Near Muktinath: Kagbeni, Jomsom, Marpha & Lower Mustang
Muktinath sits at the top of the dramatic Kali Gandaki valley, so the villages you pass on the way are attractions in their own right. Here is what to pair with the pilgrimage, from medieval Kagbeni to the apple orchards of Marpha.
Kagbeni, the Gateway Village
At the confluence where the trail to Upper Mustang begins, the medieval village of Kagbeni (2,800m) is the traditional gateway to Muktinath. Its mud-brick lanes, the ancient Kag Chode monastery and a riverside Vishnu shrine draw pilgrims, who perform shraddha rites for departed ancestors here as at Muktinath itself. Kagbeni is also one of the best spots to find the sacred Shaligram fossils and to feel the abrupt shift from green lowlands into the arid trans-Himalayan landscape, its meaning is explored in the history guide.
Jomsom, the Regional Hub
Jomsom (2,720m) is the administrative hub of Lower Mustang, with the region's airport and a busy bazaar; almost every jeep and trek to Muktinath passes through it. Its lower altitude makes it a sensible, warmer overnight stop that also aids acclimatisation before the climb to 3,710m, see the how to reach guide. It has the widest choice of comfortable lodges on the route.
Marpha, the Apple Village
An hour south of Jomsom lies Marpha, a beautiful whitewashed Thakali village famous across Nepal for its apple orchards, apple brandy and cider, and its tidy stone-paved lanes. Taste the fresh and dried apples and the local apple pie, walk the quiet alleys, and soak up Thakali culture. Like Jomsom it makes a rewarding overnight that helps with acclimatisation.
The Trails & the Wider Mustang
- Jomsom–Muktinath trail — the classic Kali Gandaki pilgrim walk to the temple, with good lodges, road and flight access and moderate altitude.
- Lower Mustang trek — a scenic, accessible introduction to trans-Himalayan Mustang, taking in Jomsom, Kagbeni and Muktinath.
- Annapurna Circuit — the great multi-day loop that descends to Muktinath from the Thorong La pass (5,416m).
- Mustang region — beyond Kagbeni lies the threshold to Upper Mustang, the former forbidden kingdom of Lo.
Getting between all of these and the temple is covered in how to reach Muktinath.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do near Muktinath?
The villages along the Kali Gandaki valley are attractions in themselves: the medieval gateway village of Kagbeni with its old monastery and Vishnu shrine, the regional hub of Jomsom, and the whitewashed apple village of Marpha. Beyond them stretch the Lower Mustang and Annapurna Circuit trails and the wider trans-Himalayan Mustang region.
Is Kagbeni worth visiting from Muktinath?
Yes. Kagbeni (2,800m) is the traditional gateway village to Muktinath, with medieval mud-brick lanes, the ancient Kag Chode monastery and a riverside Vishnu shrine where pilgrims perform ancestor rites. It is also one of the best places to find the sacred Shaligram fossils and to see the shift into the arid trans-Himalayan landscape.
Why is Marpha famous?
Marpha is a beautiful whitewashed Thakali village an hour south of Jomsom, famous across Nepal for its apple orchards and the apple brandy, cider, pie and dried apples they produce. Its tidy stone-paved lanes and Thakali culture make it a rewarding overnight stop that also aids acclimatisation.
Should I stay overnight in Jomsom?
Jomsom (2,720m) is a sensible, warmer overnight stop with the widest choice of comfortable lodges on the route, and its lower altitude helps you acclimatise before climbing to Muktinath at 3,710 metres. Almost every jeep and trek passes through it.
Can I combine Muktinath with a trek in Mustang?
Yes. Muktinath sits on the Jomsom–Muktinath and Lower Mustang trails and is the descent point of the Annapurna Circuit from the Thorong La pass. Many visitors pair the pilgrimage with a walk through the wider Mustang region, and Kagbeni marks the threshold to Upper Mustang beyond.
By the BriefNepal Travel Desk
Researched and maintained by our Nepal-based editorial team and reviewed for accuracy. Last updated July 1, 2026. Prices, permits and conditions change, always verify before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
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MuktinathSacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike, at 3,710m in Mustang.
MustangThe forbidden kingdom, a Tibetan high desert beyond the Himalaya.Lower MustangJomsom, Kagbeni and Muktinath in the dramatic Kali Gandaki rain-shadow.Jomsom MuktinathThe classic Kali Gandaki pilgrim trek to the sacred temple of Muktinath.