Jomsom Muktinath Trek terrain & difficulty
Jomsom Muktinath Trek is a moderate trek. Anyone can do this trek under proper guidance and support. The trail is steep and rugged at many places. You will be walking through the gorge and narrow pathways. There are numerous ascents and descents throughout the trek.
You have to walk 5 to 7 hours a day. As the elevation increases, the chances of altitude sickness also increase. Therefore, ample rest days and steady gain in altitude are crucial to keeping yourself away from altitude sickness. You can learn more about it here.
To go on Jomsom Muktinath Trek, you have to be physically fit and be in good health. Mental preparation and determination are also needed. Even though the Jomsom Muktinath Trekking is relatively easier than most of the famous treks, walking long hours on Himalayan terrain is no joke.
So, prepare your body and work on your stamina. Go on a few hikes and get used to long walking hours. Learn more about altitude sickness here.
Jomsom Muktinath Trek permit
You will need Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit and TIMS Card for Jomsom Muktinath Trek. This trek explores the lower part of the Mustang region, so you do not have to get a restricted area permit. The permits are obtained from Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu, and are also available in Pokhara.
TIMS permit per person for independent trekkers: 2,000 NPR (Approx. USD 20)
TIMS permit per person in a group: 1,000 NPR (Approx. USD 10)
ACAP entry permit fee for SAARC nationals: 200 NPR
ACAP permit fee for foreigners: 3,000 NPR (Approx. USD 30)
*Note: If you are trekking with us, then we will arrange all the necessary permits for the trek. You will be asked for documents to obtain the permits during the booking.
Best time to go on Jomsom Muktinath Trek
The best time to do Jomsom Muktinath Trekking is in spring and autumn. Nepal sees spring from March to April and autumn from October to November. These two seasons have the most stable weather in the Himalayas, therefore trekking at this time of the year is considered suitable.
The temperature ranges from 0°C to 15°C. The higher elevation is much colder. Likewise, nights and mornings are colder than the daytime. You can see a range of vegetation and flowers while trekking in spring and autumn. The views are clear and fabulous.
If you want to trek in winter- December to February, then you have to be properly prepared to face extreme cold and unstable weather. Winter views are the best for sure but on foggy days, you may not get to see any panorama too.
Likewise, monsoon/summer is the off-season. Heavy rainfall increases the risk of landslides and makes the trail slippery/muddy. It is not a good time to trek.
Food & Accommodation
You will stay overnight in teahouses during the Jomsom Muktinath Trek 11 Days. All the meals will be provided as per the menu of the teahouses. You will get three meals a day. Carry extra snacks and bars to munch while trekking. Drinking water is available in every teahouse to refill. For extra safety, you can buy water purification tablets or SteriPen.
You can get dishes like dal bhat tarkari, veggies, mashed potatoes, chapati, veg curry, non-veg curry, salad, momo, noodles, pizza, burger, sandwich, thukpa, thenduk, Tibetan bread, soup, porridge, oatmeal, muesli, toast, eggs, sausage, tea, coffee, etc for meals.
The teahouse accommodation is the simplest accommodation on the trail. The rooms are small and clean, with an attached washroom and twin beds. Single bedrooms are also available if you need them. The facilities in the teahouse are basic. You cannot hope for tv, hot shower, room service, etc in most of the places.
Tips to make the journey smooth
Some good Nepali brands sell high-quality trekking clothes and gear. You don't have to carry all those heavy luggage from your home. You can buy or rent in Kathmandu at an affordable price.
Make sure all the gears and clothing are good to go.
Don't forget to include air evacuation up to 6,000 meters and medical bills in your travel insurance.
Carry a reusable water bottle. Buying plastic water bottles during the cost will cost you a lot of money.
Make sure to drink at least 2 liters of water and other fluids during the trek to keep yourself hydrated. A dehydrated body can suffer from altitude sickness easily.
Resect locals and their culture. Feel free to interact with them, and don't be shy. Start with a big smile & Namaste, and everything will fall align automatically.
You can charge your devices in the teahouse. There are charging stations in every teahouse, however you may have to pay a few extra bucks to use the service. Extra batteries or a solar charger will save you money.
The internet connection remains unstable most of the time, whether you use WiFi or cellular data. Don't get obsessed over sharing the trip details on social media, and keep it for later.
You will need extra cash to buy services out of the package like hot shower, snacks, beverages during the trek, and the shop owners only accept cash. So, withdraw enough cash in the city to use during the trek. There's no ATM on the route.
If you get confused about tipping, then follow this advice- USD 100 to guide & porter, USD 5 to tour guide, and USD 2 to driver (by each member of the group).
