Table of Contents
IN A NUTSHELL
Muktinath’s Spiritual Significance: A sacred Vishnu temple revered by Hindus and Buddhists, situated at an altitude of 3,800 meters, making it one of the highest temples on Earth.
Travel Routes: Flights from Pokhara to Jomsom (with a 15-minute flight followed by a 2 hours jeep ride), or by a bus/jeep journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then continuing to Muktinath.
Kathmandu to Pokhara: Options include a 30-minute flight or a longer 6 to 7-hour bus journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by further travel to reach Muktinath.
Pokhara to Muktinath: Travel by jeep or bus covers around 195 Kilometers and takes 9 to 10 hours, passing through scenic locations like Rupse Waterfall, Tatopani hot springs, Marfa village and Lete Bazar.
Jomsom Exploration: Located at 2,743 meters, serves as the gateway to Muktinath and offers cultural experiences, including the popular “Jomsomai Bazar Ma” song by Nepathya.
Muktinath Temple Visit: After reaching Muktinath, either by walking or taking a horse ride, visitors can cleanse their soul by bathing in the temple’s 108 water spouts, believed to bring spiritual purification.
Activities in Jomsom and Muktinath: Options include hiking to Dhumba Lake, visiting Marpha or Kagbeni, exploring Thakali culture, and further exploring Muktinath’s religious sites like Jwala Mai Temple.
Accommodation Options: Near Muktinath, various accommodations can be found on different preferences and budgets, including Club ES Deurali Resort, Lo Mustang Himalayan Resort, and others.
Nearby Places: Apart from Muktinath, there are significant spots in the valley like Ranipauwa, Gompas, and monasteries, offering a broader experience of the region.
Safety Measures: Highlight potential dangers such as rough roads, tough weather conditions, and altitude sickness risks, advising precautions like carrying medicines and planning visits during suitable weather periods.
Journey to Muktinath
Situated in the Muktinath Valley at the base of the Thorong La mountain pass in Mustang, Muktinath is a Vishnu temple that is considered sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. At 3,800 meters, it is among the highest temples on Earth.
To travel to Muktinath, there are mainly two ways: by flight or by bus/jeep. It is possible to reach Muktinath Temple in a single day by taking a 15-minute flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, followed by a 1.5-hour jeep ride up to Ranipauwa and a 20-minute walk up to the temple.
Kathmandu to Pokhara:
Through flight:
The quickest and most enjoyable method to get from Kathmandu to Pokhara is via flight. A flight takes about thirty minutes. There are numerous flights available each day from the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan Airport. The fastest and easiest way to go Jomsom is through flight. While there is no direct flight to Jomsom airport from Kathmandu, we have to transit in Pokhara. You will be spending a night in Pokhara. Since it is windy in the afternoon, flights to Jomsom are scheduled in the morning.
Flight to Jomsom: The next morning, you will take a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, which takes about 15-20 minutes.
Through Bus/Jeep:
You can take a bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara or directly to Muktinath, which is a more budget-friendly option but takes longer. The journey by road is around 370 km and can take 16 to 18 hours due to the hilly and winding terrain. Public buses are available throughout the day, generally every 30 minutes, from the Gongabu Bus Park. But it is good to book a ticket online through various travel agencies that offer Kathmandu to Pokhara bus services or via BusSewa.com app. For example, Hike on Travels, Nepal Vehicle Rental, and Graceful Adventure Travel provide online booking facilities.
Pokhara to Muktinath:
From Pokhara, you can take a jeep/bus to Muktinath, which is a worthwhile trip that combines Nepal’s natural and spiritual beauty. The cost will be around 2200 to 3000 depending on the transportation medium.
How to reach Jomsom by road?
Firstly we need to reach Jomsom by road. You can catch a bus to Jomsom from Pokhara then take a jeep/bus from Jomsom to Muktinath the next morning. The ride from Pokhara to Jomsom is bumpy. It is not recommended to take a flight to Jomson, the bus ride from Beni to Jomson is really nice because you travel along the Kali Gandaki gorge and its really pretty.
Traveling by jeep from Pokhara to Muktinath takes 9 to 10 hours, covering a distance of around 195 Kilometers. The trip is highly challenging and harsh because of the severe weather conditions. The road is decent from Pokhara to Beni, although it is uneven from Beni to Jomsom, and there are blacktops on the route from Kagbeni to Muktinath.
Our Journey by road:
The next day, we can book a ticket for a bus or jeep online or through the nearest ticket counter, easily found in the bus park in Pokhara. After spending a night in Pokhara and booking the ticket, our journey to Jomsom begins. The journey might take about 11 to 12 hours to reach Jomsom from Pokhara in a shared jeep or bus.
Breakfast at Lumle: Lumle is a good place to have breakfast, as the jeep or bus might stop there for a quick break. After that, you will encounter locations like Kushma and Beni bazar, which is located on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River.
You will then reach the Rupse Waterfall. A scenic waterfall located near Jomsom, Rupse Waterfall is a popular spot for tourists to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
After that, you will reach a place called Tatopani. This place contains hot springs. If you are traveling on a motorcycle, you can enjoy a hot bath which is believed to have healing properties.
After a few hours of driving, you will arrive at the Ghasa checkpoint. For foreigners, it is necessary to take the permit to travel to Muktinath otherwise some fill will be charged and you can move on. Then you will come across Lete Bazar. A small town near Jomsom, Lete Bazar is a good place to have lunch and explore the local market. Then you will come across Marpha. A village in the Mustang district, Marpha is known for its apple orchards and alcohol production. It is also a great place to experience the local culture and architecture.
After that you will reach Jomsom which is located at an altitude of 2,743 meters, it is the nearest town to Muktinath and serves as a starting point for treks and jeep tours to the Muktinath Temple.
“Jomsomai Bazar Ma” is a well-known Nepali song by the band Nepathya. The song has gained popularity for its catchy tune and meaningful lyrics, and it reflects the beauty and essence of the Jomsom Bazaar.
Kagbeni, a small town in the Mustang district, is well-known for its historical significance and for serving as the entry point to the Upper Mustang area.
Muktinath Temple Location:
Depending on your needs, you can go from Jomsom by walking, bus, or jeep. You will then reach the Muktinath bus park.
You will reach Muktinath after a short while of walking or, for about Rs 200 to 300, you can take a horse ride.
Muktinath, your ultimate destination, is a holy pilgrimage site 3,800 meters above sea level. It is the primary draw, and the surroundings are full of wonderful views of the mountains and other natural beauty. Then, you can take a hotel and stay for the night. The next morning, visit Muktinath temple. The temple is surrounded by 108 water spouts, and taking a bath in these spouts is said to cleanse the soul, representing a pilgrimage to the 108 sacred places of Hinduism. This act is believed to wash away sins and bring spiritual purification, ultimately leading to salvation.
You can stay that day in Muktinath or you can take a bus to Pokhara from the bus park.
Things to do in Jomsom and Muktinath
Hike to Dhumba Lake: Dhumba Lake is located about 5.5 km west of Jomsom near Thini village. It takes about 1 to 2 hours to walk. This lake is highly recommended and is also a very popular tourist destination.
Detour to Marpha or Kagbeni: Both Marpha and Kagbeni, two old Mustang settlements, are about two hours’ walk from Jomsom. If you prefer convenience or want to travel by car, 20 to 30 minutes will get you to these towns that appear straight out of an ancient history book. This beautiful village has stone-paved narrow alleys, whitewashed stone walls, and flat mud roofs.
Thakali Cultural Detour: Mustang or Jomsom is not only popular for trekking and adventure. It is also famous for its warm hospitality and culture. It is a good opportunity to visit the locals and experience the lifestyle.
Hike for Muktinath: The location of Muktinath temple is not far from Jomsom. You will reach Muktinath after a short while of walking or, for about Rs 200 to 300, you can take a horse ride. Depending on your needs, you can go from Jomsom by walking, bus, or jeep. You will then reach the Muktinath bus park. You will reach Muktinath after a short while of walking or, for about Rs 200 to 300, you can take a horse ride. You can explore the Muktinath including the Muktinath temple.
Jwala Mai Temple: It is located southward of the main Muktinath gate. This site has a spring and three burning flames out of which two are still active. Pilgrims come to the site to pay their tribute to Jwala Mai, the flame goddess who makes her felt by burning as eternal flames.
Hotel and accommodations
When traveling to Muktinath, there are several accommodation options available to suit different preferences and budgets. Some of the hotels near Muktinath Temple include:
- Club ES Deurali Resort
- Lo Mustang Himalayan Resort
- Hotel Annapurna View Sarangkot
- Himalayan Front Hotel By KGH
Other nearby paces
There are seven important places in the Muktinath Valley, which are Putak, Jhong, Chhyokhar, Purang Jharkot, and Khinga. The Purang community created a new village called Ranipauwa, also known as Queen Pilgrims Hostel. Near the Muktinath temple, there are many Gompas and monasteries.
Potential dangers and necessary precautions
Risks:
- Road Conditions: The road to Muktinath is not the best, with rough parts and the risk of landslide blockages and flooding.
- Weather Conditions: The area experiences tough weather conditions, and traveling there requires a willingness to undergo physical discomfort.
- Altitude Sickness: The high altitude poses a risk of altitude sickness, which can be life-threatening
Precautions:
It is necessary to carry some medicine to avoid altitude sickness. Zolamide Tablet is a Tablet commonly used for the diagnosis or treatment of acute mountain sickness, decreased eye pressure, and excessive fluid collection in the body.
Weather Awareness: Plan your trip during the most suitable time, typically from March to May and October, to avoid extreme weather conditions.