30/10/2023
NEPAL 🇳🇵
Embarking on a journey deeper into the majestic Himalayas, with a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. From there, our next destination was Jomsom Airport, a small domestic flight that always promises a thrilling yet challenging experience. These flights are a test of nerves, as they navigate through hazardous terrain, face unpredictable high-altitude weather conditions, and operate with smaller, more weather-sensitive aircraft. Moreover, the short runway for takeoff and landing adds to the excitement. We were fortunate to catch our flight, sparing ourselves a potentially bumpy 7-hour drive through rugged landscapes.
Upon landing at Jomsom, we set our sights on Kagbeni, an ancient village in the Lower Mustang region, known as the gateway to the sacred and restricted Mustang Region. This charming village sits beside the Kali Gandaki River, and to reach it, we embarked on a 4x4 journey, traversing the remarkable terrain.
Our exploration was punctuated with captivating experiences, such as iconic suspension bridges adorned with prayer flags, a common sight in Tibet, Nepal, and other Himalayan regions, each flag carries sacred symbols, mantras, and prayers, and their vibrant colors represent five fundamental elements: compassion, purity, fire, water, and earth. As the wind gently rustled the flags, it was believed to carry blessings and positive energy, bestowing peace and harmony upon the land.
Notably, as we made our way through this remarkable region, we couldn't help but notice the spiritual significance that infused the area. Hindus, clad in vibrant orange attire, were on a sacred pilgrimage, most likely bound for one of the prominent pilgrimage sites in the vicinity, such as Muktinath, a place revered by both Hindus and Buddhists.
During our journey, we encountered locals who added a delightful dimension to our experience, particularly those driving their vibrant, artfully decorated trucks, which seemed to mirror the vivid spirit of the region.