Monday, April 18

A Travel Beyond the Himalayas: Mustang # 3!

d':tf¨ efu —­#

A view of Himalayas as seen from the Pokhara Airport


I got to capture these stunning Himalayas from Plane

hf]d;f]d} ahf/df !@ ah] xfjf ;// .
P xh'/ 3/ xfd|f] kf]v/f, cEfm} ;Dd ef5}g 3/af/ ..
(Jomsome, air blows 12.00 noon;
Hey, we are from Pokhara and still unmarried!!) 

This is a rhyme of one famous Nepali song (by Nepathya) echoing on and striking me when I was about to step down from Sita Airlines’ Twin Otter (spell?) plane for the first time in Jomsome Bazzar. As in song, it was extremely windy. The wind blowing from south to north was such a strong that it was very difficult for everyone to handle their bags and move smoothlyL. But walking along the air current was super easy and effortless!
Landed Safely :)... Jomsome Airport and Mt. Nilgiri on the background
The journey was highly remarkable for me! I had to struggle to fly. Due to the fluctuating weather flights were cancelled for two days. Even in third day weather was not so good but the captain dared to fly, and thanks GOD for safe landingJ. That was the only flight taken that day. If I would not have gotten chance to fly on that plane I would have to wait for another day. So, I must thank a guy (I’m sorry, I forget his name) from SITA Air who was highly generous to provide me room on first flight even there was a long queue of foreign tourist who were paying way more in US$ for the ticket.

See the arid landscapes of Mustang and a suspension bridge above  Kaligandaki River
Although very dry and arid, landscapes were carved in such a way that everyone could easily lost within the beauty of Mustang. And, I was super excited to travel beyond the Himalayas. The only problem I had was being late by 2 days to conduct research. My research partner Mr. Gabe Stutman (from Washington DC, USA), who was already in Muktinath temple, was counting every minute for my arrival. And, It is totally understandable that how terrible time everyone finds to wait someone not even for a couple of hours but for three days! I am sorry my friend (d]/f] ;fyL u]j dnfO{ dfkm ug'{xf];\ .) ! 

Though it was super windy I decided to leave for Jharkot where everyone was waiting me. We had a team of 8 students (4 Nepali and 4 Americans) from CNSP (Cornell Nepal Study Program) looking at four different aspects in Mustang. As a part of regular courses of CNSP our American friends were there for their research and we (Nepali students) were assisting them.

The Jharkot Village
When I got into Hotel Plazza in Jharkot around 6:00 pm I was completely exhausted. I didn’t see anything on the store but just the Fanta! Wow J I didn’t have to wait for second round to finish half liter fanta. Now I could see who were there; almost all except Paul and Gabe! I came to know that Paul is staying with Amchi and Gabe is in Ranipauwa - Muktinath.
 
Winter season; Mustang region; evening time; very tired; how would you feel if you take shower using freezing water? Though shivering with almost frozen fingers, I was feeling refreshed! Cold but clean! Great time for coffee.

See few more snaps on the way to Jharkot:

Mustang valley: Kaligandaki River gorge

Plants coping with aridity
Salix were the only trees I saw with leaves

Sunday, April 3

A Travel Beyond the Himalayas: Mustang # 2!

Major Routes:
Mustang is one of the major tourist destinations of Nepal. Many people visit the area not only to experience local culture and enjoy scenic beauty but also to understand the religious mutualism – which is being exemplified by the Holy Muktinath Temple. Thousands of National as well as foreign (mainly Indians) Hindu people visits this temple as a pilgrim. There are many things to talk about the Mythology, beliefs and other important aspects of Mustang and Muktinath Temple as well. Which I think is better if it is dealt details of each site separately. So, for now let’s starts with Major Route to Mustang in an order of shortest to Longest:-
Map showing the Route 1: the green line
 Route 1: Pokhara – Jomsome – Muktinath (the shortest one!)
Area: Mustang, Nepal
Type of tour: Eco-cultural/Pilgrimage
Difficulty: Easy
Hotel Facility: Available; Average - Standard
Trip Costs: US$50 - 150 per day per persons (foreign tourists) + Flight charge: US$ 160 - 200
NRs.1500 – NRs.3500 per day per persons (national tourists) + Flight Charge: NRs. 4000/7000
Maximum Elevation: 3850 meter average sea level
Season: Almost every season
Duration: 4 days
Day 1: Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (15 minutes flight) and trek to Kegbeni (2 hrs.)
Day 2: Kagbeni to Muktinath (4 hrs.)
Day 3: Muktinath to Jomsom (5 hrs.)
Day 4: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara (15 minutes flight)

Route 2: Pokhara – Beni – Tatopani – Jomsome – Muktinath
Area: Mustang, Nepal
Type of tour: Eco-cultural/Geographical/Pilgrimage
Difficulty: Medium
Hotel Facility: Available; Average - Standard
Trip Costs: US$50 - 150 per day per persons (foreign tourists) + Flight charge: US$ 80 - 100
NRs.1500 – NRs.3500 per day per persons (national tourists) + Flight Charge: NRs. 2000/3500
Maximum Elevation: 3850 meter average sea level
Season: September – October
Duration: 8 days
Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Beni
Day 2: Beni to Tatopani
Day 3: Tatopani to Kalopani
Day 4: Kalopani to Jomsom via. Marpha (the delightful apple kingdom of Nepal)
Day 5: Jomsom to Kagbeni
Day 6: Kagbeni to Muktinath
Day 7: Muktinath to Jomsom
Day 8: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara
Map Showing Route 2 (the green line) and Route 3 (the red + green then after): I apologies for poor quality oblique map!
Route 3: Pokhara – Ghorepani – Tatopani – Jomsome – Muktinath
Area: Mustang, Nepal
Type of tour: Eco-cultural/Pilgrimage
Difficulty: Strenuous
Hotel Facility: Available; Average - Standard
Trip Costs: US$50 - 150 per day per persons (foreign tourists) + Flight charge: US$ 80 - 100
NRs.1500 – 3500 per day per persons (national tourists) + Flight Charge: NRs. 2000/3500
Maximum Elevation: 3850 meter average sea level
Season: March – April and September – October
Duration: 10 days
Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Birethanti
Day 2: Birethanti to Ulleri
Day 3: Ulleri to Ghorapani (to Pun Hill as well)
Day 4: Ghorapani to Tatopani
Day 5: Tatopani to Kalopani
Day 6: Kalopani to Jomsom
Day 7: Jomsom to Kagbeni
Day 8: Kagbeni to Muktinath
Day 9: Muktinath to Jomsom
Day 10: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara

Route 4: Pokhara – Dumre (Tanahu) – Besisahar (Lamjung) – Chame – Manang – Thorang Phedi – Thorang-La – Muktinath: The Annapurna Circuit trek - longest one! This takes 2 weeks to get back to Pokhara after a complete circle, but it is still worthy to enjoy the vastness of Himalayas.
Area: Manang and Mustang, Nepal
Type of tour: Ecological – Cultural – Geographical
Difficulty: Strenuous /Tough
Hotel Facility: Available; Average - Standard
Trip Costs: US$75 - 200 per day per persons (foreign tourists) + Flight charge: US$ 80 - 100
NRs.1500 – NRs.3500 per day per persons (national tourists) + Flight Charge: NRs. 2000/3500
Maximum Elevation: 5416 meter average sea level
Temperature: Goes below freezing during Thorang-La cross
Season: March – April and September – October
Duration: 10 days
Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Beshisahar (5 hrs.)
Day 2: Beshisahar to Bahaundanda (5.75 hrs.)
Day 3: Bahaundanda to Jagat (4.5 hrs.)
Day 4: Jagat to Dharapani (5 hrs.)
Day 5: Dharapani to Chame (4.75 hrs.)
Day 6: Chame to Pisang (4. 5 hrs.)
Day 7: Pisang to Braga/Manang (3.5/4 hrs.)
Day 8: Manang Rest day (Hike to Icelake)
Day 9: Manang to Ledar (3.5 hrs.)
Day 10: Ledar to Thorangla Phedi/High Camp (3/4.5 hrs.)
Day 11: Thorangla Phedi/High Camp to Muktinath (8 to 10 hrs.)
Day 12: Muktinath to Kagbeni via Jhong (3 hrs.)
Day 13: Kagbeni to Jomsom (2 hrs.)
Day 14: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara (15 minutes)