Lower Mustang / Jomsom Muktinath – The Heritage Trek 4N-5D
Overview
Lower Mustang, as its name describes, is the lower part of the Mustang region and lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area. This semi-arid barren land offers an experience of traveling around the area of Upper Mustang with lower permit fee in comparison to the Upper Mustang. However, travelers can experience the culture, landscape, and scenic beauty in this short trekking period. This trek combines different assets like Kagbeni, Jharkot, Jhong, and the Lupra Village together with a side visit to Muktinath Temple which adds spirituality in the trip. All the sites here in this short trek belong with heritage importance – Hinduism, Buddhism with Bonpo Religion and the Forts. So this is a Heritage Trek in Annapurna.
Included/Excluded
- Accommodations
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner,
- Transportation
- An experienced English-speaking and government-licensed trekking guide
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (ACAP, TIMS)
- Pickup
- Any other transportation except included in the section
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)
Tour Plan
Day 01. Pokhara – Jomsom – Kagbeni (2810m.): 1 hrs. Drive
Take earliest flight to Jomsom (20 minutes). Upon arrival in Jomsom, we will have breakfast in a restaurant. We can also have short look around the Jomsom during the preparation of the breakfast. The trail leads towards east from Jomsom through the Holi River Kaligandaki. It takes about an hour to reach Kagbeni from Jomsom via private vehicle, or a trek of three-four hours. Kagbeni, spectacularly situated atop a cliff overlooking the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and the Jhong Khola (river), is the last village in Lower Mustang and guards the entrance into Upper Mustang. It is an oasis of green fields amidst rocky, arid mountains, with Niligiri looming beyond. This ancient, partially ruined citadel town is a glimpse into a unique way of life, with its narrow alleyways and tunnels, irrigation canals, green fields of barley and its massive, 800-year-old brick-red Sayka Gompa. We can also have a short walk to Tiri Village (2815m.) – a small village near Kagbeni which belongs in Upper Mustang area. It is just an hour trip but provides lot of impression. Overnight in Kagbeni in a lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 02. Kagbeni – Muktinath (3800m.) via Jhong (3450m.): 5-6 hrs.
Jhong Village is the ancient capital of the region situated in 7 km east from Kagbeni.This village is still intact with Tibetan culture and the tradition. Jhong translates as “fort” in the Tibetan language. The trail from Kagbeni passes through great Himalayan trail till Khingar village (3280m.) then gradually ascend to Muktinath via Jhong and Putak. The holy site of Muktinath Temple, which is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, is located at 3800 metre. Muktinath may be more interesting to Hindus and Buddhists than other visitors, as the temple itself is not large or architecturally spectacular, but it is a good excursion nonetheless, as it’s a busy pilgrimage site of immense cultural value. Visitors will be offered a red tikka to the forehead in blessing. Don’t forget to check out the sacred fire that emerges naturally from the ground, as well as the animal-headed spouts spitting holy water.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 03. Muktinath – Lupra: 4-5 hrs.
The trail from Muktinath gradually descends to Lupra through far away from crowds and jeep trail to Jharkot and jomsom. . It is a great route that trekkers on the Annapurna circuit miss out while going to Jomsom. Lupra, the traditional Thakali Village is very importance for its’ Bonpo Monastery. Bonpo is an ancient pre-Buddhist religion not represented by many monasteries these days, so it is a rare and special chance to learn about this ancient animist religion while taking a stunning alternate route back to Jomsom. Overnight in Lupra in a home stay.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 04. Lupra – Jomsom via Thinigaun: 4-5 hrs.
Today is the end day of our trek. We will walk an hour from Lupra to Panda where the trail combines with the main route of Annapurna Circuit Trek then continue an hour walking to Jomsom. Jomsom is a single-street town full of lodges facing east, to the stunning mountain views that dominate the town. While in many places in Nepal the mountains are layered, meaning you don’t get a real sense of where the foot of a mountain lies, this is not so in Jomsom. The snow-covered peaks seem to rise directly and uninterrupted from ground-level at Jomsom.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 05. Jomsom – Pokhara
After an early breakfast in Jomsom, we will walk to the local airstrip to catch our return flight to Pokhara. The scenic flight takes us through the gorge of the two huge mountains, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. On arrival at Pokhara airport, we will be transferred to lakeside hotel. We get some rest and explore the beauty of Pokhara.
Meals included: Breakfast
To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have farewell dinner and share the experiences about our trek.