Jomsom–Muktinath Trek (Lower Mustang)
Jomsom–Muktinath Trek (Lower Mustang) Days 9 Days Trip Grade Moderate Maximum Altitude 3,800 m (Muktinath) Starts Kathmandu Ends Kathmandu Best Time March–May & September–November Country Nepal Activity Trekking & Cultural Tour Trip Price: US $ 1,150 per person Click here High up in the rain-shadow of the Himalaya, the Jomsom–Muktinath trail threads its way along the windswept Kali Gandaki Gorge—the deepest on earth—before climbing gently to the sacred temple of Muktinath at 3,800 m. Unlike the long, high-pass routes around Annapurna, this trek stays mostly below 3,500 m, so you enjoy huge mountain vistas without weeks of acclimatisation. Arid, sculpted cliffs and white-washed Thakali villages give the landscape a Tibetan feel, yet apple orchards, barley fields and stone-paved lanes soften the starkness. Cultural variety is a constant companion. In a single day you might walk past Hindu shrines festooned with marigolds, then turn a corner to find 1,000-year-old Bon-po monasteries where monks still chant protective mantras. At Muktinath itself, Buddhist nuns keep the ever-burning flame while Hindu pilgrims bathe beneath 108 stone water spouts—an emblem of the spiritual harmony Mustang is famous for. Because Jomsom has a small STOL airstrip, the journey cleverly combines air, road and foot travel: a 20-minute flight from Pokhara vaults you over the middle Himalaya, dropping you straight into the treeless Mustang basin, while a rough Jeep track offers a rapid exit if the weather turns. This hybrid approach makes the trek one of the best “mid-length” adventures in Nepal—long enough to feel like a proper expedition, short enough to fit a vacation window. Most travellers complete the loop in nine days door-to-door from Kathmandu, but extra nights in Marpha’s orchards or Pokhara’s lakeside cafés can stretch the holiday to a relaxed twelve. Highlights Itinerary Cost Details Muktinath Temple (3,800 m): Sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists with 108 water taps and eternal flame. Kali Gandaki Gorge: The deepest gorge in the world, nestled between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Scenic Jomsom & Kagbeni: Charming high-altitude towns with strong Tibetan cultural influence. Marpha Village: Renowned for apple orchards, brandy, and traditional stone houses. Dramatic Landscapes: Stark cliffs, barren plateaus, and Himalayan views with snow-capped Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Day 1 – Arrival in KathmanduYour guide meets you at Tribhuvan Int’l Airport and whisks you through Thamel’s maze to a centrally located hotel. After a short briefing on Mustang’s culture and flight logistics, the evening is yours—shop for last-minute trekking gear or sample momo dumplings in a rooftop café. Day 2 – Kathmandu to Pokhara (820 m)Morning tourist coach winds west on the Prithvi Highway, broad rice terraces sliding past your window; an optional 25-minute flight trades scenery for a lazy breakfast in Pokhara. Lakeside hotels face Machhapuchhre’s perfect fishtail; paddle on Phewa Lake or climb the Peace Pagoda for sunset. Day 3 – Pokhara to Jomsom (2,720 m) & Trek to Kagbeni (2,810 m)Dawn sees you boarding a twin-otter aircraft; in ten minutes snow peaks fill every window. Landing on Jomsom’s gravel airstrip, you shoulder packs and follow the gravel riverbed north. The wind picks up by midday, so you reach medieval Kagbeni by lunch, exploring its red-walled gompa and labyrinth alleys before the afternoon gusts roar through the gorge. Day 4 – Kagbeni to Muktinath (3,800 m)A steady climb threads apricot orchards, mani walls and the ochre village of Jharkot where a 15th-century Sakya monastery commands the ridge. The final switchbacks open onto the broad saddle of Muktinath; devotees circle the eternal flame while trekkers savour Dhaulagiri’s 8-km ice wall glowing pink at dusk. Day 5 – Muktinath to Jomsom via Lubra (2,720 m)After an optional dawn puja, descend through yak meadows to Lubra, one of Mustang’s last Bon-po strongholds. Prayer flags snap above flat-roofed houses; monks may invite you for salt-butter tea. By mid-afternoon you re-enter Jomsom, its airport beacon blinking in the valley haze. Day 6 – Jomsom to Marpha (2,670 m)An easy half-day stroll follows the river to white-washed Marpha, the apple capital. Stone lanes run beneath cedar-beam balconies dripping with drying herbs; sample cinnamon-spiced apple pie or sip potent local brandy, then climb 500 steps to the hillside gompa for a sweeping panorama of Nilgiri North. Day 7 – Marpha to PokharaJeep tracks now link Mustang to the lowlands. A private 4×4 bumps downhill through pine forest to Beni, then asphalt glides along the Myagdi river into Pokhara. Hot shower, lakeside espresso and maybe a Thai massage ease trekkers’ legs. Evening barbecue beside Phewa Lake caps the mountain chapter. Day 8 – Pokhara to KathmanduChoose a relaxed road journey or hop a short flight. Back in the capital, bargaining for singing bowls or pashmina scarves occupies souvenir hunters, while history buffs trace hidden courtyards in Patan’s old city. A farewell dinner celebrates the trek with dal-bhat and live folk music. Day 9 – DepartureAirport transfer according to your flight schedule. The team handles last-minute logistics while you promise to return for Upper Mustang or the Annapurna Sanctuary. Included in The Cost Trekking guide/porter All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trekking) Accommodation in Tea house (lodges) during the trek Entry Permit for Sagarmatha National Park All land transportation by tourist bus and private taxi Flight tickets from Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu Necessary insurance and equipment for trekking staff Airport pick- up and drop-off service Government taxes and Our service charge Not Included in The Cost Personal nature expenses Drinks, beverages, etc. Tips Sleeping bag and down jacket if required Lunch and dinner in Pokhara Hotel accommodation and meals in Kathmandu Road Blockeds and personal Expense. In Case of emergency , your personal travel insurance includes your helicopter rescue, trip cancellation and medical expenses. Muktinath Temple (3,800 m): Sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists with 108 water taps and eternal flame. Kali Gandaki Gorge: The deepest gorge in the world, nestled between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Scenic Jomsom & Kagbeni: Charming high-altitude towns with
