Muktinath Tour

Jomsom

Amidst the high Himalayan settlement of Tibetan-speaking people is a serene village called Jomsom. It is among the very few places in Nepal from where the Himalayan peaks can be admired at such a close range and yet from a safe altitude of only 8800 feet. Giant peaks like Nilgiri, Tilicho and Dhaulagiri seem almost at touching distance. Jomsom is not only the most popular trekking destination in Nepal but also the gateway to Upper Mustang 'Kingdom' within the Hindu Kingdom of Nepal. Jomsom is also the gateway to the Muktinath temple that holds great religious significance to both Buddhists and Hindus.

After landing at Kathmandu, the best and fastest way to reach Jomsom is by flying or driving to Pokhara, which is 25 minutes by air and 5 hours by road and then continuing by a small aircraft or helicopter to Jomsom, which is a further 18 minutes by air. About 12-15 daily flights connect Pokhara with Kathmandu and 8-10 daily flights connect Jomsom with Pokhara. As all flights to Jomsom operate in the morning, there are very little chances of the mountains being covered by clouds, giving the passengers an exhilarating view of the Himalayas even before they reach Jomsom. As there are no motor able roads connecting Jomsom to Pokhara, the only other option for guests is trekking to Jomsom from Pokhara which takes about six days.

Jomsom is just an 18 minutes flight from Pokhara at an elevation of 2754m/9000 ft. at the lap of the Himalayan Peak, Mt. Nilgiri and a 6 hrs. Pony trek to the famous Muktinath Shrine at 12,500 ft.  Jomsom flights are held early in the morning when the sky is usually clear with little or no clouds covering the Annapurna (8091M) - 10^th Highest peak in the world, & Dhaulagiri (8167M) - 7^th Highest Peak in the world. Some have called this the most fascinating Mountain Flight in the world.

The resort can be accessed by Helicopter also as it has its own helipad in walking distance.

Temperature (approximate)

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Min ºC	-4	-2	2	3	5	10	12	12	12	8	3	-3
Min ºF	25	27	36	37	41	50	54	52	48	37	32	27
Max ºC	13	14	14	22	25	27	27	23	18	14	10	8
Max ºF	55	57	57	72	77	81	81	81	77	72	61	57

Weather Conditions

Month	Jan & Feb	Mar, Apr & May	Jun, Jul & Aug	Sep, Oct, Nov & Dec
Climate	Slightly Windy	Excellent	Slightly Warm/rainy	Slightly cold & clear

Kali Gandaki Valley (2713M)

The Kali Gandaki Valley / Thak Khola Valley or Jomsom has been a major trade route for centuries. Until 1958, Trader exchanged salt collected form salt lakes in Tibet for rice and barley from the middle hills of Nepal. They also traded wool, live stock and butter for sugar, tea, spices, tobacco and manufactured goods from India, but the salt for grain trade dominated the economy. This trade has diminished, not only because of political and economic changes in Tibet, but also because Indian salt in now available throughout Nepal at much lower price than Tibet salt.

Tukuche (2590m)

Tukuche is 13.5 km south direction an elevation is 2590 m and  4 hrs walk from Jomsom. Tukuche was once the most important Thakali villages. Tukuche (tuk - grain & che - flat place) was the meeting place where traders coming with salt and wool from Tibet and the upper Thak Khola valley bartered with traders carrying grain from the south.

Marpha (2665 M)

Marpha is 7.5 km south, 2 hrs walk from Jomsom an elevation is 2665 m from the sea level. It is  huddled behind a ridge for protection from the wind and dust. This large Thakali village exhibits the typical Thak Khola architecture of flat roofs and narrow paved alleys and passageways. The low rainfall in this region makes these flat roofs practical; they also serve as a drying place for grain and vegetables.

In Marpha, an extensive drainage system flows under the flagstone-paved street in this clean and pleasant village. There is a library (open from 5 to 7 P. M.) and impressive 'kanis' getaways mark both ends of town.

Shyang

Distance 4 Km form Jomsom                                Duration: 1.30 Hours of Trek

A small sleepy town left aside through the ages, as it is perched high on a plateau, away from the route, it was left aside and this has been a boon in disguise. Though the surrounding villages have prospered and developed, as Shyang was left aside; it has maintained its century old tradition of living. It is worthwhile visit this forgotten village and marvel at the simplicity of life.

A dramatic change in the vegetation, from pine and conifer forests to dry, desert-like country is visible in this stretch of land. Beside this agriculture rich area, the flow of air between the peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri create strong winds that howl up the valley. The breezes blow gently from the north during the early hours of the day, then shift to powerful gusts from the south throughout the late morning and afternoon.

Dhumba Lake

Distance: 5.5 Km form Jomsom               Duration: 2 hours of Trek

A sacred turquoise lake nestled in the lap of Mt. Nilgiri. Legend says this lake water turned red on its own and it was only after performing a long and devoted religious ceremony, the lake water slowly began to return to its natural turquoise color and since then it is considered a sacred lake. This lake today attracts people from surrounding areas in all their finery and bright colors in all shapes, sizes and ages. They throng this lake for prayers that similar changes for betterment may occur in their life.

Thini Village

Distance: 5 Km from Jomsom                              Duration: 2 Hours Treks

An outstanding village on the other side of Jomsom. Its strategic location overlooking the salt route still commands respect. Most of the traders and citizens scattered around kali Gandaki basin have their ancestral home in this fascinating and oldest village of Thini. Inhabited by elders while the young goes off to greener pasture, this village is worth visiting.

Eklo Bhatti (2730M)

Distance: 9.5 Km form Jomsom               Duration 2.30 hours trek

Better known as Eklo bhatti ('alone Hotel'). Despite its name, it is a substantial out post where the Hotel Hill Ton, Hotel Monal and Holiday Inn offer you a chance to get out of the wind. In the Kagbeni Lodhe you can shop for all kinds of Tibetan something and also a break to eat something. The direct route to Muktinath leads straight up hill behind the village.

Kagbeni

Distance: 10.5 Km form Jomsom                         Duration: 3 hours of Trek

The name Kagbeni aptly reflects the town in Mustang district.  Kagbeni is situated in the valley of the Kali Gandaki, 2900 m. altitude This river is one of three who cross the Himalayas. The Kali Gandaki was one of the major trading routes between Tibet and India. The traders brought the famous salt from Tibet and barley, spices and clothes from India.  After the Chinese invasion in Tibet the trade came to a halt and many of the rich villages lost their revenue and later many people. Nowadays, there is again a some trade, but also now the income from Tourism.

A green Oasis at the junction of the Jhong khola and Kali Gandaki river. Kagbeni looks like a town out of the medieval past, with closely packed mud houses, dark tunnels and alleyways, imposing shorten and a large, ochre-colored Gompa perched above the town. Many people still dress in typical Tibetan clothes, hough the children have even in this faraway village, learned to beg, rather insistently for pencil a rare commodity. Their innocence and ever cheerful faces always brightens the drab surrounding.

Kagbeni means literally" bolt at the two rivers" and formerly controlled the trade. One can see this past as a fortified village, as all the houses are build in a common rectangle which a common outer wall and just three little entrance doors. The former fortress is nowadays in ruins.

Kagbeni is just a 2-hour side trek from the shortest route from Jomsom to Muktinath and 8 km far from Jomsom. But it is one of my favorite villages in the whole Annapurna region and it really a pity, if you miss it. 

This holy bath place is famous for a respectful and well wishing offering to the manes (shradha) for Hindu. A Shradha at the confluence of Kag khola and river Kaligandagi at Kagbeni. Where the Hindu pilgrims go for funeral ceremony and an act of devotion. After worship in the shrine of lord Muktianth is heavenly and boon bestow here.

Dangarjong

Distance: 13.5 Km from Jomsom                           Duration: 3.30 hrs. walk

A prominent massif on the northern parts of Jomsom approximately 500m above Jomsom valley. This prominent peak offers a splendid vista of the Kaligandaki valley and Tibetan Plateau in the horizon. The views of Mt. Nilgiri, Tukuche and Annapurna range is breathtaking.

Jharkot (3500m)

Distance: 19.5 km from Jomsom             Duration: 5 hour's trek

Jharkot, with its picturesque 'kani' and large gompa is well worth exploring and many people suggest staying here instead of Muktinath. There are some peach trees nearby; people press the peach seeds to make oil. Across the valley you can see the ruins of Dzong, the ancient capital of this region and the smaller villages of Purang and Changur.

Climbing over some walls then trekking past the village crossing the mule stables and climbing up a steep barren hillside, immediately gives you that sense of adventure in this postcard scenery.

Ranipauwa (3710m)

Distance: 21 km from Jomsom                Duration: 6.30 hrs.

After passing through Khingar and Zharkot villages, the first part of Muktinath that you reach at 3710m is known as Ranipauwa and is the site of a large rest house for pilgrims and a host of hotels, bhattis and camping places.

Treking Route

Kagbeni to Muktinath

A trail to Muktinath starts at the southern end of Kagbeni. It makes a steep climb up the Jhong Khola valley, passing the windmills that sometimes provide electric power for Kagbeni and joins the direct trail to Muktinath below Khingar. Along the way the direct route to Muktinath climbs from Eklo Bhatti. Along the way you will see hundreds of small piles of rocks, erected by pilgrims to honor their departed ancestors.

Eklo Bhatti to Muktinath

The direct route to Muktinath climbs from Eklo Bhatti along a windswept slope to a plateau above the Kali Gandaki then turns east up the Jhong Khola Valley. The trail ascends to Khingar and Zharkot through country that is arid and desert-like in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. The striking yellows of the bare hillsides contrast dramatically with the blue sky, white peaks and splashes of green where streams allow cultivation. The views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Nilgiri are tremendous.