View from Muktinath ...
One can enjoy with diverse culture of various communities such as Bramin , Chhetri, Thakali, Magar, Gurung and the beautiful landscapes, pilgrimages having trekking tour to both Hindu and Budhist in Annapurna Himalayan range. Jomsom Muktinath trekking is not only popular for trekking, but also popular for both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage trekkers. It is one of the most rewarding treks that provides insights of different cultures as well as a wide range of sceneries and tremendous views of mountains.
Day 01.
Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1345meters). You will be met by our representative and transfer to hotel and a short brief about the trekking after refreshment.
Day 02.
Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Monkey Temple, Pashupatinath Temple and Baudhanath Stupa.
Day 03.
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.):
It takes about six hours. You depart for the six hours drive to Pokhara (915m,), 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. As you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyangdi River. You follow the Marsyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Having pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. You can also take a flight from Kathamndu to Pokhara instead of Drive.
Day 04.
Drive from Pokhara (915 m.) to Nayapul (1050m.) by car:
It takes one and half hours drive. Now, you begin your trek from Nayapul (1050m.) to Tikhedhunga (1577 m.) via Birethanti (1065m.) which takes about four and half hours. After breakfast at hotel you could drive by car for one and half hours to Nayapul. Then you start your trekking. The first part of your trek is easy passing through numerous small villages and settlements. Afterwards you could ascend gently to the final destination of the day. The majority people here are Gurung and their religion is Buddhist. They are engaged in agricultural activities, tourism business and some in Gorkha and Indian regiments.
Day 05.
Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2675 m.):
It takes about six hours. The trail is steeply ascended for the early 2 hours and then ascends gently passing through Ulleri (2070m.) and Banthanti, Magar villages. On the way, you can enjoy good view of Machhapuchhre or Fish Tail (6997m.), Huinchuli (6441m.), and Annapurna (7219m.) south. Now your trail is quite easier passing through forest and descends gently up to the final camp. You could see some of the wild life such as monkey and various species of birds.
Day 06.
Trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani (1189m.):
It takes about seven and half hours. This day offers you an early morning trip to Poon Hill (3232m.) to enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.), Machhapuchhare (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6931m.) and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks. After breakfast you trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani. After descending through the rhododendron forest, fine vistas open up we approach Chitre, with the Dhaulagiri Range straight ahead. The path then leads through terraced fields to Sikha, a Magar village clustered on a ridge. You continue to descend, gradually at first and then more steeply to cross the Ghar Khola. After a short climb, we then cross the Kali Gandaki on a large suspension bridge and from here it is only a short distance upstream to Tatopani. Tatopani takes its name from the hot springs near the river below the village. At Tatopani you can enjoy the Natural Hot Spring Bath.
Day 07.
Trek from Tatopani to Ghasa (2013m.):
It takes about five hours. The followed route ascends gently up the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, towards the village of Dana, which is surrounded by orange groves. From autumn to winter, baskets of these oranges are offered for sale to passing travelers. Just beyond the small hamlet of Rupse, a thundering waterfall cascades down beside the trail. From here, the trail enters the steepest and narrowest section of the gorge, but the layered stone path is well-constructed and wide. When the rock cliffs end, we descend to the river before making the short climb back up to Ghasa. This is the first Thakali village we come across and the houses here are all built in the flat-roofed Tibetan style.
Day 08.
Trek from Ghasa to Marpha (2667m.):
which takes about six and half hours. The trek ascends crossing the wide valley of Kali Gandaki for about six to seven hours. Through out the trek you will be enjoying the mighty Rhododendron trees and many ethnic villages with a sparse population of Gurung, Thakali and few Tibetans. On the way to Marpha we trek along the banks of Kali Gandaki through the Apple orchard, you can eat apples if it happens to be the fruit season. Marpha is a big village enriched with a Buddhist Monastery in between the village which has its own cultural importance.
Day 09.
Trek from Marpha to Jomsom (2713m.) to Kagbeni (2897m.):
It takes about five hours. You continue to follow the wide valley of the Kali Gandaki, passing through Khobang and Tukuche. Tukuche is a delightful village where narrow alleyways and houses built around enclosed courtyards attempt to provide some shelter from the winds which howl through the gorge. The wind generally picks up after about midday, but will at least be blowing at our backs as you head up to Jomsom. After passing through stone-walled orchards, a stone gate marks the entrance to Marpha. White walled houses line both sides of the narrow paved street, under which flows a cleverly made drainage system. Marpha makes a good lunch stop and the courtyards of the many lodges make ideal resting and refreshment places. The local apple brandy is especially well-known! As the trail continues towards Jomsom, the landscape becomes increasingly arid and impressive with its mixture of browns, yellows and grey, contrasting with the white snowcaps of Tilicho and Nilgiri. By afternoon, the stiff winds begin to blow, hastening our way to Jomsom.
Day 10.
Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath (3795 m.):
which takes about 4 hours. The Trail steeply ascends for couple of hundred Meters. While gradually walking you can enjoy beautiful deserted landscape, Caves, old Tibetan Style Villages, apple Garden, Yaks Herds, Sheep Herds and so on. You can look at Thorong La valley straight up to the Muktinath. You can enjoy delicious lunch at Jharkot and visit Monastery believed to be built in 15 century. Now you head towards Muktinath following steep ascent path for half an hour. You stay overnight at Muktinath village. From here you hike to Rani Pauwa (3700m.), an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Here you come across Natural flaming which really exhilarates you. At this point, you can see splendid view of Dhaulagiri (8165m), Nilgiri (7061m.) and others. Now you walk for fifteen minutes to reach Muktinath Temple, where you can enjoy a holy bath of 108 Taps. The people of Kagbeni, Jharkot and Muktinath are close to the life style, culture, religion and idea of Tibetan people
Day 11.
Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2713 m.):
It takes about 5 hours. Today we continue down for early two hours and then walk through the flat path till we reach Jomsom. Between the walk lies Eklebhatti village where you find tea houses and lodges.
Day 12.
Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara:
It takes about 20 minutes. The flights are available during the morning time. The strong breeze blows during the after and frequent change of the weather prevent the flight being landed and taken off in the afternoon. During the flights in morning, the sky looks very clear which makes you able to enjoy the splendid views of different mountain peaks.
Day 13.
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist:
It takes about six hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes 25 minutes.
Day 14.
Transfer to international airport for your final flight departure.