Jomsom Muktinath Trek is one of the cultural and scenic treks in the lower Mustang region. With beautiful views of the Annapurna mountains throughout the trek, the trekking routes provide you with an allrounder trip. The blend of culture, adventure and the beautiful sights make this trek a memorable one.
The panoramic view of the mountains along with the chance to visit the holy pilgrimage site makes this trek a great chance for you to explore the natural as well as the cultural beauty of the region.
The Jomsom Muktinath Trek takes you through the classic route passing the deepest gorge of the world, Kaligandaki River Gorge. The beautiful villages along with the great views and exotic flora and fauna make the trek mesmerizing and a memorable journey.
The Jomsom Muktinath Trek itinerary takes you through a scenic drive to Pokhara and a mesmerizing flight to Jomsom. These are some of the major highlights of the trek. Also, the 11 day Jomsom Muktinath trek has more to offer you like the beautiful Kagbeni Village and the Apple orchards and its variety of snacks in Jomsom.
After enjoying the apple orchards in Jomsom, the trek takes you towards the main destination for the trek at the altitude of 3800 meters. Crowded with devotees all year round from different parts of the world, the Muktinath temple is a pilgrimage to both Hindus and Buddhists.
The 108 sacred sprouts and the ritual of bathing in them cleansing your spirit is the main attraction of this place. The Devotees will perform various other rituals in this pilgrimage site. So you get a lot more cultural exposure in this destination of the trek.
After getting blessed with the gods and goddesses of the temple, you will start your descent. But this does not mean your journey is over anytime soon. You will enjoy the luxury of the natural hot springs in Tatopani relieving your pain and worries and fatigue. Also on the way back you get to enjoy the beautiful sunrise view from the Poon Hill viewpoint. The sun rays hitting the mountains early morning is an awe-inspiring view.
Trip Highlights
- The scenic ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Mesmerizing scenic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom
- World’s deepest gorge at Kali Gandaki River
- Famous pilgrimage site Muktinath Temple at an altitude of 3800 meters
- Natural hot springs at Tatopani
- Sunrise view of the mountains at PoonHill View Point
Jomsom Muktinath Trekking Best Time
The best time for the Jomsom Muktinath trekking is the Spring season and the Autumn season. Starting from the months of March-May and the months of September to November are considered the peak season for the Jomsom Muktinath Trekking.
With the clear skies over your head during the Spring and Autumn season, this is considered the Jomsom Muktinath Trekking best time. The weather and the temperature of these seasons are the best for trekking as there is less to no chance of rainfall obstructing your plans for the day. Also, the temperature is neither burning hot nor freezing cold. So, this is one of the best times for trekking.
Also, the winter season is also popular for trekking. With snowfall covering the roads with snow, the white roads are beautiful to see. It is possible to trek in this season with proper preparations and precautions. There may be some chances of the roads being slippery so take proper precautions.
The summer season before the monsoon starts is favorable for trekking in this area as well. The early June month is favorable for the trek. However, as the monsoon season takes over, there is a lot of heavy rainfall in the area resulting in slippery roads and summer floods. So you should properly check the weather before planning out your trek.
Jomsom Muktinath Trek Difficulties
Jomsom Muktinath Trek is considered one of the easy to moderate level treks. The trekking routes may be a bit rough but the trekking is comparatively easier than other higher altitude treks. Some of the major Jomsom Muktinath Trekking Difficulties include the following :
Acute Mountain Sickness
Since the trek does not take place in the higher altitudes of the region, there are less chances of you getting altitude sickness. However, you will be reaching the highest altitude of 3800 meters. So there is a slight chance that you may get Acute Mountain Sickness.
This is caused by your body not being able to adjust to the higher altitude but it is not as serious as the altitude sickness in the higher altitudes. This can easily be avoided with proper acclimatization and breaks along with drinking lots of water with a proper diet.
Weather
Another major proven difficulty of treks in the region is the unavoidable unexpected weather changes. The seasons of Autumn and spring are mostly safe from this unexpected weather change. However, the winter and the monsoon season has unexpected season changes. This means sudden rainfall and snowfall. This compromises your safety and your plans. So make sure to check the weather and temperature along with the best time to visit the region.
Rough terrain
Situated in the lower Mustang region, the trekking trails of the Jomsom Muktinath Trek is uneven and rough. The terrain is very rough with strong winds and dusty roads. So it is a difficult task to be trekking in such road conditions. However, the difficulty of the roads is worth the destination and what it has to provide us.
Jomsom Muktinath Trek Cost
The cost of the Jomsom Muktinath trek depends largely on the facilities you choose during the trek, However, the standard 11 days Jomsom Muktinath Trek cost ranges from USD 850 per person. The provided cost includes the following activities and services while some charges are for you to bear yourself.
Similar trips you may like:
Day 01: Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Free and arrangement day.
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara by tourist bus.
Day 04: Pokhara-fly to Jomsom to Kagbeni:
Day 05: Kagbeni to Muktinath temple.
Day 06: Muktinath to Marpha 2670m
Day 07: Marpha to Ghasa 2010 m.
Day 08: Ghasa to Tatopani 1190m.
Day 09: Tatopani to Ghorepani 2850 m.
Day 10: Climb up to Poon Hill 3210 m.
Day 11: Ghorepani to Nayapul and drive to Pokahara.
If you want a short itinerary, we can customize this itinerary.
Jomsom Muktinath Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival and transfer to the hotel
Today marks the beginning of your beautiful journey to the Jomsom Muktinath Region. You will be picked up from the Tribhuvan International Airport as per the Jomsom Muktinath Trekking Itinerary. The private vehicle will drop you off at your hotel. You can rest in your hotel room and get rid of your jet lag from your flight to Kathmandu.
In Kathmandu you will be placed in a deluxe hotel named Hotel Access Nepal. You will be provided with breakfast in the morning. So rest well for we have a lot of new things to experience in the morning.
Day 02: Free and arrangement day.
The second day of the trek is a free day. You are allowed to do as you please in the valley. This includes touring and sightseeing the famous tourist destinations in the Valley. There are many interesting things to try in the Kathmandu Valley.
The day is barely enough to visit the Kathmandu Valley but we will have to make do. If you want, you can enjoy some extra days in the valley after the trek.
Also, today along with the sightseeings and enjoying the culture and cuisine of the valley, you will make proper arrangements for the actual trek starting tomorrow, this doesn’t just mean physical preparation but also mental preparation. So rest well and get ready to face the adventurous trek the next morning.
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara by tourist bus
Max Altitude: 1400 m
Drive Duration: 5-6 hours
Total Distance: 200.9 km
Today marks the third day of the trek and the journey to Jomsom has finally started. Today we will get close to reaching our destination. Our third day is filled with beautiful scenic views from the ride to Pokhara, we will take a tourist bus to get to Pokhara from Kathmandu. So, rest easy as you can comfortably enjoy the beautiful surrounding views of the landscapes and the mountains.
We will stop on the way for lunch and reach Pokhara in around 6-7 hours. We will have dinner in Pokhara and stay at a hotel in Pokhara.
Day 04: Pokhara-fly to Jomsom to Kagbeni:
Max Altitude: 2804 m
Flight Duration: 30 minutes
Trek Duration: 4-5 hours
Total Distance: 155.3 km
As the new day begins, your new journey starts with a scenic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. With a filled stomach, you will board the flight to Jomsom. The flight is a scenic and mesmerizing flight with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains along with the beautiful city of Pokhara and its magnificent lakes. The flight is a scenic roller coaster.
After the 30 minutes flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, we will rest and have lunch. The lunch will be a traditional Nepalese dish, Dal Bhat. From Jomsom, the real Jomsom Muktinath Trekking starts. We will walk from Jomsom to Kagbeni.
After a long walk of 4-5 hours, we will reach the infamous sacred Kagbeni village. We will enjoy our dinner here and spend the night at a teahouse or lodge.
Day 05: Kagbeni to Muktinath temple.
Max Altitude: 3800 m
Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
Total Distance: 13.9 km
Early in the morning, we will leave for our main destination of the trek. We will leave for Muktinath early in the morning as the sacred pilgrimage site is visited by most in the early morning. We will have our breakfast at the teahouse and leave for Muktinath Temple.
After around 5-6 hours of trek from Kagbeni, you will reach Muktinath Temple. The temple is a famous pilgrimage site among both Buddhists and the Hindus. The trail to Muktinath Temple is as beautiful and mesmerizing as the temple itself. The routes are filled with picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and the valleys. The route takes you along the Kali Gandaki stream.
Day 06: Muktinath to Marpha (2670m)
Max Altitude: 3800 m
Trek Duration: 6 hours
Total Distance: 2108 km
On our way back, we will descend to Marpha village. The village is known for its sweet apples and the apple wine made by these sweet apples known as Marpha. The village has many beautiful scenes of the mountains surrounding it along with apple orchards to provide to you.
The way back from Muktinath passes the airport where you can fly from Jomsom to Pokhara. But, our journey hasn’t ended yet as we have much more memories to make. After around 6 hours of walking, we will reach the beautiful village of apple orchards known as the Marpha Village. Many tourists love to try the apples, dried apple snacks and the apple wine as delicacies. Tonight we will sleep at one of the guesthouses in the village.
Day 07: Marpha to Ghasa (2010 m)
Max Altitude: 2670m
Trek Duration: 6-7 hours
Total Distance: 22.9 km
After enjoying your stay in Marpha for the night, we will head towards the small town of Ghasa today. Ghasa is a small town with clear views of the Kaligandaki River. Also it is known for bird watching.
The trail from Marpha to Ghasa takes you through the beautiful views of the deepest gorge of the world, the Kali Gandaki Gorge. The river is surrounded by Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri on both sides making it the deepest gorge. The views from the trail and the village are majestic. After a 6-7 hour walk through the beautiful trails from Marpha to Ghasa, we will stay the night at Ghasa at a teahouse.
Day 08: Ghasa to Tatopani (1190m)
Max Altitude: 2010 m
Trek Duration: 3-4 hours
Total Distance: 21.3 km
From the beautiful town of Ghasa, you will now leave for the natural hot springs known as Tatopani. The 3-4 hours trek from Ghasa to Tatopani is a beautiful journey with magnificent views from the trails.
Tatopani is a popular destination among the trekkers as it is believed to have medical properties to heal your aches and fatigue. Today you can rest aside your troubles and fatigue and stress and enjoy the hot springs as they rejuvenate your body.
Tonight we will enjoy dinner in one of the guesthouses and spend the rest of the night there.
Day 09: Tatopani to Ghorepani (2850 m)
Max Altitude: 2850 m
Trek Duration: 3-4 hours
Total Distance: 13.1 km
After the medicinal natural hot springs at Tatopani has healed and rejuvenated you, we will leave for Ghorepani in the morning. With a stomach full of breakfast we shall set off to the Ghorepani Village. The village provides you with the best views of the mountains like Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna ranges.
The 3-4 hours trek is a magnificent scenic trek through the mountain view. This is an uphill trek but it will be worth all the hardships. Tonight we will stay at one of the teahouses in the beautiful village of Ghorepani.
Day 10: Climb up to Poon Hill 3210 m.
Max Altitude: 3210 m
Trek Duration: 3-4 hours
Total Distance: 1 km
Today we shall climb up to Poon Hill for the mesmerizing sunrise view of the mountains in the sunrise. The trek from Ghorepani to Poon Hill is only a short hike but the view from the Poon Hill View Point early morning is awe inspiring. The 1-2 hour long hike is a beautiful hike which is worth every second.
The view of the sun rays hitting the glorious mountains early in the morning is the most satisfying thing you will witness. With the place being popular as a tourist destination, many people in the region take this route for a mesmerizing view of the sunrise hitting the mountains . After witnessing the beautiful sunrise view we will return back to Ghorepani and explore a bit more if we have time.
We shall spend the night in Ghorepani at the teahouse.
Day 11: Ghorepani to Nayapul and drive to Pokahara.
Max Altitude: 2874 m
Drive Duration: 1-2 hours
Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
Total Distance: 35.1 km
Today marks the last day of our Jomsom Muktinath Trekking. Today we will trek around 6 hours. From there we will drive to Pokhara for 1 and half hours.
The trek route from Ghorepani to Nayapul is paved with the dense Rhododendrons and forests on the sides. The dense jungle will welcome you to the destination of Nayapul. This ends the trek of 11 days. The walk from Ghorepani to Nayapul will be the last trek of the 11 days Jomsom Muktinath Trekking adventure. As soon as you arrive in Pokhara after an hour and a half of driving, your trek will be over.
Trip Cost US$ 850 Per person
Cost Includes:
- One night Deluxe hotel stay in Kathmandu, Hotel Access Nepal
- Two night accommodation in Pokhara
- Pickup and drops from airport to hotel on arrival and departure
- All standard meals like breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek
- Quality and sanitary tea house accommodation during the trek
- Essential trekking equipment like sleeping bags and down jackets. In case you do not have these equipment, you can rent them from our company.
- All ground transportation for the trek with private vehicles like tourist buses.
- A professional English speaking guide with a government license and proper knowledge of the routes.
- A porter to be shared among two trekkers who will carry 15 kgs of luggage.
- Flight ticket for members and staff from Pokhara to Jomsom.
- Monastery entry fees.
- A trekking route map.
- Emergency helicopter rescues arrangement paid by your insurance.
- Annapurna Conservation Area fees.
- TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Card fees
- First aid box with essential medical supplies like the altitude sickness medicines, cold medicines, etc.
Cost Excludes:
- Any kind of drinks like mineral water or juice or any kind of alcoholic drinks.
- Sweet things and other desserts like chocolate and others.
- Your personal expenses including hot showers and charging electronics charges.
- International Airfare for travelling to and from Kathmandu.
- Travel insurance (compulsory).
- Extra activities or extra days stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
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FAQs
Is Jomsom Muktinath Trekking difficult to accomplish?
The Jomsom Muktinath Trekking route is considered one of the easy to moderate level of difficulty routes. The trek involves an average of 5-6 hours of trekking per day. The terrains are a bit tough but it is not as difficult as one of the high altitude treks. As long as you are physically capable and are properly prepared including choosing the best routes, guides and the best time, it will be an easy feat to complete.
What is the highest altitude we will be reaching during the trek?
The highest altitude you will be reaching during your trek in the Jomsom and Muktinath region is 3800 meters. This altitude is reached at Muktinath Temple. The pilgrimage site at the highest altitude of the entire trek is a popular destination for both Hindus and the Buddhists.
What is the range of the Jomsom Muktinath Trekking cost?
The range of the Jomsom Muktinath Trekking cost starts from USD 850 per person. The cost may increase or decrease as per your demands of facilities. The cost includes your transportation, food and accommodation, porters, guides and permits as well for the trek.
How can I avoid altitude sickness?
Since this is a lower altitude trek, there are slim chances of any altitude sickness. You may get Acute Mountain Sickness. If you have a previous history of getting altitude sickness, make sure you carry altitude sickness medicines with you at all times. Other measures you can adopt to avoid this Acute Mountain Sickness on your Jomsom Muktinath Trek are listed below:
- Do not rush to attain height.
- Reduce your walking speed and walking hours above the height of 2000 meters.
- Drinking lots of water also helps prevent altitude sickness.
- Proper acclimatization and rest stops are important for avoiding altitude sickness
- A balanced diets with no meat helps with altitude sickness as well
- Another important step is to avoid taking any alcoholic drinks or smoking
Do I need prior experience for this trek?
No, you do not need prior experience for this trek. Prior experience does help you get the pace of the trek easily. But it isn't a difficult trek that requires professional training or any prior experience as long as you prepare yourself mentally and physically. Also, if you are a beginner, it is best for you to hire a professional guide and a porter to make your journey easier.
What is the best time for this trek?
The best time for the Jomsom Muktinath trek is the Autumn season from the months of September to November. The months of March to May which brings along the spring season is considered the second best season for this trek. With proper precautions on the weather and the trekking routes, this trek can be done in the winter as well.
What preparations are to be made before the trek?
Even though this is not a difficult level trek, some preparation before the trek will make your trek much more fruitful, weasy and comfortable.
Doing some physical training like cardio and other exercises to build up your stamina helps a great deal. You will have to walk an average of 5-6 hours a day during your trek so building up your stamina helps a lot.
Other than that you should also be mentally prepared for the rough terrain and the remote trails with lack of facilities and limited choices of food and accommodation. So prepare yourself mentally for these situations so you don't have any issues in the trek.
What documents will I need for the trek ?
You will need a few permits for trekking in this region. The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is a must for tourists trekking in the area which costs around NRs 2000 approx. USD 20. Also a TIMS card is required which costs around $10. Apart from these, you will need some official documents with you for safety and security reasons and for getting the above mentioned permits like:
- Passport with validity upto 6 months
- Nepal entry Visa
- Passport pictures
- Some cash
How are the food and accommodation facilities for the trek?
This trek route is not as popular as the higher altitude trek routes. But this trek route is not as remote as you may think. The teahouses and guesthouses provide you with standard rooms with hot showers and twin sharing beds with attached bathrooms.
As for the food part, most of the tea houses or any other lunch destinations will provide you with the Nepalese traditional dish- Dal Bhat with seasoned vegetables.
Can I easily find drinking water?
You can buy mineral waters in the teahouses and other small shops on the way. However, the water gets costly as you gain altitude. So it is advised for you to carry your own water bottle and water purifiers so you can store water for later use and save some money.
What are the essentials for packing for the trek?
The essentials of your trekking packing depends highly on the time of your trek. The season, weather and temperature of your trekking time determines your trekking essentials for packing . However, despite the weather and temperature, there are some essentials you must carry with you for your trek. They are:
- Map
- Sleeping bag
- Trekking gear like shoes and poles
- Water purifiers
- Compass
- First aid kit
Apart from these essentials, other packing requirements like clothing depends on the time you are trekking in the region. If you are travelling at a hot time, you can carry light clothes. Lightweight clothes are a must with quick drying properties. But if it is getting colder, make sure to carry warm clothes with waterproof trousers and jackets.
Is a guide or a porter necessary for the trek?
Hiring a guide or a porter is not a must requirement for the trek. However, it is highly recommended you get a guide and a porter for your treks.
With a guide you can easily navigate through the routes. Also being a professional with much experience in the area, you will get to see the best parts and views and the safest routes with the help of the guide. Other than the routes and the beautiful hidden sights, a guide also helps you escape any calamity or disaster as you won’t be alone. There is always a professional with you for help.
Apart form a guide, having a porter with you completely depends on you. Rather than your choice of whether you want a porter or not, it depends on your physical capabilities. If you can carry your heavy luggage with you throughout the whole trek, then you don't need to hire a porter. However, if you want an easy and comfortable trekking experience a porter is highly advised.
Can I trek solo?
Trekking solo is a matter of choice. You can easily accomplish this trek with solo trekking if you have some prior knowledge of the area. With proper knowledge of hte maps and the trekking routes, the trek can be accomplished.
However, if you are a beginner trekker, you are advised to go with a guide or go in a group. This is for your own safety as if you are in a group you can at least get help from others. Also having a guide means you are less likely to get lost or get in risky routes.
In conclusion, Jomsom Muktinath Trekking is a blend of the cultural trek which takes you to the Muktinath Temple and also a scenic adventurous trek with beautiful views. The trek may take you an average of 5-6 hours of walk but it is achievable and worth every step. You can conquer this trek easily with proper preparation both mental and physically.
If you are someone who wants a short trek with beautiful views but also wants to explore some cultural sites, the Jomsom Muktinath Trekking Itinerary was made for you. With Exciting Nepal, we will make sure you make a lot of beautiful memories without any worries and learn the most about the culture and lifestyle of the people of the region.
