The Jomsom Muktinath trek visits the Kali Gandaki valley and the temple of Muktinath at 3,710 m in 5 to 9 days, with no high pass. The Annapurna Circuit reaches the same places from the other side by crossing the Thorong La at 5,416 m and takes 12 to 16 days. Choose Jomsom Muktinath for a shorter, lower trip or a pilgrimage; choose the circuit for the full journey.
Jomsom Muktinath and Annapurna Circuit at a glance
- Days. Jomsom Muktinath: 5 to 9. Annapurna Circuit: 12 to 16.
- Highest point. Jomsom Muktinath: Muktinath, 3,710 m. Annapurna Circuit: Thorong La, 5,416 m.
- Altitude risk. Jomsom Muktinath: low to moderate. Annapurna Circuit: high on the pass; needs acclimatisation.
- Access. Jomsom Muktinath: flight or road to Jomsom. Annapurna Circuit: road up the Marsyangdi valley.
- Landscape. Jomsom Muktinath: dry gorge, apple orchards, Thakali villages. Annapurna Circuit: everything from rice terraces to a snow pass.
- Grade. Jomsom Muktinath: easy to moderate. Annapurna Circuit: moderate to hard.
What the two treks share
The western half of the Annapurna Circuit and the Jomsom Muktinath trek cover the same ground: Muktinath, Kagbeni, Jomsom, Marpha and the Kali Gandaki valley down towards Tatopani. Circuit trekkers arrive at Muktinath tired and elated after the pass and walk down. Jomsom trekkers arrive fresh by plane or jeep, walk up to Muktinath over two or three days and return.
What the circuit adds
The eastern half is the difference: the Marsyangdi valley, the villages of Pisang, Braga and Manang, the Annapurna and Gangapurna faces above them, and the Thorong La itself. The pass day starts before dawn, climbs about 1,000 m and descends 1,600 m to Muktinath. It is the hardest day on any of the classic treks and the one people remember.
Muktinath as a pilgrimage
Muktinath is sacred to Hindus as a place of liberation and to Buddhists as Chumig Gyatsa. Pilgrims bathe under 108 water spouts and visit the flame that burns from natural gas beside a spring. Many visitors from India come for the temple alone, by flight to Jomsom and jeep, and add a day or two of walking around Kagbeni and Marpha. Because Jomsom is at 2,720 m and Muktinath at 3,710 m, a night in Jomsom or Kagbeni first is wise. See the Jomsom Muktinath guides.
Roads, wind and flights
A road now runs through the Kali Gandaki valley, so walkers use side trails on the opposite bank where they exist. Strong winds blow up the valley from late morning, so walk early. Flights between Pokhara and Jomsom operate only in the calm of the early morning and are often cancelled; the road is the back-up, and it is long and rough.
Season
Both are best in October to November and March to May. The Jomsom side lies in the rain shadow and stays fairly dry in the monsoon, which makes it one of the few treks that work from June to September, though flights and roads are less reliable then. The Thorong La is often closed by snow from mid-December to February.
Permits and guide
Both need the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency. Going north of Kagbeni into Upper Mustang needs a separate restricted area permit.
Choose Jomsom Muktinath if
- You have about a week.
- You want Muktinath without a 5,000 m pass.
- You are travelling with parents or as a pilgrim.
- You want a trek that works in the monsoon.
Choose Annapurna Circuit if
- You have two weeks or more.
- You want a real high-pass crossing.
- You want the greatest variety of landscape in one trek.
- You are fit and can acclimatise in Manang.
Can you do both?
The circuit includes the Jomsom side. If you have done Jomsom Muktinath and want more, the usual next step is the full circuit, or Upper Mustang north of Kagbeni.
Plan it
See the Annapurna Circuit guides and Lower Mustang, or ask us for either plan.
Common questions
Can you reach Muktinath without trekking?
Yes, by flight or road to Jomsom and jeep to Ranipauwa, followed by a short walk or pony ride to the temple.
Is the Jomsom Muktinath trek easy?
It is one of the easier treks in Nepal. The main points to respect are altitude at Muktinath and the afternoon wind.
How high is the Thorong La?
5,416 m.
Which is better for older trekkers?
Jomsom Muktinath, because it avoids the pass.
Heights, days, fees and rules are approximate and can change, so confirm the current details with us before you book.
