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A teahouse journey around the Annapurna massif, from the green Marsyangdi valley through Manang and over the Thorong La (5,416 m) to Muktinath and the dry Kali Gandaki valley.
- Days
- 11 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,416 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Mustang & Trans-Himalaya, Mustang
Jomsom Muktinath Trek
A short trek in Lower Mustang from Jomsom via Kagbeni to the Muktinath temple (about 3,760 m) and back through Marpha, with flights from and to Pokhara.
- Days
- 4-8
- Max altitude
- 3,762 m
- Distance
- -
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best months
- Mar-May, Sep-Nov
- Start / end
- Jomsom (flight from Pokhara) / Jomsom (flight to Pokhara)
- Sleep in
- Teahouses, Lodges, Hotels
- Permits
- 2 required
Overview
This short trek explores the dry upper Kali Gandaki valley of Lower Mustang, in the rain shadow of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas. From the airstrip at Jomsom it follows the wide riverbed to the old village of Kagbeni, climbs the Jhong Khola valley to Muktinath, a temple sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, and returns via Jomsom to the whitewashed village of Marpha.
A road now runs along the whole route, but footpaths avoid much of it, and the villages, apple orchards and views of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri make it a good choice for trekkers with limited time or for pilgrims. Flying into Jomsom means a quick gain in altitude, so the plan keeps the climb to Muktinath gentle.
It also works as the second half of the Annapurna Circuit for people who do not want to cross the Thorong La, and Kagbeni is the gateway to Upper Mustang.
Muktinath temple, sacred to Hindus and BuddhistsKagbeni, gateway to Upper MustangJharkot and the Jhong Khola valleyMarpha's whitewashed lanes and apple orchardsViews of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri
Why it is rated moderate
- Flying to about 2,720 m and sleeping at about 3,700 m two days later.
- Strong afternoon wind and dust in the Kali Gandaki valley.
- Walking days are short, 2-7 hours, on good trails and road.
Elevation profile
About altitudeSleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
Show the profile as a table
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kagbeni | 2,810 m | - |
| 2 | Muktinath (Ranipauwa) | 3,700 m | - |
| 3 | Jomsom | 2,720 m | 3,762 m |
| 4 | Marpha | 2,670 m | - |
| 5 | Pokhara | 822 m | - |
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Fly Pokhara to Jomsom, walk to Kagbenisleep 2,810 m3-4 habout 11 km
An early flight of about 20 minutes between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, then a walk up the Kali Gandaki riverbed via Eklebhatti. Leave Jomsom early, before the wind rises.
Teahouse in KagbeniAbout Kagbeni
Day 2Kagbeni to Muktinathsleep 3,700 m4-5 habout 10 km
Climb the Jhong Khola valley via Khingar and Jharkot, an old village with a monastery, to Ranipauwa below the temple.
Teahouse in Ranipauwa (Muktinath)About Muktinath
Day 3Muktinath temple, then down to Jomsomsleep 2,720 m5-7 habout 19 km
Visit the temple with its 108 water spouts and the Jwala Mai shrine in the morning, then descend via Jharkot and Kagbeni. The higher trail via the Bon village of Lubra is an alternative.
Teahouse in JomsomAbout Jomsomhigh point Muktinath temple, 3,762 m
Day 4Jomsom to Marphasleep 2,670 m2-3 habout 6 km
A short walk down the valley to Marpha, with its whitewashed houses, monastery and apple orchards. A side trip to Thini village and Dhumba Lake adds 2-3 hours.
Teahouse in MarphaAbout Marpha
Day 5, travel dayMarpha to Jomsom, fly to Pokharasleep 822 m1-2 habout 6 km
Walk or drive back to Jomsom for a morning flight. Flights are often delayed by wind and cloud; the bus or jeep down the Kali Gandaki road takes most of a day.
Hotel in PokharaAbout Pokhara
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Route map
Approximate route drawn through the overnight stops.
Permits
ACAP entry permit (Annapurna Conservation Area)Conservation area
Issued at the Nepal Tourism Board permit counters in Kathmandu and Pokhara or through your agency; checked at trail checkpoints.
TIMS cardTrekker card
Check whether a TIMS card is currently required; since 2023 it has been issued through registered trekking agencies.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against National Trust for Nature Conservation (ACAP). Guide rule: The National: Nepal bans solo trekking for tourists, guides mandatory from April 1 (March 2023).
Nepal trekking permits explainedWhen to go
Best months: Mar-May, Sep-Nov
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- September to November is dry, clear and the main season; nights are cold by November.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is very cold and windy; many residents move south, some lodges close and passes can be snowbound.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is dry and pleasant, with strong afternoon winds and dust in the Kali Gandaki valley.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is a good time because Mustang lies in the rain shadow, but roads and flights further south can be disrupted by landslides and cloud.
Getting there and back
Getting to Kagbeni, by mode
Nearest hub: Jomsom. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By airfrom Pokharaabout 0.3-0.6 hJomsomoften delayed or cancelled by weather
Fly Pokhara to Jomsom in about 20 minutes, then take a jeep or walk the 8-12 km north to Kagbeni. Flights are early-morning only because the gorge wind builds during the day.
When to set off: Flights are scheduled in the early morning, when wind speeds in the gorge are lowest; keep a spare day in the plan.
By busfrom Jomsomabout 0.5-1 hLocal buses
Short local service north along the Kali Gandaki; in the monsoon the long leg from Pokhara up to Jomsom is the uncertain part, not this stage.
When to set off: Local buses and shared jeeps run through the morning from Jomsom.
By car or jeepfrom Jomsomabout 0.5-1 h
A short jeep run north from Jomsom on the riverbed road; the Upper Mustang checkpoint is at the north end of the village.
Road: Unsealed riverbed road; a jeep is normal, and river levels govern the line taken.
By motorbikefrom Jomsomabout 0.5-1 hModerate riding
Short and manageable on a trail bike, but the surface is loose riverbed gravel and the wind is strong by afternoon.
Road: Loose gravel and sand on the riverbed road, with strong afternoon headwinds.
When to set off: Ride in the morning, before the valley wind builds.
On footfrom Jomsomabout 2.5-4 hAbout 3 hours north along the Kali Gandaki riverbed, roughly 8-12 km with very little height gain.
The classic approach, walking up the broad braided riverbed from Jomsom; start early because of the wind.
Where people go next
- Jomsomby car or jeep, about 0.5-1 hBack down to the airstrip and bus stand.
- Muktinathby car or jeep, about 1-2 hUp through Khingar and Jharkot to Ranipauwa, or 3-4 hours on foot.
- Chhusangon foot, about 5-7 hFirst stage into Upper Mustang, via Tangbe; a restricted-area permit is checked at Kagbeni.
- Lo Manthangby car or jeep, about 6-9 hJeep north on the Upper Mustang track, four to five days on foot.
Seasonal risks
Typical seasonal exposure along the route, merged from the stops that have a place page. Seasonal patterns only, never conditions today.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Mustang is a rain-shadow district, but its lifeline road from Beni through the Kali Gandaki gorge is prone to landslides and flooding from June to September.
Recorded for Mustang, Kagbeni, Muktinath, Jomsom and 1 more. Jomsom, Wikivoyage
Road blockageshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Expect monsoon delays and vehicle changes on the Pokhara-Jomsom road rather than a dependable through service; the dry season from about October to May is far more reliable.
Recorded for Mustang, Jomsom. Jomsom, Wikivoyage
Otherhigh in a typical yearAll year
Jomsom's airstrip is windy and below visual-approach minimums roughly 15 per cent of the year, and flights are scheduled early in the morning before the southerly wind builds.
Recorded for Mustang, Kagbeni, Muktinath, Jomsom and 1 more. Jomsom Airport, Wikipedia
Coldhigh in a typical yearDec-Feb
Winter in the upper district falls to around -25 C or lower and many residents move south, so December to February is cold and thinly served.
Recorded for Mustang, Kagbeni, Muktinath, Jomsom and 1 more. Upper Mustang, Wikipedia
Snowhigh in a typical yearNov-Apr
The Thorong La (5,416 m) above Muktinath holds snow from late autumn into spring and is not reliably crossed in deep winter; the road approach from Jomsom stays the dependable way in.
Recorded for Mustang, Muktinath. Upper Mustang, Wikipedia
Altitudemoderate in a typical yearAll year
Most Mustang villages lie between about 2,500 m and 3,900 m, and the Thorong La reaches 5,416 m. Altitude sickness becomes common above roughly 2,500 m. General information, not medical advice: gain height slowly (a common guideline is no more than about 300 m a day in sleeping altitude once high), learn the symptoms, descend if they get worse, see a doctor before travelling, and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Recorded for Mustang, Muktinath. Altitude sickness, Wikipedia
Check current conditions before you travel
Nothing here describes the Jomsom Muktinath Trek today. Trail, road, pass and flight conditions change with the weather and with roadworks. Check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal and the local authority or your licensed operator before and during the trek.
Weather on the route
Forecasts for start (Kagbeni, 2,810 m), highest overnight (Muktinath, 3,700 m), end (Pokhara, 822 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
Weather in Kagbeni (start)
Forecast for 2,810 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Muktinath (highest overnight)
Forecast for 3,700 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Pokhara (end)
Forecast for 822 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Safety
Muktinath sits at about 3,700-3,800 m. Flying to Jomsom and climbing quickly can cause altitude illness; do not go higher with a headache or nausea, and descend if it gets worse. This is general information, not medical advice.
Wind in the Kali Gandaki valley builds from late morning and can be strong and dusty; walk early.
Jeeps and motorbikes use the road; take the footpaths where marked and watch for traffic on shared sections.
Jomsom flights are frequently cancelled; keep a spare day before onward international flights.
What to pack
- Windproof jacket and buff or scarf for dust
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sun cream
- Warm layers for cold mornings and evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes or light boots
- Water bottle and purification tablets
- Modest clothing for temple visits
Side trips and alternatives
From Kagbeni, a restricted-area trek north to Lo Manthang.
A short walk from Jomsom to an old village and a small lake with views of Nilgiri.
Continue down the Kali Gandaki to Tatopani and, if you wish, climb to Ghorepani and Poon Hill.
Jomsom Muktinath questions
How many days is the Jomsom Muktinath trek?
About 4 to 8 days from Pokhara, depending on side trips and weather delays for flights.
How high is Muktinath?
The temple is at about 3,710-3,800 m depending on the source; Ranipauwa village below it is about 3,700 m.
Can I do the trek without flying?
Yes. Buses and jeeps run from Pokhara via Beni to Jomsom, usually a long day or two.
Do I need a permit?
An ACAP permit is required; check whether a TIMS card is currently needed. Going north of Kagbeni into Upper Mustang needs a restricted-area permit.
Is this trek suitable for beginners?
Walking days are short and the trails are good, but the altitude is significant. Take it slowly and allow spare days.
Similar treks
A restricted-area trek north from Kagbeni through the eroded canyons of the former Kingdom of Lo to the walled town of Lo Manthang, returning via Lo Gekar and Dhakmar.
- Days
- 12 days
- Maximum altitude
- 4,325 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
A short teahouse loop from Pokhara through Magar and Gurung villages and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani and the Poon Hill viewpoint (3,210 m), returning via Tadapani and Ghandruk.
- Days
- 4 days
- Maximum altitude
- 3,210 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
Editorial draft: altitudes, permits and rules are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Wikivoyage: Annapurna Circuit, Wikipedia: Upper Mustang, National Trust for Nature Conservation (ACAP), OpenStreetMap (village and camp coordinates)
Jomsom Muktinath · 5 days