Jomsom is a small Himalayan town located at an altitude of about 2743 m (8,999ft) in Mustang District, Nepal. Jomsom is a part of lower Mustang where on one side you have the Nilgiri Himalayan Peak and on the other side the landscape is dry yet exotic. It resembles the beautiful locations that we usually see in Afghan provinces with rugged mountains everywhere. This is the only place where you get to see and buy fossilised black warm stones known as ‘saligram’. These stones are in abundance in the River Kali Gandaki. Marpha which is also known as the apple capital of Nepal, has apple trees everywhere. Marpha means ‘hardworking people’. Jomsom is a great place for trekking.
The region has many mountain trails some covered with snow while some with no snow at all. The view is spectacular and the trek highly enjoyable with cool breeze all the time yet a warm weather. One of the trekking trail takes you near the River Kali Gandaki. The water in the river is ice cold. Trekking through the gorge carved by the river is an unforgettable experience. Marpha is a small yet beautiful place. The paths are neatly paved with stones. Houses are built in a unique traditional style with the walls made of rocks cut into small pieces. Most of the locals here keep logs of wood and hay on the roof of their homes. These are stored so that they can use it when it becomes extremely cold here. Most of the houses are either a single-storey or double-storey buildings. There are a few shops and home-stays available here. The place looks gorgeous with apple trees everywhere. One of the major attractions here is the monastery built on the upper part of the place known as Solmi Gomba.
