Regd. No: 198664/075/076 · Govt. of Nepal Licensed · TripAdvisor Award Winner
Jomsom Muktinath Trek Nepal – Mustang valley and Kali Gandaki gorge.
Annapurna Region

Jomsom Muktinath Trek

12 days 3,710 m
Duration12 Days
Max altitude3,710 m
DifficultyModerate 4-6 hours/day
Group size1-10

Overview

Why you’ll love this trek

  • Soak in the natural hot springs at Tatopani After days of walking, relax your muscles in Tatopani's mineral hot springs, set right beside the Kali Gandaki River — one of the trek's most memorable rest stops.
  • Walk the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the world's deepest Follow ancient trade and pilgrimage trails through this dramatic gorge, carved between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, with desert-like cliffs and shifting mountain views at every turn.
  • Visit Muktinath, sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists Reach this revered pilgrimage site at 3,710m, where eternal flames and 108 water spouts draw devotees from across Nepal and India seeking blessings and spiritual renewal.
  • Explore Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang Wander this preserved medieval village, where Tibetan Buddhist culture, ancient fortress ruins, and narrow stone alleys offer a glimpse into the forbidden kingdom just beyond.
  • See eight Himalayan giants from a single trail Spot Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I-IV, Nilgiri, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) along the way, framed by rhododendron forest, high desert, and traditional Thakali teahouse villages throughout the journey.

Jomsom Muktinath trek is loved by many visitors in today’s context.  Jomsom Muktinath is situated in North direction from Pokhara. This trek is specially made for 12-15 days but it can be completed in 5 days as a short trek. The distance from Jomsom to Muktinath is 16 km. On this trek, you will be able to visit different caves, Buddhist monasteries, mountains, ancient fort’s ruins, etc. You will not be taken more than 12,464 feet at the entire time of this trek.

Kali Gandaki river route is followed at ancient and in present, it is the most developed trekking trails. This trail is mostly used by Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims. Hindu is the lower part while Buddhists are the upper part. You will be able to see dazzling rhododendrons, rocky cliffs, and deserts.

You can see many breathtaking views of the mountains. You will be able to see 8 of the 20 highest peaks of the world during the time period of this trek: Dhaulagiri (26,788 feet), Annapurna I (26,538 feet), Annapurna II (26,040 feet), Nilgiri (23,097 feet), Annapurna South (23,684 feet), Annapurna III (24,787 feet), Mt. Annapurna IV (24,688 feet), Machhapuchhare ( 22,959 feet) it is known as Fishtail in English and Annapurna South (23,684 feet).

Mustang is counted as the best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist society in the world. Muktinath pilgrimage site, Kagbeni’s ancient fortress town, Frontier between lower and upper mustang, and the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries that are perched on ridges and cliffs of the Jomsom are revealed during this trek. You can find Tibetian culture in Nepali flavor in these places. The most exotic village which shimmers the shine of Tibetan culture is known as Kagbeni.

Traditional traders of Mustang and Jomsom are local people and Thakalis. They have changed their house into a tea house and count themselves among the successful innkeepers in Nepal. If you stay at a tea house, you can talk with the sougi(innkeeper) who will entertain you with the food or drink of your choice. Sougi will also share a different incident that might be knowledgeable for you of that place.

In the Annapurna area, Jomsom Muktinath trekking is taken as the most prominent trekking trail. The most pleasing experience is that you can dip your body into the hot spring at Tatopani. On your trek, you will also walk on trails along the Kali Gandaki gorge which is known as the deepest gorge on earth.

Thakali people are mostly found in these places. Jomsom is the headquarters of the Mustang district that has made it more popular and commercial. When you will visit Kagbeni which is one of the popular Himalayan places in Nepal then you will understand the culture and customs of this high land.

 

Itinerary

1DayArrival in KathmanduDay 1 of 12
On this day we arrived in Kathmandu and went to our hotel and get ready for the trek. We visited the Kathmandu valley and many temples.
2DayFly to Pokhara (823m) and trek to Ulleri (2000m) 5 hoursDay 2 of 12
We woke up early and took fli8ght to Pokhara. Then we started our trek to Ulleri and stayed at local hotels. We saw many mountains and hills from Ulleri. It takes 5 hours for us to reach Ulleri from Pokhara.
3DayTrek from Ulleri to Ghorepani (2750m) 7 hoursDay 3 of 12
Early in the morning after having breakfast we head towards Ghorepani from Ulleri. It took nearly & hours for us to reach Ghorepani. On the way, we saw many snowcapped mountains and we got a chance to see the sunset from Poonhill.
4DayTrek from Ghorepani to Tatopani (1190m) 6 hoursDay 4 of 12
On this very day, we trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani. We walk around 6 hours to reach Tatopani from Ghorepani We saw many villages and flora and fauna on the way and the most amazing was the eye-catching view of the snowy mountains.
5DayTrek from Tatopani to Ghasa (2110) 6 hoursDay 5 of 12
We start our trek from Tatopani to Ghasa. We walked around 6 hours and during this time we saw many Hillarious natural resources scenery.
6DayTrek from Ghasa to Marpha (2680m) 5 hoursDay 6 of 12
Today morning we are moving towards Marpha from Ghasa. We can see people from different ethnics group. We can see their culture in close view. We can see many mountains too.
7DayTrek from Marpha to Kagbeni (2810m) 5 hoursDay 7 of 12
We get up early in the morning and start our trek from Marpha to Kagbeni. It took us around 5 hours to reach there.
8DayTrek from Kagbeni to Muktinath (3710m) 6 hoursDay 8 of 12
Today is the day 8 of our trek and we are moving forward towards Muktinath from Kagbeni. We walked around 6 hours to reach Muktinath where the holy temple Muktinath lies.
9DayTrek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2710m) 6 hoursDay 9 of 12
Today we woke up early and start trek from Muktinath. We visit holy temple Muktinath and head towards Jomsom. It took us nearly 6 hours to reach Jomsom.
10DayFly from Jomsom to PokharaDay 10 of 12
Today we woke up early and head towards Jomsom airport. We flew from Jomsom to Pokhara.
11DayDrive from Pokhara to KathmanduDay 11 of 12
This is the day to return to our hotel at Kathmandu. So drive from Pokhara to kathmandu.we visited different cultural and religious sites in Kathmandu valley.
12DayFinal DepartureDay 12 of 12
Today We departure from Kathmandu. We had an amazing experience throughout this trek.

What's included

Included

  • All the airport and hotel transfer by private jeep/car.
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu city inclusive bed and breakfast.
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Pokhara city inclusive bed and breakfast.
  • Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu transportation by tourist bus.
  • All the essential trekking permits for the trek.
  • An experienced English speaking trekking guide for the trek.
  • Supporting porters to carry your luggage. (1 porter for 2 people)
  • Pokhara to Jomsom airfare and airport taxes.
  • A comprehensives medical kit box.
  • Farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant after trip completion.

Not included

  • Meals and Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Deserts (cakes, bakes and pies)
  • Additional size of Pots Hot Drinks
  • Bottled drinks
  • Boiled water
  • Electronic device re-charge
  • Hot shower
  • On the trekking Wi- Fi
  • Personal expenses any type
  • Travel insurance and evacuation insurance
  • Tipping for Guide and Porter

Before you book

The realities of this route, told straight, so nothing surprises you later.

A moderate altitude trek

At 3,710m in Muktinath, this trek sits below the range where serious AMS becomes a major concern, and the daily ascent is gradual across multiple trekking days. Still, tell your guide about any headache or fatigue as a matter of course  but the bigger practical risk on this trip is scheduling, not altitude.

Jomsom flight is weather-sensitive

This trek depends on two short mountain flights  Kathmandu to Pokhara, and later Jomsom back to Pokhara and the Jomsom leg in particular is known for wind-related delays, especially once winds pick up later in the morning. Keep a spare day in your schedule around this leg rather than booking a tight connection straight through to an international flight home.

Teahouse comfort shift

Rooms are twin-share with shared bathrooms throughout, generally comfortable in villages like Ghorepani and Marpha, and more basic the further into upper Mustang you go. Many teahouses here are Thakali-run, offering genuinely good food — but hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging typically cost extra, more so above Jomsom.

Insurance and cash both matter

Travel insurance is excluded from the trip cost and worth arranging before you arrive, even though this isn’t an extreme-altitude trek. ATMs disappear quickly past Pokhara, so carry enough Nepali rupees in cash for meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara, hot showers, charging, and personal expenses throughout the trek — card payment isn’t an option on the trail.

This route mixes pilgrimage crowds with quieter trekking days

Muktinath draws large numbers of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims, especially around festival periods, so expect a livelier, busier atmosphere there than on the quieter trekking days through Ghasa, Marpha, and Kagbeni. It’s a good idea to ask your guide about festival dates in advance if a quieter pilgrimage-site visit matters to you.

Useful Info

Permits required

An Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card are both required for this route, arranged for you and included in the trip cost.

Visa

Nepal tourist visas are available on arrival at Kathmandu airport for most nationalities, or in advance at a Nepali embassy. The visa fee itself is not included in the trip cost.

Recommended gear

Sturdy, broken-in trekking boots, warm layered clothing, a sun hat and sunglasses (the upper Mustang section is high desert and very exposed), trekking poles, a headlamp, and a personal first-aid kit.

Accommodation and meals

Twin-share teahouse rooms with shared bathrooms throughout the trek, run largely by local Thakali families known for their hospitality and food. Hotel accommodation is provided in Kathmandu and Pokhara at either end of the trip.

Getting there

The trip includes a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, tourist bus transport between Kathmandu and Pokhara on the return leg, and a short flight from Jomsom back to Pokhara partway through the trek.

Money and connectivity

Carry Nepali rupees in cash for personal expenses, hot showers, charging, and Wi-Fi along the trek these aren’t included in the trip cost, and ATMs become unreliable once you’re past Pokhara.

Group size and crew

Runs for groups of 1–10, with an experienced, English-speaking trekking guide and porter service (one porter per two trekkers) included as standard.

FAQ

How difficult is the Jomsom Muktinath Trek?

It’s rated Moderate, with 5-7 hours of walking most days over 12 days. The trail isn’t technical, and the altitude (topping out at 3,710m in Muktinath) is manageable for most reasonably fit trekkers, making this a good option for those wanting Himalayan views and Mustang culture without extreme altitude exposure.

What's the highest point on this trek?

Muktinath, at 3,710m, is the trek’s highest point — well below the altitude range where serious AMS risk becomes a major concern, though a sensible pace and basic altitude awareness still matter.

Are flights involved in this trek?

Yes the trip includes a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, and later a short mountain flight from Jomsom back to Pokhara. The Jomsom leg is known for occasional wind-related delays, so it’s worth keeping some schedule flexibility around that flight.

Is this trek suitable for beginners or families?

Yes, the moderate rating, manageable altitude, and well-established teahouse infrastructure make this a reasonably approachable trek for beginners and families with older children, especially compared to higher-altitude routes like Everest Base Camp.

Is travel insurance included in the price?

No, travel insurance covering evacuation is excluded from the trip cost and should be arranged independently before you arrive, even though this trek doesn’t reach extreme altitude.

What permits do I need for this trek?

All essential trekking permits, including the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card, are arranged for you and included in the trip cost.

Is this trek suitable for solo travelers?

Yes, group sizes run from 1–10, and an experienced, English-speaking trekking guide accompanies every group regardless of size, along with porter service (one porter per two trekkers).

What's the significance of Muktinath for pilgrims?

Muktinath is one of the holiest sites in Nepal for both Hindus and Buddhists, home to eternal flames and 108 sacred water spouts. It draws pilgrims from across Nepal and India seeking blessings, making it one of the most spiritually significant stops on the entire trek.

From $949 / person
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  • Duration12 days
  • DifficultyModerate 4-6 hours/day walking
  • Max altitude3,710 m
  • Group size1-10
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