Jomsom to Muktinath
trek (12 days) Fly in / Trek out
One of the easiest treks to the Annapurna region is the Jomsom – Muktinath trek. The striking feature of this trek is that this trek can be done throughout the year as the Jomsom – Muktinath region falls under the rain shadow area.
The Jomsom – Muktinath trekking route remains below 4000m. and presents you the magnificent vista of the northern flanks of the Himalayan range. Other attractions of this trek are the spectacular arid landscape of the Jomsom region, deep gorges and the beautiful temples in Muktinath.
Trip
Hightlights:
Duration:
12
Days
Type of Trek :
Teahouse / Camping
Max Altitude:
3800 m.
Minimum Pax:
1 +
Mode of travel:
Land Transportation , Flight
Grade:
Moderate
Outline Itinerary
Day
01
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) takes about seven hours.
This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to explore the various sites of Pokhara.
Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Stay overnight at hotel
Day
02
Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2713 m.)
and trek Jomsom to Kagbeni (2895 m.) for
about three hours. An early morning transfer
to airport, fly to Jomsom. . This is one
of the world's exciting flight to see mountain
closely through plane, Annapurna One 8091
meters, Dhaulagiri 8167 meters, Fishtail
6997 meter and other numerous peaks. You
begin your trek to Kagbeni following along
the bank of Kali Gandaki river. En- route,
you pass through arid part of Kali Gandaki
river.Stay overnight at lodge.
Day
03
Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath (3795
m.) takes about four hours. The Trail steeply ascends for couple
of hundred meters. While gradually walking
you can enjoy beautiful deserted landscape,
caves, old Tibetan Style villages, apple
garden, yaks herds, sheep herds and so
on. You can look at Thorong La valley straight
up to the Muktinath. You can enjoy delicious
lunch at Jharkot and visit Monastery believed
to be built in 15 century. Now you head
towards Muktinath following steep ascent
path for half an hour. You stay overnight
at Muktinath village. From here you hike
to Rani Pauwa (3700m.), an important pilgrimage
site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Here
you come across Natural flaming which really
exhilarates you. At this point, you can
see splendid view of Dhaulagiri (8165m),
Nilgiri (7061m.) and others. Now you walk
for fifteen minutes to reach Muktinath
Temple, where you can enjoy a holy bath
of 108 taps. The people of Kagbeni, Jharkot
and Muktinath are close to the life style,
culture, religion and idea of Tibetan people.Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 04
Trek
Muktinath to Marpha (2667m.) takes about
approximately six hours. You now begin
the descent down the dramatic Kali Gandaki
Gorge, initially through arid country in
the same geographical and climatic zone
as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot
and Khingar, villages with typical Tibetan
architecture, you follow the valley floor
most of the way to Jomsom which is sprawled
along both banks of the Kali Gandaki .From
here there are fine views of the Nilgiri
peaks. You continue down to Marpha, a delightful
Thakali village, complete with a drainage
system beneath the flagstone streets. Its
narrow alleys and passageways provide welcome
shelter from the strong winds of the Kali
Gandaki Gorge and Marpha is particularly
well known for its apples, apple cider
and apple, apricot and peach rakshi.Stay overnight at lodge.
Day
05
Trek from Marpha to Ghasa (2013m.) takes
about six hours. Your trail descends steeply
through forests to Ghasa, the last Thakali
village and the southern-most limit of
Tibetan Buddhism. The beginning part of
the trail is stretched at almost flat level
up to Kalopani and then your trail begins
descending steeply to Ghasa. The first
part of the trek passes through the windy
area covered with pine forests, rhododendron
forests and birches are seen. The surrounding
area of Ghasa is famous destination for
bird watching and wild Marijuana. Here
you are quite amazed at the panoramic view
of Mount Nilgiri North (7061m.), Nilgiri
Central (6940m.), and Nilgiri South (6839m.),
Annapurna I (8091m.), Dhaulagiri I (8167m.)
and Tukuche peak (6920m.).Stay overnight at lodge.
Day
06
Trek from Ghasa to Tatopani (1189 m.)
takes about five hours. The trail descends
steeply up to Rukse Chhahara (Rukse Waterfall)
which is amazing to look at. There is situated
the deepest gorge of the world between
two mountains Annapurna I (8091m.) and
Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) facing each other
near Rukse Waterfalls. Now the trail ascends
slightly to Tatopani through different
human settlements. You can enjoy the hot
spring at Tatopani as the word Tatopani
is termed after the natural hot spring
situated at the bank of the Kali Gandaki
River. It is popularly believed that taking
bath in Hot Spring helps you to get rid
of skin diseases.Stay overnight at lodge.
Day
07
: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2853
m.) for about seven hours. Your trail passes
through flat level of the land at some
distance. Then the trail begins ascending
steeply for at least one hour. Now path
goes up through different villages inhabited
by the people of different caste and
agricultural land. The majority of the
people here serve Gorkha Regiment and Indian
Regiment as well. While trekking you cross
through the Kali Gandaki river with panormic
view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges.
The trail ascends gently all the way to
Ghorepani passing through small villages
like Phalate, Chitre and so on. While trekking
you pass through rhododendron forests and
come across the wildlife such as monkeys
and birds of various species. You are accompanied
by more panoramic views of different mountains.
Ghorepani (Watering to Horse) are
a small pass and the village of Deurali.
Although there is time enough to continue,
it is better to stay here overnight so
that we can make the morning trip to Poon
Hill (3180m.) for an outstanding panorama
of Dhaulagiri I,II,III, Iv, Tukuche peak,
Dhampus peak, Nilgiri ranges,Annapurna
I, Bahra Sikhar (Twelve peaks or renowned
as French Fang),Annapurna South, Himchuli,
Fishtail and Mardi Himal. The view you
can see from here is probably the
best view in the world. Not only this,
Poon Hill is crowded by different visitors
to enjoy the sunrise and sunset views over
the snow-capped mountain.Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 08
Trek
from Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3180m.) to
Tadapani (2675m.) takes about five and
half hours. Early morning trip to Poon
Hill (3232m.) to enjoy the sunrise view
over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak
(6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar
(7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna
South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.),
Machhapuchhre (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.),
Annapurna II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6931m.)
and other numerous snowcapped mountain
peaks. After breakfast trek Ghorepani to
Tadapani (2650 m.) through the deep forests
of rhododendrons, bamboos and oaks. En-
route, you frequently see waterfalls, rocks,
wild animals, local birds and green scenarios.
Tadapani is a small village surrounded
by beautiful forests which grants you a
magnificent view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli,
Fishtail, and Annapurna II and so on.Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 09
Trek from Tadapani (2675m.) to Ghandruk
(1950m.) takes about three hours. It is
very easy trek by descending gently all
the way through rhododendron, oak and other
kinds of dense forests. You could hear
different kinds of birds chirping on the
way. This is one of the popular destinations
for the birds' lovers. Ghandruk is a big
Gurung village. There is a handicraft centre
and Gurung museum. From this village you
could see good views of Annapurna South,
Hiunchuli, Gangapurna (7455m.), Annapurna
III (7755m.) and Fishtail.Stay overnight at lodge.
Day 10
Trek from Ghandruk (1950m.) to Pothana
(1990m.) takes about six hours. First part
of your trek is steeply down following
stone staircase to Kimbu (Bee hive). Kimbu
or Bee hive is located at the elevation
of 1200 meters on the bank of Modi Khola.
Now your trail steeply ascends following
the stone staircase up to Landruk. The
trail ascends gently for early two hours
and again ascends steeply for an hour to
Deurali (2150m.) passing through Tolkha
village (1850m.). From this point you can
see panoramic view of Dhaulagiri I (8167m.),
Annapurna South (7219m.), Hiunchuli (6441m.),
Fishtail (6997m.), Annapurna III (7755m.),
Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.)
and Lamjung Himal (6930m.). Now the rest
of the trail descends gently down to Dhampus
passing through Pothana village (1900m.).
Day 11
Trek from Pothana
to Dhampus Phedi (1113m.) takes about four
hours. Your trail descends gradually for
at least an hour and follows gravel road
for two hours and then steeply descends
to Phedi passing through Dhampus village,
paddy fields and forest protected by local
community. Upon your arrival at Dhampus
Phedi, you could take a vehicle to reach
Pokhara.Stay overnight at hotel in Pohkara.
Day 12
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city.
The price includes
the following services:
Trekking guide
Porter/s (1 porter carries the luggage up to 25 kgs of 2 participants)
All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodation in teahouses (lodges) during the trek
Sleeping bag & down jacket if required
Entry Permit for Annapurna conservation Area
Trekkers' Information Management system (TIMS) card
All land transportation
Jomsom to Pokhara flight
First aid kit
Necessary insurance for trekking staff
Two night hotel Accomodation in Pokhara with breakfast
Airport pick- up and drop-off service
The price does
not include:
Personal nature expenses
Drinks, beverages, etc.
Tips
Lunch & dinner in Pokhara
Hotel accommodation and meals in Kathmandu
Note: We can arrange the hotel accommodation in Kathmandu as per your interest and budget.