Jomsom Muktinath Trek – 10 Days

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Scenic landscape of the villages of Mustang, Marpha and Ghandruk
• Bonpo monastery, natural hot springs, apple garden at Marpha.
• Insight into Tibetan lifestyles and visit to the villages of Jharkot and Lupra.
• Visit Hindus and Buddhist holiest temple
• Ideal vantage point to view a sunrise within the majestic Himalayan range from Poon Hill(Ghorepani)

TRIP OVERVIEW

Jomsom Muktinath Trek is one of the most exciting trekking in Annapurna region where it is located at a height of 2800meters and also it is a part of the Annapurna Round Trek. The trek is not perfect for pilgrims only but also for those looking for adventurous trekking in the Himalayas with natural and cultural beauty. Magnificent views of Mountains can be seen while passing through dazzling landscapes. This trekking trail passes through the world’s deepest Kali Gandaki gorge with dry desert areas like the nearbyTibetan plateau.

The Jomsom and Muktinath trek starts with short fly from Pokhara to Jomsom which is known as the capital city of Mustang district. From Jomsom we move toward Kagbeni. It is a small beautiful village which gives us sights of rolling Tibetan highlands. Then we continue to Muktinath, Muktinath is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhist. Muktinath is the highest altitude (3800m) that this trek reaches. This trek is special for people who do not have previous trekking experience. Further down the road, the trail leads to Tatopani where we can enjoy the natural hot spring pool. We observe stunning views of Annapurna Himalayan range and also this trek gives us the opportunity to observe the famous Apple gardens in Marpha village. This trek also unveils the amazing diversity of Nepal offering marvelous views of deep valleys, high mountains, barren land, the Kali Gandaki gorge, apple gardens and the holy place of ‘Muktinath’ temple, which is the main attraction of this trek.

Day by day detailed itinerary

Day 01: Flight from Pokhara  to Jomsom and Trek to Kagbeni – (2800m) 2 hrs Trek

We take a scenic flight to Jomsom in the early morning and it takes 25 minutes to touch down at the airport. While we are on flight, it brings us close to the mountains of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. And after we reach Jomsom, we will take our hot breakfast and then we begin our trek to Kagbeni for two hours along the Kaligandaki gorge. We do a trek with wind, the terrain and it becomes much more barren and the breeze increases. Overnight at our lodge with full board meals – B.L. D

Day02 : Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath – (3800m) 5 hrs Trek

From Kagbeni, the trail leads on to the Kaligandaki plains in the rainy season. The road diverts to the right bank of the river plain, & the walk is pleasant with few ups and downs most of the way to a place called Ekali Bhatti (lonely inn) where there are three or four tea-houses at present. Earlier, it used to be the only tea-house in the area when it got its namesake, ‘Eklai–Bhatti’. From here, the path splits into two ways, the one higher up leads to Muktinath & the other route takes us to upper Mustang and Tibet via Kagbeni. In this area, we will explore the holy places of Hindus like an eternal flame coming from natural gas next to a spring which is considered as a holy place. We continue our trek to Ranipauwa, where we will stay overnight in our lodge with all meals inclusive

Day 03 : Trek from Muktinath to Marpha – (2670m) 8 hrs Trek

Today, there are two trails to get to Jomsom. The first trail is the same route which we trekked up yesterday and the second trail goes via Lupra, which is an interesting and scenic trekking trail to catch Jomsom. We will get the chance to see spectacular mountains view including Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri before descending to Lupra Rivers. Lupra is an isolated village with legendry. Main two Bonpo monasteries lies at their. After 6/7 hours walk, we will reach Marpha village. Marpha is famous for Apple garden place of Nepal. Another attraction of the Marpha village is ancient Thakali community village and typical architecture. Houses of the village have flat roofs and white washed walls. Overnight at our lodge with B.L.D

 Day 04: Trek from Marpha to Ghasa – (2010m) 7 hrs Trek

After breakfast, we move ahead to Ghasa through the interesting village of Khobang with narrow trails. We will have lunch at Larjung or continues one and half hour more to Kokhethanti. After a few hours trek we reach Kalapani from where we can see the views of Annapurna and Fang peaks. And after a little ascending and descending trek from Lete, we will reach Ghasa. Overnight at our Lodge with full board meals.

 Day 05 : Trek from Ghasa to Tatopani (natural hot spring) – (1190m) 6 hrs Trek

This day, the trail goes down to the Kali Gandaki gorge. Kali Gandaki is the deepest gorge in the world which is situated between the Annapurna (8091m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m) peaks. And then, the trail begins gently down to Rupchechhara waterfall. Rupchechhara is the most beautiful waterfall of Nepal, where you can take a picture of the waterfall and move ahead to Tatopani. 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 spots out of Pokhara. Overnight at our guest house with full board meals.

 Day 06 : Trek from Tatopani to Shikha – (1935m) 5 hrs Trek

After breakfast, we follow the Kali Gandaki trail for about 10 minutes crossing a suspension bridge & next in a few minutes again we hike across an old airy suspension bridge which we encounter upfront. As the trail drops up through Durbin Danda, the hills are extensively terraced. Sikha is a large village with shops and hotels, from there the trail ascends gently to Ghara at 1705m. The trail makes an ascending steeply to Shikha and this is where we bunk out overnight at our lodge with B. L. D

Day 07: Trek from Shikha to Ghorepani – (2750m) 5 hrs Trek

The trails continue ascending to Ghorepani via Chitre. This day brings you through green scenic terraces & villages & Rhododendron forest as well. March & April will be colorful with blooming rhododendrons all over. This flower is the National flower of Nepal. The last 10 minutes leads you up the trail with some steep ascending through roots of Rhododendrons & then you reach amazing Ghorepani. It’s a huge settlement with hotels & lodges as well as shops. Overnight at our lodge with full board meals – B. L. D

 Day 08 : Trek from Ghorepani to Poon Hill and Tadapani – (3210m)

This morning after an early wakeup call with some hot coffee, we will get up early and hike up to Poon Hill at 3210m. From here you will see superb views of the sunrise and a panoramic view of the Himalayas, including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Fishtail, and others. After visiting Poonhill, we will come back to Ghorepani, have our breakfast, and continue walking to Tadapani. Overnight at our guesthouse inclusive full board meals

 Day 09: Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk – (1950m) 4 hrs Trek

The Ghandruk trail descends steeply through forests to the village of Ghandruk at 1950m where we will arrive around noon. We will enjoy the views of waterfalls, landscapes, Annapurna South, Himchuli, Fishtail and many more so we have the afternoon to visit the Annapurna conservation office and museum. You can also move by descending to Seauli Bazar for 2 hours more. And overnight at our lodge with full board meals. B. L. D

 Day 10 : Trek from Ghandruk to Nayapul and Pokhara – (827m) 4 hrs Trek

This day, mostly we walk down where the trails are set up by stone stairs. This is a lovely hike through nature with beautiful scenery of rice field with villages along the trail. The last two hours of the trail follows Modi River. At Birethanti, we meet a junction for Ghorepani before crossing a bridge. There is a check post for your permit & TIMS card. Thus, the trail still continues for half an hour more to reach Nayapul where we take a car or jeep & then drive to Pokhara, approximately one & half hour along a scenic route via Kande & Naudanda. Around Naudanda, you can see Pokhara valley with beautiful Fewa Lake. Overnight at our Hotel {BB}