Jomsom Muktinath Trek - 13 Days

Welcome to the city of temples!

Our representatives will be there to receive you at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Then, they will take you to your hotel and briefly explain our plans and detailed route for the trek. You will also meet with your guides and other traveling fellows.

Make sure you carry your important documents like passports, photos, travel insurance paper. You need these documents for the permits and a TIMS card.

After finishing this program, you are free to explore the vibrant streets of Kathmandu.

This day is for the last minute shopping and getting to know Kathmandu better. There are famous shopping hubs at Kathmandu, Thamel. Here, you can get any gear products for the trek. So, even if you forget something or if you don’t want to carry heavy stuff, there is an option.

After shopping, the next thing is Kathmandu tour. We tour the famous world heritage sites like Durbar Squares, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa, and Boudhanath stupa. Each of them has their typical and identical origin, significance, and architecture.

The Durbar Square reveals the ancient royal life, their practices, and followed traditions. Whereas Swayambhunath and Boudhanath are two significant stupas representing Buddhism. And Pashupatinath temple is the biggest pilgrimage for Hindus, located in the serene and natural environment.

This day will surely gladden you for the more exciting days to come. Better to keep your camera and layers ready!

Travel hour: 6-7 hours drive to Pokhara, 1-1.5 hours drive to Nayapul

Trek duration: 4-5 hours

Max Altitude: 1552m, Tikhedhunga

As the starting point of our trek is at Pokhara, we will take an early drive to Pokhara. Driving along the banks of Trishuli and Marshyangdi river you will enjoy the views from the tourist bus. High above the sky, you will enjoy the amazing views of the valleys, hills, and mountains. From Pokhara, we will drive to Nayapul. This is about an hour to 1-1.5 hours of drive.

Nayapul is the starting point of the trek. On the way to Nayapul, you will get the scenic view of paddy fields, terraced lands, and beautiful green hills. We will ascend through lush subtropical forests and other cliffs.

Then we cross various villages like Birethanti and also bounce over a suspension bridge over the Modi Khola. After about 2-3 hours, we reach Tikhedhunga, a small village between the high hills and beyond the Himalayas.

Tikhedhunga is a good and refreshing spot to take rest. Here are few teahouses which offer a variety of services on food and lodging.

We will spend the night at a teahouse in Tikhedhunga.

Trek duration: 6-7 hours

Max Altitude: 2850m, Ghorepani

This day is one of the difficult days within the trek. We will face ascending trails dominantly. Crossing Tikhedhunga, the trail proceeds to a steep uphill stone staircase to Ulleri. There are about 3200 steps to cross. Then, we will encounter many small settlements of Gurung and Magar on the way. We will have lunch on one of the lodge/teahouses.

This day you also come across many wooden bridges, waterfalls, rivers, and rivulets. You might encounter various species of birds and animals. For faunas, you see the vibrant colored rhododendrons never seen before. Also, there are oak, bamboo, and colored fern plants.

After 6-7 hours of tiresome ascend a long steep trail, we reach Ghorepani. Ghorepani has two distinct villages as Upper Ghorepani and Lower Ghorepani. As it will be easier to trek from Upper Ghorepani next day, we will stay overnight in a teahouse there. You will have the greatest view of the surrounding mountains, calm cold breeze, and typical Gurung locals. The combination gives the awesome taste!

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

Max Altitude: 3120m (Poon Hill), 1190m (Tatopani)

This day is quite a hectic day too as you have to get up at 4 am in the morning. We will trek to a Poon Hill (3210m). Poon Hill is widely renowned for its beautiful sunrise and a full panoramic scene of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. This spot is also a “photographer’s paradise” as the scene is darn and stunning.

After the fruitful morning, we descend to Ghorepani for breakfast and begin the next walk for today’s destination. On the way, we enjoy the glistening views of Annapurna South and Nilgiri mountains. Then, we descend to Sikha village and continue to Ghar Khola village. We cross a few rivers through suspension bridges and climb up to reach Tatopani.

Tatopani means ‘hot water’ in Nepali. As per the name, here you can enjoy hot spring water and soothe your tired body. It is seriously an aspiring moment!

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

Max Altitude: 2110m

After the refreshing day, you will even have more refreshing morning in Tatopani. The calm environment will re-energize you a lot. So, later having breakfast, we begin our uphill climb where we ascend gradually. The sizzling view and sound of Kali Gandaki river will be right next to us. Such a thrilling experience you feel!

We cross a suspension bridge and continue the journey. Next, the trail passes through a beautiful waterfall, Rupse Chhahara. Rupse falls has tremendous beauty around it as the deepest gorge in the world Kali Gandaki gorge and river lies nearby.

Then, we move up to Ghasa, the ultimate point for the trek. At Ghasa, there is an ACAP checkpost where you will need to show your permits. This is because you are moving from one administrative region to another.

Ghasa is the first Thakali village at the border side of Tibet in the valley at the lower part of the Kali Gandaki valley. Rich in greenery, the village is warm and full of ethnic people. Their lifestyle will surely have some impact.

The village is also popular for bird-watching as many species of rare birds like a red down-curved bill, fly here. You will have an exciting day for sure!

Trek duration: 4-5 hours

Max Altitude: 2810m

Like other days, on this day we face steep trail through dense forests by the side of the Lete Khola. The route welcomes you with awestrucking views of the layered ridge of the river, hills, mountains, and calm sky beyond. It is a long day journey which continues to the east of Kali Gandaki and reaches Larjung village. Then, we reach the final point of Marpha- the village of Apple Orchards.

The ethnic group named Thakali (after Kali Gandaki) inhabits this region. It is a pretty stone lined village full of monasteries (Chhairo Monastery), chortens, gumbas, and ritual sites.

The apple capital in the nation produces Marpha brandy and jams from the local fruits. As the apple is the mainstay of the region, the Jomsom trek is often referred as “The Apple Pie Trek”. And the marpha brandy will help to provide trekkers with sound sleep on the cold nights along the trails!

Here, along with apple orchards and vegetable farms, the narrow lanes, unique paths with local settlement will amaze you totally. From a point at Chimang, you get the combo view of the deepest Kali Gandaki gorge and highest Mt. Dhaulagiri. Further, you cannot ignore the sensational bridges, innocent locals, and surrounding flora & fauna.

The arrangement of night stay will be more than satisfactory here. Some lodges have fully facilitated serving like a 3-star hotel in the mountain.

Trek duration: 4-5 hours

Max Altitude: 2810m

From Marpha, we trek on the trail that leads to a big dry valley. The path still follows tricky ascends on the ridges. Then we reach Jomsom valley. From there, we trek north towards Kagbeni, above the Kali Gandaki river. The spot is also the deepest gorge in the world. As it gets windy after the noon, it is significant to walk carefully at your own pace.

Here, we pass through Eklebatti village before striking Kagbeni. Kagbeni is the gateway to the Upper Mustang of the high Himalayas in Nepal. This northern-central Nepal is unlike any other place in the country. With barren, windswept humps of mountain desert earth, you see the pink, purple, brown, and gray hues of the landscape.

Kagbeni is also popular for series of cave ruins of prehistoric times. The abandoned settlements and irrigation fields are unique and elegant. The culture, language, and tradition of the Thakali people are worth experiencing. The view of the valley and dry hills give the sense of peaceful wilderness.

From Kagbeni, we also get the enticing views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, and Tukuche peaks. The lodges are cozy and comfortable with good facilities and services. We will stay at a comfortable lodge here.

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

Max Altitude: 3710m, Muktinath

This day there will be a special permit check at the check-post in Kagbeni. We will hike after breakfast. This day, we follow the riverside of Kali Gandaki upstream.

During this hiking, you venture across scenic picturesque views of the stunning Himalayas, beautiful landscapes, and vivid cultural luxuries. You can’t stop standing by and admiring them.

From Kagbeni, the path steeply rejoins the trail of Khingar at 3200m. Then, the trail is a desert landscape until Jharkot village. Further, we climb some steep paths to Muktinath.

Muktinath is the pilgrimage of non-stop glowing fire, 108 water taps, and 2 holy ponds nearby. It is a famous holy place for Hindus and Buddhists for salvation (Mukti). This place even carries a great significance in Eastern philosophy. There are also some monasteries and Gumba worth visiting.

This day fully proves the diversity of nature, landscapes, and culture of Nepal. Overnight at a lodge in Muktinath.

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

Max Altitude: 2,715m, Jomsom

Muktinath is an important place of pilgrimage for both Buddhists and Hindus. This holy place intricates these two religions in an adorable way. This day, we visit the main temple in the morning and also tour its surroundings. We will also visit monasteries, gumbas, and holy lakes/spouts around.

After the religious morning tour, we retrace our steps back to Jomsom enjoying the same spectacular views of the previous day. We climb up and down to Thakali areas like Lubra Danda. It is one of the picturesque Thakali villages of the route. The wide and flat trail continues to the district-headquarter of Mustang- Jomsom.

We will stay at Jomsom. The view of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Nilgiri is awesome from here. The windy breeze of Kali Gandaki gives you peace and calmness.

Travel duration: 35-30 minutes

Max Altitude: 910m, Pokhara

We will take an early morning flight to Pokhara. The experience of the airplane will be delightful as it passes through a gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.

After arriving Pokhara the beautiful ‘city of lakes’, you can fully spend the time chilling and relaxing. There are so much to do. You can even go for paragliding, zip flyer, kayaking, cycling, and many more. There are even cafe, pubs, clubs, and restaurants of various taste. You can enjoy as per your choice!

This day, we leave Pokhara and be back to Kathmandu. You will drive back on tourist bus/private vehicle.

After reaching Kathmandu, if you will have some spare time you can relax. You can shop for endeavors or even go on spa or other relaxations.

In the evening, you will join our farewell dinner where you will be sharing your trekking experiences.

The Jomsom Muktinath Trek comes to an end today! As per your flight schedule, our team will drop you at the airport. We definitely hope you to see in the days to come!

Also not to forget our company is totally comfortable with customizing the above itinerary as per your preference. If you have any query regarding this trek or any other, do contact us.

We feel delighted to help you out!