Scenic Stops Between Pokhara and Muktinath
Don't just drive through. These incredible stops between Pokhara and Muktinath are worth planning your overland journey around.
Rupse Waterfall (Between Dana & Ghasa)
Rupse Chhahara (Rupse Waterfall) is one of Nepal's most dramatic roadside cascades, located at approximately 1,550m between the villages of Dana and Ghasa. The waterfall plunges nearly 100 metres straight down a sheer rock face right beside the mountain highway, making it one of the few places where you can stand close enough to feel the mist. The drive from Pokhara to this point is roughly 110km and takes about 4 hours. Making it a perfect mid-morning break.
Monsoon months (July–September) are the most spectacular time to witness Rupse, when snowmelt and rainfall combine to create a thundering white curtain. Even in the dry season (October–May), the falls carry enough water to impress. There is no entry fee. Drivers typically stop for 15–20 minutes. Wear non-slip footwear as the viewing area can be wet and slippery.
Tatopani Hot Springs (1,190m)
"Tatopani" literally means "hot water" in Nepali, and the village earns its name from natural geothermal springs that surface beside the Kali Gandaki River at 1,190m. The springs are maintained as concrete bathing pools with water temperature ranging from 38–45°C year-round. A small entry fee (INR 32–63 per person) covers upkeep. Bring a change of clothes and a small towel. 30 to 60 minutes soaking here after hours of jolting jeep travel is genuinely restorative.
Tatopani sits roughly 130km from Pokhara and is a popular overnight halt for both pilgrims and trekkers. The village has several guesthouses and teahouses offering simple meals. From an altitude perspective, Tatopani is the lowest point on the upper Kali Gandaki route before the dramatic ascent toward Ghasa and Jomsom begins. Enjoy the warmer temperatures here before climbing to colder elevations.
Marpha Village. Apple Capital of Nepal
Marpha sits at 2,667m in the lee of the Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri massifs, sheltered from the fierce Kali Gandaki winds by a natural ridge. This compact Thakali village is famous across Nepal for its apple orchards. Every autumn the trees are heavy with fruit. And for the apple brandy (raksi) and apple cider produced in small family distilleries along the main lane. The whitewashed stone houses, carved wooden balconies, and narrow covered alleyways give Marpha a medieval quality unlike any other settlement on the route.
Stop here for at least 45–60 minutes. Try the apple pie at one of the bakeries (INR 94–125 a slice) and a set of Thakali dal bhat if it is mealtime. Widely regarded as the best on the entire Mustang route. A short walk through the village lane leads to a small monastery with traditional murals. Marpha is located about 5km south of Jomsom on the main road, making it a natural pre-Jomsom stop.
Dhumba Lake Near Jomsom
Dhumba Lake is a serene freshwater lake perched at approximately 2,700m just outside Jomsom town. Fed by glacial streams from the Nilgiri massif, it is one of the few calm bodies of water in the arid Mustang landscape. On clear mornings the lake surface mirrors the surrounding peaks. A favourite composition for photographers. The surrounding grassy banks host grazing yaks and occasionally flamingos during migration periods.
The lake is less than 2km from the Jomsom bus park and can be visited on foot in 20–30 minutes. There is no entry fee and the path is flat and easy, making it accessible even for senior pilgrims. If you arrive in Jomsom by flight and have time before the jeep ride to Muktinath, Dhumba Lake is a perfect way to acclimatise gently at altitude before the final 25km ascent.
Kagbeni. The Medieval Gateway
Kagbeni (2,810m) stands at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Jhong Khola rivers, roughly 12km north of Jomsom. The village is a cluster of red-ochre mud-brick buildings, ancient chortens, and narrow covered alleyways. It has changed little since Tibetan traders travelled this corridor centuries ago. The 500-year-old Kag Chode Thubten Samphel Ling Monastery houses intricate thangka paintings and centuries-old clay statues. Entry to the monastery is INR 125.
Kagbeni is also the official southern checkpoint for the restricted Upper Mustang region. Without a special Upper Mustang Permit (USD 500 per person for 10 days), visitors may not proceed beyond the red police checkpoint at the village's north end. This makes Kagbeni a natural stopping point where you can absorb the atmosphere of the ancient Mustang Kingdom before the final 13km jeep climb to Muktinath at 3,710m. Budget 30–45 minutes here.
Yes, our jeep-based tour packages include stops at Tatopani, Marpha, and Kagbeni. We design the itinerary so you enjoy the journey, not just rush to Muktinath.
Yes! Bring a change of clothes and a towel. The hot springs are open to all visitors with a small entry fee (INR 32–63). Wonderful after hours of mountain travel.
Combining all five stops adds approximately 2.5–3.5 hours to the base driving time. Budget a full day (departure by 7 AM from Pokhara) to enjoy every stop comfortably and arrive in Jomsom or Muktinath before dark.
Kagbeni village itself is open to all with a standard ACAP permit. However, proceeding north of Kagbeni into Upper Mustang requires a separate restricted-area permit costing USD 500 per person for 10 days. Most Muktinath pilgrims visit Kagbeni only and do not enter Upper Mustang.
Yes, several family-run distilleries in Marpha welcome visitors for informal tastings of apple brandy and cider. Prices are typically INR 63–125 per small glass. Carry cash as card payments are not accepted in the village.
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