caves and many of its cultural treasures and ancient monasteries.
Upper
mustang trekking is a rare privilege and you shouldn’t miss this
chance. Here you’ll get to know the living style of real mountain folks,
who weren’t much in contact with the rest of Nepal for many years and
even until recent times had an officially-recognized king. In several
cases an Upper Mustang trekking is identical to hiking in Tibet, as
geographically it’s a part of the Tibetan plateau. Until 1950, the
province of Mustang was a detached monarchy inside the borders of Nepal.
The last king still has his domicile in the old capital recognized as
Lo Manthang.
Ask your trekking agency if they can add Island Peak climbing
into your Mustang trekking itinerary. It will give you double fun for
sure. A reliable trekking agency should have the flexibility to
customize their client’s requirements. And some research over the
internet will help you find the most dependable and flexible trekking
agency out there. So, do your homework before proceeding.