This part of the Jomsom trek begins in Jomsom! If you're coming from Pokhara or Kathmandu, you'll need to take a flight through the wide mountain valleys of the Annapurna Range to reach the starting point of the trek, and you'll land on a tiny airstrip in Jomsom at 2858m (this flight is now included in the price of the trek if you fly from Pokhara). Though this may not be high enough to give you altitude sickness, it's wise to take it easy and acclimatise. You can take a guided walk to the friendly village Thinagaon or head the other way to Kagbeni by way of a beautiful wide valley. Stop off for a cup of tea in one of the many tea houses and enjoy the peaceful rural atmosphere. You'll stay in a simple mountain hotel in Jomsom. 

On this leg of the Jomsom trek you will set off on a 2.5 hour trek to Marpha. The trail leads gradually downhill through a beautiful valley with mountain peaks soaring on both sides. You'll soon be hit by the trekking spirit as you pass caravans of mules packed with all kinds of goods and it's quite thrilling knowing you're 7 days walk from the nearest town. Marpha is a traditional village with white plastered houses and a very rural atmosphere. Wander round the village after lunch, or sit and watch the people go about their daily activities.

If you don't fancy stretching your legs, you can cover this route of the Jomsom trek by mule. The mule herders seem to have infinite patience with these stubborn animals. When they're standing still it's hard to get them moving at all, but once they get going they're impossible to stop.

After a satisfying breakfast it's time to tie up your shoelaces and head back to Jomsom where you will be staying for another night. The next morning you can enjoy your last cup of tea at one of the cosy tea houses before your Jomsom trek comes to an end.

If you're not planning to stay in Jomsom, you'll hop on the plane back to Kathmandu or Pokhara (this is not included in the price of the module). As the plane quickly climbs, you can look back and see Jomsom disappearing into the distance. Many travellers choose to extend their stay in Pokhara, to enjoy a couple more days on the lake in this friendly town. You can rent a boat or enjoy some Tibetan bread or a local curry in one of the many restaurants.

If you're heading back to Kathmandu, you can explore Nepali culture a little further with our Kathmandu valley tour module. Or perhaps take a short, but challenging trek from Kathmandu to explore a different rural region of this beautiful country.

Best time to travel
The best time of year to go trekking in Nepal is Spring (March - May) or Autumn (October-November). Summer (June - September) is monsoon season and the rain can make travel difficult sometimes with landslides blocking the road. A trek in the rainy season can be hindered by muddy and slippery paths and treks and domestic flights are sometimes cancelled due to poor weather conditions. The winter months (December - February) can be pretty cold at night, but often with good visibility and some of the higher mountain passes are blocked because of heavy snowfall.

Accommodation
During the Jomsom trek you will be staying in trekking lodges. These are (very) basic Nepali lodges with just a couple of rooms with two separate beds. The lodges have running water but don't expect a hot shower. Blankets are available but we recommend bringing your own sheet bag or sleeping bag. You can rent sleeping bags before you begin your Nepal trek in Pokhara or Kathmandu, but we cannot guarantee the standard of them so you might be more comfortable if your bring your own.  

Food and drink
The trekking lodges that you'll stay in during your Jomsom trek, offer some good value meals and drinks and you can get a satisfying meal for less than £4. The menu consists of local dishes like Dahl Bhaat (rice with lentils), steamed momo's (a type of Nepali/Tibetan dumpling filled with vegetables or meat), and locally-made bread. Often you can get some western dishes like tomato soup, pizza or pancakes. During the day the many tea houses or 'bhatti's' are a great place to stop off for a hot cup of tea or an ice-cold drink.

Tipping
It's not compulsory but tipping the porters and guides is customary and always greatly appreciated. A rough guideline is £2-£3 a day for the porter and guide.