Trekking in Nepal

The Jomsom Muktinath Trek is situated north of Pokhara, Nepal's spectacular diversity appears at its finest. The deep valleys and high mountains encircling the giant Annapurna Himal embrace a wide range of peoples and terrain, from subtropical jungle to a high, dry landscape resembling the Tibetan Plateau.

The Jomsom Muktinath Trek is most popular trekking region in Nepal, attracting over 75% of all trekkers (more than 30.000 annually). Trekking to muktinath ascends through rice terraces and villages inhabited by the fearless Gorkha people, renowned for their strength and as pillars of both the Indian and British armies. A fascinating museum of Traditional Nepalese Life awaits you in Ghandruk.

The Jomsom Trek is very interesting in Tatopani where you will have the opportunity to relax in natural hot springs! Continuing along the Kali Gandaki River Gorge, marvel at the splendid peaks of Annapurna-I and Dhaulagiri both of which reach heights in excess of 8000m. The sacred temple has 108 waterfalls that resemble water flowing from taps and mysterious natural gas fires that boggle the mind. Finding Nepal beneath the flood of trekkers can be difficult, but the scenery and culture are top-notch, and you can avoid the peak-season crush and still get fine weather and views.

Our Jomsom Muktinath Trek will be even more interesting in spring as the whole forest along the trail turns red, pink and white with rhododendron flowers. This trek can be done anytime of the year. Doing this trip with ‘Nepal Hiking Team’ will ensure a holiday that can only come once in a lifetime.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 02: Trek Preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 03: Kathmandu to Pokhara (910m) 6 hours. Overnight at Hotel. B.L.D

Day 04: Drive Nayapul (New bridge), to Tikhe Dhunga (1495m) 4 hrs. B.L.D

Day 05: Trek to Ghorepani (2850m) 6 hrs. Overnight at Guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 06: Trek to Tatopani (1200m) 7 hrs. Overnight at guest house. B.L.D

Day 07: Trek to Ghasa (2120m) 7 hrs. Overnight at guest house. B.L.D

Day 08: Trek to Tukuche (2560m) 5 hrs. Overnight at guest house. B.L.D

Day 09: Trek to Kagbeni (2800m) 5 hrs. Overnight at guest house. B.L.D

Day 10: Trek to Muktinath (3800m) 4 hrs. Overnight at Guest house. B.L.D

Day 11: Trek back to Jomsom (2713m) 6 hrs. Overnight at Guest house. B.L.D

Day 12: Fly to Pokhara (910) 20- min. Overnight at Hotel. B.L.D

Day 13: Drive back to Kathmandu 6 hrs. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 14: Transfer to Airport for home departure. B. “Farewell!”

Note: B = Breakfast, B.B = Bed & Breakfast, B.L.D = Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & transfer by private car / van
2. Three nights accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
3. Kathmandu city tour as per the above itinerary
4. Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with tea & coffee during the trek
5. Lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek
6. One highly experienced, helpful and friendly guide, porters (1 porter for 2 people) and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and insurance
7. All surface transfer to/from Kathmandu by private vehicle
8. Jomsom - Pokhara airfare including departure tax 
9. Nepal Hiking Team duffle bag, down jacket and sleeping bag during Annapurna Base Camp Trek
10. Nepal Hiking Team T - Shirt (yours to keep)
11. Annapurna conservation permit
12. TIMS Fee- Trekkers' Information Management System
13. Two nights accommodation in Pokhara at two star category hotel
14. Government taxes & office service charge.

OUR SERVICES EXCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
2. Travel insurance
3. International airfare
4. Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
5. All cold drinks such as: alcoholic beverages, mineral water, Coke, Fanta, juice, etc.
6. Hot and cold showers during the trek
7. Personal shopping and laundry
8. Personal trekking equipments
9. Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is appreciated but it is not mandatory)

Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu.
You are welcomed by hospitable meeting and then you will be transferred to hotel. Our airport representative will explain briefly the program upon arrival. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 02: Trek Preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour.
Sightseeing of world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley including, Kathmandu Darbar square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Pasupatinath Temple. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 03: Kathmandu to Pokhara (910m) 6 hours.
After breakfast at your hotel we will depart at 8am; take a scenic drive to Pokhara via the Prithivi Highway (approx 6 hours). While driving we will have many chances to observe rural people & various cultures along the highway. Overnight at Hotel. B.L.D

Day 04: Drive Naya Pul (New bridge), to Tikhe Dhunga (1495m) 4 hrs.
After breakfast at around 07:30am, we will drive to Naya Pul (42km) by car/taxi via the large village of Lumle and walk for about 20 minutes to Birethanti, a large and prosperous town. The trail follows the main street of Birethanti, going through bamboo forests and past a large waterfall and swimming hole. Beyond a pasture used by pony caravans, the trail reaches Ramghai where you will have lunch. After lunch, the trail climbs gradually up the side of the valley, reaching Tikhe Dhunga. Overnight at Guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 05: Trek to Ghorepani (2850m) 6 hrs.
From Tikhe Dhunga the trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge near the camp site at Tikhe Dhunga. The trail ascends a steep stone staircase (which has about 3300 steps) to the large Magar village of Ulleri at 2080m. Above the village, the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields. There is a camp site for a rest and water stop one hour’s walk above Ulleri. The trail crosses two sparkling streams before making a short, final climb to Nangethanti where we stop for lunch. Thanti is a Nepali word meaning "rest house”. In the winter the trail can be covered with snow. From Nangethanti we will climb to Ghorepani at 2850m, from here we can see the spectacular panorama of Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Tukuche Nilgiri (6940m), Annapurna I (8091m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Tarke Kang (7193m). Overnight at Guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 06: Hiking -Poonhill (3180m), trek to Tatopani (1200m) 7 hrs.
This morning, we will get up early and hike to Poon Hill. From here you will see a superb view of the sunrise and a panoramic view of the Himalaya, including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Fishtail, and others. After visiting Poonhill, we will come back to Ghorepani, have a hot breakfast, and continue walking to Tatopani Overnight at Guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 07: Trek to Ghasa (2120m) 7 hrs.
The trek now starts up the Kali Gandaki valley, which is said to be the deepest gorge in the world Here we will enjoy a beautiful day’s walking along the Kali Gandaki riverside, gradually ascending into sub-tropical vegetation. We will cross the Bhalu Khola on a high suspension bridges before arriving at Dana (1450m) Around 30 minutes from Dana we will see a very high waterfall: Rupse Chhahara (which translates as “beautiful waterfall”). From there we will continue through the steepest and narrowest part of the Kali Gandaki valley, where much of the route is cut through solid rock. We will cross the river again on a 120m long bridge to the east side. We will continue on to Ghasa, an ethnic Thakali village and this marks the southernmost limit of Tibetan Buddhism in the valley. Overnight at guest house. B.L.D

Day 08: Trek to Tukuche (2560m) 5 hrs.
The trail follows the Kali Gandaki River, passing through a narrow gorge before reaching Thakali traditional villages. Today we will cross the gorge and river numerous times via long suspension bridges, which make great photo opportunities. We will pass a couple of villages (e.g. Lete, Kalopani and Kokhethati). On the way we can see the top of Dhaulagiri Mountain peeking over the west side. We will end our day in the village of Tukuche. Overnight at guest house. B.L.D

Day 09: Trek to Kagbeni (2800m) 5 hrs.
An easy and lovely day’s walking where we will first see the village of Khobang, which has narrow alleyways and tunnels connecting houses. We can make short side trip to the Kanti Gompa (a Buddhist temple). Then our route continues to Marpha, one of the most important place for Apple. We can see a wine-brandy distillery here and walk through the orange orchard street. We will continue our trek for another 2 hours before reaching our day’s final destination at Jomsom, Here we will have lunch then trek continue along the Kaligandaki river passing though Eklai Bhatti. Overnight at guest house. B.L.D

Day 10: Trek to Muktinath (3800m) 4 hrs.
Today we will do the 1000 meter ascend to Muktinath which is an important pilgrimage place for both Hindu and Buddhist. We will first walk through Khingar (3400m) and then onto Jharkot (3500m), which is an impressive fortress like village. We will continue our way to the first part of Muktinath which is known as Ranipauwa, where we will stay the night. There will be time to explore the area and see some of the holy Hindu places like an eternal flame coming from natural gas next to a spring which is considered holy as well. Overnight at Guest house. B.L.D

Day 11: Trek to Jomsom (2713m) 6 hrs.
This is an easy day walking back to Jomsom following a different route, but can be tedious if we are unlucky to get the strong winds. From Muktinath to Jomsom, you will see the people of Mustang, a restricted area to the north, who come to sell handicrafts to pilgrims. Among their merchandise is the highly-revered mollusk fossil called shaligram. We will pass some ancient caves and see the impressive White Mountain that is the Dhaulagiri. We also transit at the significant town of Kagbeni, which is at a junction of 2 rivers and the north-south and east-west trading routes. Overnight at guest house. B.L.D

Day 12: Fly to Pokhara (910) 20- min.
Fly to Pokhara and spend the day at leisure, relaxing, and maybe enjoying enjoy the sightseeing around Pokhara valley. Overnight at hotel. B.L.D

Day 13: Drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 14: Transfer to Airport for home departure. B. “Farewell!”

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Upon Arrival

When you arrive at Tribhuban International Airport, our staff will greet you and transport you to your accomodations. After resting, the next day you will have a sightseeing tour of the city's most influential cultural landmarks. Before departing for your trek, we will review your itinerary, introduce you to your guide and help with the final preparations for your journey.

Accommodation

You will be spending three nights at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast, normally the Hotel Vaisahi, Samsara Resort or Hotel Vajra. During the trek we provide the best available lodges/guesthouses on a twin-sharing basis. Some guesthouses are basic with shared washing and toilet facilities. If you are travelling in a group, you will share a room with someone else of the same gender from your group. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference on request and pay a supplement. Keep in mind that there are several places which do not allow single accommodations during peak season, but we will try our best to accomodate your preferences if possible.

 

Meals and Drinking Water

We provide quality food in sufficient quantities (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from guesthouses chosen from a menu . Tea or coffee is also included with meals. While trekking your guide will help with menu selection and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive due to the extreme locations. Most teahouses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate and soft drinks and in some areas you will find fresh fruit in season. You can buy bottled mineral water from local lodges and shops en route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills.

 

Our Trekking Guides and Staff

Your guide's role is to ensure that all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He will share his local knowledge, and provide advice on how to fill your free time as well as co-ordinate the day-to-day running of the tour - although occasionally he may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your guide know so that steps can be taken to correct the situation.

We are a well-established adventure company and we employ professional trekking guides with comprehensive knowledge of English and all required supplementary crew members (everyone has basic communication skills). We also provide training for our staff, thus enhancing their work efficiency. Our guides are intimately familiar with all local castes and customs along the trails and will share with you many cultural insights that are not covered in any guide book. You will have many chances to learn Nepali phrases and other cultural aspects throughout your trek. All of Nepal Hiking Team’s guides receive training in the following courses.

1. Trekking Guide Training &licensed- Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management & Tourism Training Centre
2. Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
3. Intensive Wilderness First Aid KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
4. English Language KEEP
5. Conservation and Biodiversity TAAN
6. Rock, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (Climbing leaders) Nepal Mountaineering Association

 

Acclimatization

We are experts in operations at high-altitude. Every trip we run has a sound acclimatization program. We created itinerary to allow for gradual height gain spread over a number of days. There is no way of predicting who will suffer from altitude, but for the vast majority of people, a slow ascent will produce minimal effects. Acclimatizing takes time and there are no safe shortcuts. For all trips to altitudes in excess of 3,000 meters, our guides carry medicines essential to the treatment of altitude illness; they are trained to track symptoms as well as administer medications.

 

Travel Insurance

To be adequately protected in terms of insurance, you will need specialized travel insurance for participation in hazardous activities. A travel insurance policy that covers emergency evacuation, trip injury, lost baggage, theft, liability, medical treatment and expenses is strongly recommended. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as trekking and climbing. Our agency can arrange for the appropriate policy based on your trek.

 

Climate and Weather

The climate of Nepal is as varied as its geography. The low-lying Terai has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate. The Himalayan foothills, where most of our treks take place, are best in the cool dry season from September to May. The traditional trekking season in Nepal is late September to December, with October and November generally recognized as having the best weather. Spring is also a popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom. The visibility is good and days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters.

The Annapurna Region Trek is likely to have a wide range of temperatures depending on the altitude and the time of day. In the mountains up to 3,500m the nights will be cool, normally around 5 degree C, and during the day temperatures sometimes rise to 25 degree C. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 15 degree C to -15 degree C.

 

Group Size

We bring together a small group of likeminded people to give them a memorable and insightful travel experience with an invaluable opportunity to interact in a fun-filled environment. Our travel group generally comprises a maximum of 12 members. We need a minimum of 2 participants to run our fixed departure dates. For individualized trips, no minimum or maximum applies. If you would like to travel independently or with your friends, families and colleagues, you are invited to choose any of the trips at your convenient time frame for any number of people.

 

Responsible Travel

The beautiful environment of the Himalaya is also an extremely fragile one. At Nepal Hiking Team, we are extremely conscious about the environment and aim to minimize the detrimental impact as much as possible. As deforestation is one of the greatest environmental threats, we do not have campfires and we use kerosene as cooking fuel. We also discourage trekkers from using wood-fuelled hot showers in lodges along the way. Many lodges, however, now provide solar energy, a far more eco-friendly alternative.

Garbage disposal is another major problem. Some of the busier trails are at times strewn with litter and garbage thrown by irresponsible trekking groups. Our staff members are well motivated towards eco-friendly practices. We carry the non-biodegradable garbage, apart from that which can be safely and easily burned at the campsite. Our aim is to help protect and preserve this beautiful environment for future generations of trekkers to enjoy.