Jomsom Muktinath Trek
Background
The Jomsom Muktinath Trek is one of the most popular treks in the Annapurna region of Nepal. This trek takes you to the beautiful town of Jomsom (Dzong-Sampa), famous for its delicious apples, warm hospitality, as well as the scenic views of the glorious Mt. Dhaulagiri I (8,167m), Nilgiri Himal (7,061m), and other peaks.
Jomsom is located at an altitude of 2,700m in the Mustang district. The journey begins as we head north from Pokhara. This trek involves hiking through the world’s deepest gorge “Kali Gandaki valley.” The Jomsom Muktinath trek presents you with a mix of spirituality and the chance to explore the unique cultures and traditions.
You get to see some striking views of the incredible mountain vistas, unique temples, and monasteries along with windy valleys. The incredible excursion commences from Tatopani in Myagdi. The trekking journey follows stunning landscapes of the Kali Gandaki valley and sights of the breathtaking Kali Gandaki River.
Jomsom Muktinath Trek takes you to Muktinath, one of the most frequented pilgrimage sites of Nepal. It is a sacred temple for both Buddhists and Hindus. You pass through several beautiful villages of Larjung, Marpha, Jomsom, and Kagbeni to reach Muktinath. At Marpha, do not forget to relish the delicious apples and other apple products like apple-brandy. After reaching Muktinath, you can explore the temple and observe the devotees taking a bath under the 108 stone-taps. Devotees have a belief that taking a shower under the 108 stone-taps washes away their sins.
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Jomsom Muktinath Trek starts once we land at Jomsom, headquarter of Mustang district. After the scenic flight from Pokhara, we head north to Kagbeni along the Kali Gandaki River. The best time for the trek from mid-Sept to Mid-December and March to May, we can travel in the rainy season also these parts of the trek.
The Jomsom Muktinath trek is an adventurous journey waiting for you. We, at Himalaya Holiday Service, have been accompanying tourists throughout Nepal for over a decade. We provide a full-board package, including private transportation, comfortable accommodation, and well-trained guides and porter. We will ensure to make this trip the best one you have had yet.
Trip Facts:
Geography: Mountains, rivers, valleys
Location: Mustang
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Duration of Trek: 13 days
Max Altitude: 3710m
Religions: Buddhism
Ethnic People: Mustangi, Thakali
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private Vehicle
Minimum Pax: 02
Trip highlight
Cultural sightseeing as you pass by several villages like Larjung, Marpha, Jomsom, and Kagbeni.
Amazing view of mountain peaks in the Himalayan landscape.
Cultural and spiritual Himalayan trekking experience in the Annapurna region
Sightseeing in the beautiful lake city, Pokhara
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu |1400m
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a travel agent will be waiting for you, and you will be driven to the hotel. Once you finish the check-in procedure, you can get a few hours of rest to get over the jet lag. After rest, the travel agency representative will take you to the Thamel tour, which is one of the main tourist spots in Kathmandu. Thamel is the hub for good food and the perfect place to see the melting pot of culture with the older buildings side by side with the modern buildings.
Day 02: Trek Preparation and Kathmandu Sightseeing
On the second day, you head out for sightseeing within the valley. First, you visit Pashupatinath temple, which is one of the famous Hindu temples devoted to Lord Shiva. The temple is located at the bank of the Bagmati River. This temple is designed in traditional Pagoda style in gold, richly carved with silver doors.
Next on the list is the Boudhanath Stupa, located on the east part of Kathmandu. This place is popular among both Buddhist and non-Buddhist communities to find an assemblance of peace. It is also famous for Tibetan food like Laphing and Khapsi. Once you get back to the hotel room, you will have some time for rest and to prepare your bags for trek.
Day 03: Fly to Pokhara (823m) and trek to Ulleri (2000m)
This will be our first day of the trek. We will drive to Naya Pul via Pokhara, which is about a two-hour drive. En route, you get the experience of the up-hill and downhill terrain. Trailing from Naya Pul along the south bank of Modi River, we reach Birethanti. The trail leads to Bhurungdi Khola, Sudame, Lamdawali, and Hile.
During the trek, we come across a few waterfalls and enjoy nature taking some photographs and videos. Our trail starts climbing through a long uphill terrain which has more than 3000 stone steps. Climbing uphill, we reach to Ulleri. Then, we will have our dinner as we enjoy some musical performances till 10 pm.
Day 04: Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani (2750m) 7 hours
Some people may find it hard to get from Ulleri to Banthali because there are plenty of stone steps; the narrow path only makes things worse. You can make your journey more exciting by talking to strangers trekking to ABC (Annapurna Base Camp), which is a trendy place for trekking. On the way to Banthanti and Nangge Thanti, we can see the forest of oaks, Rhododendrons. The trek to Ghorepani will take 5-6 hours on average. Ghorepani is the gateway to Poon Hill, where both sunrise and sunset views are breathtaking.
Day 05: Trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani (1190m) 6 hours
We will have to wake up early on this day so that we can see the gorgeous and stunning scenery as the first rays of the sun hit the White Mountains. We climb to Poon Hill (3193m), where we see the sunrise. To reach Poon Hill, we will have to climb stone stairs for about an hour. From Ghorepani, we trail to Tatopani (natural hot spring) and take a bath. Relax and enjoy the evening.
Day 06: Trek from Tatopani to Ghasa (2110) 6 hours
We will follow the trail from where Kali Gandaki flows under the deep gorge where we get to view some gorgeous mountains over the height of 8000m. We continue to follow this trail through Dana to the beautiful waterfall named Rupse Chhahara and further along to Kopchepani. Then, the trail reaches to Ghasa, our final destination for the day. Ghasa is a Thakali village, which is a paradise for bird watchers.
Day 07: Trek from Ghasa to Marpha (2680m) 5 hours
Walking to Kaligandaki’s east side takes you to the village of Larjung. We enter Marpha Village, passing the trail via Tukche (2590 m). Marpha village is known for the apple-made Marpha brandy.
Day 08: Trek from Marpha to Kagbeni (2810m) 5 hours
We’re going to walk through the valley across the low ridge to the village of Jomsom. We will cross the Panga Khola taking us to Ekle Bhatti. For a while, we’re going to take a break here and start the journey to Kagbeni. Kagbeni village, situated on the main age-old Trans Himalayan salt trade route to Tibet through the Upper Mustang area.
Day 09: Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath (3710m) 6 hours
Walking through the road from Kagbeni to Muktinath, we visit picturesque scenic places where we can take pictures of beauty. At 3200 meters, the trail leads to Khingar. We finally reach Muktinath by climbing through the desert landscape and market town.
Day 10: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2710m) 6 hours
Muktinath is one of the most popular and famous destinations for tourists and Hindu pilgrims. The temple holds religious importance to both Buddhists and Hindus. People take a bath in Muktinath temple as a belief that their sins will disappear. It is a Mukti Kshetra (liberation or salvation) region for Hindus. We can explore nearby areas and enjoy the view of the beautiful Dhaulagiri peak.
Day 11: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara
We’re going back to Jomsom after a beautiful journey to Muktinath. We’re taking a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. We’re going to spend the day visiting different Pokhara landmarks and shopping as you like. You will visit the famous Phewa Lake and have dinner at a fine restaurant while enjoying live music.
Day 12: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
We have our breakfast at the hotel in the morning and drive back to Kathmandu, which takes about six to seven hours. You’ll be taken to the hotel after we arrive in Kathmandu, where you can relax and stay overnight.
Day 13: Final Departure
This is your last day in Kathmandu. Enjoy Nepali meal, and if you wish, you can go for some last-minute shopping before the flight. Our representative will take you to the airport for your trip.
Key Information
You have to be physically fit and healthy to be able to participate in the Jomsom Muktinath Trek. It is recommended that you do some regular cardio-exercises like long-distance running and swimming three to four weeks before the start of the trek.
It is advised to bring water-purifying tablets with you along with your water bottle. You can refill it during the journey instead of continually buying bottled water. It is economical as well as eco-friendly.
Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals are available during the trek. You can inform us about your choice of meal beforehand.
No prior trekking experience is required to do the trek as long as you are physically fit and healthy.
The accommodation during the trek will be on a sharing basis.
All permit costs are included in the package. However, carry extra money in case of an emergency.
Extra costs for refreshment like snacks are not included in the package.
FAQ
Are people allowed to enter the temple if they are not Hindu or Buddhist?
Nepal is a secular country, and people from different ethnic backgrounds live together in harmony. As for temples and other religious sites, anyone can enter them. Muktinath temple allows everyone inside, so there is no problem. Anyone can join and walk around the temple premises.
What kind of weather can be seen in the trek?
The weather during the trek depends on the season you are traveling. If you are going in the spring or autumn season, the weather is stable. However, the climate is windy in the morning and evening time. So, you must protect your skin with a right amount of face and body cream to prevent dryness.
What time will we get up for sunrise?
During the Ghorepani trek, your guide will check the sunrise time the day before to schedule the next day accordingly. The sunrise time depends on the season. Usually, in the peak seasons, i.e., spring and autumn, you will have to wake up at 5 am or 5:30 am to view the sunrise.
Is it possible to rent a bicycle or motorcycle during the trek?
Yes, it is possible to rent a bicycle as well as a motorcycle from Jomsom to Muktinath. You can also do a motorbike tour to Muktinath. You can also have some fun renting bicycles at Lakeside to explore the city. During peak seasons, the cost of renting motorcycles might be a bit expensive than usual, so booking early can be the best solution to reduce the cost factor.
