| Trip code | NET-TO-PLG6 |
| Package name | Muktinath Yatra |
| Duration | 11 |
| Max. elevation | m |
| Level | MODERATE |
| Transportation | Tourist Bus & Jomsom-Pokhara by Flight |
| Accomodation |
2-3 Star Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu & Pokhara. Lodge (Tea House) during Trip
|
| Starts at | Kathmandu |
| Ends at | Kathmandu |
| Trip route | { Kathmandu - Pokhara - Nayapul - Tirkhedhunga - Ghorepani - Tatopani - Ghasa - Marpha - Jomsom - Kagbeni - Muktinath - Jomsom - Pokhara - Kathmandu } |
| Cost | USD 0 per person |
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) takes about six hours. You depart for the six hours drive to Pokhara (915m,), 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. Pokhara is tourist's paradise with lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. You can also fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes about 25 minutes. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
Drive from Pokhara (915 m.) to Nayapul (1050m.) by car takes one and a half hours drive. Now, you begin your trek from Nayapul (1050m.) to Tikhedhunga (1577 m.) via Birethanti (1065m.) which takes about four and a half hours. Majority of people here are Gurung who follow Buddhism. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Tirkhedhunga to Ghorepani (2675 m.) takes about six hours. You start to trek upwards through a steep ascent for the early 2 hours and then gently pass through Ulleri (2070m.) and Banthanti, Magar villages. On the way, you get to view Machhapuchhre or Fish Tail (6997m.), Huinchuli (6441m.), and Annapurna (7219m.) south. Now, your trail is quite easy passing through forest and descends gently to the final camp. You could see some of the wild life such as monkey and various species of birds. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani (1189m.) takes about seven and a half hours. This day offers you an early morning trip to Poon Hill (3232m.) to enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.), Machhapuchhare (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6931m.) and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks. After breakfast you trek from Ghorepani to Tatopani. After descending through the rhododendron forest, fine vistas open up when we approach Chitre, with the Dhaulagiri Range straight ahead. The path then leads through terraced fields to Sikha, a Magar village clustered on a ridge. You continue to descend, gradually at first and then more steeply to cross the Ghar Khola. After a short climb, we then cross the Kali Gandaki on a large suspension bridge and from here it is only a short distance upstream to Tatopani. At Tatopani you can enjoy the natural hot spring bath. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Tatopani to Ghasa (2013m.) takes about five hours. Then the route ascends gently up the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, towards the village of Dana, which is surrounded by orange groves. From autumn to winter, baskets of these oranges are offered for sale to passing travelers. Just beyond the small hamlet of Rupse, a thundering waterfall cascades down beside the trail. From here, the trail enters the steepest and narrowest section of the gorge, but the layered stone path is well-constructed and wide. When the rock cliffs end, we descend to the river before making the short climb back up to Ghasa. This is the first Thakali village we come across and the houses here are all built in the flat-roofed Tibetan style. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Ghasa to Marpha (2667m.) takes about six and a half hours. The trek ascends crossing the wide valley of Kali Gandaki for about six to seven hours. Throughout the trek you will be enjoying the mighty Rhododendron trees and many ethnic villages with a sparse population of Gurung, Thakali and few Tibetans. On the way to Marpha we trek along the banks of Kali Gandaki through the Apple orchard, you can eat apples if it happens to be the fruit season. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Marpha to Jomsom (2713m.) to Kagbeni (2897m.) takes about five hours. You continue to follow the wide valley of the Kali Gandaki, passing through Khobang and Tukuche. Tukuche is a delightful village where narrow alleyways and houses built around enclosed courtyards attempt to provide some shelter from the winds which howl through the gorge. The wind generally picks up after about midday, but will at least be blowing at our backs as you head up to Jomsom. After passing through stone-walled orchards, a stone gate marks the entrance to Marpha. White walled houses line both sides of the narrow paved street, under which flows a cleverly made drainage system. Marpha makes a good lunch stop and the courtyards of the many lodges make ideal resting and refreshment places. The local apple brandy is especially well-known. As the trail continues towards Jomsom, the landscape becomes increasingly arid and impressive with its mixture of browns, yellows and grey, contrasting with the white snowcaps of Tilicho and Nilgiri. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath/Chumig Gyatsa (3795 m.) takes about 4 hours. The trail steeply ascends for couple of hundred meters. Gradually walking you can enjoy beautiful deserted landscape, Caves, old Tibetan Style Villages, apple Garden, Yaks Herds, sheep herds and so on. You can look at Thorong La valley straight up to the Muktinath. You can enjoy delicious lunch at Jharkot and visit monastery believed to be built in the 15 century. Now, you head towards Muktinath following steep ascent path for half an hour. You stay overnight at Muktinath village. From here you hike to Rani Pauwa (3700m.), an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Here, you come across Natural flaming which really exhilarates you. At this point, you can see splendid view of Dhaulagiri (8165m), Nilgiri (7061m.) and others. Now, you walk for fifteen minutes to reach Muktinath Temple where you can enjoy a holy bath of 108 Taps. Stay overnight at lodge.
Trek from Muktinath/Chumig Gyatsa to Jomsom (2713 m.) takes about 5 hours. Today we continue down for early two hours and then walk through the flat path till we reach Jomsom. Stay overnight at lodge.
Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara takes about 35 minutes. The flights are available during the morning time. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus, which takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes.