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The Upper Mustang Trip
The Upper Mustang Trip

Mustang_Trip

 

Dibyamshu Shrestha

Dibyamshu Shrestha After about one month of my internship at Deerwalk Service and 3 weeks at Deerwalk Institute of Technology, I got the opportunity to visit Upper Mustang along with Rudra Dai, Hitesh Dai, Charu Di and Jeevan Dai. We had no idea how long the journey would be, or how much we were going toe hike. However, what we did know was that exploring Upper Mustang was going to be a spectacular experience. Much excited, we set off on our journey on 4th July 2015.

Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Tatopani

The five of us gathered at Deerwalk Complex at around 7:30 in the morning. After all the team members had arrived we left the office along with Kedar dai. We stopped at Naubise for breakfast and at Ramailo Dadha for tea. We reached Pokhara at around 1:30 PM, where we stopped for lunch. After we crossed Beni, the drive was off road and Kedar dai faced some difficulties while driving. We reached Tatopani at around 8:30 PM, where we stayed for the night.

Day 2: Drive from Tatopani to Rupse Chahara

We got up early around 6:00 in the morning. After tea, we continued our journey. The road was rougher than that of yesterday Even the ride was tiring because of the numerous bumps on the road. We kept being thrown around the vehicle. The river at Rupse Chahara was difficult for our vehicle to cross. It was then when we decided to continue our journey by hiking. Thus, we bid farewell to Kedar dai, who returned to Kathmandu with the vehicle, and began our hike. Hike from Rupse Chahara to Ghasa We began the first hike of our trip. The trail was slightly uphill. We were not mentally prepared for that walk, as we thought that the first leg of the hike would’ve been easier. Soon, we began to feel tired and had to slow down. After nearly 3 hour of walking, we finally reached Ghasa. Drive from Ghasa to Jomsom At Ghasa, we got into a local bus that was packed, but fortunately, all of us managed to grab a seat. Almost halfway through the journey, we were stopped because a broken down truck had blocked the road and the bus could not pass. As a result, we had to wait for the bus coming to Ghasa from Jomsom. We got in the bus and then continued to Jomsom. After reaching Jomsom, we had a late lunch at around 5:00 PM. We then rested for a while and then went sight seeing. The beautiful scenario was indeed mesmeric.

Day 3: Hike from Jomsom to Kagbeni

We got up early in the morning and started our hike from Jomsom to Kagbeni. Since the trail we took was the same path as for the vehicles, the hike went smoothly for most of the part, except for some short cuts. The view of Jomsom and Kaligandaki as we hiked was spellbinding. After walking for 3 hours we reached Ekkal Bhatti where we stopped for breakfast. We continued our hike from Ekkal Bhatti to Kagbeni, which only took us 45 minutes. As soon as we reached Kagbeni, we reserved a jeep for Chhusang. Drive from Kagbeni to Chhusang

The drive from Kagbeni to Chhusang was the most amazing part of our journey. The scenario just became more and more enthralling as we headed to Chhusang. None of us had expected Upper Mustang to be so beautiful and picturesque. The magnificence of the place mesmerized us. The geological formation of the region was one of a kind in Nepal.

The drive from Kagbeni to Chhusang was the most amazing part of our journey. The scenario just became more and more enthralling as we headed to Chhusang. None of us had expected Upper Mustang to be so beautiful and picturesque. The magnificence of the place mesmerized us. The geological formation of the region was one of a kind in Nepal. All the structures of hills and rocks had unique carving with symmetrical structures. After 2.5 hour ride, we reached Chhusang. Drive from Chhusang to Tsarang We had our lunch at Chhusang and reserved a jeep to Tsarang. As jeeps could not cross some parts of the road, we had to change our vehicle twice. The vehicle committee of Upper Mustang had good organization in changing vehicles so the transition between moving from vehicle to vehicle was very smooth. The total journey was about 4.5 hour drive. The drive was entirely off-road and we had to hold on tightly in order to stay firmly in our seats. We reached Tsarang, located at a height of about 3600m, in the evening. After freshening up at the lodge, we went to tour the Tsarang village. First, we went to Ghumba, which was believed to be 800 years old. All of us meditated for 30 minutes inside the Ghumba. Then we went to Tsarang Palace from where we could see the entire Tsarang village. Tired from the day’s activities, we decided to return to the hotel and turn in for the night.

Day 4: Hike From Tsarang to Lo Manthang

We started our hike at 6 in the morning. The trial was slightly uphill. It was a straight 5.5 hour hike and there was no village on the way. There was no place even to get water. But the majestic sights we saw after reaching Lo Manthang was worth it. No picture of the place could have ever done justice to the amazing landscape that was spread out in front of us. We went for a short village tour where we took a walk around the village. We then had our lunch, and reserved a jeep to Chhusang. Drive from Lo Manthang to Chhusang We took the same road back, from where we had come from Chhusang to Lo Manthang. There were only the five of us in the jeep, so it was a comfortable ride. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery from the windows. We reached Chhusang at around 6 PM. According to the rule of the committee at the Upper Mustang, no vehicle could leave after 6 PM. So we had to spend the night at Chhusang.

Day 5: Drive from Chhusang to Jomsom

We got up at 6 in the morning and headed straight to Jomsom. As soon as we reached Jomsom, we went straight to the airport. We didn’t have tickets, but luckily, we got the last flight of the day from Jomsom to Pokhara. Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara We flew within 15 minutes after reaching the airport. The flight was of about 20 minutes. The plane flew very close to the hills and at one point; it flew between the two majestic mountains, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu After reaching Pokhara, we had to wait for an hour for Kedar dai to arrive. As soon as he reached Pokhara, we headed straight to Kathmandu. We stopped for lunch at Riverside Spring Resort and then at Naubise for some tea and snacks. Finally, we reached Deerwalk Complex, Sifal at around 7 in the evening. This trip has certainly been the first of its kind for me. Having done lots of trekking and trips with friends and family previously, this was my first trip with colleagues. It was also a nice break for me after my internship as my holidays were coming to an end. Huge thanks to Deerwalk for this wonderful opportunity and to all those who accompanied me on this trip and made it once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s true what is said about Upper Mustang. ‘If you have not visited Upper Mustang, you have not visited Nepal.’


The Upper Mustang Trip

1. The team

The Upper Mustang Trip

2. Tatopani

The Upper Mustang Trip

3. First view of Kaligandaki

The Upper Mustang Trip

4. Deadly river

The Upper Mustang Trip

5. Refueling time @ Beni

The Upper Mustang Trip

6. Offroad begins

The Upper Mustang Trip

7. Lunch time!!

The Upper Mustang Trip

8. Silent morning

The Upper Mustang Trip

9. Journey continued

The Upper Mustang Trip

10. Goddddd

The Upper Mustang Trip

11. See my poze!!

The Upper Mustang Trip

12. The view

The Upper Mustang Trip

13. Can this be crossed

The Upper Mustang Trip

14. imaa Landslide againge

The Upper Mustang Trip

15. Hike begins

The Upper Mustang Trip

16. Group discussion

The Upper Mustang Trip

17. Uphill and slippery

The Upper Mustang Trip

18. Selfie with the waterfall

The Upper Mustang Trip

19. With the locals

The Upper Mustang Trip

20. Landslide

The Upper Mustang Trip

21. Waterfallll

The Upper Mustang Trip

22. Grenary

The Upper Mustang Trip

23. Bus selfie

The Upper Mustang Trip

24. First poze

The Upper Mustang Trip

25. Bussss

The Upper Mustang Trip

26. Ride Continues

The Upper Mustang Trip

27. Wow wow kaliGandaki

The Upper Mustang Trip

28. The obstacle

The Upper Mustang Trip

29. Chillax time

The Upper Mustang Trip

30. School visit

The Upper Mustang Trip

31. Street tea

The Upper Mustang Trip

32. First sight of Mustang

The Upper Mustang Trip

33. Jomsom bridge

The Upper Mustang Trip

34. Smooth wild road

The Upper Mustang Trip

35. How is Lo Manthang

The Upper Mustang Trip

36. Monks photo bomb

The Upper Mustang Trip

37. Jomsom Ghumba

The Upper Mustang Trip

38. Morning Jomsom

The Upper Mustang Trip

39. off to Kagbeni

The Upper Mustang Trip

40. Shades

The Upper Mustang Trip

41. The valley

The Upper Mustang Trip

42. Way to Jomsom

The Upper Mustang Trip

43. imaga Walking near cloude

The Upper Mustang Trip

44. Are we heading the right direction

The Upper Mustang Trip

45. oh snap..!!

The Upper Mustang Trip

46. Dare to cross me

The Upper Mustang Trip

47. Chhusang..!!

The Upper Mustang Trip

48. First view of Kagbeni

The Upper Mustang Trip

49. The cloud

The Upper Mustang Trip

50. Unicorn

The Upper Mustang Trip

51. Rocks, stones, hills

The Upper Mustang Trip

52. Kagbeni

The Upper Mustang Trip

53. Near to dangerous

The Upper Mustang Trip

54. The scene

The Upper Mustang Trip

55. Ancient hills

The Upper Mustang Trip

56. Who carved those

The Upper Mustang Trip

57. Ekkal Bhatti

The Upper Mustang Trip

58. Hills kept being Wow

The Upper Mustang Trip

59. Dry valley

The Upper Mustang Trip

60. Surprised Us

The Upper Mustang Trip

61. Kagbeni gate

The Upper Mustang Trip

62. Kali Gandaki

The Upper Mustang Trip

63. Ahaaaaa

The Upper Mustang Trip

64. Lost by looking around

The Upper Mustang Trip

65. Who made those holes

The Upper Mustang Trip

66. Wild road, no Jeep

The Upper Mustang Trip

67. Time to cross river

The Upper Mustang Trip

68. Diversity

The Upper Mustang Trip

69. Earthquake effect

The Upper Mustang Trip

70. imageaNice design

The Upper Mustang Trip

71. What is Tractor doing

The Upper Mustang Trip

72. Tsarang..!!

The Upper Mustang Trip

73. Local Tsarang school

The Upper Mustang Trip

74. Enjoying the View

The Upper Mustang Trip

75. Capture this

The Upper Mustang Trip

76. . 800 years old Ghumba

The Upper Mustang Trip

77. Symmentrical structures

The Upper Mustang Trip

78. Tsarang view

The Upper Mustang Trip

79. Off to Lo Manthang

The Upper Mustang Trip

80. Standing alone

The Upper Mustang Trip

81. In a deep meditation

The Upper Mustang Trip

82. Let us capture it

The Upper Mustang Trip

83. Hand of the thief

The Upper Mustang Trip

84. Need to pass through this

The Upper Mustang Trip

85. Challenge us

The Upper Mustang Trip

86. Wish we were little more

The Upper Mustang Trip

87. Palace

The Upper Mustang Trip

88. Group bodyguard at end

The Upper Mustang Trip

89. Dusty

The Upper Mustang Trip

90. As dry as possible

The Upper Mustang Trip

91. Watch or walk

The Upper Mustang Trip

92. Simply WOW

The Upper Mustang Trip

93. Time for some rest

The Upper Mustang Trip

94. We came from there

The Upper Mustang Trip

95. Lost in the middle

The Upper Mustang Trip

96. Street of Lo Manthang

The Upper Mustang Trip

97. Power of nature

The Upper Mustang Trip

98. Is it Pigeon holes

The Upper Mustang Trip

99. Alone in the area

The Upper Mustang Trip

100. So where am I in this map

The Upper Mustang Trip

101. Left behind

The Upper Mustang Trip

102. Gate

The Upper Mustang Trip

103. Chinese bikes

The Upper Mustang Trip

104. Perfect place for nap

The Upper Mustang Trip

105. Welcome to Lo Manthang

The Upper Mustang Trip

106. Lo Manthang view

The Upper Mustang Trip

107. Lets walk in group

The Upper Mustang Trip

108. Ancient Lo Manthang

The Upper Mustang Trip

109. Too tired to tour

The Upper Mustang Trip

110. Perfect place to rest

The Upper Mustang Trip

111. Lo Manthang streets

The Upper Mustang Trip

112. Near Tibet

The Upper Mustang Trip

113. Jeep selfie

The Upper Mustang Trip

114. Journey back

The Upper Mustang Trip

115. I'm still alone

The Upper Mustang Trip

116. Smooth road

The Upper Mustang Trip

117. clouds travel with us

The Upper Mustang Trip

118. Grenary in dry

The Upper Mustang Trip

119. Peace

The Upper Mustang Trip

120. Dark to light

The Upper Mustang Trip

121. Ancient palace look alike

The Upper Mustang Trip

122. Colors

The Upper Mustang Trip

123. Farewell to these

The Upper Mustang Trip

124. Formation started

The Upper Mustang Trip

125. Road to beauty

The Upper Mustang Trip

126. Center of attraction

The Upper Mustang Trip

127. Cover picture for Jeevan dai

The Upper Mustang Trip

128. Going Pro

The Upper Mustang Trip

129. Last group selfie

The Upper Mustang Trip

130. Just cant stop looking

The Upper Mustang Trip

131. Brunch

The Upper Mustang Trip

132. Time to fly

The Upper Mustang Trip

133. Almost personal AirPlane

The Upper Mustang Trip

134. Hills

The Upper Mustang Trip

135. Phewa Taal

The Upper Mustang Trip

136. Pokhara valley

The Upper Mustang Trip

137. Never enough to see

The Upper Mustang Trip

138. Back to Kaligandaki

The Upper Mustang Trip

139. Ghumba from palace

The Upper Mustang Trip

140. Nature at its best


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