Muktinath Dham is one of the famous destinations located 403 km northwest of the Kathmandu valley in the Mustang district of Nepal. It is situated at an altitude of 3710 meters above sea level. Its high altitude location makes its name a valley above the clouds.
In this article, we will talk about the 4 different options to get to Muktinath in Mustang, Nepal. Before we dive into it, let’s familiarize ourselves with this sacred sanctuary.
The Muktinath Temple is a popular destination for pilgrims and nature lovers alike. Pilgrims in the sense that it is the place to obtain “Salvation” or “Mukti” by the grace of god “Vishnu”. And a nature lover in the sense that it is the place full of beautiful scenery and surrounded by the giant Annapurna Massif.
On a monthly basis, many devotees from within the country and from India visit the Muktinath Temple to pay homage to Lord Vishnu. They believe that visiting Nepal’s Muktidham will remove all signs of the past and gain a place in heaven after death.
The landscape of Muktinath Mandir is too attractive. It is a desert land surrounded by huge Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayas. The sunrise and sunset views over these scenic mountains are well worth it.
So questions might arise in the mind how to get to such a sacred place and such an amazing place – Muktinath Temple. Now let’s talk about the 4 different options to get to Muktinath Dham in Nepal.
1. Kathmandu to Muktinath by Private Jeep – Road Option (1 night / 2 days):
Muktinath temple is 403 km away from Kathmandu. The first 206 km from Kathmandu to Pokhara and the second 100 km from Pokhara to Beni are concrete or, shall we say, paved roads. It takes 10-11 hours to reach Beni from Kathmandu. Therefore, spending the night in Beni will be a good option.
Second day in the morning, start your journey to Muktinath. From Beni to Kagbeni, about 85 km are mountainous roads, rough and bumpy, but also full of adventure. Then the remaining 12 km are again paved and paved road.
Visiting the temple and then returning to Jomsom the same day will be a good option. Because the Muktinath Temple is located at a high altitude and the oxygen level will be very low. A high altitude problem may have occurred. Although, it is a better idea to check with your doctor first before staying at such an altitude.
On the third day return to Pokhara in the morning and on the fourth day return to Kathmandu or stay one more night to visit the different attractions of the Pokhara valley.
So by road you can reach the Muktinath Temple in just two days from Kathmandu. And the total duration will be 4 days from Kathmandu to Muktinath to Kathmandu.
2. Kathmandu to Muktinath by road and flight option (1 night / 2 days):
Taking a direct flight from Pokhara to Jomsom not only saves time but also reduces the pain of hours of off-road travel.
On the first day, 6/7 hours of comfortable travel will reach the most popular tourist center in Nepal – Pokhara. Along the way, don’t forget to visit Goddess Manakamana Temple via a 15-minute cable car ride. Manakamana Devi is believed to have the power to fulfill the wishes of her devotees. Once your wish is fulfilled, don’t forget to visit it again to thank this goddess.
Then on the second day, take an adventurous 15-minute flight and Mountain View to Jomsom. Upon arrival, take some time to acclimatize, and then head towards Muktinath Temple by shared bus or private jeep. It takes 1:15 hours by reserved jeep, while 2-3 hours by shared bus. Local vehicles are operating for Muktinath Darshan which runs frequently to Muktinath from Pokhara and Jomsom.
Take a grace from Muktinath God and then drive back to Jomsom for overnight.
Third day in the morning, I fly back to Pokhara and then fly back to Kathmandu.
In this way you can easily reach Muktinath in two days and the duration of the trip will be 2 nights and 3 days.
3. Overnight bus from Kathmandu to Muktinath:
Yes, now visitors can also reach Muktinath by night bus. The bus leaves around 3:00 pm from Kathmandu new bus station and arrives at Jomsom the next day at 10:00 am Then drive to Muktinath, visit the temple and return to Jomsom.
Third day back to Kathmandu by night bus. From Jomsom, the bus leaves at 11:00 and the next day in the morning at 5:00 it arrives in Kathmandu.
In this way, in 4 days, travel to Muktinath without hotel expenses on the way to Jomsom.
4. Kathmandu to Muktinath by Charter Helicopter – 4 hours:
This is the easiest and most comfortable way to get to the Muktinath Temple. Today helicopters are available for charter from Kathmandu and Pokhara direct to Muktinath.
From Pokhara, it takes 40-45 minutes to reach Muktinath. Similarly 1:15 hrs from Kathmandu. There are three to six seated helicopters available for rent. During the flight you can enjoy panoramic views of the gigantic Himalayas of Nepal.
By helicopter, it takes only a few hours to visit the Muktinath temple and return to Kathmandu.
Lumle Holidays is operating daily departure group joining helicopter tour to Muktinath from Kathmandu and Pokhara. If you also want to join the group, you can contact them.
So, we have just got the information how to get to Muktinath Temple from Kathmandu and Pokhara and 4 different options to travel. If you don’t have time to visit the temple, rent a helicopter, visit the temple and fulfill your wish. Otherwise, the best option in my opinion is to go to Pokhara by road visiting the Manakamana Temple. The next day, fly to Jomsom and then drive to Muktinath temple.