Day 7 - Kagbeni to Muktinath

The trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath is a steep climb up the Jhong Khola Valley through some of the most spectacular scenery in Nepal.
The terrain of the desert-like Tibetan Plateau against the backdrop of the deep blue sky is breathtaking throughout the entire trek. Just out of Kagbeni there are great views of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri. It seemed like we actually trekked most of the way backward as we couldn’t stop looking back at the impressive view.

The trail levels out and weaves through patches of orchards and trees before arriving at the village of Jharkot at 3500 metres. After Jharkot it is another steep but short climb to Muktinath at 3710 metres.

Muktinath is a centre for Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims because of the temple and religious shrines about 100 metres above the main village. Around the temple is a wall of 108 water spouts which the pilgrims bath in making sure they are blessed with the water from each of the spouts.

Trekkers doing the Jomsom route turn around at Muktinath and return to Jomsom. If you want to continue past Muktinath you have to cross over the Thorung La Pass at an elevation of 5400 metres.

The Jomsom trek and the Throrung La Pass are also part of the longer trek known as "Around Annapurna" "The Annapurna Circuit" trek. However, it is a long climb from Muktinath to the other side of the Pass and the Annapurna Circuit trek is usually done from the opposite direction, descending from Throrung La Pass to Muktinath.

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Day 7 - Kagbeni to Muktinath

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