Because a road runs up the valley, you can choose how much to walk. Here are three practical plans.
Three-day plan: full walk
- Fly to Jomsom. Walk to Kagbeni and stay the night.
- Kagbeni to Jharkot and Muktinath, climbing about 900 m in total. Stay in Ranipauwa or Muktinath.
- Visit the temples in the morning, jeep or walk back to Jomsom, and fly or continue next day.
Two-day plan: walk plus jeep
Walk from Jomsom to Kagbeni on day one. Next morning, take a jeep to Muktinath, visit the temple complex, and walk down via Jharkot to Kagbeni or take a jeep onward. This saves the biggest climb.
Acclimatisation
Jomsom is already at about 2,720 m. Muktinath is about 1,000 m higher. A night at Kagbeni eases the gain. If you flew in the same day, do not rush to the temple.
Flights and spare days
Jomsom flights run early and are weather-dependent. Allow a spare day on either end. See Jomsom flights and wind.
Sample cost drivers
- Number of nights and lodge standard.
- Flights or road transfers.
- Jeeps for sections of the route.
- Guide and porter, if required.
A sample four-day plan
- Day 1: Fly Pokhara to Jomsom in the morning, walk to Kagbeni in the afternoon.
- Day 2: Walk Kagbeni to Jharkot and Muktinath, staying in Ranipauwa.
- Day 3: Visit the temple complex at sunrise, walk or ride back to Jomsom, and explore Marpha if time allows.
- Day 4: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara, or continue down the Kali Gandaki valley.
Choosing jeep sections
The road from Kagbeni to Muktinath is steep and rough, and many trekkers choose to ride up and walk down. The road from Jomsom to Kagbeni is flat and dusty; walking it is pleasant in the morning but unpleasant in the afternoon wind. Ask your guide to suggest the best combination for your day.
What if flights are cancelled
Flights to Jomsom are often delayed by weather. If yours is cancelled, you can take a jeep from Pokhara via Beni, which takes a full day or more. Build one or two spare days into your plan, and have a flexible mindset.
Common questions
Can I do it in two days?
Yes, with a jeep for the climb to Muktinath.
Is there a jeep road?
Yes, from Jomsom through Kagbeni to Muktinath, though condition varies.
Where should I sleep?
Kagbeni on the first night, and Ranipauwa or Muktinath on the second.
