The following few days are spent traveling back along the Kali Gandaki gorge ( Kali Gandaki Gorge is depest gorge in the world) passing through many fascinating Thakali villages along the way. Marpha village in particular is a very pleasant “stop off” point. It is famous for its apple brandy (you can visit the brewery).On from Marpha towards Kalapani where the scenery changes becoming a lot more alpine. A further two days through pine forests towards the hot springs of Tatopani (Natural hot spring) where we rest up for a day. Two more days trekking up before reaching Ghorepani Poon hill for sun rise over the Himalayas . Ghorepani poon Hill is probably the best Himalayan panoramic view place in Annapurna region.On our return we stop for one night in the beautiful large Gurung village of Ghandruk and great views of Annapurna south and Machhapachare. Our last day is an easy descent to Nayapull where transport awaits for the one & half hour journey to the hotel in Pokhara. A very rewarding trek providing insight into different cultures as well as a wide range of scenery and tremendous mountain views.

Jomsom Muktinath Trekking Trip Highlight

Trekking duration: 15 days

Starting from: Pokhara or Jomsom

Ending at: Pokhara

Grade: Moderate

Highest access of the trek: Muktinath Temple(3802 meters)

Culture: mixed culture with Gurungs, & Thakalis

Mode of trekking tour: Teahouse(lodge)or camping trek

Himalayan sights: Dhawalagir, Nilgiri, , Annapurna,

Splendid breathtaking place: Hindu’s pilgrim and the land escape of Nepal’s hidden treasure Mustang
Option I.Jomsom Muktinath Trekking itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in kathmandu 1334m, transfer to hotel , Jomsom muktinath trekking briefing with officially arrangements. overnight at kathmandu..

Day 02: Katmandu to pokhara by tourist bus or by flight.overnight at pokhara.(915m).

Day 03: Pokhara fly to Jomsom (2713m)than trek to Kagbeni (2810m).

Day 04: Kagbeni trek to Muktinath Temple(3802m).

Day 05: In the morning Muktinath temple excursion & trek to Marpha(2613m)

Day 06: Marpha trek to Larjung (2512m)

Day 07: Larjung trek to Ghasa (2013m)

Day 08: Ghasa trek to Tatopani /Natural Hot spring (1179m)

Day 09: Tatopani (Natural hot spring) trek to Shikha village(1920m)

Day 10: Shikha village trek to Ghorepani (2810m)

Day 11: Early in the morning , Himalaya Journey Treks & Expedition’s trekking guide will take to you Poon Hill 3210m for superb Himalayan scenery including the Dhaulagiri 8167m, Nilgiri 7041m, Fishtail/Machhapuchhare 6998m, Annapurna I 8091m, Annapurna II 7939m , Annapurna III7555m, Annapurna IV 7525m, Annapurna south 7219m, Hiunchuli 6441m, Lamjung Himal 6986m,Tukuche peak 6920m etc , breakfast at ghorepani and continue trek to Tikhedhunga/Hile (1577m).

Day 12: Tikhedunga/Hile trek to Nayapul than by private vehicle to pokhara (915m). short sightseeing around pokhara valley. overnight at pokhara hotel.

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Milarepa’s Cave or Namkading Cave is a cave where the great Tibetan Buddhist philosopher, and Vajrayana Mahasiddha, Milarepa (c. 1052—c. 1135 CE), spent many years of his life in the eleventh century, 11 km north of the town of Nyalam, below the roadside and above the Matsang river in Nyalam County, Tibet.

The magic places of the Annapurna circuit . Between hondge and Brage you can follow the little  valley to the south and reach the Milarepa Gompa.

Description of the cave

Milarepa’s cave, which overlooks the entrance to the hidden valley of Lapchi Gang, is entered from the gompa’s vestibule. Pilgrim’s offerings of decorated stones along the path and sweet-smelling herbs and wild flowers growing all around make this a place of great peace and beauty. The cave itself is kept as a shrine by two monks, guarding a statue of Milarepa enclosed in a glass case. In the cave is an impression in the rock attributed to Milarepa’s sitting meditation posture and a hand print said to have been created when Milarepa helped Rechungpa (1083/4-1161 CE), his student, use a boulder to prop up the ceiling. There are images of Milarepa, Tsongkhapa, and Shrideva, a protectress whose mule is said to have left a footprint in the stone when she visited Milarepa in a vision.

Restoration work within the cave and the monastery was undertaken by artists and craftsmen from Nepal and was financed by the Chinese government in the 1970s.

The caves are located in the cliffs above and to the right of the Gompa. It is said the original cave with the year round spring has been covered up by a rock slide but there are still several others to visit one of which contains a bow to commemorate the story of a hunter who came across Milarepa and was so impressed by the saint he became a disciple. It would be a great place to camp and spend a couple of days exploring and getting aclimatized. The Gompa is sheltered from the cold prevailing winds and catches the sun due to it’s southerly aspect, but venture a few hundred meters further up the moraine to the glacier proper and it can be bitterly cold.

This is a very peaceful and beautiful place and it felt good to be there.

You can see the prayer flags in the distance festooned everywhere. Head up this valley through a patch of beech trees and the Gompa is tucked in a grassy clearing against the cliff. Journey takes a couple of hours if you keep going but it is tempting to laze around in some of the spots en route. As I remember there is no water until the Gompa. The gullies were dry.

Milarepa Gompa is nestled over the brow of the hill under the prayer flags to the right

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There are a lots of options for brief treks in the foothills to the north of Pokhara. Generally of these variations want visit Ghandruk and Ghorepani. Poonhill is the most excellent viewpoint for panoramic view of Annapurna Himalayan range, can be reached simply from Ghorepani. Ghandruk is a huge traditional Gurung village while Ghorepani is the settlement beneath the famed vantage point of Poonhill. The itinerary suits for those who like to see and feel within short epoch of time, a beautiful panoramic mountain vista from the altitude of 3210m along with about traditional villages and their culture.

Trekking highlights:

Typica Gurung and Magar villages at Ulleri and Ghandruk, sunrise and mountain view from Poonhill, rhododendron and alpine trees.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 01: Kathmandu to Pokhara (200 km/ 6-7 hours): Drive by bus/car or fly.

Day 02: Pokhara to Tikhedhunga (1577 m.): Drive for one hour, trek.

Day 03: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2855 m.): Trek.

Day 04: Ghorepani to Poon hill to Tadapani (2650 m.): Trek.

Day 05: Tadapani to Ghandruk (1960 m.): Trek.

Day 06: Ghandruk to Pokhara via Birethanti (1040 m.): Trek, drive for one hour.

Day 07: Pokhara to Kathmandu (200 km/ 6-7 hours): Drive by bus/car or fly.

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