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What Makes the Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek Special?
- Take a scenic drive on the Prithivi Highway to Pokhara and a thrilling flight to Jomsom.
- Trek on the unique and diverse landscapes of the Annapurna region, and witness the world’s deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki Gorge.
- Collect Saligrams (fossils) along the Kali Gandaki River. (is possible but requires time, luck, and a trained eye)
- Pass by charming traditional villages like Kagbeni, Tatopani, Ghorepani, Tadapani, Ghandruk, and more.
- Visit the sacred and important pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists, the Muktinath Temple (3,760 m).
- Enjoy magnificent panoramas of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Dhaulagiri, and more.
- Hike on the trail within Nepal’s largest protected area, the Annapurna Conservation Area.
- Take a short hike to the famous Poonhill Viewpoint (3,210 m) and watch one of the most mesmerizing sunrises.
- Experience and immerse yourself in the rich culture of Gurung, Magar, and Thakali, and enjoy their warm hospitality.
Activity
Trekking
Altitude
3760 m
Best Season
March - May October - December
Meals Included
8 Breakfast 8 Lunch 6 Dinner
Transportation
Bus/ Car/ Jeep / Flight
Destination
Most Popular Treks
Accommodation
2 Nights Hotel in Pokhara 5 Nights at Lodge
Duration
8 Days
Region
Mustang
Start / End Point
Kathmandu / Kathmandu
Group Size
2 - 20
Difficulty
Easy
Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek Overview
Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill trek is one of the popular trekking destinations in the Annapurna region. The major attractions of the Jomsom Muktinath trekking route are Kagbeni, Muktinath temple, Natural Hot spring Tatopani, the most popular viewpoint Poonhill, and Ghandruk Gurung village.
Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trekking starts after a 30-minute flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. It is also known as the pilgrim’s trek. The trek reaches the maximum altitude of 3,760 m (12,335 ft) and can be completed by anybody with a moderate level of fitness. This trek offers numerous spectacular views of the two Himalaya ranges, including the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Explore the hundreds-year-old monastery, caves, local tribes, culture, lifestyle, and scenic beauties of the different landscapes.
The trek takes you to the sacred Muktinath temple. There are 108 water taps and two small ponds. The Hindu people believe that if you take a bath in 108 taps (108 is a sacred number in Tibetan Buddhism), you will be free from the sins that you committed in your past life. The spouts are cast in the shape of cows’ heads, which pour forth holy water. A short walk past a collection of chortens is the Dhola mebar Gompa, or Jwalamai (goddess of fire) temple, where a sacred flame of natural gas burns behind a grill just above the spring.
The 8 Days Trekking also includes crossing the world’s deepest gorge of the Kali Gandaki River between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. It gets refreshing in Tatopani, where you will have the opportunity to relax in a natural hot spring. The views from the first rays of the sun at the break of dawn, the grace of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayas from Ghorepani Poon Hill (3,210m), are otherworldly. The hike continues through dense rhododendron forest, with a towering view of snowcapped mountains in the background, to Tadapani and Ghandruk. We will end the trek with a drive back to Pokhara. There is also an alternative trekking route that has been built from Ghasa to Tatopani.
The Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek is a complete package that combines a moderately challenging trail with glorious mountain views, cultural experiences, and religious insights. Moreover, the short trek duration and low altitude are perfect for trekkers of all ages and levels. Join our 8 Days Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek and dive into the adventure yourself.
Outline Itinerary of Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek
Day 01:
Drive Kathmandu - Pokhara (830 m, 200 km or 7 or 8 hours drive
Day 02:
Pokhara Jomsom flight and trek to Kagbeni (2800 m, 11 km or 3-4 hours walk)
Day 03:
Trek Kagbeni - Muktinath (3760 m, 12 km or 4-5 hours walk)
Day 04:
Drive Muktinath - Tatopani (1190 m, 72 km or 3-4 hours drive)
Day 05:
Trek Tatopani - Ghorepani (2860 m or 15 km or 7-8 hours walk)
Day 06:
Trek Ghorepani - Poonhill - Tadapani (2630 m, 11.2 km or 6-7 hours walk)
Day 07:
Trek Tadapani - Ghandruk - Syauli Bazar (1220 m , 12.5 km or 5 hours walk , drive 50 km or 2 hours drive to - Pokhara)
Day 08:
Drive Pokhara - Kathmandu (1340 m, 200 km or 7-8 hours drive)
Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek Itinerary
Pokhara - Kathmandu
Activity
6-7 hours drive
Highest Altitude
830 m, Pokhara
Accommodations
Hotel
Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
You will begin your journey early in the morning by hopping on a tourist bus to Pokhara. The bus leaves the capital city and heads southwest. You will drive into a lush river valley, following the Trishuli River. From Naubise, the bus starts to drive on the Prithvi Highway. Along the way, the bus passes by small settlements, terrace farms, hills, and forests.
After driving for a few hours, the bus crosses Mugling. From here, you will cross the Trishuli-Gandaki confluence and drive along the Marshyangdi River. As you get closer to Pokhara, you will see more green hills come into view. Tonight you will stay overnight at a hotel in Pokhara. It is a beautiful city, and its lakeside area is a favorite among tourists. In the evening, you can stroll around Lakeside or by Phewa Lake.
Alternative Route:
There are many flights to Pokhara from Kathmandu every day. You may choose to take a flight to Pokhara that takes 30 minutes from Kathmandu. It is the more convenient way to get to Pokhara, but it will cost slightly higher.
Pokhara - Jomsom - Kagbeni
Activity
30 Minutes flight and 11 km or 3-4 hours walk
Highest Altitude
2800 m, Kagbeni
Accommodations
Lodge
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On day 2, you will start with a hearty breakfast with a view. You can see the beautiful views of Machhapuchre and Annapurna surrounding the city. Then, you will grab your trekking bag and head towards the Pokhara airport. You will take a short 30-minute flight to Jomsom, the headquarters of Mustang. The scenic flight crosses over the world’s highest gorge, the Kali Gandaki Gorge, and the diverse landscapes. Similarly, the flight also offers aerial views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Landing in Jomsom, you can immediately see the striking semi-arid and desert-like landscapes. Compared to the green hills surrounding Pokhara city, Jomsom is surrounded by dry hills. High winds are also common in the afternoon. From here, your actual trekking journey begins. The Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trekking trail follows the Kali Gandaki River. It takes you past the dry and semi-arid landscapes with small settlements. En route, you will cross several small streams. At a distance, breathtaking views of Nilgiri North and South are also visible. As you get closer to the age-old Kagbeni village, you can see green trees and farms. The village is the gateway to Upper Mustang, and you will rest here overnight.
Note: Drive Pokhara – Kagbeni by public bus / private also possible.
Kagbeni - Muktinath
Activity
12 km or 4-5 hours walk
Highest Altitude
3760 m, Muktinath
Accommodations
Lodge
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast at Kagbeni, you will follow the Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek trail along the Jhong Khola Valley. You will leave the Kali Gandaki riverbed and pass by famous Thakali settlements like Tangbe and Jharkot. Along the way, you will also pass by ancient Tibetan-style monasteries, stupas, prayer flags, prayer wheels, and chortens. The route begins to ascend gradually through green arid hills. At a distance, the views open up and you can witness Thorong La Pass and the Mustang Plateau.
The landscape is desert-like, dry, and windy. You will continue ascending until you reach the holy pilgrimage of Muktinath. The temple is an important religious site for Hindus and Buddhists. The main temple is dedicated to the Hindu god, Lord Vishnu. Similarly, there are monasteries, prayer wheels, and mani walls around the village. You will stay in a hotel or lodge of your choice in Muktinath.
Muktinath - Tatopani
Activity
72 km or 3-4 hours drive
Highest Altitude
1190 m, Tatopani
Accommodations
Lodge
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
From Muktinath, your downhill descent begins with a drive. You will drive on a rocky and bumpy road from the barren Mustang plateau to the lower Kali Gandaki Valley. The route follows the Jhong Khola valley and takes us back to Jomsom via Kagbeni. From Jomsom, you will pass through the Apple capital, Marpha. It is a famous Thakali village adorned with apple orchards and stone-paved alleys. You will continue driving south along the Kali Gandaki River and enter the world’s deepest gorge.
The view of Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri smiles at you from a distance. Then, you will cross villages like Tukuche and Kalopani. The landscape slowly transitions into lush subtropical forests. Then, the road takes a sharp descent and enters Ghasa. En route, you can see narrow gorges, suspension bridges, and waterfalls. Finally, you will reach Tatopani, which sits amidst lush riverside. Since you will stay here for the night, you can take your time in the evening and dip into the natural spring. It helps rejuvenate your body for the remainder of the Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek.
Tatopani - Sikha - Ghorepani
Activity
15 km or 7-8 hours walking
Highest Altitude
2860 m, Ghorepani
Accommodations
Lodge
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Enjoy breakfast in the lush and peaceful surroundings of the Tatopani village. Then, you will resume your trekking journey. For the first part of the trek, you will follow the Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek route alongside the river. You will pass by several small Gurung and Magar villages with beautiful terrace farms on the hillside. It is mostly a gentle walk which gradually becomes steeper. Likewise, there are numerous steep stone staircases that will physically test you.
From the village of Sikha, the trail enters the beautiful and dense forest of rhododendrons and oaks. During springtime, the entire forest is blooming in different shades of red, pink, and white. Similarly, you will also trek through forests of conifers. Along the way, you can get an occasional view of Annapurna South and Nilgiri. For the final part of our trek for this day, we will ascend through forests of rhododendrons, mosses, and ferns. You will finally get to rest after arriving at Ghorepani. It is a charming Magar village at sits at a ridge. You can relax in the evening by enjoying the serene atmosphere and majestic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Ghorepani - Poonhill - Tadapani
Activity
11.2 km or 7 hours walking
Highest Altitude
3210 m, Poonhill
Accommodations
Lodge
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, you will rise early before dawn and head towards the iconic Poonhill Viewpoint. It is a steep ascent through lush rhododendron forests. It takes around 45 minutes to get to the viewpoint, which offers an enchanting and surreal sunrise view. The golden sunlight hits the white vistas of the Himalayas and turns them gold. The gorgeous view of Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri makes for a spectacular photo opportunity. After enjoying the views to your heart’s content, you will descend to Ghorepani.
After breakfast, you will bid goodbye to Ghorepani and continue the Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek route. It starts with a gradual uphill climb through rhododendron and oak forests to Deurali Pass. Along the way, you can witness Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. You will cross several suspension bridges over streams before descending towards Tadapani. The village is situated in a forest clearing, and it will be your overnight stop. You can explore around the village in the evening and enjoy the mountain panoramas.
Tadapani - Ghandruk - Syauli Bazar - Pokhara
Activity
12.5 km or 5-6 hours walking , 50 km or 2 hours drive
Highest Altitude
1220 m, Syauli Bazar
Accommodations
Hotel
Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
Today will be your last trekking day, which also includes a drive to Pokhara. From Tadapani, you will begin your steep descent through lush subtropical forests. There are also many stone-paved steps along the way that take you to the famous and large Gurung village of Ghandruk. You will continue descending downhill along the terrace farms and small villages. Similarly, you will cross suspension bridges and reach Syauli Bazaa. It is a beautiful settlement by the river.
From Syauli Bazaar, you will hop on a private taxi and head back to Pokhara. You will drive on the Baglung Highway that connects with the Pokhara-Baglung road. Upon reaching Pokhara, you will check into your hotel. With the spare time, you can explore around Lakeside or enjoy the Pokhara nightlife.
Pokhara - Kathmandu
Activity
6-7 hours drive
Highest Altitude
1340 m, Kathmandu
Accommodations
own Hotel
Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
For the final day of your Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trekking, you will take a tourist bus back to Kathmandu. You will drive back on the familiar highway, enjoying the beautiful views along the way. The bus again drives along the river valleys, villages, farms, and hills. You will check into your hotel in Kathmandu upon arrival.
Alternative Route:
There are many flights to Kathmandu from Pokhara every day. You may choose to fly back to Kathmandu.
Journey to Muktinath and Poonhill on the Jomsom Trek
Today will be your last trekking day, which also includes a drive to Pokhara. From Tadapani, you will begin your steep descent through lush subtropical forests. There are also many stone-paved steps along the way that take you to the famous and large Gurung village of Ghandruk. You will continue descending downhill along the terrace farms and small villages. Similarly, you will cross suspension bridges and reach Syauli Bazaa. It is a beautiful settlement by the river.
From Syauli Bazaar, you will hop on a private taxi and head back to Pokhara. You will drive on the Baglung Highway that connects with the Pokhara-Baglung road. Upon reaching Pokhara, you will check into your hotel. With the spare time, you can explore around Lakeside or enjoy the Pokhara nightlife.
Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek Map
Whats Included?
- Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by tourist bus.
- 2 Nights Hotel Hidden Kingdom in Pokhara (1 night before trekking & 1 night after trekking).
- Flight ticket (Pokhara – Jomsom) with airport departure tax.
- Muktinath – Tatopani by Public Jeep or Bus.
- Syauli Bazar – Pokhara by private taxi.
- Meals on full board (Breakfast, lunch and dinner three times a day) Lodge accommodation during the trek.
- Trekking Permit.
- One English speaking government certificate holder trekking guide .
- Duffel Bag.
- Fingertip Pulse Oximeter (we use everyday to check your oxygen level and blood pressure in your body to avoid high risk ).
- Himalaya Trip T-shirt.
- Guide: food, lodge, transportation, salary, insurance, equipment etc.
- First Aids Kit.
- Local fresh fruit like orange, banana, apple etc.
- 13% Government taxes and official charge.
Whats not Included?
- International airfare.
- Nepal’s visa fees (15 Days US$25 and 30 Days US$50) , you fill up a form depart of immigration before you leave and pay cash and get visa on your arrival in Kathmandu airport.
- Hotel (Kathmandu Guest House) and meals in Kathmandu.
- All the drinks such as: tea, coffee, coke, beer, mineral water.
- Your travel insurance which should include the emergency rescue.
- Your trekking gears.
- Tips for your guide.
Who Should Pick This Trek Over Others
Although the 8 Days Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek is suitable for any trekkers with good fitness, it is best suited for beginners, trekkers with limited time, adventurers, and cultural enthusiasts. The trek is also suitable for those seeking a diverse experience. The trail takes you from the desert-like landscapes of Mustang to the lush forests of rhododendrons and oaks of Ghorepani. You will navigate the moderately difficult paths without taking extreme altitude challenges. Moreover, it allows you to visit the holy Muktinath Temple, offering a glimpse at the region’s spirituality.
The Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill trail traverses numerous traditional settlements of Gurung, Magar, Thakali, and even Tibetan-influenced communities. Another factor of the trek that appeals to different types of trekkers is its easy accessibility. You will drive to Pokhara and fly to Jomsom to begin the journey. Additionally, the beautiful views paired with warm village hospitality and rich culture offer a truly rewarding experience. Therefore, the trip is suitable for different types of trekkers with different needs. In the short itinerary, the trek perfectly caters to trekkers seeking adventure, easy accessibility, culture, and spirituality.
Spiritual Side of the Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek
The Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill is also a pilgrimage trek that attracts thousands of pilgrims worldwide. During the trek, you will visit the ancient Muktinath Temple. For Hindus, the temple is considered a sacred “Mukti Kshetra” or a “Place of Salvation”. Meanwhile, Buddhists believe that Guru Rinpoche (Padmasamhava) meditated here.
As we mentioned before, there are 108 water spouts and two holy ponds in the temple premises. Bathing in the water of these spouts is believed to cleanse one’s sins. Within the temple is also an eternal flame burning on water fueled by natural gas. It represents the unity of natural elements and mystifies any onlookers.
In addition to the sacred Muktinath Temple, the route of Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill also takes us past numerous ancient monasteries and stupas. You can see many colorful prayer flags, prayer wheels, stupas, and chortens. It reflects the influence of the century-old Tibetan Buddhism tradition in the region. The peaceful atmosphere and unique landscape further heighten the spiritual experience. Hence, the trek is ideal for trekkers who are seeking inner calm and spiritual awakening.
Difficulty Level of the Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek
The difficulty level of the Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek is graded as easy, with less demanding trails and challenges. Hence, it is a perfect venture for first-time trekkers as well as adventurers. The trek duration is only 8 days and covers the distance of 80 to 100 km. Meanwhile, the average trekking hours range from 4 to 7 hours on diverse terrain.
During the trip, you will trek on rocky, rugged, and forest trails. There are also several steep sections, but nothing too demanding. Similarly, you must ascend and descend on steep stone staircases. The maximum altitude is at 3,760 m, which is where the Muktinath Temple sits. It is relatively low, and there is no need for acclimatization like during high altitude treks. The trails are well-marked, so you do not have to worry about getting lost.
Overall, the 8 Days Jomsom Muktinath Poonhill Trek is an easily accessible and relatively difficult journey. Anyone with reasonable fitness can join the venture without worry. However, a trekker will need both good physical and mental preparation. It is a short and comfortable trekking experience into the beautiful Annapurna region.
Available dates & Prices
If you are two or more people, private trip is available any date, providing a fantastic opportunity. If you are solo travellers, our fixed group trips are thoughtfully scheduled and offer specific departure dates.
Group Discount Pricing
Price per person — the more you travel together, the less you pay
No. of Persons
Price per Person
-
1 PersonUSD 850
-
2 - 4 PaxSave 12% USD 750
-
5 - 9 PaxSave 18% USD 699
-
10+ Pax Best ValueSave 24% USD 650
Create Your Private Trip With
Your Own Itinerary and Dates
We are more than happy to design an itinerary tailored to your schedule and preferred route. Simply share your preferred travel dates, group size, and contact and travel details, and one of our travel experts will get in touch to help plan your journey.
Once your trip is confirmed, you’ll travel exclusively with your own group, enjoying a more personalized and flexible experience.
Trip Reviews
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Reviews from the globe
Hi! Im Sara, from Spain! Good morning! Yesterday we arrived from our 11-day trekking in Gokyo. There were 3 people from Spain, and I don’t know how to express how happy I felt. From the beginning, Himalaya Trip has been attentive to us, with a welcome at the hotel and...
Incredible!
Hi! Im Sara, from Spain!
Good morning!
Yesterday we arrived from our 11-day trekking in Gokyo.
There were 3 people from Spain, and I don’t know how to express how happy I felt.
From the beginning, Himalaya Trip has been attentive to us, with a welcome at the hotel and explanation of the route, rental of necessary equipment, etc.
The most important thing for us has been the ease and comfort with which Ramesh (our precious guide) has taken care of us at all time.
Attentive to the food, to make sure we didn’t get cold, adapting the route day by day according to the needs of the team.
I only have words of gratitude for Ramesh, who I would recommend for any trekking in the world.
In addition to being a great guide and knowing all the mountains of Nepal perfectly, he is a great person, with a big heart.
We hope to repeat in the not too distant future and hopefully it can be with him, since he is already part of our family.
Thank you for everything, from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks!!!!
Had an incredible experience doing the Mardi Himal trek with Himalaya Trip. Our guide Jay and our two porters Umesh and Masak were all simply incredible people. I’m a photographer so always have odd requests for weird areas to access for better angles or even simply just extending time in...
Couldn’t recommend enough
Had an incredible experience doing the Mardi Himal trek with Himalaya Trip. Our guide Jay and our two porters Umesh and Masak were all simply incredible people.
I’m a photographer so always have odd requests for weird areas to access for better angles or even simply just extending time in certain areas and all requests were met with so much help from the team. Highly recommend
I had an amazing time trekking with Surpa, particularly as this was my first solo trek. Beautiful views doing the Mardi Himal trek over 4 days, Surpa was a great guide who organised everything so well for me, kept me well fed, supported a good pace the whole way and...
Mardi Himal: fantastic trek & wonderful guide
I had an amazing time trekking with Surpa, particularly as this was my first solo trek. Beautiful views doing the Mardi Himal trek over 4 days, Surpa was a great guide who organised everything so well for me, kept me well fed, supported a good pace the whole way and always cheerful. Would recommend, and I would happily have him as my guide again in the future. The organisation and booking with Himalaya Trip was great, really responsive on emails and Harka was so helpful in organising everything and meeting me in Kathmandu for a briefing before the trip. Thanks so much!
Our 4 day Mardi Himal Trek with guide Milan and porter Plekta was a wonderful experience. The manager Harka Gurung met with us over coffee in Kathmandu and briefed us about expectations as this was our first trek. After that our guide met us at our hotel in Pokhara, helped...
Once in a lifetime experience in the Himalayas
Our 4 day Mardi Himal Trek with guide Milan and porter Plekta was a wonderful experience. The manager Harka Gurung met with us over coffee in Kathmandu and briefed us about expectations as this was our first trek. After that our guide met us at our hotel in Pokhara, helped us rent equipment, and handled all logistics in between. Our first time in the Himalayas was unforgettable between all the unbelievable landscapes and scenery, and we were lucky to have MIlan and Plekta with us to experience it all. I can’t begin to describe how ethereal sunrise is over the base camp, but hopefully you’ll be able to experience it soon!
