Nepal5 days

Nepal: Muktinath and Damodar Kunda by Helicopter — 5 Days

Sacred Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites at 3,800 and 4,890 meters, accessed by chartered helicopter from Pokhara and Kathmandu

This five-day itinerary combines helicopter access to two high-altitude pilgrimage destinations in Nepal with sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Muktinath, situated at 3,800 meters on the approach to Thorong La Pass in the Annapurna range, holds significance for both Hindu and Buddhist devotees. The temple marks the site where, according to tradition, Guru Rinpoche meditated en route to Tibet, and where Hindu pilgrims bathe in 108 sacred taps (Muktidhara) and the Mukti Kunda pool. The second destination, Damodar Kunda, lies at 4,890 meters in Upper Mustang on the Tibetan plateau and is revered in Hindu tradition as the holiest pond in Nepal. The journey includes ground-based sightseeing at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, cable-car access to Manakamana Devi Temple en route to Pokhara, and visits to Pokhara's lakeside temples. The helicopter flights total approximately two hours, with roughly two additional hours spent at each sacred site. The itinerary can be completed by travelers across a wide range of physical abilities.

Highlights

Darshan and ritual bathing at Muktinath Temple (3,800 m), sacred to Hindu and Buddhist traditions
Holy bath in the 108 Muktidhara taps and Mukti Kunda pool at the base of Thorong La Pass
Helicopter flight to Damodar Kunda (4,890 m) in Upper Mustang, believed to be the source of the Kali Gandaki River
Ritual bathing at Damodar Kunda's three ponds—Brahma Kunda, Rudra Kunda, and Ananta Kunda
Sightseeing at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu
Cable-car ascent to Manakamana Devi Temple en route to Pokhara
Lakeside temple visits in Pokhara, including Bindabasini Temple and Taal Barahi

Day by day

1Arrival in KathmanduTribhuvan International Airport · hotel · Pashupatinath Temple

Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,350 m). Hotel transfer upon landing. If time permits, the evening includes attendance at aarti (ritual prayer ceremony) at Pashupatinath Temple.

2Manakamana Temple and Drive to PokharaManakamana Temple · Manakamana Temple to Pokhara

After breakfast, a three-hour drive leads to Manakamana Temple. Ascent to the temple grounds by cable car, followed by darshan and return to the vehicle. The journey continues with a three-hour drive to Pokhara, where accommodation is arranged at a hotel overlooking the city.

3Helicopter Flight to Muktinath and Damodar KundaMuktinath · Damodar Kunda · Pokhara Airport · Pokhara

Early morning transfer to Pokhara Airport. Chartered helicopter departure to Muktinath, where approximately one hour is spent for darshan and ritual bathing in the Muktidhara taps and Mukti Kunda pool. The same helicopter then flies to Damodar Kunda at 4,890 meters in Upper Mustang, allowing time for holy bathing and exploration of the high-altitude plateau setting. Return flight to Pokhara and hotel transfer.

4Return to Kathmandu with Temple VisitsKathmandu · Bindabasini Temple · Taal Barahi Temple · Pokhara to Kathmandu

Morning visits to Bindabasini Temple and Taal Barahi Temple in Pokhara. Late morning departure on a scheduled flight to Kathmandu. Afternoon sightseeing includes visits to temples in Kathmandu, with overnight accommodation in the city.

5Departure or Extended Kathmandu SightseeingTribhuvan International Airport

Option to spend the day visiting additional temples, stupas, and historical sites in Kathmandu, or direct transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for departure.

Where you go

Map: Nepal: Muktinath and Damodar Kunda by Helicopter — 5 Days route — Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

1Tribhuvan International Airport
2Pashupatinath Temple
3Manakamana Temple
4Muktinath
5Damodar Kunda
6Pokhara
7Kathmandu
8Bindabasini Temple
9Taal Barahi temple
10Tribhuvan International Airport

Included

Included
Arrival and Departure arragenement
Accommodation in hotel on twin sharing based as per itienrary
All veg foods and hot drinks
Private transportation in entire trip as per itienrary
Sightseeing and its entrance fees
Private chartered helicopter flight from Pokhara to Muktinath - Damodar Kundda and back to Pokhara
Schedule flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Warm jacket in returnable base if needed

Not included

Excluded
Personal expenses, Extra bill from Hotel
Other than mentioning in cost including

Activities: Sightseeing