Annapurna Jomsom Trek

Today we explore Kathmandu on an organized sightseeing tour. This will include a visit to the Bouddhanath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world. We also visit Pashupatinath, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River and home to the most famous Hindu temple in the country. Here we will see Hindu holy men (sadhus) and pilgrims performing ritual bathing, and occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The cremation site here is used by the royal family and also for the simple man living next door. Your early afternoon will be free to relax in the hotel garden or visit Thamel for some curious shopping. You will be given your trek departure orientation in the afternoon by our senior guide.

Kathmandu is located 200km far from Pokhara. Following Prithvi Highway for about 6 hrs, we will reach Pokhara. The route is scenic as journey continues through countryside area. Enroute, we can get views of Trishuli River and Cable Car taking pilgrims to the Mankamana Temple- the wish fulfilling goddess. Pokhara is the clean and green city. We will visit Phewa Lake in the evening. Stay overnight in hotel in Lakeside, Pokhara.

15 minutes of flight will take us to Jomsom from Pokhara. The flight is pleasant with scenic views of gorge in between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountains. From Jomsom, we will walk along the side of the valley to Kagbeni (2750m). Jomsom is an administrative centre of the region. We will cross the river to the eastern edge and continue walking to Eklai Bhatti village (2730m). We will move along river to Kagbeni (2810m) that is located at the juncture of Jhong River and Kali Gandaki. The village is influenced by Tibetan culture. Stay overnight in Kagbeni.

Leaving Kagbeni, we will climb through the Jhong River valley and then head all the way to Muktinath. We will follow the ascending trail above Jhong River to Jharkot village (3500m). Leaving Jharkot village, we will follow the ascending trail to Muktinath (3802m). We need to reach Ranipauwa village. The religious site of Muktinath is located 10 minutes of walk far from Ranipauwa. Stay overnight in Muktinath.

Muktinath is one of the major pilgrimage sites of Hindu and Buddhist devotees. 108 water spouts and Vishnu temple are places of interest in Muktinath temple complex. One Buddhist Gompa is located near Vishnu temple. One can also witness eternal flame in Jwala Mai Temple. We will explore nearby monasteries and temples and stay overnight in Muktinath.

our journey carries on with a 1,200m of descent to the Kaligandaki river valley floor, with a brief stop at Ekale bhatti which means ‘a lonely teahouse’, at present its a small settlement with 3-4 teahouses. From here onwards, the valley gets very windy in the afternoon time as we here the howling of the wind right in the ears, the walk follows the gentle trail for another two hours till the large town of Jomsom is reached. Jomsom, a little hilly town and headquarters of the Mustang region with a small airstrip is just above the Kaligandaki River. Another two hours of easy walk from Jomsom towards the south east brings us to Marpha for the overnight stop, which is little gem, with whitewashed houses, paved streets and numerous well-kept lodges.

From Marpha, we will walk along whitewashed houses and crop fields and arrive at the bank of Kaligandaki River. Walking along Kaligandaki River, we will reach Tukche which is the culturally rich village of Thakali ethnics. We will visit the local gompa and move along the western bank of the Kali Gandaki to Larjung. We will move along narrow alleyways and tunnels that will take us to forest area. Crossing pine and juniper forest, we will reach Kalppani from where we can get panoramic view of Annapurna I Mountain. Half an hour of trek from Kalopani will take us to Lete where we will stay overnight.

Leaving Lete early in the morning, we will lower down through forest area to Ghasa which is the last Thakali village and also the final southern village that follows Tibetan Buddhism. Walking through narrow gorge after Ghasa, we will reach Rupse village where we can witness cascading waterfall. From Rupse, we will reach Dana which is a Magar village. Dana greets us with close-up view of Annapurna South. We will lower down to Tatopani where we can take bath in natural hot springs. Stay overnight in Tatopani.

We will lower down from Tatopani and arrive at suspension bridge over river. Crossing the river, we will exit from Kaligandaki valley and walk through small Sikha and Chitre villages to forest. The trail contours up through rhododendron forest to Deurali Pass (2834m). The top of pass greets us with awe-inspiring views of Dhaulagiri Mountain, Nilgiri Mountain, Annapurna I Mountain, Annapurna South Mountain and other peaks and mountains. Brief walk from Deurali will take us to Ghorepani (Horse water). The place is used as a watering spot by horse and donkeys that travel in between Pokhara and Jomsom. Stay overnight in Ghorepani.

After wake up call, we will leave our hotel and rush towards Poon hill. This is the best hill station in Pokhara for sunrise view. We will reach Poonhill early at dawn so that we do not miss the sunrise view over Annapurna from Poonhill. Along with sunrise view, Poonhill offers close-up views of more than 10 mountains. We will lower down from Poonhill and reach Tadapani through forest area where we will stay overnight.

From Tadapani, we will walk through forest area for about 3hrs to reach the big Gurung village of Ghandruk. We will follow the lowering trail through Ulleri and move through stone steps to Hile. Sharp descend from Hile will take us to Birethanti. From Birethanti, we will move to Nayapul, from where we will take a drive back to Pokhara

In the morning hours we might do some last hour shopping too. After that, we drive to Kathmandu. We grab seats on the left aisle of the vehicle for the best views of the rivers along the highway because it’s our last time we’ll probably see them. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we get transferred to our hotel; and we spend the day at our own leisure, perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping or explore any sights you missed during your first day in Kathmandu.

Free and easy day to spend, perhaps doing shopping or rest at hotel’s beautiful court-yard. At eventide, we will relish a farewell dinner to celebrate your successful completion of the ‘Annapurna Jomsom Trek.’ While enjoying our supper, we will also be entertained to a scintillating cultural dance performed by the local belles
Please do not hesitate to let us know if you would like to extend your stay. Kindly email us for more details on extensions.

Thank you for joining us on this trek and it has been a pleasure getting to know you during this time. We hope this venture has enriched your experience with happy memories. You will be assisted in your last minute preparation. Our representative will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport three hours before your scheduled flight. Bon voyage for a safe and pleasant trip home. Safe Journey!! We hope to see you again.