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JOMSOM MUKTINATH TREK 12 DAYS
 This trek is a part of Annapurna trek. In comparison to others, it is an easier trek. One of the most significant features of this trek is that it can be done through out the year as it falls under rain shadow area. The route actually crosses to the other side of the main Himalayan range for some magnificent views of the northern flanks. The entire route remains below 4000 meters but the trek is purely stimulating. This is a remarkable trek where you can explore the Buddhist and Hindu culture as well.
To mention about some attractions of this trek are that there are spectacular mountain views, deepest gorge in the world and Jomsom is known as arid valley stunning you to praise it. On the other hand, Muktinath is Nepal's most famous pilgrimage site with one hundred and eight stone taps and the marvelous temples.
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| Detailed Itinerary |
| DAY 01 |
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) which takes about six hours. You depart early morning at 7 o'clock for the six hours drive by tourist deluxe bus to Pokhara (915m,), 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. As you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyangdi River. You follow the Marsyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Having pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to fall in love with its beauty.
You can also fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes about 25 minutes. |
| DAY 02 |
Drive from Pokhara (915 m.) to Phedi (1130 m.) and trek from Phedi to Pothana which takes about five hours. From here you begin your trek to Pothana (1900m.). The trail ascends all the way to Pothana through forests till you reach the village called Dhampus. It is a Gurung village which gives you an opportunity to look at the magnificent views of Annapurna ranges, Lamjung Himal and Manaslu. The ascent trail follows to Pothana through the forests. This is a small village which is surrounded by forests having marvelous mountain views. |
| DAY 03 |
Trek from Pothana to Ghandruk (1940m.) which takes about six hours. While trekking from Pothana to Ghandruk the trail ascends gently to Deurali and begins to descend upto Bherikharka through forests. Now you follow flat path till you reach Landruk village. The path you follow till Landruk is really exhilarating as you pass through many local villages rich in culture, terrace fields and numerous green hills. From here the trail descends to Modi khola (stream) and ascends all the way to Ghandruk village.Ghandruk is a big Gurung village. There is a handicraft centre and Gurung museum. From this village you could see good views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna (7455m.), Annapurna III (7755m.) and Fishtail |
| DAY 04 |
Trek from Tadapani to Ghorepani (2853m.) which takes about five hours. Today’s trek starts with a short decline till a small stream and then uphill through the Rhododendron trees. We come across a place name Banthahiti with the facility of tea houses and lodges. From here, the trail ascends through the forests upto Gurung Hill. Now the trail descends through the forest till Ghorepani |
| DAY 05 |
Trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani (1189m.) which takes about seven and half hours. This day offers you an early morning trip to Poon Hill (3232m.) to enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.), Machhapuchhare (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6931m.) and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks. After breakfast you trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani. After descending through the rhododendron forest, fine vistas open up we approach Chitre, with the Dhaulagiri Range straight ahead. The path then leads through terraced fields to Sikha, a Magar village clustered on a ridge. You continue to descend, gradually at first and then more steeply to cross the Ghar Khola. After a short climb, we then cross the Kali Gandaki on a large suspension bridge and from here it is only a short distance upstream to Tatopani. Tatopani takes its name from the hot springs near the river below the village. At Tatopani you can enjoy the Natural Hot Spring Bath. |
| DAY 06 |
Trek from Tatopani to Ghasa (2013m.) and it takes about five hours. The followed route ascends gently up the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, towards the village of Dana, which is surrounded by orange groves. From autumn to winter, baskets of these oranges are offered for sale to passing travelers. Just beyond the small hamlet of Rupse, a thundering waterfall cascades down beside the trail. From here, the trail enters the steepest and narrowest section of the gorge, but the layered stone path is well-constructed and wide. When the rock cliffs end, we descend to the river before making the short climb back up to Ghasa. This is the first Thakali village we come across and the houses here are all built in the flat-roofed Tibetan style. |
| DAY 07 |
Trek from Ghasa to Marpha (2667m.) which takes about six and half hours. The trek ascends crossing the wide valley of Kali Gandaki for about six to seven hours. Through out the trek you will be enjoying the mighty Rhododendron trees and many ethnic villages with a sparse population of Gurung, Thakali and few Tibetans. On the way to Marpha we trek along the banks of Kali Gandaki through the Apple orchard, you can eat apples if it happens to be the fruit season. Marpha is a big village enriched with a Buddhist Monastery in between the village which has its own cultural importance. |
| DAY 8 |
Trek from Marpha to Jomsom (2713m.) to Kagbeni (2897m.) and it takes about five hours. You continue to follow the wide valley of the Kali Gandaki, passing through Khobang and Tukuche. Tukuche is a delightful village where narrow alleyways and houses built around enclosed courtyards attempt to provide some shelter from the winds which howl through the gorge. The wind generally picks up after about midday, but will at least be blowing at our backs as you head up to Jomsom. After passing through stone-walled orchards, a stone gate marks the entrance to Marpha. White walled houses line both sides of the narrow paved street, under which flows a cleverly made drainage system. Marpha makes a good lunch stop and the courtyards of the many lodges make ideal resting and refreshment places. The local apple brandy is especially well-known! As the trail continues towards Jomsom, the landscape becomes increasingly arid and impressive with its mixture of browns, yellows and grey, contrasting with the white snowcaps of Tilicho and Nilgiri. By afternoon, the stiff winds begin to blow, hastening our way to Jomsom. |
| DAY 9 |
Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath (3795 m.) which takes about 4 hours. The Trail steeply ascends for couple of hundred Meters. While gradually walking you can enjoy beautiful deserted landscape, Caves, old Tibetan Style Villages, apple Garden, Yaks Herds, Sheep Herds and so on. You can look at Thorong La valley straight up to the Muktinath. You can enjoy delicious lunch at Jharkot and visit Monastery believed to be built in 15 century. Now you head towards Muktinath following steep ascent path for half an hour. You stay overnight at Muktinath village. From here you hike to Rani Pauwa (3700m.), an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Here you come across Natural flaming which really exhilarates you. At this point, you can see splendid view of Dhaulagiri (8165m), Nilgiri (7061m.) and others. Now you walk for fifteen minutes to reach Muktinath Temple, where you can enjoy a holy bath of 108 Taps. The people of Kagbeni, Jharkot and Muktinath are close to the life style, culture, religion and idea of Tibetan people |
| DAY 10 |
Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2713 m.) and it takes about 5 hours. Today we continue down for early two hours and then walk through the flat path till we reach Jomsom. Between the walk lies Eklebhatti village where you find tea houses and lodges |
| DAY 11 |
Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara which takes about 20 minutes. The flights are available during the morning time. The strong breeze blows during the after and frequent change of the weather prevent the flight being landed and taken off in the afternoon. During the flights in morning, the sky looks very clear which makes you able to enjoy the splendid views of different mountain peaks. |
| DAY 12 |
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about six hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. |
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