Kagbeni-Marpha Valley landscape with arid terrain and cloud-covered mountains in Mustang, Nepal
A wide valley landscape in the Mustang region of Nepal, showing the arid terrain between Kagbeni and Marpha with cloud-covered mountains and sparse vegetation along the Kali Gandaki river valley.
Read more about this photo
The Mustang region of Nepal reveals one of the most dramatic high-altitude desert landscapes on Earth. This valley between Kagbeni and Marpha sits in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs.
The barren, rocky terrain tells a geological story of ancient seabeds uplifted by tectonic forces. Sparse vegetation clings to life along the Kali Gandaki riverbed, one of the deepest gorges in the world.
Clouds blanket the mountain peaks, a daily occurrence in this remote corner of the Himalayas where traditional Tibetan culture and breathtaking geology converge.
Spot a mistake or location error? Let us know!
Photos from the day
