| JOMSONG MUKTINATH | ||
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Trek Grade: Moderate
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Duration: 14 days
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| Jomsom or the 'New Fort' is located at an elevation of 2,713 meters. The town was well known from the days of old for its excellent vantage point and serving as a trailhead to Muktinath (the temple of the preserver), Mustang and the land beyond. In this trip you will witness the bailer of goods by the people of the local hills, the traditions of the Thakalis (previous traders who now have a strong restaurant trade) and you may even visit a Jimi Hendrix restaurant. The trail from Jomsom first leads to Kagbeni (2810m) a township along the Kali Gandaki River banks, the deepest gorge in the world. The town seems to have come straight out of the medieval past. It is a collection of mud houses, dark alleys, an imposing chorten and a large Gompa. The local people still live a life pretty much untouched by Western influences. From here you will walk past piles of trailside rocks erected by pilgrims to honour the deceased and then reach Muktinath. |
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| Horses and mules will accompany you to the temple of the preserver at 3,802 meters. Everyyear, thousands of pilgrims make it tothis place, some in bare feet. They come to worship the eternal flame mentioned in the Mahabharata epics of 300 BC. The templehas 108 sacred springsand a Tibetan monastery called Jwala Mai houses eternal flames. During the full moon of July a horseracing festival is celebrated by ethnic Bhotias as the Hindu festival of Janai Purnima takesplace. Heading down to Marpha youmay try the famous local cider of fruit preserves. To thesouth the trail reaches Tukuche a center where Nepal and Tibet tradedduring the Rana era. The trail passes through a Thakali village where, particularly, you feel the rough winds that make flying aircraft in the region difficult in the afternoons. At Tatopani, you may relax in the hot springs. | ||
| Ghorepani at 2853m boasts of 13 varieties of Nepal's national flower the Rhododendrons, thus making the hills as colourful as thefestive Magar community that resides here. From Ghorepani you can enjoy the spectacular panorama of Dhaulagiri (the eighth highest mountain in the world at 8167m), Nilgiri (7061m), Annapurna I, Hiunchuli and other summits. Poon Hill offers the best views of the peak. | ||
| ITINERARY | ||
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Day 1
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Arrive in Kathmandu - Transfer to Hotel - Welcome dinner. | |
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Day 2
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Full day sightseeing tour around ancient Stupas, Temples & Palaces of Kathmandu. | |
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Day 3
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Drive to Pokhara — Explore the town of Pokhara | |
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Day 4-11
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Fly to Jomsom ( 2713m) Rest & Acclamatize - Trek to Kagbeni (2810m) - Muktinath (3802m) - Marpha(2667m)Kalopani (2530m) - Tatopani (2530m) - Ghorepani (2775m) -Visit Poon Hill & Tirkhedhunga | |
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Day 12
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Trek to Naya Pul - Drive to Pokhara | |
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Day 13
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Drive to Kthmandu - transfer to hotel - P.M. on own | |
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Day 14
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Trip ends after Breakfast - Transfer to international Airport for departure. | |