Travel to Mustang, Nepal's secret kingdom

Mustang was a kingdom located in northern Nepal. It had only three cities including Lo Mantang, the capital, 24 minor villages, and eight monasteries. The kingdom is actually called Mastang and its ruler, from 1795 until the abolition of the Nepalese monarchy in 2008, was a vassal of the King of Nepal. 

Mustang occupies a narrow valley that served as a connection for centuries between the great kingdoms of Nepal to the south and Tibet to the north. A strategic enclave that was also a regular transit point for salt caravans coming down from the Tibetan plains to the Nepalese and Indian valleys.

Mustang occupies a narrow valley that served for centuries as a connection between the great kingdoms of Nepal to the south and Tibet to the north.

This remote kingdom, founded in 1380, was closed to outsiders until the late 20th century. The first Westerner to reach Mustang was Swiss geologist and explorer Toni Hagen, who in 1952 paid a brief visit to the kingdom during one of his trips to the Himalayas. Frenchman Michel Peissel is considered the first to stay overnight in the capital Lo Mantang during his 1964 expedition when, for the first time, a foreigner was allowed to visit this remote kingdom, although it was not until 1992 that Mustang opened its doors to foreign travelers.

Festivals in the Himalayan regions are famous for their colorful and spectacular nature. In Mustang, the Tiji Festival, also known as "Tenchi" means "hope for a good harvest and prosperity". It is celebrated in the third month of the Tibetan calendar, usually in May, and lasts for three days. During the festival, the people of Mustang gather at the palace of the king of Lo to witness a series of symbolic dances and performances that tell the story of the victory of the god Dorje Jono over a demon that had been causing trouble in the region. The dances are performed by the Chhyode Gumba monastery's monks, and the celebration culminates with a ceremony of offerings and blessings for the prosperity and happiness of the people of Mustang. The Tiji Festival is attractive to many, every year, including the villagers of the mountain villages. It is undoubtedly a unique and fascinating experience to visit.

It is now possible to visit one of the most remote kingdoms that was closed for centuries and stay in a unique lodge, the Shinta Mani Mustang, a Bensley Collection, which, with only 29 suites, is perched high above the town of Jomsom, at the gates of Mustang. This almost mythical region, with its fascinating lunar-like landscapes, is hidden in the Kali Gandaki Valley, between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. It is one of the deepest valleys in the area and one of the most unique and preserved regions in the world. Mustang, which in Tibetan means "Plain of Aspiration", borders the Tibetan plateau and ranges in altitude from 1,372 to 8,167 meters above sea level.

Shinta Mani Mustang, a Bensley Collection, is the perfect starting point for trekking and adventure in the surrounding area, exploring Buddhist monasteries and culture, or simply enjoying the breathtaking views of some of the world's highest snow-capped peaks, including the formidable Mount Nilgiri Himal.

Dining options include the Nilgiri restaurant, named after the majestic mountain it overlooks, and a spacious open-air courtyard serving modern Nepalese and Western cuisine, made with local produce. The Aara bar is named after an exotic Tibetan liquor drunk by the Sherpas and available for tasting. The creative magic of this exclusive and remote hotel is the work of the celebrated interior designer Bill Bensley. Thus, the different spaces of the resort will incorporate warm-colored fabrics and materials to reflect the rich tones of the surrounding landscape, which can be viewed from every window of the property. 

Inside, all areas will be complemented by the artwork of the late artist Robert Powell, a friend of Bill's, who drew in incredible detail the vernacular architecture of the region. From the outdoor terrace, guests will be able to admire millions of stars in the night sky. In his typical eclectic upcycling style and with his sustainable mindset, Bensley has used recycled materials that he has repurposed into new and unique furniture.

Traveling to this unknown and ancient kingdom is an experience in itself but it is also possible to enjoy different activities such as private horseback riding, visiting Buddhist monasteries and remote villages, hiking to the border with Tibet, trekking through glaciers, observing concentrations of fossils millions of years old, rock climbing experiences and helicopter flights over the rugged mountainous desert and wind-eroded gorges. It is also possible to enjoy the spa, which offers holistic treatments developed by an eleventh-generation Tibetan Amchi physician.