17 Days/ 16 nights

The physical beauty along the Jomsom Trek is breathtaking. The scenery of the trail ranges from forests of brilliant red rhododendrons to rocky cliffs and desert. The trail follows the Kali Gandaki river. The Kali Gandaki is a quarter of a mile wide river bed; during the winter the river is practically dry, but during the summer monsoon it fills with rain water and melting snow. On one side lies the Annapurna mountain range and on the other side is Dhaulagiri. This route covers the second half of the Annapurna Round trek.

Trekking Itinerary Day Location Day 1 Kathmandu Arrival Day 2 Kathmandu – Pokhara Day 3 Pokhara – Dhampus Day 4 Dhampus – Landruk Day 5 Landruk – Ghandruk Day 6 Ghandruk – Tadopani Day 7 Tadopani – Ghorepani Day 8 Ghorepani – Tatopani Day 9 Tatopani – Ghasa Day 10 Ghasa – Tukuche Day 11 Tukuche – Jomsom Day 12 Jomsom – Kagbeni Day 13 Kagbeni – Muktinath Day 14 Muktinath – Jomsom Day 15 Jomsom – Pokhara Day 16 Pokhara – Kathmandu Day 17 End of Trip

Highlights: 12 days trekking, tent camping or lodges 02 nights hotel in Kathmandu 02 nights hotel in Pokhara this classic trek starts with a long climb to Ghorapani, then drops into the world's deepest valley. Crosses the main Himalayan range to Tibet-like country in Jomsom.   Trekking Profile (click to enlarge)

Jomsom & Muktinath Trek

The Jomsom trek takes you from Pokhara through the valley of the Kali Gandaki River to the pilgrim site of Muktinath. The Jomsom trek is relatively easy, as it does not go any higher than 3800m. It takes you through a beautifully diverse area starting at an elevation of 900m in Pokhara, gradually climbing from sub-tropical jungle and fertile fields to alpine country. Beyond Jomsom the scenery transforms into a desert-like landscape. As you travel further north, Tibetan and Buddhist influences become more obvious. Whereas the Nepali in the foothills adhere to the Hindu faith, the highland people are closer, culturally, to the people of Tibet.

The culture among the trail is rich. The trail weaves through the Lower Mustang region of Nepal, ending at the village of Kagbeni, a Tibetan influenced village filled with prayer wheels, chortens and a Buddhist monastery. The trail's highest point of 3800m is reached in Muktinath, a holy site of temples sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus.

Trip Profile:
17 Day Trip
02 Nights in Kathmandu
02 Night in Pokhara
12 Days of Annapurna Trekking

Graded: moderate

ITINERARY:

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1200m)

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met at the airport and brought to your downtown hotel. We will be collecting your passport & photos (two pp sized copy each) in order to get the Annapurna Conservation Permit needed for the trek. The passport would be returned to you in the evening at the time of pre-trek briefing by the trekking staff manager. A traditional Nepali welcome dinner will follow shortly after the trip meeting. Overnight in the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day-02: Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus driving for 7hrs. Lunch will be provided at a restaurant along the way. Overnight at Pokhara hotel.

Day-03: Pokhara to Dhampus

After having breakfast in the morning, drive up to Phedi about half and hour. Trek uphill from Phedi to Dhampus along the stone paved lanes through the small forest of oak, cherry-boom etc looking like a manicured park from its use as pasture. The area is inhabited by Brahmans, Chhetris and a few Gurungs. Reaching at Dhampus village, one can enjoy the panoramic view of western Himalayas such as Annapurna south (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Holy mount Machhapuchhare (69920m) Annapurna range and Lamjung Himal. The views improve as you ascend along the ridge.

Day-04: Dhampus to Landruk (1646m) 5 hours walk

After breakfast in the morning around 7:30 AM., the trail goes a climb to Pothana at 1900m. through rhododendron and orchid hung forest. The view of Mt. Machhapuchhare is excellent from Pothana – from this angle the mountain looks more like the Matterhorn than a fish tail. After Pothana about two hours ascent will bring you to a small pass at 2150m where there are views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. After the pass, a steep decent starts and follows through forests alive with birds, ferns and orchid and brings you into a huge side canyon of the Modi khola, where a small village called Beri Kharka is situated. Descend to the head of the canyon and cross a stream at 1790m. Finally, we will arrive at Landruk at 1646m which lies on the east canyon wall above the Modi river. From the picturesque village of Landruk, the views of Machhapuchhare (6920m), Annapurna south (7219m) and Hiunchuli (6441m) are magnificent.

Day-05: Landruk to Ghandruk (1970m)

After breakfast, the trail is a short descent through terraced hillsides. We will cross the Modi river on a suspension bridge then take a steep ascent to the largest Gurung village in the region, Ghandruk. The village of Ghandruk is beautiful set against the backdrop view of Mt. Machhapuchhare, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna (7454m) and Annapurna II (7556m)

Day-06: Ghandruk to Tadopani (2710m)

After breakfast our trek starts between 7:30–8:00 am for Tadopani. The trek up through small terraced fields past farmhouses and into dense jungle. This is a particularly good day for bird-watchers and those interested in wild flowers such as rhododendron, magnolias, orchids etc. which are blooming in the spring time. At the end of the days climb, you stay with magnificent views of snow mountains.

Day-07: Tadopani to Ghorepani (2855m) 5 hours walk

This day, the trail gently descent down to Banthanti in to a dense forest and gorge valley. Then we have a steep and some what exciting climb to Deurali pass (3078m) and the views on reaching the top are excellent where we break for the lunch. To the west, we see the Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m) Annapurna south on the way to Ghorepani. From the pass trail goes steep down to Ghorepani.

Day 08. Ghorepani to Tatopani (1190m) About 5 hours

Early in the morning, hike up to Poon Hill (3100m) for more panoramic views of the mountains and out to the Ganges plain before thermals bring the steamy clouds up from the jungle below. Back down to your hotel for breakfast and then begin the long descent down to Tatopani which lies between two 8000 metre peaks, Annapurna I (8091m) and Dhaulagiri I (8167m). It is situated at the bottom of the Kali Gandaki gorge which is considered to be the deepest in the world using the two peaks on either side as reference points. Tatopani, which aptly means 'hot water'. The hot springs that give the village its name provide the perfect opportunity for a good scrub and relaxing tired muscles. The food and hospitality is amazing.

Day-09: Tatopani to Ghasa (2120m) About 5½ hours

As the canyon narrows the trail is forced high up the cliff, at one point passing through a tunnel carved into the rock. The trek passes by a most beautiful Rukse Chhahara (waterfall) before reaching Ghasa, the first Tibetan- style village of the upper Kali Gandaki where the stone houses are characterized by the flat roof and narrow covered always.

Day-10: Ghasa to Tukuche (8900ft.) 5 hours walk

The Kaligandaki now opens up into a wide gravel bed as the trail travels through coniferous forests past Kalopani to Tukche. During the day, there are good views of the Dhaulagiri Icefalls to the west. On a hill above Larjung an interesting Gompa with many old painting. Over night at Tukche.

Day-11: Tukuche to Jomsom (2760m) 6 hours walk

After break fast in the morning, the trek trail is now through several typical Thakali village such as Marpha, a lovely village of whitewashed houses and fertile fields, famous for its apple brandy and jam. This large Thakali village exhibits the typical Thak Khola architecture of flat roofs and narrow paved alleys and passageways. It is quite wonderful to wander its streets and shops – entirely different from towns in the West and still without automobiles. After this a gentle walk takes us to beautiful city area called Jomsom, the administrative headquarters for the region, straddling both sides of the Kali Gandaki. Convection winds grow stronger in the afternoon and exhilaratingly, we walk with the wind assisting us northward. The major inhabitants of Jomsom are government officials, army and merchants engaged in distribution of the goods brought in by plane and pony caravans.

Day-12: Jomsom to Kagbeni (2840m)

After breakfast in the morning, our trek begins by 8:30 a.m. crossing the Kali Gandaki river by bridge then trek about three hours to reach Eaklibatti village; another hour brings us to Kagbeni which is lies at the bank of two rivers: Kali Gandaki (flows from Muktinath) and Nilgiri (flows from Mt. Nilgiri). There are good current of wind that blows 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. through the trail. This village is picturesque with old fortress ruins, 'desert badland' landscapes and villagers going about their peaceful lives.

Day-13: Kagbeni to Muktinath (3817m) 4 hours walk

After taking breakfast, the trail rises up out of the valley to a high desert bench overlooking the river below. We walk onwards to Muktinath – an important pilgrimage destination for Hinduism and Buddhism with a Gompa and Pagoda style temples. The most interesting importance of the area however is the spot with burning natural gas.

Day-14: Muktinath to Jomsom (2760m) 5 hours walk.

The trail descent to the valley for over 1525m. below as we retrace our steps to Jomsom through the beautiful arid landscapes. The new perspectives upon the mountains and ease of descending makes this a great final day of trekking.

Day-15: Jomsom to Pokhara by flight.

Take breakfast early in the morning, then short walk to airport and fly back to Pokhara. After arriving Pokhara, we have lunch and then go boating on Phewa Lake. Overnight in lakeside Pokhara.

Day-16: Pokhara to Kathmandu

After breakfast you're return to Kathmandu by road. After arrive in Kathmandu you're free to shop and pick up some last minute souvenirs, rest and visit the shop etc. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day-17: After breakfast, you are free to continue your travels or wait for a transfer to the International Airport for your flight home. Thank you for travelling with Peak Paldor Trekking & Expeditions.

Cost includes:

Two nights hotel in Kathmandu, two nights in Pokhara, airport arrival/departure transport services all necessary land and air transportation as per trek itinerary (esp. flight from Jomsom to Pokhara), meal three times in a day, guide, porters, entrance permit, insurance for Nepalese staffs, and accommodation in the tents for camping treks and in lodges for Tea House treks.

Cost does not include:

Hard drinks, cold drinks, sleeping bag, tips for guide/ porters, hotel in Kathmandu except two nights offered after upon arrival at international airport and return from the trek, rescue helicopter if used during the trek (travel insurance recommended!), international airfare.

RESERVATIONS

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