Tukuche
In Nepali: टुकुचे
Tukuche was the main trading post of the Kali Gandaki salt route, where Tibetan salt and wool were exchanged for grain from the south. Its wealthy Thakali merchants built large houses with inner courtyards and carved windows, several of which are now guesthouses and a small museum.
The village is quieter than Jomsom or Marpha and sits right under the icefall of Dhaulagiri. It is a lovely overnight stop on a walk down the Kali Gandaki.
What to see and do
Visit the old merchant houses and the Tukuche heritage museum, the Rani Gompa and other monasteries, and the local distillery producing fruit brandy. Walks lead up to Dhaulagiri Icefall viewpoints and across the river to Thakali villages on the east bank.
Good to know
Tukuche is on the Annapurna Circuit road between Marpha and Larjung. Guesthouses in restored traditional houses make for a memorable stay.
Quick answers
- Where is Tukuche?
- Tukuche is in Mustang district, Gandaki Province, in the Himal belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Tukuche?
- About 2,590 m (8,498 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Tukuche?
- For a 3-day trip from Pokhara, about NPR 10,000 (≈ US$74) per person on a budget, or NPR 22,000 (≈ US$165) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food, entry fees. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 6,500 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.
- How many days do I need for Tukuche?
- Plan 1 night there; with travel from Pokhara and back, about 3 days in all.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Tukuche?
- Foreign visitors pay about NPR 3,000 / US$22 to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) (SAARC visitors about half, Nepali citizens a small fee).
- When is the best time to visit Tukuche?
- March–May; September–November
- How do I get to Tukuche?
- About 1 hour by jeep south of Jomsom. It is about 65 km (straight line) from Pokhara.
- What is Tukuche called in Nepali?
- टुकुचे
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