Overview
Jomsom Muktinath Trek takes you to the trans-Himalayan region of Nepal. As Nepal being a country with majority of the Hindus, numerous temples has been built to show affection and dedication towards Gods and Goddesses. Muktinath temple is a prominent example that manifests the love of the devotees for their God.
The main attraction of this trip is the Muktinath temple at an altitude of 3800 m in Mustang. The temple has several legends surrounding it and has great religious importance for Hindus as well as Buddhists.
It is beleived that visting the temple, once can attain “moksha” (liberation), so thousands of pilgrims visit the temple every year, but you would even have a great time as well if you don’t have any religious inclination.
Jomsom takes care of most of your needs since it is the headquarter of the Mustang and has all modern amenities ranging from hotels, hospitals, restaurants, and airports. As you reach Jomsom, you would come across a thriving marketplace where you can buy everything from handmade crafts, apples, apple brandy to all other sorts of things.
Here you would even find herders with their Yak hordes going through the tracks with a smile. In a moment you are close to the lush green and mountainous area, on the contrary, in a matter of a few hours, you witness a cold deserted area with different cultures and vegetation.
Such diversity in a short time is pretty unique. The primary inhabitants of Jomsom are Thakali people and are quite famous for good food.
Muktinath Temple
Muktinath is one of the many examples of harmony and integration among Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal. While Hindus refer to it as Muktinath Dham, Buddhists know it as Chumig Gyatsa.
The temple is small in area when compared to the rest of Nepal and has a Pagoda-styled architecture. A few of the most interesting things you get to see here are a large Shaligram and a Jwaladevi, a holy flame that has been supposedly burning for thousands of years.
Another unique site where you can see here is numerous pilgrims bathing in one of the 108 water sprouts that are shaped like the head of a bull. Nothing unbelievable as it is a fact that has a significance of its own.
Muktinath is surely going to be a spiritual and entertaining journey for you with temples and places of worship like Jwala Mai Temple, Kunda, Gomba Samba, and Swaminarayan tribute monument.
Apart from enjoying the beauty of the Himalayas, Kali Gandaki, etc you also get to collect fossils from the Jurassic era.
Highlights of the Trip
- Scenic Drive/Flight to Pokhara and Nayapul
- Beautiful City with lake and surrounds the views of the mountain
- 3500 steps pathway of Ulleri
- Lush green forest with the sound of bird chippings
- Experience of the local lifestyle, steep climb up and the atmosphere
- Streams of largest Rhododendron forest
- Gance into the deepest gorge in the world (Kali Gandaki)
General Route
In the first initials days, we will be journeying through the Annapurna region, passing through rice terraces and villages populated primarily by Gurungs. We will trek through Ghorepani, Tatopani, Ghasa and Larjung to reach Jomsom.
When we arrive in Tatopani, we'll have a wonderful time relaxing in the natural hot springs. Besides, we will pass through Jomsom and Kagbeni, the upper Mustang Region's entry points.
Following days, we will visit the sacred temple of Muktinath. After that, we'll head downhill to Jomsom, where you can take a look around at the entrance to the “Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang”.
Finally, we will fly back to Pokhara and then to Kathmandu ending our exiting journey.
You also have another option to combine Khopra Danda with trek which is an additonal 2 days.