Getting around · Beni
The Beni to Jomsom & Muktinath Road
The gorge road from Beni up the Kali Gandaki to Jomsom and Muktinath, past Tatopani and Rupse Chhahara.
A rough but spectacular mountain road climbs the Kali Gandaki gorge north from Beni through Tatopani, Ghasa and Marpha to Jomsom, then on toward the pilgrimage temple of Muktinath. This is the western side of the Annapurna Circuit, a jeep-and-bus route that follows one of the deepest gorges on earth between the giants of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.
The short answer
From the Kali Gandaki confluence at Beni, the road heads upriver, passing the Tatopani hot springs and the roaring Rupse Chhahara waterfall, climbing into the gorge and up through apple-growing Marpha to Jomsom. From Jomsom a further road and trail lead up to Muktinath, a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists at around 3,800 metres.
What to expect
This is slow, bumpy, dramatic travel. The road clings to the gorge above the grey Kali Gandaki, with the landscape shifting from green sub-tropical valley near Beni to the arid, Tibetan-feeling country of upper Mustang higher up. Jeeps and local buses run the route; many travellers split the journey, overnighting at Tatopani or Ghasa to break the rough drive and soak in the springs.
Good to know
- Stops: Don't miss the Tatopani hot springs and the dramatic Rupse Chhahara waterfall close to the road.
- Conditions: The gorge road is weather-dependent and rough; avoid the monsoon, when landslides and washouts are common.
- Altitude: Muktinath sits high — read up on altitude sickness in Nepal if you continue beyond Jomsom.
- Alternatives: Many travellers reach the upper valley via Pokhara; see Pokhara to Jomsom and Muktinath for flights and jeeps.
Plan the journey
Start by reaching the roadhead with how to get to Beni, then use the town as your last major resupply at Beni Bazaar. For the wider route, see the Annapurna Circuit trek and the top things to do in Beni before you head up the gorge.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive from Beni to Jomsom and Muktinath?+
Yes. A rough mountain road climbs the Kali Gandaki gorge north from Beni through Tatopani, Ghasa and Marpha to Jomsom, then on toward Muktinath. It is a jeep-and-bus route along the western Annapurna Circuit, slow and spectacular, and weather-dependent in the higher gorge.
What do you pass on the road from Beni to Jomsom?+
Heading up the Kali Gandaki you pass the Tatopani hot springs, the dramatic Rupse Chhahara roadside waterfall, the deep gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, and apple-growing villages like Marpha before reaching Jomsom and the route up to Muktinath.
How long does the Beni to Jomsom drive take?+
It varies with road and weather conditions, but expect a long, rough day or more by jeep or local bus, broken by stops. The gorge road is slow and bumpy, so many travellers split the journey, overnighting at Tatopani or Ghasa along the way.
Is the Beni to Muktinath road part of the Annapurna Circuit?+
Yes — this gorge road forms the western side of the Annapurna Circuit. As roads have reached deeper into the valley, many travellers now drive sections that were once walked, while trekkers still follow trail variants alongside or above the road.
