Jomsom and Muktinath

 Take a trek to Jomsom and Muktinath, traverse the distinctive landscapes, sample Thakali cuisine, and witness their affluent culture.

Jomsom serves as a suitable beginning for trekking excursions. The varied landscape and culture that one gets to see during the course of this trekking tour provide ample knowledge about the Nepali people belonging to different ethnic groups.

The trip highlight is an adventure through the world's deepest gorge carved by the Kali Gandaki River; the river starts on the Tibetan plateau and later empties into the Ganges in India.

Close to Jomsom lies Muktinath, a renowned pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus. For Hindus, Muktinath is a salvation place. It is believed that bathing in waters here ensures salvation upon death. Moreover, it is also believed that Brahma, the Hindu deity, ignited the fires which continuously burn at Muktinath.

For Buddhists, Muktinath is a place where the great sage Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who introduced Buddhism to Tibet, came to meditate.

The area is an excellent place to find fossilized ammonites, known locally as Shaligram, which are found in the upper parts of the Kali Gandaki.

This part of Nepal is inhabited by Gurungs and Magars in the lower reaches of the Kali Gandaki, Thakalis around Jomsom and people with strong Tibetan origins, the Lopa, around Muktinath and higher up in Mustang.

The culture and dress of various ethnic groups are distinct, and this trek is an ideal opportunity to see their variety. Hinduism is prevalent in the lower regions; however, as you ascend, Tibetan Buddhism is dominant.

If you are in Muktinath in early September, you are likely to be in time for one of Nepal's unusual festivals, the annual horse race called Yartung. This is a week characterized by intense horse racing conducted Tibetan style, and followed by equally significant celebrations.

Most of the path along the Jomsom trek is shared by the Annapurna circuit and Annapurna foothill treks. The joining point is normally Naya Pul on the Pokhara to Baglung road and from there, via Ghorepani and Tatopani, into the Kali Gandaki gorge.

There is a stark change in the landscape between Lete Khola and Tatopani. The path is lined with forests of pine, and the villages have a very different appearance.

The layout of the villages and the design of the houses are unique to this area. The homes have been built to protect the inhabitants from the strong winds that blow up the valley every day, starting in the late morning.

These winds are caused by pressure gradients in the atmosphere between the Tibetan plateau and the lower reaches of the valley. An excellent example of the special architecture characteristic of this region is found in the village of Marpha, two hours' walk down from Jomsom.

The flagstone paving of the roads, with a good underground drainage system, and the flat-roofed houses with a central courtyard make it a welcoming spot to pass an additional day in relaxation. The individual can utilize this free time enjoying the apple yield of this location procured from the verdant orchards in the valley.

Jomsom is best known for its airport, which offers a quick entry or exit from the valley by regular daily flights from Pokhara. The strong winds that blow up the valley prevent flights from taking off from Jomsom after 11 a.m. Jomsom can also be considered a convenient base for visiting the upper part of the Kali Gandaki area. There's a range of accommodation, including a recently opened up-market resort complex.

The winds mentioned above are due to the pressure gradient in the atmosphere between the Tibetan plateau and the lower levels of the valley. The village of Marpha, which can be reached by a two-hour walk descending from Jomsom, has one of the finest examples of the characteristic architecture that is representative of this region.

The paved streets of stone with a efficient underground drainage system and the houses with a central courtyard that is flat-roofed form an inviting place to spend an additional day of resting. Spend the spare time enjoying apple products of this place from the verdant orchards located higher in the valley.

Jomsom is famous for its airport, which provides a speedy entrance or departure from the valley via daily scheduled flights from Pokhara. The strong winds that blow up the valley prevent flights from departing from Jomsom after 11 a.m. Besides, Jomsom can be a fine location to utilize as a base for exploring the upper section of the Kali Gandaki region. There are a variety of accommodations to choose from, which range from a recently opened upscale resort.

A second starting point for the trek is the village of Kagbeni, two hours' walking up the valley. Kagbeni is less touristy than Jomsom and is definitely much quieter. This is the furthest that trekkers can travel towards Upper Mustang without a special permit and the accompaniment of an Environmental Officer.

For details, refer to the Upper Mustang treks' description. The Kagbeni to Muktinath trek takes three or four hours, and trekkers have the option of doing it as a day trek or overnighting at one of the numerous teahouses in Muktinath.