Jomsom, a spectacular getaway to tourist destinations

“In Jomsom Bazaar, wind blows at noon.” These lines are from a popular song by the folk-rock band, Nepathya. Jomsom is a spectacular getaway to tourist destinations of the Himalayas located in the western district of Mustang. One can move to Upper Mustang or Kagbeni or Muktinath on north, or step down south to Marpha from the bustling town of Jomsom, or Dzongsam (New Fort) in local dialect. Jomsom, at an altitude of 2,760m from the sea level, sprawls over the bank of serene Kali Gandaki River. Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountain ranges form the background of the broad canvas of Jomsom. Going to Jomsom from the southern town of Pokhara, one crosses tranquil villages, small forests, gentle waterfalls and Tibet-like topography. This trekking trail falls in a valley in-between kaleidoscopic Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. This trekking site attracts more than half of the tourists who come to Nepal. The town of Jomsom leads to the Mustang Eco Museum on its northern border, showcasing its history and culture; some of the materials at the Museum date back to 800BC.Muktinath, a popular destination in the northeast, can be accessed by a two-hour jeep drive from Jomsom. Religious tourists visit Muktinath from as far as south of India and across the world. Kagbeni village is 10km north east of Jomsom. Kagbeni is popular for its grey landscapes, and visitors can walk into it along the bank of Kali Gandaki River. In Kagbeni, one can visit a monastery built back in 1429. Marpha, south of Jomsom, is an old Buddhist settlement with an enlarged and time-honoured monastery.Jomsom is the destination point of Annapurna Circuit Trek – the most appealing mountain experience in Nepal. The trek takes around three weeks to finish and starts from Besi Sahar. One can go to Besi Sahar directly from the capital city of Kathmandu, or from Pokhara. The trek goes through Bhulbule, Ghermu, Tal, Chame, Pisang, Manang, Yak Kharka, Thorung Phedi, Muktinath and Kagbeni to Jomsom, and back to Naya Pul and Pokhara.There is vast climatic diversity within Nepal – from Gangetic plains in the south to the arresting mountains towards the north. The north of Nepal is the final destination for the mountain lovers from all over the world. There, tourists love the rush of adrenaline in their veins enjoying paragliding, canyoning, climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, bungee jumping and rafting. Going further north is all about walking and climbing, and Jomsom appears at the crossroads of the two activities.The city of Jomsom is soaked with Thakali culture. One can rest with a bottle of local drinks, or enjoy authentic Thakali cuisine. Many who go to Jomsom end up saying that going there once is not enough.