Lungbuk Cave in Mustang | Mustang Guru Rinpoche Tour

Table of Contents

About Lungbuk Cave
Getting There
Ancient Myth
Tour Inquiry and Booking Contact

Explore the 8th-Century Lungbuk-Lungbok Cave near Phalyak where Guru Rinpoche-Padmasambhava meditated during his journey in Mustang. This sacred cave has a unique rock formation; and is located near the running stream. Lung means Running stream and Buk means Cave. Guru Rinpoche selected this amazing place and cave for meditation. Many significant sculptures and natural images are there like that of the Elephant’s nose (natural). In Buddhism, the elephant is the protector of the earth and Buddhism.

About Lungbuk Cave

Altitude: 3690 meters above sea level

Age: 8^th Century Cave

Location: Near Phalyak village, located in Ward No. 5 of Baragung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality in Mustang

Photo: Sangita Thapa

To reach there, you fly or drive to Pokhara in the beginning. If you follow the path of enlightenment introduced by the second Buddha-Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), this is a place you don't want to miss. From Pokhara, you can take a 20-minute flight to Jomsom or take an overland drive for about 7 hours.

From Jomsom, you will follow the main highway that takes you to Kagbeni-Muktinath and Upper Mustang and cross the new bridge over the Kali Gandaki River. The sight of Samten Thahyaling Monastery entices you amazingly because this is an iconic Bon Monastery in Mustang. Unless it's not a suitable time, you will get an opportunity to see the dazzling beauty inside the monastery.

Well, the journey continues up to Phalyak village by jeep. Then you need to walk for about 2 hours, which is a bit challenging as well. On the way, you will see an ancient monastery, named Thakang. Tha means God and Khang means abode. An abode of Gode is Thakhang.

While heading up, on the way- the greenery of Phalyak and the white Himalayan peaks of Mt. Nilgiri and Annapurna range on the horizon look incredibly magnificent. It is another level of experience where you feel like you are in a piece of heaven.

After crossing Lungbuk Khola, you will see the footprint of Guru Rinpoche. The hiking trail is moderate-not so easy, not so technical. You encounter a place, which is known as Nechung. Nechung means a small pilgrimage destination.

A tiny bowl-shaped place with water can be seen on the way, which is believed to be God’s miracle. People also lit incense on the way.

Welcome to Lungbuk, a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists, is surrounded by hills, and waterfalls. Travelers can have a different feeling of peace and rich spiritual energy. Monks come to this place for meditation from far zones, some come for a short time, and some come for a long time. People hang Lungder (prayer flags)- for the peace and prosperity of the entire family of the travelers.

There are naturally made images of Gods, but people don’t click pictures inside the cave. There is a waterfall- 20 minutes walk- 4000 meters above the sea level. There can be found snow usually, and it feels like there is another world up there somewhere far from the bustling town, totally isolated, cool breeze, it feels like we are in heaven.

During the winter season, the mesmerizing sight of frozen waterfalls covered in white attracts domestic tourists to this spot.

Getting There

Kathmandu-Pokhara Flight: 30 minutes or 8 hours drive

Pokhara to Jomsom: 20 minutes flight or 7 hours drive

Jomsom to Phalyak: 20 minutes drive

Phalyak to Lungbuk Cave: 2 hours hike

Ancient Myth

It is believed that Muktinath was there in the ancient period. However, the villagers did not like travelers, so Muktinath became angry with them and shifted to where Muktinath is now located.