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Published: August 16th 2016
Chörtens Lo Manthang.
Chortens right outside the walled city of Lo Manthang. starts from Jomsom after taking a scenic flight from Pokhara, leading you to the hidden Shangri-La of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Mustang, also called Lo. Lo used to be part of the Tibetan empire, and is therefore closely connected to Tibet. Tibetan Buddhism is still being practiced in a very pure form and villages are built in Tibetan style, with white washed houses with firewood tucked on the roofs. Until recently you could only come to
Upper Mustang Trekwith a fully organized camping trek. However, nowadays some villagers have opened up small guesthouses/tea houses and you can stay in a guesthouse in each overnight place. While staying there, you are welcome to sit with them in the kitchen. In Tibetan culture, the kitchen is the center of the house, and built like a kind of living room. So there is no better way to learn a bit about the daily life than spending time in the kitchen!
Not only the culture and tradition but also the landscape is very much related to Tibet. Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri and you walk in a complete desolate landscape, surrounded by rocks in all kind of colors and bizarre
Kagbeni Village
Kagbeni Village, the main gateway to Lo Manthang formations. In this barren landscape the villages with their bright colored fields are like oases. The trail follows the salt caravan route of the old days, during which the people of Mustang traded Tibetan salt with grain from the lowlands. The goal of the Upper Mustang trek is the capital of Upper Mustang, Lo Manthang. Lo Manthang is a medieval old town, surrounded by a huge town wall. From the Lo La pass (3950m) you can see the town shimmering in the distance in the barren landscape. Entering Lo Manthang through the town gate you enter a different world. It is just wonderful to wander through the narrow alleys. On several corners of the street you can find small groups of women spinning wool and discussing the news of the day.
At the end of the afternoon big herds of goats are being let through the city gate and through the narrow alleys, back to their sheds, which are inside the town. In Lo Manthang you can find the palace of the king, a huge 4 story high building. When the king is at home, you can even pay him a visit sometimes. The king doesn’t have any real
Upper Mustang Trek with Wilderness Excursion
Upper Mustang, the place of mysticism and extocism. Should visit once in a life. Don't miss it. power anymore, but is of course still highly respected by his people. Besides, there are a few beautiful big monasteries, for example the Thugchen Gompa, built in the 15th century. Or visit the amchi museum and amchi school. An amchi is a traditional Tibetan doctor. There are 2 amchis living in Lo Mangtang, which are also the official doctors of the king. They founded a school to preserve this ancient wisdom. Also interesting is a ride by horse to Chhoser, where you can visit a small monastery and a century old cave dwelling, situated high in the rocks.
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