Pokhara Jomsom Muktinath Trek

Muktinath situated at a height of 3660 meter, is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. This trek starts with a scenic flight to Jomsom. From Jomsom, the trail leads on the Kaligandaki plains. The walk is very pleasant with few up and down most of the way to the place of Ekali Bhatti (lonely inn) where there are three or four tea-houses at present. It used to be one tea-house when its got its name Ekali -Bhatti. From here the path splits into two ways the higher up leads to Muktinath whereas the other one leads you to upper Mustang and Tibet via Kagbeni. Our trail leads past Eklai-bhatti towards north west. The walking gets much easier on the gradual winding route as the road widens as you walk farther on the river bed towards the windswept village of Kagbeni for the overnight.

A few hours gradual walk take you to the holy township of Mukitnath. You will need to walk very slowly as Muktinath is at the height of 3,750 meter. Initially the route leads us along the busy road that joins from Ekalibhatti, the road widens as we walk further on, passing through the interesting village of Jharkot. From Jharkot the trail climbs gradually for another hour and an half to the holy place of Muktinath. The most prominent shrine is the three storey temple fashioned in pagoda style of Lord Muktinath or the god of great salvation. For Hindus, it is one of the 106th sacred Muktichhetra (assured of salvation )of 108 sacred place of Vaishnavas, where Lord Vishnu got free from the curse of Sati. Likewise, for Buddhist it is the holy shrine of Chumig Gyatse. According to the Buddhist legend Muktinath was consecrated in the first ( good ) age by Padmasabhav and then again in the intermediate age by 84 great magicians. These magicians sanctified the water of Muktinath spring by sprinkling on to it by the water carried from the holy lake of Manasarovar. Thus, it is believed that drinking and taking bath in the 108 spouts in the premises of the temple washes away all the sins.

Itinerary A

Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu, transfer to Hotel. O/N Hotel. Day 02: Full day sightseeing Kathmandu. O/N Hoitel. Day 03: Drive or fly to Pokhara Pokhara ( 200 kms),O/N Hotel. Day 04: Pokhara to Kagbeni (2858 m.): Morning flight to Jomsom, walk to Ekley Bhatti Village after 3 hrs through the bank of Kaligandaki and have lunch; trek one more hour to Kagbeni lying between two rivers, Kaligandaki (flows .from Muktinath) and Nilgiri (flows from Mt. Nilgiri). Day 05: Kagbeni to Muktinath (3817 m.): ¾ hours walk, an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists with a Gompa and a pagoda style Pagoda dedicated to Lord Bishnu. Day 06: Muktinath to Jomsom (2709 m.): A walk down hill with a dramatic landscape upto Jomsom. Day 07: Jomsom to Tukuche (2591 m.): (5/6 hrs. walk), a valley dominated by Thakalis, Gurungs andd Magars (tribes), .lunch at Marfa on the way. Day 08: Tukluch to Ghasa (1970 m.): 5/6 hrs walk, a dramatic change in the surrounding with green vegetation and very beautiful view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna region. Overnight at Ghasa. Day 09: Ghasa to Tatopani (1189 m.): 5/6 hours walk, gradual descend to Tatopani through valleys, fields and the beautiful Rupse Chhahara (water falls) and then the time to have lunch at Dana village which is the deepest gorge in the world. Rest and overnight at Tatopani. Day 10: Tatopani to Ghorepani (2793 m.): (6/7 hrs. walk), A challenging ascent upto Ghorepani. Lunch at Sikha village,.and overnight at Ghorepani from where one can observe the best sun set view over the profile of Mt. Dhaulagiri.and Annapurna. Day 11: Rest at Ghorepani and Excursion to the Poon Hill( the highest hill in the west in the whole trek ), bird-eye view of .Mustang and Pokhara valleys, also provides clear view of 30 snow-capped peaks including the Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri. Day 12: Ghorepani to Ghandrung (1951 m.): 6/7 hours, with ups and downs towards Tadapani for lunch and camp at Ghandrung which is the biggest Gurung settlement with a closer view of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli. Day 13: Ghandrung, End the trek at New bride and drive to Pokhara. O/N hotel Day 14: At leisure Pokhara for independent activities. O/N Hotel. Day 15: Fly or drive back to Kathmandu ( 200 kms ). O/N Hotel. Day 16: Transfer to the airport for next destination. Same itinerary can be done other way round as well in same cost, Pokhara start trek to jomsom and fly back to Pokhara.
Itinerary B

Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu, transfer to hotel. O/N Hotel. Day 02: Full day sightseeing Kathmandu valley. O/N Hotel. Day 03: Drive to Pokhara (820m). Pokhara is the second largest tourist township in Nepal and enjoys a beautiful setting beside the large lake of Phewa. From here you can see magnificent views of Mt. Machapuchare the famous fishtail peak. O/N Hotel. Day 04: Fly to Jomson (2,713m) and Walk to Kagbeni Trek to Kagbeni (2,810 m) is 3-4 hrs walks. From Jomsom, the trail leads on the Kaligandaki plains. The walk is very pleasant with few up and down most of the way to the place of Ekali Bhatti (lonely inn). From here the path splits into two ways the higher up leads to Muktinath whereas the other one leads you to upper Mustang and Tibet via Kagbeni. Our trail leads past Eklai-bhatti towards north west. The walking gets much easier on the gradual winding route as the road widens as you walk farther on the river bed towards the windswept village of Kagbeni for the overnight. Day 05: Trek to Muktinath or Mukti kshetra 3,760m. Today is a steep haul for few hours to get up to the holy township of Mukitnath. You will need to walk very slowly as Muktinath is at the height of 3,750 meter. Initially the route leads us along the busy road that joins from Ekalibhatti, the road widens as we walk further on, passing through the interesting village of Jharkot. This place looks old and withered, as it had been for many hundred years ago untouched by modern civilization. From Jharkot the trail climbs gradually for another hour and an half to the holy place of Muktinath. During the auspicious time this place is flooded with pilgrims of both Hindu and Buddhist, a nice walk to the Temple of Muktinath and with its 108 water spout, which is also the source of Kaligandaki River. Superb views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche can be seen from the campsite and as well from Muktinath itself including the Tilicho and Nilgiri peaks to the left. Day 06: Trek to Jomsom. 3-4 hrs. From Muktinath onwards will be one of the most pleasant walks as you will loose altitude day by day. The trek follows an easy descends towards the Kaligandaki River Valley passing through the old village of Jharkot after an hour or more of this good walk. On reaching the river bed at Ekalebhatti we will get a small settlement with 3-4 teahouses. From here onwards it gets very windy in the afternoon time. The walk follows the gentle trail for another two hours till the large town village of Jomsom is reached for the overnight camp. Jomsom is a large village town is the headquarter of the Mustang region with a small airstrip just above by the river Kaligandaki. Here you will have ample time to celebrate with the local apple products like cider, brandy and juice this area from Kagbeni to Larjung is famous for its delicious apple and its product. Day 07: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara. The flight time to Pokhara is scheduled for morning normally because of the wind in the afternoon; sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason beyond our command. This scenic flight from Jomsom takes about 25 minutes to Pokhara. O/N Hotel. Day 08: Drive or fly Kathmandu. O/N Hotel. Day 09: Transfer to airport for next destination.

Pokhara Jomsom Muktinath Trek

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