jomson (jomson to pokhara) or langtang - late september

hi Jack and Nins, You haven't said what part of Sept you will be in Nepal. Officially the monsoon ends around mid september, but of course...no guarantees from the weather man. I think it's a good idea to fly to Jomsom and trek back, then you avoid the risk of getting stuck in Jomsom and will no exactly what time you have in the event you are delayed flying to Jomsom from Pokhara. Seven days is adequate to trek back, but not really enough time to go up to Muktinath. Suggest you fly into Jomsom and trek up to Kagbeni the same day and stay there for the night. It's an interesting old village and shouldn't be missed. Next day walk back through Jomsom to Marpha or Tukuche, then Ghasa, Tatopani, Ghorepani, Poon Hill the following morning and then down to Tikhedungha. The last day walk to Naya Pul and take a taxi back to Pokhara. That takes care of your 7 days.
Langtang is beautiful, fewer villages and more wilderness but 2 days of your seven would be spent in the bus to and from Kathmandu to Dunche or Syabru Besi. The advantage of an Annapurna trek when your time is short is that you can fly to and from Pokhara...not so in Langtang. This can be an 8 to 10 hour very rough bus ride.
No problem spending 3 or 4 days or more exploring Kathmandu and the surrounding Valley. There are 7 World Heritage sites here plus other interesting small villages. Nagarkot on the eastern valley rim has fantastic views in clear weather and a nice relaxing place to stay. There are several short walks that can be taken on the valley rim, also. Bhaktapur, one of the world heritage sites, is an artisan's village, well worth at least half a day or more to explore.
Personally, I'd recommend adding 2 days to your trekking time so that you have sufficient time to go up to the pilgrimage site at Muktinath at the foot of the Thorong La pass and the old walled village of Jharkot. If you can spare the time, Nepal really needs more than 14 days to appreciate its diversity. An Everest sight seeing flight is spectacular...and a trip down to Chitwan National Park for a Jungle safari gives a different dimension both culturally and environmentally. Nepal really is much more than mountains.

excellent direction from # 1 !

pl enjoy the apple capital of nepal (ie) Marpha when u trek back frm mukthinath. it will be interesting to taste a variety of food items made from apple ! kagbeni is the guardian gate way to the forbidden kingdom of upper mustang , but do take rest there by walking thro the kali gandaki river bed where u can collect relegious fossils (!) Salagrava. # 1 is right, dont miss baktarpur, patan, changunarain, all enroute to Nagarkot which is a beautiful sunrise point!

pl visit Budhaneelanaraina near KTM and enjoy the seemings floating monolith of cosmic serpent coiled Vishnu, the creator god in hindu mythology.

have a nice and enjoying trip. and pl post ur exp. in the tree.

stilltrekking gives excellent advice and background. A few more thoughts...

In 7 days I am not sure if you can go to Muktinath as well. So flying in to Pokhara, and then onto Jomsom and trekking down to Naya Pul is the way to go when you are under time pressure. Definitely see Kagbeni, a fantastic village at the entrance of Mustang, and not too far away from Jomsom,- as well as the old village of Jharkot. This probably can be done in one day, but I would sleep a night in Kagbeni. Marpha and Tukuckhe, both downhill from Jomsom, are excellent, with some very good apple brandy if you are so inclined...

Around KTM and the KTM valley don't miss the following:
1. Baktapur - very atmospheric former capital and world heritage site. Worth spending at least half a day there. It is a walking only old city and therefore a pleasant contrast to Thamel.
2. KTM Durbar Square - not far from Thamel, see if you can go around 10 am in the Kumari Chowk to see the livig godess...
3. Boudanath - the big budhist/tibetan gompa
4. Swayambunath - the monkey temple high above KTM
5. The shopping complex developed in the formes Royal Stables.

wow thanks so much for all the replys - soooo cool to keep the travellers spirit and togetherness alive and well.

we will def do Jomsom now - so excited

great comments .. truely

thanks

JACK AND NINS

Hello

Just returned from my trip and we did the Jomsom treck as well. We did the trip in 6 days from Pokhra back to Pochara but it can easily be done in 5 and we spend the first night at Kagbeni which is an easy 6 kilometer trek from the airport. The way down from Jomsom is far more interesting though. The difference is that you will be there after (or at the end of) the monsoons and the trek will be totally changed so maybe the Kagbeni trek is also interesting then with a full river. The view is great though walking back from Kagbeni to Jomsom. From Jomsom to Beni is the interesting part and from Beni you can easily get a taxi or bus back to Pokhara. (about 3 hour ride) . Enjoy