Jomsom Muktinath Trek
Jomsom Muktinath is located north of Pokhara and is easily accessible from Pokhara through a short flight. Jomsom is a settlement located at the bottom of the world's deepest gorge in the Kali Gandaki Valley, between two enormous mountains. From Jomson, it is possible to walk in either direction along the Circuit; the popular trip to the Buddhist and Hindu holy site of Muktinath follows a historic trade and pilgrimage route across the Himalayas.
Sunrise and mountain vistas from Poon Hill; Hot springs at Tatopani; World's deepest Kaligandaki Gorge; Typical Thakali villages in Tukuche and Marpha; Monasteries at Tukuche, Marpha, Kagbeni, Jharkot, and Muktinath; Muktinath's perpetual frame.
From Kalopani, the Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peaks with the icefall in between are equally as impressive as Annapurna I and Nilgiri South. The vista of Nilgiri South remains nearly as far down as Tatopani, while Annapurna I reappears at Guithe. Rupse Chhahara is a lovely waterfall along the route.
Tatopani features hot springs by the river, and the steep walk to Ghorepani from here ascends through a deep forest that is packed with rhododendron trees near the end. Ghorepani has the best panoramic view of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges; from Poon Hill, 450m/1,475 ft higher, the view stretches from Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Nilgiri South to Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre. Annapurna South truly dominates the vista, and as you descend from Ghorepani to Nayapul, you can see the peak all the way to Ulleri. We drive an hour from Nayapul back to Pokhara.
Jomsom Muktinath Trek Highlights
The Jomsom Muktinath Trek is a popular and diverse trekking route in the Mustang region of Nepal. It takes you through dramatic landscapes, ancient villages, and significant religious sites. Here are some highlights of the Jomsom Muktinath Trek.
Diverse Landscapes: Experience a wide range of landscapes, from subtropical forests to arid, high-altitude desert-like terrain. This trek offers a unique blend of natural beauty.
Kali Gandaki Gorge: Traverse through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, often referred to as the world's deepest gorge, with the towering peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri on either side.
Jomsom: Visit Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang, known for its unique culture and traditional architecture. It's also a gateway to the Mustang region.
Muktinath Temple: Reach Muktinath, a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple complex features natural spring water and 108 water spouts believed to cleanse sins.
Panoramic Mountain Views: Enjoy stunning views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges throughout the trek, especially from vantage points like Poon Hill.
Trekking Through Annapurna Conservation Area: The trek takes you through the Annapurna Conservation Area, providing opportunities to spot diverse flora and fauna, including rare species.
Ghorepani: Explore the charming village of Ghorepani and hike up to Poon Hill for breathtaking sunrise views over the Himalayas.
Cultural Encounters: Interact with local communities, including Thakali and Gurung villages, and gain insights into their traditional way of life, architecture, and hospitality.
Natural Hot Springs: Relax in natural hot springs at Tatopani, providing a soothing experience for tired muscles after days of trekking.
Diverse Flora and Fauna: Experience a variety of ecosystems, from lush forests of rhododendron and oak to the arid highlands, supporting diverse wildlife and plant life.
Apple Orchards: The region is known for its apple orchards and production of local apple products, providing a unique culinary experience.
Proximity to Jomsom Airport: The trek begins and ends in Jomsom, a location with a well-connected airport that offers easy access to the region.
The Best time for Jomsom Muktinath Trek
The best seasons for the Jomsom Muktinath Trek are the post-monsoon (autumn) season from September to November and the pre-monsoon (spring) season from March to May. These months offer the most favorable weather and trekking conditions for a safe and enjoyable experience. Here's why these seasons are recommended.
Post-Monsoon (Autumn) Season (September to November):
Stable Weather: Autumn is considered the best trekking season in Nepal. The weather is stable, with clear skies, minimal rainfall, and comfortable temperatures during the day.
Excellent Visibility: The clear skies provide exceptional visibility, allowing trekkers to enjoy unobstructed views of the mountains and the surrounding landscapes.
Moderate Temperatures: Temperatures are mild and pleasant during the day, making it comfortable for trekking and exploration.
Pre-Monsoon (Spring) Season (March to May):
Stable Weather: Spring is another popular trekking season in Nepal. The weather is generally stable, with clear skies, minimal rainfall, and pleasant temperatures during the day.
Blooming Flora: The rhododendron forests and other vegetation come to life with vibrant blooms, creating a colorful and picturesque backdrop for your trek.
Clear Mountain Views: The clear skies offer excellent visibility, allowing you to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and landscapes.
Moderate Temperatures: Similar to autumn, temperatures are mild and comfortable, making it enjoyable for trekking and exploration.
Both of these seasons provide an excellent opportunity to experience the beauty and cultural richness of the Jomsom Muktinath Trek. Keep in mind that the trek takes you through diverse landscapes, from subtropical valleys to arid highlands, so being prepared with appropriate clothing and gear is important.
Duration : 10 days | Activity : Trekking/Hiking | Trip Date : Flexible |
Private Trip : Available | Group Trip : Available | Stay : Tea House/ Hotel |
Program Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Nepal.
When you arrive at Tibhuvan International Airport, our guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel in the bustling Thamel district of Kathmandu. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to relax for the next journey, see the city's attractions, or shop for adventure gear in one of Kathmandu's many adventure supply stores. We'll assemble our bikes and be ready for the journey in the afternoon.
Day 2 - Travel to Pokhara.
Day 3 - Fly to Jomsom and Trek to Kagbeni (2750m).
Day 4 - Trek to Muktinath (3802m).
Day 5 - Trek to Jomsom (2715m).
Day 6 - Trek to Tatopani (1190m).
Day 7 - Trek to Ghorpani (2750m).
Day 8 - Visit Poonhill and Trek to Trikhedhunga (1,540m).
Day 9 - Trek to Nayapul followed by a drive to Pokhara (980m).
Day 10 - Travel back to Kathmandu.
Day 11 - Departure from Nepal.
Include/Exclude
Price Includes
- All necessary ground transfers.
- All necessary accommodations as per the itinerary.
- Tea House accommodations during the trek.
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trekking.
- All necessary paper works.
- All necessary trekking permits.
- Experienced and First Aid-trained trekking guide.
- Strong, helpful porters.
- Comprehensive medical supplies.
- Trekking map.
- Insurance of all local team.
- Warm clothing and trekking gear for staff.
- Sleeping bag and trip duffle bag.
- Trekking certificate issued by us.
- Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
Price Excludes
- Nepal Visa fee.
- International flights.
- All meals not mentioned in inclusions.
- Personal expenses not stipulated.
- Optional add-ons.
- Gratuities.
Guest Reviews
Lisa G
My dad and myself did plan to trek the Annapurna Circuit from Jagat to Jomsom and booked the trip via Raj and Getaway Nepal Adventure. While organizing everything in advance went smooth from the very beginning, we were amazed by the organisation of the whole trip once we arrived in Nepal - starting with a pick-up service in Kathmandu airport, also wisely chosing our guide and our porter (Manisha and Dai) which both were a perfect match to accompany us on our trekking. Both were very thoughtful and we felt like a companionship from the very beginning, but also very professional when it came to all concerns regarding the hike, like proper acclimatisation, the daily hike and everything besides. Overall organisation has been extraordinary and there hasn't been anything where Raj was not able to support (even after the trip has finished).
This really has been a once-in-a-lifetime trip and we were so happy to have this with Manisha and Dai. If ever planning to do a trekking in Nepal again (and we would love to do soon) we definitely would book with Raj again and his company one more time.
Aussie Couple
Raj and his team are awesome. Especially after seeing how other travel companies in Nepal have functioned, not only are they on top of everything, but the guides and porters working with the company are treated really well. The morning we were meant to leave for Lukla, the plane kept getting delayed. By 9 am our guides had a chopper organised to take us, where we later chatted to people who only got on one at around 2 pm and ended up hiking in the dark. We also saw multiple porters carrying more than one duffle bag, however, this company limits it to one, for the wellbeing of the porters. I cannot recommend this company enough.