Hike Kalopani - Tatopani

Descent to lowlands through the canyon

Petr Liška
Wrote 2420 articles and follows him / her 243 travelers
Inserted: 19.05.2014
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Twenty-two kilometers long stage of the trek around Annapurnas from Kalopani (2 500 m asl) to Tatopani (1 250 m asl) leads practically all the time over the deep and wild canyon of Kali Gandaki. The river has here completely different character than you were used to in the earlier days of the trek. Along the way, you can enjoy not only several waterfalls, but also the views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgri. Due to significant drop in altitude you get back into hot and humid area.

View into the canyon of Kali Gandaki

As soon as you leave Kalopani, you walk in the next village of Lete along agricultural upland plain. The plain ends with the promontory above the confluence of Kali Gandaki and Lete Khola. From the outlook point you will see how is the valley sharply falling.
 

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Death Road over Lete Khola

The road makes a detour to Lete Khola valley and leads in the scree slope high above the river. Tourist trail leads in a shortcut along the suspension bridge.
 

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Suspension bridges over Lete Khola

Some Nepalese suspension bridges are really impressive.
 

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Farmhouse

The Nepalese landscape at an altitude of around 2,300 meters above sea level is full of conifers. Brownish hills fall from the massif of Nilgri. Also here you can see a lot of landslides.

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Looking back on Dhaulagiri and Tukuche

After a moment, looking back, you will see the headland, by which is topped the upland agricultural plain. On the horizon shine the peaks of Dhaulagiri and Tukuche.
 

Author: Marek Spilka © gigaplaces.com

Ghasa

After six kilometer walk from Kalopani you will get to the next village Ghasa (2 110 m asl).
 

Author: Marek Spilka © gigaplaces.com

Canyon of Kali Gandaki

Before the road was built here, the way through the canyon of Kali Gandaki must have been really romantic.
 

Author: Marek Spilka © gigaplaces.com

Near the gigantic rift

The most interesting part of this stage is in the place where Kali Gandaki disappears into a narrow gorge and flows with the roar through the massif. The road above it is slightly dangerous. You as tourists will probably enjoy this place far more than in a car.

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Gorge of Kali Gandaki

Looking into the gorge you realize the incredible power of nature and you will not want to believe that it is the same river that used to have more than a half kilometer wide trough a few kilometers higher.
 

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View of the valley

Just a few meters behind the giant rift opens a great view of the valley far below you.

Author: Marek Spilka © gigaplaces.com

Agricultural area

Everywhere in Nepal is every convenient place turned into the field. On the horizon is already visible another attraction of this trip – large waterfall.
 

Author: Marek Spilka © gigaplaces.com

Water mill

Villages Kabra and Chhahara are famous for their small watermills.
 

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Waterfall at Chhahara

Another point of interest at this stage is waterfall Chhahara. The road leads almost immediately below it, so a bath is nearly included.
 

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Annapurna South

Shortly before the destination of this stage in Tatopani peek out at all its beauty Annapurna South and the top of Annapurna I.
 

Author: Marek Spilka © gigaplaces.com

Amazing Nilgri

The most beautiful mountain view, however, is at the very end – of Nilgri towering as if behind the nine ridges.
 

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Sunset over Nilgri

Sunset over Nilgri is also worth seeing.

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Tatopani

Finally, you're at the finish of this stage in Tatopani (1 250 m asl). For someone it is also the destination of the whole trek, others plan to set out again up to Ghorepani and Poon Hill or even further to Annapurna BC. There are quite crowds of tourists. You feel here like in small Pokhara, which will not for sure be appreciated by romantic souls.

Author: Marek Spilka © gigaplaces.com
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