Muktinath Temple Must visit
The pagoda-style temple of Lord Vishnu, one of the 108 Divya Desams.
Muktinath
The sacred temple of 108 water spouts, high in the Mustang Himalaya.
Reviewed by Ghumo Bihar team
- Best time
- March–June and September–November
- Days needed
- 3–4 days from Pokhara
- Altitude
- About 3,700 m
- Good for
- Pilgrims in good health
About Muktinath
Why visit Muktinath
Muktinath, at about 3,700 m in the Mustang district, is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike. Hindus revere it as one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu; pilgrims bathe under its 108 cold water spouts and in the two kunds for mukti, or liberation. Buddhists honour it as Chumig Gyatsa, and the Jwala Mai shrine has a natural flame burning over water.
The journey is part of the experience: fly from Pokhara to Jomsom past the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks, then drive up through the Kali Gandaki valley, where shaligram stones are found, past the apple village of Marpha and the old town of Kagbeni. It is a high-altitude trip, so plan it carefully.
Places to visit
Top places to visit in Muktinath
12 places, best first. Timings and fees change often, so check before you go.
108 water spouts and Mukti Kunds Must visit
Pilgrims bathe under 108 ice-cold spouts and in two sacred ponds.
Jwala Mai Temple Must visit
A shrine where a natural flame burns over water and stone.
Jomsom
The windy airstrip town on the Kali Gandaki, with views of Nilgiri.
Jwala Mai Temple Must visit
A shrine where a natural flame burns over water and stone.
Kagbeni
An old fortress village at the gateway to Upper Mustang, with a red monastery.
Jomsom
The windy airstrip town on the Kali Gandaki, with views of Nilgiri.
Marpha
A whitewashed village famous for apples and apple products.
Kagbeni
An old fortress village at the gateway to Upper Mustang, with a red monastery.
Kali Gandaki valley
One of the world's deepest gorges, where shaligram stones are found.
Marpha
A whitewashed village famous for apples and apple products.
Kali Gandaki valley
One of the world's deepest gorges, where shaligram stones are found.
Nearby, add to the same trip: Jomsom, Kagbeni, Marpha and the Kali Gandaki valley.
Travel with Ghumo Bihar
Trips to Muktinath
Group trips from Patna on fixed dates. Join on your own or as a family.
Muktinath Yatra with Kathmandu & Pokhara
Kathmandu, Pokhara, Manakamana & Muktinath
- 7–12 Nov
From ₹19,500 View dates
Private trip
Your dates, your group, your pace
- A plan made for you: families, friends, schools and companies
- Car, hotels, tickets and guide arranged
- Pay in parts by UPI, with a GST invoice
- Rated 4.9 on Google by 175+ travellers
When to go
Best time to visit Muktinath
March to June and September to November have the most reliable weather and flights. Winters are very cold, with snow, and the monsoon brings landslides on the road.
Spring
March–June
Cool days, cold nights
Good for the pilgrimage; windy afternoons.
Monsoon
July–August
Rain-shadow area, but roads below are risky
Landslides and flight delays; avoid if possible.
Autumn (best)
September–November
Clear and cool
The best weather and mountain views.
Winter
December–February
Below freezing, snow
Very cold; many lodges close.
Festivals worth planning around
- Yartung FestivalA horse festival of the Mustang people near Muktinath, usually in August or September.
Getting there
How to reach Muktinath
Reach Pokhara first. From there, fly to Jomsom (20 minutes, morning only, weather permitting) and drive up to Muktinath, or go all the way by jeep.
- PokharaFlight to Jomsom, then jeep
20 minutes + 1.5–2 hours
Flights run in the morning and depend on weather.
- PokharaJeep or bus
About 8–10 hours
Rough mountain road via Beni and Jomsom.
- KathmanduFlight or road to Pokhara first
25 minutes or 6–7 hours
Then continue as above.
On the ground
Getting around, stay and food
Getting around
From Ranipauwa, the village below the temple, walk or take a short pony or bike ride up to the temple.
Where to stay
Most pilgrims stay one night in Jomsom and one in Ranipauwa or return to Jomsom the same day.
- Lodges and hotelsJomsom · Most groups
- Simple lodgesRanipauwa, below the temple · An early darshan
Food to try
- Thakali dal bhat: hearty and warming, served everywhere.
- Marpha apples and apple brandy: Marpha is famous for its orchards; try the dried apples and pies.
Travel tips
- Indian citizens need a valid passport or Voter ID card to enter Nepal; no visa is needed. Children can travel with a passport, or with a birth certificate or school ID as advised by the border authorities.
- Altitude: climb slowly, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. Consult your doctor first if you have heart, lung or blood pressure problems.
- Carry warm layers, a windproof jacket, sunscreen and sunglasses: it is cold and windy even in summer.
- Keep 1–2 buffer days; Jomsom flights are often delayed by weather.
- Carry extra clothes to change into after bathing under the 108 spouts.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I reach Muktinath?
Go to Pokhara, fly to Jomsom (20 minutes) and drive 1.5–2 hours to Muktinath, or drive all the way from Pokhara in 8–10 hours.
Is Muktinath safe for senior citizens?
Many senior pilgrims visit, but the altitude is about 3,700 m. Consult your doctor first and plan rest days.
Is a permit needed for Muktinath?
Yes, an Annapurna Conservation Area permit. We arrange it for our travellers.
What is the best time to visit Muktinath?
March–June and September–November.
Does Ghumo Bihar run trips to Muktinath?
Yes. We plan group and private trips with Kathmandu and Pokhara.
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