Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride

 Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride is one of the best options to escape a day's walk to and from Jhino Danda, Hot Spring (1900m). from and to Pokhara. In the past people would walk from Nayapool/Birethanti for their Annapurna Base Camp Trek spending one day for Jhino Danda where a natural hot spring is located and also had to do the same while returning from the trek. But now, you can drive back to Pokhara on the same day when you arrive Jhino Danda and you can walk to Sinuwa from Jhino Danda directly without staying overnight at Hot Spring.

Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride Video

 But, these days the jeep ride to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) takes you directly to Jhinu Danda through the base of Ghandruk from Pokhara via Nayapool and Syauli Bazaar. This jeep ride to Annapurna Base Camp is available at Hari Chowk near Bindhayabasini Temple in Pokhara.

Normally, everyone who is doing Annapurna Base Camp Trek use this jeep drive to Jhino Danda and back to Pokhara. This jeep drive takes 3 hours from Pokhara to get to Jhinu  Danda where the hot spring is located at the bank of Modi River. 

The total distance Annapurna Base Camp Jeep ride covers 27 kilometers passing through local settlements like Naudanda, Nayapool, Birethanti Modi Khola and alluring mountain panorama including Machhapuchhre.

Read Our Blog Posts Related to ABC Trek

1. Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride

2. How difficult is Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

3. Where is the best view of Annapurna range?

4. Annapurna Base Camp Trek vs Everest Base Camp Trek

5. Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Winter 

6. 10 Best Spring Treks in Nepal

7. Annapurna Base Camp Trek in April

8. Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Spring

You can trek to Annapurna Base Camp via Poonhill as well. If you are planning so, then, see the article Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek- A Complete Trekkers' Guide and make your plan in more comprehensive way for Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poonhill. This way, you can acclimatize at Poonhill and move ahead to MBC and ABC

How much is jeep from Pokhara to Jhino Danda?

The jeep costs from Pokhara to Jhino Danda ranges between Rs. 1500-2000 on sharing basis and private jeep costs Rs. 7000-10000. The price may change depending on weather condtions, road conditions and number of people using the jeep.

While returning from Jhino Danda to Pokhara, you have to pay the same cost for the jeep for Pokhara from Jhino Danda, Hot Spring.

The distance from Pokhara to Jhinu Danda is about 27 kilometers, and traveling by vehicle takes around 3 to 4 hours. A shared jeep is the most popular means of transport because very few direct buses go to Jhinu Danda. Shared jeeps generally depart from Hari Chowk in Pokhara, with the earliest ones around 8 AM. The cost per seat in a shared jeep is about 1,350 NPR.

However, if it is more convenient for tourists, especially traveling in groups, then the facility to rent a private jeep is provided. The rent of a private jeep from Pokhara to Jhinu Danda is approximately 70- 90 USD.

The road conditions may get worse during heavy rainfall, generally from June to September of the monsoon season, which may delay or cancel the transportation facility. Though jeeps can operate on rainy days, it is recommended to collect information on the current condition of the road and about the weather condition from a reliable source prior to your visit. Thus, always confirm the possibility of traffic during this time period as it might be unpredictable.

How much is bus ticket from Pokhara to Jhino Danda

One of the popular routes for trekkers heading to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) or Hot Springs near Jhinu is by taking the bus from Pokhara to Jhinu Danda. There is no direct bus service to Jhinu Danda because it is a remote village, so one has to take a bus or jeep from Pokhara to Kyumi or Siwai, the closest road-accessible points, and then hike a short distance to Jhinu Danda.

Bus and Jeep Information:

Pickup: One can get a bus or jeep from Baglung Bus Park in Pokhara.

Track: Pokhara – Nayapul – Birethanti – Kyumi/Siwai – Jhinu Danda.

Distance: About 23 km from Pokhara to Siwai.

Time: About 3.5 to 5 hours, depending upon road and weather conditions.

Costing:

Bus Fare: NPR 500–700 per person.

Shared Jeep Charge: NPR 1,000–1,500 per person.

Hiring a private jeep: NPR 10,000–15,000 for the entire vehicle.

Availability:

Buses and jeeps run throughout the year. In monsoon, landslides may prevent service for a short period during that period (June–August).

Jeeps are more suitable for use during the monsoon period because of muddy roads.

It is a 1–2 hour uphill hike from Kyumi or Siwai to Jhinu Danda. It is advisable to book a jeep in advance during peak trekking seasons of Spring & Autumn.

 1. How much is the Annapurna Base Camp Jeep ride?

 The cost of the Annapurna Base Camp Jeep ride is between USD 5 to USD 10 (RS 500-1000) per person on sharing jeep depending on how many people are there in  the sharing jeep and if you want to book it privately, then, you need to pay a total of USD 70-90.

Majority of the people join in sharing a jeep ride to Jhino Danda which will be cheaper for you. Or if you don’t want to share this jeep ride to Annapurna Base Camp/ Jhino Danda, then, just go for private booking from the hotel you want for your Annapurna Base Camp Trek. If you book a private jeep for Jhino Danda, then, the jeep will come to receive you at the hotel where you stay but for the sharing jeep, you have to go to Hari Chowk, Pokhara from your hotel to get the sharing jeep. Even, your guide or porter will help you to find this jeep from Hari Chowk. The drive from your hotel to Hari Chowk may take Rs. 500 from Lakeside Pokhara. 

 2. How can I book the Annapurna Base Camp Jeep?

 You can book it through the hotel you are using in Pokhara or the local travel agent but most importantly, you had better go to Hari Chowk directly by 8 am after breakfast and then can get the ticket for Jhino Danda, Ulleri, Banthanit, Ghandruk and Ghorepani. All these trekking destinations are connected by jeep ride from Pokhara the jeep station located at Hari Chowk these

 The trekkers and the local people are waiting for the jeep at the station located at Hari Chowk, Pokhara to go to Ulleri, Banthanti, Ghandruk, Jhino Danda and Ghandruk. You can find the people there to accompany you in the jeep to Jhino Danda. One jeep can be adjusted by 7 people maximum and each individual will be sharing the cost equally. Ghorepani-Poonhill Jeep Ride also can be found at Hari Chowk which is  15 minutes drive from Lakeside, Pokhara. 

 3. Can we use the  Annapurna Base Camp jeep ride all around the year?

 Not actually, but for a maximum of 7-8 months. You can use this Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride during Autumn ( Sep-Nov), Spring ( Mar-May and Winter (Dec-Jan) when there is no rain in the Annapurna region. But, you cannot use this jeep drive during summer/rainy because the rainfall destroys the conditions of country roads like the section of the road from Birethanti to Ghandruk, Birethanti-Ulleri/ Banthanti, Birethanti- Jhinu Danda etc. All these sections of roads will be very muddy and slippery so that even the four-wheel jeep cannot function properly and it will be very dangerous to drive along this village slipper road during the rainy season. If you are planning to travel in the rainy season in the Annapurna region or Annapurna Base Camp, don’t expect to use this jeep ride from Pokhara to Jhinu  Danda. Otherwise, you can use it very comfortably in both modes, private and sharing. Sometimes,  in pre-autumn and late- spring, the jeep ride cannot be operated. So, for this, you can check the most recent news about the Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride beforehand boarding for the Annapurna Base Camp trek.

4. What will be the jeep like?

The jeep will be a four-wheel jeep. They will be in proper condition with spare parts like tyres and others. If anything wrong happens in the engine of the jeep, the driver will immediately call the mechanic or he will be the mechanic and rescue from the danger in no time.

 The seating will be very comfortable. The luggage will be fixed on the top of the roof with proper covering so that the dust and rain won’t affect them. The driver will take good care of your luggage and all the belongings. Even, your trekking crew like guide and porter will help you tremendously in this jeep trip to ABC or Jhinu Danda.

 You don’t need to worry about the condition of the jeep because the jeeps running in the Annapurna region are very reliable since they have been offering a world-class service to the trekkers both domestic and international and they keep it seriously in their minds during the operation of the services of jeep drive to ABC.

If you love adventure trip, then, you can go with Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride with helicopter return. If you do this, will have more natural thrills of adventure and excitements. 

5. How long is the Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride?

The Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride is around  27 km long from Pokhara to Jhino Danda, the base of the Jhino Danda from where you cross the suspension bridge to get main Jhinu Danda.

This drive is 3 hours long maximum. It is a comfortable drive till Birethanti and a further 3-5 kilometres and then the road turns to a rough country road and it will be under construction, somehow bumpy and dusty too. However, the drive will be very safe and exciting with new experiences of driving along the country and remote roads.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary with ABC Jeep Ride 

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu Nepal (1345 m) and transfer to the hotel by private vehicle. (D)

Day 2: Drive to Pokhara 860 m. 6-hour drive covering 220 km / 137 miles

Day 3: Jeep Drive to Jhinu Danda and then trek to Sinuwa (2340 m | 7,677 ft.)

Day 4: Trek to Deurali 3, 230 m / 10597 feet-04 hrs. 

Day 5: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m via Machhapuchare Base Camp 3,720 m -06 hrs.


Day6: Trek back to Sinuwa 2340 m | 7,677 ft. m - 06 hrs.


Day7: Trek to Jhinu-Danda a place with a hot spring 1, 700 m - 06 hrs. and drive back to Pokhara

Day 8:  Drive Fly back to Kathmandu 

ABC Trek Map 

What are the risks of Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride?

There are no such risks while undertaking Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride since it is safe and comfortable. This jeep drive to Jhino from Pokhara is only for 3 hours maximum. The total distance it covers is 19 kilometers and more than half of the road is concreted and smooth. You will only drive along the rough road while approaching Ghnadruk or Jhino Danda for Annapurna Base Camp Trek 

The only risk you may have on the way to Ghandruk and Jhino Danda will be the slippery road and some minor damage on the jeep you are riding. Sometimes, the country section of the road turns to be slippery and some mechanical damage can occur in the jeep that may interrupt your trip for some minutes or hours. If this thing happens on the way to Jhino Danda, you needn’t panic and the driver and your trekking crew will fix it in no time. 

Final Words 

Among various jeep rides in the Annapurna region like Poonhill Jeep Ride, Jomsom- Muktinath Jeep Ride, Upper Mustang Jeep Ride, Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride from Pokhara to Jhino Danda is to facilitate you in your Annapurna Base Camp Trek/ABC trek saving your time, stamina and budget so that you can conclude your trip to Annapurna Base Camp and back to Pokhara conveniently. Some people still prefer walking from Birethanti to Ghandruk or Jhino Danda but this walk is worthless since you have to walk along the dusty road and the local settlements have already changed into something so-called modern. So, we recommend you undertake the Annapurna Base Camp Jeep Ride: Jhino Danda Jeep Ride from Pokhara, Hari Chowk to Jhinu Danda either on a sharing basis or privately.