Muktinath, Nepal: Travel Guide to Mustang’s Pilgrimage Site

Muktinath Altitude

The altitude of Muktinath is 3,675 meters (12,060 ft).

Location

Muktinath is located in the Mustang district of Nepal, in Lower Mustang.

It is 175 km from Pokhara and takes around 8-9 hours to get there by bus. However, you first have to take a bus from Pokhara to Jomsom, and then change to another bus to Muktinath.

When travelling to Muktinath, it is good to make a stop either in Jomsom or Kagbeni for a night, so that you acclimatize better. The altitude gain from Pokhara (800 meter/ 2,625 ft) to Muktinath 3,675 meters (12,060 ft) is too much and is not recommended to go in one day.

Due to the altitude, if you are only going to Muktinath to visit the temple, then the best plan is to go from Jomsom/Kagbeni to Muktinath early morning, explore the temple, and then go back down to lower altitudes (Marpha, Pokhara) after visiting the temple.

Best Time to Visit Muktinath in Nepal

The best time to visit Muktinath is the Autumn and Spring. The weather in Nepal is typically the best during these times as it is not too hot, nor too cold.

The skies are generally clear in Autumn and early Winter, so you also get nice views of the mountains.

The views in Spring can be a bit of a hit and miss. There used to be clear skies but in recent years, the views in Spring are not always guaranteed due to smog and haze from forest fires.

Muktinath is in the rain shadow region of Nepal, so it can also be a good place to visit during monsoon. While it is sunny and not too wet in Mustang during monsoon, it can be challenging to get there as roads and air travel are affected by the rain.

If you plan a trip to Mustang during monsoon, make sure to check the weather forecast and road conditions before starting the trip.

Mustang also has a major festival, the Yartung Festival, which celebrates the end of the summer. It is a major festival in the Mustang region, particularly in Muktinath.

The Yartung Festival is celebrated by holding horse riding races and cultural performances. If you are visiting during a festival, it might be very busy but also offer a unique time to be in Mustang.

Muktinath Weather

The weather in Muktinath is typically drier than in other parts of Nepal. It is located in the Mustang district of Nepal which receives less rainfall as it is in the rain shadow area of Nepal.

Due to the limited rainfall, it is one of the best places to visit during the monsoon season. However, check weather forecast and road conditions before visiting Mustang during monsoon.

In the winter it also snows in Nepal above 3,500 meters. Muktinath is located at 3,675 meters (12,060 ft), so in case you visit around January-March, you may also see some snow.

Permit

Foreigners have to get the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for visiting Muktinath. It costs Rs. 3,000 (USD 22) and you can get it at the permit office Kathmandu, Pokhara, or online.

There are checkpoints in Ghasa and Jomsom and all vehicles (bus, jeep, car) stop at the checkpoints and you have to show your permit.

What is Muktinath Famous For?

Muktinath is famous for being a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.

The Muktinath Temple is a major religious site for Hindus, and nearby there are also several Buddhist gompas (monasteries) that are significant for Buddhists, such as the Narsingh Gompa.

The Muktinath Temple is one of the 8 most sacred sites in Hindu religion (Swayam Vyakta Kshetras). There are eight Swayam Vyakta Kshetras and 7 are located in India, and one in Nepal, which is the Muktinath Temple.

Apart from Muktinath’s religious significance, it is also known as a village on the Annapurna Circuit (AC) Trek.

Many trekkers finish their AC trek in Muktinath as now there are roads and buses to Pokhara. However, it is a great place to spend a few days and use it as a base to go on day hikes to nearby villages, such as Lupra, Jharkot or Jhong.

Most people come to Muktinath to visit the Muktinath Temple, but even if you are there after completing the Annapurna Circuit Trek, it is worth visiting the temple.

The Muktinath Temple is one of the eight Swayam Vyakta Kshetras, which are believed to be self-manifested temples of Lord Vishnu (where Lord Vishnu manifested itself).

Out of the eight Swayam Vyakta Kshetras only one is found in Nepal (Muktinath Temple), and the other seven are in India.

The Muktinath Temple complex has the pagoda-style temple, the 108 water sprouts behind it, and two holy ponds in front.

‘Muktinath’ means ‘God of Salvation’ and it is believed that visiting the temple breaks the cycle of birth and death, and brings salvation to devotees.

The 108 water sprouts are positioned in a semi-circle behind the temple. It is believed that bathing in the 2 holy ponds and the water sprouts cleanses your past sins and bad karma.

The water coming out from the sprouts is very cold and when I visited, I could see a lot of people running through under the water sprouts, and even collecting the water from the sprouts into bottles.

Buddhist Monasteries (Gompas) & Statues

Muktinath is also a significant religious site for Buddhists. In Tibetan, Muktinath is called “Chumig Gyatsa” which means “Hundred Waters”.

It is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism meditated at the Muktinath Temple and achieved enlightenment. Thus, the temple is a significant place for Buddhists to achieve enlightenment.

Within the area of the temple complex, there are Buddhist Gompas, chortens (like small stupas), and a Statue of Buddha.

Go Hiking

If you are visiting Muktinath as part of the Annapurna Circuit or a trip in Lower Mustang, it is a great place to explore nearby villages.

If you have some extra days, you can make Muktinath as your base and go on day hikes to small villages nearby, such as Jhong, Lupra and Jharkot. These villages are less visited, and you can see old mud-brick houses and ruins of centuries old buildings.

Instead of making Muktinath your base, you can also just hike around Lower Mustang. If you hike from Muktinath to Jhong, from Jhong onwards, you can also continue on to Kagbeni. On the other hand, if you hike to Lupra, from Lupra you can continue on to Jomsom.

Relax and Chill

After a long journey, it is also nice to just relax and enjoy the mountain views. Especially, if you are arriving in Muktinath after completing the Annapurna Circuit, then it is a good place to recharge after 2 weeks of trekking.

When the weather is clear, you also get great views of the Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna ranges. The mountains seem a bit far away, but are still a beautiful view.

Trekking Routes that Go Through Muktinath

Annapurna Circuit Trek

Muktinath is a part of the classic Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Due to the building of the road to Pokhara and the consequent traffic, most people now finish the AC trek in Muktinath and then take a bus to Pokhara.

If you feel like you have the energy to continue trekking, then you have two options: one is to trek from Muktinath to Kagbeni via Jhong, or to trek to Jomsom via Lupra village.

Alternatively, you can stay in Muktinath 2 nights, go on a day hike to Lupra. Come back to Muktinath and then hike to Kagbeni. This way, you can check out both places.

If you continue the Annapurna Circuit Trek, you itinerary would likely follow the route of Muktinath-Kagbeni-Jomsom-Marpha-Lete-Tatopani.

The Lower Mustang Trek goes through the villages of Marpha, Jomsom, Kagbeni, Jhong, Muktinath and Lupra. However, since the road is well built among the villages, the trekking trail is not available between all the villages.

Since the construction of the road and traffic, the Lower Mustang Trek now is more like taking the bus or taxi between villages, and once you get to the village, then you explore the nearby area.

When I visited Lower Mustang, I initially set out to trek between the villages. I started in Marpha, and trekked from Marpha to Jomsom. There is a trail by the river that you can follow from Marpha to Jomsom via Dhumba Lake and Thini village.

Then from Jomsom to Kagbeni, there is only a concrete road and I didn’t find it too appealing to walk it, so I think it is best to take a bus or taxi for this section of the trip.

Then, once in Kagbeni, you can explore the nearby Tiri village as a day trip. From Kagbeni to Muktinath there is a trekking trail on the north side of the Gandhaki River. I took the bus instead as I had a bad stomach bug and was easier to go by bus.

From Muktinath, there is a trail to Jomsom via Lupra village. Lupra is said to be really nice, but as you get closer to Jomsom, you will have to follow the concrete road to get back to Jomsom.

There are many hotels in Muktinath and you can just book one after arriving. There is no need to pre-book.

The room prices are around Rs. 500-1,500 (USD 3.50-11) per night, however, in some places you may be able to negotiate the prices and even get a free room if you eat all meals at the hotel.

The hotels are more modern built, and not like the basic teahouses along the trekking routes. It means that you can even get a room with attached bathroom.

One of the most popular hotels in Muktinath is the Bob Marley Hotel. There is a legend that Bob Marley trekked in Nepal and visited Muktinath in the 1970s, however, it is most likely just a legend and not true.

The bus ticket costs Rs. 1,200 (USD 9) from Pokhara to Jomsom, and Rs. 300 (USD 2) from Jomsom to Muktinath.

The buses go from Prithvi Chowk and Zero KM in Pokhara to Jomsom at 6-7 am, and arrives in Jomsom around 4 pm. Then, the next day, there is a bus at 6 am from Jomsom to Muktinath.

Some travellers want to go from Pokhara to Muktinath in one day, however, it is recommended to make a stop in Jomsom or Kagbeni. It is too much gain in altitude to go straight up, so it is better to acclimatize in Jomsom/Kagbeni.

The road is well-built from Jomsom to Muktinath, and it takes only around 45 minutes by bus, which is somewhat dangerous due to altitude as you go from 2,800 meter to almost 3,800 meters in under an hour.

Kagbeni to Muktinath

If you are planning to go from Kagbeni to Muktinath, you can catch a bus at 6:15 am from Kagbeni to Muktinath. The bus ticket costs Rs. 150 (USD 1).

The bus leaves Jomsom at 6 am, and then gets to Kagbeni around 6:15-6:30 am. I recommend to be on the highway bus stop at 6:15 am to make sure you get on the bus. The bus only stops in Kagbeni if there are passengers, otherwise, if no one hails the bus, the bus just passes by.

Apparently there are also buses from Kagbeni to Muktinath around 8 am, but it is best to double check with your hotel owner. I took the bus at 6:15 am, so that one runs for sure.

If you take the bus from Kagbeni to Muktinath, be careful about the altitude, and if you are only going to Muktinath to visit the temple, then the best is to go straight back down to lower altitude after you visit the temple.

If you are trekking in Lower Mustang, then one option is to hike from Kagbeni to Jhong, which helps you acclimatize better, and then hike from Jhong to Muktinath the next day.

Which month is best for Muktinath?

The best months to visit Muktinath are in the Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March-April).

During this time, the weather is ideal and you have the most chance of clear skies to see the surrounding mountains.

How to reach Muktinath, Nepal?

You can reach Muktinath by taking a bus or jeep from Pokhara to Jomsom, and then take a bus from Jomsom to Muktinath.

Why do people visit Muktinath?

Most people visit as part of a pilgrimage to the Muktinath Temple. It is also on the Annapurna Circuit trek, and Muktinath is where most people finish their trek.

Can you have altitude sickness in Muktinath?

Yes, you can have altitude sickness in Muktinath as it is located at 3,675 meters (12,060 ft).

If you are starting your trip in Pokhara, it is good to make a stop in Jomsom or Kagbeni for a night, and then continue up to Muktinath the next day to help acclimatize.

If you are only visiting to see the temple, it is also worth to go up early morning, and then take a bus back down the same day. There are buses going from Muktinath to Pokhara until around 2 pm.

You can also stop in Kagbeni or Marpha on the way down, and explore more of Lower Mustang.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Muktinath is famous for being a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.

It is believed that by visiting the Muktinath Temple and taking a bath in its 108 water sprouts, devotees can attain salvation and cleanse past sins.

Muktinath is also on the Annapurna Circuit (AC) Trek, however, due to the construction of roads in Lower Mustang, most trekkers now finish AC in Muktinath and take a bus down to Pokhara.

The best time to visit is in the Autumn and Spring, but due to it being in the rain shadow area of Nepal, it is also an ideal place to visit during the monsoon season – given that the road conditions are not hindered by rain in lower altitudes.