Muktinath Yartung Festival 2026: A Spiritual and Adventure Expedition in Nepal
Nestled high in the Himalayas at an elevation of about 3,710 meters (12,172 feet), Muktinath is one of Nepal’s most revered pilgrimage sites. Famous for its sacred temple complex, which holds immense significance for both Hindus and Buddhists, Muktinath is also a gateway to unique cultural celebrations such as the Yartung Festival. When combined with trekking and expedition activities in the surrounding Mustang region, the Muktinath Yartung Festival offers travelers an extraordinary blend of spirituality, adventure, and authentic Himalayan culture.
What is the Muktinath Yartung Festival?
The Yartung Festival in Mustang is a vibrant cultural event featuring horse racing, traditional music, dances, and religious ceremonies. Although the main Yartung festival is celebrated in Lo Manthang (Upper Mustang), the region surrounding Muktinath — often considered the gateway to Mustang — hosts its own related festivities that reflect the deep Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu heritage of the area.
The festival usually takes place in July or August (the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar) and celebrates community unity, fertility, prosperity, and protection from evil spirits. The festival’s horse races, lively music, and colorful masked dances are a living testament to the region’s rich history and the enduring traditions of its people.
Location and Community
- Muktinathis located in the Mustang district of Nepal, on the edge of the Tibetan plateau, near the border with Tibet (China).
- The area lies at an altitude of approximately 3,700 meters and is part of the Dhaulagiri Conservation Area, featuring diverse landscapes ranging from alpine meadows to stark desert terrain.
- The local community around Muktinath is predominantly Tibetan Buddhist, with strong Hindu influences as well, making it a fascinating cultural crossroads.
- The inhabitants maintain ancient traditions, including horse breeding, prayer ceremonies, and vibrant festivals like Yartung.
Trekking and Expedition Details
Visiting the Muktinath Yartung Festival is often combined with a trekking expedition through Mustang’s striking landscapes.
- Trekking Difficulty:Moderate to strenuous due to altitude and terrain. Proper acclimatization is necessary.
- Trekking Duration:Treks to Muktinath typically last 10-14 days, including acclimatization, festival attendance, and return.
- The trek traverses rugged mountain trails, passing through villages, high passes like the Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), and panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
- While Muktinath itself is not a climbing destination, nearby peaks and passes require good fitness and trekking experience.
Permits and Access
- Restricted Area Permit (RAP):Required for travel within the Mustang region, including Muktinath. The permit fee is roughly $500 USD for 10-15 days.
- Permits must be obtained prior to arrival and arranged through a registered trekking agency.
- Trekking in the area requires hiring a local guide and porter due to the remoteness and complex terrain.
Airport and Travel Logistics
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu:The international gateway for most travelers.
- Domestic Flights:From Kathmandu, travelers typically fly to Pokhara (one hour) and then continue by road or trekking.
- Road Access:A motorable road reaches Jomsom (2,700 m), from where the trek to Muktinath begins.
- The trek passes through scenic villages such as Kagbeni and Marpha before ascending towards Muktinath.
- Weather and road conditions can affect travel schedules, so flexibility is recommended.
Equipment and Preparation
- Clothing:Layered clothing for cold alpine nights and warm days; windproof jacket and thermal wear
- Footwear:Durable, well-broken-in trekking boots with ankle support
- Sun Protection:Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen due to high-altitude sun exposure
- Gear:Backpack for day essentials, trekking poles, water bottles, headlamp, and a first aid kit
- Fitness:Good cardiovascular fitness is essential due to altitude and trek duration; acclimatization days are built into itineraries
- Camera:To capture breathtaking landscapes and vibrant festival moments
Why Experience the Muktinath Yartung Festival Trek?
- Spiritual Significance:Muktinath temple is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for both Hindus and Buddhists, offering a profound spiritual experience.
- Cultural Immersion:The Yartung Festival is an authentic cultural event showcasing Mustang’s horse-riding traditions, Tibetan dances, and communal celebrations.
- Scenic Trekking:The trek combines some of Nepal’s most spectacular Himalayan landscapes, including snow-capped peaks, deep canyons, and alpine deserts.
- Unique Location:Mustang’s isolation has preserved its distinct culture, architecture, and natural environment, making it a rare destination for travelers.
- Adventure and Discovery:The combination of trekking, festival participation, and exploration of remote villages offers a rewarding blend of adventure and cultural discovery.
August 11 : Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and meet with Nord Extreme Himalaya Pvt. Ltd staff at the airport and transfer to Hotel. Welcome drink and short briefing about trek, relax.
August 12 :Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara 820m by AC tourist bus (6-7 hours),
Drive from Ktm to Pok at 7 o’clock in the morning by AC tourist bus. Passing the Riverside of Trisuli and takes about 7 hours to reach Pokhara valley. Our guide leads you to the Barahi temple on Phewa lake with a boat. Overnight in Hotel.
August 13 : Day 3: Pokhara to Jomsom 2710m by flight (35min) and trek to Kagbeni 2800m via Lupra 2790m (4/5 hours).
Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your Hotel and picked up then drop you at eh Pokhara airpot for depart to Jomsom and will have breakfast. Then you will continue your trail passing the River bank of Kaligandaki to reach Lupra, where you can visit the interesting Bon-Po monastery. It takes about 3 hours. Bon-Po is a sect which mixes pre-buddhist beliefs with religious practices close to Buddhism. You keep walking to Eklebatti. Eklebhatti is the today’s lunch spot. After lunch, you continue until reaching Kagbeni which takes about 1 hour. You can visit the red-painted Gompa about 1000 years old. Overnight in Lodge.
August 14 : Day 4: Trek from Kagbeni to Muktinath 3800m (5/6 hours).
The trail steeply ascent brings you to Kinghar village about 2 hours. Then you continue until reaching Jharkot which takes about 1 hour and visit the old Sakya Monastery and Traditional Medical centre. You have lunch here. After lunch, you ascend a little more to reach Muktinath about 1 hour. You hike to a secret place for Hindus and Tibetan Buddhist in about 30 minutes in its compound. You can see the 108 water spouts. The Muktinath temple stands enshrining Vishnu, a Hindu god. For Hindus, it’s the next most holy place in Nepal after Pashupatinath. The believe says; when you visit the Muktinath temple, you are free/salvation, you’ll escape from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Below the temple there is another ancient Buddhist monastery, where the combination of earth-water-fire gives Muktinath’s great religious significance. And you also see the magnificent view of Nilgiri Himal and Daulagiri I. Overnight in Lodge.
August 15 ; Day 5: Exploration and Culture experience with Yartung Mela:
On this day you’ll enjoy the festival. In the early morning, they first visit the Goddess of Flame called Jwala Mai and make offerings to her, then Muktinath to offer prayers to Lord Muktinath, and then to the monastery called Nursing monastery, to offer butter lamps to Lord Buddha. Thus, they spend the morning of Yartung Mela performing religious offerings to their deities. As Yartung Mela usually coincides with the Hindu festival called Janai Purnima, Hindus from far away visit Muktinath to change their sacred thread on this day. First, they wash their bodies in the water coming out of 108-water spouts surrounding the Muktinath temple starting at the first spout and ending at the last one. Then, they wear new sacred threads and go to make offerings to Lord Muktinath in the temple. On the festival day, the local chief called Mukhiya previously the king of Jharkot dressed up in the traditional royal attire, riding a horse, leads a royal procession from Jharkot to Muktinath. The royal group performs dances at the stadium. The head of the royal group stays at the center while other members around him rejoice and perform dances. They circle him a number of times while performing various sorts of dances. This enjoyment goes on for several hours. Then he blesses all people one by one. Again you can watch other sports activities. Finally, the main game of the show is the Horse Race by male and female. They are coming to participate from Lamjung, Manang, Upper Mustang and Lower Mustang. After completion of the games, the Mukhiya distributes prizes to the winners of the various games. That’s how Yartung Mela ends. You’ll have a great memorable event to remember with your children. Overnight in Lodge.
August 16 : Day 6: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom 2710m (5/6 hours).
The trail is descending until reaching Eklabatti which takes about 3 hours. You will have lunch here. Then after, you keep following the level trail passing in the bank of Kali Gandaki river. Finally you arrive in Jomsom about 3 hours walk. Overnight in Lodge.
August 17 : Day 7: Jomsom to Pokhara 820m by flight (35min).
Early in the morning, you fly back to Pokhara. You have full day sightseeing in Pokhara like Devi’s Fall, Gupteswor Cave and World Peace Stupa etc. Overnight in Hotel.
August 18 : Day 8: Pokhara to Kathmandu by AC tourist bus (7/8 hours).
Early in the morning, drive from Pok to Ktm by AC tourist bus passing the Trisuli river. Transfer to Hotel.
August 19 : Day 9: Final Departure to International Airport. Representative from Nord Extreme Himalaya will pick you up from the hotel and transferred to the domestic airport.
Cost included
- Pick and drop.
- Twin Sharing accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast.
- Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by tourist Bus.
- Pokhara-Jomsom-Pokhara by domestic flight.
- Annapurna conservation area entrance fees
- Trekking permit
- Guide and necessary staffs.
- Three Meals during your program.
- Accommodation in Local Lodge during the program.
Cost Excluded
- Your visa for Nepal.
- International flight tickets.
- Food in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Your personal insurance.
- Any type of donations
- Tips for your staffs.
- Any unseen personal expenses other than above mentioned.
- Medical evacuation such as helicopter, porter or any other means of transportations in case of emergency.
