Pokhra to Jomsom road

[Dr.Barai]

Does anybody have any idea whether the newly constructed road connecting Pokhra to Jomsom in Mustang district of Nepal has been opened for regular traffic or not????

Thanks in advance:)

[thesilvertops]

The road is not complete between Beni and Tatopani, and between Chhahare and Ghasa. It is in use between Tatopani and Chhahare, Ghasa to Lete and Kalopani, and Jomosom to Kagbeni and Muktinath. I can't confirm the section between Kalopani and Jomoson as we walked mostly on the east bank. You will see motorcycles on any of these sections, jeeps on the southerly sections and tractors and trailers on the Jomosom to Kagbeni and Muktinath section. You can't really describe it as traffic. You will see a vehicle every now and again. There are two problems: the dust thrown up by vehicles and mule trains, and the motorcycles who come from behind without warning. We only saw 30 or 40 vehicles over 5 days walking this section. We saw hundreds and hundreds of mules.

[Dr.Barai]

Thanks for the response. Is it possible to travel from beni to jomson on a motorbike?

[thesilvertops]

There was a report a few days ago that some jeeps had made it through from Beni. When we were at Tatopani, the status of the road works then would not have allowed it. They were drilling to place explosives in the cliff about a kilometre south of Tatopani just by the suspension bridge that leads to Ghorepani. But that was mid-February.

[yakshaver]

Thanks for the response. Is it possible to travel from beni to jomson on a motorbike?
Possible but not that likely, as there are a couple of traverses where the trail is pretty narrow and angle very steep, due to the roadwork. Sometimes if it rains and there are landslides, you have to do long detours which can have relatively difficult spots. It happened to us last July. It was a lot of fun, but no place for a motorbike. But we did some motorbiking on one of the sections, and that was a LOT of fun. A couple of tumbles helped increase the fun tremendously.

[Dr.Barai]

its about to be april 2008, guess the road will be on a better shape now. i am really keen on a bike trip to mustang in sep this year.:)

[Dr.Barai]

anyone having latest info plz update me

[Dr.Barai]

anyone having latest info about the road connection kindly update me.

[Petrus]

In May this year: regular busses up to Tatopani, minibusses up to Ghasa, Jeeps to Muktinath.

[webmaster]

As of yesterday, road is passanle except for a stretch near Rupse Chhara, where a 1-1/2 hour walk is needed. Vehicles are often waiting at the other end of the slide to continue in both directions.

[dhalbhastart]

Yes vehicles are available but for an extortionate price if you are not a local.

[Mr Mani]

I'd also take a frying pan with that stove you want to bring along so you can cook up that chip on your shoulder.

[yakshaver]

Yes vehicles are available but for an extortionate price if you are not a local.

I am not so sure about "extortionate"... I remeber going from Tatopani to Beni using a combination of riding on the back seat of a motorbike to squashing together with 748 didis in a 4wd - all for less than 350 or 400 rupees. And having enourmous fun in the process.
By my account this is not "extortionate". Sure it may be more than the locals pay. But you get that in every third and fourth world country. From Africa to South America to Asia. Big bloody deal...
If your obsession is to be charged the same as the locals (as it seems...), one solution is to go to Switzerland for your holidays. Nice place, good services, and they will charge you the same as the locals.

Or maybe seek some progressive desensitisation therapy. Not cheap, but the locals suffering of the same syndrom will be charged similarly, I promise. 170 dollars for a 45 minute session. It will involve progressively putting your hand inside your pocket, taking your wallet out, and getting some money out. But don't worry, you will only get there after, maybe, 17 or 18 sessions.

[a1jbg]

Well said yakshaver!