Kali Gandaki Gorge
In Nepali: कालीगण्डकी खोंच · Also known as: Andha Galchi · Deepest gorge
The Kali Gandaki is older than the Himalaya: it kept cutting down as the mountains rose, so today it flows straight through the range. Between Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and Annapurna I (8,091 m), which are only about 35 km apart, the riverbed near Ghasa and Lete lies more than 5,000 m below the summits.
The riverbed is full of ammonite fossils (shaligram) from the ancient Tethys sea. The route through the gorge, from Tatopani up to Jomsom, has been a trade and pilgrimage road for centuries and is now also a road, with a scenic walking trail on the other bank.
What to see and do
Walk the trail between Ghasa and Lete, where the valley narrows between the enormous flanks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Look for waterfalls such as Rupse, forests of pine and rhododendron, and, higher up, the dry riverbed where shaligram fossils are found. The Thakali villages of Larjung, Kobang and Lete have lodges and old houses.
Good to know
The road through the gorge is prone to landslides in the monsoon. The walking trail on the east bank (NATT) avoids much of the dust and traffic.
Quick answers
- Where is Kali Gandaki Gorge?
- Kali Gandaki Gorge is in Mustang district, Gandaki Province, in the Himal belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Kali Gandaki Gorge?
- About 2,500 m (8,203 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Kali Gandaki Gorge?
- For a 3-day trip from Pokhara, about NPR 10,000 (≈ US$74) per person on a budget, or NPR 22,000 (≈ US$165) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food, entry fees. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 6,500 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.
- How many days do I need for Kali Gandaki Gorge?
- Plan 1 night there; with travel from Pokhara and back, about 3 days in all.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Kali Gandaki Gorge?
- Foreign visitors pay about NPR 3,000 / US$22 to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) (SAARC visitors about half, Nepali citizens a small fee).
- When is the best time to visit Kali Gandaki Gorge?
- March–May; September–November
- How do I get to Kali Gandaki Gorge?
- On the Beni–Jomsom road. It is about 65 km (straight line) from Pokhara.
- What is Kali Gandaki Gorge called in Nepali?
- कालीगण्डकी खोंच
Photo gallery
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