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Jomsom - Muktinath Trek (Trek in/Fly out)

Posted by: NTN Admin | Date: January 29, 2010

Muktinath is Nepal’s most famous pilgrimage site with one hundred and eight stone taps and the marvelous temples.

Jomsom Muktinath trek is a part of Annapurna trek. In comparison to others, it is an easier trek. One of the most significant features of this trek is that it can be done throughout the year as it falls under rain shadow area. The route actually crosses to the other side of the main Himalayan range for some magnificent views of the northern flanks. The entire route remains below 4000 meters but the trek is purely stimulating. This is a remarkable trek where you can explore the Buddhist and Hindu culture as well.

Fact of the trip

Main attraction
Rain shadow (Trans Himalayan) region semi-Tibetan cultural experiences holy Shiva's pilgrimage site, Buddhist society, pinnacle sceneries and landscape, stunning mountain views, down mid-hill mixed cultural trail, hot spring.

Accessibility
Fly to Jomsom from Pokhara, ascend up to Muktinath and descend down to Nayapool.

The Route
Max. Altitude 3800 m. Muktinath / 3200 m. Poon hill, 5-6 hr. average walking per day trek starts after breakfast, moderate trail.

Best season
Mid Aug. to Dec. and April to May

Facility
Teahouse lodges managed by ACAP and eco-aware local people. Tented camping trip can also be organized, safe drinking water projects.

Jomsom to Muktinath Trek Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) which takes about six hours. You can also fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes about 25 minutes.

Day 02: Drive from Pokhara (915 m.) to Phedi (1130 m.) and trek from Phedi to Pothana which takes about five hours. From here you begin your trek to Pothana (1900m.). The trail ascends all the way to Pothana through forests till you reach the village called Dhampus. It is a Gurung community village which gives you an opportunity to look at the magnificent views of Annapurna ranges, Lamjung Himal and Manaslu. The ascent trail follows to Pothana through the forests.

Day 03: Trek from Pothana to Ghandruk (1940m.) which takes about six hours. While trekking from Pothana to Ghandruk the trail ascends gently to Deurali and begins to descend up to Bherikharka through forests. Now you follow flat path till you reach Landrunk village via Tolkha village. The path you follow till Landrunk is really exhilarating as you pass through many local villages rich in culture, terraced fields and numerous green hills. From here the trail descends to Modi khola (stream) and ascends all the way to Ghandruk village which is 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.

Day 04: Trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani (2650m.) and it takes about four hours. The trek then continues with the forest of Rhododendron trees.
Day 05: Trek from Tadapani to Ghorepani (2853m.) which takes about five hours. Today’s trek starts with a short decline till a small stream and then uphill through the Rhododendron trees. We come across a place name banthanti with the facility of tea houses and lodges. From here, the trail ascends through the forests up to Gurung Hill. Now the trail descends through the forest till Ghorepani.

Day 06: Trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani (2600m.) which takes about seven and half hours. This day offers you an early morning trip to Poon Hill (3232m.) to enjoy the sunrise view over numerous snowcapped mountain peaks. After breakfast you trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani. Tatopani takes its name from the hot springs near the river, below the village.

Day 06: Trek from Tatopani to Ghasa (2013m.) and it takes about five hours. The followed route ascends gently up the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, towards the village of Dana, which is surrounded by orange groves. From autumn to winter, baskets of these oranges are offered for sale to passing travelers. Just beyond the small hamlet of Rupse, a thundering waterfall cascades down beside the trail. From here, the trail enters the steepest and narrowest section of the gorge, but the layered stone path is well-constructed and wide. When the rock cliffs end, we descend to the river before making the short climb back up to Ghasa. This is the first Thakali village we come across and the houses here are all built in the flat-roofed Tibetan style.

Day 07: Trek from Ghasa to Marpha (2667m.) which takes about six and half hours. The trek ascends crossing the wide valley of Kali Gandaki for about six to seven hours. On the way to Marpha we trek along the banks of Kali Gandaki through the Apple orchard, you can eat apples if it happens to be the fruit season.

Day 08: Trek from Marpha to Jomsom (2713m.) to Kagbeni (2897m.) and it takes about five hours. You continue to follow the wide valley of the Kali Gandaki, passing through Khobang and Tukuche. Tukuche is a delightful village where narrow alleyways and houses built around enclosed courtyards attempt to provide some shelter from the winds which howl through the gorge. The wind generally picks up about midday, but will at least be blowing at our backs as you head up to Jomsom. Marpha makes a good lunch stop and the courtyards of the many lodges make ideal resting and refreshment places. The local apple brandy is especially well-known! As the trail continues towards Jomsom, the landscape becomes increasingly arid and impressive with its mixture of brown, yellow and grey, contrasting with the white snowcaps of Tilicho and Nilgiri. By afternoon, the stiff winds begin to blow, hastening our way to Jomsom.

Day 09: Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath (3795 m.) which takes about 4 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. 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

Day 10: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2713 m.) and it takes about 5 hours. Today we continue down for early two hours and then walk through the flat path till we reach Jomsom.

Day 11: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara which takes about 20 minutes. The flights are available during the morning time.

Day 12: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about six hours. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes 25 minutes.

Note: If you are interested to do this trekking you can use our in built form for making inquiry to local agents here in Nepal or you can put queries to know the details of the trekking area by expert in the link below or you can get extra information from Nepal travel news team.