NEPAL & TIBET
Jomsom Trek - "A trek deepest gorge of in the world"
The Jomsom Trek is the classic tea-house trek which visits some of the best trekking lodges in Nepal. The trek follows the ancient trading route from India to Tibet up the Kali Gandaki valley starting from the roadhead near Pokhara and finishing at the pilgrimage site of Muktinath.
Itinerary Price Trip Specifics
Day 1
Departure from your home to Kathmandu - Upon arrival in Kathmandu airport greeting and transfer to Hotel. Evening youlcome dinner, group gets acquainted with each other, the guide, and the programme.
Day 2
Drive to Naya Pul from Kathmandu, and trek to Tikedhunga - Start by driving to the roadhead at Naya Pul where you begin the trek. From here it is a 20 minute walk along the bank of the Modi Khola to Birethanti (1065m), a large village which has many shops and tea-houses. From here the trail continues through the village and then follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola. The trail climbs steadily up the side of the valley to Hille at 1495m and shortly after reaches Tikedhunga at 1525m. This is a short, relatively easy day which allows you to become used to the experience of trekking in Nepal.
Day 3
Tikhedhunga to Ghorapani - Today is a hard day with a long climb up to Ghorapani at 2775m. However you take it slowly, rest often, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The trail continues upwards on a steep stone staircase to Ulleri at 2070m. From here the trail leads through thick forest to Banthanti at 2250m, and then continues through oak and rhododendron forest to Nangathanti at 2460m. The trail continues to rise and after approx. one hour reaches Ghorapani. You continue to the main concentration of tea-houses at Deorali (2834m), a further 10 min. walk, where you obtain fantastic views of the surrounding peaks including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
Day 4
Ghorapani to Tatopani - Today's walk is a lot easier as it is mainly downhill to Tatopani. However before you set off, you make an ascent of Poon Hill (3210m) to obtain magnificent, unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. The walk up to the top of Poon Hill takes approx. one hour but is well worth the effort. From Deorali, the trail descends through rhododendron and magnolia forest, to Chitre at 2390m, and continues down to Sikha at 1980m, and then Ghara at 1705m. From here it is a steep descent of 500m to the Ghar Khola, where the trail then climbs briefly before crossing the Kali Gandaki on a large suspension bridge. It is then a short walk to Tatopani at 1180m. Tatopani is a large village with many well-appointed tea houses and takes it's name, 'hot water', from the hot spring bathing pools on the banks of the river.
Day 5
Tatopani to Kalopani - The trail continues up the Kali Gandaki gorge, which is considered to be the deepest in the world, situated as it is between the two 8000m peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. The trail rises gently to reach Dana at 1400m, and on to Rupse Chhahara at 1550m, where there is a stunning waterfall. The trail then crosses to the eastern bank of the river to reach Kopchepani, but then crosses back to the western side on a suspension bridge at 1935m. From here it is a short climb to Ghasa at 2080m. You continue to ascend and pass through Lete at 2470m, shortly before arriving at Kalopani at an elevation of 2560m. From here you obtain superb views of the Nilgiri peaks to the east.
Day 6
Kalopani to Marpha - You start by crossing to the eastern side of the river, but cross back again further up the trail before entering Larjung at 2560m. You then continue on a short distance to the interesting village of Khobang with it's narrow alleyways. The lunch spot is the ancient Thakali village of Tukuche at 2590m. From Tukuche you continue up the Kali Gandaki, with the terrain becoming much more barren and the breeze increasing as it passes through the gorge. On the way to Marpha you pass a Tibetan refuge settlement and then a horticulture research station. Marpha at 2665m is a large Thakali village with many excellent tea houses, but it still retains the typical architectural features of narrow alleyways, flat roofs, and whitewashed buildings. There is also a superb Nyingmapa Buddhist gompa which can be visited.
Day 7
Marpha to Kagbeni - You leave Marpha and continue to climb along the side of the valley to reach Jomsom at 2713m. Jomsom is a large, bustling settlement which is the administrative centre of the region containing numerous hotels, shops, banks and government offices. You cross the river to the eastern bank and continue onwards to Eklai Bhatti at 2730m. From here there is a direct route to Muktinath that ascends the hill behind the village, however you follow the trail along the river to Kagbeni at 2810m. Kagbeni is situated at the junction of the Jhong Khola and the Kali Gandaki, and is the northernmost village that can be visited without a permit to continue on to Mustang. It is a fascinating village with many Tibetan influences.
Day 8
Kagbeni to Muktinath - From Kagbeni you make a steep climb up the Jhong Khola valley and join the direct trail to Muktinath just below Khingar at 3200m. From here you continue on the trail high above the Jhong Khola to the imposing village of Jharkot at 3500m. This village is well worth exploring and so you will stop here for lunch before continuing on to Muktinath. From Jharkot the trail climbs up to your ultimate destination of Muktinath at 3800m. You initially reach Ranipauwa where there are many tea houses and shops, and where you stay for the night. The actual religious site of Muktinath is a further 10 minutes walk up the hill and this area is kept free of hotels and camping sites. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists alike, and the area includes a Buddhist gompa and a Hindu Temple.
Day 9
Muktinath to Jomsom - You can now look forward to a reduction in altitude and easier going, as you descend back down the trail to Jomsom, from where you will fly out to Pokahara and then on to Kathmandu. You take the direct route back which misses out Kagbeni and descends the hill behind Eklai Bhatti, before returning to Jomsom on the west side of the Kali Gandaki.
Day 10
Fly to Pokhara from Jomsom, and onto Kathmandu - You return to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu by plane. Initially you take a short 30 minute flight back to Pokhara, where you change planes and continue onto Kathmandu domestic airport. Here you will be greeted and transferred back to your hotel in Kathmandu. Arrival times back into Kathmandu vary, however it is usual to arrive back at your hotel by mid- afternoon.
Note: Leisure day (1-2 days) is necessary in the Jomsom trek, due to flight cancellations from occasional bad weather.
Per Person: TBA
Single Supplement: TBA
Cost Includes:
- Free International airport pickup and drop by private van/bus service
- Transport to trekking starting point by private bus/van
- Annapurna Conservation trekking permit
- 9 days teahouse trek with guide, porter food and accommodation (8 night in tea house)
- Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Domastic Airport pickup service
- Two night hotel accommodation in Kathmandu after/before the trek
Cost does not include:
- Visa fees
- Insurance - Click here to purchase insurance.
- Personal drinks and bar bill
- Food other than Pokhara and Kathmandu
- Evacuation cost in case of emergency
- Tips for the guide and porter
- Any other cost which is not mentioned above
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