Jomsom Muktinath Trek

Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Moderate
  • Style: Trekking
  • Transportation: Tourist Bus, Car, Jeep, Air-plane
  • Meals: BLD (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
  • Accommodation: 3 Star (or greater) Hotel

Highlights of Jomsom Muktinath Trek

  • Scenic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom
  • Apple orchards of Kagbeni and the ‘Apple Capital of Nepal’ Marpha
  • Muktinath Temple, the shrine equally for Hindus and Buddhists
  • Exploration of ethnic villages like Ghasa, Ghorepani, Tadapani and Ghandruk
  • Natural hot waterfalls of Tatopani
  • Gurung Museum of Ghandruk village
  • Sightseeing around the lake city Pokhara
  • Drive along the Prithvi Highway

Jomsom Muktinath trek in the Annapurna region takes you to path of salvation, allowing to visit both Hindu and Buddhist shrines. Progressing through the world’s deepest gorge formed by Kali Gandaki River, Jomsom Mukthinath trekking trail is absolutely worth experiencing. This trek rewards you with breathtaking panoramic views of peaks like Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri including cultural villages, lush forests and valleys.

Jomsom Muktinath trek 10-day itinerary proposed by Orbit Alpine Adventure follows one of the most frequented and well-defined routes. Throughout the journey, trekkers have a fabulous opportunity to get lost in appreciation of the constantly changing landscapes along with altitude. The age-old monasteries, caves, temples, local culture, and natural hot springs are the factors inviting thousands of trekkers every year.

Jomsom Muktinath trek begins from Jomsom after a domestic flight from Pokhara which offers you the aerial view of Annapurna region. You have the scenery of the lush valleys, wonderful landscapes and snowy peaks of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and distant view of Manaslu region. The Apple orchards of Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang trekking and Marpha are really amazing to observe at.

You visit the religious landmark equally significant for both Hindus and Buddhas, Muktinath Temple at an elevation of 3,802m. You see Bishnu Temple, gompas, 108 waterspouts and a natural flame that never goes out at the temple premises. After exploring the natural sites of Mustang region, you walk down towards some ethnic villages recognized for their culture and tradition. You go past Ghasa, Tatopani (hot water), Ghorepani, Tadapani, Ghadruk and Birethanti to reach the lake city Pokhara.

All these are the Gurung villages famous for clean surrounding and keeping their culture, tradition and lifestyle intact since centuries ago. Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is one of the most popular treks in Nepal for sunrise view of the Annapurna region. Ghandruk trek offers you a golden opportunity to be familiar with Gurung socio-cultural practices through Gurung Museum located here.

For the lastfew days, you will be walking through fertile terraced farmlands and lush green forests in Annapurna region. Besides excellent views of the Himalayas, Jomsom Muktinath trek helps us witness deeper understanding of the cooperation among the Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. The instance of religious tolerance is remarkably found during trekking around Annapurna region where Hindus and Buddhists respect each other.

In the most acclaimed tourist hub of Nepal, Pokhara, you can visit many touristic places to make the trekking in Nepal more memorable. You can experience boating in Phewa Lake, sightseeing of Devi’s fall and Tal Barahi Temple for lifelong memory. To return Kathmandu from Pokhara, you can either drive along the Prithvi Highway for about 6 hours or fly back.

Why Jomsom Muktinath trek?

Jomsom Muktinath trek is the journey towards Annapurna region for a lifetime experience of the Nepalese Himalayas. The dry and arid landscapes in the desert- region and the lovely mountain peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges are other attractions. It takes you from sub-tropical region having dense forests to alpine region with low or no vegetation at all. Ethnic villages reflecting their typical lifestyle, culture and tradition maintaining cleanliness of the surrounding are other things to attract tourists there.

There are many reasons for one to choose trekking to Jomsom and Muktinath ranging from natural to cultural to historical. You can learn about the historical facts about the formation and continuation of the Last Forbidden Kingdom of Lo Manthang. The sacred religious site Muktinath Temple having 108-waterspouts continuously flowing water and the flame burning all day night is another attraction. Every year,thousands of tourists flock to Muktinath Temple which is equally holy for both Hindus and Buddhists to pay homage.

Thakali Cultural Heritage tour is also anther plus point of Jomsom trekking as there are many cultural Thakali villages. Mustang Eco Museum situated in Jomsom is the best reliable source to let you know about Thakali culture, tradition, lifestyle and food items. Thakali Dish, a typical Nepal food: Dal, Bhat, Tarkari plus fermented vegetable pickle is the identity of people of Jomsom. You can find hundreds of Thakali Kitchens in Nepal and you can find it even in the major countries where Nepalese people have reached.

Detour to Kagbeni and Marpha has equally important flavor during Muktinath trek. Kagbeni is situated at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki River and the Jhong Khola and the gateway to Upper Mustang trekking. Similarly, Marpha is a Thakali village which is famous for apple orchards full of tasty apples during August-Septebmber-Octobor. You can relish different edible items made up of organic apples of Mustang including ‘Marpha’, a local brand of liquor. You can even interact with the local people to know about their traditional lifestyle, food items and cultural parts.

Day to Day Itinerary

OPEN ALL DAYS Outline Itinerary

You will be greeted at the airport and will go to your hotel. You can freshen up and have some sightseeing. In the evening we will explain about the program ahead.

  • Meals: Welcome dinner
  • Accommodation: Three Star Hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1,350m/4,429ft

After breakfast, we will go for full day sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley. You will be accompanied by our professional tour guide. The sightseeing includes visiting Pashupatinath, Bauddhanath, Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar square. Come back to hotel and in the evening you can hang-out around Thamel. Stay overnight at hotel.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Accommodation: Three Star Hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1,350m/4,429ft

At 7 AM, you will start from Kathmandu and after a 7-hour drive (most of the route is scenic), you will reach Pokhara. Spend the afternoon around Lakeside.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Accommodation: Three Star Hotel
  • Altitude: 910m/ 2,986ft
  • Time: 6 Hours

Fly to Jomsom & sightseeing around Jomsom. The Kali-Gandaki valley here is called the Thak-khola, after the native Thakalis, who are distantly related to the Tibetans. The day we walk to Kagbeni, the checkpoint of entry to Upper Mustang. The altitudes of this trek vary between about 915m at Pokhara to approx.3880m at Muktinath; going up and down will test the best pair of knees.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Kagbeni
  • Altitude: 2,750m/9,022ft
  • Time: 4 Hours

We ascend steeply to a 3,880m, at Muktinath. This is one of the most important pilgrimage sights for Hindus. Holy water flows from the 108 carved spouts surrounding the Vishnu temple in a grove of poplars. Muktinath is also home to many ethnic Tibetans and holy Buddhists, who come here for the temple in which fire miraculously burns in a stream of water inside a small but very holy temple.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Muktinath
  • Altitude: 3,802m/12,474ft
  • Time: 5 Hours

Wake up early and go to Bishnu Temple or the Gompa nearby Muktinath Temple to pay the homage. Today, you follow the trekking trail that descends towards Jomsom from Muktinath, a holy place equally for both Hindus and Buddhists. You pass by an ethnic village called Ranipauwa which is located below the barren hills and an optional stopovers during Annapurna Circuit trek. You walk along the landscapes that are exactly like Tibetan Plateaus standing above the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the world’s deepest gorge. You reach Marpha Village which is also known as the ‘Apple Capital of Nepal’ for the night station. After reaching there, you can taste different items made of apples and if you like tasting local liquor, you can try ‘Marpha’. ‘Marpha’ is the liquor brandy made up of apples and it is imported in and out of the country to uplift the local people economically.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Marpha
  • Altitude: 2,665m/8,743ft
  • Time: 6 Hours

The trail to Ghasa that passes from between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri region, shows you with the stunning view of their snowy peaks. Then, it moves forward along Larjung Village by crossing the riverbed full of gravels. Moving ahead from Larjung Village through the rugged trail, you reach Kalopani, a small Thakali Village and another stopover during the trek. Located at the elevation of 2,590m, Kalopani is the best view point to see Annapurna I and the entire Annapurna Circuit. Enjoying the 360-degree panoramic view of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna I, you reach Ghasa by crossing the dense forests. Overnight stay at a local teahouse at Ghasa by relishing the typical Nepali food.

  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Ghasa
  • Altitude: 2,080m/6,824ft
  • Time: 6 Hours

After having breakfast at Ghasa, you begin the journey along the pine and conifer woodlands between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. You find the drastic change from the dry and arid landscapes to green forests while descending towards the lower elevation. You go across Rupsi village having natural waterfalls and Dana village which is perfect for a picturesque of Mt. Nilgiri. After reaching Tatopani, you can take a bath at natural hot spring to get relaxation from the travel fatigue. You are going to spend the night at a local guesthouse by relishing the organic food items. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Tatopani
  • Altitude: 1,110m/3,642ft
  • Time: 6 Hours

Steadily climbing all day, we eventually leave behind the terraced fields and walk through thick rhododendron forest to the village of Ghorepani. We camp at the pass for the best views of the sunset over the spectacular, snow-capped Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Range.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Ghorepani
  • Altitude: 2,834m/9,298ft
  • Time: 7 Hours

Early morning, you will visit the famous Poon Hill where you will hopefully be blessed with a fantastic sunrise and 360 degree view of all the Annapurna Range. The views here are breathtaking as you sit and sip on a hot cup of coffee before heading down the main trail to Pokhara. The trail descends steeply through dense moss-covered forest rich with birds to Tadapani (2,540m) for beautiful sunset views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Tadapani
  • Altitude: 2,630m/8,629ft
  • Time: 5 Hours

Trail descends steeply through dense damp forest, where you may see monkeys, and continues down over a series of rock-cut steps that follow a leaping stream. Arrive in Ghandruk (1,940m) and explore the maze-like streets of this thriving Gurung settlement.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Ghandruk
  • Altitude: 1,940m/6,365ft
  • Time: 3/4 Hours

A steady climb down past startlingly green cultivated terraces and picturesque, beautifully-preserved farms to the scurrying Modi River, which the trail follows back to Birethanti. Drive to Pokhara. Overnight at hotel.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Accommodation: Three Star Hotel
  • Place: Pokhara
  • Altitude: 1,065m/3,494f
  • Time: 4/5 Hours

The drive is a scenic one, taking around seven hours. Alternatively, you can fly from Pokhara and spend the rest of the day in Kathmandu. You are invited to a Nepalese dinner in the evening.

  • Meals: Farewell Dinner
  • Accommodation: Three Star Hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu

A few hours before your scheduled flight time, we will take you to the airport for your flight back home.

  • Meals: Breakfast

Cost Details

  • Airport pick up on your arrival and drop at the end of your trip free of cost
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Project permit and TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System)
  • All needed ground transportation by tourist bus, Public vehicles or flight (on your request)
  • Domestic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and back to Pokhara
  • Trekking maps and complete free trekking information before going to trek.
  • Farewell dinner in typical Nepali restaurant at the beginning and end of treks and tour in Kathmandu
  • Accommodation in tea-house/lodge during the trek
  • 3 star hotel or similar in Kathmandu and Pokhara as per itinerary
  • An experience English speaking licensed holder trekking guide
  • Strong potter for carrying your luggage (1 potter for 2 person)
  • First aid kit box (carried by your trekking guide or leader)
  • Salary, insurance, food, accommodation for guide and potters
  • Down jacket, sleeping bag, trekking poles and if needed more trekking gears here is available on hair. All local tax and paper work will done by Orbit Alpine Adventure
  • Your international flight ticket to Nepal and return back
  • Nepal entry visa
  • All kind of drinks (Tea, coffee, hot water, bottle water), bar bills (alcoholic beverage) and desert
  • Hot shower, WIFI, all kind of battery charges in trekking region.
  • Tips to guides, potters and drivers
  • All kind of personal shopping
  • Extra night accommodation and meals because of early arrival, late departure and early return from trekking (due to any reason than the scheduled itinerary) in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Your travel insurance (it is compulsory to take and adventure trip) for emergency evacuation and hospital