Flight 20 min
Tara Air and Summit Air operate several flights between about 6:30 and 9:30 am in small twin-engine planes, threading the gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Fares are around NPR 11,000 one way for Indian nationals and US$ 160–200 for other foreigners. Baggage is limited to about 10–15 kg. Wind and cloud cause frequent delays and cancellations, so keep a spare day. Check current fares and schedules before you travel.
Jeep 7–9 h
Private 4WD jeeps take the Pokhara–Baglung–Beni highway, paved to Beni, then the rough road up the Kali Gandaki via Tatopani, Ghasa, Kalopani and Marpha. A private jeep costs around NPR 25,000–35,000 one way; seats on sharing jeeps are cheaper. Many travellers split the trip with a night at Tatopani's hot springs. Landslides can block the road in July and August.
Bus 9–11 h
Public buses leave Pokhara early in the morning for Beni, where you often change to a local bus or jeep for Jomsom. It is the cheapest option, but buses are crowded, slow and bumpy, with limited luggage space. Suitable for budget travellers and trekkers with time; not recommended for seniors or young children.
Helicopter 25 min
Charter helicopters fly Pokhara–Jomsom in about 25 minutes and can operate on mornings when fixed-wing flights are held, though they also need clear weather. A charter for up to five costs roughly US$ 1,800–2,400 one way. Often used as a fallback after repeated flight cancellations or combined with Muktinath darshan.
Stops on the way
- Beni
- Tatopani hot springs
- Rupse waterfall
- Ghasa
- Kalopani
- Tukuche
- Marpha
Book the first flight of the morning and keep your Pokhara hotel booking flexible for one extra night in case the plane does not go.
Questions travellers ask
How long is the flight from Pokhara to Jomsom?
About 20 minutes. The flight follows the Kali Gandaki gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, among the most scenic short flights in the Himalaya. Flights operate only in the early morning because a strong wind rises in the valley after about 10–11 am. Delays of a few hours or a day are common.
Pokhara to Jomsom flight price for Indians
Indian nationals pay a SAARC fare, around NPR 11,000 (about ₹7,000) one way, while other foreigners pay about US$ 160–200. Nepali citizens pay less. Fares change with fuel prices and season. Book through an agency or the airline, carrying your passport or voter ID. Check current fares before you travel.
Is the Pokhara to Jomsom road safe?
In spring and autumn it is used daily by jeeps and buses and is reasonably safe with an experienced local driver. Sections beyond Beni are narrow, unpaved and exposed in places. In the monsoon, landslides and swollen rivers can block it for hours or days. We avoid driving it at night.
Should I fly or drive to Jomsom?
Fly if you are short of time or travelling with seniors; drive if you want certainty, a lower cost and to see the gorge change from subtropical to alpine. Many travellers fly one way and drive the other, so a cancelled flight on the return does not spoil the trip.
