Jomsom, Nepal: Travel Guide & Tips to Plan Your Trip
Need some tips for visiting Jomsom, Nepal?
I visited Jomsom as part of my trip in Lower Mustang, and while Jomsom is a significant village in Mustang, it is more of a place where travellers pass by.
Jomsom is the district headquarters of Mustang and is mostly visited by people who are on their way to Muktinath, Upper Mustang, or coming down after finishing the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
I didn’t find Jomsom as nice as nearby places like Marpha or Kagbeni, but from Jomsom you can go on day hikes and explore places such as Thini village, Dhumba Lake and Syang village.
When the weather is clear, you get nice views of mountains, such as the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri.
Jomsom, Nepal: Information for Visitors
Jomsom Altitude
The altitude of Jomsom is 2,743 meters (8,999 ft).
At this altitude, you usually don’t feel altitude sickness, but if you are going to Muktinath, then it is good to stay here for the night to acclimatize and then go to Muktinath the next day.
Jomsom Location
Jomsom is 158 km from Pokhara and is located in the Mustang District of Nepal. It is a significant town in Mustang and also serves as the district headquarters.
Best Time to Visit Jomsom, Mustang
The best time to visit Jomsom is in the Autumn and Spring when the weather is the best for hiking and trekking in Nepal.
However, early winter (first two weeks of December) and early Spring (mid-February to March) can also be good times to visit to see clear views of the Himalayas and to avoid busy times.
Jomsom Weather
Lower Mustang (where Jomsom is located) is in the rain shadow region of Nepal, which means that it rains less and the weather is drier.
As it receives less rainfall, Lower Mustang is worth visiting during monsoon. However, my recommendation is to visit Mustang before the full on monsoon season starts (early June).
Even though it does not rain much in Mustang during monsoon, the transport to Mustang is affected by the rainfall. The roads are affected by landslides, and flights are often delayed due to bad weather.
It is also pretty windy in Jomsom. The town is right beside the Kali Gandaki Gorge which tends to be very windy – similar to Kagbeni.
Permit
To visit Jomsom, foreigners have to get the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). It costs Rs. 3,000 (USD 22) and you can get it in Kathmandu, Pokhara and online.
There are checkpoints for ACAP in Ghasa and Jomsom, and the buses and jeeps all stop at the checkpoint so foreigners can validate the permits.
What is Jomsom Famous For?
Jomsom is famous for being the district headquarters of Mustang, and it is where travellers pass by on their way to Muktinath and Upper Mustang.
Jomsom is on the classic Annapurna Circuit trekking route, however, due to the roads being built in Mustang, most people now finish the trek in Muktinath and take a bus to Pokhara.
It is right on a bank of the Kali Gandaki River, and is surrounded by beautiful views of mountains, such as the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri.
There is also a story that Jimi Hendrix visited Nepal in the late 1960’s and stayed in Jomsom at a hotel which is now called “Thak Khola Lodge and Jimi Hendrix Restaurant”. It is more like a rumour and there is no definite proof that he visited Nepal but would be nice if it was true.
I organize trips and treks in Nepal:
✔️ Mustang
✔️ Everest Base Camp
✔️ Annapurna Base Camp & more!
Things to Do in Jomsom
Most people usually just pass by Jomsom when travelling between Pokhara and Muktinath. I didn’t find Jomsom too impressive, but there are some places nearby that are nice to explore.
Villages near Jomsom offer beautiful views, architecture and options for hikes. From Jomsom you can hike to Thini village, Dhumba Lake and even Marpha.
Hike to Thini Village
Thini is a tiny village near Jomsom and it takes around 30 minutes to hike there.
The hike partially goes on a concrete road and partially on a trail. I noticed that maps.me doesn’t have the trail well-marked, so if you can’t see the trail, then it is better to just follow the road.
I liked Thini village way more than Jomsom but at the same time it is really a small village. It has this charm of an old Nepali village with mud and stone houses. I visited during off season and could barely find a restaurant open to have some food.
Hike to Dhumba Lake
Dhumba Lake is around 1 hour walk from Jomsom, and when hiking to Dhumba Lake, you also pass by Thini village, so you can check out both places in one go.
Dhumba Lake is so pretty with the hills and mountains around it. When I visited, it was extremely hot (June), but if you visit in Autumn or Spring then the weather is much more enjoyable.
There is a small entry fee to visit Dhumba Lake, it is Rs. 30 for Nepali, and Rs. 50 for foreigners. There is also a small restaurant next to the lake where they can make some simple dishes.
Hike to Marpha
Marpha is a total gem in Lower Mustang that you cannot miss on your trip! You can either visit Marpha as part of a day trip, or alternatively, you can also stay in Marpha for 1-2 days.
One option (the one I also did), is to stay in Marpha for a night and then the next day, you can hike around the area, such as Dhumba Lake, Thini village, and even hike all the way to Jomsom.
If you are deciding between staying a night in Marpha or Jomsom, then I recommend to stay in Marpha as it is much nicer than Jomsom.
Marpha has beautiful architecture with white stone and mud houses, and the village is also known for its apple production. You can find everything here from apple brandy and apple wine to apple pies and jams.
Relax
If you are in Jomsom after trekking Annapurna Circuit, or simply just want to take it slow, then it is a nice place to just relax and enjoy the mountain views. On clear days, you can see the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri mountains.
Trekking Routes that Pass Through Jomsom
Annapurna Circuit
Jomsom is on the classic Annapurna Circuit (AC) trekking trail, but since the construction of the road from Muktinath to Pokhara, most people finish the AC trek in Muktinath and take a bus from there to Pokhara.
Trekking from Muktinath to Jomsom is not that nice anymore, as many parts of the trail is now replaced by a concrete road.
However, you can still find trekking trails in some sections, for example Muktinath to Kagbeni, or Muktinath to Jomsom via Lupra village.
If you hike from Muktinath to Kagbeni, the trail goes on the north side of the Gandhaki River. Once you get to Kagbeni, it is a nice place to spend a day, and then you can take a bus or taxi from Kagbeni to Jomsom/Marpha/Pokhara.
If you trek from Muktinath to Jomsom via Lupra, then the majority of the hike is on a proper trail. It is only the last section of the trail right before Jomsom that the trail joins the main road, and you have to finish the trek walking on the road with traffic.
Lower Mustang Trek
The Lower Mustang Trek goes through the villages of Marpha, Jomsom, Kagbeni, Muktinath and Lupra. In reality, trekking in Lower Mustang is more like taking the bus between the villages and then going on day hikes from each village.
Most of the villages in Lower Mustang are connected by road, and in some cases, there is no trail to walk between the villages.
You can still find trails from Marpha to Jomsom via Dhumba Lake/Thini village, or from Kagbeni to Muktinath. However, the section between Jomsom and Kagbeni is a concrete road all the way.
The trails are not well marked on maps.me for all trails in Lower Mustang, but locals say that you can walk next to the river, thus avoiding having to walk on a road with all the traffic.
Hotels in Jomsom
There are many hotels in Jomsom that you can book after arrival – there is no need to pre-book hotels.
The room costs between Rs. 500-2,000 (USD 3.50-15) and usually you can get a room with attached bathroom.
For luxury accommodation, check out Shinta Mani. It is beautifully designed, they offer spa and wellness treatments, as well as trips to nearby villages.
Getting Around Jomsom
Pokhara to Jomsom
Pokhara and Jomsom are well-connected by buses, jeeps and flights. The buses and jeeps leave from Zero KM in Pokhara at 7-8 am and arrive around 3-4 pm.
The flight from Pokhara to Jomsom is only 20 minutes, and it is best to get a flight ticket for the first flight at 6 am.
Jomsom to Muktinath
There are buses that go from Jomsom to Muktinath in the morning at 6 am, and a couple of others up until 1 pm. I took the bus at 6 am, but if you want to take a bus later, it is best to confirm it with the bus ticket counter in Jomsom.
The bus from Jomsom to Muktinath takes round 1 hour. If you are going to Muktinath just to see the Muktinath Temple, then it is best to take the 6 am bus, and then after checking out the temple, take the bus back down to Kagbeni/Maprha or Pokhara.
The altitude gain is too big from Jomsom (2,743 meters (8,999 ft) to Muktinath 3,710 meters (12,172 ft) and if you are taking the bus, it is better to not stay in Muktinath for the night but to go back to a lower elevation the same day.
The bus ticket from Jomsom to Muktinath costs Rs. 300 (USD 2).
Jomsom to Kagbeni
The buses from Jomsom to Kagbeni go in the morning, with the first one at 6 am. If you arrive in Jomsom late in the afternoon, there are no buses that go to Kagbeni.
Apart from buses, there is also an option to take a taxi from Jomsom to Kagbeni. The taxi costs Rs. 800 (USD 6) and takes only around 15 minutes’ drive.
Flights to Jomsom
The flight from Pokhara to Jomsom leave between 6-8 am and takes 20 minutes. It costs USD 160 for foreigners, NPR 10,600 (USD 75) for Indian nationals, and Rs. 6,000 (USD 45) for Nepali nationals.
It is best to book the first flight in the morning. The flights can be delayed due to bad weather, so the earlier your flight is, the more chance you have to fly out.
More Photos of Jomsom
FAQs: Jomsom, Nepal: Travel Guide
What is Jomsom famous for?
Jomsom is famous for being the district headquarters of Mustang, and it is where travellers pass by on their way to Muktinath and Upper Mustang.
Jomsom is on the classic Annapurna Circuit trekking route, however, due to the roads being built in Mustang, most people now finish the trek in Muktinath and take a bus to Pokhara.
It is right on a bank of the Kali Gandaki River, and is surrounded by beautiful views of mountains, such as the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri mountains.
Which season is best for going to Jomsom?
The best season to visit Jomsom is in the Autumn, followed by Spring.
Alternatively, early winter, early Spring, and the pre-monsoon time is also a good time to visit Jomsom, as they all offer good views of the mountains.
How to go to Jomsom from Kathmandu?
To get from Kathmandu to Jomsom, you first have to go from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then from Pokhara to Jomsom. There are options to travel between the places by bus, jeep or flight – depending on your preference.
Do I need a permit to go to Jomsom?
Yes, foreigners need to get the ACA permit to visit Jomsom. It costs Rs. 3,000 (USD 22) and there are checkpoints in Ghasa and Jomsom where you have to show your permit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jomsom is a significant town in Mustang, but it is more of a place where travellers pass by.
Jomsom is the district headquarters of Mustang and is mostly visited by people who are on the way to Muktinath, Upper Mustang, or coming down from finishing the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
I didn’t find Jomsom as nice as nearby places like Marpha or Kagbeni, but Jomsom can be your base in exploring Lower Mustang. Places to explore on day hikes are Thini village, Dhumba Lake and Syang village.
When the weather is clear, you get nice views of mountains, such as the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri.
Like This Post? Pin It!
