Getting There and Away

Capture of Muktinath mountains glistening with snow under a sunrise sky in Gandaki Province, Nepal.
Sonal Kashyap, Pexels

The primary transport hubs for reaching Muktinath are Kathmandu and Pokhara, with Jomsom serving as a crucial entry point due to its proximity and airport.

By Air and Jeep/Trek (from Kathmandu/Pokhara):

  • Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (approx. 25-30 minutes, USD 125-160 for foreigners).
  • Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (approx. 20-25 minutes, USD 125-165 for foreigners). Flights are primarily in the morning due to weather.
  • From Jomsom, take a shared jeep (approx. 45 minutes, USD 11-13) or local bus (USD 2-3) to Ranipauwa, near Muktinath. A 15-30 minute walk from Ranipauwa leads to the temple.

By Road (Jeep/Bus from Pokhara):

  • Direct jeeps from Pokhara to Muktinath are available, taking around 8-10 hours due to challenging road conditions, especially after Beni.
  • Private jeep hire from Pokhara can cost between USD 50-300 for a one-way trip, or around USD 100-400 per person for a 1-2 day package including accommodation.
  • Public buses operate from Pokhara to Jomsom (approx. 7.5 hours, USD 9-10), and then a connecting bus or taxi from Jomsom to Muktinath. There is no direct bus from Pokhara to Muktinath.

By Road (Bus/Jeep from Kathmandu):

  • An overnight public bus from Kathmandu to Jomsom takes approximately 15-16 hours (around USD 20), requiring a transfer to a local bus or jeep from Jomsom to Muktinath.
  • Private jeeps from Kathmandu to Jomsom take about two days, costing around USD 300-400.

By Helicopter (from Kathmandu/Pokhara):

  • Helicopter charter services are available from Kathmandu (approx. 1.5 hours, around USD 3,000 for a charter, or USD 600 per person for a group) or Pokhara (approx. 45 minutes).