Muktinath is one of the sacred places of worship for the Hindus in the Himalayan ranges of Nepal. Known for both Hindus and Bhuddists, 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. Visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the Himalayas, fabulous and typical valley of Kaligandaki and diversity of ethnic culture. The trail from Jomsom passes along the Kali Gandaki River, the deepest gorge in the world to Kagbeni, a fascinating old citadel. The trail then divides into four directions of which the east route leads to Muktinath. The trail down from Muktinath via Eklya Bhatti (single teahouse) meets with the one coming from Kagbeni and then you walk into the Kaligandaki gorge visiting Marpha, which is well known for garden of apples, apricots and peaches sold fresh, dry and as distilled liquor brandy and its narrow lanes of cobbled stones with houses painted in white on each side. This trek begins from Pokhara and flies out from Jomsom. Alternatively, the trek commences from Jomsom and trek out to Pokhara. Duration: 10 days Price: $999 Group Size: 2 Grade: Moderate Destination: Nepal
Activity: Pilgrimage Region: Annapurna Equiment Lists: Footwear : Well broken-in walking shoes - these must be suitable for snow, thick socks, light socks, camp shoes. Clothing : Down or fiber filled waterproof jacket and trousers, sweater or fleece jacket, underwear, warm and cotton trousers or jeans, shirts and T-shirts, shorts, long underwear, wool hat, sun hat, gloves, bathing suit, track suit. Other equipment: Sleeping bag (5 seasons), lock, day pack, water bottle, sun cream, sunglasses, flashlight with spare bu Recommended equipment list: Trekkers need to provide their own personal clothing and equipment. Some items of equipment are available for hire from us as like Down Jacket Footwear : Well broken-in walking shoes - these must be suitable for snow, thick socks, light socks, camp shoes. Clothing : Down or fiber filled waterproof jacket and trousers, sweater or fleece jacket, underwear, warm and cotton trousers or jeans, shirts and T-shirts, shorts, long underwear, wool hat, sun hat, gloves, bathing suit, track suit. Other equipment: Sleeping bag (5 seasons), lock, day pack, water bottle, sun cream, sunglasses, flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries, lip salve, gaiters. Other items: Insect repellent, toilet articles, diary, toilet roll, laundry soap, wet ones, pocket knife, towel, sewing kit, plasters, binoculars, camera, film, cards and personal medical kit. lbs and batteries, lip salve, gaiters. Other items: Insect repellent, toilet articles, diary, toilet roll, laundry soap, wet ones, pocket knife, towel, sewing kit, plasters, binoculars, camera, film, cards and personal medical kit. Itinerary: Day 1: Kathmandu arrival Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital city of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. You will be met on airport and transferred to your hotel. After the arrival, the group will be formally introduced to Guide for the activities over the next few days. One should pay attention in particular to the safety aspects of the briefing. Any questions or doubts should be asked and clarified at this time. We check your insurance details and other requirement for your trekking. 2
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing After breakfast, we start an interesting tour around Kathmandu. Escorting by an English speaking guide (can be provide any language speaking guide on request) be, try to give them a full taste of our vivid culture image and an enchanting manner of its people. In our sightseeing tour we go to Monkey temple Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Kathmandu Durbar square. Pashupatinath: Hindu Temple is a very large and complex and focal point for the Hindu religion. This old and very revered complex of buildings and shrines is dedicated to the Lord Shiva, one of the main deities of Hinduism. While Lord Shiva has multiple forms he is often seen as the destroyer. This has great significance for the Pashupatinath temple as it is the site of many Hindi ritual cremations each day. Pashupatinath is considered by Hindus to be an auspicious site for passing from one stage of life to the next through the purifying and destroying flames of cremation. However, on a happier note, visitors may also get to see the temple in a buoyant festival mode with one of the many Hindu festivals celebrated here through the year. Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m) which takes about six hours. You depart for the six hours drive to Pokhara (915m), 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. As you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyangdi River. You follow the Marsyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Having pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist s paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to fall in love with its beauty. You can also fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes about 25 minutes. Day 4: Drive / Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom & Trek To Kagbeni Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2700m) and it takes about 25 minutes and trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni (2810m) which takes about four hours. You take the early morning flight which again will give close-up views of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri and nearby satellites, 20 minutes flight in a small aircraft. Directly north of Jomsom is the pretty village of Kagbeni, There are about 80 families living here, most of them traders who are the link in the chain between modern Nepal and the Tibetan-type people of Mustang. Just out of Jomsom you cross a small hanging bridge and then walk along the banks of the Kali Gandaki. The trail is quite barren with craggy rocks and sand and is mostly flat, which makes it very easy going. This very easy, enjoyable start is at the same time picturesque, with views of big peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri (26,794ft), Tukuche (22,703ft) and in the west the awesome mountain above Kagbeni, Nilgiri (22,769ft). Over to the south and south-west can be seen the entire Annapurna Massif. You are more than likely to meet Indian pilgrims on their way to and from Muktinath on this stretch, and other Europeans for an hour or two who will be on the world-famous Annapurna Circuit. Upon reaching Kagbeni there is a taste of scenes to come in Upper Mustang, what with its narrow alleyways and tunnels, irrigation canals, green fields of wheat and barley and a large red gompa. At the police check-post at the north end of the village there is a sign saying Restricted area, tourists please do not go beyond this point. Here you will complete your paperwork formalities for you to enter this long-forbidden region of Nepal. ACAP have set up a very interesting information post here with displays of Mustang artifacts and photos. Day 5: Kagbeni to Muktinath Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath (3795m) which takes about 4 hours. The Trail steeply ascends for couple of hundred Meters. While gradually walking you can enjoy beautiful deserted landscape, Caves, old Tibetan Style Villages, apple Garden, Yaks Herds, Sheep 3
Herds and so on. You can look at Thorong La valley straight up to the Muktinath. You can enjoy delicious lunch at Jharkot and visit Monastery believed to be built in 15 century. Now you head towards Muktinath following steep ascent path for half an hour. You stay overnight at Muktinath village. From here you hike to Rani Pauwa (3700m), an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Here you come across Natural flaming which really exhilarates you. At this point, you can see splendid view of Dhaulagiri (8165m), Nilgiri (7061m.) and others. Now you walk for fifteen minutes to reach Muktinath Temple, where you can enjoy a holy bath of 108 Taps. The people of Kagbeni, Jharkot and Muktinath are close to the life style, culture, religion and idea of Tibetan people. Day 6: Muktinath to Jomsom Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2713m) and it takes about 5 hours. Today we continue down for early two hours and then walk through the flat path till we reach Jomsom. Between the walk lies Eklebhatti village where you find tea houses and lodges. Day 7: Drive or Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara which takes about 35 minutes. The flights are available during the morning time. The strong breeze blows during the after and frequent change of the weather prevent the flight being landed and taken off in the afternoon. During the flights in morning, the sky looks very clear which makes you able to enjoy the splendid views of different mountain peaks. Day 8: from Pokhara to Kathmandu Drive or fly Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus, which takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal s first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes Day 9: Kathmandu free day of your own This is the free day and you can use it for your shopping. In the evening we will drive you for farewell dinner with cultural dance. Day 10: Final Departure All too soon it s time to bid Nepal farewell and one realizes that we can never be intimate, only acquainted with this amazing adventure kingdom. Cost Include: Airport Pick up & Drop Transportation by private vehicle Twin/double sharing accommodation at Kathmandu and Pokhara in 2-3 star hotels with breakfast Sightseeing in Kathmandu Escorted with English Speaking Guide & Entrance fee Kathamandu / Pokhara / Kathamandu by tourist bus Pokhara Jomsom Pokhara flight fare for member and a guide Accommodation in Normal tea house during trek Meals (Breakfast with 2 cups of tea/ Coffee, lunch, dinner) in trekking seasonal sleeping bag Annapurna trekking map for group All necessary paper work & Permits A First Aid and Eco trained & Government licensed holder English Speaking guide and one Porter between each 2 members while on trek 4
Accommodation, meals, salary, equipment, transportation & Insurance of Langtang Ri trekking staff Annapurna conservation permit fee Tims Travel & Rescue arrangement All government taxes Farewell dinner Cost exclude: International Airfare Nepal Visa fee (US$ 40 per person for 30 days) Excess baggage charges Lunch/Dinner in Kathmandu & Pokhara Drinking water, Electricity bills and hot shower during trek Medical evacuation in case of emergency Personal gears & clothing (available on hire) Client's insurance, Items of personal nature i.e. Soft/hard drinks, Tips etc Expenses incurred due to mishaps, landslide, strikes, political unrest etc. In such case extra will be charged as per actual Anything not specified in cost include section 5