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- Tukuche, Shashi and Chakra’s home village is a 1 hour walk south of Chhairo. A classical Thakali village it remains the main centre of thakali culture in Mustang, though the population has declined with modernisation and migration. In addition to the pleasant walk along the Kali Gandaki, Tukuche boasts four gompas, a distillery famed for apple brandy and a cultural museum and Thak library
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- Marpha monastery overlooks the town and there are a number of small religious sites that can be walked including some caves and the cliffside chorten above the village
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- Throughout the area are examples of religious art in various styles – you don’t have to go inside a monastery or gompa to see them! This mandala is painted on the ‘gate’ to Marpha town
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- Tserok Tibetan Refugee Camp, built on land given by the gompa, is next door. Established in the late 1950’s it has a community restaurant and guesthouse. Their gompa is dedicated to the Dalai Lama. Most of the 200 regiestered residents sell souvenirs in Marpha. The primary school was 25 years old in spring 2014
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- Chhairo village itself is very small and apart from the chorten outside the school and the apple orchards there is not much to see. Longer term visitors may choose to volunteer at the primary school.
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- Shyang monastery. Shyang, Chimang, Thini are all villages accessible as a day trip from Chhairo or Marpha. Maps or a guide are advisable
Tukuche Peak can be reached from Tukuche. This is a technical climb and should only be undertaken by experienced and equipped climbers.
Jeeps can be hired or a seat in a jeep paid for to travel north of Jomsom. Day trips could include Kagbeni and pilgrimage site of Muktinath, holy to hindus and buddhists alike. A permit is required to enter Upper Mustang and the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP). The fee depends on how, where and for how long you are entering the ACAP.
For more ideas of things to do…