Long
isolated from the outside world, Mustang
is one of the few places in the world that was,
until recently, inaccessible to the tourists.
This isolation helped the people of Mustang to
maintain a way of life almost unchanged for centuries.
Hidden behind the Himalayan giants of Dhaulagiri
and Annapurna, it's considered as restricted areas
where special trekking permit is required through
a registered trekking agency. From August 2003,
the provision of liaison officer (a guide from
government) has been withdrawn by the government
of Nepal. Somehow the special permit charge is
US $ 700.00 dollar for 10 days and US $ 70.00
per day there after. |
Mustang
trek can be completed in 14 days by flying in
to Jomosom but many people enjoy going up from
Pokhara through the gorge between Dhaulagiri and
Annapurna. This lower section is apart of Annapurna
circuit or the Muktinath trek. Mustang was self-ruled
independent kingdom of Lo-people until the end
of 18th century. Somehow it's also the integral
part of Tibetan civilization especially for Buddhist
sect of Shakyapa. This is one of the prominent
pre-historic areas housing the only fossils of
the sea-creatures millions years back when the
Himalaya was under the sea of Tethis. These fossils
are found in the bank of Kaligandaki River and
some other archaeological remains found in these
are preserved in the eco-museum of Jomsom and
other museums of the country. Historic caves are
found in almost all the villages here. Some of
these caves still house the historic artifacts
that are believed to be left by the pre-historic
human of the Stone Age.
