Key Points to Plan Muktinath Temple Tour Package

One of the most revered destinations of Nepal’s Pilgrimage is Muktinath , located at the  uphill trans-Himalayan region at an altitude of 3,710 meters of Mustang District. Popular as a sacred location for Hindus and Buddhists devotees. Muktinath tour also offers beautiful landscapes, ethnic culture, adventure and thrill along with the spiritual fulfillment. Important point of the Yatra include its Hindu significance as a location of salvation (Mukti Kshetra) for Lord Vishnu and also as one of the 108 Divya Desams amongst Hindu Devotees, and its Buddhist importance as Chumig Gyatsa (100 waters) and a location of meditation and prayers for Guru Rinpoche and hold significance as Avalokiteshvara - Bodhisattva of Compassion.
 

Muktinath Staircase and access to the temple

The Muktinath staircase is a symbol of human strength and meditative devotion of the devotees visiting the temple. The area’s aura, which includes small divine temples and sightseeing locations, requires climbing around 300 steps. Bike, Pony and Porter services are available for those who are not able to climb the stairs.
 

• Number of steps: There are approximately 300 steps to reach the temple premises from the bottom gate of the shrine.
• Purpose: The climb symbolizes a path to salvation i.e., Moksha at a pilgrimage site.
• Accessibility: Devotees who are not able to walk, services like porters and pony rides, are facilitated.
• Location: The footsteps take the pilgrim from the Mustang district of Nepal to the Muktinath Temple.

 

Plan Muktinath Temple Tour Package:

Here we will share with you complete detailing of the tourist destination with full guidance of Route and travel options (By Road, Flight and trek) , Stay, food and Saligram (Black Fossil with spiritual significance).

 

legend : A legend mention this as a place where Lord Vishnu took refuge in order to get freed from the curse and a place  to be freed from a curse, and this is the location where a demon king, Jalandhar, was evolved into a Shaligram (a stone fossil with spirals).

 

Geographical Setting: The Mustang Valley Muktinath temple of Nepal is located at a high altitude above sea level for approximately 3,710 meters. The beautiful barren topography surrounding Muktinath showcases a noticeable and awe-inspiring surrounding, magnifying the pilgrimage's authentic experience.

 

Location: Mustang District, Gandaki Province, Nepal.

 

Best Time to Visit

 

March to May (summer): This is the highest peak tourist season. The weather is ideal for trekking, and the location is crowded.

 

June to August (Monsoon): The temperature is mild, but due to the monsoon, it may rain at this time. What so ever, trekking during this period of monsoon is still possible if you are careful.

 

September to November: The weather at this time of the year is clear and stable, which makes it best for trekking.

 

Permits and Documentation to travel to Mustang & Muktinath Region

 

Required Permits:

 

ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit): Mandatory for entering the Annapurna Conservation Area. Fee payment is mandatory.

 

TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System): Essential for managing trekkers' information and safety.

 

Please care permits are checked at various checking points during the trek. Ensure you keep them handy at all times to avoid penalties and delays.
 

Facilities and Services in Muktinath

In Muktinath: The temple area is maintained with limited amenities, but the villages in vicinity such as Ranipauwa and Jharkot offer essential services, including:
 

Lodging: Limited amenities accommodations are available in the area
 

Communication: ISD and STD communication network is available in Jharkot and Ranipauwa.
 

Health: Management of basic rescue and health facilities and available if needed in the case of emergency.
 

Muktinath Options of Travel Package:

One can reach Muktinath by en number mode of transport and routes and each route will have its own experience to cherish lifelong. From Kathmandu we have to travel to Pokhara and thereafter to Jomsom and onward to the Muktinath temple.
 

Muktinath Travel Routes:

• First take a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes 35 minutes.
• Thereafter connect with the domestic flight to Jomsom which takes 25 minutes.
• Lastly from Jomsom drive to Muktinath temple by Vehicle (Jeep) .It will take 2.5 hrs  by Jeep from Jomsom to Muktinath.

 

Plus point and Benefits for the tour to Muktinath Tour by Flight:

-   Nearest Airport of Muktinath is Jomsom Airport

 

-    You will save time and enjoy aerial panoramic view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Mountain ranges

 

-    This is good if you want to save time  and energy

 

Disadvantage of Mukitnath Yatra by Flight:

The tour by flight is the most expensive and fastest way to reach Muktinath temple. Most important one should keep in mind weather as this sector flights are dependent on the weather and this often becomes the reason for delays.

 

Day tour of Muktinath by Helicopter

Guests who are paucity of time and prepared to spend money have the option of 4-5 hrs from Pokhara and Kathmandu Day trip to Muktinath by Helicopter. Guests are given a 50 minutes stopover in Muktinath after landing for Darshan, 108 sprouts bath and return back to the flying city.

 

Muktinath by Jeep / Road

Muktinath by Jeep is the most popular choice amongst the travelers of scenic interest . The guest will save money by road and above all enjoy the scenic beauty of the destination passing by the local culture, temples and folklore.
 

Route of Muktinath by Road in Nepal

Step one drive Kathmandu to Pokhara via new route (5- 6hrs approximate)

 

Thereafter From Pokhara, travel by road to Jomsom via Beni, Kusma, Tatopani with the new road route this scenic drive will take 5-6hrs only

 

Lastly drive to Muktinath from Jomsom with an approximate drive of 2.5hrs. From Jomsom, Jeep Booking is available to visit the temple combining a short hike from parking to the temple

 

Advantages of Muktinath Tour by road

-         Cost effective and clear closer view of Nepal’s local folklore and culture

-         Give time to explore more locations en route the tour.

 

Disadvantages of Muktinath tour by road

-         Long Drive cam be tiring

-         The road on a small patch From beni to Josmom is slightly bumpy

 

Good for Budget travelers, families, and small groups with interest in the scenic journey.

 

On Foot Trekking to Muktinath

This option is only viable for the healthy adventure enthusiasts, the trekking usually starts from Pokhara and we pass by the beautiful Annapurna Ranges and reach Jomsom and then continue by trek to Muktinath . Usually it takes 8-9 days to take to/from Muktinath depending upon the walking speed and stamina.

 

Advantages of Trekking to Muktinath

-         Enjoy the beautiful scenic  traditional villages , monasteries and landscapes

-         Beautiful natural and cultural and natural experiences en route.

 

Disadvantages of Trekking to Muktinath

-         You require proper preparation as the route is demanding proper preparation.

-         You would require more time for this route and should be physically fit.

Best For: Trekkers and adventure seekers looking for a deeper connection with nature and local cultures.

 

Muktinath Temple Highlights

The Highlights of the destination and route are as follows

 

Kathmandu is the starting point of the tour so key places visited in Kathmandu are:-

 

• Pashupati Temple – the holiest temple of Nepal dedicated to lord shiva
   
• Budhanath Stupa - An important Buddhist site.
   
•  Durbar Square - In Kathmandu there are 3 Durbar squares located in 3 districts of Kathmandu  Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square (All are UNESCO world heritage sites) .
   
• Sambhunath – Located in the Mountain location and popular amongst Hindus and Buddhist
   
•  Budhanilkantha - A reclining Vishnu in the middle of the pond
   
• Kailashnath Mahadev Statue (Sanga, Bhaktapur) - This Statue is 143 ft. tall and world's 2^nd tallest statue.
   
• -        Pokhara City: Pokhara is a valley and gateway to Annapurna Region and is adorned with beautiful lakes and waterfalls.

 

An important tourist attractions of Pokhara

-   Phewa Lake: Colorful boats create a beautiful aura and tourists visit the lake for boating and view the Annapurna ranges. On a clear day one can see Macha Puchera i.e., Fishtail Peak reflection in the water.

 

-   Barahi Temple: Enigmatic temple located in the middle of the Phewa lake with the beautiful view of Annapurna range.

 

-   Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave: natural water and cave worth visiting by the tourist.

 

-   Sarangkot: A breathtaking sunrise viewpoint and hib of adventure sports

 

-   World Peace Pagoda: Placed on the hills of Pokhara and a popular Buddhist pilgrimage

 

-     Shree Bindhyabasini Temple: One of the oldest temples of Pokhara dedicated to the local goddess.

-     Kagbeni: En route to Jomsom this ancient Village is a major stopover for the pilgrims travelling by road

 

-     Visit Devthan Chhorten: This temple was built to protect the region from the ghost

 

-     Pumdikot : Pumdikot is the Shiva statue and the 51 ft statue is the second tallest statue of Nepal .  The total structure is 108 ft.

 

-     Jomsom: Jomsom is located in the  Lo-Manthang village and serves as base for the travelers heading towards Muktinath temple

 

-     Muktinath temple is popular for its scenic beauty and the only temple visited by both Buddhist and Hindu Devotees.

 

-     Dumba Lake: Lake is located at a high of 2830 metres in the Mustang district. The water of Dumba lake is collected by melting ice of Mount Nilgiri .

 

-         The lake is located in Mustang district with an altitude of 2830 meters. The Water of Dumba Lake is fed by ice that melts from Mount Nilgiri. The lake is considered holy in Buddhists and Hindu religion.

 

-      For Trekkers- Thorong-La Pass: The Highest Pass in the world, with a beautiful view of the mountain ranges and flora Fauna.

 

Spiritual Significance of Muktinath Temple

Muktinath Temple holds special spiritual significance amongst both Hindus and Buddhists devotees. As the Hindu belief, Muktinath is sacred to the Sri (meaning Laxmi) Vaishnava traditional theme. As per the Vaishnava tradition, the goddess Laxmi (the consort of Vishnu) and Vishnu are believed to be together. Muktinath is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham (Four Thousand Divine Hymns) - a complete compilation of 4,000 Tamil verses of South India Vaishnava poet saints.

 

Buddhists Believe that Muktinath is a place of enlightenment and meditation, linked with the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara.

 

The holy water flowing from Mukti Dharas (108 water sprouts inside the temple premises) is said to originate from Gosain Kunda and taking bath from the water of these sprouts cleanses the sins of humans and helps in becoming a peaceful and inner conscious human being.. 

 

Jwala devi flame is demonstrated as eternal flame with the power of jwala devi and here the devotees feel the energy of Jawala devi and her enigmatic power.

 

 The 108 water sprouts hold a lot of significance amongst hindu devotees and the philosophy is linked with 12 zodiacs, & 9 Planets (navgraha) a deeper significance in Hindu philosophy, their combination gives 108. Similarly, the 27 lunar mansions (nakshatras), each divided into four quarters (or padas), sum up to the total count of 108 padas, further the digits symbolizing numerical calculation.

 

The calculation of 108 also appears in Buddhist old wives tales. In Buddhism, 108 signifies 108 earthly desires or delusions that must be controlled to achieve enlightenment . It is also associated with the calculations involving the six senses multiplied by three sensations (pleasant, unpleasant, neutral) across past, present, and future timelines (6 x 3 x 3 x 2 = 108)

 

Food Options in Muktinath Tour

The food available in Muktinath route is local and authentic Nepali flavors

 

Dal Bhat: A Healthy and Nutritious meal of lentils, rice, and vegetable curry (Non-Veg optional).

 

Thakali Cuisine: Traditional food prepared and serviced with pickles and ghee-fried lentils (Non-Veg optional).

 

Tibetan Bread: Very commonly found in Nepal on the trekking route for breakfast,  prepared with flour, milk, sugar, baking powder, and salt. It was served as a fried item and eaten with the local honey dip .

 

Yak Cheese: A local delicacy of Jomsom, dried cheese made from Yak milk. It is rich in protein and calcium.

 

Continental Menu: Kathmandu, Pokhara and Jomsom have a variety of Options regarding the food including Italian, Indian, Korean, Chinese, etc.

 

Frequently Asked Questions -

-  Do we need to hire a Guide or Porter and how much Necessary? It is not mandatory, but by hiring a guide or porter we can add ease to our tour . Guides and Porters offer local navigation and support, while porters always assist in carrying the luggage.

 

-  Is it mandatory to join an Organized Tour or can I customize my schedule? This is a regular Pilgrimage and tourist trekking route, so all is possible on this route depending on the requisite, like fixed departure groups or private tour with guide & porter.

 

-         What to Do in Case of an Emergency? Emergency assistance is available at the local health posts and Muktinath Hospital. In case of severe cases, helicopter evacuation services are also provided. Ensure to carry medical insurance to manage such emergencies.

 

-         How to manage Altitude Sickness? At the high altitude of 3,710 meters, altitude sickness is common. Observe your health closely and remain in contact with your experienced accompanying guide and consult with the doctor before the commencement of the trek.

 

     - What Should I Bring? Always carry trekking gear, clothes for the various weather conditions, a medical kit, and any personal items you might need.  Many items can be rented or bought in Kathmandu before the commencement of the tour/trek.

 

Conclusion

The Muktinath Yatra is an overpowering spiritual journey that can be completed with careful planning and preparation.  So whatever route you opt to choose to travel by road, trek, or fly, so always keep a backup plan for the enhanced experience since it is a weather prone sector. Always plan the tour with the admiration for the local ethnic groups, environment and culture, and this way you will feel your tour is accomplished and deeply fulfilled.