Thasang
Just take a look at the photo above. That's 8167-metre-high Dhaulagiri, one of the world's highest mountains, and the immense Dhaulagiri Icefall towering right above you.
But what makes this spectacle even better is that to get this incredible view, you didn't have to trek for days. In fact, you didn't have to trek at all. You came here by private vehicle, and all you had to do was get out of (a very cosy) bed and look up!
But that's not all. This is the view from one side of the Kali Gandaki Valley, and on the other side are the equally impressive Nilgiri Peaks and Annapurna, which at 8091m mean you've got two of the world's 8,000+ m peaks at your "finger tips". What you have is an eagle's nest' view of the deepest valley in the world!
The tiny mountain village of Thasang (approximately 1800m) could be a contender for the most spectacular location with vehicle accessibility in the world, and one you've probably never heard of. We've by-passed it many times while trekking and biking the Annapurna Circuit. Quite possibly, most other trekkers walking the Annapurna Circuit have missed Thasang too. This is principally because the village isn't really on the trekking route itself, which is (at this stage) following the Kali Gandaki River Valley from Tukuche down to Tatopani. The village is perched high above the Kali Gandaki Valley floor, so it's hardly surprising it gets bypassed, as certainly until very recently there was nowhere to stay.
So, the village itself has to date remained a delightfully traditional and authentic teeny-weeny mountain village. Buckwheat crops and Yak herding are the main staples farmed here on a small, subsistence scale.
A 'road of sorts' has been constructed in the Kali Gandaki Valley, which enables overland travel from Pokhara right through Upper Mustang and into Tibet.
To get here by private 4WD vehicle from Pokhara, it takes around 6-7 hours. A bit bumpy and dusty, but more than worth it as you journey up the Kali Gandaki Valley and into the heart of the Himalayas.
Of course, this is meant to be about Thasang, but the 'road' is almost entirely the reason why we are highlighting Thasang as a place to visit as part of a Nepal holiday and essentially why there is now an excellent comfort lodge to stay in.
Another great reason to come is to enjoy a day hike to the small, sacred Sekong Lake for even closer views of Dhaulagiri.
We genuinely believe that it's one of the most beautiful walks to be enjoyed anywhere in the world. Find out more in our Best Day Walk In the Nepal Himalayas article.
If you've come this far, keep going! Higher up the valley and accessible by road are the "Tibetan Lands" of Upper Mustang, and our Mustang Luxury Lodge Trek does just that, as well as all of this.
Or you could go for the "full monty" and all the way to fabled Lo Manthang on our Mustang Jeep Tour, which must surely rank as one of the world's greatest adventure road trips
Thasang & Sekong Lake Images
See our hand-picked Thasang Accommodation for suggestions as to where to stay.
Read our Nepal Travel Guide
All rights reserved. Snow Cat Travel is a Registered Trade Mark UK 00003289264
