Mustang Travel Guide

  Entering Tsarang
by into-thin-air
 
  • Entering Tsarang
      Entering Tsarang
    by into-thin-air
  • Dhi
      Dhi
    by into-thin-air
  • Nirmal checking the route with me
      Nirmal checking the route with me
    by into-thin-air
  • Day 8 and still Big loads
      Day 8 and still Big loads
    by into-thin-air
  •   "Staff" preparing lunch on Day 1
    by into-thin-air
 

Explore Mustang

Things to Do  

Marpha Village

Marpha Village, Mustang

 Saagar Says:  Marpha Village just south of Jomsom offers a calm and pleasant place to rest and recover from Pokhara's or Kathmandu's hustle and bustle. Or, take it as a precursor to trekking. Check out if trekking is something for you by coming here first, stay in relative comfort and... 

Kagbeni village

Kagbeni village, Mustang

 Saagar Says:  Kagbeni is worth a stop for more than just a transit to Muktinath or Upper Mustang. The place and the immediate surroundings are certainly worth a stopover.Short hikes of interest can be had in the immediate surroundings, with good photo opportunities and good learning. Be... 

Restaurants  

McYac: Fastfood in Kagbeni!?!

McYac: Fastfood in Kagbeni!?!, Mustang

 Saagar Says:  McYac's for yakburgers!Hey, not kidding, McYac is better than the rightsholder to the original name with the big M soaring into the sky.There are also other tasty bits here and a funny atmosphere. Worth a stop for lunch, snack or even a dinner if you fancy the copycat... 

Most will have this stuff: Juices in the desert

Most will have this stuff: Juices in the desert, Mustang

 Saagar Says:   Given the long transportation distance, fresh juices come as a surprise on the menues in Mustang. Partly assisted by ACAP, bith apple and seabuckthorn are now regularly availalbe to trekkers. How the seabuckthorn (a high-altitude desert bush) juice is made I am not so... 

Transportation  

Rent a horse

Rent a horse, Mustang

 Saagar Says:  In most towns and places in Mustang you can rent a horse or mule for your onward journey. The horse can carry you or your baggage. Ther horses in use here are incredibly sure-footed and quite used to novices. A horse comes with a helper of driver. Cost varies, but count on... 

World's most spectacular scheduled flight? Jomsom.

World's most spectacular scheduled flight? Jomsom., Mustang

 Saagar Says:  The flight to and from Jomson (-Pokhara) lasts only 20 minutes or so, bust surely is in the top league of the world's most spectacular flights. You fly in from Pokhara early in the morning. After the strong northerly winds pick up at Jomsom airport about 11-12 pm no flights... 

Shopping  

Mount Kailash Tibetan Souvenir Shop: Tibetan stuff in Jomsom
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Saagar 2171 reviews
Mount Kailash Tibetan Shop

Mount Kailash Tibetan Souvenir shop deals in - exactly - Tibetan goods. Some newly-made, some apparently a bit old.
The Lady bought an apron and sitting apron and a belt clip for a chuba here and went through an intricate process to get it made in the colors and patterns she wanted. It was all understood and done according to wishes despite limited shared language and time. Good communicators, those Tibetans!
Tamding Tsedup and Mrs. Tseten Lhamo betweeen them run this shop and the White Tara handicraft shop in Marpha.

What to buy: Tibetan art seems to come out of four main sources: the gomba, the clothing, the neck and the kitchen.
Opposed to the sari/saree, the chuba/ Bhakku looks great on clumsy non-South Asian women: Tibetan, Manangi, Mustangi, Sherpa and Lama ladies walk in great strides, too. And it's useful in colder climes and comes in a variety of colors, patterns and fabrics according to your interest. Best place to buy is probably not Jomsom, but Boudhanath in Kathmandu. But this Jomsom shop has some good accessories to the chuba.
The religious stuff is nice if you have an interest, especially in its deeper meaning. A few good items available at the Mount Kailash shop.
Tibetan jewelry is available all over, the turquoise and coral and zi stones in various combinations available also at Mount Kailash.
Kitchenware and implements were much in evidence and some good quality pieces, too; containers and the like.

What to pay: Tibetan goods are generally quite expensive to start with, and not knowing the quality judgement criteria, it's easy to be somewhat fooled. But as long as you like what you got, never mind, there is no need to regret the price. Do some "market research" beforehand if you are looking for something special. Expect the first offer to be a overpriced by a third, generally, and settle for something between.

Updated Apr 21, 2004

Address: Contact: Tibetan Refugee S. Camp, Tserok Gaun, Mar

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Local Customs  

No meat on the plate
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Saagar 2171 reviews
Sonam's breakfast, Jharkot

From at least Jharkot and up there is no meat on the menus and in principle also not served due to the holy site of Muktinath. But you will not miss it either, as the local food served in restaurants, homes and simple eateries is very good and varied. And wholesome, too.

Written Mar 10, 2005

Related to:
 Hiking and Walking
 Religious Travel
 Adventure Travel

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Warnings and Dangers  

Flying to Jomsom: don't get upset...

Flying to Jomsom: don't get upset..., Mustang

 Saagar Says:  Don't get upset if your flight from Pokhara to Jomsom gets cancelled - or the Jomsom-Pokhara one. Always calculate a buffer day or even two. Don't ever try to fly Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu the same day, or even worse Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu-out of Nepal. I know people who... 

Drinking water

Drinking water, Mustang

 Saagar Says:  When in Mustang do as the following: Don't buy "mineral water", i.e. bottled water, which is discouraged by ACAP. Also the bottled water may not be entirely clean either, even if not tampered with...In lodges and restaurants ask for boiled water ("umaleko paani"); not merely... 

What to Pack  

A protective bag for your backpack

A protective bag for your backpack, Mustang

 Saagar Says:  If using pack animals and also for the flight into Jomsom, and indeed if you suspect your luggage might be roughly handled, use a strong protective bag to stuff it in. There are various qualities bags, look out for good quality ones. I am using a "Backpacker" "Pro-tective"... 

Footwear for gravel, rock and dust

Footwear for gravel, rock and dust, Mustang

 Saagar Says:   Bring sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Not the huge, stiff glacier/climbing stuff unless you are keen on this, but fairly lightweight. In this terrain it is necessary to have a bit of a stiff outer sole with a grip such as the vibram make or similar. For hotel/guest house use... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Trekking in Upper Mustang 2

Trekking in Upper Mustang 2, Mustang

 into-thin-air Says:  Once you have decided that you are going to trek in Upper Mustang, The Most Important thing is to pick a good and Reliable Agent to organise your Trek.The temptation is often to go for the cheapest option, But as you have already splashed out $700 for your trekking permit,... 

Trekking in Upper Mustang, Day 10

Trekking in Upper Mustang, Day 10, Mustang

 into-thin-air Says:  Overnight destination – kagbeni (Elevation 2800m)Estimated walking time 4 ½ hoursOur last day was a simple walk back down the Mustang Khola, a reverse of the morning of the 1st day. We were both sad that our Upper Mustang Trek was at a close but both agreed that it had been... 

Trekking in Upper Mustang, Day 9

Trekking in Upper Mustang, Day 9, Mustang

 into-thin-air Says:  Overnight destination –Chhuksang (Elevation 2950m)Estimated walking time 10 1/2 hoursThe penultimate day of our upper Mustang trek and the one that turned out to be the hardest of all with our final three La’s to cross to the village Chhuksang, This took us over 10 1/2 hours... 

Trekking in Upper Mustang, Day 8

Trekking in Upper Mustang, Day 8, Mustang

 into-thin-air Says:  Overnight destination – Tangge (Elevation 3300m)Estimated walking time 6 hoursYet another day where we didn’t pass through any villages en-route, and again we decided not to bother a with packed lunch but with hind sight it would have been better if we had as the walk took... 

Trekking in Upper Mustang, Day 7

Trekking in Upper Mustang, Day 7, Mustang

 into-thin-air Says:  Overnight destination – Dhi (Elevation 3300m)Estimated walking time 5 1/2 hoursThis was going to be another day where we didn’t pass through any villages en-route, we decided not to bother a with packed lunch but with hind sight it would have been better if we had as the... 

Trekking in Upper Mustang, Day 6

Trekking in Upper Mustang, Day 6, Mustang

 into-thin-air Says:  Overnight destination – Lo Manthang (Elevation 3730m)Estimated walking time 0 hoursWe had planned a rest day in Lo Manthang and were Pleased that we had, first of all we had a lay in, followed by a good leisurely breakfast then we set off with Pasang to visit 2 of the 3... 

Sports & Outdoors  

2010 Update - Upper Mustang Permit Now $500

2010 Update - Upper Mustang Permit Now $500, Mustang

 into-thin-air Says:  The Best way to organise an Upper Mustang Trek is through a Local Kathmandu Agent – But pick your agent with Great Care as there are Bad ones out there as well as Good ones !! For my own recommendation of a Trusted and Reliable agent please see the travelogue entitled A Very... 

Trekking in Upper Mustang and the options open to

Trekking in Upper Mustang and the options open to, Mustang

 into-thin-air Says:  Once you have decided that Upper Mustang is the trek for you, you then have to decide on which “Style” of trekking to choose. This will mainly be dependant on your budget, but also your expectations, fitness levels and experience.No matter which style of trekking you opt for... 

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Map of Mustang