The short answer
The river runs between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, through one of the deepest gorges on earth. Going north, forest gives way to dry high desert.
Key facts
- Between
- Annapurna and Dhaulagiri
- Change
- Green to desert in a few hours
- Winds
- Strong in the afternoon
How it works
- Start green at PokharaTerraced fields and subtropical forest low in the valley.
- Cross to pine and appleAround Marpha, the air dries and the trees change.
- End in high desertNear Kagbeni and Muktinath, hills turn the colour of dust and the sky grows huge.
A valley of changing worlds
The Kali Gandaki cuts between Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range, and the landscape changes from subtropical forest to high desert in a few days of travel. Villages shift from Magar and Gurung to Thakali and Tibetan-influenced communities.
The river bed holds fossil stones sacred to Hindus, and the valley has been a trade route for centuries.
How to travel through it
By road, the trip passes Beni, Tatopani and Ghasa and can be long and bumpy. By air, the Pokhara to Jomsom flight shows the valley from above. Take time for stops at viewpoints and tea shops.
Insider tip
The geography is why Mustang feels so different from the rest of Nepal.
Avoid this
Do not forget layers. Mornings are cold and afternoons are windy.
Related questions
Why is the wind so strong?
The valley acts as a funnel between two giant ranges, drawing air upward each afternoon.
Is it one of the deepest gorges?
It is commonly described that way, measured from the peaks above.
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