Muktinath, at 3,760 metres in the Mustang district, is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in both Hinduism and Buddhism, drawing devotees from across South Asia alongside the trekkers who reach it after crossing Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit. The temple complex here is considered a place of liberation, or "moksha," by Hindus, and a sacred site associated with Guru Rinpoche by Tibetan Buddhists, making it one of the rare pilgrimage destinations genuinely shared across two major religious traditions.

The main temple contains 108 water spouts where pilgrims perform ritual bathing believed to cleanse sins, alongside an eternal natural gas flame burning beside a spring, a rare natural phenomenon that has taken on deep religious significance for both faiths as a symbol of the elements existing together in one sacred place. The dry, high-altitude Mustang landscape surrounding Muktinath, with its stark cliffs and Tibetan-influenced villages, adds a further sense of otherworldliness to a site already charged with spiritual meaning.

For trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit, arriving at Muktinath after the demanding crossing of Thorong La represents both a physical and, for many, an emotional culmination of the trek, made all the more powerful by the site's religious significance and its jarring contrast with the barren high-altitude terrain surrounding it. Many pilgrims and trekkers alike also continue on to the nearby town of Jomsom or further into Upper Mustang, extending their journey through one of Nepal's most starkly beautiful desert landscapes.

Weather at this elevation can change quickly, and a flexible itinerary with a buffer day or two is generally recommended for anyone travelling through this part of the route.

Local guides with specific knowledge of this stretch of trail add real value, both for navigation and for the cultural context they can offer along the way.

A gradual, well-paced ascent through this section remains the best defence against altitude-related discomfort further along the route.

Basic but adequate teahouse facilities are typically available, offering a hot meal and a simple bed for trekkers passing through.