Muktinath, situated at an elevation of 3,800 m above sea level, is one of the highest temples in the world. According to Hindu mythology, it is the place of Mukti Kshetra, which refers to the place of liberation from the cycle of death and birth, and the soul finds shelter at the abode of Lord Vishnu,known as “BAIKUNTHA”.
The Muktinath Jeep Tour is one of the most adventurous drives and religious tour, It is the sacred place for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims and is located at the foot of the Throng La Mountains pass in Mustang district in the Gandaki Province.
The Muktinath Jeep Tour includes a visit to the Muktinath temple, a modest pagoda-style temple housing a gold statue of the god Narayan that is the size of a man. This is one of the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In the courtyard of the temple known as Muktidhara, there are 108 waterspouts from which frozen water shoots continuously out of the bullhead.There are two little parking lots in front of the temple, one called Mukti Kunda and the other Goodness Laxmi Kunda and Saraswati Kunda. Believers from both faiths held that taking a holy bath on this kunda and 108 waterspouts would rid them of all the sins and sorrows they have caused in their lives and provide them NIVVARAN, which signifies freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
In addition to being well-known for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims, the Muktinath jeep tour is also well-known for its wildlife and adventurous off-road tours in Nepal’s mountains. The Jomsom trek route is a part of the Annapurna circuit and Annapurna foothills treks, offering visitors speculative views of various stunning snowcapped mountains, such as Mt. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and others, as well as diverse natural landscapes, such as mountains and deserts, that captivate the hearts of all who come. Visitors can explore Kaligandaki George, the world’s deepest George cut by the Kaligandaki river, throughout the tour.The Shaligram, or the lord Vishnu in the shape of stone, are fossilized ammonites that are best found in this river. They are thought to have been left there by Brinda, the wife of Jalandhar. This location is well-known for SHRADHA, or the rites performed following the passing of parents and grandparents. Every year, thousands of tourists from India and other countries come here to enjoy the alluring Himalayan scenery, breathtaking vistas of snow-capped white mountains, and favorable religious circumstances.
Autumn and Spring can be the most preferable seasons to visit Muktinath, as at this time, the environment will be absolutely clean, and the blue sky with snow-capped mountains gives a visit worth and momentum. The temperatures in Autumn ranges from 14 to 18 degrees Celsius, and in Spring it ranges 18 to 16 degrees Celsius. In the month of Spring, the flowers blossom everywhere, giving this place an absolute touch of heaven. In this time, the rugged mountain peaks are covered with snow, and clean and vicious water flows through the various rivers on the way, which makes visits worth. Summer can also be preferable to visit Muktinath, as the problem is this season is of rain, and sometimes it can be difficult due to landslides. Similarly, Winter can be a much more difficult season to visit, but it is accessible via flight. The trails will be covered with snow. Temperature ranges from minus 8 to 4 degrees Celsius during Winter in Nepal. Trek can be done up to 3,500 meters, so visit to Muktinath temple can be done through heli-tour. Thus, the trip can be made one of the luxury package to visit to the temple.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 1: You will be received by our representative at the international airport and then transferred to your hotel. In the evening, you will go for a walk or shop in Thamel district.
Day 2: Visit Unesco World Heritage Sites like Pathsupatinath Temple, Boudha Stupa, and Swyambhu, and then you will go visit Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Day 3: Pleasing drive to Pokhara, settling near a lakeside hotel from where you can get the breathtaking views of Annapurna range.
Day 4: a whole day of pokhara sightseeing, which includes Devi’s Fall, Gupteshwor Cave, and a peaceful boat ride on Phewa Lake, experiencing the panaromic views of Annapurna range.
Day 5: You will go on a trekking to Syaulibazar and trek to Ghandruk village and enjoy hospitality of Gurung people.
Day 6: Trek back to Syaulibazar after witnessing some beautiful mountain ranges from Ghandruk village.
Day 7: journey to Chitwan National Park and then checking into a jungle lodge near Sauraha and enjoying an introductory village walk to nearby areas.
Day 8: Indulge yourself in Chitwan’s wildlife with a jeep safari where you can see one horned rhino and a canoe ride down to the Rapti River, witnessing the presence of crocodiles.
Day 9: Farewell to Kathmandu.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu:
On your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, you will be received by our pleasant consultant, who will drop you off at your hotel in the Thamel district. After getting comfortable, you can begin with an off-foot excursion in Thamel, exploring its busy markets and coming across unique stores. Thamel is known for its shops and avenue carriers, who provide everything from trekking equipment to handicraft miniatures, rings, electronics, and plenty more Apart from shops, Thamel offers a wide variety of restaurants that cater to quite a few tastes.
In the evening we will head towards Pashupatinath to attend the evening aarti which is a must watch. It’s one of the holy places for Hindus across the world. The temple holds such importance because of its architecture, which features a building with a bunk roof and a golden spire, a four-faced linga of the main deity Shiva, and the ghat behind the temple along the banks of the Bagmati River, where you can always find some cremation process going on, which shows the beauty of death, and you can witness the captivating rituals there.
You will have a welcome dinner at night along with our representative, who will brief you regarding the tour.
Day 2: Exploring Kathmandu’s Cultural Treasures:
On our second day of the Muktinath Jeep Tour, we will go for an early morning sightseeing tour of Katmandu. We will start by going to Swyambhunath.
Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, is a historic spiritual complex located atop a hill within the Kathmandu Valley with panoramic views of the town. The place additionally holds significant spiritual importance to Buddhists in Nepal and around the world and is well-known for its creative sculptures, art work, and non-sectarian symbols. As in line with a legend, Swyambunath emerged from a lotus flower that bloomed in a lake that once included the Kathmandu valley. Visitors can explore numerous monuments in the complex, which include the massive gold-plated Vajra along with different Buddha statues.
Next, head to Boudhanath Stupa, also known as Bouddha, which is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stupa is located on an ancient trade route from Tibet that enters the Kathmandu valley at that point and is entombed with the remains of Kassapa Buddha and a finger bone of Gautama Buddha. The stupa is extremely beautiful, decorated with pairs of eyes in each of the cardinal directions, representing the all-knowing nature of the Buddha. Here you can walk around the stupa, spin prayer wheels, and visit surrounding monasteries and museums. The place is also famous for foods like thukpa and momo.
If time permits, we will delve into the heart of old Kathmandu at Kathmandu Durbar Square, which’s surrounded by ancient Newari structures, high temples, and popular shrines. Its a place where the metropolis’s kings were once topped and legitimized, and from where they dominated. It is also one of the world’s heritage sites. Later, you can also explore the ancient temples, places, and courtyards that represent the rich culture and heritage of the city.
Immediately after finishing our sightseeing, we will begin with our drive to Pokhara, which is 7 hours; however, we also have the option of a flight; you can opt as per your preference.
By road on our way, you will witness some of the beautiful scenery and landscapes of the rural area. You will come across beautiful hillsides, rushing rivers, and caring villagers as you go towards the foothills of the Himalayas.
Pohara, being famous for its breathtaking views of the Annapurna range, will greet you as you approach Pokhara. As the journey is very long, we might stop at some place to have lunch and get a little fresh. We will probably reach there by daytime or close to evening, and then you will be settled into your hotel near the shores of Phewa Lake. It will be suggested that you take some time to relax and get comfortable with the atmosphere there. Having a cup of coffee or tea from the balcony will be an awesome idea. In the evening, you can go on a walk along the lakeside to get some fresh air or have dinner at a lakeside restaurant.
Day 3: Pokhara: Drive from Pokhara to Jomsom. Overnight at the guest house.
Early in the morning we will have breakfast at the hotel, and we will be heading to Jomsom. The drive from Pokhara to Jomsom is a scenic and adventurous journey which consists of approximately 155 km. Initially, the route has a well-maintained blacktop road from Pokhara to Beni, taking near to three hours. However, from Beni onwards, the road becomes rough and off-road, which requires a 4WD vehicle for the five-hour trek through villages like Tatopani, Ghasa, Lete, Kobang, and Marpha.
Hiring a 4WD Jeep from a reputable tour operator is highly recommended due to the challenging terrain and potential for landslides. The stunning views of the Kali Gandaki River and a stop at the 300 meter Rupse Waterfall are the major highlights of the trip. Despite the challenges, the breathtaking views of Himalaya and the natural beauty of flaura and fauna along the route make the journey more memorable. It may take around 10 hours to reach there, and we will stay overnight at Jomson.
Day 04: Drive from Jomsom to Muktinath and back to Tatopani. Overnight at the guest house.
After, we enjoy breakfast at our guest house before embarking on our journey to Muktinath. The drive takes us through a mesmerizing mountain desert landscape, which is a journey of approximately 1.5 hours. Upon reaching Muktinath, we take part in the traditional ritual of bathing under 108 spouts of ice-cold water and immersing ourselves in the two holy ponds, believed to purify the body and soul. After doing prayers and all other necessary courses at the temple, we begin our journey to Tatopani.
The drive to Tatopani takes around six hours. The route is filled with dramatic scenery as we descend through the rough terrain and lush valleys. As we arrive in Tatopani, we head to the natural hot springs, which is a perfect place to relax and soothe our tired muscles after a long day of travel. The warm waters are known to have therapeutic properties, providing a rejuvenating experience in the middle of peaceful surroundings. We conclude our day with an overnight stay at a guest house in Tatopani, where we spend the rest of the night preparing for the next day.
Day 05: Drive from Tatopani to Pokhara and do half day sightseeing. Overnight at the hotel.
Our day 5 Muktinath Jeep Tour will begin with an early morning breakfast at the guest house, and then we will drive back to Pokhara. It will take around 5 hours. On our arrival in Pokhara, we check into the hotel, and after taking some rest, we go out for sightseeing. We will visit Davis Falls and Guptshore Cave.
We will go to Devi’s Falls, which has a captivating waterfall that goes deep down to the earth and disappears into a deep, narrow valley (chasm). This place attracts both local and international tourists every year and is famous for its beautiful structure. Visitors can also try their luck on the luck pond by throwing and trying to place the coin on the statue of the god constructed there.
Next,, we arrive at Gupteshwor Cave, which is a sacred place dedicated to Lord Shiva. The cave is situated near Devis Falls and is known for its intricate rock structures, which include stalactites and stalagmites. There, you will experience a surge of spiritual energy and the beauty of the cave.
After visiting the cave, we will embark on a peaceful and soothing boat ride across the Phewa Lake. The lake is known for a temple that is situated on a small piece of land in the middle of the lake, known as Tal Barahi Temple. As you look around, you will be mesmerized by the beauty of the Annapurna range. At the end of the day, we can visit Sarangkot Hill to witness a beautiful sunset from the top of the hill.
We will return to our hotel by evening or you can have dinner at any lakeside restaurant.
Day 06: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu via Manakamana Temple. Overnight at the hotel.
Early this morning, after having breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our journey to Kathmandu with a visit to the renowned Manakamana Temple. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati and holds a special place among Hindu pilgrims. In Nepali, “Mana” means heart and “Kamana” means wishes, showing the belief that desires are fulfilled upon visiting this sacred site. Devotees reach the temple through a scenic cable car ride, which offers breathtaking views of the Trishuli River and surrounding hills. The temple holds significant cultural and religious importance that attracts devotees from all over Nepal and the world who come to offer prayers and seek blessings. Its peaceful and spiritual atmosphere makes it a wonderful destination for both locals and tourists. After offering our prayers and witnessing the beautiful surroundings, we will continue our drive to Kathmandu. In the evening, we will have a complimentary last day dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant,
Day 7: Farewell to Kathmandu
On the final day, you can enjoy a relaxed morning exploring Thamel for last-minute shopping or just relaxing and packing bags at your hotel. If some time is left before departure, coffee at the Himalayan Java Cafe will give a great start to the day.
Plan to arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport at least three hours prior to your flight to guarantee a smooth journey home. Depart with the vibrant culture and rich heritage of Kathmandu, Pokhara and Muktinath ingrained in your memory.
Costs Includes:
- 6 nights’ stay in comfortable hotels and lodges
- Daily breakfast at your hotels
- Transportation in a private vehicle with our experienced driver
- A guide for sightseeing at Kathmandu,Pokhara and Muktinath.
- Entrance fees at all places mentioned in our itinerary
- An experienced and knowledgeable English-speaking local guide.
Cost Excludes:
- Flights from and to Kathmandu that are international.
- Lunch and dinner (apart from the welcome and farewell dinner).
- Personal costs (loans, beverages, souvenirs).
- Tips to driver and guide. (not necessary but suggested)
