Lower Mustang Muktinath Trek
Trip Duration
10 Days Days
Group Sizes
2-16 People People
Transportation
Drive/Walk
Destination
Lower Mustang Muktinath Trek
Max. Altitude
3800
Nature of Trip
Trekking,Pilgrimage
Best Season
Mar-Nov
Activities
- Trekking
- Pilgrimage
- Cultural Immersion
Difficulty
Easy
Meals
- Hotel/Teahouse Breakfast
- Teahouse Lunch
- Teahouse Dinner
Start & End Point
Pokhara
Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Hotel
Overview of Lower Mustang Muktinath Trek
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The Lower Mustang Muktinath Trek follows the ancient salt trade route up the Kali Gandaki Gorge — the world’s deepest river gorge — to the sacred pilgrimage temple of Muktinath (3,800m), revered equally by Hindus and Buddhists as one of the holiest sites in the Himalayas. Unlike Upper Mustang, this route requires no restricted-area permit and passes through the dramatic Mustang landscape of dry canyons, cliff-top villages, and apple orchards around Marpha and Tukuche, making it an excellent and accessible introduction to the Mustang region.
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- Visit Muktinath temple (3,800m), sacred to both Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists
- Walk the Kali Gandaki Gorge — the world’s deepest river gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna
- Explore the apple-orchard village of Marpha, famous for its brandy and traditional architecture
- No restricted-area permit required — accessible and affordable
- Dramatic landscape: dry ochre canyons and wind-sculpted cliffs on the edge of the Tibetan plateau
- Combines well with the Annapurna Circuit for an extended journey
Itinerary of Lower Mustang Muktinath Trek
Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Tatopani (1,190m)
5–6 hr drive along the Kali Gandaki gorge to Tatopani hot springs. Dip in the thermal pools to relax after the long drive.
Duration
Drive
Activity
Travel
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
L/D
Max Altitude
1190mDay 2: Tatopani to Ghasa (2,010m)
Enter the Kali Gandaki gorge proper. The trail winds through subtropical forest and narrow canyon sections with waterfalls.
Duration
5-6 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
2010mDay 3: Ghasa to Lete (2,470m)
The gorge narrows and the wind from Tibet begins. Lete sits at the point where the gorge opens toward the upper Mustang landscape.
Duration
4-5 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
2470mDay 4: Lete to Marpha (2,670m)
Arrive at Marpha, the most beautiful village in the Kali Gandaki valley. Famous for apple orchards, apple brandy, and traditional whitewashed Thakali architecture.
Duration
4-5 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
2670mDay 5: Marpha to Jomsom (2,720m)
Short walk to Jomsom, the district headquarters and airport hub for Mustang. Explore the town and the Mustang Eco Museum.
Duration
2-3 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
2720mDay 6: Jomsom to Kagbeni (2,810m)
Trek north along the Kali Gandaki to Kagbeni — the gateway village to Upper Mustang with a medieval feel and commanding views.
Duration
3-4 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
2810mDay 7: Kagbeni to Muktinath (3,800m)
Climb from the Kali Gandaki river to the Muktinath plateau. The sacred temple complex includes the eternal flame, 108 water spouts, and a Buddhist gompa. Pilgrim bathing in the cold spouts is a powerful cultural sight.
Duration
4-5 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
3800mDay 8: Muktinath to Jomsom — Fly or Drive to Pokhara
Descend to Jomsom for the morning flight or jeep drive back to Pokhara through the gorge.
Duration
2 hrs + Flight/Drive
Activity
Travel
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B/L
Max Altitude
820mDay 9: Pokhara Rest Day
Rest in Pokhara lakeside. Optional Sarangkot sunrise or Phewa Lake boat trip.
Duration
Rest
Activity
Rest
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B
Max Altitude
820mDay 10: Final Departure to Kathmandu
Fly or drive to Kathmandu for international departure.
Duration
Departure
Activity
Travel
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B
Max Altitude
1400mIncludes/Excludes
What's included?
- 9 nights accommodation (2 hotel Pokhara, 7 teahouse)
- All ground transport (Pokhara–Nayapul and return)
- All meals on trek
- Licensed English-speaking guide and porter
- ACAP permit and TIMS card
- First-aid kit and emergency protocols
What's not included?
- International airfare and Nepal visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance (recommended)
- Personal gear and clothing
- Tips for guide and porter
- Beverages and personal snacks
Lower Mustang Muktinath Trek Altitude Chart
Trip Information - Good to Know
Best Time
March–November. The Mustang rain shadow means the trail is usable even in monsoon months (June–August).
Permits
ACAP (NPR 3,000) + TIMS (NPR 2,000). No restricted-area permit needed for this route.
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate. Maximum altitude 3,800m at Muktinath. Well-serviced trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Muktinath sacred?
Muktinath is one of the 108 Vishnu Divyadesams (sacred Vishnu temples) for Hindus and the site of Jwala Mai (eternal flame from natural gas) revered by Buddhists. Both traditions meet at this single pilgrimage point.
Do I need a special permit for this trek?
No — Lower Mustang and Muktinath do not require the expensive Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit. Only the standard ACAP and TIMS are needed.
What is Marpha famous for?
Marpha is famous throughout Nepal for its apple orchards and apple products: fresh apples, apple juice, apple brandy (the local cider), and apple jam. The traditional Thakali stone architecture is also exceptionally well-preserved.
Can I extend this trek to Upper Mustang?
Yes — from Kagbeni you can continue north into Upper Mustang with the appropriate restricted-area permit. Green Horizon Tours can arrange the permit and guide upgrade in Jomsom.
Is the Kali Gandaki gorge the deepest in the world?
Yes — between the 8,000m+ peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, the Kali Gandaki drops over 5,500m in horizontal distance, qualifying as the world’s deepest gorge by most geographic measurements.
What is the wind like in the gorge?
The Kali Gandaki is famous for its powerful afternoon winds that blow north from midday. Trek early mornings are calm; afternoons are windy. This wind pattern drove the ancient salt trade — caravans travelled with the wind.
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