|
Jomsom Muktinath Trek |
Jomsom spreads over the banks of Kali Gandaki
River. The towering peaks of Dhaulagiri and
Nilgiri form an attractive backdrop. Being
district headquarter, it is primarily an
administrative and commercial center with
government officials and merchants rubbing
shoulders with the local inhabitants of the
region, known as Thakalis. A company of the
Nepalese army is stationed here. Nearby is an
airfield, from where flights operate regularly.
However, due to the strong winds that buffet the
area in the afternoons, the airfield is
functional only in the forenoon.
The views from Jomsom are enchanting as the
Nilgiri (7061m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m) ranges
reflect the golden rays of the rising and the
setting sun. The entire panorama is filled with
a golden, glittering light, which forms a
dramatic contrast. Life here is a balance of
hard work and ancient culture. Many visitors
find their most lasting impression of Nepal
comes not from the ancient temples in the urban
valleys but from visits to places like Jomsom
and its exhilarating spiritual environment.
Jomsom area is not only the most popular
trekking destination in Nepal but also the
gateway to Upper Mustang – “Kingdom” within the
Hindu Kingdom of Nepal.
Muktinath is a popular pilgrimage site for both
Hindus and Buddhists because of Jwala Mai (holy
flame), a natural gas fed flame burning from a
fissure in the rock. It is an oasis at 3811
meters amongst the barren hills leading up to
the Thorong La (pass). ) It is a large Vishnu
temple surrounded by 108 fountains in the shape
of cow heads. The devout Hindu drinks from each
spout in addition to his / her worship at the
temple. Equally well known and a main reason for
Muktinath's holiness is the small Buddhist gumpa
(monastery) nearby in which fire, water and
earth appear to burn simultaneously, the sacred
and pure "blue flame" of Vishnu to the Hindu, a
manifestation of divine omnipotence to the
Buddhists.
There are many different ethnic groups along the
trail, but the predominant people in this area
are the Gurungs. Together with the Thakali,
Magar and Chhetrie people, the Gurungs are
famous as soldiers in the British Army, better
known as Gurkhas.
Along the trail the views of Nilgiri,
Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare and the Annapurnas
are magnificent. The winding trail passes
through magnificent forests of oak and
rhododendron that line the southern foothills of
the Himalaya. The terrain varies from
sub-tropical valleys with banana trees and rice
paddies to high ridges clad in thick
rhododendron forest. You will visit the famous
Poon Hill where you will hopefully be blessed
with a fantastic sunrise and view of all the
Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Range to the West. The
views here are breath taking as you sit and sip
on a hot chocolate before heading down the main
trail to Pokhara. Finally trek to Ghandrung
following the EBC trail then to Birethanti and
drive to Pokhara.
|
Trek Type : |
Tea House Lodge Trek/
Camping Trek |
|
Trek Grade : |
Moderate |
|
Total Days : |
12 days |
|
Trek Duration : |
8 days |
|
Tarrif : |
Request Cost |
|
Maximum Altitude : |
5122m (Ganjala Pass) |
|
Maximum Size : |
--- --- --- |
|
Depature Rate : |
As per request |
|
Best Season : |
Spring: Mar-Apr-May,
Autumn: Sept-Oct-Nov |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Itenerary |
DAY 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu Airport
Arrival in Kathmandu airport and then transfer
to the Hotel. You will have a nice clean room
with attached bathroom and 24 hrs running hot
water.
DAY 2 : Kathmandu Sightseeing
The following morning of arrival you will be
taken on Sightseeing tour of the many holy
temples and interesting surrounding sights of
Kathmandu to show its back ground and history.
DAY 3 : Kathmandu - Pokhara
Drive in tourist bus for about 6 hrs to Pokhara,
a beautiful town set on the banks of the Phewa
Lake. It is smaller and much less hectic than
Kathmandu and is the perfect starting point for
our trek. Your first day in Pokhara can be spent
just relaxing or you may enjoy a visit to the
Tibetan Refugee Camp and David Falls.
DAY 4 : Pokhara - Jomsom - Kagbeni
Fly to Jomsom & sightseeing around Jomsom. The
Kaligandaki valley here is called the Thakkhola,
after the native Thakalis, who are distantly
related to the Tibetans. Gentle walk to Kagbeni,
the checkpoint of entry to Upper Mustang.
DAY 5 : Kagbeni - Muktinath
We ascend steeply to a 3880m, at Muktinath. This
is one of the most important pilgrimage sights
for Hindus. Holy water flows from the 108 carved
spouts surrounding the Vishnu temple in a grove
of poplars. Muktinath is also home to many
ethnic Tibetans and holy Buddhists, who come
here for the temple in which fire miraculously
burns in a stream of water inside a small but
very holy temple.
DAY 6 : Muktinath - Jomsom
Descend gradually through fields and poplar
groves, then into the Kali Gandaki river valley.
Follow the valley southwards to Jomsom. The Kali
Gandaki valley here is called the Thak Khola,
from the ethnic group the Thakalis, the main
inhabitants of this area.
DAY 7 : Jomsom - Kalopani
Descend to Marpha, a lovely village of
whitewashed houses and fertile fields. Continue
down the Kali Gandaki reaching the old Thakali
trading centre of Tukuche. As the tra il
continues, the Himalayan rain shadow end and
open spaces make way for coniferous forest and
Kalopani (2560m.) From here there are
spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and the
Annapurnas high above.
DAY 8 : Kalopani - Tatopani
A beautiful walk, with another transition into
sub-tropical vegetation and the return of water
buffalo, banyan trees and poinsettias. The trail
follows the river through a narrow gorge, and
descends to cross a bridge near a spectacular
waterfall, before winding through the valley to
Tatopani, the hot water springs.
DAY 9 : Tatopani - Ghorepani
Steadily climbing all day, we eventually leave
behind the terraced fields and walk through
thick rhododendron forest to the village of
Ghorepani. We camp at the pass for the best
views of the sunset over the spectacular,
snow-capped Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Range.
DAY 10 : Ghorepani - Tadapani
A short early-morning climb to the Deurali pass
for a spectacular panorama over Dhaulagiri and
the Annapurnas. Trail descends steeply through
dense moss-covered forest rich with bird life to
Tadapani (2540m) for beautiful sunset views of
Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare.
DAY 11 : Tadapani - Ghandrung
Trail descends steeply through dense damp
forest, where you may see monkeys, and continues
down over a series of rock-cut steps that follow
a leaping stream. Arrive in Ghandrung (1940m)
and explore the maze-like streets of this
thriving Gurung settlement.
DAY 12 : Ghandrung - Birethanti - Pokhara
A steady climb down past startlingly green
cultivated terraces and picturesque,
beautifully-preserved farms to the scurrying
Modi River, which the trail follows back to
Birethanti and drive to Pokhara.
DAY 13 : Drive Back to Kathmandu.
DAY 14 : Rest Day
Join the farewell dinner in the evening most
probably with cultural program.
DAY 15 : Transfer to the airport for
Departure.
|
Click here to inquiry about this trip
|
| | |
