Jomsom Muktinath Trek

5.0/5 from 622 reviews
  • Destination
    Nepal
  • Duration
    14 Days
  • Trip Difficulty
    Easy to Moderate
  • Activities
    Trekking
  • Accommodation
    Hotel/Lodges
  • Meals
    B.L.D
  • Max. Elevation
    3800m.
  • Group Size
    Min. 2 Pax
  • Best Time
    Jan - May & Sept - Dec

Do you prefer off-beaten trails to over-crowded ones? If you do, we present you with the Jomsom Muktinath Trek, a remote and isolated trek. The route is filled with a rugged trail offering a desert-like landscape that'll leave you astonished.

The Jomsom Muktinath Trek is filled with incredible vistas. From popular viewpoints of Poon Hill to the apple orchards of the Jomsom region, the trek covers it all. If you are looking for a moderate trek covering the best of the Annapurna region, then the Jomsom Muktinath Trek is an excellent choice.

So, what is the wait? Send us an inquiry, and let's connect right away! Our team is waiting patiently and are ready for you, are you?

Best Highlights

  • Get a chance to explore the beautiful valley of Kathmandu.
  • Explore the UNESCO world heritage sites in Kathmandu- Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
  • Mesmerize in the stunning sunrise at Poon Hill viewpoint- a famous viewpoint.
  • Cross through the traditional villages, and interact with the local villagers.
  • Indulge in the local cuisines and explore the villagers' dialects, culture, and traditions.
  • Savor the rich taste of local apples and products such as apple brandy and apple pie in the Jomsom region.
  • Visit several ancient gompas and monasteries, such as the Jharkot Gompa and the Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery, where you can witness the rich Buddhist heritage of the region.
  • Walk along the deepest gorge in the world – Kaligandaki Gorge will shower you with impressive views of the Annapurna panorama and Dhaulagiri Himal.
  • Admire the narrow alleys, prayer wheels, and traditional architecture at Kagbeni Village.
  • Visit Muktinath Temple- a popular spiritual site for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims.

Route Overview

Let's now look into the route leading to the Jomsom Muktinath Trek.

The trip begins upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport. You'll be greeted by one of our staff who'll escort you to the hotel. The other day, you'll explore the UNESCO world heritage sites such as Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath. 

Continuing the trip, we set off for a scenic ride to Pokhara, a vibrant city. After reaching Pokhara, we continue our drive to Nayapul and hike through villages and forests to Tikhedhunga. To get to Ghorepani, we take a steep ascent through rhododendron forests to the village of Ghorepani. The next hike is to Poon Hill, where we'll enjoy the sunrise glaring through the mountains of Dhaulagiri, Machapuchare, and the Annapurna ranges, followed by a trek to Tadapani.

Later, we'll continue our hike and descend through forests and along the Kali Gandaki River to the village of Ghasa. Then, making our way through the dramatic landscapes of the Mustang region, we'll reach the village of Tukuche, Kagbeni, and then Muktinath. The last hike will be to the town of Jomsom. We'll fly from Jomsom to Pokhara and then drive back to Kathmandu, bidding farewell.

When is the best time for the Jomsom Muktinath Trek?

Before booking the trek, you must be wary of one detail, i.e., the weather conditions. While choosing the dates for your trek, choose only the best season. And the best time for Jomsom Muktinath Trek is generally from March to May and September to November.

During these months, the weather is usually clear and dry, with mild temperatures and little rainfall, making it ideal for trekking. The clear skies provide breathtaking views of the Himalayan Mountains and the surrounding landscapes.

We do not advise trekking during the monsoon season, typically from June to August. During this time, the region experiences heavy rainfall, landslides, and flash floods, making trekking trails extremely dangerous and impassable. The visibility is also poor during the monsoon season, making it difficult to enjoy the region's scenic beauty.

How difficult is the Jomsom Muktinath Trek?

Let's now discuss the difficulty level of the trek. The Jomsom Muktinath Trek is a moderate trek that can be completed in 14 days.

Throughout the trek, you'll walk for 5-7 hours daily through diverse terrains such as rocky trails, steep ascents and descents, narrow ridges, and river crossings. You must maintain proper physical fitness to hike on these trails.

Altitude sickness can also be a concern in the Jomsom Muktinath Trek. The highest elevation that you'll reach is 3,800 at Muktinath. At this altitude, you may fall sick due to altitude sickness. Therefore, it is essential to acclimatize on the trek.

Regarding Driving to/from Kathmamdu

Lately, there has been extensive road construction (KATHMANDU TO POKHARA )on Prithvi Highway, causing traffic congestion and air pollution. The journey that used to take around 6-7 hours now takes roughly 8-9 hours. We appreciate your patience.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Our airport representative will welcome you and explain the program further. There are no planned activities for the day, so check into the hotel. Enjoy your overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02: 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, breakfast included.

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara (910 m) by tourist bus, 6 hrs

Your guide will pick you up at the hotel at 6:30am and escort you to the bus station. The tourist bus to Pokhara leaves at around 7:30am. The scenery along the road is dramatic and you will see the river, valleys, cascading rice terraces and rocky gorges. Upon arrival, check in hotel, in the evening, you may enjoy leisure boating on the scenic Fewa Lake and see the reflection of the Mount Machhapuchhre and Annapurna Range on the crystal clear water of the Lake. Overnight at hotel, breakfast included.

Day 04: Drive to Nayapul (1,010m) Duration 1 hour and Trek to Tikhedhunga (1,570m) Duration 4 hrs

We begin our trek at Nayapul after an hour drive on a private vehicle from Pokhara. After a short 15-minute walk along the banks of the Modi Khola, we reach Birethanti (1,015m) a large village with many shops and teahouses. From there, the trail continues through the village and follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola. The trail climbs steadily up the side of the valley to Hille at 1,495m and after a short climb, we reach Tikhedhunga at 1,570m. Today's walk is relatively short and easy, a prelude to the trekking experience in the Annapurna region. Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 05: Trek to Ghorepani (2850m) Duration: 7 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), Nilgiri (6940m) Annapurna I (8091m) Hiunchuli (6441m) and more. Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 06: Hike up to Poon Hill (3,210m/10529ft) and onto Tadapani (1200m) Duration: 7 hrs

This morning, we will get up early and hike to Poon Hill 3,210m/10529ft). 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, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 07: Trek to Ghasa (2120m) Duration: 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 guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 08: Trek to Tukuche (2560m) Duration: 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 guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 09: Trek to Kagbeni (2800m) Duration: 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 guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 10: Trek to Muktinath (3800m) Duration: 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 guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 11: Trek to Jomsom (2600m)

Trek to Jomsom (2600m) Duration: 5 hrs. Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 12: Morning flight to Pokhara,

Morning flight to Pokhara, 20-minutes. Overnight at hotel, breakfast included.

Day 13: Pokhara to Kathmandu

Scenic drive back to Kathmandu by tourist bus, 6 hrs. Overnight at hotel, breakfast included.

Day 14: Farewell

Approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight a representative from Nepal Hiking Team will take you to the airport.

Cost Includes

  • All airport/hotels transfers by private vehicle
  • Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
  • Guided sightseeing tours in Kathmandu, including all entrance fees and private vehicle
  • Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Pokhara
  • Full board meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
  • Lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek.
  • One highly experienced, helpful, and friendly guide, porters (1 porter for 2 people), and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and insurance
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu transfer by tourist bus
  • Jomsom - Pokhara airfare, including departure tax
  • Nepal Hiking Team duffel bag, down jacket, and sleeping bag during the trek
  • Nepal Hiking Team T-Shirt (yours to keep)
  • Annapurna conservation permit
  • TIMS Fee- Trekkers' Information Management System
  • Government taxes & office service charge

Cost Excludes

  • Meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the itinerary.'
  • Travel Insurance
  • International airfare
  • Nepal entry visa
  • All kinds of cold drinks, e.g., water, coke, fanta, juice, etc.
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Tips for trekking staff and driver

Travellers‘ Reviews

Read our genuine feedback from past travelers with Nepal Hiking Team sourced from TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot.

  • Rave Reviews for Nepal Hiking Team!

    My daughter and I found out about this company at the last minute for our November Annapurna Circuit trek, and we couldn’t have been luckier! With just 28 days to organize, Nepal Hiking Team truly delivered. Ganga was incredibly accommodating with the schedule, the end point, and everything in between. He even arranged for some forgotten personal items to be sent from a teahouse to my hotel. Ganga was there to greet us at the start of the trek and again at the end before we left Nepal. During the trek, we were in excellent hands with our guide, Santosh, and our porter, Suncar. We couldn’t have asked for a better duo.

    Everything was handled seamlessly—comfortable accommodations each night, three meals a day, and even fruit after every evening meal. They were simply fantastic!

    Overall, this was an unforgettable experience and exactly what we had hoped for. I highly recommend this company to anyone looking for a hassle-free trekking adventure.

    Angi G
    - Excellent

    Mr. Angi G

    1st Dec 2024
  • Great experience on Annapurna Circuit Short Trek

    I did the 12-day Annapurna Circuit short trek, expecting it to be a group tour. However, since I chose late November (the end of the busy season), it turned out to be a private tour, which was still an amazing experience. My guide, Asha, and porter, Basu, were incredible, and they introduced me to temples and sites along the trek that I wouldn't have discovered on my own.

    A thoughtful touch was being provided with clementines and pomegranates every evening. The hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara were very comfortable, and if you have time, I recommend adding an extra day in Pokhara, which I found much more walkable than Kathmandu.

    B
    - Excellent

    Mr. Benjamin B

    29th Nov 2024
  • Exciting and most memorable experience

    Experience of a lifetime! Leading up to the trip, I felt some excitement and uncertainty because I was traveling from New Jersey to Nepal, so it was a trip to the other side of the world. Also knowing we were going to trek to the highest region in the world.

    Once we arrived in Kathmandu, we met up with our guide (Bhim). After a few minutes of talking with him, I felt a sense of calm and my excitement of joy grew from there. And I was right he and his team made sure we had the best experience possible.

    The full trek going and coming was incredible. Our guide, Bhim, made sure we had the best experience. Can’t say enough of how wonderful he and his team made this one for the books!

    I highly recommend booking with this company and Bhim! Namaste!

    O
    - Excellent

    Mr. Oscar A

    12th Nov 2024
  • Solo Traveler

    I just completed trekking in Nepal together with another solo traveler. The service of Nepal Hiking Team was exemplary from the start till the end. Nothing beats word-of-mouth good reviews. 

    Mr. Ganga has been very responsive to queries from Day 1 and was physically present even on the last day to officially close the loop for the package tour.

    Our guide Bibek was very patient and sincere as he led us through the trek. He resolved issues with his heart and people skills and gave assurance whenever plans suddenly changed.

    He ensured things were changed for the better. Our porter, Rajendran, was also good and always arrived ahead of time to ensure our rooms were confirmed.

    - Guided by Bibek Dhamala

    N
    - Excellent

    Ms. Norleen A

    21st Oct 2024
  • Amazing experience thanks to our 5-star guide/porter team

    We had the best time in Nepal. The beautiful views and warm hospitality of the Nepali people are truly unparalleled.

    Instrumental to our amazing experience were our guide, Netra, and porter, Vasu.

    We were super well taken care of. Netra was quick to assess our physical abilities and was able to effectively set the pace for our hikes. He had very good knowledge of the route and terrain. Importantly, this was our first time attempting a hike at a high altitude, so he took extra care to check on us regularly.

    On a personal note, proper gear, including a powerful down jacket for -20 degrees Celsius and a proper hiking backpack, is super essential.

    Overall, I would highly recommend the Nepal Hiking Team and Netra/Vasu for your Nepal adventure!

    G
    - Excellent

    Ms. Gen T

    14th Oct 2024
US$ 1250Per Person
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