JOMSOM KAGBENI MUKTINATH TUKUCHE MARPHA
KOBANE & LARJUNG

Introduction:
Jomsom, situated at an altitude of 2710m, lies in the Trans-Himalayan rain shadow zone which causes a rather dry climate forming a desert-like landscape. It also falls in popular Annapurna Circuit Trek route. The name originates in Tibetan word Dzong Sampa, which translates as “New Fort”. The three-eyed king Thang Mig Chen of Thini village established the fort in order to monitor movement of north-south trade. The fort and the town, which grew up around it, were both called Dzong Sampa. Jomsom has been district headquarters of Mustang since early 1970s and all government district offices are located here. This is kind of extension of the lost importance as a major town of Kali Gandaki valley during times of ancient Tibet – India salt trade, which led through this area. The inhabitants are mostly
Thakali with Tibetan origins. The major economical factors are agriculture, livestock, tourism, and labor in foreign countries. It is ten minutes walk from the airport. Take a walk in this area just to see traditional village life of Jomsom or in fields surrounding it. Furthermore, there is Jomsom Bon Monastery at north-east part of the village. Bon is believed to be existed in Tibet prior to Buddhism. Tulku Tempa established monastery around 1938 and is affiliated to Lubra Gompa. Idols of Bon deities such as Walsa and Trakpo are placed in bon tradition. Similarly well paintings are also painted in bon tradition.
Accommodation and facilities:
Twenty five hotels are currently available in the valley (3 in Jomsom village, 21in airport area, and 1 in Syang). Solar heated hot showers are widely available. Many hotels also provide deluxe room with television. Most of hotels have telephome service and some of them accept credit card.
Other facilities include:
DTD/ISD telephone and fax service
Hospital, medical shop, and post office
NTNC-ACAP’s tourist information center where one can get information on Upper Mustang, trekking, and various activities of the organization
Two banks and one money changer
Regular flights to Pokhara
Licensed trekking guides, porters, and ponies.
Libraries and bookshops
Budget and expenses:
Nrs. 500 to 2000/person/day for food and lodging
Nrs. 500 to 1000 per day to hire a guide/porter
Nrs. 600 to 1000 per day to hire a pony
Key attractions: ·
Mustang Eco Museum Established in 1992, the museum displays various aspects on culture and nature of Mustang area, such as Buddhist Monastery, Herbarium, animal, specimen, traditional dress, and artwork. Other features of museum are: good view of Jomsom and Thini village and Mt. Nilgiri, guided tour inside museum, library, and video show on Mustang, Tibet, and Nepal in general as well as activities of NTNC-ACAP. It takes about five minutes walk south from the airport.
Side Trips: ·
-Thini Village
It takes 30 minutes walk from Jomsom. The name of this village originates from Tibetan word Thin (lit. base or root). It is the oldest village in Panch Gaun (lit. five villages) region. Historically, Thini was an important village in the valley where famous king Thang Mig Chen used to rule over. As such every villages had to pay tribute to Thini (either produce or labor). The village still has Kot Ghar (arsenal) where artilleries are preserved. It is also a gateway to Tilicho Lake, which is aobut tow days walk. Other attractions include Thini Bonpo Gompa, Thini Bhadra Festival, and Bhomo Ama Festival. Thini Bonpo Gompa having its affiliation with Lubra Gompa is currently looked after bt monks of Kuchup Terenga Gompa, belonging to Nyingma-Pa sect. idols of bon deities are placed at altar of the monastery. Thini Bhadra festival falling in August/September lasts for three days. The festival is celebrated with religious plays and is supposed to bring happiness to the village. Bhomo Ama is major festival of Thini and falls in April in every 12 tears time for about 15 days. The nest festival will take place in 2017.
· Gharab Dzong
Its about 45 minutes walk from Jomsom via Thini village. This is a ruimed fort of ancient king Thang Mig Chen and present Thini was shifted from here. Preliminary survey suggestes the fort to be dated from 16th century and was inhabited till 19th century. Gharab Dzong offers panoramic views of Mt Nilgiri Tilicho Peak, Yak Kawa, Mesokanto La, and Mt. Dhaulagiri and birds’s eye viw of Dhumba lake, Samle, Thini, Jomsom. Puthang, and Syang village.
· Dhaumba
It takes aobut an hour walk from Jomsom or Syang. This lake has historical and religions attachments with Kuchup Terenga Gompa and as such fish from lake are not eaten but raised for religious purpose. The boly wather of lake is used for initial offering for the monastery before starting any ritual. Syangba Rimpoche II has Burieda bottle containing grains and valuable metals inside lake with spiritual worshipping.
· Kuchup Terenga Gompa
The monastery is located above Dhumba lake and is one and half hours walk from Jomson or Syang. It is a Nyingma-Pa sect monastery founded by monk Lhungjing Urgen Palsang during 17th century in order to extend Buddhism and maintain peace and harmony in Dhumba village. The monastery poses highly sacred and religious position among other monasteries of Mustang. The monastery depicts idols of Guru Rimpoche (padmasambhava), Hopang Me, Chengresi, and Phapa Jhempal a masked dance performed by monks in October/November. The monastery alos probides bird’s eye view of Marpha , Syang, Thini and Jomsom billages.
· Syang Village
Its take aobut 30 minutes walk from Jomsom. It is one of the oldest picturesque villages in Panch gaun Region. The inhabitants are Thakalis of Tibetan origin. It has two monasteries: Syang Gompa (Tashi Lha Khang)and Ani Gompa (Dhi Che Ling). Syang Gompa is Nyingmapa sect monastery., the monastery depicts three huge images of Chengresi, Guru Rimpoche (padmasasambhava), and Toma, Dhekep can be observed here in October/November. Ani (Buddhist nun) Gopa is one of the famous nun monasteries in Mustang. Two Rimpoches if this monastery hve been reincarnated. it is also Nyingma-pa sect monastery and depicts idols of dolmo, Syang, Chyukchirol, Amitabha(Red Buddha), Guru Rimpoche (padmasambhava), Chengresi, Mharme Jhe, and Shakyamuni Buddha. Both monasteries depict beautiful wall paintings.
Rules and regulations
Jomsom lies in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), for which an entry permit is required. Entry permits are issued from the NTNC-ACAP Entry Permit Counters at – Sanchaya Kosh Building, Tridevi Mard, Thamel, Kathmandu or Nepal Tourism Board, Tourist Service Centre, Pardi Damside, Pokhara. The entry fee is Nrs,200 per person to SAARC nationals and Nrs.2000 per person to forging nationals at above mentioned designated counters. An equal extra fee will be charged if permit is issued from Jomsom based check post or other field based check posts. The permit is nonrefundable and non-transferable and is valid for single entry only.

Send FREE SMS
http://www.wadja.com/
www.perfspot.com
http://websms.ntc.net.np/websmss/
Send sms (santabanta)
click here for sms
for more sms click here
for more information log no to:
jomsom.com
mustang.com