In just two days, I traveled through the raw beauty of Mustang, Nepal—not on foot, but by road. The goal was simple: reach the sacred Muktinath Temple, nestled high in the mountains. What I didn’t expect was how rich the journey would become. Every stop, every detour, felt like a postcard from something sacred.
Here are 13 “postcards” from my Mustang trip—each one a memory, a moment, a breath of something unforgettable.
Postcard 1: Lakeside Beginnings – Evening in Pokhara
Before heading to Mustang, we stayed the night in Pokhara. A stroll along Lakeside gave the first breath of calm—a sunset dipping into Phewa Lake, the water reflecting fiery oranges and pinks. The air was fragrant with incense, blending with the faint chants from the lakeshore temple’s evening aarti. Small boats bobbed gently along the water, their colors mirrored in the lake’s surface.
We ended the day at a tiny lakeside restaurant, the chatter of travelers and locals mixing with soft acoustic music. I remember watching the sun disappear behind the hills, thinking how this calm would linger with us even as the mountains of Mustang awaited.
Postcard 2: Into the Earth – Gupteshwor Cave in Kusma
At 7 a.m., our jeep rolled forward, the dusty road opening to hidden corners of Nepal. Our driver, calm and flexible, made spontaneous detours possible. First stop: Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave in Kusma.
Long, dark, and sacred, the cave feels like stepping into another world. Stalactites hang like chandeliers, and shrines to Lord Shiva glow in the dim light. The echo of dripping water mingled with faint chanting from pilgrims ahead, making the silence reverent rather than empty. Wandering deeper, I felt the weight of centuries of devotion, and a quiet reminder that some journeys are both inward and outward.
Postcard 3: Detour of Devotion – Kalika Bhagwati Temple
Off the mapped route, we visited Kalika Bhagwati Temple. It wasn’t planned, but as Hindus, temple visits are more than sightseeing—they are a pause for the spirit.
Inside, the air was warm with smoke from oil lamps, the walls lined with small brass idols. We offered prayers and silently thanked the driver for understanding the importance of such moments. Outside, the village’s chatter and the faint clang of temple bells created a rhythm, a heartbeat connecting the sacred to the everyday.
Postcard 4: Suspended Wonder – Gandaki Golden Bridge
The longest suspension bridge in Nepal, the Gandaki Golden Bridge, swayed high above the Kali Gandaki River. Standing in the middle, the wind tugged at my clothes, the river roared below, and I felt the vastness of the valley all around.
Looking across, I could see jagged cliffs rise like ancient guardians. The bridge didn’t just connect two sides of the river—it felt like it connected me to the enormity of nature, a reminder of how small and yet alive we are in the mountains. I did not walk all the way as I have fear of heights and I was feeling sick already.
Postcard 5: The Roar of Rupse Falls
Towering and untamed, Rupse Falls stunned us. Even outside the monsoon season, its roar filled the valley with power. Most waterfalls in the region dry up by spring—but not this one. Water plunged into a almost turquoise pool, sending mist into the air, cooling our faces.
I stood for several minutes, mesmerized by the raw energy, the sound almost meditative. Here, nature seemed to speak louder than words, a force both humbling and exhilarating.
This waterfall reminded me of the Lauterbrunnen Waterfall of Switzerland. One more reminder of why I was often comparing the nature in Switzerland to that of my own birth place.
Postcard 6: Stillness on the Road – Passing by Lete Village
Near Lete, the road transformed. We didn’t enter the village, but we paused, drawn by the quiet beauty. Golden fields stretched toward the rising mountains, and the backdrop of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges was breathtaking.
I had to absolutely stop here as it was such a nice spot for taking some photos and a preview of what is to come, even more breathtaking view of the majestic snow mountains. It was a simple stop—no maps, no plans—but it gave the soul room to breathe. I remember the wind brushing against my cheeks and the mountains seeming to whisper patience, stillness, and the value of noticing small moments.
Postcard 7: Fossils and Faith – Shaligram by the River
Between Kalopani and Larjung, we stopped at the Kali Gandaki River to look for Shaligram stones, sacred fossils of Lord Vishnu found only here. Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri loomed above us, and I felt tiny against the ancient rocks.
We found one just before nightfall, its smooth black surface worn by centuries of river water. Holding it, I felt a strange connection to time itself—the past, the present, and the sacred intertwined in one small stone.
Postcard 8: The Pause Before the Peak – Evening in Jomsom
Arriving in Jomsom by evening, the town lay wrapped in dusk. The streets were quiet, lit only by the glow of lanterns and the fading sun. The next morning revealed Nilgiri glowing gold, as if welcoming pilgrims to the final stretch.
I remember the cold air, the smell of cooked grains drifting from homes, and a sense that we were truly on the edge of something both vast and intimate. The view from our hotel next morning would be the most beautiful start of the day.
Postcard 9: Overlooking Kagbeni – Kagbeni selfie point
At the Kagbeni selfie point, the village sprawled below—a patchwork of green fields, red cliffs, and snow-capped peaks. A local offered a horse ride. We accepted—not for photos, but to support their livelihood.
Riding through the crisp air, I felt connected to the land in a new way, as if each hoofbeat brought me closer to the rhythms of this remote valley. The view was postcard-perfect, but the memory was richer because of the human connection.
We stopped here and I could not deny the horse ride. I wanted to pay for those hardworking animals. They were so adorable.
Postcard 10: 114 Steps to Stillness – The Final Climb to Muktinath
From the parking area, we began the walk to Muktinath Temple. Prayer flags flapped above as we joined other pilgrims. The road felt spiritual long before the temple itself appeared.
After 20 minutes, we reached the 114 steps. Each step became a breath, a prayer, a pause. By the time we reached the temple, I felt lighter—not just physically from the climb, but spiritually, as if each step had shed a bit of worldly weight.
Postcard 11: Muktinath – At the Roof of Devotion
At 3,800 meters, Muktinath Temple welcomed us. We walked under 108 ice-cold taps to purify ourselves and dipped into sacred pools, washing away karma symbolically. Inside, the air was thick with incense and devotion; outside, a massive Buddhist stupa reminded me that Hinduism and Buddhism coexist harmoniously here.
The temple was alive with pilgrims’ prayers, chants, and quiet meditation. Standing there, I felt the mountains, the wind, and the devotion merge into something larger than myself.
Postcard 12: Marpha – A Village that Asked Us to Stay a Little Longer
On the way back, we stopped at Marpha Village. A 30-minute walk turned into nearly two hours, wandering through whitewashed houses, narrow alleys, and blooming gardens. Locals invited us to wear traditional Tibetan clothes, and we happily joined. Again, I could not deny the local people.
It was windy but I loved the view of the crops in the fields moving with the wind. The village felt like a storybook—each turn revealed another layer of charm, from flowering courtyards to chimneys puffing smoke. It was a gentle reminder that sometimes, journeys aren’t just about reaching the destination but lingering in the beauty along the way.
Postcard 13: Spring’s Farewell – A Last Afternoon in Pokhara
Back in Pokhara, we had one last afternoon before our evening departure. Jacarandas were in bloom, their soft purple petals carpeting the lakeside path. Wooden boats floated lazily on Phewa Lake, their colors mirrored in the calm water.
We walked slowly, sat often, and soaked in spring—this time not as travelers rushing, but as witnesses savoring the gentle end of a fast, transformative journey.
