Nepal Pilgrimage Tour: Muktinath, Manakamana, Pashupatinath & Janakpur

Nepal is one of the great pilgrimage lands, home to some of the most sacred temples in the Hindu and Buddhist worlds. A private-vehicle pilgrimage tour lets you visit the holiest sites at your own devotional pace, without the strain of public transport. This guide covers four of the most revered destinations — Muktinath, Manakamana, Pashupatinath and Janakpur — and how to link them into one meaningful journey.

Nepal pilgrimage tour quick facts

• Muktinath: 3,710 m in Mustang — sacred to Hindus and Buddhists
• Manakamana: wish-fulfilling goddess, reached by cable car near the Prithvi Highway
• Pashupatinath: Nepal’s holiest Shiva temple, in Kathmandu (UNESCO site)
• Janakpur: Janaki Mandir, birthplace of Sita, in the southern Terai
• Vehicle: car for the temples, 4WD jeep for the Muktinath road
• Permits: ACAP needed for Muktinath — we help arrange it

Muktinath — the high Himalayan shrine

Muktinath (3,710 m), in the Mustang region above the Kali Gandaki, is one of the most sacred sites in Nepal — a place of liberation for Hindus and a revered Buddhist site too. Pilgrims bathe at the 108 water spouts and visit the eternal flame. It is reached by an unforgettable jeep journey from Pokhara; see our Pokhara to Muktinath jeep guide for the route, permits and itinerary.

Manakamana — the wish-fulfilling goddess

On a hilltop above the Prithvi Highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara, Manakamana is dedicated to a goddess believed to grant wishes. A short cable car ride from Kurintar carries pilgrims up to the temple — a natural and moving stop on the drive between the two cities.

Pashupatinath — the holiest Shiva temple

On the banks of the Bagmati in Kathmandu, Pashupatinath is Nepal’s most important Hindu temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The vast complex of shrines, sadhus and riverside ghats is deeply atmospheric, especially in the early morning and during Maha Shivaratri.

Janakpur — the birthplace of Sita

In the southern Terai, Janakpur is home to the beautiful Janaki Mandir, dedicated to Sita (Janaki) and central to the Ramayana. It is a major draw for pilgrims, particularly those travelling from India, and its festivals are among the most vibrant in Nepal.

Linking the sites into one circuit

A practical devotional circuit might begin in Kathmandu with Pashupatinath, drive west toward Pokhara with a Manakamana stop, continue to Muktinath by jeep from Pokhara, and add Janakpur for those routing to or from the Indian border. We tailor the order to your starting point — many travellers from India begin in the Terai (see our getting to Pokhara from India guide). If your focus is the Buddha’s birthplace, pair it with our Lumbini pilgrimage guide.

Why travel with a private vehicle and driver

A pilgrimage should be about devotion, not logistics. A private car and an experienced driver mean you visit each temple unhurried, keep your group together, and let someone else manage the winding roads and the high, rough drive to Muktinath. We handle the ACAP permit for Mustang, plan sensible overnight stops, and pace the high-altitude section carefully. Tell us which sites matter most to you and how many days you have, and we will craft a respectful, comfortable circuit.

Book This Trip with Pokhara Vehicles

We are a family-run car, jeep and taxi service based in Lakeside, Pokhara, driving guests safely around Nepal since 2008. Tell us your dates and group size and we will recommend the right vehicle and give you an honest, all-in quote — no surprises at the end of the day. Book your Nepal pilgrimage tour online, or message us any time on WhatsApp (or call +977 984-6737781) for a quick, no-obligation quote.