Trip To Mustang

It was the first day of the new year, 2026, with cold breezes blowing through Kathmandu. I was in a hurry to catch up with my friends waiting in the bus near our college compound. We were just beginning our five-day trip to Mustang, a land beyond the Himalayas. As a Gen-Z high school student, a trip with my friends felt like a virtual escape from closed classrooms, lectures, and routines.

Before the driver pushed the accelerator, we began the journey with an orientation briefing where our teachers explained the five-day itinerary along with some dos and don’ts. It was a strange but exciting feeling to travel with my classmates. Inside the bus, we danced, sang, and played silly games that made the journey lively and fun. The whole day’s journey felt like only a few moments, and after a midday lunch, we safely reached Myagdi Beni, 275 kilometres from Kathmandu, to stay overnight.

Our second day began with early morning prayers at Galeshwar Mahadev Temple in Beni, on the bank of the Kali Gandaki River. This is the only river in the world where fossilised stones (Shaligram, related to Lord Vishnu) are found. It is believed that Sati Devi’s throat fell here when Lord Shiva travelled carrying her lifeless body.  So, the shrine is named Galeshwar (Gala: throat + Ishwar: God). The love of Lord Shiva and Sati Devi is considered eternal in Hindu epics. Soon enough, we were back on the road, heading toward Mustang with excitement, as the lush green landscape gradually turned dry and brown.

As we began the uphill journey toward Mustang, the backdrop grew more dramatic with every turn. Our first major stop was Rupse Waterfall, about 300 metres high, located in Dana, Myagdi. Afterward, we stopped at Tatopani, well known for its natural hot springs. 

At around 1p.m. we started our trek toward Dhumba Lake, located at an altitude of 2,830 metres west of Jomsom. The steep uphill trail was exhausting, but the piercing cold wind was what truly took our breath away.

Afterward, we made our way to Lete for lunch. With full stomachs and energy, we rushed back into the bus, ready to continue our adventure to Mustang. At our hotel in Lete, we had hot chocolate to warm the chilly night, played a round of Uno, and finally fell asleep.

The third day started with the journey towards Muktinath at around 8 a.m. immediately after breakfast. Here, the bus ride was quiet because most of us were either lost in dreams or simply watching the landscape rolling by. After a few hours, we ultimately touched the holy land of Muktinath, which is a holy common pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists in Mustang. 

High altitude made the walk tiring because of low atmospheric pressure. We talked, laughed, bullied and encouraged each other throughout the way, making the uphill astonishingly amusing. On the way, we built towers of our aspirations by small rocks, carefully balancing stones on top of one another and quietly and secretly wishing for our dreams to come true. We were able to offer prayers easily. The water adjoining the temple had completely frozen. After that, we headed towards Marpha Bazaar, which is famous as the “Apple Capital of Nepal” and for Marpha drink, produced from high-class apples. Most of us wore traditional Sherpa Bakkhu and took lots of pictures. Walking through the narrow lanes of Marpha Bazaar with friends, surrounded by old houses and a quiet charm, was truly elegant. 

On our way back to Pokhara, on the fourth day, our main stop was at Baglung Kalika Temple, where we offered our prayers. The divine atmosphere made the moment heavenly. Next, we stopped at the Gandaki Golden Bridge, which is recognised as the third longest suspension bridge of its type in the world. It is suspended 122 metres high above the Kaligandaki River, joining Parbat to Baglung with a length of 567 metres. We reached Pokhara Disneyland by the evening, rode the Ferris wheel, enjoyed the lights and treated ourselves to ice cream. 

The last day was activated with prayers at Tal Barahi Temple in the middle of Fewa Lake, where we arrived by boat. The journey back, however, was fairly uneventful. We made a few stops for food and eventually reached crowded Kathmandu around 5p.m., bringing five long days of fun travel to a quiet close.

It was a total blast throughout the trip. I truly believe this trip played a big role in strengthening my bond with my friends and helped me build new connections. Sharing laughter and struggles brought us closer in ways that regular high school life never had before. The cold of Mustang could not match the warmth we carried in our hearts.

AS Level, St. Xavier’s College