If you are planning to visit Nepal, Mustang is one place you might have heard of most often. The remoteness and easier accessibility have been the reasons for people’s liking. But there is much more to it. The emerging trekking trails in Mustang have been winning hearts.
Yes, we aren’t talking only about the classic Kagbeni to Lo Manthang route, but something new and exciting. Over a long time of performing the Mustang trek, The Trek Nepal has brought some new trails in the same region.
The hidden valleys, remote villages, ancient caves, and the high mountain passes of Mustang are gaining worldwide attention. But the trekkers are bored. They are looking for something new, fresh, and exciting at the same time.
In the case of emerging trekking trails in Mustang, The Trek Nepal has prepared this blog talking in detail about what’s fresh and new. Stick till the very end.
Eastern Mustang Route: Yara, Tangge, and Luri Gompa
Anyone who is looking beyond the classic trails of Mustang must go for the Eastern Mustang route. Not a lot of trekkers talk about it, but this is one of the emerging trekking trails of Mustang.
This hidden side of Upper Mustang moves away from the classic Lo Manthang route and travels to some of the most isolated regions of Mustang. The ancient village of Yara and Tangge, along with the Luri Gompa cave monastery, adds to the mystery.
Yara and Tanggi are two of the classic villages where modern lifestyle hasn’t created an impact. There are plenty of old Buddhist paintings and a traditional approach to life in the region.
Teri La Pass Trek: Connecting Nar Phu and Mustang
If you are an avid trekker and looking for remoteness, the Teri La Pass trek is one journey you must book with The Trek Nepal. It is one of the challenging and rewarding journeys in Nepal.
As the Nepal Tourism Board is keen on making the beauty of Mustang known to the world, the Teri La Pass trek will add a new dimension to it. The pass in general is 5595m.
It connects the Nar Phu valley and Upper Mustang, showing you the trade routes of the past. This particular route was used in ancient times for moving salt and goods between Nepal and Tibet.
What adds to the thrill is the fact that trekkers must do camping on the way, as there is hardly any settlement. This one feature makes the overall journey a wilderness experience.
Damodar Kunda Trek: The Secret Hidden Destination
Yes, there is Kunda even in the Mustang region. Talking about emerging trekking trails in Mustang, the Damodar Kunda trek is one that wins the list.
It is religiously important as this particular location remains around the high altitude lakes’ periphery. The exact location of Damodar Kunda is in and around the Tibetan border.
It is one of the sacred pilgrimage sites with stunning alpine scenery and little to no tourist influence. The camping experience, along with the connection between Hindu and Buddhist traditions, is what makes it special.
The Hindu beliefs state that bathing in the Damodar Kunda helps you to cleanse past sins. Starting the journey from the Yara region, you move across isolated plateaus and high passes. There is hardly any settlement, so remoteness will be key.
Lower Mustang and Lurpa Village Trek
The last name in the list of emerging trekking trails in Mustang is the Lower Mustang and Lurpa village trek. When we talk about Mustang, the real beauty lies within the Upper region, but you are missing the gem.
The beauty of Lower Mustang, along with the Lurpa village trek, has been gaining quite some attention in recent times. You will be able to visit the Muktinath temple, enjoy the Bon Po monastery, and also get the likes of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri around you.
It will take the trekkers less than 2 weeks to complete the overall trek. The Panda Khola gorge to Lurpa village is another exciting landmark to enjoy. In one of the rarest villages in the country, you will find the practice of the pre-Buddhist Bon religion.
Reasons To Look For Emerging Trekking Trails in Mustang
There is no doubt that the traditional Upper Mustang trek remains one of the iconic trails in Nepal. But over time, the interest in emerging trekking trails in Mustang is the key.
New trekkers and even the experienced ones are considering a change, and that is good. There are some striking reasons why they are doing so.
Better cultural immersion
Even though the Upper Mustang trek is famous, there is commercialisation to that, too. Having said that, tourists and trekkers, even at The Trek Nepal, want authenticity.
If you go for the Lurpa village trek, you will find authenticity in culture. The less-visited region provides you with traditional farming practices and ancient Buddhist traditions.
Less crowded trails
Upper Mustang, being the leader, you will find a massive amount of crowd there. Not all the trekkers are interested in going through such a crowd and hassle. As a result, they look for an option.
With emerging trekking trails in Mustang, you will find fewer crowds and more authenticity. As fewer crowds come in, there is a better sense of exploration and solitude, which makes it a major choice.
Authentic experience
Authenticity is a key factor for any trek. Anyone who isn’t able to get to the heart of the place will find the trekking experience incomplete. So, to get to the authenticity of the place, a lot of trekkers look for emerging trekking trails in Mustang.
Places like Yara, Lurpa village, provide you with that authenticity even without trying. The Tibetan-influenced house, people following the Bon Buddhist religion, and also the respect.
In case of authenticity, there are places where you need to go camping to reach the actual destination. All of this adds to the thrill and experience of the trekker.
Lastly, Mustang has been the go-to destination for a lot of trekkers over a long period of time. Some show disappointment that the commercialisation of Mustang has killed the authenticity, while others enjoy it.
Whatever the case might be, The Trek Nepal has also seen a major rise in the number of emerging trekking trails in Mustang as tourists are keen to explore something more authentic, new, and right.
So if you are also one of them, contact The Trek Nepal, as we will help you to get the right experience of Mustang.