Tukuche: The Thakali Village on the Kali Gandaki Road

Last updated 11 October 2026.

Tukuche is an old Thakali trading village at about 2,590 m in the Kali Gandaki valley, between Marpha and Kalopani, on the road and trail from Jomsom down to Pokhara. On our Mustang jeep and motorbike trips you pass through it, and on our Annapurna Circuit mountain-bike tour you ride through it on day 10. The Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, 8 days takes you through it on day 7 on the way back to Pokhara. We do not sleep in Tukuche on any itinerary, but it is worth a stop, and I ask my guides to make one.

Short answer: Tukuche is at about 2,590 m (8,497 ft), roughly 6 km south of Marpha and about 11 km north of Kalopani. It is the centre of Thakali culture, known for whitewashed houses, old merchant courtyards, a distillery and Thakali food. It is an easy village at a comfortable altitude, and it is not a restricted area.

Tukuche at a glance

Where does Tukuche sit on our trips?

• Upper Mustang Jeep Tour, 8 days: the jeep drive from Jomsom to Pokhara on day 7 passes Marpha and Tukuche.
• Upper Mustang Trek via Pokhara and Jomsom, 15 days: the jeep from Kagbeni and Jomsom to Pokhara on day 13.
• Upper Mustang Trek, 10 days: the long drive back to Kathmandu on day 10 passes through Tukuche and Larjung.
• Annapurna Circuit Mountain Bike Tour, 12 days: day 10 rides from Marpha to Tatopani through Tukuche, Larjung, Kalopani, Ghasa and Dana, about 55 km.
• Lower Mustang Motorbike Tour, 8 days and the Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour, 11 days: both ride through Tukuche on the way up to Muktinath and on the way back down.

North of it you will find Marpha and Jomsom. South of it is Kalopani, where several of our trips sleep.

What is Tukuche known for?

Tukuche was once one of the great trading towns of the Kali Gandaki, where goods moved between the Tibetan plateau and the Indian plains and the Thakali families held the trade. The merchant houses still stand: whitewashed, flat-roofed, with carved wooden shutters and inner courtyards. The village has a distillery that has been running for decades, an apple orchard, a small museum and three gompas. Take a short walk off the main street, where the old houses are.

Thakali food is the other reason to stop. Thakali kitchens are well known across Nepal for their dal bhat sets, and a lunch at a Thakali house is one of the best meals on the road. If you are vegetarian, vegan or avoid certain foods, tell your guide the day before and he will phone ahead. My Nepal food guide covers more dishes.

How far is Tukuche from the next stops?

The real time depends on the road, traffic and weather. Jomsom to Pokhara by jeep is a long day, and your guide checks the road before you leave.

Is the road open?

The Beni to Jomsom road is under repair, and I do not give you a promise on dates. We check the road 48 hours before departure, and if it is not open we move your dates free. My notes on getting to Mustang when the road is closed explain the options, and my guide on flying to Jomsom or driving compares both.

When is the best time to visit Tukuche?

The valley is known for a strong afternoon wind, so start early on a bike or on foot. Plan Mustang trips for spring and autumn 2027, and read my September 2027 guide for the autumn departures.

What are the permits?

Tukuche is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need the ACAP permit (NPR 3,000 for foreigners) and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000). We arrange both. It is not a restricted area. The Upper Mustang permit, USD 50 per person per day, only applies north of Kagbeni, on the route to Lo Manthang, so the village is outside it. See my Jomsom guide for the rest of the lower valley.

Questions people ask

How high is Tukuche? About 2,590 m (8,497 ft).

Where is Tukuche? In Mustang District, in the Kali Gandaki valley, between Marpha to the north and Kalopani to the south.

How far is Tukuche from Marpha? About 6 km, or 1 to 1.5 hours on foot.

What is Tukuche famous for? It is the centre of Thakali culture, an old trading town with whitewashed merchant houses, a distillery and a well-known Thakali dal bhat.

Do you stay overnight in Tukuche? Not on our itineraries. We pass through it between Marpha and Kalopani or Tatopani, and we stop for a meal or a walk.

Do I need a permit for Tukuche? You need the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. It is not a restricted area.

Is Tukuche Peak the same as Tukuche village? No. Tukuche Peak is a mountain beside the valley, and the village lies to its east on the valley floor. Our Poon Hill itineraries name the peak among the mountains of the sunrise view.

Can I walk from Marpha to Tukuche? Yes. It is about 6 km, 1 to 1.5 hours on foot. Ask your guide.

How are the terms for these trips?

Group size is 1 to 20, and you can also travel solo. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients.

How do you plan this with us?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, how many of you there are and whether you want to ride, drive or walk. I will tell you which tier and which route I would choose, and send you the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.