- Length
- 7 days
- Highest point
- 3,800 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Starts
- Pokhara (fly to Jomsom)
- Group size
- 2–10 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House / Camp
A 7-day Annapurna classic: fly Pokhara to Jomsom, trek the world's deepest Kali Gandaki gorge to the sacred Muktinath Temple at 3,800 m.
- Scenic mountain flight from Pokhara to Jomsom over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges
- Pilgrimage to the sacred Muktinath Temple (3,800 m) with its 108 water spouts and eternal flame
- Trek the Kali Gandaki, the world's deepest gorge, between two 8,000 m peaks
- Explore the medieval walled village of Kagbeni, gateway to Upper Mustang
- Discover Thakali culture in Marpha, famed for apple orchards and brandy
- Relax in the natural hot springs at Tatopani
- A rain-shadow route trekkable even during the monsoon
- No costly restricted-area permit required — an affordable Himalayan classic
The climb, day by day
Day 1Pokhara to Jomsom (flight), trek to Kagbeni (2,800 m)2,800 m
An early-morning mountain flight from Pokhara to Jomsom (2,720 m) delivers spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. From Jomsom the trail follows the wide, windswept Kali Gandaki riverbed north to the atmospheric medieval village of Kagbeni, the fortress-like gateway to Upper Mustang, where you spend the first night.
- Distance
- ~10 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House
Day 2Kagbeni to Muktinath (3,800 m)3,800 m
The day's highlight is a steady climb out of the gorge through the villages of Khingar and Jharkot to the sacred temple complex of Muktinath at 3,800 m — the trek's highest point. Visit the Vishnu temple with its 108 water spouts, the eternal natural gas flame and the Buddhist gompa, a site revered by Hindus and Buddhists alike.
- Distance
- ~12 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Muktinath to Marpha (2,670 m) via Jomsom2,670 m
After a sunrise visit to Muktinath, descend back down the valley, rejoining the Kali Gandaki at Jomsom. Continue south to the beautiful Thakali village of Marpha, with its whitewashed houses, flagstone lanes, monastery and famous apple orchards — sample local apple cider and brandy in the evening.
- Distance
- ~16 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Marpha to Kalopani / Lete (2,530 m)2,530 m
Trek south through Tukuche and Larjung, classic Thakali settlements, with the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs towering on either side of the gorge. Pine forest returns as you descend to the green villages of Kalopani and Lete, marking the transition from the arid trans-Himalaya back to the green hills.
- Distance
- ~14 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Kalopani to Tatopani (1,190 m)1,190 m
Follow the deepening gorge past Ghasa and the thundering Rupse waterfall, descending steadily into subtropical terrain. Arrive at Tatopani, named for its natural hot springs — a perfect place to soak tired legs after the day's long descent.
- Distance
- ~16 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hrs
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Tatopani to Pokhara (drive)820 m
After a final morning soak in the hot springs, drive down the valley via Beni to the lakeside city of Pokhara. Relax beside Phewa Lake and enjoy the cafes and gentle pace after a week on the trail.
- Distance
- ~3 hrs drive
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Hotel
Day 7Pokhara – trek concludes / onward travel820 m
The trek concludes in Pokhara. Depending on your onward plans, fly or drive back to Kathmandu, extend your stay by Phewa Lake, or continue to your next destination. Your guide assists with final arrangements before you depart.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Night
- –
The price includes
- All ground transport (Pokhara–Tatopani drive) and Pokhara–Jomsom & related domestic flights
- ACAP and TIMS trekking permits
- Licensed, experienced English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- All accommodation: teahouses on the trail and hotel in Pokhara (twin share)
- All meals on trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Guide and porter wages, insurance, food and accommodation
- All government taxes and official service charges
You pay separately
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory)
- Meals and accommodation in Kathmandu/Pokhara beyond what is specified
- Tips for guide and porter
- Personal expenses: drinks, bottled water, hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging, laundry
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Any costs arising from delays or events beyond our control (weather, flight cancellations)
The Jomsom Muktinath Trek is one of Nepal's most rewarding short adventures, blending Himalayan scenery, ancient Thakali culture and one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in the Hindu and Buddhist worlds. Beginning with a thrilling early-morning mountain flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, you step straight into the dramatic rain-shadow landscape of Lower Mustang, where wind-carved cliffs and barren ochre hills replace the green middle hills of Nepal.
From Jomsom the trail follows the legendary Kali Gandaki — the world's deepest gorge, cut between the 8,000-metre giants of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. You'll walk through the medieval mud-brick village of Kagbeni, gateway to Upper Mustang, before climbing to the sacred temple complex of Muktinath at 3,800 m, with its 108 water spouts and eternal flame. The return weaves through Marpha, famed for its apple orchards and brandy, and the whitewashed lanes of Thakali villages along the old salt-trade route.
A trek for every season
Because Lower Mustang sits in the Annapurna rain shadow, this route stays largely dry even during the monsoon, making it a superb choice from spring through autumn when much of Nepal is under cloud. The moderate, well-supported teahouse trail keeps altitude comfortable, peaking at Muktinath, so it suits first-time trekkers and pilgrims alike.
Culture and pilgrimage
Beyond the mountains, this is a journey into living heritage — Thakali kitchens, Tibetan-influenced monasteries, and the timeless devotion of pilgrims who travel from across the subcontinent to bathe at Muktinath. It is mountain trekking and spiritual journey woven into a single unforgettable week.