In the heart of Nepal, the mountains do not always just stand tall; they speak something. They don’t yell but whisper the stories of time, of people who lived simply, of winds that carry prayers and dust of old paths. There is wildness here, and peace too. Some treks many know, like Everest or Annapurna. But not all paths get the same love. Some stay quiet and powerful, waiting for the right kind of traveler. That kind who don’t just walk, but listen and feel.
Nowadays we’re going to have conversations around three treks like that—Upper Mustang trek, Mardi Himal trek, and Manaslu Tsum Valley trek. These are not fair treks. They are ventures that can alter you, shake you, and possibly indeed settle something interior. These treks are wild, sacrosanct, and wonderful.. Come, let’s walk them with words.
Upper Mustang Trek
Upper Mustang does not look like other parts of Nepal. Here the land is dry, red, and broken by wind. It looks more like Tibet, not green and full of forest like other places.They call it the “Final Illegal Kingdom” since for a long time, nonnatives have not been permitted here. Indeed presently, it still feels like another world.Like you travel back in time.
What makes the Upper Mustang trek special is not just the dry hills and caves. It is the feeling. The silence. You walk and no sound, just your boots and wind. People here still follow old Tibetan culture. Monks chant in ancient monasteries, some carved into cliffs. You can visit the famous Chhoser cave, where people once lived inside the rock.
There’s something holy in this place. You don’t need to believe in gods to feel it. The land itself feels spiritual. It’s hard to say why, but it does.
This trek is not easy and not cheap either. Permits cost a lot. But maybe that’s good. Keep it clean, raw. Not too many people. Just you, the wind, and the past.
Mardi Himal Trek
Most individuals go to Annapurna Base Camp or Poon hill. But stowing away close to them, there’s Mardi Himal trek, like a modest companion at a party. Not loud, but once you know it, you never forget.
This trek starts from the Pokhara side. It is short, about 4–6 days, but I don’t think it is powerful. You walk through forests so deep and green, it feels like a dream. Rhododendron trees bloom red and pink in spring, clouds float below your feet, and sometimes, silence holds you like a hug.
The path goes to High Camp, then up to Mardi Himal Base Camp. And when you stand there, what you see may be way better than any picture. Machapuchare (Fishtail) mountain is right in front, near like it’s going to talk to you. The Annapurna extends out like monsters resting in snow.
What makes Mardi Himal special is the quiet. Even now, not so many trekkers go here. Lodges are small and cozy. You eat dal bhat by the fire, talk with locals, and share stories. You wake up early and see the sun touch the peaks, turning them gold.
If you want to feel big mountains but don’t have many days and want something peaceful but strong, this is your trek. Mardi may be short in days but long in memory.
Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek
Now, this trek is something else. The Manaslu Circuit itself is already strong and wild. But when you add Tsum Valley, it becomes sacred too. This region is near to Tibet, and the culture here is profound, untouched, and full of prayer.
Manaslu is the 8th most elevated mountain in the world. But not numerous individuals know approximately this trek.Maybe because the permit is restricted, or the trail is more rough. But that’s what makes it good. Fewer people. More nature. More real.
You begin from Arughat or Soti Khola. The first few days, you walk in low hills and rice fields, and it’s hot and humid. But slowly, the trail went up. You pass through villages like Philim and Deng. Then the path split—one way to Manaslu, another into Tsum Valley.
Tsum is like a hidden world. People here follow Buddhism deeply. Prayer flags everywhere, old monasteries with real monks, and children smile with red cheeks and say “Tashi Delek.” You see the Mu Gompa, a very old monastery near the Tibetan border. Sometimes snow leopards walk here. No joke.
After Tsum, you return to the fundamental Manaslu path and go toward Larkya La Pass, over 5,100 meters. It’s intense. But when you reach the beat, with the wind hitting your confront and the mountain all around, you disregard the pain.You just stand, quiet, and the world feels honest.
This trek takes a long time. 18 to 21 days. But worth every step. If you want to walk where the land is raw, people are kind, and peace lives in the hills, Manaslu Tsum is calling.
The Sacred Feeling You Can’t Explain
These three treks are different in look, in length, and in path. But all have one thing in common—they carry something sacred. Not religion, maybe. But silence. Feeling. Meaning.
Upper Mustang feels like dry prayer. You walk among ghosts of kings, monks, and winds. It strips you of noise.
Mardi Himal is like secret music. Forests whisper. Peaks shine like dreams. It holds your heart soft.
Manaslu Tsum Valley is a wild mantra. Rocks and rivers speak an old language. Every step is a lesson.
You do not just walk through these places. You remember them. Long after my feet return domestic, my heart still meanders there.
A Few Things You Ought to Know
- Permits: Upper Mustang and Manaslu Tsum both require uncommon permits. It costs more. You must go with a registered agency and guide. Mardi Himal only needs normal ACAP and TIMS.
- Altitude: All these treks go high. Mardi is lower than others but still reaches above 4,000 meters. Go slow. Drink water. No rush.
- Best Time: March to May and September to November are best for all three. Clear skies, good views. But Upper Mustang is also good in monsoon because it’s a dry area.
- Fitness: You don’t need to be an athlete. But prepare. Walk before trek. Eat well. Sleep well. Body and mind both need rest.
- Respect the Place: These places are not just adventure zones. People live there. Culture deep. Be kind. Learn a few words. Eat local food. Smile. Trek with heart.
Why These Treks Transform You
Some say travel changes you. But not every trip does. Some just pass like wind. But these treks—they go deep.
You walk alone in Mustang, and mountains don’t say anything, but they show you something about yourself. You walk through the forest in Mardi, and your busy thoughts slow down. You sit with a monk in Tsum, and for one second, you understand silence.
These paths are not full of shops and crowds. No party places. No Wi-Fi sometimes. Just sky, land, and you.
They teach you small things. That you don’t need much. That food tastes better after a walk. That people with less sometimes give more. That nature always talks, if you listen.
You come back home differently. Maybe you cry a little when you leave. Maybe your boots get dusty. But your heart? It gets lighter.
Conclusion
In the end, the mountains don’t care if you take a photo or post it. But if you walk with open eyes and an open heart, they give you something back. Not gold, not medals. Something inside. Peace. Strength. Maybe the truth.
Upper Mustang, Mardi Himal, and Manaslu Tsum Valley—they wait. They do not shout. But if you are ready, they will welcome you.
Contact Details
Company address: Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd.
16 Khumbu, Nayabazaar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Mobile : +977-9843467921 (Rabin)
Email: [email protected]