Muktinath Pilgrims Tour

The well-known holy place of Lord Muktinath lies in the region of Mustang about 18 kilometers north of Jomsom (district headquarter of Mustang) at an altitude  of about 3800 meters. The main holy place is a pagoda devoted to god Bishnu. Set into the wall are 108 spouts from which flow holy water. The temple is located on a high mountain range and is visited during the seasons when the weather is fine. There are two ways to reach in Muktinath. One starts with a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and then walking 7 to 8 hours from Jomsom. But, to walk directly walk direct from Jomsom (2740m) to Muktinath (3800m) for many people causes high altitude sickness. The second alternative is to trek all the way from Pokhara through Kali-Gandaki valley, which takes 8-9 days. The temple is held to be holy by Hindus and Buddhists. The Jwala Mai temple nearby also has a spring and an everlasting fire fed by natural gas from the ground inside temple. Jomsom is a major center in the Annapurna region. There are world-class accommodation facilities in Jomsom from where one can enjoy the remarkable natural beauty including especially Mt. Nilgiri 7400 meters.

Muktinath is the most holy Hindu spot in Nepal following the temple of Pashupatinath in Kathmandu. Hindu pilgrims come here to cleanse in the 108 water spouts shaped as cows head and Buddhists come here to pay homage at a holy place surrounding an everlasting blue flame. Pilgrims bathe in the holy water spouts to purify their bodies before entrance to the main temple for worship. The journey from Pokhara to Jomsom offers wonderful views of the Himalayas. If you walk all the way from Nayapul to Muktinath your path takes you through one of the deepest canyons in the world between two mountains above eight thousand Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Annapurna  (8091m). Travelers and pilgrims are rewarded with wonderful views of the Himalaya, the amazing valley of Kaligandaki all the way from Tatopani (hot springs) and a diversity of ethnic groups and cultures trekkers to Muktinath holy place.

11 days Muktinath Pilgrims Tour itinerary

Day 01: Tourist bus 7-8, car, van 5 hrs drive or plane 25 minute to Pokhara, overnight hotel.
Day 02: By private car / van one hours drive / by local bus two hours drive to Nayapul and same day trek to Tikhedhunga (1540m.) it takes 4 hours walk and overnight hotel.
Day 03: Trekking to Ghorepani (2850m.) it takes 6 hours walk and overnight hotel.

Day 04: Early morning climb up to Poonhill (3210m.) for sunrise 180 degree of Annapurna view down to hotel and trek continue to Tatopani (1190m.) 8 hours in total and overnight hotel.
Day 05: Trekking to Ghasa (2010m.) it takes 6-7 hours walk and overnight hotel.
Day 06: Trekking to Tukuche (2590m.) it takes 7 hours walk and overnight hotel.
Day 07: Trekking to Kagbeni (2800m.) it takes 6 hours walk and overnight hotel.
Day 08: Trekking to Muktinath (3800m.) it takes 5 hours walk and overnight hotel.

Day 09: Trekking to Jomsom (2710m.) it takes 6 hours walk and overnight hotel.
Day 10: Morning flight to Pokhara 15 to 18 minute, look around Pokhara valley, overnight hotel.
Day 11: Tourist bus 7-8, car, van 5 hrs drive or plane 25 minute to Kathmandu, overnight hotel.