Jomsom – Muktinath Trek - 14 days
Trip Activity (s): Trekking, City Tour
Max. Altitude: 3800
Group Size: 1-10 pax
Trip Highlights:
Sunrise and mountains views from Poon Hill; typical Magar village in Ulleri; Hot springs at Tatopani; World deepest Kaligandaki Gorge; Typical Thakali village in Tukuche, and Marpha; Monasteries in Tukuche, Marpha, Kagbeni, Jharkot, and Muktinath; 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 soaring peak of Annapurna & Dhaulagiri. Finally, it emerges to the north of the main Himalayan range, on the dry,
desert- like Tibetan Plateau. A several days walk beyond Jomsom, takes you the final destination, Muktinath, the holy temple.
This trek allows access to the high mountains of the Himalayas within a reasonable timeframe and without ascending to extreme
altitude. You will then return to Pokhara by taking a flight from Jomsom.
Itinerary
Day 01
Your arrival to Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), you will be met by our Airport Representative, and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel. B.B.
Day 02
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara – 4-5 hours scenice drive by Private Car / van. Overnight at hotel. B.L.D.
Day 03
One hour drive to Nayapul by private Car / Van, we then begin trek to Tikhedhunga
We begin our trek at Nayapul, driving to the road head. After 15- minutes short walk along the bank of the Modi Khola, we reach
Birethanti (1065m) a large village that has many shops & teahouses. From there, the trail continues through the village. The
trail follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola.
From there, the trail climbs steadily up the side of the valley to Hille at 1495m & after the short climb, we reach Tikhedhunga
at 1525m. This trek offers a short & relatively easy day, during journey & allows us to become used to the experience of trekking
in Nepal.
Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 04
Trek to Ghorepani
Leaving Tikhedunga, we begin our journey with steep climb to Ulleri. Ulleri is a large Magar village at 2070m. Then the trail
continues to ascend more gently, through fine forests of oak & rhododendron towards Banthanti at 2250m. Then we make our trek
towards Nangethanti at 2460m. After an hour walk brings you to Ghorepani at 2775m.
Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 05
Ghorepani to Tatopani
This day early in the morning at 5 o’clock, we begin the trek for hiking to Poon Hill. It takes an hour to climb from here to
Poon Hill, offering you one of the best Himalayan viewpoints in Nepal from where spectacular Himalayan ranges with amazing
sunrise view can be seen very closely.
After observing the wonderful Himalayas views, we return to Ghorepani and we will have hot breakfast. After breakfast, we
continue our journey to Tatopani.
The trail makes a descend steeply to Chitre at 2390m. As the trail drops down through Sikha, the hills are extensively terraced.
Sikha is a large village with shops and hotels at 1980m, from there the trail descends gently to Ghara at 1705m. A further steep
descent of 500m takes you to the Ghar Khola where the trail crosses the river on a suspension bridge. We then make another climb
up above the Kaligandaki River before crossing that too.
As you turn north, it takes you to the Tatopani at 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 at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 06
Tatopani to Kalopani
Today, the trail continues up the Kali Gandaki gorge. This is considered to be the deepest in the world which is situated as it
is between the two 8000m peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. From there, trail rises gently up to Dana at 1400m, & on to Rupse
Chhahara at 1550m, there you can see a stunning waterfall. As the trail crosses to the eastern bank of the river, you will reach
Kopchepani, & 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 & pass through Lete at 2470m, shortly before arriving at Kalopani at an elevation of 2560m,
where we obtain superb views of the Nilgiri peaks to the east.
Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 07
Kalopani to Marpha
This day 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. The trail continues on a short distance to the interesting village of Khobang with its narrow
alleyways. Then 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 terrain becomes much more barren & the
breeze increases. We continue towards Marpha at 2665m passing a Tibetan refuge settlement & then a horticulture research
station. Marpha is a large Thakali village with many excellent teahouses, however it still retains the typical architectural
features of narrow alleyways, flat roofs, & whitewashed buildings. There we will visit a superb Nyingmapa Buddhist gompa.
Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 08
Marpha to Kagbeni
From Marpha, we climb along the side of the valley to Jomsom at 2713m. Jomsom is a large, bustling settlement, & it is the
administrative centre of the region that contains the airport, army camp, & numerous hotels, shops, banks & government offices.
On the way, we cross the river to the eastern bank, we then walk onwards to Eklai Bhatti at 2730m. From here we catch a direct
route to Muktinath that ascends the hill behind the village, however we follow the trail along the river to Kagbeni at 2810m
which is situated at the junction of the Jhong Khola & the Kali Gandaki, the northernmost village that can be visited without
a permit to continue on to Mustang. This village fascinates rich Tibetan cultures & their unique hospitality, influences us much.
Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 09
Kagbeni to Muktinath
We make a steep climb up the Jhong Khola valley leaving Kagbeni, we then join the direct trail to Muktinath just below Khingar at
3200m. From here trail continues high above the Jhong Khola to the imposing village of Jharkot at 3500m which is well worth
exploring. We, therefore, take a break here for lunch before continuing on to Muktinath.
As we leave Jharkot, the trail 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. Further 10 minutes walks up the hill, we will be rewarded with the
actual religious site of Muktinath & this area is kept free of hotels and camping sites. Muktinath is a pilgrimage center for
Buddhists and Hindus. There we can see Tibetan traders as well as sadhus from the far south of India. There is shrines in a
grove of trees including a Buddhists gompa & 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 significance.
Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 10
Trek back to Jomsom. Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 11
Fly back to Pokhara (about 20 minutes short, but scenic flight). Overnight at hotel. B.L.D.
Day 12
Drive back to Kathmandu by car / van. Overnight at hotel. B.B.
Day 13
Full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley (Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhu, and Kathmandu durbar square).
Overnight at hotel. B.B.
Day 14
Transfer to Airport for your onward Journey. Farewell!
Note: B.B> Bed and Breakfast, B.L.D> Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Cost Includes
Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & transfer by car / Van.
3 nights accommodation with breakfast at deluxe hotel in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu city tour as per the above itinerary
Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with Tea & coffee during the trek.
Lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek.
1 highly experienced, helpful and friendly Guide, porters (1 porter for 2 people), their food, accommodation, salary,
equipments, insurance (We have insured our staffs by Neco Insurance Company Nepal).
Surface Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back by private car / van.
Annapurna conservation permit, and all necessary permits.
Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Permit.
2 night accommodation in Pokhara (inclusive of Government taxes, breakfast, lunch & dinner).
Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara.
Tourist service charge, Vat.
Office Service charge.
Cost Excludes
Any meals in Kathmandu other than breakfast.
Travel insurance (if you want us to arrange your travel insurance, we would greatly be happy to assist).
International air fare to and from Nepal.
Nepal Tourist Visa fee US$ 25 or equivalent foreign currency with multiple entries for 15 days, US$ 40 or equivalent foreign
currency with multiple entries for 30 days. You may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International
Airport – Kathmandu.
Items of a personal nature
Any kind of alcoholic drinks, hot water, hot shower, cold drinks, laundry, phone call, internet.
Trekking Equipments (down sleeping bag and down jackets are available to hire or buy in Kathmandu, which would cost
approximately US$ 1 per day per item to hire and US$ 60 to US$ 100 per item to buy).
Tips for guide, porters, driver…
NOTE: Tipping is expected but it is not mandatory.
