Jomsom/Mustang (9 Days)

Another UNESCO Heritage site - Lo Manthang the capital of the former Kingdom of Lo was constructed in the 15th Century on a plateau at 3800 meters above sea level. The settlement is located on the ancient trade route that runs along the Kali Gandaki River that cuts through the Himalayas. The settlement is surrounded by a 6-meter high earthen wall with square towers or dzong on the corners. Within the walls there exists a compact settlement of earthen structures. 

The main monuments found within the walls are the palace and monasteries of Jampa Lakhang and Thupchen Lakhang from the 15th Century and the monastery of Choede Lakhang from the 18th Century. There are several rows of chhortens and mani walls within the settlement and along the circumambulatory path directly outside the wall. 

The Lobas, inhabitants of Lo Manthang are closely related culturally and ethnically to the people of Western and Central Tibet. The culture is to a large degree defined by the Sakyapa traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and even today many of the ancient festival, rituals and ceremonies are being performed.

With new roads in the region, it is now possible to travel overland to Mustang by jeep or a mountain bike trip will be facinating. This scenic journey takes you through high desert terrain, with overnight stops at lodges run by Thakali people and for short hikes to observe the landscapes.

The inward journey ends at Lo Manthang,- the site of Teji festival - the ancient medieval capital of Mustang, a walled fortress located near the Tibetan border. Lo Manthang is culturally and linguistically influenced by Tibet, and recent discoveries of ancient caves decorated with Buddhist paintings, shards of pottery and Buddhist religious artifacts are found inside the caves dating back to the pre-Christian era which certainly add to its allure - one of the most amazing sites are the twelve recently discovered caves near Lo Manthang which houses ancient Buddhist paintings, sculptors  and Tibetan scripts that dates back 13th century set in the sheer cliffs at 14,000 feet.