Exploring Mustang like never before: Dhumba Taal, Chhairo, Chhema Lake, and More

3 May 2024 Chandra Gurung

Mustang Nepal, by god Grace, is a beautiful kingdom where history, culture, and natural grandeur speak like no other. Visitors, both domestic and international, come to visit here, but no word of mouth can ever explain what the divine beauty of Mustang looks like. 

1. Dhumba Lake in Mustang Nepal

Dhumba Lake is a serene and sacred lake located in the Thini Village of the Mustang district of Nepal. It rises as high as around 2,900 meters (9,500 feet) above sea level, making it an endeavoring high-altitude glacial lake. This unique “Heart-Shaped Lake,” Dhumba Taal, rests at the base of Mount Nilgiri.

The local Tibetan Buddhist (Loba) community in Upper Mustang considers the Dhumba Taal (lake) a holy site. Even the locals shared a story about how the lake’s water once turned red for a long time. It was only after the Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies they conducted that it returned to its original color.

It will be unique on its own to explore and there are various legends and stories surrounding its origins and significance. Mustang Nepal has beautiful apple orchards and traditional mud houses in Thini village, and you can explore Leopard Cave, Jomsom View Tower, and the Mustang Eco Museum on the journey that awaits in Mustang.

Visitors can also visit the Kuchup Terenga Gompa, a monastery located about 15 minutes uphill from the lake. If you are someone who would not want to miss out on a beautiful 360-degree view of the area, this is a must-do.

2. Chhairo Gompa (Monastery) in Mustang 

Visit the Chhairo Gompa, a 16th-century monastery with beautiful murals, wooden carvings, and a serene ambiance. This monastery is steeped in history and offers insights into the spiritual practices of the region

The Chhairo region was once a crucial part of the salt trading route between Tibet and southern Nepal. Chhairo region, starting from nearby towns like Marpha or Tukuche, to explore the rugged terrain, hidden caves, and ancient monasteries that dot the landscape. If you are here, the must-try dish is the Yak burger, which gives you an amazing taste.

Chhairo Gompa is located at 2680 meters, about a 20-minute walk south of Marpha town in Mustang Nepal. It lies on the left bank of the Kali Gandaki River. You encounter this on the Annapurna Circuit Trek, and the holy monastery has been here since the 16th century, with the statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, his disciples Ananda and Sariputra, and the founder, Kusyo Chhiwang Thielen. 

Chhairo Monastery reflects the culture of Upper Mustang, with a traditional flat roof architecture that has a two-story gallery as the devotees and believers like it to have. The main shrine room, adjacent Padmasambhava chapel (Sanga Choling), and natural lighting in the gompa make it a suitable place to meditate. 

3. Chhema Lake

Chhema Lake rests serenely at 3,690 meters above sea level, a shimmering azure mirror reflecting the snow-covered Mount Nilgiri and Tilicho peaks. Formed with glacial meltwater, this crystalline lake water gives a good contrast to the deserted scenery of Mustang in Nepal. 

With the eternal glow of the lake and the secrets of each breeze, the picture comes out quite vibrant. It is surrounded by oak and pine forests with evergreen hues, adding to the epic composition of these natural landscapes. From here, the one trek to Shinta Mani Mustang is a must-trip in the 2024–2025 session.

4. Less explored trekking in Upper Mustang

Trekking in Mustang takes you to Upper Mustang and Lower Mustang treks. The key highlights of Upper Mustang take you from Jomsom to Muktinath, crossing the Gyu La Pass or taking an alternative trekking path from Kagbeni to Chungsi Cave. There are several places worth admiring the beauty of in the Mustang region, which includes Syanbochen. 

Ghiuling, Ghami, Drakmar, Ghar Gumba, Tsarang, and finally reaching the forbidden kingdom of Lho- Manathang at an altitude of 3840 m above sea level. The exciting part is that you get closer to Choser Cave, near the Tibetan border, if you take a different return route. There is Luri Gumba, Yara Ghara, Tange, Tetanbg, and another major stop point at the villages in Mustang that one cannot miss out on for the ultimate fun.

The temperature in Mustang varies; the Upper Mustang, located at high altitudes, has a relatively cold temperature compared to the Lower Mustang. Meanwhile, the temperature can drop to as low as -25°C in the winter in Mustang. The average daytime temperature can range from about  8 to 10 °C; if it’s a hot, sunny day, the temperature can get to a maximum of 20 °C unless global warming shows its extra weather conditions.

5. Jharkot Village in Mustang Nepal

Trek to Jharkot; visit Red Gompa (3,519 m); all these are involved in the Lower Mustang Trek. Far away from the city of chaos, you reach the peaceful villages of Mustang, but the Jomsom area could be crowded due to people who want to visit Muktinath temple. 

Jharkot (झारकोट) is one of the most-explored villages in Mustang district, at an elevation of 3519m between Kagbeni. It is quite popular because it has the Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site of Muktinath, meaning the temple of Moksha. A soul gets blessings and freedom from the eternal life cycle after taking a bath at the 108 taps of this temple. 

Interacting with the local session includes culturally Tibetan (Bhotias), Gurung, and Thakuri ethnic groups living in this region. The traditional form of agro-pastoralism is seen where one cultivates seasonal vegetables, buckwheat, and barley and keeps livestock like goats, sheep, and horses. 

The semi-arid Mustang Valley can only sustain itself for 6 months with its local production, as the farming system depends on meltwater from snow and ice-covered peaks for irrigation. Seasonal migration, tourism, and apple orchards are major livelihoods for the people of Mustang, as these are more flexible than less fruitful agricultural production in this deserted landscape.

6. Lubra, the Hidden Bon Village of Lower Mustang Nepal

There is a secret village called Lubra in the Lower Mustang region of Nepal. It’s like the name itself suggests the dramatic cliffs that look great when frozen like a snake coiled around the valley. Pretty interesting, ain’t it?

Lubra is one of nineteen villages in the Baragaon area, underneath the Lo Manathang. It rests above the Thak Khola valley, and there is more to Lubra. Yungdung Phuntsok Ling Monastery, the Masked Dancing Festival, and meditation caves and temples can all be explored when you sign up for the trekking route in the Mustang region. 

The Mustang region is experiencing a rise in tourism, all thanks to a special project called the Mustang Bon Homestay Village, where the whole community works together to show visitors their unique culture and traditions, all while keeping tourism sustainable.

More interesting facts on Lubra village in Mustang Nepal

One can take a short hike along the Panda Khola River to the hidden Tibetan Khampa army camp used by rebels in the 1960s. It needs the crossing of Lubra Pass, about 2 hours north of Lubra village. It’s interesting as the valley in itself has this huge Thorong La Pass and some less challenging local passes that differentiate the villages. 

That’s not just it Lubra village has a secret connecting path to the stunning Tilicho Lake, a little dangerous but perfect for those who seek more magic and adventure on the unexplored trekking routes. Let’s not spoil but obviously in a group for safety concerns. 

There is a small Bon temple in the periphery of the Lubra village, known as Gon Phuk, which is also known by its other name, “winter cave.” The name is more popular than the original one; there is surely a mystery, which we will unveil later in further interactions with the locals in the Mustang region. However, it’s such a retro theme that we cannot afford to miss it.

Conclusion 

Today we discussed some unheard, unseen, and lesser-known places in the Mustang region. It is just beautiful and Kagbeni and Muktinath temples are its ultimate jewels, but we tried to include some interesting extended side trips that you want to explore beyond the mundane, which is what all visitors strive for. 

Mustang is not just a one-time thing; it unveils beauty in its every facet, so try to uncover an exciting and lesser-known Mustang adventure with the Manaslu guide in Nepal. Inquire with us; as we have the most amazing blogs and packages, that might just be the one for you.