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. |