Upper Mustang Lomanthang Jeep Tour and Trek have got abundant breathtaking attractions dating back to the medieval era. This region remained mysterious and unexplored for a long time and the Nepal government opened it as a controlled (restricted) region in 1992 the journey to Upper Mustang has become easily accessed from Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Mysteries
Upper Mustang Lomanthang is such an area, where the mystery never ends. It is a paradise for photographers. Hidden rocky caves, colorful monasteries, chhortens, hidden Tibetan Buddhist settlements, and barley and buckwheat fields are some of the representative sites in this region, which was the hidden Kingdom of Nepal.
The enticing sceneries in Upper Mustang belong to the Ngro Subsect of Sakya Buddhism. Each village of the Upper Mustang has centuries-old monasteries.
Famous Monasteries in the Upper Mustang Region
Kag Chode Gumpa in Kagbeni (Controlled region begins from Kagbeni)
Tsrang Monastery/Jampa Monastery is the oldest monastery inside the walled settlement. Thubchen Monastery
Ghar Gumpa (8th century)
Luri Gumpa
Thubchen Monastery (The second most important monastery in the walled settlement of Lo-manthang is Thubchen).
Ranchung cave
Also known as a Chungsi cave, Ranchung cave is situated on the way to the upper mustang, in between Summer and Syangboche village. People believe that Guru Rinpoche meditated in this cave around the 8th century. Various naturally formed images of deities add more charm in this attraction.
Lower Mustang Region Attractions
Muktinath Temple
Muktinath Temple is the center of Hindu pilgrimage seekers around the globe. Located at an altitude of 3800 meters in the Mustang region, this sacred site welcomes thousands of Hindu devotees and thousands of other people to explore the mysteries of the temple and the entire landscape. People believe that if you pay homage to the temple, your sins will be washed away.
Kagbeni
One of the oldest Himalayan villages of Nepal, Kagbeni means (Kag- Crow and Venue- junction of two rivers). Kagbeni is also known as Yakshya-Tirtha, where Hindu people pay homage to their passes-away forefathers. It is an antique settlement with about 500 people inhabiting the locality.
Jomsom
Jomsom is a district center of the Mustang district. It is situated at an altitude of about 2,700 meters (8,900 ft) in the Gandaki Province of western Nepal. The outstanding peaks of Tilicho, Dhaulagiri, and Nilgiri can be witnessed from this place. It has got an airport, where the daily flights take off from Pokhara. Nearby, the Kali Gandaki River flows, where the Shaligramas can be found.
Marpha
The antique and outstanding Marpha village is a gem of the Mustang region. Literally, "mar" means hard-working, and "pha" means people. This village is also called an apple orchard as it is surrounded by apple gardens. Marpha has a nearby Tibetan refugee camp, a scenic location, and a hilly point.
Tatopani
Tatopani is a tiny village in the Myagdi district of Nepal, on the way to Muktinath. It has got a few lodges and has got a natural hot spring. People who visit the Muktinath temple, prefer to take a bath here.
Itinerary Variations of Trekking and Tours
05 Nights/06 Days Pokhara to Upper Mustang Lomanthang and Muktinath Jeep Tour
Day 01: Pokhara to Jomsom.
Day 02: Kagbeni to Lomanthang.
Day 03: Explore Lomanthang and the Korola border region
Day 04: Drive back to Kagbeni.
Day 05: Drive to Muktinath- visit Dhumba Lake and back to Tatopani.
Day 06: Drive back to Pokhara.
07 Nights/08 Days Pokhara to Upper Mustang Tour and Trekking Package
Day 01: 4WD Jeep drive to Kagbeni via Jomsom. (Drive 8 hours)
Day 02: Drive to Lomanthang. (about 6 hours).
Day 03: Explore around.
Day 04: Trek from Lomanthang to Yara (3650 meters)
Day 05: Trek from Yara to Tangge (3240 meters).
Day 06: Trek from Tangge to Tetang (3040 meters).
Day 07: Trek from Tetang to Muktinath (3760 meters).
Day 08: Trek to Jomsom.
Day 09: Fly back to Pokhara, rest, and boat around Phewa Lake.