Jomsom Muktinath Trek

Jomsom is a great place to start trekking. The diverse landscapes and cultures be found along the trekking routes.

Jomsom Muktinath Trek Highlights

You can collect blessings after bathing in 108 waterspouts in Muktinath temple, a spiritual point for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims.
You may take a stroll around the Apple Orchards in the Marpha village and taste the special wine and apple products.
You will have a close encounter with the Gurung and Thakali people of the region.
You can meditate for some time at the monastery and gompas with the flapping prayer flags over you.
You will get to walk through the ancient Salt Trade route and witness Yak caravans as well.

Trip Description

The Jomsom Muktinath trek is a popular trek which encompasses very interesting Gurung and Thakali villages, apple orchards, rhododendron forests, the world’s deepest gorge, and the windswept Tibetan plateau. It also takes in both monasteries and Hindu temples for cultural flavor. With the highest point being Muktinath (3,710m) this is a relatively low altitude trek suitable for almost everyone. And it is one of the most effective ways to get near to the Himalayas; with marvelous views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri being the main highlight of the trip.

Although suitable for all, and a great family trek, there are a couple of challenges, starting very early on with climbing up thousands of stone steps at Ulleri Hill. But this just adds to the adventure and can be completed at a pace suitable to all levels of fitness. Marpha is just one of the interesting villages on the route. It is the heart of apple growing in Nepal and the village retains its original whitewashed buildings and narrow cobbled streets. There is a Buddhist monetary that can be visited in Marpha. Another fascinating place is the village of Kagbeni which is the gateway to Upper Mustang. Although this trek does not enter this forbidden Kingdom of Lo, visitors can look up the windswept valley and imaging the Trans-Himalayan salt trading route that used to run (and still does to some extent) through this village. Muktinath is the highest point of the trail, with its interesting Hindu Temple, 108 stone water spouts and eternal flame.

For those with less time but a desire to see the Himalayas at very close range, this is the perfect trip, combining mountains with culture.

The Trekking Group

For the Jomsom Muktinath Trek, there will be one leader and one assistant leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant leader/guide) and Sherpa porters for carrying luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter). This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group were to get sick, the trip can still go ahead as planned.

Accommodations

We will be staying at 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and the best available teahouses during the trek. We stay in Yatri Suites and Spa or similar in Kathmandu and Hotel Milarepa in Pokhara. All accommodations are on twin-shared basis. Single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional USD 350. Please understand that since you will be trekking in remote regions, the services in the teahouses will be basic. We will try our best to arrange rooms with attached washrooms; however, teahouses in some places do not have attached bathrooms.

Meals

During our Jomsom Muktinath Trek, we can enjoy authentic Nepalese food as well as the more common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.). Breakfast and dinner will be served from the teahouse or from a lodge menu where we spend the night whereas lunch will be served on the way to the next destination. All meals will be provided during trekking while only breakfast will be available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. There will also be welcome and farewell dinners for guests.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft)

After landing at the Tribhuwan International Airport, we will be greeted by a representative of Nepal New Generation Team who will drop us off at our hotel. We then check-in at the hotel, freshen up and take a rest. In the evening, a welcome dinner will be hosted by Nepal New Generation Team. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Included meals:Dinner

Day 02: Kathmandu: sightseeing and trek preparation

We tour Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa and Bouddhanath stupa which are all world heritage sites. The Durbar Square reveals the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath temple is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple and Boudhanath stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, we are introduced to our fellow participants and discuss our trip at Himalayan Glacier’s office. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Included meals:Breakfast

Day 03: Fly to Pokhara (823m/2,700ft) and trek to Tikhendhunga (1,552m/5,090ft): 30 minutes flight, 4-5 hours trek

We fly to Pokhara early in morning and enjoy amazing views of the valleys, hills and mountains from our airplane. After landing in the Pokhara airport, we drive to Naya Pul (1 hour and 20 minutes) and start the trek. We walk towards the Bhurundi Khola after which we ascend through lush forests and trails on the side of cliffs. Next, we cross a suspension bridge over the Modi Khola (river) and reach Tikhedhunga. Overnight in Tikhedhunga.