How to Get from Pokhara to Kagbeni

Kagbeni, in the Lower Mustang, is quite an adventure to get to. Indeed, the journey is half the fun. It's 98 miles (159 kilometers) north of Pokhara, through the deep Kali Gandaki Gorge, surrounded by enormous Himalayan peaks. You can get there from Pokhara by air, road, or on foot, each with different advantages.

By Air

Duration: 20 minutes

Flying between Pokhara and Jomsom and then taking a private transfer the last hour or so to Kagbeni is by far the most comfortable and quickest way of getting there. Flights leave from Pokhara Airport early in the morning, to avoid the strong winds that whip up in Mustang later in the day. Flights only take 20 minutes, but are frequently canceled if the weather is poor.

The flight is spectacular--the mountains are so close you can practically distinguish leaves on trees and icicles on rocks. Nervous fliers may not enjoy the small airplane very much, but it's worth remembering that flying saves you hours upon hours of overland journey, and flights are frequently canceled if the weather conditions pose a risk. 

By Private or Shared Jeep

Duration: 8+ hours

Even if you plan to fly, you may end up needing to go by road if flights are canceled. The road between Pokhara and Jomsom was only constructed a few years ago, and is still not much more than a dirt track. The journey takes a minimum of eight hours, and then another hour from Jomsom to Kageni. It often takes longer if there are accidents or landslides en route. The last section to Kagbeni isn't entirely road: just past Jomsom it's necessary to drive across the Kali Gandaki riverbed, so this is only possible in some seasons. 

The overland route to Kagbeni is not comfortable, but the most comfortable way is to take a private Jeep. They're the safest overland option, and you can stop when you need. Public buses are not recommended (and, quite frankly, are terrifying). 

On Foot

Duration: 11 days

Kagbeni is on the Annapurna Circuit trekking route, so although walking between Pokhara and Kagbeni is not the most direct route, it's one that many thousands of trekkers have enjoyed over the years. A typical itinerary is to take a private transfer from Pokhara to Besisahar, from where you can walk to Kagbeni in about 11 days. From there, continue on to Jomsom and then fly or take a Jeep back to Pokhara. Read more about the trek in the following article: Annapurna Circuit Trek- 20 Days.