Jomsom Muktinath Trekking

Trip Duration:14 Days

Starts from: Nayapul (Pokhara)

Ending:Jomsom (Pokhara)

Best Seasons: Except Jan and Feb months of the year

Trip Highlights:

Sunrise and mountains views from Poon Hill; typical Magar village in Ulleri; Hot springs at Tatopani; World deepest canyon, KaliGandaki; Typical Thakali village in Tukuche, and Marpha; Monasteries in Tukuche, Marpha, Kagbeni, Jharkot, and Muktinath; the place of nirvana

The Jomsom Trek is indeed a classical trek, essentially the final third of the Annapurna Circuit, follows the Kali Gandaki Valley between the towering peaks of Annapurna ranges and Dhaulagiri.  It emerges to the north of the main Himalayan range on the drydesert similar to the Tibetan Plateau. Several days walk beyond Jomsom brings you to the final destination, Muktinath, the holy Hindu temple. This trek allows access to the high Himalayas without ascending to extreme altitude allowing suitable time management. You will then return to Pokhara by taking a flight from Jomsom.

Itinerary details of the treks 

Day 1: Your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), you will be met by our airport representative from All Trekkers Team, and taken to hotel. Your first night is in a hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara - 4-5 hours scenic drive.  Overnight at hotel in Pokhara.

Day 3: It’s a one hourdrive to Nayapul to begin the trek to Tikhedhunga. Once we reachNayapul we have ashort walk along the bank of the ModiKhola before reachingBirethanti (1065m).  Birethanti is a large village that has many shops and teahouses. From there, the trail continues through the village and follows the north bank of the BhurungdiKhola where the trail climbs gradually up the side of the valley to Hilleat 1495m. After a short climb out of Hille we get toTikhedhunga at 1525m. Todays trek is short andmoderately easy.Overnight at Tikhedhunga

Day 4: Trek to Ghorepani

Leaving Tikhedunga, we begin our journey with a steep climb to Ulleri, a large Magar village at 2070m. Then the trail continues to ascend more softly, through fine forests of oak and rhododendron towards Banthanti at 2250m. Next we trek towards Nangethanti at 2460m. After an hour’s walk, we approach to Ghorepani at 2775m for the night at a guesthouse.

Day 5: Ghorepani to Tatopani

This morning we wake up early, at 5 o'clock. We start hiking to Poon Hill right away. It takes an hour to climb from here to Poon Hill where we will be rewarded with one of the best Himalayan viewpoints in Nepal. It is a spectacular sunrise over the Himalayan range. After observing the wonderful view we return to Ghorepani to have breakfast before continuing on our journey to Tatopani. The beginning of the trail descends steeply to Chitre at 2390m. As the pathdrops down through Sikha the hills become terraced. Sikha is a large village with shops and hotels at 1980m, from here the trail continues it’s descent gently to Ghara at 1705m. A further steep descent of 500m takes you to the GharKhola where the trail crosses the river by a suspension bridge and makes another climb up above the Kaligandaki River. As you turn north, it takes you to the Tatopaniat 1180m. Tato means 'hot' and Pani is 'water', a name earned courtesy of the hot springs by the river. Tatopani is one of the popular shorter trek spot out of Pokhara. Overnight atTatopani.

Day 6: Tatopani to Kalopani

Today, the trail continues up the Kali Gandaki gorge. This is considered to be the deepest gorge in the world situated as it is between the two 8000m peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. From there, trail rises gently up to Dana at 1400m, and on to RupseChhahara at 1550m where you will see a stunning waterfall. As the trail crosses to the eastern bank of the river, you will reach Kopchepani.The trail then crosses back to the western side on a suspension bridge at 1935m. From here it is a short climb to Ghasa at 2080m. The trail continues to ascend and pass at 2470m before arriving at Kalopani at an elevation of 2560m.  Here we enjoy the views of the Nilgiri peaks to the east.Overnight at Kalopani.

Day 7: Kalopani to Marpha

We start the trek by crossing to the eastern side of the river, but cross back again further up the trail before entering Larjung at 2560m. In another short distance we’ll arrive at the interesting village of Khobang. Here we will have our lunch at the ancient Thakali village of Tukuche at 2590m. After Tukuche, the trail continues up the Kali Gandaki. As we pass through the gorge, the landscape becomes much more barren and the breeze increases. We continue towards Marpha at 2665m passing a Tibetan refugee settlement and then a horticulture research station. Marpha is a large Thakali village with many excellent teahouses, however it still retains the typical architectural features of flat roofs, and whitewashed buildings. There we will visit a superb Nyingmapa Buddhist gompa. We sleep at a guesthouse and recall the whole day’s memory.Overnight at Marpha.

Day 8: Marpha to Kagbeni

From Marpha, we climb along the side of the valley to Jomsom at 2713m.  Jomsom is a large bustling settlement and it is the administrative centre of the region.  It has anairport, army camp, and numerous hotels, shops, banks and government offices. On the way, we cross the river to the eastern bank and then walk towards EklaiBhatti at 2730m. From here we take a direct route to Muktinath that ascends the hill behind the village.  However, we follow the trail along the river to Kagbeni at 2810m,situated at the junction of the JhongKhola and the Kali Gandaki Rivers.  It is the most northern village that can be visited without a permit to continue on to Mustang. This village is full of rich Tibetan culture and their unique hospitality.  It will influences us tremendously. Overnight at Kagbeni.

Day 9: Kagbeni to Muktinath

Today’s trek starts with a steep climb up the JhongKhola valley leaving Kagbeni to join the trail to Muktinath. From thereour trail heads high above the JhongKhola to the impressive village of Jharkot at 3500m.  Jharkotis a very interesting village and well worth exploring. We therefore take a break here and enjoy our lunch before reaching on to Muktinath. As we leave Jharkot, the trekking route climbs up to our ultimate destination of Muktinath at 3800m. We initially visit Ranipauwa, there are many teahouses and shops. Our overnight stay will be here. A further 10 minutes walk up the hill will bring us to the actual religious site of Muktinath.  This area is kept free of hotels and camping sites. Muktinath is a pilgrimage centre for Buddhists and Hindus. There we can see Tibetan traders as well as Sadhus from the far south of India. There are shrines in an orchardof trees including a Buddhists Gompa and the Vishnu temple of Jwalamai. An old temple nearby shelters a spring and natural gas jets that provide Muktinath's famous eternal flame. It's the earth-water-fire combination that accounts for Muktinath's great religious consequence.Overnight at Muktintah.

Day 10: Trek back to Jomsom.  We get back to Jomsome from Muktinath. Overnight at Jomsom

Day 11: Fly back to Pokhara (about 20 minute’s short, but scenic flight). Overnightin Pokhara.

Day 12: Head back to Kathmandu by tourist coach or air.   Ournight will be spent at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 13: Full day sightseeing- tour around Kathmandu valley: (Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhu, and Kathmandu durbar square). Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Transfer to Airport for Farewell !!!