Muktinath Dham is one of the famous destinations located 403 km northwest of the Kathmandu valley in the Mustang district of Nepal. It is located 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 get acquainted with this sacred shrine.
Muktinath Temple is a popular destination for both pilgrims and nature lovers. Pilgrims in the sense that it is the place to obtain “Salvation” or “Mukti” by the grace of the god “Vishnu”. And a nature lover in the sense that it is the place full of beautiful landscapes and surrounded by the gigantic Annapurna massif.
On a monthly basis, many devotees from the interior of the country and India visit Muktinath Temple to pay homage to the Lord God Vishnu. They believe that visiting Muktidham from Nepal will remove all signs of the past and you will get a place in heaven after death.
The scenery of Muktinath Mandir is too attractive. It is a desert land surrounded by a massif of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayas. The sunrise and sunset views over these panoramic mountains are worth it.
So the questions might arise in the mind about how to get to such a sacred and wonderful place – the temple of Muktinath? 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 from Kathmandu. The first 206 km from Kathmandu to Pokhara and the second 100 km from Pokhara to Beni are made of concrete or, let’s say, black-roofed roads. It takes 10-11 hours to get to Beni from Kathmandu. Therefore, stopping overnight in Beni will be a good option.
Second day in the morning, start your journey to Muktinath. From Beni to Kagbeni, about 85 km is bumpy, bumpy and bumpy roads, but also adventurous. Then the rest of 12 km is again a concrete and asphalt road.
Visiting the temple and returning the same day to Jomsom will be a good option. Because the Muktinath temple is located high up and the oxygen level will be very low. A high altitude problem can occur. However, it is best to check with your doctor first before staying at such an altitude.
Third day in the morning return to Pokhara and on the fourth day drive back to Kathmandu or stay one more night to visit the different attractions of Pokhara Valley.
Therefore, by road you can reach 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 you time, but also reduces the pain of traveling hours off-road.
On the first day, 6/7 hours of comfortable ride will arrive at the most popular tourist center in Nepal – Pokhara. Along the way, don’t forget to visit the Goddess Manakamana Temple by 15-minute cable car. Manakamana Devi is believed to have the power to fulfill the wishes of her devotees. Once your wish has been fulfilled, don’t forget to visit 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 make your way to Muktinath Temple by shared bus or private jeep. It takes 1:15 h by reserved jeep, while 2-3 h by shared bus. Local vehicles are operating by Muktinath Darshan which runs frequently to Muktinath from Pokhara and Jomsom.
Take a grace from Muktinath God and then return to Jomsom for the night.
Third day in the morning, fly back to Pokhara and then drive back to Kathmandu.
In this way, Muktinath can be easily reached in two days and the duration of the trip will be 2 nights and 3 days.
3. Night bus from Kathmandu to Muktinath:
Yes, visitors can now also get to Muktinath by night bus. The bus leaves around 3:00 p.m. M. From the new Kathmandu bus station and arrive in Jomsom the next day in the morning at 10am. M. 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 11am. M. And the next day at 5 a. M. 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 Muktinath Temple. Today, helicopters are available to rent from Kathmandu and Pokhara directly to Muktinath.
From Pokhara, it takes 40-45 minutes to get to Muktinath. Similarly 1:15 hrs from Kathmandu. There are three to six seated helicopters available for rent. During the flight you can enjoy the panoramic views of the giant Himalayas of Nepal.
By helicopter, it only takes a few hours to visit Muktinath Temple and return to Kathmandu.
Lumle Holidays is operating a daily departure group joining Muktinath Helicopter Tour from Kathmandu and Pokhara. If you also want to join the group, you can contact them.
So, we have just received the information on 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, just rent a helicopter, visit the temple, and have your wish fulfilled. 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.
