Visiting Nepal

Jomsom

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Jomsom lies at an altitude of 2800m, it also known as Dzongsam or New Fort. It extends over both the banks of the Kali Gandaki. The soaring peaks of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri form an pretty backdrop.

Being the district headquarters, it is primarily an administrative and commercial center with government officials and merchants rubbing shoulders with the local residents of the region, known as Thakalis. A company of the Nepalese Army is stationed here. Nearby is an airfield, from where flights manage regularly. However, due to the burly winds that rock the area in the afternoons, the airfield is functional only in the afternoon.The physical beauty along the Jomsom - muktinath Trek is breathtaking. The scenery of the trail ranges from forests of brilliant red rhododendrons to rocky cliffs and desert of Mustang. The trail follows the Kali Gandaki River .This river forms the largest ravine in the world, on one side lies the Annapurna mountain range and on the other side is Dhaulagiri. Between the two ranges, there are views of 8 of the 20 highest mountains in the world. The Kali Gandaki is a quarter of a mile wide river bed; during the winter the river will be dry, but during the summer and monsoon it fills with rain water and melting snow.

You can find relic in the banks of Kali Gandaki river which is the holy rocks for Hindus to pray. The culture among the track is rich wit the mixture of Hindu and Tibetan Buddhism. The trail interlace through the Lower Mustang region of Nepal, ending at the village of Kagbeni, a Tibetan influenced village filled with prayer wheels, shortens and a Buddhist monastery. The trail's highest point is Muktinath at 3800 m, a holy site of temples sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus for centuries.

The scene from Jomsom are charming as the Nilgiri (7,061 m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167m) ranges replicate the golden rays of the rising and setting sun. The whole vista is filled with a golden, impressive light, which forms a dramatic contrast. Life of Jomsom is a balance of hard work, and primeval culture. Many tourists get their most lasting feeling of Nepal comes not from the ancient temples in the urban valleys but from visits to places like Jomsom and its exciting religious environment. Jomsom region is not only the mai popular trekking destination in Nepal but also the entrance to Upper Mustang - "Kingdom" within the Hindu Kingdom of Nepal. Jomsom is also the gateway to The Muktinath holy place that holds great spiritual meaning to both Buddhists and Hindus.

It lies at the altitude from 2012m near Ghasa to 8091 m (Mt. Annapurna) - vertical height difference of 6079 m over a distance of only 14 Km.