Jomsom and Muktinath Trekking - 11 Days

We start our scenic drive after an early morning breakfast, traveling by tourist bus out of the valley and along the picturesque Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers. The beautiful scenery along the way includes rivers, terraced fields, villages and sights of the snowy mountains, including Ganesh and Manaslu peaks. Pokhara is a lakeside tourist's paradise with many facilities for travelers.

After a nourishing breakfast meal, we enjoy a short drive through beautiful landscape on the way to Nayapul, our trek starting point. Here we inaugurate our first steps on the trail. The route follows a pleasantly through fertile jungle and terraced fields along a rushing river. We pass through several rural settlements and gradually reach Tikhedunga.

This day involves a vigorous ascent as we climb a long, steep series of stone steps on our way to Ghorepani. After the challenging steps we journey through scenic villages and timberland. Although a difficult climb, along the way, we can take in astonishing views of the snowy peaks including the Annapurnas, Machhapuchhare, and Hiunchuli. Our destination is Ghorepani, a spectacular settlement located on a ridgeline.

Today we have an early start of the day as we begin before sunrise to ascend Poon Hill in time to view the sunrise on the Himalaya. The marvelous panoramic view from Poon Hill includes Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, the Annapurnas and much more. After enjoying the views, we return to our lodge for a hearty breakfast, and then follow a pleasant forest trail through rhododendron and villages with terraced farmland to eventually cross the Kali Gandaki river and arrive at Tatopani with nearby hot springs where we take a dip and savor the experience.

The pleasant route heads north as we follow upriver in the Kali GandakiValley. We take the chance to explore newly developed trails away from the motor road. We will pass through scenic farmland with rural villages surrounded by terraced fields. We are hiking up the world’s deepestgorge, with Dhaulagiri, world’s seventh highest peak on one side, and Annapurna I, the tenth highest on the other.We ascend to the peaceful village of Ghasa, mainly populated by Thakali people of this region.

Today we continue our journey up the Kali Gandaki. We pass through peaceful forests to the large settlements of Lete and Kalapani and as we continue the journey north , the territory becomes noticeably drier and the lush vegetation and forests give way to more desert like terrain. The culture, too, begins to change from the lowland Hindu style practices to a Buddhist lifestyle. Tukche is a scenicvillage with surrounding orchards and a monastery. The local brandy from Tukche is famous throughout Nepal and a hit with many trekkers.

We pass through the scenic village of Marpha, famous as part of the Annapurna Circuit for its apple pies before road building dramatically decreased tourism. We enjoy thrilling views of the surrounding peaks and unforgettable landscape.Jomsom is the next town and district headquarters of Mustang. The route then follows a pleasantly up the arid valley of the Kali Gandaki Riverto the fort of Kagbeni, an ancient trade post with a Buddhist monastery, too. Kagbeni is just south of the restricted area of Upper Mustang.

We will make an exciting journey up the valley in the direction of the legendary Thorung La pass. We are on the world-famous Annapurna Circuit but most people attempt the pass from the other direction. We make a scenic climb up the Jhong River valley with marvelous scenery along the way. The trail passes ancient villages on the way to Muktinath, a temple that has long been a pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Buddhists alike. The temple’s walled complex has a Buddhists monastery and Hindu shrines, 108 bathing spouts and even an ‘eternal flame’.

We have reached our final day on the trekking trails. The journey heads down the valley as we lose elevation and gradually rejoin the Kali Gandaki River valley bottom and the trail back to Jomsom. Jomsom’s market area may seem like a big change from the serene trails and villages that we have visited. Rest and refresh at the lodge or explore Jomsom bazaar.

We say goodbye to Mustang today and will have an early morning flight back through the Kali Gandaki Valley’s southern section. The scenic flight returns us to Pokhara. (We can then connect with a flight back to the ancient city of Kathmandu, or take a day of exploration of Pokhara and tourist bus to Kathmandu the following day). The rest of the day is yours to explore the city and perhaps go souvenir shopping or just relax in the tourist haven.

Today is an early start as we depart by tourist bus for a return to Kathmandu. The 200 km route follows first along the Marsyangdi River and then the Trishuli Rive offering a good look at the natural scenery and farmland. The bus makes one last climb and we are back in the valley of the gods, Kathmandu.