Temple, monastery or heritage site
Galeshwor Dham
A riverside Shiva temple on the Kali Gandaki near Beni, linked in legend to the sage Galav.
Pokhara & Annapurnaबेनी
Beni
Myagdi's headquarters at the meeting of the Myagdi Khola and the Kali Gandaki, a junction for Mustang, Dhaulagiri and Tatopani.
This is Beni, the headquarters of Myagdi district at the Kali Gandaki confluence, not other places called Beni elsewhere in Nepal.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Myagdi, Gandaki
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Beni is the headquarters of Myagdi district, a compact bazaar on the valley floor where the Myagdi Khola flows into the Kali Gandaki. Its name refers to the confluence, which is considered sacred, and a small temple and ghat stand where the two rivers meet. Steep, terraced hills rise on every side, and the town is warm and humid for much of the year compared with the high country upstream.
For most travellers Beni is a junction rather than a destination. The road up the Kali Gandaki to Tatopani, Ghasa, Jomsom and Muktinath starts here, and another road follows the Myagdi Khola west towards Darbang and the trailheads for the Dhaulagiri circuit. Trekkers finishing the Annapurna Circuit by road often change vehicles here, and the town is also the access point for the hot springs at Tatopani and for the Galeshwor Dham temple a short way downstream.
The bazaar has hotels, eateries, banks, shops and a busy bus park. A walk along the river front, a visit to the confluence and a stroll over one of the suspension bridges make a good way to spend a few hours between connections.
History and culture
Beni grew as a trading point on the old Kali Gandaki salt route, where goods moved between Tibet, Mustang and the middle hills and plains. The confluence has long had religious importance for Hindus, and the area around Beni and Galeshwor is associated with sages and pilgrimages linked to the Kali Gandaki, whose riverbed is the source of saligram fossils.
Myagdi is home to large Magar communities, especially of the Pun clan, as well as Chhantyal, Thakali and Brahmin-Chhetri families, and Beni brings all of them together as the district's market. Dashain, Tihar and the Maghe Sankranti festival at the river are among the main events of the year.
Things to do in Beni
Confluence walk
Walk down to the meeting of the two rivers and the small shrine and ghat there.
Galeshwor Dham
Take a short ride downstream to the riverside Shiva temple at Galeshwor.
Onward journeys
Arrange jeeps up the Kali Gandaki to Tatopani and Jomsom, or west up the Myagdi valley towards the Dhaulagiri trailheads.
Weather and the best time to visit Beni
Weather in Beni
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
- Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are clear and dry, the busiest time for trekkers passing through.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is mild in the valley, though higher roads towards Jomsom can be cold and snowy.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March and April are warm, with dust on the roads and haze in the afternoons.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is hot and wet; landslides frequently block the roads to Pokhara and up the Kali Gandaki.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
Simple hotels and guesthouses around the bazaar and bus park.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Beni is reached by road from Pokhara through Nayapul and Kusma, a drive of a few hours; jeeps continue north up the Kali Gandaki.
Nearest hub: Pokhara
- roadPokhara to Beni by bus, jeep or car via Nayapul and Kusma, usually a few hours.
- jeepJeeps and buses run north from Beni along the Kali Gandaki road to Tatopani, Ghasa and Jomsom.
- jeepLocal transport runs west from Beni up the Myagdi Khola towards Darbang.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed for Beni itself; treks north and west of town into the Annapurna Conservation Area need an ACAP permit.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Needed for routes into the conservation area beyond Beni.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Beni
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The roads from Pokhara and up the Kali Gandaki gorge from Beni are among the most landslide-prone in the region during the monsoon.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJul-Aug
Monsoon rain raises the Kali Gandaki and Myagdi Khola quickly; keep clear of river banks and low ground near the confluence.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Use the banks and ATMs in Beni before heading up the valleys, where cash points are scarce.
- Road conditions change quickly in the monsoon; ask drivers about the latest situation before setting off.
- Beni is warm and humid; carry water and sun protection.
Questions about Beni
What is Beni known for?
It is the headquarters of Myagdi and the junction where the Myagdi Khola meets the Kali Gandaki, on the road to Jomsom and Muktinath.
How far is Beni from Pokhara?
It is a drive of a few hours by bus or jeep via Nayapul and Kusma.
Can I get to Tatopani from Beni?
Yes, jeeps and buses run north along the Kali Gandaki road to Tatopani and beyond.
Do I need a permit for Beni?
No, but treks into the Annapurna Conservation Area from here need an ACAP permit.
Nearby
Trek stop · 1,200 m
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.
Town or village
Baglung Bazaar
District headquarters on a broad terrace above the Kali Gandaki, known for its Kalika temple and pedestrian suspension bridges.
Trek stop · 2,874 m
Ghorepani and Poon Hill
A ridge-top trekking village in rhododendron forest, and the base for the dawn climb to Poon Hill's view of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Myagdi District, Wikipedia, Kali Gandaki River, Wikipedia, Annapurna Conservation Area, Wikipedia