Mustang & Dolpo · Feasts, markets and the lunar calendar
Food and festivals in Mustang & Dolpo
Newar samay baji and yomari, Thakali dal bhat, Sherpa shyakpa, Tharu ghonghi, Mithila sweets, Ilam's tea and tongba in the eastern hills. And the festivals that bring them out: Dashain, Tihar, Indra Jatra, Bisket, Tiji and Chhath.
Trips
Mustang & Dolpomax 3,710 mLower Mustang and Muktinath by road
Six nights by private jeep from Pokhara up the Kali Gandaki, the deep gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, to the apple village …
Mustang & Dolpomax 2,720 mMarpha apple harvest week
Five slow nights in the apple country of Lower Mustang at harvest time, from late August to mid October. Pick fruit with …
Mustang & Dolpomax 2,720 mThakali trail down the Kali Gandaki
A seven-night downhill walk through the Thakali villages of the Kali Gandaki, from windy Jomsom to the hot springs of Tatopani. Mostly …
Mustang & Dolpomax 4,010 mTiji festival trek in Upper Mustang
A 14-night journey timed to Tiji, the three-day masked dance festival of Lo Manthang, held each spring on dates set by the …
Places
Mustang & Dolpo2,700 mJomsom
Mustang's district town, where the wind and the road both arrive
Mustang & Dolpo3,840 mLo Manthang
The walled capital of the kingdom of Lo
Mustang & Dolpo2,670 mMarpha
Whitewashed lanes, apple orchards and a gompa above the roofs
Mustang & Dolpo3,710 mMuktinath
One shrine, two faiths, 108 spouts of glacier water
Mustang & Dolpo2,590 mTukuche
The old salt-trade capital of the Thakali, under Dhaulagiri
Experiences
NatureMorning walk to Thini village and Dhumba Lake
An easy loop from Jomsom across the river to Thini, one of the old Thakali villages, and on to the …
HeritageMustang Eco Museum and the sky-cave finds
A small museum near Jomsom airport that is worth an hour before you go north: objects from the Mustang caves, …
AdventureThe Pokhara–Jomsom flight through the gorge
One of the most dramatic short flights in Nepal: a twin-engine plane threading the Kali Gandaki gorge between two 8,000 …
SpiritualShaligrams on the Kali Gandaki riverbed
Walk the gravel bed of the Kali Gandaki with a guide who knows the stones, learn why Hindus worship these …
HeritageDawn walk around and inside the walled city
A walk around the outside of Lo Manthang's walls at first light, then in through the single gate to the …
HeritageMurals of Thubchen and Jampa gompas
Spend a morning inside Lo Manthang's two great 15th-century temples, Jampa Lhakhang with its giant Maitreya and mandala walls, and …
AdventureHorse ride to Namgyal gompa and Tingkhar
Ride a sturdy Mustang horse out of Lo Manthang over the open hills to Namgyal gompa on its ridge and …
SpiritualWatch Tiji's masked dances in the palace square
Time your trip for Tiji, the three-day festival in May when the monks of Chhoede gompa perform masked dances in …
Stays
resort2,700 mShinta Mani Mustang
The first high-end resort in Mustang, opened in Jomsom in August 2023 with 29 suites. Designed by Nepali architect Prabal …
mountain lodge2,700 mOm's Home
A long-running, family-feel hotel in the centre of Jomsom, a two- or three-minute walk from the airport. Om's Home is …