Kali Gandaki Valley landscape with braided riverbed between Muktinath and Kagbeni, Mustang, Nepal
AC10-Muktinath - Kagbeni , Nepal
The arid Kali Gandaki Valley displays its characteristic braided riverbed flanked by barren Himalayan mountains near Kagbeni village in Mustang, Nepal, during late afternoon on April 29, 2017.
Read more about this photo
The Himalayan Desert
The Kali Gandaki Valley cuts through one of the world's deepest gorges, carved between the towering peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. This rain-shadow region receives minimal monsoon precipitation, creating a stark high-altitude desert landscape unique to Upper Mustang.
Ancient Trade Routes
The valley floor reveals the braided patterns of the Kali Gandaki River, whose waters have sustained travelers along this ancient salt trade route between Tibet and India for centuries. Stone buildings and prayer flags mark the path near Kagbeni, the traditional gateway to the forbidden kingdom of Mustang.
Spot a mistake or location error? Let us know!
Photos from the day
