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 air fragrant with incense and sound from the evening aarti on the lakeshore temple. We ended the day at a small lakeside restaurant, the chatter of travelers and locals blending into the music of the city.
Postcard 2: Into the Earth – Gupteshwor Cave in Kusma
At 7 a.m., our jeep rolled in. Our driver, kind and flexible, made spontaneous detours possible. First stop: Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave in Kushma. Long, dark, and sacred, it holds shrines to Lord Shiva, deep in silence and stone.
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. We worshipped, thankful for the stop—and for a driver who understood its importance.
Postcard 4: Suspended Wonder – Gandaki Golden Bridge
The longest suspension bridge in Nepal, the Gandaki Golden Bridge, swayed high above the Kali Gandaki River—the same river that would guide us all the way to Mustang. Standing in the middle, we felt wind, vastness, and stillness.
Postcard 5: The Roar of Rupse Falls
Towering and untamed, Rupse Falls stunned us. Even outside monsoon season, its roar filled the valley. Most waterfalls dry up by spring—but not this one. It was nature in full voice.
Postcard 6: Stillness on the Road – Passing by Lete Village
Near Lete, the road turned beautiful. We didn’t even enter the village—just stopped to admire the quiet road, the golden fields, and the backdrop of rising mountains. A simple, soul-filling stop.
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. With Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri towering above us, we found one just before nightfall.
Postcard 8: The Pause Before the Peak – Evening in Jomsom
We arrived in Jomsom by evening, a mountain town wrapped in dusk. The night was quiet, but the next morning revealed a breathtaking view of Nilgiri, glowing gold in the sun. We were close now.
Postcard 9: Overlooking Kagbeni – Kagbeni selfie point
At the Kagbeni selfie point, we saw the whole village below—a valley of green, red cliffs, and snow peaks. A local offered us a horse ride. We accepted—not for photos, but to support their livelihood. It became a joyful memory.
Postcard 10: 114 Steps to Stillness – The Final Climb to Muktinath
From the parking area, we began the walk to Muktinath. Prayer flags flapped above as we joined other pilgrims on foot. The road was spiritual long before the temple began.
After 20 minutes of walking, we reached the 114 steps. We climbed slowly, each step a breath closer to something higher—literally and spiritually.
Postcard 11: Muktinath – At the Roof of Devotion
At 3,800 meters, we arrived at Muktinath Temple, one of the holiest sites for Hindus.
We walked under 108 ice-cold taps to purify ourselves, then dipped into two sacred pools to symbolically wash away karma. Inside the temple, peace. Outside, a giant Buddhist stupa—a quiet reminder that Hinduism and Buddhism live in harmony here.
Postcard 12: Marpha – A Village that Asked Us to Stay a Little Longer
We stopped at Marpha Village on our way back. A 30-minute walk turned into nearly two hours of wandering through whitewashed houses, narrow alleys, and blooming gardens. Locals invited us to wear traditional Tibetan clothes, and we happily joined in. The whole village felt like a storybook.
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 covering the lakeside path. Colorful wooden boats bobbed gently on the lake. We sat, walked, and simply soaked in spring—a slow goodbye to a fast journey.
