Muktinath Cable Car Project
The ambitious Pokhara-Muktinath cable car project could revolutionize access to the sacred temple. Here's what we know.
Project Overview: 81km, 20 Stations
The Pokhara–Muktinath Ropeway (cable car project) is envisioned as the world's longest aerial cable car system at 81km, connecting Pokhara city (820m) to Muktinath temple (3,710m) through 20 intermediate passenger stations. The planned route follows the Kali Gandaki corridor: Pokhara → Sarangkot → Nayapul → Ghorepani → Tatopani → Ghasa → Marpha → Jomsom → Kagbeni → Muktinath. Estimated total gondola fleet: 871 cabins operating continuously in a mono-cable loop system.
The project budget is estimated at INR 34.4 billion (approximately USD 415–420 million at 2025 exchange rates), making it one of the largest tourism infrastructure investments in Nepal's history. If built as planned, total travel time from Pokhara to Muktinath would be approximately 3 hours 36 minutes. Compared to 8–9 hours by jeep or a combination of flights and jeep. The 20 intermediate stations would also function as standalone tourist destinations, stimulating economic activity across the entire Annapurna corridor.
Route & Technical Specifications
The cable car route broadly follows the Annapurna Circuit trail and the Kali Gandaki River valley. The deepest gorge on Earth, flanked by Dhaulagiri (8,167m) to the west and Annapurna I (8,091m) to the east. Key intermediate stations include Sarangkot (1,592m), Nayapul (1,070m), Ghorepani (2,874m), Tatopani (1,190m), Ghasa (2,010m), Marpha (2,667m), Jomsom (2,682m), and Kagbeni (2,810m). The dramatic altitude variation. 820m to 3,710m. Means the system must navigate significant vertical terrain.
Technically, the system is planned as a multi-section mono-cable gondola ropeway, with passengers transferring between sections at major stations. Each gondola is designed for 4–8 passengers. The Kali Gandaki gorge crossing. Where the river cuts between two 8,000m peaks. Is the most technically challenging span, requiring towers of exceptional height. Engineering firms from Austria, France, and Switzerland with experience in Alpine high-altitude ropeways have been mentioned as potential technical partners.
Current Status (EIA Published February 2026)
The most significant recent milestone is the publication of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report in February 2026 by Nepal's Ministry of Forests and Environment. The EIA covers the full 81km corridor, assessing impacts on biodiversity, water systems, local communities, and the Annapurna Conservation Area. Its publication marks the formal end of the environmental review phase and paves the way for the next stage: obtaining all required construction permits from CAAN, the Department of Roads, and district government offices.
As of March 2026, actual construction has not commenced. Key remaining hurdles before groundbreaking include: finalising the financing structure (government vs. Private public partnership vs. Foreign investment), land acquisition agreements with landowners along the 81km route across Kaski, Myagdi, Mustang, and Baglung districts, and securing the construction contract through international competitive bidding. Nepal's Investment Board and Ministry of Tourism have expressed strong political backing for the project, but bureaucratic and financing timelines remain uncertain.
What This Means for Future Pilgrims
Once operational, the Pokhara–Muktinath cable car would be transformative for Indian pilgrims. The current primary barrier for elderly devotees. The rough 8-hour jeep ride or the anxiety of weather-dependent mountain flights. Would be replaced by a smooth, scenic, weather-resistant gondola ride. The cable car would operate even in moderate cloud cover that currently grounds Jomsom flights. Intermediate stops at Ghorepani (famous for Poon Hill sunrise trekking), Tatopani hot springs, and Jomsom would create multi-day cable car pilgrimage circuits unavailable anywhere else in the world.
The social impact would be equally significant. Muktinath currently receives approximately 150,000–200,000 visitors annually, constrained by transport capacity. Industry projections suggest cable car access could increase this to 500,000+ annually, primarily driven by the elimination of physical and logistical barriers for older and differently-abled pilgrims. Local employment along the 20-station corridor would expand substantially. Accommodation, restaurant, and retail infrastructure at each station would develop organically once construction begins.
How to Plan Your Trip Now
For any trip planned in 2025–2028, the cable car will almost certainly not be operational. The most optimistic completion estimate, assuming fast-tracked financing and construction, is late 2029 or 2030. Plan your current Muktinath journey using the three proven routes: Pokhara–Jomsom flight + jeep (fastest, most popular), helicopter charter (most reliable), or overland jeep via Beni–Tatopani (most scenic). All three options are fully operational and comprehensively served by our tour packages.
If you are planning a trip for 2030 or beyond, monitor official announcements from Nepal's Ministry of Tourism and the Investment Board of Nepal for cable car project updates. We will publish booking information for cable car-integrated Muktinath packages as soon as reliable operational dates are confirmed. For now, book your 2025–2027 pilgrimage on the existing routes. The overland jeep journey through Tatopani, Marpha, and Kagbeni is itself one of the world's most spectacular drives and should not be missed simply because a faster option may exist in the future.
The EIA was published in February 2026 but construction has not started. Realistic estimates suggest 2030 at the earliest. For current trips, use flights, jeeps, or helicopters.
No. It will be an additional option. Flights (15 min Pokhara-Jomsom), helicopters, and jeeps will continue operating. The cable car adds a scenic middle option between the speed of flights and the adventure of road travel.
Ticket pricing has not been announced yet. Based on similar projects and the investment size, estimates suggest INR 1,875–3,125 per person. Comparable to the current Jomsom flight cost.
Yes, according to the project design, all 20 stations are intended as functional passenger stops where travellers can board and alight. This means future pilgrims could spend a night at Tatopani hot springs or Ghorepani (for Poon Hill sunrise) mid-journey, then continue toward Muktinath the next morning. Creating multi-day cable car pilgrimage itineraries not currently possible.
The Jomsom airport will continue to operate. Mountain flights serve a different speed-vs-cost profile than a 3.5-hour cable car ride, and helicopter operations are independent of both. Aviation authorities have not indicated any plans to close Jomsom airport. The cable car is intended to supplement, not replace, existing transport.
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