Nepal's 81 km cable car to Muktinath, and how close it really is to being built

Industry & Tourism A cable car to Muktinath, billed as the world’s longest, won investment approval in June 2025. Environmental approval is pending, and nothing is… By Anjali Shrestha · Jul 27, 2026 Read the full story

Nepal has a proposal for an 81-kilometre cable car to Muktinath, billed as the world's longest — but it is not built, and its environmental approval is still pending. The investment was approved in June 2025 and the environmental study was submitted in… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

What is being proposed

A multi-stage ropeway climbing from the lower Modi valley to the temple, built and run by a private company before being handed to the state. The developer is Muktinath Darshan Pvt Ltd, on a build-own-operate-transfer basis. The line would start in Modi Rural… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

Where the project actually stands

Approved for investment, submitted for environmental review, not yet cleared to build. That is further along than most of Nepal's big ropeway ideas, and a long way from a finished line. Correction: an earlier version of our coverage dated the investment… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

Why it matters to Indian pilgrims

Most of Muktinath's visitors come from India, and the hardest part of the pilgrimage for many is simply getting there. Today that means Pokhara, then a flight to Jomsom or a long, rough jeep ride up the Kali Gandaki, then the final climb to 3,762 metres. For… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

A note of caution, and one about altitude

Treat this as a proposal, not a booking option. Large ropeway projects in Nepal face long timelines, financing questions and debates over heritage and environment. There is a safety point the pitch leaves out. Muktinath sits at 3,762 metres, and the faster… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

How to reach Muktinath today

By air or road to Jomsom, then on foot or by jeep — or over Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit. Pokhara to Jomsom by road is about 180 km and seven to nine hours, plus 18 km up to the temple. What this means for you You do not need to wait years for a cable… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

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