Annapurna Circuit Jomsom Trek

TREKKING REVIEW

Annapurna Circuit Jomsom Trek offers you a rare opportunity to experience a great variety of landscapes, cultures, people and flora and fauna in a single trekking including the spectacular mountain views from many view points during the trekking trail are simply superb. Annapurna Circuit Jomsom Trek starts from Benshisahar after a 8 hours drive from Kathmandu, then the Annapurna Circuit Jomsom Trek route goes along the Valley of Marshyangdi River the trek passes through hilly villages and forests. On the fourth day of Annapurna Circuit Jomsom Trek we reach exotic Manang village at 3500m. Manang is famous for its exotic Buddhist culture, great Himalayan views and old monasteries.

This Manang Buddhist village with its monasteries hanging on cliff faces and great mountain views attracts everyone. Walking slowly and acclimatizing carefully we cross the famous Thorung La pass at 5416m on the tenth day of our trek and reach Muktinath the same day. Muktinath is popular Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site on the high mountain. We descend from Muktinath to Jomsom and stay over night at Jomsom. Next day we fly back from Jomsom to Pokhara.

Trekking Itinerary:

DAY 01: DRIVE KATHMANDU TO SYNGE/JAGAT (1100 M) 8 HRS

We will drive and depart at 8am; take a scenic drive to Beshisahar via the Prithivi Highway. From Beshisahar we drive to Syange by local jeep. While driving we will have many chances to observe rural people & various cultures along the highway. From Syange we trek to Jagat. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

DAY 02: TREK TO DHARAPANI (1960 M) 6 HRS.

After breakfast start the working through jungle after we left Chyamje from Chyamje the trail goes bank of Marshyangdi river mostly climbing before arrive in Tal from here, we enter Manang district trail continues through barley, rice, potato fields and pine forests past the village of Kodo taking us to Dharapani, which is one of the big villages in the Manang valley. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

DAY 03: TREK TO CHAME (2630 M.) 5 HRS

Today The trail climbs along the mule track through in and fir forest and then follows the river for a time amongst the higher oak and maple trees. On the way you will have spectacular views of views of major Himalayan peaks. Overnight at guesthouse, inclusive of full board meals

DAY 04: TREK FROM CHAME TO PISANG (3100M.) / 5 HOURS:

With Lamjung Himal (6893m) dazzling in the morning sun, you set off for Pisang. The mountain disappears as you climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple orchard. You continue through a fir and pine forest, climbing to a high, rocky area as the opposite bank becomes an impassable cliff. From this point the valley becomes extremely steep-sided as you follow the path to Bhratang (2950m.).

In the past this was the military station for troops who fought against the Khampa tribal revolution, but the dilapidated buildings are all that remain of that era. A short climb from the village brings you to a rock-strewn area where you cross a wooden bridge and follow a high, winding path, before crossing back to the right bank again.

You now trek through a pine forest and as the forest ends, the valley changes from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape, opening up a wonderful vista . You can see the east peak of Annapurna II as well as Pisang Peak (6091m.) to the north-east. Continuing on, you come to a long mani wall by a bridge and the lower village of Pisang.

DAY 05: TREK FROM PISANG TO MANANG (3440M.) / 5 HOURS:

Beyond Pisang, the trail climbs a steep ridge which affords good views of the Manang valley and Tilicho peak (7145m.). Descending past Manang’s airstrip at Humde (3320m.), you come to a level area from where the north-east face of Annapurna III rises majestically above you.

From the wide plains of the Sabje Khola Valley, Annapurna IV (7525m.) also becomes visible. Just beyond this point you cross the considerably reduced flow of the Marsyangdi Khola via a wooden bridge to the tiny village of Mungji.

Cultivated fields appear on both sides of the path and off to the right, below a craggy mountain, you can see the village of Braga with its splendid monastery. Large Chortens and mani walls abound and the tall peaks of the Himalaya spread out before you – Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna (7455m.) and, to the rear, Tilicho Peak (7145m.). After a short steep climb you reach Manang which is a surprisingly large village for this remote mountain region.

DAY 06: REST DAY AT MANANG:

mportant rest and acclimatization day before crossing the Thorung La. There are optional day walks such as crossing the river to see the tremendous icefall coming down from the Annapurnas, or climbing high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley. There is also a Himalayan Rescue Association [HRA] aid post in the village which makes an interesting and educational visit. Moreover you can visit Ganagapurna Glacier Lake to make your rest day a memorable one.

DAY 07: TREK FROM MANANG TO YAK KHARKA (4350M.) / 3 HOURS:

Now the trail ascends gently all the way to Yak Kharka passing through the Gunsang (3960m.) village. En route, you can see panoramic views all the day.

DAY 08: TREK FROM YAK KHARKA TO THORONG PHEDI (4420M.) / 3:30 HOURS:

Leaving Yak Kharka, you climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marsyangdi and crossing via a covered wooden bridge. After a short ascent up the mountain path on the right bank, you follow a narrow trail across an unstable spree slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi.

DAY 09: TREK FROM THORONG PHEDI TO MUKTINATH (3850M.) VIA THORONG LA (5416M.) PASS / 8 HOURS:

Today, you start early for your crossing of Thorung La (5416m.). The trail becomes steep immediately on leaving camp but as this trail has been used by local people for hundreds of years the path is well defined. The gradient then eases and after around 4 hours of steady climbing, you reach the chorten and prayer flags of the pass.

The views are dramatic to say the least, from the snow-covered mountains above, to the head of the Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang which are spread out before you. The descent to Muktinath is a knee pounding 1600m but it’s compensated for with excellent views of Dhaulagiri. Eventually the moraines give way to grassy slopes before a pleasant walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath and its shrines and temple.

DAY 10: TREK FROM MUKTINATH TO JOMSOM (2713M)/ 5:00 HOURS:

You now begin the trek descent down from Muktinath and get Jomsom.

DAY 11:  FLY FROM JOMSOM TO POKHARA:

Get up early in the morning and fly to Pokhara.