Jomsom Muktinath Trekking

5 +

Age

Nepal

Country

All Seasons

Dates

12 Days

Duration

Trekking

Activities

Jomsom Muktinath Trekking an amazing route through Mustang and the Annapurna region that leads you, among others, to the famous Muktinath Temple. Definitely, it is one of the most fascinating journeys to experience the different cultures of the Annapurna region in one trek. The various landscapes and cultures one will find along this trekking route give a fascinating insight into the way of living of rural Nepali people. Especially the physical beauty along the Jomsom Muktinath trek will leave you breathless. The panorama of the trail that ranges from forests of red rhododendron to rocky cliffs and the desert of Mustang. In addition, we will walk along the Kali Gandaki River, who forms the largest gorge in the world, with the Annapurna mountain range on one, and Dhaulagiri on the other side. Between the two ranges, one enjoys marvelous views of 8 of the 20 highest mountains in the world.

!!! Jomsom Muktinath Trekking is also the best alternative to the Annapurna Circuit, for those with less time and those who aren’t keen on the high 5416m pass.

A Cultural and Spiritual Experience

Many trekker’s highlight is the Muktinath Temple, a famous pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus. In fact, Muktinath is a holy place of salvation for Hindus: They believe that washing in the holy waters here guarantees salvation. In addition, the God Brahma is said to have lit the eternal flames that still burns at Muktinath. However, for Buddhists it is a place where the great sage guru Rinpoche came to meditate. If you are lucky to be in Muktinath in early September you are likely to experience one of Nepal’s unique festivals: The annual horse race named Yartung.

Furthermore, the lower part of the trek is inhabited by Gurungs and Magars. Also the folk of Thakalis are found further around Jomsom along with the Lopa who have Tibetan roots who live around Muktinath and Upper Mustang. Especially their customs and attire are all quite unique. Therefore, this trek is the ideal opportunity for you to observe the diversity among the people and their customs.

Are you ready to experience the vast biodiversity and cultural heritage Nepal is known for? Then this is the right trek for you!

Itinerary Outline:

01 Drive to Pokhara – 7-8 hours

02 Flight to Jomsom, trek to Kagbeni (2810m) – 3 hrs walk

03 Trek Kagbeni to Muktinath (3802m) – 3 hrs

04 Trek Muktinath to Marpha (2670m) – 6 hrs

05 Trek Marpha to Kalopani (2530m) – 6 hrs

06 Trek Kalopani to Tatopani (1190m) – 6 hrs

07 Trek Tatopani to Sikha – 5 hrs

08 Trek Sikha to Ghorepani – 3 hrs

09 Trek Ghorepani to Tadapani (2590m) – 5 hrs

10 Trek Tadapani to Ghandruk (2012m) – 3 hrs

11 Trek to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara – 5 hrs walk

12 Drive back to Kathmandu

Additional information

Difficulty	All levels

Drive to Pokhara

In the early morning after breakfast, you’re going to start your journey with a bus ride to Pokhara. It’s a drive of about 7 hours through lush green forest, meandering roads, hills and gracefully flowing riversides. You will also come across lively markets and clusters of villages on the way. Enjoy a local lunch in one of the roadside restaurants. Upon reaching in Pokhara, you will be welcomed by your guide and driven to the hotel.

Flight to Jomsom (25 mins.), Trek to Kagbeni (2810m)

Let’s start the adventure with a short flight of about 25 min from Pokhara to Jomsom. Enjoy the stunning views of the gorge between two huge mountains, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Jomsom is a large, bustling settlement and it’s the administrative centre to the region with airport, army camp, hotels, shops, banks and government offices. From here we start our trek by crossing the river to the eastern bank and take a direct route to reach the Muktinath Temple tomorrow. For now, we follow the trail along the river to Kagbeni at 2,810m. Notably, this is at the northernmost part in direction to Mustang that can be visited without a special permit for the Mustang region. However, this village is fascinating with its rich Tibetan cultures and their unique hospitality which welcomes us greatly. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Walking time: 3 hours

Trek Kagbeni to Muktinath (3,802m)

First of all, we make a steep climb up the Jhong Khola valley leaving Kagbeni today, then join the trail to Muktinath just below Khingar at 3,200m. Further from here the trail continues to the imposing village of Jharkot, which is definitely well worth exploring! As we leave Jharkot, the trail climbs up to our ultimate destination for today: Muktinath at 3,802m. You will be rewarded with the actual religious site of Muktinath. The Muktinath Temple is a pilgrimage center for Buddhists and Hindus and gives you first hand insights in eastern spirituality. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Walking time: 3 hours

Trek Muktinath to Marpha (2670m)

After a holy night’s sleep we will leave Muktinath behind us and start to trek back on the trail via the Kali Gandaki valley. Then, after approximately 6 hours of walking we reach the beautiful Marpha village. You will be rewarded: This place is well known for it’s juicy and sweet Apples. So don’t miss out and try the local Apple Pie and Apple Juice! It’s a real delight! Again you will stay overnight at a hotel.

Walking time: 6 hours

Trek Marpha to Kalopani (2530m)

Today we are trekking down to Kalopani, further walking through Kali Gandaki Valley. During the trail we will pass by many old traditional Thakali houses. From Kalopani, the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain views will soothe our walk. Later you can take a rest at the hotel.

Walking time: 6 hours

Trek Kalopani to Tatopani (1190m)

A beautiful walk awaits us today! With yet another transition of climates, we will enter into the subtropical area today: Lush vegetation, water buffalos, banyan trees and poinsettias are great for taking pictures. Further, the trail follows the river through a narrow gorge, and descends to cross a bridge near a spectacular waterfall, before winding through the valley to Tatopani. Later, you can enjoy the hot water springs that give the village its name – the perfect opportunity for a good scrub and relaxation!

Walking tim: 6 hours

Trek Tatopani to Sikha

After crossing the Kali Gandaki River, we will have another day of beautiful scenery. Then we slowly climb up steeply to the village of Sikha, where we are going to stay tonight. As one of our cultural spots, the village is inhabited by the Magars folk and still has a traditional flair. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Walking time: 5 hours

Trek Sikha to Ghorepani

After breakfast in the morning, we start walking from Sikha along the path that leads through beautiful Rhododendron forests. From here you can see the Annapurna South, hidden by a ridge, smiling at you. Later, we will walk past the villages of Banthanti and Nangathanti through the forest to reach Ghorepani. Ghorepani is a settlement of Poon Magars, where we will stay for tonight and save the rest of our energy for tomorrow.

Walking time: 3 hours

Sunrise at Poon Hill, trek to Tadapani (2590m)

Today another highlight of the journey waits for you: Early in the morning we are going to hike up 45 minutes to Poon Hill. This is one of the best spots in Nepal to see the sunrise! From here we also have marvelous views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, Nilgiri and Mount Fishtail. After enjoying our time in Poon Hill, we trek back down to Ghorepani and enjoy our well-deserved breakfast. After that, we trek to Tadapani, which leads us through nice jungle trails. Stay overnight at hotel.

Walking time: 5 hours

Trek Tadapani to Ghandruk (2012m)

The trek to Ghandruk through the jungle is mostly downhill and relatively easy. During the trail you will be able to see various types of beautiful birds. Again, another cultural adventure awaits you here today: Ghandruk is one of biggest Gurung villages in Nepal and therefore a very special place: Especially noteworthy are their own language, dresses, typical foods and house styles. Overnight stay at hotel.

Walking time: 3 hours

Trek to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara

Good morning on this last day of your Jomsom Muktinath Trekking! Today we are going to trek downhill to Nayapul, from where we catch a ride back to Pokhara. The drive is only gonna take around an hour. Unfortunately, your time in the mountains comes to an end… But you will take lots of great photos and everlasting memories with you! Finally, one more night in Pokhara.

Walking time: 5 hours

Drive back to Kathmandu

From Pokhara it takes about 6-7 hours to drive back to Kathmandu, crossing over stunning mountain passes and rivers along the way. In the evening we are inviting you to a farewell dinner to talk and reflect on your great adventure.

The Jomsom Muktinath trek is one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal. Starting with a flight into the heart of the lower Mustang district Jomsom: Jomsom is a large settlement popular for its airport that offers a quick entry or exit to the valley with regular daily flights from Pokhara. Also, Jomsom is perfect as a base for exploring the upper part of the Kali Gandaki region. In addition, there are several accommodation options including a new high-class resort complex in Jomsom.

Continuing our journey to the ancient village of Kagbeni, we arrive on the border of the Upper Mustang and the Hidden Kingdom. From here we travel North East through arid landscape to the sacred pilgrimage town of Muktinath, this area is Tibet all but in name. Especially noteworthy is our journey back: We will travel through the Kali Gandaki Canyon, to some measurements the deepest in the World! Furthermore, experiencing Thakali and Gurung tribal culture and walking through lush forests will leave you stunned and speechless.

Afterwards, we continue through the dry arid landscape to Kagbeni, a fascinating historical fortress town. Here you feel like traveling back in time! Continuing, the Jomsom Muktinath Trek follows the Kali Gandaki River in the shadows of immense Himalayan peaks. We descend to Tatopani before later ascending to Ghorepani and Poon Hill for a tremendous sunrise view of both the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himal. Furthermore, another two days are spent trekking through beautiful Rhododendron, Bamboo and Oak forests before we finally reach Nayapul for a short drive to the beautiful lakeside town of Pokhara.

Muktinath Temple

Muktinath is a famous pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Buddhists likewise. Holy water flows from the 108 carved spouts surrounding the Vishnu temple in a grove of poplars. Notably are shrines in a grove of trees including a Buddhists Gompa & the Vishnu temple of Jwalamai. Additionally, an old temple nearby shelters a spring and natural gas jets that provides Muktinath’s famous eternal flame. Therefore, it’s the earth-water-fire combination that accounts for Muktinath’s great religious significance.

Cost is based on Minimum 2 Pax, on Sharing Basis.

Note: for Single Traveler, Single supplement charges apply.

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

Kathmandu

JOIN GROUP

1 before departure from Kathmandu.

SERVICE INCLUDES

Transportation Kathmandu /Pokhara/Kathmandu on Deluxe Tourist Coach.

Private Transportation from Nayapul to Pokhara.

Trekking Information Management System Fee (TIMS Fee)

National park Conservation Fee

Lodge trek with all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and accommodation in teahouse lodge.

Accommodation, meals, insurance, equipment and allowance of guide and porter.

Accomodation for 2 Nights in Pokhara in three-star Hotel.

Services of English speaking trekking guide and porter (one porter for two people and the maximum weight carry by one porter is total 25kg)

Local Transportation for Guide and Poter for Kathmandu/ Pokhara/ Kathmandu.

Accommodation, meals, insurance, equipment and allowance of guide and porter.

Sleeping bag and down jacket if necessary.

All applicable government taxes and service charges.

SERVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Any accommodation and meals in Kathmandu

Any sightseeing tour in Kathmandu & Pokhara.

Any international and domestic airfare

Your personal travel insurance and medical.

Bottled drinks (mineral water, any cold drinks, and alcoholic drinks).

Expenses of personal nature such as tips for guide, porter, and driver, laundry, bar bill, telephone calls etc.

Liability for expenses against sickness, flight cancellation, road blockage, accidents, and other occurrence, beyond our control.

Nepal visa fee.

Any other optional services not mentioned above as included.

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Jomsom Muktinath Trekking

A Cultural and Spiritual Experience

Itinerary Outline: