Thalajung Village

Thalajung is a village development committee located in Gorkha district, Gandaki Zone, in the administrative map of Nepal. The village is accessible by two graveled roads that meet at Thalajung Bhanjyang, which stretches north up to Bhachek and Barpak villages. The first one diverges at Abu Khaireni from Prithivi highway, from where it follows a graveled road along the banks of Daraudi river up to Siranchok danda where the village is located. The next road starts at Dumre along the Marsyangdi valley en route the old bazaars like Bhansar, Turture, Palungtar, Salletar and Borang khola. The newly dug stretch of this road from Borang khola across the historic Chepe river banks, where the Shah Kings of Lamjung and Gorkha fought wars over territorial claims, winds up to Thalajung Bhanjyang near the village.


Thalajung village lies on the eastern flank of Siranchok dada at a height of 2000 meters. The main inhabitants of the village are Gurungs. The village is surrounded by forts or Kots such as Siranchok or Shreenath Kot, Lig Lig Kot, Rainas Kot, Taku Kot, Azir Kot that dates back to a period when Nepal was divided into 22 and 24 tribal states until the unification of Nepal by Prithivi Narayan Shah. Majestic views of Mount Manaslu, Annapurna, Himchuli, Ganesh and Lamjung are seen from this village. Its perfect hilly location, natural setting, good weather makes this place very suitable for the development of village tourism, tea and coffee plantation, a resort town, and a gateway to trekking in Manaslu conservation area.


Paragliding from Siranchok danda below Marsyangdi and Chepe river valley, rafting and canoeing in Chepe river, pilgrimage to Dudh pokhari, and treks to Tsum valley, Barpak, and Laprak villages along the Manaslu circuit trail provides immense tourism opportunities in this region. Like all other villages in Nepal, people from this village have migrated to cities for better opportunities. Now what makes this village a beautiful hill station, a cultural and natural heritage spot, will depend on the cooperation between those who left the village and those who chose to remain due to various reasons.

Pokhra is situated in the Central Nepal

Pokhara is situated at about 827 meter from sea level. The magnificent city is located about 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu and can be reached both by aircraft as well as bus. The journey duration is 35 minutes and 5 hours respectively. As far as adventure trips are concerned, Pokhara is the next destination after Kathmandu. Pokhara is often called the enchanting Himalayan valley with a heart of major actions and adventures.

Surrounded by beautiful snow-caped mountains with a magnificent lake of crystal-clear pure Himalayan water; the Pokhra is a dream come true. An all-year round pleasing weather and friendly inhabitants will greet you with smile and leave you with the most unforgettable moments in your life. So pack up your bag, load your camera, and get ready for Pokhara experience!

Among the attractions, nothing is as majestic as the Fewa (or Phewa) Lake. The lake is 1.5-kilometer long and second largest in Nepal. Fewa Lake offers an excellent view of the mountains and their reflections in the water. This picturesque place is a hot favorite among the honeymoon couple. There are as many as 8 different lakes in Pokhra and apart from Fewa Lake, Begnas and Rupa Lakes are the most serene. Both these lakes are located about 15 km from Pokhara and are ideal places for relaxation, boating and fishing.

Another spectacular sight in Pokhara is the sight of Annapurna range. This magnificent range stretching from west to east and looks beautiful in the glittering sunlight. Apart from that Seti Gandaki and Seti Gorge are other two important places to visit in Pokhara. The Seti Gandaki flows right through the city at places it runs completely underground. The best view of the river can be seen from the top of the Seti Gorge. Then you have Mahendra cave that is located about 10km north from downtown Pokhara. It is a natural site located across the Seti River.

Pokhara is also known for its Newari and Tibetan artifacts. No trip to Pokhara can be complete without buying Newari handicrafts items. Don't forget to buy Tibetan carpet as well. The Newars have heavily contributed to the culture of Pokhra and that can be witnessed in its magnificent cuisines. Newari food is a must eat in Pokhra.

The views from Jomsom are enchanting

as the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri ranges reflect the golden rays of the rising and setting sun. The entire panorama is filled with a golden, glittering light, which forms a dramatic contrast with the barren, black and dry mountains of the surrounding Kali Gandaki valley.

The views of the mountains are spectacular, and the route actually crosses to the other side of the main Himalayan range for some unusual views of the northern flanks. The entire route remains below 3000 metres, though the trek is still strenuous enough to be stimulating (see the Route Profile for the trek around Annapurna). This is a good trek if you wish to avoid high altitudes.

Muktinath, situated at a height of 3,660 m, is an important pilgrimage center for both Hindus and Buddhists. The most prominent shrine is a Vishnu temple where 108 spouts, fashioned in the shape of cows' heads, pour forth water that is considered to be holy. This water is channeled from a stream running above the temple. The temple is built in Tibetan style and contains huge brass idols of Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, and Kali. Nearby is another temple where water gushes out of a rock and this water is considered even more holy. There is also a Buddhist Gompa (monastery), and a pagoda-type temple dedicated to Jwala Mayi (goddess of fire). In this temple, shielded by curtains, are the outlets for the natural gas that oozes from the rock and feeds the temple flame.

There is also a spring close by. These three elements together are considered to be an auspicious convergence of earth, fire and water.

There are two temples of note, a dilapidated temple with the idols of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati, and a Narsingh temple where rituals are performed according to both Hindu and Buddhist customs. Here the two religions coexist together and in the two-story structure, the lower story is the Gompa while the upper story is the temple.

Muktinath and its high valley are located in the Mustang Bhote region. The climate and landscape here are similar to those of the Tibetan Plateau since it is situated in the rain shadow of the Greater Himalayas. Flowing through the region from north to south and forming deep gorges is the Kali Gandaki river, which as its name implies (kali = black) is a black river -- the black stones of the riverbed and black soil contributing to the effect.

Jomsom/Muktinath Teahouse Trek

Jomsom is more correctly known as Dzongsam or New Fort. It spreads over both the banks of the Kali Gandaki. The towering peaks of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri form an attractive backdrop. Being the district headquarters, it is primarily an administrative and commercial center with government officials and merchants rubbing shoulders with the local inhabitants of the region, known as the Thakalis. It has a wireless station, a police station, a bank, a hospital and a veterinary hospital. A company of the Nepalese Army is stationed here. Nearby is an airfield, from where flights operate regularly. However, due to the strong winds that buffet the area in the afternoons, the airfield is functional only in the forenoon.

The Thakalis living in the Jomsom region and in the nearby villages of Marpha and Tukuche have been known for their trading skills. They occupy an important village on the traditional trade route between the Gangetic plains of India and Tibet.