Jomsom Muktinath Cultural trek takes you to the town of Jomsom in the Annapurna region which is famous for Thakali hospitality and Himalayan biodiversity. This trek begins with a short mountain flight from Pokhara to Jomsom though travel by land is also possible. Located at an altitude of 2713m, Jomsom is the administrative center of Mustang district and is home to Thakali people. Here you will be able to appreciate the Thakali culture and hospitality. A day’s walk from Jomsom will reach Kagbeni, another historical town that seperates Lower and Upper Mustang.
After speding a night in Kagbeni, the next day you will head towards Muktinath (3800m), a sacred site of both Buddhists and Hindus. Muktinath literally means ‘god of salvation’. It is believed that taking a bath in its 108 water sprouts will rinse one of all sins. Muktinath houses a statute of Avalokiteshwara below which sits the eternal flame. Along the trekking route you will cherish the spectacular views of Annapurna and Dhaulgairi mountain ranges. You will then return to Jomsom via the villages of Tukuche and Kalopani through arid landscape. Your journey to Tukuche and Muktinath follows Kaligandaki river bank.
After early morning breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and taken to the tourist bus station. Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) takes about seven hours. The drive will take most of our morning time, leaving much of the afternoon to get a warm glimpse of Pokhara Valley and its beauty. If you choose to fly, you can reach Pokhara in 25 minutes. There are several flights from morning to afternoon available from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
Pokhara is the tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples along with the magnificent views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and many other mountain peaks. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
You begin your trek to Kagbeni followed by the bank of Kali Gandaki River. En-route, you pass through arid part of Kali Gandaki River. Stay overnight at lodge.
The trail steeply ascends for couple of hundred meters. You can enjoy beautiful deserted landscape, caves, old Tibetan style villages, apple garden, yaks herds, sheep herds and so on. Stay overnight at lodge.
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. You continue down to Marpha, a delightful Thakali village, complete with a drainage system beneath the flagstone streets. Leaving Marpha, you begin your journey to Tukuche trekking along a flat leveled path at the bank of Kali Gandaki River. Tukuche, a beautiful Thakali village, is well known for its monastery, panoramic view of Dhaulagiri and excellent lodges that provide quality service to the guests. Stay overnight at lodge.
After trekking along a rocky trail with some bushes at the bank of Kali Gandaki, you reach Larjung. This is the view point for Dhaulagiri glacier, Tukuche peak, Dhaulgiri I and many others. You find apple orchards in and around Larjung. After trekking along a flat leveled path you cross a suspension bridge and after passing through the jungle you reach at Kokkethanti where you can enjoy lunch. There are good lodges lying at the bank of Kali Gandaki river. Finally you have to trek along a flat leveled path passing a few villages, lodges and cross a suspension bridge to reach Kalopani. This is a magnificent village surrounded by verdant forests from where you can have a closer view of Annapurna I. Stay overnight at lodge.
While trekking along the bank of Kali Gandaki River, you will be mesmerized by the views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Tukuche Peak and many other unnamed mountains and peaks. This day you pass through jungle and villages along rocky trail from one place to another. To reach Jomsom from Tukuche, you trek along a flat trail at the bank of Kali Gandaki River. While trekking, you pass through a Tibetan refugee camp situated nearby Marpha, an apple orchard, distillery, an agriculture development farm and beautiful hills. Stay overnight at lodge.
On the morning flight, the sky is usually very clear and allows you to enjoy the splendid views of the different mountain peaks. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
After breakfast early morning, drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you pass through Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and finally Kurintar where Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you will enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. Leaving Kurintar you head towards Thankot via Naubise. Thankot is the entry point to Kathmandu. If you choose to fly back to Kathmandu, it takes about 25 minutes. There are several flights from Kathmand to Pokhara from morning to afternoon.
Below is a list of equipment and clothing required for trekking. The necessity of these items depends on the type, altitude, timing and destination of trekking. Appropriate trekking gears are not only required for the comfort/pleasure of your trek but also to improve safety factor. Please have a look over these items in order to fully prepare and thoroughly enjoy the trekking.
General Items:
Daypack, Rucksack, Sleeping bag, Duffel bag, Walking Poles, walking boots, sandals, Toiletries (Soaps, Toilet papers, Sanitizers, toothpaste, tooth brush, etc.)
Clothing Items:
Thermal underwear, Down jacket, Shorts, Trekking trousers, Towels, Woolen gloves, Gaiters, Fleece jacket or Pullover, Wind/water proof jacket, Raincoat, Warm socks, buff
Sun-worn Items:
Sun hat, Sunglasses, Snow goggles, Sunscreen, Lip balm
Gadgets:
Headlamp, Flash light, Binoculars, Cameras (chargers and batteries),
Liquid/Snacks:
Water bottle/bladder, Water purification Iodine tablets, Energy bars and snacks
Medical Essentials:
First Aid Kit
Optional:
Altimeter, Compass, Binoculars, Books/magazines, GPS, Pocket knife, Candles (for lodges), Notebook with pencil/pen, etc
Additional items for camping trek:
Tent, Stove and fuel, Utensils for cooking, eating and drinking, sleeping mattresses
Note: We can also provide sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag, walking poles, and First Aid Kit in case if you don’t have one. These items are inclusive of total package price.
Andrea & Marvin
The Jomsom trip was great ! We even did it in 6 days, prettyhard, but so nice. Will be back again for Everest Base Camp trek
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