JOMSOM MUKTINATH TREK IN ANNAPURNA

Breakfast at hotel

AM: Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city and Swayambhunath

Kathmandu City:

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is one of the world’s oldest cities. It is also known as Kantipur. Here one can find distinctive pagoda-roofed temples, stone sculptures, and old monasteries and histories monuments. Here you will visit the temple of the Living Goddess, who acknowledges the greetings of devotees from the balcony of here temple residence Kasthamandap – the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree and Durbar Square are with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient place of the former Nepalese Royalty.

Swayambhunath:

Located approximately 4 km, Buddhist stupa this is said to be more than 2000 years old, making it one of the world’s oldest and most glorious Buddhist chaityas. The Chaitya (stupa) which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by pinnacle of gilt copper. Painted on the four-sided base of the spire are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It stands on a hill which is a mosaic of small chaityas and pagoda temples.

It takes around 30 minutes to fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara. While flying to Pokhara, you can enjoy the fantastic views of shimmering mountain ranges and spectacular landscapes below you. Or it takes 6-7 hours drive for Pokhara.

Or we can fly about 35 minutes to Pokhara. You will be met in Pokhara by your trekking crew.

After breakfast a short drive of about one hour brings you to a trailhead at Birethanti, a busy village of lodges, shops and houses. You commence your trek with a gradual ascent along the left bank of the Bhurungdi Khola. You then leave the river and follow a trail along the upper edge of terraced fields through Hille to Tikhedungha. Thereafter, you cross a stream beyond the village and then drop down to the suspension bridge over the Bhurungdi Khola. Then you climb a long, steep and seemingly endless stone staircase, which eventually leads you to the village of Ulleri. From this village, there are fine views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Overnight at Lodge in Ulleri.

As you ascend along the path that leads to a forest, you will find Annapurna South, hidden by a ridge. Beyond Banthanti, there are magnificent forests of oak and rhododendron. After crossing several crystal-clear mountain streams, you arrive at the village of Nangethanti. Another 1 and half hours of trekking through the forest, you reach Ghorepani. Ghorepani literally means “horse water” and is a popular watering spot for mules, which ply this route from Pokhara to Jomsom and beyond. A ten minutes’ walk takes you to a small pass and further to the village of Deaurali. For proper acclimatization, you rest at Ghorepani. Overnight at Local Lodge.

You can catch an amazing view of the sunrise from an ideal vantage point of Poon Hill. After breakfast, you descend to Tatopani through the rhododendron forest amidst the magnificent natural vistas. As you near Chitre, you get an awe-inspiring view of Dhaulagiri range. The path then leads through terraced fields to SIkha, a Magar village clustered on a ridge.

You continue descending, gradually at first and then more steeply to cross the Ghar Khola. After a short climb, you cross the Kali Gandaki on a large suspension bridge and from thereon, it is only a short distance upstream to Tatopani. Tatopani takes its name after the hot spring near the village below the village. Overnight at Local Lodge.

You have to follow the trail that ascends gently up the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, towards the village of Dana, which is surrounded by orange groves. En route, you come across local people selling baskets of oranges. Just beyond the small hamlet of Rupse, a thundering waterfall cascades down beside the trail. Thereafter, the trail enters the steepest and narrowest section of the gorge. You will find the layered stone path well-constructed and wide. As the rock cliff ends, you head towards Ghasa, a quaint Thakali village. You can see several flat-roofed Tibetan style houses in Ghala. Overnight at Local Lodge.

After breakfast you trek from Ghasa towards Larjung. Few hours of descents soon follow other rock-strewn ascents through forests of fir, cypress and juniper along the riverbank of Kali Gandaki. As soon as you reach Larjung, you cannot help but marvel at the architectural grandeur of this small town; tunnels, narrow alleyways and houses built in traditional style presents an interesting sight.

Overnight at Local Lodge.

You begin to trek along the trail that follows the wide valley of the Kali Gandaki, passing through Khobang and Tukuche. Yet again, you get to see narrow alleyways and houses built around enclosed courtyards as a protection against the unpredictable wind of the Kali Gandaki gorge. The trail further meanders through stonewalled orchards. Soon you will come across a stone gate that marks the entrance to Marpha.

You can spot several white-walled houses. After a lunch in Marpha, you continue trekking towards Jomsom.

As you approach your destination Jomsom, the landscape becomes increasingly arid and impressive with its mixture of browns, yellows and greys contrasting with the white snowcapped peaks of Tilicho and Nilgiri. Marpha has well-maintained drainage system and is most popular for its local apple brandy. Overnight at Local Lodge.

After breakfast you resume your trekking along the path up to the vast gravel riverbed of the Kali Gandaki. You come across a stream and verdant vegetation. On crossing a small ridge to Chhancha Lhumba at 2730 meters, you continue heading towards Muktinath, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri dominates the view as you ascend to Khingar (3200m). More meadows, streams and lushvegetation can be seen along the trail as it paves to Jharkot (3500m). You encounter the ruins of the Dzong and pristine villages of Purang and Changur. As you trek past mule stables and steep barren hillside, you enter Ranipauwa. Ranipauwa for years has remained an ideal resting point for pilgrims and travelers.

On trekking further, you enter Muktinath. Temples and religious shrines are the major attractions of this holy place. Pilgrims flock to the Buddhist gompa and pagoda-style temple of Lord Vishnu. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Overnight at Local Lodge.

Heading away from Muktinath, you retrace your steps to Jomsom taking on the magnificent view of Nilgiri. You stay overnight in Jomsom. In the evening you celebrate the completion of your trek with the crew, whom you have come to know so well over the last 7 days. Overnight at Local Lodge in Jomsom.

Breakfast and you board an early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara around 25 minutes. From Pokhara you can fly or drive to Kathmandu. The flight takes around 30 minutes.

Breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure till departure. Later transfer to airport to board the flight for onward journey.