FAQ Muktinath

1. How to Travel to Muktinath Temple ?

Answer: Either via Domestic Flight or via Ground transportation choice is yours. Most of the travellers prefer to travel via domestic flight because road condition is not that much good.

2. Which is the best time for Muktinath Tour ?

Answer: Muktinath Tour can be done througout the year but the best time is March - May and September - November.

3. What type of Accommodation available in Muktinath Yatra ?

Answer: In a big cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara there are budget Hotels to Deluxe 5 star Hotels available whereas in Jomsom Muktinath region there are basically normal guest house available which are well equipped with attach bath facility. There is also one deluxe Hotel available at Jomsom.

4. What type of food available during Muktinath Tour ?

Answer: You can get any type of food such as indian or continental, vegetarian or non vegetarian depending upon your choice in Jomsom Muktinath region.

5. What things to carry during Muktinath Tour ?

Answer: You don't need any such special items for this trip. You can carry your luggage depending upon the month you travel. Jomsom is a windy place so which ever month you travel you need to carry wind sitter jacket for jomsom muktinath area. Other things it is as normal as in other normal trip.

6. How many days trip?

Answer: Normally Muktinath tour can be done in minimum 4 days but we suggest our client to plan minimum 6 days so that they can travel without any rush.

8. What will be done in case of Emergency ?

Answer: Helicopter service will be available from Kathmandu or Pokhara in case of emmergency rescue.

9. Do we need any special permit for Muktinath Tour ?

Answer: Yes, permit is compulsory for Muktinath Tour. All the travellers needs two permit. One is Annapurna Conservation area permit and another is TIMS card. This will be arranges by your local tour operator of Nepal.

Travel access

It is quite difficult to travel because of tough weather conditions. Only those who are willing to undergo physical discomfort and rigor can go to Muktinath. Above all, one should have the Grace of the Lord to visit Muktinath. The convenient routes to Muktinath from India are: via Gorakhpur, Sonauli, Bhairawa and Pokhara, the last big town on the way to Muktinath; via Raxaul, Birgunj and Pokhara or via Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kakarvitta and Pokhara.

There are many ways to reach Muktinath. Either take a flight  from Kathmandu to Pokhara and then fly from Pokhara to Jomsom, hike for 7-8 hours from Jomsom  all the way or take a jeep to Ranipauwa near by Muktinath.

Trek all the way from Pokhara to Muktinath through Kali-Gandaki valley, a trekking route one of famous treks name of Muktinath, Which takes 7/8 days

By overland from Pokhara to Beni to Ghasa to Jomsom to Muktinath through to kaligandaki river bank, it takes 10 hrs drive by private transport (4 wheel drive Jeep)

Also the Bus services are available from Pokhara to Beni, from  Beni to Ghasa, via Tato pani, Marpha, Tukuche  to Jomsom there is Jeep services which take time 8-10 hrs. And  from Jomsom to Muktinath it takes 2.30 hrs by Jeep. After Beni to Jomsom to Muktinath the road is graveled through the Kaligandaki river bank & Hill area.

There is helipad nearby temple; the charter helicopter services are available from Pokhara & Kathmandu all the way to Muktinath which takes around forty five minutes to reach from Pokhara and 2.30 hrs from Kathmandu. The helicopter can be hired only when the weather permits. Arriving by helicopter for a longer period of stay is not recommended because of the risk of acute mountain sickness.

The sight of the bewildering Annapurana and Dhaulagiri ranges will enchant you as you approach towards Pokhara Valley by air or surface. The next morning when you discover the clear sky and views of mountain, you then discover you are on your special journey to the Muktinath.

Apart from walking to Muktinath all the way, there are many ways one can travel, depending on time and budget.

Starting From Pokhara to Jomsom:-

By Flight: Pokhara to Jomsom by air in about 25 minutes
By Trek: Pokhara to Nayapool by vehicle then do the 7/8 days trek to Jomsom,
By Jeep: Pokhara to Beni to Ghasa, via Tato pani, Marpha, Tukuche  to Jomsom-140 km  about  10-12 hrs.

Starting from Jomsom To Muktinath

By treks:  Walk to Kagbeni to Jharkot to Muktinath in about 7-8 hours.
By Transport: Go by local rented motorbike with driver & by Jeep in about 2.30 hrs.
By Horse: Go by a local rented horse in about 7/8 hrs.

By Helicopter

1. Kathmandu to Muktinath in about 1.30 hrs
2. Pokhara to Muktinath in about 45 minutes

By Helicopter to visit Muktinath on the month of March to October is suitable. By treks to visit on the month of April to October is preferable

Around Places

Jomsom & Kagbeni is main gateway of Muktinath. The Muktinath valley has seven historic famous places Putak, Jhong, Chhyokhar, Purang  Jharkot and Khinga. Ranipauwa (Lit.Queen pilgrims hostel the name of Subarna Prabha Devi) is new settlement village founded by people of Purang. There are many monasteries and Gompa around the Muktinath temple.

Climate

Muktinath and its valley are located in the Mustang Bhote region. The climate and landscape here are similar to those of the Tibetan Plateau since it is situated in the rain shadow of the Greater Himalayas. The changes in climate from warm to cold take you to the sacred shrine of Muktinath in Mustang district. Flowing through the region from north to south and forming deep gorges is the Kali Gandaki river, which as its name implies (kali = black) is a black river – the black stones of the riverbed and black soil contributing to the effect. The high altitude landscapes made for unique and scenic environments. The climate was cold and the land was dry. The temperatures in summer (March to August) hover between Maximum of 22 to 24 degree Celsius and Minimum 12 to 16 Degree Celsius. In the beginning of winter (September to November) the Maximum temperature fluctuates between 16 to 18 degree Celsius and Minimum Temperature will be between 0 to 4 degree Celsius. In the winter (December to February) the maximum temperature will be 6 to 10 degree Celsius and minimum 0 to -6 degree Celsius.

Season:

The most suitable time to visit Muktinath from March to May & October. In November & February it can be cold, but you can travel. December and January are for the diehard & snowfall in the all of area 4 to 10 ft. June to September is raining season. As the weather conditions would not be safe enough to travel in other months.

Clothing:

Days are relatively warm; especially when there is no wind in the late morning. The appropriate clothing as per the travel period (temperature). We suggest you to take normal warm clothes. Light warm jacket, woolen sweater, warm T-Shirts, comfortable shoes, trousers and cotton pants are enough for this trip. We recommended you to bring down jacket for the winter.

Travel tips

• Entitled to carry only 15 kgs per person on flight.
• Drink plenty of water while trekking
• Sports shoes or trekking shoes
• Carry light luggage
• Walking stick
• Jacket
• Chap stick / Vaseline cream
• Cap
• Sun glasses
• Warm Clothing
• Sunscreen Lotion
• Moisturizer Lotion
• Thick socks and gloves

Accommodation

There is enough Hotels and lodges near by Muktinath in Jharkot and Ranipauwa. The Hotels and lodges are fine there. Some Hotels have solar heated hot showers and provide rooms with attached bath. Also local restaurant are available there. They provide good food. For Hindu pilgrims there are also free Dharamsalas.

Others Facilities

STD /ISD telephone services are available in Ranipauwa and Jharkot. Health post and Post office in Jharkot. Police station, ACAP tourist information center and Safe drinking water station at Ranipauwa. There are available Electricity facilities also.

Rule & Regulation

Muktinath lies in the Annapurna conservation area where entry fee required. Entry fee can be obtained from Kathmandu and Pokhara. The ACAP entry fee is Rs. 200.00 Per person for Indians and others SAARC nationals and Rs. 2000.00 per person to others foreign nationals at the above mentioned designated place. An equal extra fee will levied if permits are issued from field check post. The Permit is non-transferable and is valid for single entry. Children below 10 yrs. need not entry fee. A copy of the passport and 2 copies of passport size photos are required while applying for the permit.

A Yatra to Muktinath by Helicopter

As trek is time taking thus trek would not possible for our entire guest for one or another reason. Hence, we are pleased to introduce a same day Darshan Muktinath by helicopter.