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Nepal

Muktinath

High Himalayan shrine sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, with 108 water spouts

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Best time to visit Muktinath

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: April to May and September to October
  • Shoulder: March, June to August and November to December, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: January to February

Planning a specific month? AprilMaySeptemberOctober

Muktinath season by season

Winter December to February Shoulder

Snow and temperatures well below freezing; jeeps still run when the road is clear, but Jan and Feb are hard going for elderly pilgrims.

Summer March to May Prime time

Apr and May are the main pilgrim months: clear skies, an open road and icy 108-spout baths in thin mountain air.

Monsoon June to September Prime time

Little rain falls in the rain shadow, but slides on the road below Jomsom and cancelled flights slow travel; Yartung comes in Aug or Sep.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Crisp, clear days in Oct with Dhaulagiri views on the drive up; by late Nov the nights turn bitterly cold.

What Muktinath is actually like

Ranipauwa lodges full of Indian pilgrims, Thakali dal bhat and Tibetan stalls selling shaligram fossils and shawls.

Things to do in Muktinath

The local places worth your time in and around Muktinath, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Ranipauwa

    Village · 1 km out

    Pilgrim village below the temple with lodges, food and the jeep stand; the walk up to the shrine is short and steep.

  • Jwala Mai Temple

    Temple · in town

    Small shrine inside the complex where a natural gas flame burns beside a spring, sacred to both faiths.

  • Jharkot

    Village · 2 km out

    Fortified mud village on a ridge with a ruined fort, a gompa and a Tibetan herbal clinic; about an hour's walk down.

  • Kagbeni

    Village · 9 km out

    Gateway village to Upper Mustang on the Kali Gandaki, with the red Kag Chode gompa and apple orchards.

  • Thorong La

    Trek · 7 km out

    5416 m pass of the Annapurna Circuit, a steep climb east from Muktinath for fit and acclimatised trekkers only.

  • Jomsom

    Village · 14 km out

    Airstrip town of Mustang and the start of the jeep ride up to Muktinath or the walk down to Marpha.

Getting to Muktinath

About 1.5 h by jeep from the Jomsom airstrip, a 20 min flight from Pokhara; ACAP permit at the SAARC rate.

Practical ways in: flightroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Busy at its peak
Solo travel
Easy solo
Altitude
3735 m
Country
Nepal
Coordinates
28.8167, 83.8713

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Muktinath?

April to May and September to October is peak season in Muktinath. March, June to August and November to December is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid January to February. Apr and May are the main pilgrim months: clear skies, an open road and icy 108-spout baths in thin mountain air.

How many days do you need in Muktinath?

2 days is the usual stay. Ranipauwa lodges full of Indian pilgrims, Thakali dal bhat and Tibetan stalls selling shaligram fossils and shawls.

How do you get to Muktinath?

About 1.5 h by jeep from the Jomsom airstrip, a 20 min flight from Pokhara; ACAP permit at the SAARC rate. Practical ways in: flight and road.

Is Muktinath expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs busy at the busiest time of year. Easy solo.

Is there a festival in Muktinath?

Yartung Festival (Aug or Sep). Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Muktinath?

Ranipauwa, Jwala Mai Temple, Jharkot, Kagbeni, Thorong La and Jomsom. Pilgrim village below the temple with lodges, food and the jeep stand; the walk up to the shrine is short and steep.

Nearby, and where to go next

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