The Jomsom Trek - Day 1

The 20 minute flight from Pokhara to Jomsom was probably the most thrilling plane ride we've ever taken. You fly up the Kali Gandaki river, skimming the valley floor and weaving beneath the peaks of the surrounding mountains.

The takeoff and landing were particularly hairy as both runways felt a little bit too short for comfort.

The Jomsom Trek follows one of the old trade routes between Nepal and Tibet. Because of this the route is peppered with lots of small villages that have lodges and shops. This means that you don't need to employ an army of porters to carry a tent, cooking gear and supplies for you.

After our early morning flight we walked out of Jomsom and headed 6km down the valley to Marpha to grab some brunch. The scenery en route was pretty stunning. We were hiking through high altitude desert with the snow capped 7km high peak of Tilicho looming overhead.

Marpha is the self proclaimed "delightful apple capital of Nepal".

It was a stunningly pretty little village that had the feel of one of those wonky old Cornish fishing villages.

From there it was another 6km to Tukuchi where we were planning to spend our first night. Having heard stories of having to sleep under a grubby yak blanket on a dining room table we weren't sure what the lodge accommodation would be like on route. However; we were pleasantly surprised by our first nights accommodation at the High Plains Inn at Tukuche. We had a lovely clean room, which was styled like a log cabin, en suite bathroom and a hot water shower for relieving those aching limbs. It was quite possibly the best hotel we've ever stayed in for £4 a night!