Mustang Trekking/Hiking
by Deepakmainali
The Mustang Trekking is also called the upper Mustang Trekking, is an exotic tour to unspoiled Tibetan Villages on the other side of Nepalese Himalaya bordering with Tibet. The main highlights of Mustang trekking are antique Tibetan villages, rare medieval Buddhist arts, the exotic culture and the unique beauty of the Himalayan desert. Foreigners were not allowed to enter Upper Mustang until 1992.Upper Mustang is not much in contact with rest of Nepal, and keeps an aura of a remote, mysterious and unusual land which is one of the unique charms of the Mustang trekking. All their festivals are religious in nature, the tiji festival being the biggest. This small medieval kingdom in the vast desert is ruled by local king. The capital called Lo Mangthang, a walled complex with the houses of local nobilities and monasteries will be one of the main attractions of Mustang trekking.
We start our trek from Jomsom and trek northwards into the heart of Mustang reaching the region's capital Lo Manthang after 5 days of trekking through amazing villages and stunning landscapes. We spend two days in this ancient city before returning to Jomsom for our return flight via a slightly different route that takes in the pilgrimage site of Muktinath.
NOTE:Mustang trekking is located in restricted trekking area. To go to Musnag, it is necessary for international trekkers to buy special trekking permit for mustang trekking which cost US$ 50 per day and it is compulsory to buy 10 days trekking permit. It means minimum 500 US $ only for permit charge and there must be at least two trekkers to go to the Mustang reason because the Department of Immigration will not issue trekking permit to mustang trek for an individual only.
Day by day Itinerary [Click here for detailed Itineray]
Day 01 - Arrival Kathmandu.
Day 02 - Kathmandu.
Day 03 - Kathmandu - Pokhara.
Day 04 - Pokhara - Jomsom - Kagbeni.
Day 05 - Kagbeni - Tsehile(3110m)
Day 06 - Tsehile - Syangbochhen (3800m).
Day 07 - Syangbochhen - Tsrang (3570m).
Day 08 - Tsrang - Lomanthang (3530m)
Day 09 - Explore Lomanthang (3760m).
Day 10 - Lomanthang - Tsrang.
Day 11 - Tsrang - Syambochhen
Day 12 - Syambochhen - Chuksang (3050m)
Day 13 - Chuksang - Kagbeni
Day 14 - Kagbeni - Jomsom (2743m)
Day 15 - Jomsom - Pokhara
Day 16 - Pokhara - Kathmandu
Day 17 - Kathmandu.
Day 18 - Departure Good quality sleeping bag, good quality trekking shoes, sun glass and sun cream, some high altitude sickness medicine.
Buy those Curios, Flags and Maps from:
by goutammitra about CHAD's FLAG HOUSE
This shop is owned by Mr. Chandra Jewan Shahi and the shop is styled and decorated by an elderly English Lady Mrs. Angela Durose from Northern England, who has made this her home for the last three years. The shop sells maps, curios, flags, posters, stickers etc. Mrs. Durose has been nurturing this pace like her own son. Though there are not much buyers these days but I found the prices are very reasonable almost half the price from Thamel shops. The posters I bought here for only Rs.125/-NPR are priced at Rs280/- NPR in Thamel area. Mrs. Durose also assist Mr.Chandra to run the shop.
I strongly recommend this shop for real value for money. Curios, Posters, Flags, Key Rings, Maps etc. Reasonable.
Lots of options avail
by Crift about Third Eye
Chances are that you will be staying around Thamel like a good tourist you are. You would be surprised by the quality, variety and ambience of most restaurants around there.
You will have wonderful breakfasts in beautiful gardens, lebanese food (or something resembling it), italian food (or something resembling it), really nice bakeries with a big variety of sandwiches (the yak cheese ones are delicious).
My favorite restaurant was The Third Eye. Great food and excellent service.