Is the road from Pokhara to Jomsom open?
The road beyond Beni is unsealed and monsoon rain can damage or close sections. We check its state before every departure. If it is not safe, we tell you before you pay and offer a date when it is open, or the flight version of the tour.
How high is Muktinath, and is it safe for older pilgrims?
The temple is at about 3,800 m. You sleep at Jomsom, at 2,720 m, which is lower, and our guide carries a pulse oximeter. The road gives you two days to rise from Pokhara. Tell us about any heart, lung or blood-pressure condition before you book, and ask your doctor if you are over 65.
Why go by road rather than fly?
You see the temples and villages on the way, you rise gradually, and you are not dependent on Jomsom flights, which run in the morning only and are cancelled in strong wind. The road is longer and rougher.
Is the Upper Mustang permit needed?
No. Muktinath, Kagbeni and Jomsom are outside the restricted area. The permit is needed only north of Kagbeni, which this tour does not visit.
Can you cater for vegetarians?
Yes. Tell us if you are vegetarian or eat no egg, and we tell every lodge. Marpha and Jomsom kitchens handle it well.
Is this private?
Yes. Your guide is for your party only, so the sightseeing itself is private, and we never merge separate private bookings. Transport follows your tier: a local shared vehicle on Budget, a shared tourist vehicle on Standard and a private luxury vehicle on Luxury.
What is the difference between Budget, Standard and Luxury?
The route is the same on all three. Transport follows your tier: a local shared vehicle and jeep on Budget, a shared tourist vehicle and jeep on Standard, and a private luxury vehicle and jeep on Luxury. Budget gives you simple twin-share rooms and breakfast. Standard gives you private rooms and all meals. Luxury gives you private rooms with ensuite bathrooms where the lodge has them, and all meals with fruit and non-alcoholic drinks. Lodge standards in Tatopani and Jomsom are modest on all three.
Do children pay less?
No. A child pays the same as an adult, because permits, hotels, a seat in the vehicle and taxes cost us the same for a child. Tell us the age of each child when you book so we can plan the days around them.
What happens if I need to cancel, or you cannot run the trip?
If we cannot run your trip, we refund what you have paid, less taxes, bank or card charges and any money already spent on your behalf, or move you to another date. You can reschedule free to any date within one year with at least 72 hours' notice. The deposit itself is not refunded if you cancel.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Buy travel insurance at home, before you travel, and check that it covers domestic road travel, medical care, altitude up to 4,000 m with emergency helicopter rescue, and the dates of your trip. We do not recommend insurance bought in Nepal.
How do I pay?
You pay a 10% deposit to book and the balance when you arrive in Kathmandu. We take US dollars or euros, in cash or by card. We cover the card fee on the deposit. Paying the balance by card carries a 3.5% bank charge, and cash in Kathmandu has no fee.
How much does the 6 day Muktinath jeep tour cost and what is not included?
Prices start from USD 1,395 per person for 2 to 4 people on Budget, with Standard from USD 1,625 and Luxury from USD 2,385. The price covers the vehicle to Pokhara and the 4WD jeep to Muktinath and back (both by tier), five hotel nights, one Kathmandu hotel night with breakfast on your return, the Manakamana cable car, Muktinath temple entry, the Annapurna permits and your licensed guide. Budget includes breakfast only. Extra Kathmandu hotel nights, your visa, insurance, tips and any extra nights caused by a road closure are not included.
What do we see on the road trip from Kathmandu to Muktinath?
On day 1 you ride the Manakamana cable car from Kurintar to the temple where pilgrims ask the goddess Bhagwati for a wish. On day 2 we stop at Galeshwor Mahadev, a Shiva temple at Beni, and end at the hot springs of Tatopani. On day 3 the road passes Ghasa, Lete and Marpha, a Thakali village of whitewashed houses and apple orchards, to Jomsom. On day 4 you drive through Kagbeni to Muktinath, where pilgrims bathe under the 108 water spouts and the Jwala Mai flame burns beside a spring in the shrine.
Is going to Muktinath by road easier on the body than flying to Jomsom?
For most pilgrims, yes. By road you climb gradually over two days with a night at Tatopani, from Pokhara at 820 m to Jomsom at 2,720 m, instead of arriving there after a short flight. Muktinath is about 3,800 m, and you visit it by jeep on day 4 and sleep lower at Jomsom. Buy insurance at home that covers medical costs and helicopter evacuation up to 4,000 m, and tell us about any heart, lung or blood pressure condition before you book.
Can I do the Muktinath pilgrimage in July or August?
Yes, it is more workable than most of Nepal. Mustang sits in the rain shadow of the Annapurnas, so it is drier in July and August, although monsoon rain can close sections of the road beyond Beni. The best months are March to June and September to November, and nights are cold from November to March. As of 15 October 2026 the Beni to Jomsom road is repaired and open, and we check the road before every departure.
Is a Kathmandu hotel included in the Muktinath tour?
One night is. The tour starts with a pick-up from your Kathmandu hotel on day 1 and ends on day 6 at a Kathmandu hotel we book for you that night, with breakfast: simple and clean on Budget, 3-star on Standard, deluxe on Luxury. The night before the trip and any extra nights are not in the price. The five other included nights are in Pokhara, Tatopani and Jomsom. We can book extra Kathmandu nights at the level you like.
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