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Annapurna Regionतातोपानी

Tatopani (Myagdi)

A warm, low-lying village beside the Kali Gandaki, known for the hot springs by the river and as the junction for the climb to Ghorepani.

This is Tatopani in Myagdi district, the hot-spring village on the Kali Gandaki on the Annapurna Circuit, not the Tatopani border town on the Bhote Koshi in Sindhupalchok or Singa Tatopani near Beni.

Plan a trip here
Snow-capped Nilgiri rising above the Kali Gandaki valley, seen from Tatopani.
Photo: Safalphotos (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Altitude
1,200 m*
Best months
Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
Type
Trek stop
District
Myagdi, Gandaki
Permit
Permit required

Why go

Tatopani, meaning 'hot water', is a village on the Kali Gandaki river in Myagdi district at around 1,200 m, on the western side of the Annapurna Circuit. Trekkers arrive here after the long descent from Jomsom and Ghasa through the deepest part of the Kali Gandaki gorge, and the change is striking: the air is warm, banana and orange trees grow around the lodges, and the snow peaks of Nilgiri and Annapurna South appear high above the valley.

The main attraction is the set of hot spring pools beside the river below the village, a welcome soak after days of walking. Tatopani is also a junction. From here the classic Circuit route leaves the valley and climbs about 1,650 m via Shikha and Chitre to Ghorepani and Poon Hill, while others continue south by road to Beni and Pokhara. The Beni-Jomsom road now runs through the valley, so Tatopani can also be reached by jeep.

Hot spring pools at Tatopani beside the Kali Gandaki river, looking upstream.
Photo: Sundar1 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A long suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki near Tatopani with Nilgiri South behind.
Photo: Faj2323 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

History and culture

Tatopani lies on the old Kali Gandaki trade route between Tibet and the middle hills, along which salt, wool and grain moved for centuries. The villages in this part of the valley are home mainly to Magar, Thakali and hill Hindu communities, and the springs have long been used for bathing by locals and pilgrims travelling to Muktinath. The settlement was formerly part of Bhurung Tatopani village development committee and is now in Annapurna Rural Municipality, Myagdi.

Things to do in Tatopani (Myagdi)

  • Soak in the hot springs

    Pools by the river below the village; a small local entry charge is usually collected. Bring swimwear and respect local bathers.

  • Climb to Ghorepani

    Start early for the 8-10 hour climb via Ghara, Shikha and Chitre to Ghorepani, or split it with a night in Shikha or Chitre.

  • Walk up the Kali Gandaki

    Use the marked trail on the east bank towards Dana and the Rupse Chhahara waterfall to avoid road traffic.

Weather and the best time to visit Tatopani (Myagdi)

Weather in Tatopani (Myagdi)

Forecast for 1,200 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.

Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.

Best time to visit

Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec

  1. Jan
  2. Good month: Feb
  3. Good month: Mar
  4. Good month: Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Good month: Oct
  11. Good month: Nov
  12. Good month: Dec
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
October and November are dry and clear, with the peaks visible above the valley.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
December to February is mild in the valley while higher routes are cold; a good time for the hot springs.
Spring (Mar-May)
March to May is warm, with flowering rhododendrons on the climb to Ghorepani.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
June to August is hot and wet; landslides frequently block the Beni-Jomsom road and the river runs high near the pools.

Where to stay

LodgesGuesthousesTeahouses

A good choice of trekking lodges and guesthouses in the village, many with gardens and orchards.

No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.

Getting there

Drive from Pokhara to Beni, then continue up the Kali Gandaki by jeep or bus on the Beni-Jomsom road. On foot, Tatopani is reached from Ghorepani or from Ghasa further up the valley.

Nearest hub: Pokhara

  • roadPokhara to Beni, about 80-85 km and 3-4 hours by bus or jeep.
  • jeepBeni to Tatopani, roughly 25-30 km and 1.5-2.5 hours on a rough road that can be blocked in the monsoon.
  • trekGhorepani to Tatopani via Chitre and Shikha, about 16 km and 6-8 hours, mostly downhill.
  • trekKalopani or Ghasa to Tatopani down the Kali Gandaki gorge, about 7-8 hours from Kalopani.
Mount Everest 8,848.86Kangchenjunga 8,586Dhaulagiri I 8,167Manaslu 8,163Annapurna I 8,091Tatopani (Myagdi)Kathmandu
Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

Permit required

Tatopani is within the Annapurna Conservation Area, so trekkers need an ACAP permit. The hot spring pools charge a small local entry fee.

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Obtain in Pokhara or Kathmandu; checked at points along the Kali Gandaki.
  • TIMS card: Check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
  • Guide rule: Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas are generally required to go with a licensed guide; check the current rule.

Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Annapurna Conservation Area Project, NTNC.

On the trail

On the Annapurna Circuit (Kali Gandaki descent), Ghorepani-Poon Hill trek (Tatopani variant).

Previous stop:
Ghasa or Dana
Next stop:
Shikha, Chitre and Ghorepani
A typical day:
From Kalopani, about 20 km and 7-8 hours, descending roughly 1,300 m through the Kali Gandaki gorge past Ghasa and Rupse Chhahara waterfall.

Practical tips

  • Mobile signal is generally available in the village.
  • Do not rely on finding an ATM; carry cash from Pokhara or Beni.
  • Stay out of the river itself; the Kali Gandaki is fast and cold beside the warm pools.
  • Shoulders and knees covered is respectful in the pools if locals are bathing.
  • Check road conditions before driving in the monsoon, when landslides are common.

Questions about Tatopani (Myagdi)

How do I get to Tatopani from Pokhara?

Drive to Beni (3-4 hours) and continue by jeep up the Kali Gandaki for 1.5-2.5 hours, or trek down from Ghorepani in 6-8 hours.

Which Tatopani is this?

The hot-spring village on the Kali Gandaki in Myagdi on the Annapurna Circuit, not the Tatopani border crossing in Sindhupalchok.

Do I need a permit for Tatopani?

Trekkers need an ACAP permit because the village is in the Annapurna Conservation Area; the hot springs charge a small local fee.

When is the best time to visit Tatopani?

October to April is best; the monsoon brings heavy rain and frequent road blockages.

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Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Annapurna Circuit, Wikivoyage, Tatopani, Myagdi, Wikipedia, Tatopani, OpenStreetMap