10 Attractions of Mustang, Nepal
The Mustang Region lies in the altitude of 3,840 meter in the North-West part of Nepal. Annapurna and Niligiri mountain range is extended across the northern part. Mustang is differentiated into two parts ie. Upper Mustang and Lower Mustang. Upper Mustang is mostly popular for adventurous trekking and lower mustang is famous for natural scenery and hosts the wonderful Tiji Festival. Upper Mustang has a trans Himalayan climate which is cool and semi-arid. It is in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
1. Natural beauty
Mustang being located at the northernmost part of the country is rich in natural vegetation. The tropical alpine and coniferous forest occupies a small portion of mustang. Apple fields and rhododendron forests adds the beauty of the mustang. The biodiversity of the region swiped entire hillsides with pink and red rhododendron forests. Upper Mustang trek offers a chance to explore the thousand years of old monastery, caves, local tribes and scenic beauties of the different landscapes.
2. Desert vegetation around Himalayas
Although the Mustang lies in the shadow of Annapurna and Niligiri range the soil of this region is similar to the desert vegetation. Being at the high altitude the wind blows throughout the day. Rock soil and rocky highlands makes the mustang suitable for rock climbing.
3. Deepest Gorge
The origin of Kaligandaki River is in the Mustang district. Kaligandaki River makes the second deepest gorge of the country. The river drained the rocky soil and highlands of mustang and flow towards south of the country. This gorge is another attraction of Mustang.
4. Adventurous sports
Mustang is famous for adventurous sports such as cycling, rock climbing, trekking, horse racing and riding. The geographical structure of Mustang is comprised of highlands and lowlands with plain, which makes it suitable for mountain cycling, trekkingBeing lack of enough transportation facilities people raises horses in their home for transportation purpose.
5. Valleys
There are certain beautiful valleys that lie in Mustang district such as Jomsom, Kagbeni, lomangthang. Jomsom is primarily an administrative and commercial center with government officials and merchants rubbing shoulders with the local residents of the region, known asThakalis. Kagbeni which lies near the junction with the trail to Muktinath, is a village in Upper Mustang, located in the valley of the Kaligandaki River. Lomangthang which lies in Upper Mustang is famous for trekking adventurous.
6. Himalayan range
Mustang being in the northern part of the country is stride with the mountain ranges such as Annapurna and Niligiri range. The Jomsom valley lies in the shade of these mountains which is drained by the Kaligandaki River. Mountains add the beauty of mustang.
7. Culture
Cultural trails in the region take into the homes of Gurungs in the lowlands, the hospitality of Thakalis around Jomsom, Manangis in the east and Tibetans in the arid north. The typical culture of people living in mountainous region can be observed and enjoy clearly in Mustang. Thakali food is another attraction of this culture and Mustang itself.
8. Snowfall
Being surrounded by the snow capped mountains Mustang receives the snow falls frequently and mostly in the winter season. Visitors can enjoy the snowfall and snow games in mustang during this time. A visit to the snowy places can be done with the horse ride during this period.
9. Food and Festivals
Thakali food is the famous throughout the country which can be enjoyed at its origin place mustang. Different local products of apples such as wine, beer, dried items etc. can also be enjoyed. Another attraction of Mustang region is the Tiji Festival influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. The Mustagi people have their own way of family life, which is quite surprising for many outsiders. All the brothers in the family are married to a single girl, what you may call a practice of polyandry.
10. Muktinath temple
Muktinath temple is the holy place for Hindus and Buddhists. Muktinath is one of the holy places among four ‘Dhams’ of Hindu holy places being located in the mountain region. The most suitable time to visit Muktinath is from March to June, as the weather conditions would not be safe enough to travel in other months. The journey passes through many archaeological sites and temples. The 108 water taps and nonstop glowing fire is another attraction of this temple.
