 The diversity the flora and fauna in this route is an amazing as its cultural diversity. This trek is definitely for adventurers with limited time.
Jomsom or the 'New Fort' is located at an elevation of 2713m. The town was well known from the days of old for its excellent vantage point and serving as a trailhead to Muktinath (The Temple of the Preserver), Mustang and the land beyond.
In this trip you will witness the bailer of goods of by the people of the local hills, the traditions of the Thakalis (Previous traders who now have strong restaurant trade) and you may visit a Jimi Hendrix restaurant. The trail from Jomsom first leads to Kagbeni (2810m) a township along the Kali Gandaki River banks, the deepest gorge in the world. The town seems to have come straight out of the deieval past. It is a collection of mud houses, dark alleys, an imposing chorten and a large
Gompa. The local people still live a life pretty much untouched by western influences. From here you will walk past piles of trailside rocks erected by pilgrims to honour the deceased and then reach Muktinath. Hores and mules will accompany you to the temple of the preserver at 3802m. Every year, thousand of pilgrims make it to this place, some in bare feet. They come to worship the eternal flame mentioned in the Mahabharat epics of 300 B.C. The temple has 108 sacred springs and Tibetan monastery called Jwala Mai house eternal flames. During the full moon of July a house racing festival is celebrated by ethnic bhotias as the Hindu festival of Janai Purnima takes place. Heading down to Marpha you may try the famous local cider of fruit preserves. To the South the trail reaches Tukuche a centre where Nepal and Tibet traded during the Ranaera. The trail passes through a Thakali village where, particularly, you feel the rough winds that make flying aircraft in the region difficult in the afternoon. At Tatopani, you may relax in the hot springs.
Ghorepani at 2850m. Boasts of 13 varieties of Nepal's national flower Rhododendrons. |