Muktinath Darshan Trek

Trip Duration 09 Nights/10 Days
Trip Code NAP-MUK-016
Trip Grade An easy trail
Trip Cost Prices on request
Best Time Sept – Nov / March - April

Overview

Muktinath iview trek s the most sacred Hindu site in Nepal after the temple of Pashupatinath in Kathmandu which is situated on the upper part of the river Kali of Buri Gandaki on the north side of the main Himalayan range and south of Lo-Manthang or Mustang. Its precise location is 29° 11’ N. latitude and 83° 53’E longitude, at an elevation of 3,810m on the western slopes of the Damodar Himal, northern extension of the Annapurna Himalayan massif. The main shrine is a pagoda shaped temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Sets into the wall around it are 108 waterspouts from which pour holy water. The temple is situated on a high mountain range which is decorated by Mt. Nilgiri and Mt. Tilicho to the southeast, Daulagiri to the southwest and Thorong-La and Yakawa Kang to the north. There are several ways to get to Muktinath, take a direct flight by helicopter, regular flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, overland tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu or we can just trek all the way from Pokhara through Kaligandaki valley, which takes approximately a week from Pokhara to get to the Holy temple of Muktinath.

During the festival of Janai Purnima, every year thousands of devotees from Nepal, India and Tibet come to visit this place for the salvation and purification of their belief. History tells that many Kings of Asia visited the place for meditation and salvation.

 

Highlights

  • Kathmandu valley sightseeing
  • Lake valley of Pokhara
  • Explore beautiful Kagbeni village
  • The Pilgrimage town of Muktinath
  • A great photographic site showing whole Annapurna, Dhaulagiri ranges
  • High placed Hindu's pilgrim and the land escape of Nepal's hidden treasure Mustang offers excellent views of Dhawalagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Annapurna, Mustang

Trip Summary

Trip Grade An easy trail
Trip Duration 09 Nights/10 Days
Trip code NAP-MUK-016
Trip Start/Ends Pokhara-Jomsom/Jomsom-Pokhara
Maximum Altitude Muktinath (3810m),
Trip Cost Prices on request
Group Size Minimum 2 upto 16 persons in one group
Accessibillity Kathmandu 7-hrs drive to Pokhara and 25 minutes, Round trip Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara
The Route Easy trail, maximum altitude Muktinath (3810m), about 5-6-hrs average walks per day.
Season Sept – Nov / March - April
Trip Facilities 3+ hotel in city on B/B and best available teahouse/lodge on mountain.

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan international airport, welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. A pre trip meeting and briefing will held all together with you at hotel about the daily program activities by company representative and your trip Leader/Guide where you can discuss your final questions all together.

After breakfast the day will start with a guided tour of Kathmandu's historical and spiritual key attractions; including the historic Kathmndu Durbar Square, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambunath) and then finally visit to Patan Durbar square which is situated the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. In the evening there will be pre-trip discussion where you can meet your group leader/guide then you can ask any questions you may have

Our guide pick you up from your hotel and transfer to the tourist bus station and drive approximately 6/7 hours to Pokhara (200km) through the beautiful river view & Nepalese countryside to reach the Pokhara. You will be arriving late afternoon at Pokhara approximately 2:00 O’clock and transfer to the hotel and rest of the time explores the surrounding lakeside areas. From the Pokhara valley you can see one of the most beautiful Himalayan panoramas in the world. The Annapurna and famous "Fishtail" mountain peak of Machhapuchhare tower over the tropical setting of Pokhara and you spend there will be the scenic highlight of your trip. You can also fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes about 25 minutes.

Pokhara we fly to Jomsom the district headquarters of Mustang. From Jomsom you cross a small hanging bridge and then walk along the banks of the Kali Gandaki. The trail is quite barren with craggy rocks and sand and is mostly flat, which makes it very easy going. This very easy, enjoyable start is at the same time picturesque, with views of big peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri (26,794ft), Tukuche (22,703ft) and in the west the awesome mountain above Kagbeni, Nilgiri (22,769ft). Over to the south and south-west can be seen the entire Annapurna Massif. Upon reaching Kagbeni there is a taste of scenes to come in Upper Mustang, what with its narrow alleyways and tunnels, irrigation canals, green fields of wheat and barley and a large red Gompa. At the police check-post at the north end of the village there is a sign saying ‘Restricted area, tourists please do not go beyond this point’. Here you will complete your paperwork formalities for you to enter this long-forbidden region of Nepal. ACAP have set up a very interesting information post here with displays of Mustang artifacts and photos.

Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath takes about 4/5 hours. The trail steeply ascends for couple of hundred meters. Gradually walking you can enjoy beautiful deserted landscape, Caves, old Tibetan Style Villages, apple Garden, Yaks Herds, sheep herds and so on. You can look at Thorong-La valley straight up to the Muktinath. 

This day you can excursion around the main attraction of Muktinath such as; Kunda: In front of Muktinath temple there are 2 Kunda (Lake), where holy dip is believed it can wash away negative karma, the results of one's past negative actions. Muktidhara: Around the temple is a wall from the temple which there is 108 waterspouts (Dhara). The 108 faucets in the cast in the shape of bulls' heads pour fourth-sacred water closely arranged in a semi-circle with a gap of hardly a foot between the faucets, at a height of seven feet. Pilgrims who visit the temple take a holy bath in each of these spouts. But as the water is ice cold it requires burning desire and courage to take a holy bath here. Hindu devotees take bath under chilled water of 108 waterspouts “Muktidhara” believing that it brings them salvation. It is also believed that the deity was originated from Jumla, far western part of Nepal. It has helped to make this area as center of Tourist attraction. In Janai Purnima Buddhist’s Yar tang Mala celebrated here. Jwalamai Temple: Even more sacred is the water that issues from rock inside the ancient Tibetan style “Jwala Mai Temple” sound of flowing river is situated south and a short distance below the of Muktinath Temple. Inside this Gompa, behind a tattered curtain, are small natural gas jest that produce Continuously burning flame, the Jwala Mai temple has a spring and there are three eternal flames “Holy flame from soil”, “Holy flame from rock” and “Holy flame from water” fed by natural gas. Currently two flames are continuously burning. The Hindu believes that this miracle of fire lighting was offering made by Brahma himself, set water on fire. Hindus worship the fire as Jwala Mai. The Buddhist believes that Padmasambhav, the great Indian master who inducted Tantric Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet, meditated at this place. The Buddhist living will show foot prints which they say are those of the great master. Mharme Lha Khang Gompa: After completing prayer and Puja at the temple a visit to Mharme Lha Khang Gomba is situated to the North of Muktinath Temple. Mharme Lha Khang is translates as thousand holy lamps. As this monastery dedicated to Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) with his huge clay image is placed center of altar along with bon deities: red Trakpo at right side and blue singe Doma at left side. Since Singe doma is lion headed deity, Hindu worships as Narasimha and name of monastry Narsingh Gompa. Gomba Samba, a "Newly Built Monastery". It is believed that founder of this monastery Syandol Lama came from Tibet. Originally this monastery was a big hostel for monks that later collapsed and people of Khinga and Jharkot jointly reconstructed it. The main deities’ monasteries are Sakyamuni, Chingresig and Guru Rimpoche. The monastery is situated at left from entrance gate of Muktinath temple complex, would be worth it. Swaminarayan: One Hindu Guru connected to Muktinath is Lord Shri Swaminarayan, Satguru of Sabij Yoga, the goal of which is the realization of and service to God Supreme. At the end of the 18th century this Satguru practiced severe penance in Muktinath for two and a half months and attained the highest degree of proficiency in Nishkamvrat. In 2003 his followers funded the new wall around Muktinath and raised a small monument for him at Muktinath. Shaligram: Another attraction for the pilgrimage is the River kali Gandaki from where one can collect fossils of the Jurassic park age. One may find a fossil within a few minutes or it may take hours and without success. However, these fossils can be had from the local people at a price. Shaligram, a black stone fossil if found, is considered sacred and is kept in Puja (Prayer) room in the house. It is supposed to be symbol of Lord Vishnu. 

Easy day, trail gradually ascends to Eklebhati at Kali Gandaki River valley, walk another two hours along the wide sandy and windy valley. Arrive to Jomsom, celebrate the last day of the trek will in Jomsom with all the trekking staffs.

The flights are available during the morning time. The strong breeze blows during the after and frequent change of the weather prevent the flight being landed and taken off in the afternoon. During the flights in morning, the sky looks very clear which makes you able to enjoy the splendid views of different mountain peaks.

After breakfast, drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus. Along the way you can enjoy with good scenery views. You'll be arriving at Kathmandu late afternoon then you have free time for shopping.

After breakfast you will have some free time until the time to leave the international airport for your final departure.

Cost Included

  • Documents: ACAP entrance permit and TIMS card 
  • Activities: Sightseeing,hiking and  trekking trip as per itinerary.
  • Accommodation: 4 nights hotel in Kathmandu, 2 night hotel in Pokhara on twin sharing bedroom and 4 nights lodges on twin or multi shared bedroom during trekking. 
  • Food: Full board on teahouse (Bieakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trekking and 6 breakfasts in city. 
  • Staffs: Leader/Guide and supporters and their daily wage, food, and accommodation
  • Transportation: All airport arrival/departure transfer, Kathmandu to Pokhara and return transportation and Pokhara to Jomsom and return flight to Pokhara
  • Company and Government’s service charge: All applicable Government taxes and official service charges. And Crew’s, daily wages/salary, food, equipment, air and road-head transportation

     

Cost Excluded

  • Your international flight
  • Travel insurance covering with emergency Helicopter rescue
  • Personal travel and trekking equipments 
  • Lunch and dinner while in city
  • Items of a personal nature such as normal drinks, hot shower, dessert, laundry, internet and phone call.
  • Expenses occurred due to unavoidable Events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
  • Tips/Gratuities for your trekking crews
  • Temple and Monastery entrance fees
  • Optional activities
  • And unforeseen expenses which are out of control by Nepal Adventure Point

Trip Notes

Please request our Trip Note advice and detailed itinerary.

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