Jomsom Muktinath Pilgrimage Trek

we take about an 6 to 7 hours drive to scenic lake city of Pokhara. Quick stops and breakfast on the road will be offered to you at quality restaurant. It will be a tourist bus that starts to roll from 6/7 am in the morning and you will arrive at Pokhara in afternoon at around 2 pm. After reaching Pokhara our trekking guide will be with you, we all check into hotel and come out to streets of Pokhara for short half day tour if you are interested.

As sunrises at Pokhara, we should already have our early meal today and get towards Pokhara airport to board a flight towards Jomsom. After flying across the hills and landing at Jomsom, our walking activity begins from and ends at here. We will have our quick stop at Jomsom and push ourselves towards northern side across Kali Gandaki valley. In this way, walking across the broad river valley, through rocky river banks; there we arrive at a small settlement locally known as Eklai Bhatti.

The surrounding and topography starts to change as we ascend above 3000 meters. Gradually, after we arrive at Kagbeni village, we encounter deserted landscape where we can also find the confluence of two rivers Jhong Khola and Kali Gandaki. We get influenced from cultural and local traditions here at Kali Gandaki. Visit to local monasteries and gombas always adds to attractions. Total walking on first day of trekking activity would be 4 hours. Stay overnight at Kagbeni.

Today shall be our most important day of Jomsom Muktinath Trek as we will be approaching towards famous pilgrimage site of Muktinath. Our day starts after we ascend towards Jhong valley and catch a major route to Muktinath. Further walking along the Jharkot valley across small river streams and trees. Here we also visit to nearby monasteries too. Muktinath is pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindu followers. Get peaceful and spiritual surroundings while visiting temples, monasteries built centuries ago. Muktinath refers to Nirvana and you shall feel relieved and peace of mind and soul while visiting this pilgrimage site. Muktinath temple is temple of Lord Vishnu and has 108 water sprouts surrounding the pilgrimage site. Here today, we also do visit another popular temple of Jwala Mai where we see eternal flame glowing from heart of earth. Total walking hours today would be 4 to 5 hours. 

Sense of spirituality strikes us today early in the morning while visiting Muktinath temple. After a short while of preparation and breakfast at our local lodge, we shall walk mostly downhill to Eklai Bhatti. Jomsom Muktnath trekking route then follows towards popular settlement called as Marpha. This place is the major village at Kali Gandaki valley and former trading route to Tibet. The route here is very windy as strong winds blows across the valley and often route becomes impassable after noon. It is very essential to save ourselves from these wind, therefore full head mask and wind cheater jacket is must have for this trek. We do visit around the Marpha village and nearby monastery. Marpha is also famous for its apple products.

As we begin our day at Marpha, good views of nearby Annapurna Himalayan range is seen. We start our day after having our daily meal. It will be most of time downhill trek to local settlement called Dana where we will have our lunch stop. Leaving behind Kalopani, we also get wonderful opportunity to experience deepest Kali Gandaki gorge.  We have our lunch and further 2 hours walk to Kalopani blesses us with stunning views of Nilgiri peak.  Today we walk for around 3 to 4 hours.

We traverse from Kalopani to Tatopani today with slow downhill trek.we will stop for a lunch and steeply walk downhill through local forests. On this day natural hot-spring will also be another attraction as we take a dip into naturally warm water pond and relax. Tato is ‘hot’ and pani is ‘water’ in Nepali. On reach at Tatopani, refreshment ant then trek about 10min to hot spring pool. 

From Tatopani we will take an almost 1600m ascend to Ghorepani. On the way, we pass through the villages of many ethnic groups in every short distance with different life style, housing style accordingly profession too. The main villages on the way are Ghara, Shikha, Phalate and Chitre. Today you will have different view of Mt. Dhaulagri, Mt. Nilgiri and Mt. Annapurna.

We wake up early in the morning today to see spectacular sunrise views over Annapurna Himalayas from Poonhill view point. So, we start walking before sunrise in the dark. In a short while magic happens as golden rays of sun strikes snow capped peaks and creates golden atmosphere all around. We get to see the Himalayas namely Annapurna south, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Tukuche, Machapuchare and few others. For a short while, we enjoy the sunrise moment and return to our local lodge at Ghorepani. There after having our breakfast, we make our way towards Tadapani via rhododendron forests that blossoms during spring season. 

Leaving behind Tadapani, we further descend towards beautiful Gurung village of Ghandruk. The greenery, great Himalayan views, refreshing walk through rhododendron trees and warm hospitality along with cultural exploration opportunities at Ghandruk, we get plenty to see, enjoy, learn and experience today. Gurung museum is another attraction here at Ghandruk where we learn more about their history, tradition and lifestyle.

We are now at the final days of our Jomsom Muktinath Trek. Today, we trek towards Nayapul and take a drive to Pokhara. Most of the day, it will be downhill trek via trees, forests, cross Birethanti. Trekking activity ends at Nayapul. After an hour drive we arrive at Pokhara and enjoy rest of the time strolling around lakeside and visiting other popular attractions in Pokhara.

We take a drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu and conclude our Jomsom Muktinath Trek.