Muktinath Temple Tour/ Religious Site / Pilgrimage place

Muktinath Temple Tour

Well-known Muktinath Temple tour take take a place of sacred and important religious temple and Pilgrimage place for both Hindu and Buddhists. The Temple is located in the Mustang District and situated at about 18 KM northeast of Jomsom in the west central part of Nepal, at an altitude of 3760 meters on the foot of one of the world’s biggest pass Thoarng-La (5416M). The holy shrine at Muktinath is in a grove of trees and includes a Buddhist Gompa and the pagoda style temple of Vishnu Mandir etc.

There are seven historic village around Muktinath: Ranipauwa, Jharkot, Khinja, Putak, Jhong, Chhyonkhar and Purang. And the main ethnic group of the valleys are Thakali, and Bhotias.

Legend of Muktinath Temple

The Tibetan Buddhist tradition states that for this reason Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, had meditated at Muktinath he gained lifetime achievement of spiritual knowledge here while on his way to Tibet on 12th century.

The waterway downstream from Muktinath along Kali Gandaki is the source of all Silas or Shaligrams that are required to establish a temple of Vishnu anywhere in the world. It is considered to be one of the holiest places of pilgrimage of Hindus, Buddhists, and Vaishnavas. It has 108 water stone waterspouts and this number carries great significance in Eastern philosophy. Here in the early 19th century the Hindus consecrated a Vishnu temple and named is Muktinath – Lord of Liberation. Against a backdrop of incredible starkness you can sit and stare to the south the snow covered Annapurna range, or to the north the Tibetan plateau.

About Muktinath Temple Tour

The Muktinath Temple is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu. The Pagoda style Muktinath Temple is symbol of the religious symbiosis between both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindu regards Muktinath as Vishnu whereas Buddhists regard as Buddha. The main shrine of Muktinath is a pagoda – shaped temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. The Statue is of gold and is tall enough to compare with a man. The depicts metal statues of lord Vishnu, goddess Laxmi, Saraswoti, Janaki, Garuda, Lava-Kush and Sapta Rishis.

Muktinath is the only shrine where a combination of Hindu and Buddhist priest Dom is found. A Shradha (the rituals after the death) at the confluence of Kag khola and river Kaligandagi at Kagbeni and worship after that in the shrine of lord Muktianth is heavenly and boon bestowing. One would be enlightened and thrilled to have the Darshan of Lord Vishnu flanked by the idols of His divine consorts Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess earth on right and left.

The main attraction of Muktinath Temple Tour:

Combination of both Hindus and Buddhist Religious Temple and Monastery.
Pagoda Style Temple.
108 waterspout.
The old Buddhist Monasteries.
The burning water flame “Jwala Mai Temple”.
Fossils “Shaligrama” symbol of Lord Vishnu.
Panoramic Views of Annapurna Himalayas and Dhaulagiri Himalayas.

How to get Muktinath Temple?
There are many different ways to get Muktinath Temple Tour.

By Airplane / Heli:
There are daily several flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and take a Next morning flight to Jomsom then Hike to Muktinath around 6 hours. And same way Back.

There is helipad nearby temple; the charter helicopter services are available from Pokhara & Kathmandu all the way to Muktinath which takes around forty five minutes to reach from Pokhara and 2.30 hrs from Kathmandu. The helicopter can be hired only when the weather permits. Arriving by helicopter for a longer period of stay is not recommended because of the risk of acute mountain sickness.

Duration of flight:

Regular flight from Kathmandu – Pokhara 25 Minutes.
Regular flight from Pokhara – Jomsom 17 Minutes.
Chartered Heli from Kathmandu to Muktinath 1:30 Minutes.
Chartered heli From Pokhara to Muktinath 45 Minutes.

By Road:

At the moment road access is available all the way to Muktinath. So one can take direct Local Bus from Kathmandu to Jomsom and take another Jeep or Bus to Muktinath. The other way is driving via Pokhara and continue to Muktinath and same way Back by Private Vehicle. It may take10 hrs drive by private transport in a Normal road Condition (4 wheel drive Jeep)

Duration of Drive:

Local Bus from Kathmandu to Jomsom 16 to 18 Hours.
Private Vehicle from Kathmandu 14 to 16 Hours.
Tourist Bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara 7 hours.
Bus from Pokhara to Jomsom 9 – 10 hours.
Jomsom to Muktinath 1 Hours.

By Trekking / Hiking:

We also can trek via regular Annapurna Circuits Treks over one of the Biggest Throng-La Pass and Stop down at Muktinath or take a classic Annapurna Trekking Route from Beni which may take around 5/6 days to reach Muktinath.

(Note: Apart from walking to Religious temple Muktinath all the way, there are many ways one can travel, depending on time and budget).

Best Time to Visit Muktinath:

The most suitable time to visit Religious temple Muktinath from September to November and March to May. Considering from December to February it can be snowy and cold but still accessible to travel. June to August is raining season. As the weather conditions would not be safe enough to travel in these months.

Suggested Short Itinerary

Day 01: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU. (1338 METERS).
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara. (810 METERS):
Day 03: Drive to Jomsom 2700 meters):
Day 04: Drive to Muktinath (3760 Meters) and Explore around:
Day 05: Visit Muktinath Temple and Drive Back to Pokhara:
Day 06: Sightseeing in Pokhara:
Day 07: Drive Back to Kathmandu:
Day 08: Final Departure:

Detail Itinenary

Day 01

Arrive in Kathmandu. (1338 METERS).

A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks with the company’s display board will greet you outside the arrival terminal and transfer you to your Hotel. The trek leader will meet the group for a meeting and provide a detailed briefing on the trek. All the required information regarding the trek would be provided. (Overnight at Hotel).

Day 02

Drive to Pokhara. (810 Meters)

After breakfast, a private vehicle (car/bus) will pick you up at your hotel. We drive to Pokhara via the Prithvi Highway, following Trishuli River for most part of the drive. It takes around 6 hours to reach at Pokhara. (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included).

Day 03

Drive to Jomsom 2700 meters).

After breakfast in Pokhara Hotel, we will take a drive to Jomsom. The beautiful and exciting on the bent of Kaligandagi River and drive along the few local village like, Beni, Tatopani, Ghasa, Kalopani, Larjung, Marpha, Jomsom. It takes around 7 -8 hours to get to Jomsom. (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included).

Day 04

Drive to Muktinath (3760 Meters) and Explore around.

After breakfast, drive to Muktinath via Kagbeni village, visit Kagbeni village and Monastery, have some snake and then continue drive to Muktinath stay overnight at Muktinath. (About 2 hours’ drive).

Day 05

Visit Muktinath Temple and Drive Back to Pokhara.

Early Morning visit Muktinath Temple for 108 holy water bath and do some Puja wish for good luck, Visit around Muktinath Temple, Pogoda, monastery and some other holy site, then back to Hotel have breakfast then start road journey to Pokhara about 8 hours stay overnight at Pokhara at Hotel.

Day 06

Sightseeing in Pokhara.

Today we will suggest you to have late breakfast because of long journey from Muktinath then after breakfast out for Pokhara Sightseeing - sightseeing place to visit in Pokhara would be Bindabasini Temple, Seti River gorge, Gorkha Museum, Devi’s waterfall, Mahadev Cave and visit the Barahi Temple by boat ride in Fewa Lake, and if you feel you can also visit International Mountain museum then back to hotel. Stay Overnight at Pokhara at Hotel.

Day 07

Drive Back to Kathmandu.

After Breakfast drive to Kathmandu, on the way we may visit Manakaman Temple. After Visiting Manakamana Temple and continue drive to Kathmandu stay overnight at Kathmandu Hotel.

Day 08

Final Departure.

A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future.

Gear List

Visit Himalaya Treks has always been keen about safety on the journey. We have prepared Trekking Equipment List which the trekkers will need during their trek in Nepal. The following list should help you with your packing. Generally, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG. You must bring the following items:

Fleece jacket or warm jumper	Thermal shirts/underwear	Nightwear thermals
Fleece/sweatpants	Day-wear shirt/rain pants	Trekking pants
Wind pants	Warm hat/balaclava	Neck gaiter
Sunhat	Warm hat	Sunglasses
Mittens/gloves	Water bottle	Torch / Flashlight
Quick drier Towel	Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen 35++
Water purification	A set of Earplugs	Trekking Poles
Hiking Boots	Socks	First aid kit
Antiseptics	Camera and video camera

Medical

Betadine / Dettol.	Hand-plaster	Bandage
Eye drop.	Eardrop	Sinex.
Gauge	Cotton	Move / Spray
Digene	Diamox	D-Cold
Vicks	Paracetamol	Medicine for diarrhea
Medicine for a toothache