Jomsom Muktinath Trek – 9 Days

Trek Difficulty

The Jomsom Muktinath Trek is considered moderate (sometimes called “easy-medium”). You walk on well-defined trails; there are no technical sections or snowfields. The highest altitude is 3,760 m, but the ascent is gradual.

You can plan on trekking 4–6 hours per day. Even beginners with basic fitness can do this trek – we provide porters so you only carry a daypack. One guide describes this route as “one of the easiest and most rewarding treks in Nepal”.

Weather and Best Season

The Jomsom Muktinath Trek section lies in a high-altitude rain-shadow, so it is relatively dry compared to Pokhara and the Ghorepani side of the trek.

The best time is spring (Mar–May) or autumn (Sept–Nov). In spring, rhododendron forests bloom; in autumn, the skies clear after the monsoon. Days warm up to 15–20°C, but nights can be cold (often below freezing above 3,000 m).

Note: afternoons can be very windy in upper Mustang, while mornings are calm. Winter (Dec–Feb) nights often freeze; summer brings occasional rain. Always carry sun protection and layers to handle variable conditions.

Food & Drink

All meals on the Jomsom Muktinath Trek are included. Mountain lodges serve hot Nepali dishes three times a day. Typical meals are dal bhat (lentils and rice), vegetable curry, soups, and eggs, and breakfast often includes porridge or eggs.

Most lodges also offer Western dishes (pasta, pizza, pancakes) for variety. Drinking water must be boiled or treated; lodges provide boiled water each morning.

You can buy bottled water as well (NPR 100 per bottle), but it’s best to use the free boiled water and bring purification tablets.

Snacks (energy bars, cookies) can be bought at teahouses (at premium prices), so we recommend carrying some of your favorites. Soft drinks and local beers are available for purchase (e.g., beer ~NPR 300).

Altitude Sickness

The Jomsom Muktinath Trek’s highest point (Muktinath, 3,760 m) is moderate for a Himalayan trek. Most people feel only mild symptoms (like a headache) if at all.

Our route includes natural acclimatization breaks (such as the Poon Hill sunrise trekfollowed by sleeping lower) to help prevent illness.

To stay safe, it is important to walk slowly, drink enough water, and eat well during the trek. It is also a good idea to talk with your doctor in advance about whether Diamox (acetazolamide) is suitable for you.

Our guide will carry a first aid kit and an oximeter to check your oxygen level. You will follow the “climb high, sleep low” method, which means you will walk to higher viewpoints like Poon Hill but return to lower places for the night to help your body adjust safely.

If anyone feels unwell, you will stop or descend. Severe cases are rare on this trek, but the guide will evacuate to a lower altitude if needed.

Preparation and Fitness

Jomsom Muktinath Trek is easier to make comfortable when properly prepared. Before the trip, it is useful to undergo four to six weeks of light cardiovascular exercises like jogging, cycling, or swimming.

Incorporating hill-climbing exercise, such as climbing stairs or walking on small hills with a small pack on your back, will enhance your stamina. Squats, lunges, and core exercises are also strength exercises that will support your legs and balance out on the trail.

Try practicing downhill walking to strengthen your knees, and make sure your hiking boots are already well-worn and feel comfortable. When you can, have some long walks on back-to-back days, because the trip is a few days of constant hiking.

Moderate daily physical condition: Walking: Walking (average speed of five kilometers an hour) is sufficient, in combination with our slow step and the assistance of the porter.

Visa and Permits

The majority of foreigners require a Nepal tourist visa, except those from India. The visa is normally issued to the travelers at the Kathmandu airport or at the main land borders. A fifteen-day visa is approximately USD 30, hence it is good to carry some cash and two passport-size photographs.

The Jomsom Muktinath Trek may require the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS card. ACAP charges approximately NPR 3000 and TIMS approximately NPR 2000, which are incorporated in our package.

All the permits are organized in Pokhara, and you only have to bring your passport and permit cards to trek.

Health & Safety

Travelers are generally safe in Nepal. Normal precautions measure: use good transport, lock up valuables, and avoid nighttime travel to distant areas.

Altitude and weather are the primary issues on the trek. Avoid sunburns using high-SPF sunscreens, sunglasses, and lip balms. Stay hydrated: drink only boiled or treated water.

Hygiene at lodges is usually good (boiled food/water). Altitude is the key health risk – take it slowly and eat well. In case of illness or injury, your guide has a medical kit and a satellite phone.

Roads can be dusty; motion-sickness pills or face masks can help sensitive travelers. Eating raw or unwashed foods is not recommended.

Transportation

The entire distance covered in the Jomsom Muktinath Trek is covered by personal 4-wheel drive jeeps. The number of passengers in these jeeps ranges between six and eight and is appropriate for the mountain roads.

Rides on Jeeps are organized on day two, day five, day six, and day nine, and the drivers are all qualified professionals in the area. Some of the roads are winding and rough; thus, it is significant to wear a seat belt.

We will make frequent visits on the way to have a meal and take a break. Even though there are also public buses running between Pokhara and Jomsom, we prefer using jeeps, which are faster and more comfortable.

Duffel bags with a maximum weight of fifteen kilograms per person are the best way to pack the baggage. The bags will be loaded by our porter on the vehicle.

In case of weather or a landslide on the road, we have alternatives, and in certain instances, we can reroute or even walk. Airports Transport to and out of the Pokhara airport before and after the trek is also provided.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for this Jomsom Muktinath Trek. Your policy should cover trekking up to at least 4,000 m, emergency medical treatment, and helicopter evacuation from Muktinath or lower. Many airlines and Nepali tour operators require proof of insurance before issuing tickets or permitting participation.

We recommend adding trip cancellation and COVID-19 coverage as well. Keep a copy of your policy and emergency contact info with you. In case of a serious emergency, our guide can coordinate a rescue, but without insurance, this would be extremely costly.

Alternative Routes

While our itinerary is fixed, there are alternatives if you wish to modify. You could fly from Pokhara to Jomsom at the start (20-minute scenic flight), and then trek back from Jomsom to Pokhara (skipping Day 2).

A one-way flight home from Jomsom is also possible (weather permitting). Helicopter charters to/from Muktinath are another option (at a high extra cost).

For adventurous trekkers: after the Jomsom Muktinath Trek, you could continue into Upper Mustang (special permit required) or join the full Annapurna Circuit (crossing Thorong La).

On the other hand, if you prefer even less trekking, a local pony can sometimes be hired for riding, while porters or mules carry your bags. Let us know your interests, and we can arrange extensions or custom routes.

Your Extra Expenses

Your additional costs on the Jomsom Muktinath Trek are usually minimal, but you should think it over. The price of drinks and snacks like tea, coffee, bottled water, or power bars is a bit higher in the mountains.

Most lodges use minimal charges for hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging of electrical devices. You also pay for any personal items such as alcohol, souvenirs, or meals not included in the group program.

Laundry is only offered in Kathmandu or in Pokhara, and it costs around NPR 200 per kilogram. The guide and porter accept tips, which are not mandatory, but most trekkers will give an average of USD 10-15 as a token of gratitude at the end of the day. You can also require some money to buy soap and water, phone refills, or simple treatment.

Carry as many Nepalese rupees as you can in small bills, since ATMs are ineffective in the more remote regions, and a credit card is hardly ever accepted on the trail. In Pokhara, USD or EUR can be changed, though it is always advisable to carry along as many rupees as is required and then begin the trek.

Language & Communication

Language and communication in the Jomsom Muktinath Trek journey are not normally difficult for the visitor. The national language is Nepali, with some older locals in Mustang speaking Tibetan or Thakali, although the majority of people in the tourism sector can speak Nepali and some English.

Our guides understand good English, and the staff of the lodges normally understand good English to place food orders and to help tourists.

The locals actually like the Nepali expressions, such as Namaste when saying hello and Dhanyabad when saying thank you. There are also numerous signs and menus written in English. Any minor language barriers can be easily overcome with a friendly smile and a polite approach.

Mobile Network, Internet & Charging Facilities

Mobile phone coverage exists in all major villages on this route. The main networks are NTC and Ncell. In general, NTC tends to work better at higher altitudes, while Ncell is stronger in lower towns.

By the time you reach Jomsom and Muktinath, you should have signal and even 3G/4G data. Along the way, you may lose signal in forested stretches (e.g., Nangethanti, Ghorepani) but regain it in villages.

All our lodges have electricity each evening (usually solar or generator), so you can charge devices. Charging is often free, or about NPR 50 for outlets.

We recommend carrying a power bank for peace of mind. Some lodges offer Wi-Fi (paid) mostly in towns; don’t count on it in the high camp sites.

Don’ts on This Trip

Be respectful to the natural environment and the local culture. Never leave litter, tissues, or other waste that you are carrying. Do not pick flowers or plants or disturb animals.

On visiting temples, you should take off your shoes and not wear loose clothes. Before taking any photos of people, it is also good to ask their permission, particularly from monks or women. There should be no loud or inappropriate behavior.

Do not take non-prescription drugs or be careless on the trail. In areas that are safeguarded, open fires are prohibited, and therefore, no campfires should be prepared. To maintain your safety, please do as your guide instructs you to do. On the whole, be polite and responsible in terms of travel.

Trip Extension

There are lots of nice add-ons that you can easily fit into your trip to Nepal, in case you have additional days in Nepal. Jungle safaris in Chitwan or Bardiya, cultural tours about Kathmandu Valley, or a tranquil trip to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, are all the most popular.

In Pokhara, you can take a boat ride in Phewa Lake, fly a paraglider, ultra-light flights, zip-lining, or even go rafting in the  Trishuli River.

Other visitors also prefer to keep trekking to the Annapurna Circuit area or visit Upper Mustang with the necessary clearance.

We will gladly organize any of these activities for you, like additional nights in Pokhara or transport to Kathmandu. Just tell us what you like, and we will assist you in planning the ideal extension to your trip to Nepal.

Photography & Drone Rules

You can take pictures of the amazing view and the old villages during the Jomsom Muktinath Trek. Always ask permission when taking pictures of people, particularly monks, or when taking pictures of people praying.

Cameras might not be allowed to enter the interior of temples or observe marked signs. Drones: Nepal has very strict regulations about drones.

Foreign travelers require a permit from Nepal’s aviation authority, which we do not obtain. We recommend not flying a drone on this trek.

If you do have one, fly only in open areas (not near temples or wildlife) and keep it very low-key. Enjoy landscape and wildlife photos, but always respect privacy and local rules.

Tips for First-Time Visitors

Bring your clothes in layers, including a short-sleeve shirt, a warm fleece, a waterproof jacket, a hat, and gloves. The Jomsom Muktinath Trek of above two thousand meters can be cold at night. Carry heavy hiking shoes and woolen socks, and have a pair of sandals along, which can be used in the lodges.

Bring enough money to the trip, and even small bills such as NPR 100 or 500 can be of great use. Consume purified or boiled water, keep hydrated, and take light snacks between meals.

Sunglasses and sunscreen are necessary since higher altitudes can have a strong sun. Take a slow and comfortable walk, and stop when necessary. Keep in mind that the hike is not to be hurried, but rather pleasant.

Honor local traditions; it is always welcome when one greets another with a soft Namaste. Be optimistic and adaptable; due to mountain weather and road conditions, plans may fluctuate. Most importantly, take in the warm Nepali hospitality and appreciate every moment of the trip.