Our Jomsom Muktinath Tour is distinguished by windswept valleys, Annapurna sceneries, and the world-renowned pilgrimage destination Muktinath. The drive leads north of Pokhara after a scenic drive from Kathmandu and a pit stop in Manakamana. The tour combines gorgeous natural fascinations (the deep Kali Gandaki Gorge, canyons and caves) with several famous religious sites, passing picturesque villages along the way.
Driving from Kathmandu to Pokhara, we stop at one of these religious sites, Manakamana Temple. ‘Manakamana’ is a Sanskrit term that, when translated in English, ‘Wishes of Heart’. This temple is aptly named as wishes of many devotees have come to fruition simply by worshipping Manakamana Temple. From the hilltop, we can have fascinating views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges. We descend via cable car and continue to Pokhara.
Exploring the beautiful lakeside town of Pokhara makes us even more excited to carry on with our journey. Next stop: Jomsom, the district center of the Mustang region. Populated by indigenous groups such as Thakali, Gurung and Tibetans, the culture of this town is fascinating to learn about. We then head to Muktinath.
The trail to Muktinath is popular with both the Hindu and Buddhist devotees. It is believed that if you travel to Muktinath once in your lifetime, you can get permission to enter heaven. Along the way, you may see sadhus carrying a trident, paying homage to Hindu gods, with little more than the clothes on their back. You may also see people selling shaligram, a black stone that holds inside of it the remains of prehistoric ammonites that lived more than 140 million years ago. It is also said that these stones hold the soul of Lord Vishnu. From Muktinath, you are surrounded by snowy white peaks, with the Tibetan Plateau to the north. Take your time bathing under the 108 water spouts and worshipping at the temple. The next day, we head to Tatopani to relax in the hot springs. Junket Nepal arranges the tour with complete management. Please, feel free to contact us for more detailed information.
You will be picked up from Tribhuvan Airport by a member of Junket Nepaland taken to your hotel. We give you all the necessary information about your tour and clear up any questions you might have. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast, we’ll brief you on our upcoming adventure and then give you a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, which includes several UNESCO World Heritage sites. You can spend the rest of the day freely. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast early in the morning,we drive to Manakamana, approximately 3.5 hrs from Kathmandu. From here, weride the cable car up to Manakamana Temple. After the crew assembles the raft, they will explain the safety equipments and proper procedures. After 2 to 3 hours of rafting, wehave a beachside lunch. After, we proceed towards Pokhara. Overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, we leave the gorgeous city of Pokhara for the equally beautiful town of Jomsom. Following the Kali Gandaki River, we get awesome mountain views. Overnight in guest house.
A short drive takes us up to Muktinath. The drive is truly spectacular. We gain elevation fast and find ourselves surrounded by mountains, with caves built into cliffs nearby us. Upon arriving to Muktinath, take your time worshipping and bathing in this sacred place. It is a once-in-a-lifetime event. When you’re ready, we head to Tatopani to soak in the hot springs and reflect on the day. Overnight in guest house.
After breakfast, we descend back to Pokhara, still filled with spiritual energy from the previous day. When we get back to Pokhara, you can spend the day as you please, though we would love to take you sightseeing around the city. Overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, we drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu, which takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, we enjoy the views of mountains, green hills, and terraced agricultural fields. We have a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight stay at hotel.
Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport. Thank you for choosing Junket Nepal as your tour guide! We look forward to your next adventure with us.
Usefull Info
Trekking preparation and Physical Condition:
Physical Fitness is an important part to have trekking adventure in Nepalese Himalayas. To be fully prepared to gain lifetime experience of walking in the mountains, explore Himalayan vista with combined cultural experience can accomplished by exploit inspired adventure seekers who can walk 4 to 6 hours ascends and descends per day. We generally prefer short and easy trek for first time trekkers and moderate to adventurous trekking for experienced trekkers as per preferences.
Preparation for trekking has not any hard and fast rules and regulations. We recommend all trekkers to maintain their physical fitness level a couple of months before the trek. The fitness activities might be jugging, walk through steps (Uphill and Downhill), join a fitness club etc. while achieving the adventure experience of trekking, physical fitness as well as mental fitness plays vital role, every trekkers should also have to be mentally prepared.
Accommodation and Meals during the Trek:
Almost popular trekking regions in Nepal are filled with sophisticated tea house lodges which offer standard room accommodation and hygienic foods. Every trekker can choose varieties of foods; Nepali, Continental, Indian etc from the menu. Apart from the popular trekking routes where the tea houses are not available, we will provide camping accommodation and prepare meals by our team members. In cities, you can choose any (non star to 5 star categorized) hotel to stay before/after begin the trip as per your budget and requirement.
Grades of Trekking:
A Himalayan country Nepal amazingly presents several world’s high mountains including world’s top Mt. Everest, other mountains above 8000m from sea level and several snow-capped peaks. Grades of trekking determines as per altitude level, duration of the trek, level of difficulties, wilderness in trails and many more factors. Basically we classify the grades as; Easy, Moderate, Strenuous & Adventurous. Easy trekking is suitable for beginners, and gradually all grades trails offers unique taste of adventure for all adventure seeking trekkers.
High Altitude Sickness:
High altitude Sickness is totally unusual and unexpected sickness which means effect of high altitudes while in a trekking. It attracts more if we ascend so quickly in the mountains. As we know that prevention is better than cure, we don’t have to gain altitudes too quickly, acclimatize with altitude by slow and steady walk with numbers of reserve days would be a good idea.
The symptoms of high altitude sickness are; loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, difficult to pass urine, headache, irregular breathing, Nausea, mild weakness, hands and face swelling etc.
In case of such sickness while you are in mountain with our team, every trekker needs to follow the instructions provided by your guide, guides from Junket Nepal (P) Ltd always are well aware about such sickness and basic treatment procedure. Immediately descend from the altitude is one of the major treatment of high altitude sickness. Drink a lot of water, take some garlic soup, you may also take Diamox 250mg and other modes of cure. If the situation would be out of control situation with serious sickness, we will arrange immediate emergency evacuation by horse or helicopter depending upon the situation.
Best Season for Trekking:
Generally 2 seasons in an annual year are considered as a peak season of trekking and mountaineering in Nepal which are autumn – September, October & November and spring – March, April & May. During the season view of mountain will be clear. Some adventure seekers who want to walk not facing other large groups, peaceful environments can also choose December – February. June-August months are monsoon season which ruins long trekking trips but one can choose short hiking trips.
Types of Trekking:
Types of trekking can be categorized in 2 different parts;
I) Tea house trekking; available in several popular trekking regions of Nepal. This type or trek generally operated by using tea house lodges for meals and accommodations during the entire trekking. Tea house lodges are not well sophisticated as hotels and resorts in cities but they provide simply the best services and facilities.
II) Camping Trekking; required to set up tented camps for the less beaten trekking regions where those tea house lodges are not available. During the camping trek, our crew team will carry all camping equipments, meals and essentials.
Trekking Permits:
Trekking permits are essential before entering into every trekking trails. Your trip detail should have to be registered. Types of trekking permits are as follows:
I) TIMS (Trekkers Information Manual System): It is required for your safety provided by an umbrella organization of trekking agencies - Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN). It helps to keep record of every trekkers in mountains and control illegal trekking operators by keeping your details (Name, Nationality, Date of Birth and Passport Number)
II) National Park/Conservation Area Permits: Every trekking trail are joined with at least one national park or conservation area project where we have to issue permit and have to pay certain royalty for Conservation area project. For example; Annapurna Conservation Area Project required for Annapurna region trekking, Sanagmatha National Park permit required for Everest region trekking etc.
III) Special Permits: It is compulsory for restricted area’s trekking in Nepal. Nepal government has listed some important trekking trails in their restricted area lists such as Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Lower Dolpo, Manaslu Circuit, Makalu Circuit etc. such permits are need to be issued from department of immigration of Nepal. This permit’s royalty rates are generally higher than national park/conservation area fees and TIMS differ from season of trek and its duration. Please contact us for full extent of information about royalty lists for special permits.
Trekking Safety and Security:
Safety and security is one of the major factors while in Nepalese mountains for trekking adventure where we might face unusual sickness, problems, injury and so on. First of all be sure you have chosen best company for your trekking holiday that’s why you will get experienced and knowledgeable trekking staffs. Guidelines from trekking leader plays vital role to be safe from such unusual problems. We generally provide experienced guides who are well trained having high level of knowledge about altitude sickness and other possible problems as well as basic treatment procedure to be safe from the problems.