Jomsom - Muktinath Trek

Also known as Lower Mustang Trek.

Jomsom - Muktinath Trek is an easy 4-6-day teahouse trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, reaching 3,800 m. It starts at Jomsom (fly or drive from Pokhara) and ends at Jomsom (fly or drive back to Pokhara).

Key facts

Region
Annapurna (Mustang)
Duration
4-6 days, 3-6 hours walking per day
Distance
38 km
Maximum altitude
3,800 m
Difficulty
Easy — Short walking days (3-6 h) on good trails and jeep tracks through the semi-arid Kali Gandaki valley, with comfortable lodges throughout. The only real stressors are the 3,800 m high point at Muktinath - reached quickly if you fly straight to 2,720 m - and the valley's notorious afternoon winds and flight cancellations.
Trek type
Teahouse, out-and-back route
Best season
Autumn (Oct-Nov) and Spring (Mar-May); rain-shadow location also allows monsoon trekking
Guide
Not mandatory
Restricted area
No
Budget cost
NPR 25,000–40,000
Comfortable cost
NPR 55,000–85,000
Guided cost
NPR 84,000–120,000
Getting there
Kathmandu → Pokhara (tourist bus 6-8 h or flight 25 min) → Jomsom (flight 20-25 min, mornings only; or bus/jeep via Beni and the Kali Gandaki road, 8-10 h) → trek Kagbeni-Muktinath loop → return the same way
Altitude sickness
Low to moderate: flying from Pokhara (820 m) to Jomsom (2,720 m) and reaching Muktinath (3,800 m) within 48 h can trigger mild AMS in some trekkers, but sleeping altitudes stay at or below ~3,700 m and descent is quick and easy.

Weather

Lower Mustang sits in the Himalayan rain shadow, so it is one of the few Annapurna treks that works through the monsoon (though flights still get grounded and the Beni road suffers landslides). Fierce, dust-laden southerly winds funnel up the Kali Gandaki every day from late morning - walk early. Winter is cold and windy with snow possible around Muktinath but trails usually stay open.

Permits

Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Pokhara to Jomsom, 1 h, 2,720 m — Flight threads the world's deepest gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I; Jomsom bazaar, Nilgiri views, Mustang Eco Museum
  2. Day 2: Jomsom to Kagbeni, 3-4 h, 2,810 m — Wind-sculpted Kali Gandaki riverbed (saligram fossil hunting), medieval mud-walled alleys of Kagbeni, Kag Chode monastery, gateway views into Upper Mustang
  3. Day 3: Kagbeni to Muktinath (Ranipauwa), 4-5 h, 3,700 m — Steady climb out of the gorge via Khinga and Jharkot's fortress village and monastery; first full Dhaulagiri panorama
  4. Day 4: Muktinath to Jomsom, 5-6 h, 2,720 m — Dawn visit to Muktinath temple (3,710-3,800 m): 108 water spouts, eternal flame, joint Hindu-Buddhist pilgrimage site; descend via Lupra's Bon village or Eklebhatti
  5. Day 5: Jomsom to Pokhara, 0 h, 820 m — Morning mountain flight past Nilgiri and Machhapuchhre

More Annapurna treks