Nepal and the neighbouring Tibetan plateau hold some of the most sacred sites in Hinduism and Buddhism. Our pilgrimage tours take you to two of the most important: Muktinath, high in the Mustang district, and Mount Kailash with Lake Manasarovar in Tibet. We handle the travel, permits, hotels and timing, so you and your family can focus on the darshan, the rituals and the journey itself.
Pilgrimage Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Days | How you get there | Highest point | Physical effort | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muktinath Helicopter Tour | 6 | Helicopter from Pokhara | About 3,700 m | Very easy | Most of the year |
| Muktinath Tour Package | 8 | Road via Pokhara and Jomsom | About 3,700 m | Easy | February to June, September to December |
| Kailash Manasarovar Tour | 15 | Overland via Kyirong into Tibet | 5,630 m (Dolma La) | Demanding | May to September |
Muktinath: Sacred to Hindus and Buddhists
Muktinath sits at around 3,700 m in Lower Mustang, below the Thorong La pass. For Hindus, it is Muktikshetra, the "place of liberation", and one of the 108 Divya Desams sacred to Lord Vishnu. For Buddhists, it is Chumig Gyatsa, a site blessed by Guru Rinpoche. Pilgrims bathe under the 108 water spouts and in the two sacred kunds, and visit the Jwala Mai temple, where a natural flame burns over flowing water.
Many pilgrims also collect shaligram stones, the black ammonite fossils found in the Kali Gandaki river, which are worshipped as a form of Vishnu.
Muktinath Tour Package by Road
The Muktinath Tour Package travels by road, so you see the journey as well as the destination. On the way to Pokhara you ride the cable car to Manakamana Temple, then continue up the Kali Gandaki valley to Jomsom and on by jeep to Muktinath. The route passes Kagbeni, an old village at the gateway to Upper Mustang, and Marpha, known for its apples and whitewashed lanes. The tour also includes Pashupatinath in Kathmandu and sightseeing in Pokhara.
There's no trekking, which makes this tour a good fit for families and senior pilgrims who are comfortable with long drives on mountain roads.
Muktinath Helicopter Tour
The Muktinath Helicopter Tour is the quickest and most comfortable way to reach the temple. An early-morning helicopter flies from Pokhara to Muktinath in about 30 minutes, past Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. You have time for bathing at the water spouts, puja and darshan before flying back to Pokhara the same morning.
It's ideal for elderly pilgrims, people with limited time, and anyone who wants to avoid the long road journey. Because you only spend a short time at altitude, the risk of altitude sickness is lower than on the road trip.
Kailash Manasarovar Yatra
Mount Kailash in western Tibet is sacred to Hindus as the abode of Lord Shiva, and to Buddhists, Jains and followers of Bon. At its foot lies Lake Manasarovar, where pilgrims take a holy bath and perform puja. Completing the parikrama, or kora, around the mountain is one of the most important pilgrimages in Asia.
Our Kailash Manasarovar Tour travels overland from Kathmandu via Syabrubesi and the Kyirong border into Tibet, crossing the plateau through Saga to Manasarovar. After the lake, you begin the three-day parikrama around Kailash, crossing the Dolma La at 5,630 m before descending past Gauri Kund. The whole yatra takes 15 days, including time in Kathmandu for the Tibet group visa and permits, which we arrange.
This is a serious high-altitude journey. You'll spend several days above 4,500 m, and the parikrama involves long walking days. You don't need trekking experience, but you should be in good health, able to walk for several hours, and ideally have a medical check-up before you travel. Pony and porter support is usually available for the parikrama if you need it.
Which Pilgrimage Tour Is Right for You?
- Elderly pilgrims or limited time: Muktinath Helicopter Tour.
- Families who want to see the journey and visit more temples: Muktinath Tour Package.
- Once-in-a-lifetime yatra with a holy bath in Manasarovar: Kailash Manasarovar Tour.
Other Sacred Sites You Can Add
Many pilgrims combine these tours with other holy places in Nepal. Pashupatinath, one of the most sacred Shiva temples in the world, is included on our Kathmandu Heritage Tour. Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, is part of the Nepal Cultural Tour. The sacred lake of Gosaikunda, where thousands of pilgrims gather during Janai Purnima, can be reached on the Gosaikunda Trek.
When Is the Best Time for a Pilgrimage?
Muktinath can be visited for most of the year. The clearest weather is from March to May and October to November. During the monsoon, flights to Jomsom and helicopter flights can be delayed, and landslides sometimes affect the road. In mid-winter, Muktinath is very cold and occasionally snowbound.
The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra only runs from May to September, when the roads and the parikrama route are open. Many pilgrims time their visit for the Saga Dawa festival at the full moon in May or June.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you reach Muktinath from Kathmandu?
Travel to Pokhara by road or flight, then either drive via Jomsom or fly to Muktinath by helicopter. By road, the journey takes two to three days each way. By helicopter, you can visit Muktinath and return to Pokhara the same morning.
Is Muktinath suitable for elderly pilgrims?
Yes. The helicopter tour is the easiest option. On the road tour, there's no trekking, but the drive is long and bumpy and the altitude is around 3,700 m, so pilgrims should be in reasonable health. Your guide will help at the temple, including at the water spouts.
How difficult is the Kailash parikrama?
It's demanding because of the altitude more than the terrain. The three-day circuit covers about 52 km and crosses the Dolma La at 5,630 m. Most fit adults can complete it with good acclimatisation, and ponies and porters can be hired for support.
What documents do I need for Kailash Manasarovar?
You need a valid passport and a Tibet group visa with Tibet travel permits, which we arrange in Kathmandu. Entry rules can change and vary by nationality, so contact us before booking to confirm the current requirements for your passport.
Can you arrange a puja or priest?
Yes. On the Kailash tour, puja at Manasarovar is included. At Muktinath and Pashupatinath, we can arrange a priest for special rituals on request.
Plan Your Pilgrimage With Us
Tell us your preferred dates, the number of people in your group and the age and health of any senior travellers. We'll suggest the right route, arrange permits, hotels and transport, and make sure your family is looked after throughout the journey. Contact us to start planning.
