Amazing Facts about Upper Mustang Region
The Upper Mustang Trek is all about discovering the secret realm of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Mustang. It can’t get a lot more remote. Because of its inaccessibility, Mustang has long been secured from mainstream tourism and is now recognized as the last bastion of ancient Tibetan culture.
Trekking the Upper Mustang is one of the most interesting locations in the Himalayas, owing to its long, rich, and complicated past. Upper Mustang Trek has officially been available to tourists since 1992, but travel to the upper mustang is severely limited.
It has hundreds of cave and ancient monasteries
Mustang is habitat to one of the world’s largest concentration of human sculpted cliff caves, large complexes that no one has ever had the chance to explore. It has been proven that valuable ancient artifacts have been discovered underneath the tunnel cave. Some caves and locations are too far up the unstable rock, rendering it difficult to access them. Many of them have been transformed as monasteries. A significant portion of the cave was revealed as an ancient man’s house with thousands of years of artwork on a decaying stone. Highly skilled ancient architects who lived in caves centuries ago made these chambers a safe place to live and protect. Locals claim that the caves are sacred and that their founders built out the caves for worship. Tibetan Buddhism claimed that both of them had been found by their holy priests, Padama Shambhaba and Guru Rimpoche, who had founded monasteries in the region. This cave was explored by only few western climbers and archeologists with a special permit for this specific exploration.
The Sky Burial
Sky burial is an ancient Tibetan funeral with a special but uncommon method. The body is first dismembered. Then it is placed on an elevated spot, as an offering for the holy vultures. Far from traditional Sky burial can come off as unexpected to a lot of people; after all, dead bodies being served to vultures.It’s painful, but that’s the form of burial in the Buddhist culture. Sky Burial was inspired by Tibetan Buddhism and claimed that serving the vultures (Holy Bird) implied that the deceased had no guilt and that his / her lost soul could rest happily in heaven. That’s as remarkable as it is hateful. Perhaps you’re wondering, do I have a chance to see the Upper Mustang sky burial when I’m in there? The reaction to that is no! Just the son in the family and some residents are carried there to bring the dead body, and the Lama (a priest) will join the ritual. Below are the highlights of National Geographic in the film.
Last Buddhist kingdom of Nepal
The last Buddhist Kingdom in Nepal is Lo-Manthang (4,300 m). The last Kingdom to concede independence was when Shaha King, of Gorkha, took all the smaller states together as one nation named Nepal. We decide with the king of Nepal that their sovereignty should remain their own, as long as Nepal is a kingdom.
In 2008, following the huge slaughter in the current king, the Nepal monarchy was effectively ended. Until then, King Jigme Palbar Bista has been ordered to stand down as a monarch. Jigme Palbar Bista (1933–2016), late King of Mustang, acknowledged this order but pledged to protect the Tibetan civilization further ..
Deepest Gorge in the world lies in the upper mustang
The deepest canyon in the planet, Kaligandaki River Gorge, is based on the Upper Mustang Trail in Nepal. The river was diminished by the height as tectonic movements caused the mountain to rise. Two of the tallest mountain tops on the planet, Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), and Annapurna, at depths of 7,337 m, entered the Kaligandaki River.
Expensive trekking permit in Nepal
Through regulation, you will pay USD 500 for the ten days, and NPR 3,000 for ACAP for the Upper Mustang Tour. Only the Upper Dolpa and Upper Mustang area of Nepal has the extensive law permit for a Himalayan trip. Regardless of it, you will also trek with a guide licensed with a local agency in Nepal in the restricted area of Nepal. As stated, Upper Mustang Trekking costs are mainly costly due to the high payment fees. Once you’re in the region, we will increase you tremendously to find out all this area has to give.
FAQS
Why Upper Mustang Trek?
Trekking in the Upper Mustang is a rare privilege. You can hear about the lives of real mountains that have had very little interaction with the rest of Nepal for several years and have managed to maintain their rich cultural heritage. Before recently, the government of Nepal officially recognized their king.
In several respects, a trek into the Upper Mustang area is close to a trek in Tibet because it is part of the Tibetan plateau geographically. Until 1950, the district of Mustang was an independent kingdom within the limits of Nepal. The majority of the King, the Mustang Raja, also remains in Lo Manthang, a traditional city.
Upper Mustang was opened to foreigner trekkers in 1992 and is still very limited today. To access Upper Mustang, trekkers need a specific trekking permit and a certified travel agent and guide are required. The Upper Mustang is unique in every form.
When is the best time to Trek Upper Mustang?
If you are searching for the best place to go hiking in Nepal during the summer months, the Upper Mustang should fall on your mind immediately. For the Upper Mustang in the rainy shadow of the Annapurnas, this time of year you will witness bright crystal clear days and dry air. The summer months are, oddly enough, always fairly silent. The best tea rooms are yours. Spring and autumn are the two common periods of the year.
The Tiji Festival is celebrated in May. Most trekkers combine this typical festival with their adventure. The 3-day festival takes place at the site of the former palace of the King of Mustang. Lo Manthang (Upper Mustang) from far and wide visits to take part in the event. You can even climb in the Upper Mustang in winter; however you will insure that you have the correct equipment.
What to Pack for Upper Mustang Trek?
While in the mountain, your equipment is your best mate. It doesn’t really matter where you go, your equipment is relevant. In serious situations, equipment may discern life from death. In any event, the correct tools will mean the difference between a pleasant start and an terrible one. You have booked your flights, your Nepalese guide is waiting for you and you are now paying a visit with a bulky rucksack, not enough thick jacket and shoes, most likely to cause you blisters. What a tragedy. What a mistake. Taking the correct gear and make some of your Mustang Trek. Remember one key thing before we continue. We are trekking, not climbing. Hence, you can leave the ropes, the chalk and the carabiners in your closet.
Below we present you a basic complete packing list appropriate for any trek in Nepal including your trek on the Mustang region:
– Duffel Bag
– Rucksack with Rain Cove Daypack
– Hiking Boots
– Sandals or Shoes
– Hiking Socks
– Trekking Poles
– Inner Socks
– Thermal Baselayer
– T-Shirts
– Fleece Pullover or Jacket
– Light Weight Thermal Tops
– Waterproof Jacket
– Sports Bra for Her
– Hiking Shorts
– Hiking Pants
– Waterproof Pants
How About AMS? (Acute Mountain Sickness)
Altitude sickness is called mountain sickness. It happens when you immediately take a higher altitude. We advise trekkers to travel slowly.
As you walk very far in higher areas, air pressure declines, and oxygen intake also decreases. Altitude sickness usually happens among people who aren’t used to a higher altitude air pressure and can’t adapt to the natural climate.
There are 3 types of altitude sickness in the mountain and they are:
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): You’ll have minor symptoms including body pain, nausea, headache, and lightheadedness in this case. It’s normal and avoidable.
High altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): It is worse than the one above since fluid is present in the lungs in this situation.
High altitude cerebral Edema (HACE): Such altitude sickness is more severe and life-threatening. There’s fluid in the brain in this form. Therefore, it must be cautious.
Guides are trained in these systems and are knowledgeable in immediate treatment. Although many people will experience some symptoms of altitude sickness, it doesn’t have to go up. When conscious of the symptoms, you can do a lot to make sure you stay healthy at high altitude.
