Jomsom Nepal: Trekking, Weather, Permits, Things to do & More
Located at 2,700 meters elevation, Jomsom is a settlement in the Himalayan foothills, in the vicinity of Tibetan Plateau. It serves as the main commercial and administrative center of the Mustang region with government officials, and merchants from the lower region. Also, as Jomsom airport is the only major airstrip in the north of Himalayas, which makes Jomsom as the entry and exit point of some of the major trekking destination of Nepal.
Keeping aside all the administrative importance, Jomsom in itself is one of the popular Himalayan settlement and a sought-after trekking destination in Nepal. The place is a long stretch of the deserted plateau, very similar to that of Tibet. Further, the backdrop of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri is just too exquisite.
To discover more about trekking in Jomsom Nepal, let us know everything there is.
JOMSOM MUKTINATH TREK
Jomsom Muktinath Trek is often just termed as Jomsom Trek and one of the most admired treks of Annapurna Region. It is also a part of Annapurna Circuit trek. However, you can embark on sole Jomsom Trek too.
Jomsom Muktinath trek is an exciting journey towards the incredible range of the Himalayas, traditional settlements and local tribes, revered temples and monasteries, Kali Gandaki river gorge (deepest in the world), windy valleys, all along with wonderful scenic beauty.
The trek usually begins from Pokhara, and we scale further walking along the Annapurna foothills. The trail avoids roadway and takes place on a beautiful path. We will walk through the roads anciently used by Tibetan traders; we will go through the narrow and abrupt gorge of Kali Gandaki too.
The trek can be joined with another awesome short trek of Ghorepani Poon Hill. It will extend a few days, but it is all worth it.
JOMSOM WEATHER
Jomsom completely lies in the rainshadow of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, so it rarely gets rainfall.
The temperature in Jomsom varies in a great amount; for half the year it feels feet, while otherwise, the weather is nice with a fair chance of precipitation. June, July, and August are the hottest of all.
Spring (March-May)
This time of year is warm with temperature ranging from 32 degree Celsius and 21.7 degree Celsius. There might be a rainfall with 5 to 11 days of significant precipitation per month. It is the most popular time for trekking in Jomsom Nepal.
Summer (June-August)
You will witness the highest rise in temperature during this time causing less flow of tourists. And these month witnesses the most precipitation with 20 to 23 of precipitation per month.
Fall (September to November)
In these months, the temperature lies between 31.3 degree Celsius to 22.3 degree Celsius. Also, either rain or snow is significant during this time.
Winter (December-February)
Unlike typical trekking zones, winter is one of the busiest season of tourists in Jomsom after Spring. The average temperature is between 24 degree Celsius and 20 degree Celsius.
JOMSOM NEPAL AIRPORT
Jomsom Airport of Jomsom Nepal is the gateway of many popular destinations including Kagbeni, Tange, Lo Manthang and Muktinath.
The flights are available throughout the year, but the visibility is not adequate for quite many times. Flights to Jomsom are often scheduled for early morning as it is when the wind speeds are low. In the day, the wind speed increases and it often prevents flight after midday.
However, taking a flight is not the only way; you can take jeep from Pokhara to Jomsom. But because of the syndicate system, you might have change a few jeeps.
DIFFICULTY AND PERMITS FOR TREKKING IN JOMSOM NEPAL
Jomsom trek is not a very difficult trek, but it is definitely an easy one either. You must be in a fairly good health to complete the trek. Also, you will require the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) permit.
THINGS TO DO IN JOMSOM
Rock Climbing
Jomsom is one of the best places for mountain biking in Nepal. The rocky hills located nearby Jomsom serves the best for all the rock climbers out there. After al the days of trekking, you can stay a day or two for further adventure and as it happens rock climbing in Jomsom Nepal has an interest of many tourists.
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking in Jomsom means discovering the Lower Mustang in some of the best trails. It is one of the most happening destinations for mountain-biking in Nepal. The trails also follows the famous Lubra Valley trail. The route of mountain biking in this part of Nepal follows the wild river of Kali Gandaki, whose gorge is the deepest in the world between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
Jomsom have the perfect location with the surrounding terrain and ultimately forming the trails for mountain biking. There are various options for the trail to add more adventure and fun in Jomsom. Biking towards the northward direction heading to Kagbeni is favorite to many for its gravel trail and serious scenery. There is enough shop where you can rent a bike and gears; so have some more fun in Jomsom Nepal.
Witness Cultural Diversity
Jomsom is mostly inhabited by Thakali and Tibetan background peoples. The people have been living in this place since ancient time doing trades. Thakali people in this region follow Buddhism as well as Hindu practices. These people follow a traditional way of life, living in houses made of stone and woods, wearing ethnic dresses, speaks their own language and performs their distinct ritual on various occasions. Trade, livestock, tourism, and agriculture are the main economic activities.
Also, do not forget to try Thakali Khana in Jomsom, which is famous all around Nepal and is one of the best thing to do in Jomsom Nepal.
Side Hikes
In Jomsom Trek, you will pass by many glorious and beautiful settlements like Kagbeni and Marpha, which are unlike any other place. But apart from these villages, which falls on the Jomsom Muktinath Trek, there are other amazing settlements you can hike to when you are in Jomsom, and it is certainly one of the best things to do in Jomsom Nepal.
Hiking to Tiri Village or Lubra Valley is a popular choice, and both of the depicts a good bit of Tibetan-Buddhism culture. These high altitude settlements are very isolated, which has constituted to keep its charm. Lubra Valley is a small settlement of around 50 families and can only be accessed by hiking.
Likewise, a short hike to Dhumba Lake is equally famous, as it is considered a religious site too. The lake is situated at an elevation of 2,830 meters on the base of Mount Nilgiri.
Jomsom View Tower
It is yet another place to have fun in Jomsom Nepal. Located in the village of Thini, it took NRs 1.3 million for its construction and with such a cost it is a worthy place to visit.
Firstly initiated by ACAP for tourists attraction, the view tower provides a remarkable view of Lo Manthang, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tilicho Peak, Mesokanto Hill, Muktinath, Kagbeni and Korala Border point. Well, as the tower is situated at an altitude of 3,750 meters, the view it gives is obviously grand.
Visit Mustang Eco Museum
Located at a distance of five minutes walk from Jomsom Airport, Mustang Eco Museum is a miniature marvel exhibiting the cultural and natural aspects of Mustang. Various species of wildlife, the traditional dress of both men and women, excellent artwork, Buddhist monasteries, and herbarium are in display of the museum.
You can discover more through library and videos about the traditional and cultural background of Mustang and Nepal and Tibet in general. Also, Mustang Eco Museum gives a beautiful view of Jomsom, Thini Village and Nigiri (7,091 meters)
See Rupse Waterfalls
Rupse Waterfall is located at around 30 minutes of jeep ride from Jomsom and visiting there is probably the best thing to do in Jomsom Nepal. The fall of Rupse is really exhilarating that is more than 300 meters; it is really tremendous and striking to see a waterfall of such height. What attracts tourists are, it is located in the vicinity of the deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki gorge, and Kali Gandaki river. And in present Rupse Waterfall has become a popular tourist site form Jomsom, Pokhara, and other areas too.
