The Muktinath Trek, situated in lower Mustang and part of the renowned Annapurna Circuit trek. Offers a captivating blend of culture, adventure, and the breathtaking landscapes of the region. This trek has several standout attractions. The renowned mountain viewpoint of Poon Hill, the natural hot springs at Tatopani, the ancient village Marpha known for its apple orchards. Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang, and the sacred pilgrimage site of Muktinath Temple with its 108 sacred springs and eternal flame.
In addition, the journey takes you through a diverse range of landscapes. Starting with lush greenery at lower elevations, passing through the world’s deepest gorge – the Kaligandaki River Gorge. And then ascending to arid high-altitude terrain. Along the way, you’ll be treated to panoramic vistas of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna II-IV, Mt. Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhare, Tukuche Peak, and Lamjung Himal. The trek encompasses sandy trails, rocky landscapes, charming villages, ancient monasteries, and snow-capped mountains, creating a uniquely unforgettable experience.
The Muktinath Trek commences in Nayapul and includes a visit to the popular Ghorepani Poon Hill viewpoint, where the first rays of the sun illuminate the majestic Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayas. En route, you’ll traverse lush green forests and pass through scattered villages inhabited by Brahmins and Chhetris. Don’t forget to take a refreshing dip in the natural hot springs at Tatopani. As you progress, you’ll follow the Kaligandaki River valley, occasionally using gravel roads and shortcutting across suspension bridges. The enchanting Rupse Waterfall and the meandering Kaligandaki River will add to the joy of your walk.
Also, the Marpha village, renowned for its local apple products, stands as one of the largest settlements in the area. Upon reaching Muktinath, you’ll notice a dramatic shift in the landscape and architectural styles, transitioning to a barren Himalayan terrain. From Muktinath, the trail descends to Kagbeni and then to the village of Jomsom. The following day, a flight will transport you to Pokhara, concluding your memorable journey.
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Later in the evening, we will have a pre-departure meeting regarding the details of your trip.
We’ll pick you up from your hotel in the morning and drive out of the Kathmandu valley along the Prithvi Highway to reach the picturesque town of Pokhara. During the journey, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the Ganesh, Manaslu, and Annapurna mountain ranges, as well as scenic river valleys, terraced fields, and local villages. Once we arrive at your hotel in Pokhara, you can explore the Lakeside area or even take a boat ride on Fewa Lake to visit Tal Barahi Temple.
We begin our day with a scenic two-hour drive from Pokhara to Ulleri. Along the way, we’ll be treated to charming views of quaint villages and our first glimpses of the Annapurna South and Mt. Fishtail. Upon reaching Ulleri, we set foot on the trail, marking the commencement of our hike towards Ghorepani. The initial part of the trek takes us through a vibrant rhododendron forest. The path gradually ascends, transitioning into a gentler route that guides us through meadows and fields, showcasing the natural beauty of the landscape. Ultimately, our journey brings us to Ghorepani, a village highly favored by trekkers for its strategic location and unique charm. This delightful village is home to the Gurung and Magar communities, further adding to its popularity and appeal.
Today will be one of the highlight of our trekking adventure. Our day kicks off before sunrise as we rise early for an exhilarating hike to Poon Hill, situated at an elevation of 3210 meters. The ascent to Poon Hill typically takes about 45 minutes, and the anticipation of witnessing the sunrise over the Himalayas fills us with excitement. Upon reaching the summit of Poon Hill, we are greeted by a truly awe-inspiring spectacle as the first rays of sunlight paint the sky in vibrant shades of orange and gold. The panoramic vista that unfolds before us is nothing short of mesmerizing. From this elevated vantage point, a majestic lineup of peaks comes into view, including Dhaulagiri (8,167m), the Annapurnas, Machhapuchhre (6,997m), Manaslu (8,163m), and many more.
Having soaked in the beauty and serenity of Poon Hill, we make our way back to the hotel. Following a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we continue our trek towards Tatopani. We traverse many ridges amidst thick pine and rhododendron forest and pass by cascading waterfall along the way. We will also get a glimpse of snow-covered mountains before arriving at the quaint village of Tatopani. This picturesque village, situated by the river, boasts natural hot springs where you can enjoy a soothing soak for ultimate relaxation.
Today, our trekking takes us along a section of the renowned Annapurna Circuit Trek. We’ll commence our trek alongside the Kaligandaki River, which carves its way through the world’s deepest gorge. As we make our ascent, we’ll gradually transition into subtropical terrain, passing through notable landmarks like a suspension bridge, the impressive Rupse Waterfall, and charming villages such as Dana and Kopchepani, before reaching the Thakali-inhabited village of Ghasa.
Our trek today takes us through a variety of landscapes, beginning amidst the pine trees and gradually transitioning into tropical forests as we make our way up to Lete and Kalopani villages. Our route follows the northward course of the Kali Gandaki River, hugging its riverbed until we encounter a rugged terrain. Here, we’ll cross a suspension bridge and traverse through a forest adorned with juniper, cypress, and fir trees. Along the way, we’ll pass through villages like Larjung and Kobang, offering us glimpses of lush apple orchards and stunning panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Fang, the towering icefall, and the majestic Annapurna I mountains before reaching Tukuche. As we venture deeper into this arid, windswept region, our journey eventually leads us to the charming village of Marpha. Nestled beside the Kaligandaki River, Marpha is characterized by its pristine white houses and neatly paved streets. The village is renowned for its abundant apple orchards and is also home to an ancient monastery, adding to the village’s unique appeal.
The trail persists along the valley’s edge, gently ascending until it crosses a low ridge leading to Jomsom Village. Beyond Jomsom, the afternoons can be quite windy. The trek proceeds along a gradual path following the Kali Gandaki riverbed, where we cross the Pang Khola and arrive at Ekley-Bhatti village. An easy hour-long walk brings us to Kagbeni, nestled at the confluence of two rivers. Kagbeni is a captivating, wind-swept village situated along the historic Trans-Himalayan salt trade route to Tibet. This village is a gateway to the once forbidden kingdom, Upper Mustang.
Leaving Kagbeni behind, the path ascends steeply, offering enchanting views of the Annapurna Himalayas and Dhaulagiri, eventually rejoining the main trail leading to Khingar. As we continue, the trail takes us through a desert-like landscape to reach Jarkot Village. Another ascent brings us to the sacred destination of Muktinath. Situated in the foothills of the Thorong La pass, Muktinath holds immense significance for both Hindus and Buddhists and is regarded as one of the holiest temples in the world.
In the morning we explore sacred Muktinath Temple. The main attractions of this temple are Samba Gompa, Jwalamai temple with its Eternal flame, 108 water spouts, Syange Buddha – tallest Buddha Idol made by rock at the highest altitude. Thousands of devotees visit this holy site to offer their homage. After breakfast, we then drive to Jomsom on the familiar road.
In the morning, we will board on a scenic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara and then connecting flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu we will drop you at your respective hotel.
