Nepal & Muktinath
Pashupatinath and Boudhanath in Kathmandu, the Phewa Lake mornings of Pokhara, jungle safaris in Chitwan, and the Muktinath yatra high in the Mustang valley — with no visa needed for Indians.
Packages from ₹20,000 per person, indicative · full cost breakdown ↓
Nepal & Muktinath tour packages
3 ready-made plans, every one customisable. Each has an indicative price, the highlights and a full day-by-day page.
Muktinath Yatra by Road
Pashupatinath and the Kathmandu stupas, then Pokhara and the long mountain drive to Jomsom for Muktinath darshan. Made for families who want the yatra without the Jomsom flight lottery.
Kathmandu & Pokhara
The easiest Nepal holiday: Pashupatinath and the Kathmandu stupas, Manakamana, and two relaxed days by Phewa Lake with a Sarangkot sunrise. Gentle on elders and children alike.
Kathmandu, Chitwan & Pokhara
Adds two nights in Chitwan's jungle resorts — rhino safari, canoe ride and Tharu dances — to the classic Kathmandu–Pokhara trip. Children love it.
For Gujarati families Nepal combines pilgrimage and holiday in one trip. Pashupatinath in Kathmandu is among the most important Shiva temples anywhere. Muktinath, at about 3,700 m in Mustang, is sacred to both Hindus (as one of the 108 Divya Desams of Vishnu) and Buddhists. Pokhara, with its lake and Himalayan views, and Chitwan, with rhinos and elephants, make it an easy family holiday too. Indians don't need a visa, the Indian rupee is widely understood, and vegetarian food is simple to find.
The usual shape is a flight to Kathmandu (via Delhi or Mumbai from Ahmedabad), then travel by road. Kathmandu–Pokhara is about 6–7 hours by road, and Pokhara–Jomsom is a rough mountain drive or a 20-minute flight that is often cancelled for weather. We plan the Muktinath trip with a spare day, because the Jomsom sector is the one part of Nepal where weather really decides your schedule.
What to see in Nepal & Muktinath
Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu
The great Shiva temple on the Bagmati, with the evening aarti on the ghats. Only Hindus may enter the main courtyard.
Muktinath Temple
At about 3,700 m in Mustang: 108 water spouts and the eternal flame of Jwala Mai, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike. Reached from Jomsom by jeep and a short climb.
Boudhanath & Swayambhunath
Kathmandu's two great stupas: Boudhanath's vast white dome ringed by monasteries, and the hilltop Swayambhunath with its city view (and monkeys).
Patan Durbar Square
The finest of the valley's royal squares, with Newar pagoda temples, the Krishna Mandir and an excellent museum.
Pokhara — Phewa Lake & Sarangkot
Boat ride to Tal Barahi temple on the lake, and sunrise from Sarangkot over the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre on clear mornings.
Manakamana Temple
The wish-fulfilling goddess on a ridge above the Trishuli river, reached by a cable car on the Kathmandu–Pokhara road.
Chitwan National Park
Jeep safari for one-horned rhino, canoe rides past crocodiles, and Tharu village dances in the evening.
Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave & Davis Falls
A Shiva cave shrine in Pokhara directly across from the waterfall; the lower cave opens onto the falls outside the monsoon.
Getting there from Ahmedabad
Fly: there is no non-stop flight from Ahmedabad. Connect via Delhi or Mumbai to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan airport, which usually takes 5–7 hours including the connection. Delhi–Kathmandu is about 1 hour 45 minutes.
By road: possible via the Sunauli or Raxaul borders, but it's a very long journey from Gujarat and not practical for a holiday.
Jomsom: reached from Pokhara by a 20-minute flight (frequently cancelled for wind or cloud) or by the rough mountain road (about 7 hours). Our Muktinath itinerary uses the road, so a cancelled flight can't break the trip.
Getting around. Private vehicles with drivers for all road journeys; mountain roads are slow, so plan 30 km an hour. In Jomsom the last leg to Muktinath is by local shared jeep, and ponies and motorbikes are available for the final climb.
When to go
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn (best) | October – November | Crisp, clear skies and the best Himalayan views, 18–25°C in Kathmandu. It's the busiest season, and Dashain and Tihar holiday dates fill hotels. |
| Winter | December – February | Clear but cold, near freezing at night in Kathmandu and well below at Muktinath. Muktinath is possible but harsh for elders. Pokhara and Chitwan are pleasant. |
| Spring | March – May | Warm, with rhododendrons in bloom. Haze can hide the peaks by May. A good Muktinath window. |
| Monsoon | June – September | Heavy rain, landslides on the Pokhara–Jomsom road and leeches in Chitwan, and many Chitwan activities pause. Avoid July and August. |
Permits, rules and packing
Indian nationals don't need a visa for Nepal. Carry a valid Indian passport (at least 6 months' validity) or an original Voter ID card. Aadhaar, PAN and driving licence are not accepted for entry, especially by air, and neither is a downloaded e-Voter ID. Children need a passport or, where accepted, an original birth certificate in English with a school ID. The Muktinath trip also needs an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which we arrange in advance. It needs a scan of your ID and a passport-size photo at least a few days before travel.
What to pack
- Passport or original Voter ID, plus photocopies and 4 passport-size photos
- Warm jacket, thermals, gloves and cap for Muktinath in every season
- Comfortable walking shoes for temple steps and the Muktinath climb
- Personal medicines, plus altitude-sickness advice from your doctor for Muktinath
- Sunglasses and sunscreen for the high-altitude sun
- Indian rupees in smaller notes, since shops often refuse high-denomination Indian notes, and a card for bigger hotels
- Light luggage for the Jomsom sector, as the vehicles have little room
Veg and Jain food in Nepal & Muktinath
- Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan resorts serve Indian vegetarian food, and many restaurants in Thamel and Lakeside are pure veg.
- On the Muktinath road food is simple dal-bhat, roti, potatoes and Maggi. Carry dry snacks and thepla.
- Jain meals are possible at hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara with advance notice, but hard to guarantee at Jomsom lodges.
- Drink only bottled or filtered water throughout.
What a Nepal & Muktinath trip costs from Ahmedabad
Indicative per-person land costs on twin sharing, excluding flights to Kathmandu, GST and TCS.
3★ hotels, shared vehicle, 5-night Kathmandu–Pokhara trip for 6 or more people
3★ or 4★ hotels, private vehicle, Muktinath by road or Chitwan added
5★ hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara (Soaltee, Yak & Yeti, Fishtail Lodge class), best Chitwan villas
Where the money goes
- Flights: Ahmedabad–Kathmandu return via Delhi usually costs ₹16,000–28,000 per person, more around Diwali and Dashain.
- Vehicles: the Jomsom sector needs a sturdy SUV, and it's the most expensive transport leg.
- TCS on overseas tour packages is collected under Indian tax rules and can be adjusted against your income tax.
- Pony or motorbike to Muktinath, the Manakamana cable car and Phewa boating are paid locally.
Prices are indicative for 2026 and change with dates, group size and hotel choice. We confirm every price in writing before you pay anything.
Travelling with parents and children
- Muktinath is at about 3,700 m. Parents with heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions should consult a doctor first, and everyone should walk slowly and drink plenty of water.
- The Pokhara–Jomsom road is bumpy and dusty for hours, so seat elders in the middle row and carry motion-sickness tablets.
- Jomsom lodges are basic, sometimes with shared rooms and no air-conditioning, so set expectations in advance. It's one night only.
- Check that everyone's document is accepted (passport or original Voter ID) before booking flights, because Aadhaar won't get you on the plane to Kathmandu.
- Chitwan is the highlight for children aged 6–14. Book resorts that include the activities rather than paying for each separately.
Questions families ask us about Nepal & Muktinath
How much does a Nepal & Muktinath trip cost from Ahmedabad?
Value ₹20,000 – 28,000, Comfort ₹30,000 – 40,000, Premium ₹48,000 – 70,000. Indicative per-person land costs on twin sharing, excluding flights to Kathmandu, GST and TCS. Prices are indicative and change with your dates, group size and hotel choice — we confirm every price in writing before you pay anything.
Do Indians need a visa or passport for Nepal?
No visa is needed. For entry, carry a valid Indian passport or an original Voter ID card. Aadhaar, PAN cards and driving licences are not accepted, and an e-Voter ID printout isn't accepted either. We check documents for everyone at booking.
Is the Muktinath trip safe for senior citizens?
Many seniors do it. The temple is at about 3,700 m, the road is rough, and there is a short climb at the end, with ponies and motorbikes available. Parents in reasonable health manage well, but check with a doctor first if anyone has a heart, lung or BP condition.
Why do you use the road to Jomsom instead of the flight?
The Pokhara–Jomsom flight is short but often cancelled for wind or cloud, sometimes for days. The road is long and bumpy but reliable in the dry season, so the yatra happens on the planned day.
Can we pay in Indian rupees in Nepal?
Indian rupees are widely accepted, but many shops refuse high-denomination Indian notes, so carry smaller notes. Nepalese rupees are also easy to get from ATMs and money changers. Cards work in bigger hotels and shops.
What is the best time for Muktinath?
April to June and September to November. Winter is very cold and snow can block the road, and the monsoon brings landslides on the Beni–Jomsom stretch.
Can non-Hindus enter Pashupatinath?
Only Hindus may enter the main temple courtyard. Others can watch the aarti and the ghats from across the Bagmati river.
Ready to plan Nepal & Muktinath?
Send us your dates and who is travelling. We reply with a day-by-day plan, hotel names and a price — usually within 24 hours.