Upper Mustang Trek – Nepal

Mustang was once an independent kingdom, although closely tied by language and culture to Tibet. From the 15th century to the 17th century, its strategic location granted Mustang control over the trade between the Himalayas and India. At the end of the 18th century the kingdom was annexed by Nepal and became a dependency of the Kingdom of Nepal since 1795.Kingdom of Lo Manthang supported Tibet and the Qing Empire during the Sino-Nepalese War.
Though still recognized by many Mustang residents, the monarchy ceased to exist on October 7, 2008, by order of the Government of Nepal. The last official and later unofficial king (raja or gyelpo) was Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista (1930–2016), who traced his lineage directly back to Ame Pal, the warrior who founded this Buddhist kingdom in 1380. Ame Pal oversaw the founding and building of much of the Lo and Mustang capital of Lo Manthang, a walled city that has changed little in appearance since that time period.
Upper Mustang (formerly Kingdom of Lo) is an upper part (Northern area) of Mustang District, which is located in Nepal. The Upper Mustang was a restricted kingdom and demilitarized area until 1992 which makes it one of the most preserved regions in the world, with a majority of the population still speaking traditional Tibetan languages. Tibetan culture has been preserved by the relative isolation of the region from the outside world. Life in Mustang revolves around tourism, animal husbandry and trade. The Upper Mustang comprise the northern two-thirds of Mustang District of Gandaki Province, Nepal. It consists of three rural municipalities namely Lo Manthang, Dalome, and Baragung Muktichhetra.
The southern third (lower Mustang) of the district is called Thak and is the homeland of the Thakali, who speak the Thakali language, and whose culture combines Tibetan and Nepalese elements. Mustang’s status as a kingdom ended in 2008 when its suzerain Kingdom of Nepal became a republic.
Foreign visitors have been allowed to the region since 1992, but tourism to Upper Mustang is regulated. Foreigners need to obtain a special permit to enter, costing US$50 per day per person. Most tourists travel by foot over largely the same trade route used in the 15th century. Mustang is rich in Buddhist culture, similar to the area of the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China. It is an alternate way to experience the Tibetan culture and landscape to the tours provided by the Chinese government. The Tiji festival in Lo-Manthang is another popular destination for tourists in the area seeking to experience the native culture.
The first westerner in Mustang was Toni Hagen, Swiss explorer and geologist, who visited the Kingdom in 1952 during one of his travels across the Himalayas. French Michel Peissel is considered the first westerner to stay in Lo Manthang, during the first authorized exploration of Mustang in 1964.
According to history and Locals from Lho Kingdom (Upper Mustang) , There were four re-treat complexes which are now as meditation caves or re-treat centers as Ganden ling , Phuntsok Ling , Ritse ling and Konchok ling in Inner Mustang, among them some are in good condition and restored as monasteries, some of these re-treat sites (caves) has only significant sign inside due to soil erosion .Those places are dated more than 500 years, Phuntsog ling is the most damaged externally by climate change and human activities. Konchok Ling cave is on steep part and need rope to climb up there.

Major attraction of Upper Mustang:

  1. Kaligandaki gorge – river and Shaligram shila (fossils of ammonite shells on stone)
  2. Muktinath Temple
  3. Kagbeni – Temple, red monastery (Kag Chode Thubten Samphel Ling Monastery)
  4. Manti lhakhang at Chhuksang and Monastery
  5. Ranchun Cave (Chunsi Cave), Tangbe Village
  6. Man Made Sky caves dated 3000 years
  7. Dhakmar
  8. Lo Gekar (Ghar Gompa)
  9. Charang Palace
  10. Charang Monastery
  11. Lo-Manthang – Jhyampa Monastery – Thubchen Monastery – Choedye Monastery – Lo Manthang Palace – King’s Tom – Namgyal Monastery – Thinggar/ Thingkar village
  12. Chosar – sky caves, Lo-Nifu Gompa – Lo Gurfu Gompa (Lo Garphuk Kanying Samten Choeling Monastery)- Jhong cavem Barkha village, Kimaling etc
  13. Koncholing cave Monastery
  14. Ritseling Cave Monastery
  15. Chodzong Gompa
  16. Luri Gompa, Yara – Ghara
  17. Beautiful Chortans at Tangee Village
  18. Kimbu Gompa,Samdzong, Makhchung, Amka
  19. Natural beauty of Himalaya from different places- beautiful villages

Mt. Kailash in west Tibet – Importance to Human being and Nature!

Mt. Kailash is situated at west part of Tibet, Ngari region (autonomous region of China), It is one of the most popular spiritual destination for pilgrims who follows AUM on their chanting or mantras. Mainly Hindu, Buddhist, bonpo and Janis followers respect Mt. Kailash, Mansarovar Lake as the most important spiritual destination and believe to make at least once in life time.  According to Hindu myth Mt. kailash is the holy homage of Lord Shiva and three days Circumambulation (parikrama) of this holy mountain brings them to heaven or they get liberation. There are many places related with Hinduism as Gauri kund, Nandi Parbat, Yama dwar, Saptarishi cave, Sesh Naga parbat are in Kailash .Holy Lake Mansarovar, Tirthapuri, Gurlamandata etc are around Mt. Kailash. According to Buddhism this holy mountain is the place for Guru Rinpoche as well known as Kang Rinpoche the precious one of Glacial Snow” and regard it as the dwelling place of Demchog (also known as Chakrasamvara) and his consort, Dorsephagmo. Three hills rising near Kang Rinpoche are believed to be the homes of the Bodhisattvas Manjushri, Vajrapani and Avalokiteshvara Buddhist makes Circumambulation of this holy mountain to get liberation and get peace in mind. There are many figure print, foot print and handprint of great Buddhist followers in the way. The worship of Mt, Kailash from four different directions has different values for pilgrims. There is Guru Rinpoche cave, Milarepa cave and other many spiritual sites related with Buddhism. Followers of Bon, Tibet’s pre-Buddhist Shamanistic religion call the mountain, Sipai Man (Sky Goddess). Additionally, Bon myths regard rise as the site of a legendary where 12th century battle of sorcery between the Buddhist Saga Milarepa and the Bon-Shaman Naro-Bon-Chug took place Milarepa’s win over Saman displaced Bon as the primary religion of Tibet, firmly establishing Buddhism into prominence. Now a days Inner Kailash Kora or Circumambulation of Mt. Kailash inside outer trail is being famous for pilgrims but it needs people on good health condition and should have high altitude experience to cross high pass. Nandi Inner kora starts from Darchen on south face of Kailash. Charan sparsh or touch Kailash can be making from Dirapuk on west face of Mt. Kailash.

Holy Mt. Kailash is the great source of water which is most important for whole south Asia because this is origin of four huge rivers which are connected with life of human beings, nature and civilization. Those four rivers originated from four side of Holy Mt. Kailash and covers huge land of Asia.

  • North Of Mt. Kailash: Lion Mouth – Indus River
  • East Of Mt. Kailash: Horse Mouth – Sutlej River
  • South of Mt. Kailash: Peacock Mouth – Karnali River
  • West of Mt. Kailash: Elephant Mouth – Brahmaputra or Yarlung River

Due the extraordinary contribution of Nature and Human being, Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar Lake is supposed as life line for Asia.   Spiritually it is providing positive spirit to society, people who are interested on self meditation, stay with nature and learn Tibetan Buddhism, re-treat and experience Highland adventure can choose Mt. Kailash as top destination.

 

Nepal Himalaya – Adventure with Spirit and culture

Himalaya range in Asia covers North India, Most part of Nepal and Bhutan, it extends about 2,500 KM with separating Indian subcontinent from rest of Asia. This great Himalaya Range includes 9 high mountains above 8000m including Mt. Everest (8848m). This region peaceful zone and have huge spiritual aspects related with Hinduism, Buddhism, Bonism and other religions followed by local people in Himalaya who worship nature as god. Himalaya region consists many spiritual sites as Monasteries, temples, Holy Lakes, Holy Mountains, pilgrimage centers, re-treat centers, meditation centers , Holy rivers, caves and typical environment which is different than out of world. Naturally it is beautiful part of world with unique flora, fauna, geography, forest, water resource, white Himalaya and green Hills. It extends and covers different types of land in different location so there are different types of people who have their own culture, tradition and lifestyle.
Peoples, who are looking for spending time on peace, want to experience different culture and to be with nature – Himalaya is the best option. It also offers trekking to the base of High Himalaya, Mountain expedition with different level of experience as well as easy and relax journey to temples, monasteries, meditation caves, re –treat centers. Those who want wilderness experience of Highland white Himalaya can choose long organized trip to Great Himalaya Trail with crossing more than 50 high passes above 5000m from east Nepal to west Nepal.
Nepal offers more than 900 trekking itineraries connected with High Himalaya and Base camps, Among them Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, Makalu Base camp Trek, Mundum cultural trekking, Mt. Everest Base camp Trek. High passes trek to connect Makalu, Everest and Gaurishanker range, Tashi Lapcha Pass trek, Langtang Himal Trek, Ganesh Himal Trek, Manasalu Trek, Annapurna Trek, Dhaulagiri Trek, Inner Mustang Trek, Upper Dolpa Trek, Saipal Himal Trek, Badimalika Trek etc are the famous for trekkers. Trekkers who want extreme adventure with wilderness experience can have other option of Highland trek called great Himalaya Trail which extends from East Nepal to West Nepal.
Once people trek in Himalaya region they can experience of different ethnic culture in Himalaya including Kirat and Sherpa culture is east Nepal, Tamang- Gurung culture in Mid Himalaya, Tibetan culture in west region. Nepal Himalaya range includes many Buddhist monuments – Monasteries, Hindu Temples, Holy Alpine lakes, meditation caves ect. Now a day’s Himalaya is being popular spiritual destination for Pilgrimage. Many of those spiritual sites are connected with Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and Lord Shiva for both Buddhist and Hindus.

Spiritual journey to Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet

Nepal Himalaya – Adventure with Spirit and culture

Himalaya range in Asia covers North India, Most part of Nepal and Bhutan, it extends about 2,500 KM with separating Indian subcontinent from rest of Asia. This great Himalaya Range includes 9 high mountains above 8000m including Mt. Everest (8848m). This region peaceful zone and have huge spiritual aspects related with Hinduism, Buddhism, Bonism and other religions followed by local people in Himalaya who worship nature as god. Himalaya region consists many spiritual sites as Monasteries, temples, Holy Lakes, Holy Mountains, pilgrimage centers, re-treat centers, meditation centers  , Holy rivers, caves  and typical environment which is different than out of world.  Naturally it is beautiful part of world with unique flora, fauna, geography, forest, water resource, white Himalaya and green Hills. It extends and covers different types of land in different location so there are different types of people who have their own culture, tradition and lifestyle.

Peoples, who are looking for spending time on peace, want to experience different culture and to be with nature – Himalaya is the best option. It also offers trekking to the base of High Himalaya, Mountain expedition with different level of experience as well as easy and relax journey to temples, monasteries, meditation caves, re –treat centers. Those who want wilderness experience of Highland white Himalaya can choose long organized trip to Great Himalaya Trail with crossing more than 50 high passes above 5000m from east Nepal to west Nepal.

Nepal offers more than 900 trekking itineraries connected with High Himalaya and Base camps, Among them Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, Makalu Base camp Trek, Mundum cultural trekking, Mt, Everest Base camp Trek. High passes trek to connect Makalu, Everest and Gaurishanker range, Tashi Lapcha Pass trek, Langtang Himal Trek, Ganesh Himal Trek, Manasalu Trek, Annapurna Trek, Dhaulagiri Trek, Inner Mustang Trek, Upper Dolpa Trek, Saipal Himal Trek, Badimalika Trek etc are the famous for trekkers. Trekkers who want extreme adventure with wilderness experience can have other option of Highland trek called great Himalaya Trail which extends from East Nepal to West Nepal.

Once people trek in Himalaya region they can experience of different ethnic culture in Himalaya including Kirat and Sherpa culture is east Nepal, Tamang- Gurung culture in Mid Himalaya, Tibetan culture in west region. Nepal Himalaya range includes many Buddhist monuments – Monasteries, Hindu Temples, Holy Alpine lakes, meditation caves ect.   Now a day’s Himalaya is being popular spiritual destination for Pilgrimage. Many of those spiritual sites are connected with Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and Lord Shiva for both Buddhist and Hindus.

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