Trip Info:
Tour Introduction
Muktinath Yatra by Jeep is 6 days package including sightseeing in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Muktinath. Muktinath tour by road is the very common package that most of the devotees choose to visit Muktinath Temple. In this package, we drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara for the first day, next day to Jomsom crossing Beni, Tatopani, Ghasa, and Marpha. And on the third day to Muktinath. After darshan back to Kathmandu following the same route.
Muktinath Temple is a sacred place both for Hindus and Buddhists located in Muktinath Valley at an altitude of 3,710 meters at the foot of the Thorong La pass, Mustang district, Nepal. The Hindus call the sacred place Mukti Kshetra, which literally means the "place of salvation". Mainly the temple is a predominant Sri Vaishnava origin and worshipped by Buddhists. This temple is considered to be the 105th among the available 108 Divya Desam. The ancient name of this place, before Buddhist origin is known as Thiru Saligramam. These houses the Saligrama Sila considered to be the naturally available form of Sriman Narayana (The Hindu Goddess head). It is also one of the 51 Sakthi Peetams.
The central shrine of Sri Muktinath, predominant among all 108 Hindu Sri Vaishnava Divya Desam is considered one of the eight most sacred shrines for Hindu Vaishnavas known as Svayam Vyakta Ksetras, the other seven being Srirangam, Srimushnam, Tirupati, Naimisharanya, Totadri, Pushkar, and Badrinath. The temple is very small. Muktinath is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu. The murti is of gold and is tall enough to compare with a man. The Prakaram (outer courtyard) has 108 bull faces through which water is poured. It is of freezing temperature. The sacred water that flows in 108 pipes around the temple complex denote all sacred Pushkarini waters (Temple Tanks) from all 108 Sri Vaishnava Divya Desams including Srirangam, Tirumala, Vaikunta, where the devotees take their sacred bath even in the freezing temperatures.
In Hindu astrology, there are 12 zodiac or Rashi and 9 planets or Graha, giving a total of 108 combinations. Also, there are 27 Lunar mansions or Nakshatras which are divided into 4 quarters or Padas each giving a combination of 108 Padas in total. The worship is conducted by Buddhist nuns. 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.
Travel Itinerary
Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival and Pashupatinath Darshan.
- Kathmandu airport arrival and transfer to hotel.
- A brief introduction to the whole program.
- After a short rest visit Guhyeshwari Shakti Peeth and Pashupatinath Temple.
- Overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 02: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara via Manakamana Darshan.
- 06:.30 AM: Breakfast at the hotel.
- 07:00: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara by private jeep, 8/9 hrs drive.
- Enjoy the view of Greenery Hills, lots of small Villages, Trisuli River and Marshyangdi River on the way.
- Note due to the road widening work, around 2/3 hours roads will be bumpy.
- Enroute there is an option to visit Manakamana Goddess Temple via Cable Car ride. Might need to stand in line/queue for hours to ride on Cable Car and to enter the temple. Need at least an extra 3/4 hours to complete darshan.
- After darshan, continue driving to Pokhara, 4 hrs drive.
- Arrival at Pokhara and transfer to the hotel.
- Overnight at Pokhara.
Day 03: Pokhara to Jomsom via Enroute Sightseeing.
- Early morning drive to Jomsom, 175 km, 7-8 hrs.
- Note due to the road widening work around 2/3 hours roads are bumpy.
- Enroute there is an option to visit Baglung Kalika Mai Mandir, Nepal’s Longest Suspension Bridge, Shaligram Museum, Galeshwar Mahadev Temple (Shakti Peeth), Natural Hot Spring, and Rupse Waterfall.
- Arrival at Jomsom and transfer to the hotel.
- Free and Easy.
- Acclimatization night before going to Muktinath.
- Overnight at Jomsom.
Day 04: Jomsom to Muktinath to Pokhara.
- 06:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel.
- 06:30 AM: Drive from Jomsom to Muktinath by private Jeep, 1:00 hour drive.
- Enroute there is an option to visit Kagbeni Dham where 2 holy rivers meet together and are very popular for Pirtri Tarpans and Kali Gandaki River Bathing.
- Arrival at Muktinath and hike for 40 mins.
- Unable to walk, can ride on Horse/Doli on own expenses.
- Places to visit at Muktinath are Samba Gompa, Muktinath Yagya Shala, Vishnu Paduka, Swaminarayan Nilkanth Varni Temple, Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple, 108 Mukti Dhara, Paap Kunda, Punya Kunda, Muktinath Temple, Narshing Gompa, Buddha Statue, and Jwala Mai Temple.
- 11:00 AM: After Darshan drive back to Pokhara, 8/9 hours drive.
- Late evening arrival at Pokhara and transfer to the hotel.
- Free and Easy.
- Overnight at Pokhara.
Day 05: Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu.
- 07:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel.
- 08:00 AM: Today we drive back to Kathmandu by private jeep, 8/9 hours drive.
- Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
- Free and Easy.
- Overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 06: Departure.
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Hotel Check Out Time 12 noon.
- Free morning.
- Drop to the airport for your onward destination.
- Trip finished here!
Trip Cost Includes
- Airport Pick up & Drop transportation by private vehicle.
- Accommodation in Kathmandu, Pokhara, &Jomsom on twin sharing basis with bed & breakfast
- Kathmandu and Pokhara in 3 star hotels.
- Jomsom in Tea House, Lodge.
- Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu & Pokhara by private vehicle as per itinerary
- Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu by private vehicle.
- Pokhara - Muktinath - Pokhara private jeep.
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area trek Permit) fee.
- Road Tax, driver allowances, Oil etc.
Trip Cost Excludes
- Laundry, telephone calls, Bar Bills ( Mineral Water, cold drinks, whiskey, beer etc).
- Emergency evacuation if required, donation, tips, and all personal nature expenses.
- Lunch and Dinner.
- Travel Insurence.
- Horse Charges.
- Rest of all that are not mentioned in cost includes.
Alternative Option for Muktinath Jeep Tour:
Option I: The easiest way to visit Muktinath Temple is by Helicopter. Yes, within 5 hours you can visit Muktinath from Kathmandu. There are five and six seated Helicopters available for charter. Muktinath Helicopter Tour might be a better option to consider.
Option II: Instead of driving from Pokhara to Jomsom, you can also fly there and save a day. There is 16 seated Twin Otter small Plane that departs every day from Pokhara and takes just 15 minutes to reach Jomsom. And on the same day, you become able to visit the Muktinath Temple and fly back to Pokhara next day. Muktinath Tour might be another appropriate choice to consider.
Trip Pictures
