Muktinath Overland Tour
DISCOVER THE COLORS OF SPIRIT.
The main purpose of Muktinath Overland Tour is pilgrimage but there are opportunities for exploring beautiful Nepali villages, plateau landscape, Himalayas, natural hot spring. The route is famous trekking trails of Upper Mustang, Annapurna circuit, Dhaulagiri and Jomsom Muktinath. The accommodation and food facilities are easy in this area. Top of the valley lies Muktinath Temple.
Duration
07 Days
Difficulty
Strenuous
Route
Hiking/ Ziplining
Accommodation
Tea House & Hotel
Muktinath is one of the sacred places of worship for the Hindus in the Himalayan ranges of Nepal. Known for both Hindus and Buddhist’s, this shrine attracts pilgrims during the months of May-November. The famous temple of Lord Muktinath lies in the district of Mustang and is situated about 18 kms northeast of Jomsom at an altitude of about 3800 meter. The main shrine is a pagoda shaped temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This is one of the 106th sacred Muktichhetra (assured of salvation) of 108 sacred places of Vaishnavs, where Lord Vishnu got free from the curse of Sati. Here is a largest Shaligram. Here is also a Jwaladevi, a divine flame is continuously burning since thousands of year.
Muktinath is the most sacred Hindu site in Nepal after the temple of Pashupatinath in Kathmandu. Hindu pilgrims come here to bathe in the 108 water spouts shaped as cows’ heads and Buddhists come here to pay homage at a shrine enclosing an eternal blue flame. Pilgrims take bath in holy water spouts to purify their bodies before visiting the main Temple for worship.
Day 1: Arrival at the Tribhuvan Int`l Airport in Kathmandu
Our airport representative will be receiving you at Tribhuvan Int`l airport, Kathmandu and s/he will be displaying our agency signboard outside the airport terminal. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private tourist vehicle en route we will visit Pashupatinath Temple. In hotel, welcome drink followed by tour briefing.
Destinations we cover :
Pasupatinath Temple (one of the biggest, sacred and famous Hindu temple in Nepal)Pashupatinath temple is also one of world heritage site listed by UNESCO. It is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world. It is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (Lord of Animals) which is built in the familiar pagoda style during fifth century by King Prachanda Dev.
Day 2: Pre-trip meeting & Drive Kathmandu -Pokhara & sightseeing
At around 7am, we host a pre-trip meeting at your hotel in Kathmandu while you having breakfast and introduce your guide. Please seek this opportunity to ask questions about your tour. This includes a final briefing and preparations for the trip. For the meeting, please make sure you bring passport, two copies of passport-size photos, and a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. During this meeting, please clear the due balance, if any, and sign the legally binding trip form as well as the non-liability disclaimer. Please inform us in advance if you will be arriving late and therefore are unable to attend the pre-trip meeting.
After pre-trip meeting finishes, we drive for Pokhara (200KM / 6-7 hours) observing the scenic views on the national highway along the Trishuli River. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Evening walk around the tourist area of Lake Side and enjoy the view of western Himalayan ranges with Mt. Machhaphuchre.
Destinations we cover:
Devi's fallLocally known as Patale Chhango and in the southern flank of the Pokhara valley is where the stream flowing from Fewa Lake collapses and surges down the rock into a deep gorge, leaping through several potholes. This is hugely popular with tourists and locals alike.
Gupteswar CaveThe revered Gupteswar Cave is situated 2 kms from Pokhara airport. The entrance is right across from Devi's fall and the cave is almost 3 kms long. It has some big hall-sized rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all four. This cave holds special value to Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered.
Phewa Lake and Barahi TempleSituated at an altitude of 800m above sea level, it is the second largest lake in the kingdom. With the Barahi Island Temple in the middle of the lake it is the most important religious monument in Pokhara. Built almost in the middle of Phewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the female force Shakti. The reflection of Mt. Machhapuchhare and Annapurna can be seen in its serene water. Thick forest lies on the adjoining southern slopes of the lake.
Day 3:Drive Pokhara-Beni-Jomsom & transfer to hotel.
Early morning breakfast & starts the drive to Jomsom. This is going to be a challenging drive for approximately 8.5 hours (time can vary according to road conditions and stops taken). The road is considered to be a “Rocky Road” - unpaved (no black top) or - gravel road.
The drive to Muktinath is by “4 WD Jeep” (Scorpio or similar), parallel to the river Kaligandaki river via the small settlements of Beni, Ghasa, Marfa, along the Kaligandaki Valley. This is an adventure trip. Spectacular mountain views are visible most of the time. The drive from Pokhara to Beni is around 85 km which is black topped 3-4 Hrs Drive (approx).Beni to Jomsom is 78 kms Gravel Road – 5 hours (approx).
Day 4:Visit & worship at Muktinath Temple, return back to hotel in Jomsom.
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to the Muktinath temple. Here if the Jeep cannot cross the Kaligandaki one will be requied to walk for around 15-20 min. If so, there will be a change of vehicle.
The drive takes around 2 hours. Holy bath those who can bear the chilled water coming out of 108 waterspouts. Visit & worship at the Muktinath temple. Later return to Jomsom the same way
Day 5: Drive back Jomsom-Pokhara & transfer to hotel.
Breakfast. Then, Drive back to Pokhara by same route & transfer to the hotel, rest. Evening free for our own time in which you can do shopping/walk around lakeside area.
Day 6: Morning visit to Sarangkot for Sunrise view, drive back to KTM & transfer to hotel.
his morning you will go for an excursion trip to Sarangkot & Bindhabasini temple. Retracing the same path, drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. Rest day at leisure. One can indulge in shopping or visit the Casinos trying their lady luck.
Destinations we cover:
Sarangkot is the most popular tourist destination from where the tourist can enjoy the great view of the Pokhara Valley and the magnificent view of the mountains. Sarangkot is only 13 kms from Lake Side, Pokhara. Sarangkot is the highest view point for a sunrise and it is just 1592m high. Sarangkot is cooler than Pokhara. Sarangkot can be reached easily by 45 to 60 minutes by a car ride to the top from Pokhara. Many tourists come to Sarangkot for sunrise view and go back.
Bindebasini TempleThis is one of the oldest temples in Pokhara was a part of Kaski Kingdom, the main deity of the temple, Goddess Durga, was brought from India. Apart from the peace and tranquility that can be felt in this region, the premises of the temple offer a good view of the Himalaya on a clear day. The temple is in the area of the bazaar; hence a journey of the old bazaar can be combined with a visit to the temple
Day 7: Transfer to the airport for your final departure
After breakfast, our airport representative will drop you back to Airport for your final departure with "sweet memory" of Nepal.
- Traditional welcome on arrival.
- Arrival & departure transfer in private basis.
- Welcome drinks upon arrival at hotel.
- 02 nights’ accommodation in respective hotel in Kathmandu on B/D plan in twin sharing basis.
- 02 night’s accommodation in respective hotel in Pokhara on B/D plan in twin sharing basis.
- 02 night’s hotel accommodation in respective hotel in Jomsom in B/D plans (extremely basic accommodation only available with non A/c rooms.)
- All transfers & sightseeing by private non A/C vehicle.
- Sightseeing as per the itinerary in Kathmandu and Pokhara by a non a/c vehicle exclusively.
- Transportation Kathmandu / Pokhara / Kathmandu by a non a/c vehicle exclusively.
- Transportation Pokhara / Jomsom / Pokhara by a non a/c Jeep exclusively - A/c does not work while driving uphill.
- Transportation Jomsom – Muktinath – Jomsom by a non A/c Jeep on SIC basis.
- ACAP fee for Jomsom included (Permit required to visit Jomsom for which 2 passport size photograph and passport photocopy is required).
- All applicable taxes.
- Special souvenir on departure.
- Airport Tax
- Conservation & National Park Fees
- Domestic airfare (Insurance Surcharge + Fuel Surcharge)
- Emergency rescue
- Entrance fees & Guide if any.(Guide costs
- INR.2000 or US$30 per day)
- Expenses due to the situation beyond our control (Such as; landslides, natural calamities, road blockade, political disturbance, flight cancellation etc.)
- Expenses of personal Nature
- Medical expenses
- Other Services not mentioned in cost including.
- Personal Insurance
- Tips and Gratuities