We start from the hotel at about 7 am, cross the suspension bridge to the west bank and climb a dirt track for 40 minutes to Thini. Thini predates Jomsom; its flat-roofed houses huddle together against the wind and its small gompa holds old murals. Our guide explains how villages here once controlled the salt and grain trade that moved between Tibet and the Nepal hills along this valley.
From Thini the path rises gently for 30 minutes to Dhumba Lake at about 2,830 m. The water is green to turquoise, depending on light, and locals consider it sacred, so there is no swimming or fishing. Prayer flags stretch over a small shrine on the far bank. On a clear morning Nilgiri North rises steeply behind, and the whole Jomsom valley opens below you towards Marpha.
The return takes about an hour downhill to the airstrip side, and you are back before the wind picks up around 11 am. The total height gain is only about 150 m, so this suits seniors and families, and it is a useful way to spend the first afternoon or morning before a night at higher Muktinath. Wear a hat, carry water and keep a light jacket for the shade.
Good for
- Families
- Seniors
- First-timers
- Photographers
Questions travellers ask
How hard is the Dhumba Lake walk from Jomsom?
It is easy. The full loop is about 6–7 km with roughly 150 m of climbing and takes three hours at a relaxed pace, including time in Thini. The path is a dirt track with some loose stones. Anyone who can walk an hour on uneven ground can do it. Start early because the afternoon wind makes the return dusty.
Can we swim in Dhumba Lake?
No. Dhumba Lake is treated as sacred by local Buddhist communities and swimming, washing and fishing are not allowed. You can walk around part of the shore, photograph the prayer flags and sit by the small shrine. Please do not leave offerings made of plastic, and carry out any rubbish you bring.
Is there an entry fee for Thini or Dhumba Lake?
There is no separate fee for the village or lake. You are inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so your ACAP permit covers the walk. The Thini gompa caretaker may ask for a small donation, usually NPR 100–200, to open the prayer hall. Photography inside some halls is not allowed, so ask first.
