Jhinu Danda: One of the Popular ABC Trek Trailheads

The best part of the Annapurna Base Camp trek can be different for everyone, but it is not always the view from the highest point. Sometimes, the moment you take off your trekking boots after a long walk, soak your tired legs in warm water beside a mountain river, and realize you’re almost back from the mountains can be truly memorable. Jhinu Danda is one of those places.

Located at 1,780 (5,840ft) meters above sea level in Nepal’s Annapurna region, Jhinu Danda is known popularly for its hot springs, a long and tall suspension bridge, a hilly village settlement, and its connection to the ABC trekking route. It is a starting point for many trekkers for their trek into the foothills of the Annapurna or a rest stop for those coming from Chhomrong.

Whether you are planning an ABC trek or visiting Jhinu Danda for its hot springs, here’s what to know before you go.

Where is Jhinu Danda Located?

Jhinu Danda is a small hillside settlement located in the Annapurna region of Kaski District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. It is located on the side of Modi Khola valley, in the Annapurna Conservation Area, south of Chhomrong and on the trekking trail that takes visitors to and from Annapurna Base Camp.

The village is surrounded by terraced fields, scattered settlements over the hill, and forested slopes. The scenery is quite distinct from that of the higher villages of the ABC trek, where alpine terrain and snow-covered mountains grow nearer and more visible.

Jhinu Danda is located below Chhomrong on the ABC trek. The walk down a steep solid stone stairway takes about 1-2 hours, and the walk back up will take longer. The village serves as a junction between the ABC route and shorter village treks, as visitors can come from Ghandruk by around a 4-hour walk, or Tadapani on the Poon Hill hot spring trek.

Jhinu Danda is ideal for trekkers on a shorter itinerary to ABC or for those who simply want to unwind after a long trek. It’s the point where the mountain trail links up with road access to Pokhara. After a number of days on the trail, it can be a very welcome place to rest before heading back to the city.

How high does Jhinu Danda sit?

Jhinu Danda is located at an elevation of around 1,780m (5,840ft) above sea level. The actual number varies from source to source as the village and the surrounding trails cover a range of elevations.

The weather is generally warmer at this elevation than in the higher settlements along the Annapurna Base Camp trail. As trekkers come down from Bamboo or Chhomrong, they will see the change as they reach lower and greener surroundings.

The hot springs are situated under the village, down by the Modi Khola, and you get there by a descent on foot. Don’t forget to factor in the hike back up when you’re planning your visit, particularly after you’ve been in the pools.

How is the Weather around Jhinu Village?

Jhinu Danda has a fairly mild, humid climate all year round as opposed to the higher parts of the Annapurna region. The temperature does vary with the season, and the weather can have a massive impact on the walking conditions.

Note: Conditions vary depending on the time of day, wind, rainfall, and cloud cover. Check the forecast before traveling rather than relying on a fixed temperature estimate.

Spring and autumn are usually the best seasons for trekking. The monsoon season needs more attention to the trails and road conditions, and winter visitors must be aware of cold nights.

Jhinu Danda Hot Springs: The Main Attraction

The hot springs of Jhinu Danda are the village’s best-known attraction. They sit at the banks of Modi Khola just 30 minutes’ walk away from the main settlement. Visitors can soak in naturally heated water surrounded by forest and the sound of the flowing river. The springs are also a well-known spot for trekkers as they return from Annapurna Base Camp.

Trekkers returning from the trek find it very relaxing to immerse themselves in the hot water pool. This significantly eases their leg and body pain.

The water is entirely natural. It is heated underground by geothermal activity and rises through rock fissures at the edge of the Modi Khola.

The pools offer a respite from endless tiring walks, and the riverside atmosphere makes the experience different than taking a dip in town or at a hotel.

How to Reach the Jhinu Hot Springs

It typically takes 20-30 minutes to get down to the pools and roughly 30-40 minutes back up to the village, so allow around an hour for the round trip before you even get into the water. Many trekkers soak in the evening after reaching the village, or first thing the next morning before breakfast and the onward walk.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sandals, and a change of clothes. It is best to carry a small amount of cash for the entry fee and keep valuables secure at your accommodation.

Jhinu Danda Hot Springs Ticket Price

The usual entry fees provided for this draft are:

• Nepali visitors: NPR 100
• Foreign visitors: NPR 200
• Guides: NPR 50

The hot springs are worth allowing time for, particularly if you have just completed the higher sections of the ABC trek. Still, remember that going there and getting in the pool is optional. If you are short on time or tired from the descent, you can enjoy the village and continue your journey without visiting the pools.

Jhinu Danda Suspension Bridge: One of the Major Highlights

Another iconic and familiar landmark in the region is the Jhinu Danda suspension bridge. It passes through the Modi Khola and links pathways on both sides of the river, which serve as a means of walking around the village and its surrounding hiking trails.

The bridge at lower Jhinu Danda is also where the motor road ends for most vehicles. It is 71 km (44.12 mi) away from Pokhara by road, a convenient landmark when arranging pick-up time with the driver.

As you cross the bridge, you will see the steep green slopes rising on the sides of the river valley. It is also an important part of the final approach for visitors walking from the road-access point towards Jhinu Danda village.

The bridge itself isn’t a particularly special vantage point, but the height it has above the water and the surrounding scenery does make it a very memorable spot on the walk. Be careful on the approach, heed the local signs, and don’t congregate on the bridge or position yourself in such a way as to obstruct other walkers.

The bridge and the river valley present another viewpoint to the hillside views of the village for photography. The weather is particularly atmospheric after rain, although wet surfaces require you to be more careful.

Jhinu Danda Accommodation

Jhinu Danda has small lodges and teahouses that cater mainly to trekkers traveling along the Annapurna Base Camp route. Generally, it is easy to find accommodation, as there are basic rooms, beds, and shared or private bathrooms available depending on the property.

You should not expect the range of hotels available in Pokhara. The rooms are not standardized across all lodges, so be sure to find out what’s included before you book a room. Some properties offer hot showers, en-suite bathrooms, charging stations, and free Wi-Fi, which can sometimes come at an extra cost.

It is advisable to reach the area in daylight during the main trekking season to secure your stay as lodges fill up quickly. If you are traveling in a group or have special accommodation needs, you might want to make an overnight arrangement in advance, which can make the day easier.

If trekkers are coming from ABC, they can also stay overnight, which will help them break the journey from the trekking route to Pokhara. It will allow time to visit the hot springs, have a good meal, and begin the day’s travel in a non-hurried way.

People and Culture Around Jhinu Danda

Jhinu Danda is a traditional Gurung settlement with Gurung families still running many of the lodges and teahouses. They live side by side with Magar, Brahmin, and Chhetri families, so it’s a fairly mixed village in terms of ethnicity. The majority of the population are farmers growing millet, corn, and potatoes on their terraced fields, with tourism providing a second income through the teahouses and shops.

That’s all noticeable in the day-to-day practice. Buddhism, with its prayer flags and chortens, exists alongside Hinduism and older Gurung communities. Hindu families celebrate Dashain and Tihar in the autumn, and the Gurung New Year (Tamu Lhosar) falls around December, with traditional dress, music, dancing, and feasting.

Be a considerate guest during your stay. Ask before taking photographs of people, be respectful to the culture, and dress modestly.

Food, Shops and Facilities in Jhinu Danda

Food in Jhinu Danda is mainly served by local teahouses and lodges. Commonly, you can find meals like Dal Bhat, noodles, fried rice, soups, eggs, and tea; however, this can differ by restaurant and season.

Snacks, drinks, and basic everyday items may be available in small shops. But Jhinu Danda is not a big shopping hub, and special trekking gear or many options for trekking items are not expected. Buy anything important in Pokhara or in Kathmandu before you start your trip.

Basic services are adequate for a short stay, and facilities are limited compared to Pokhara. Bring cash with you for small purchases, food, and accommodation, as there are no cards or ATMs in the village.

Bring specialty medications, if you have any, and any essential trekking supplies, if required. It is particularly important for visitors heading up to Chhomrong and to the upper parts of the Annapurna Base Camp trek.

Wildlife Around Jhinu Danda

Jhinu Danda sits in the warm, forested middle hills of the Annapurna Conservation Area, so the wildlife here is more about birds, butterflies and monkeys than the high-altitude animals seen higher up the ABC trail.

• Birds: Look for the Black Bulbul, Black-throated Tit and Black-lored Tit flitting through the trees, and listen for the Collared Owlet around dawn and dusk. Birdlife is richest in the lower forests, especially in spring when the rhododendrons bloom.
• Langur monkeys: Langurs are a common sight in the forests of the lower Annapurna region and are often seen moving through the treetops. Watch from a distance and keep food out of sight.
• Butterflies: The warm valley attracts butterflies such as the Circe and the Club Silverline, which are easiest to spot on sunny days along the forest trail.
• Rare mammals: The wider conservation area is home to several rare animals, including the clouded leopard. You’re very unlikely to see one on a trek, but it does not diminish the fact that this place is a wild habitat.

For the best chance of wildlife, just walk quietly in the early morning or late afternoon, take your binoculars if you have them, and keep a safe distance from any animal. Don’t feed or approach wildlife in any way.

Things to Do Around Jhinu Danda

The hot springs are the main attraction, but there are other ways to spend time in Jhinu Danda if you have an extra hour or an overnight stay. You can walk around the village, enjoy the views of the river valley, or stop for a meal at one of the local teahouses.

Immerse Yourself in the Village Life

Spending some time with local people in Jhinu Danda, a typical Gurung village, will offer the most fascinating and genuine taste of Nepali culture. You can take a trip through the village, where people gather daily, and discover what life would have been like if they had stayed. If a visitor comes to this village at the appropriate time of year, they can typically witness local festivals, dances, and cultural celebrations.

Be respectful when taking photographs of residents or their homes. If you have time, simply walking around at an easy pace can be a good way to enjoy the village without adding another demanding section to your day.

Enjoy the River and Hillside Views

The village and nearby paths offer views of the Modi Khola valley, forested slopes, and cultivated hillsides. On a clear morning, the changing light over the hills can make this a good place for photographs.

Clouds and rain can change the views quickly, particularly during the monsoon. Stay on established paths and keep away from steep or unstable riverbanks.

Birdwatching and Bird Photography

Jhinu Danda’s forested hills and riverine areas are good for birdwatching and bird photography, particularly in the quiet mornings. The rufous sibia, verditer flycatcher, whiskered yuhina, white-throated laughingthrush and Nepal house martin have all been recorded along parts of the Annapurna Base Camp trek.

Take a camera with a telephoto lens or a pair of binoculars and just take your time around the forest edges and the tree branches. Birding in this area is very much a matter of season, weather and time of day, so patience is often more useful than actually covering a lot of ground. The small details can make a very short visit to Jhinu Danda quite enjoyable even if you’re not going to the hot springs.

Continue Along Nearby Trekking Trails

Jhinu Danda has connections to the Chhomrong, Ghandruk, Landruk, and New Bridge routes. These are the routes that the trekker would take if they wanted to go further afield into the Annapurna foothills rather than just head straight back to Pokhara.

They are proper trekking routes (with climbs and descents) rather than just a series of short village walks. Check the distance, walking time and daylight available before you go. If you’re on an ABC itinerary, then be sure to check the route with your guide or lodge to make sure you don’t end up with a very long detour.

Stop for a Meal or Tea

A meal or a cup of tea at one of the local teahouses is a perfectly easy way to spend some time in the village. Dal bhat is a good option if you’re going to be out walking. Tea, coffee and light food are all good if you’re just stopping in for a bit.

If you’re planning to catch a vehicle later that day, then check the pickup time before you go in for a long meal.

Permits for Jhinu Danda

Jhinu Danda is within the Annapurna Conservation Area so trekkers in that area will generally require an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Most trekking agencies will organize and include this in their package. The rules and fees for the permit are subject to change from time to time, so it’s worth checking with your agency or the Nepal Tourism Board to confirm the current requirements prior to travel.

Jhinu Danda in Popular Trekking Itineraries

Jhinu Danda Village is a popular starting point for one of the most popular treks in Nepal, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. There are other options to trek that start from this place as well.

• Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek: Jhinu Danda is a common overnight stop on the way down from ABC (4,130 m), often reached from Bamboo or Chhomrong. Many 7-day ABC itineraries finish with a hot spring soak here.
• Ghandruk and Jhinu hot spring trek: A short trek linking the Gurung village of Ghandruk with Jhinu Danda, usually about 4 hours of walking between the two, with time for the hot springs and an exit to the road.
• Poon Hill hot spring trek: Longer circuits from Nayapul via Ghorepani and Tadapani come down to Jhinu Danda, then continue to Ghandruk and back to Pokhara.

How to reach Jhinu Danda from Kathmandu or Pokhara?

Jhinu Danda is accessible from Pokhara by road, followed by a short walk into the village. Travelers coming from Kathmandu generally travel to Pokhara first, then continue to the lower Jhinu Danda road access point.

The final road section can be rough, and travel time depends on traffic, road conditions, and weather. Confirm the latest drop-off point with your driver before leaving.

Road Distance to Jhinu Danda

Pokhara to Jhinu Danda: About 71 km (44.12 mi) by road to the suspension bridge, also known as lower Jhinu Danda.

Kathmandu to Jhinu Danda: About 270 km (167.78 mi) by road via Pokhara. Kathmandu to Pokhara is roughly 200 km along the Prithvi Highway, followed by the 71 km onward to the suspension bridge.

After the drive to Lower Jhinu Danda, the walk from the bridge to the village adds another 15 to 20 minutes.

Kathmandu to Jhinu Danda

The usual route is Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by a bus or jeep towards Jhinu Danda.

From Kathmandu you can fly, take a tourist bus, a local bus or a private vehicle to Pokhara. The tourist buses will generally be the most organized option; the local buses will be the cheapest but will make many more stops. The drive will take around 5-7 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.

If you prefer to save time, you can fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara in about 25 minutes. You will still need the 2-3 hour road transfer from Pokhara to Jhinu Danda.

After reaching Pokhara, continue towards Jhinu Danda using one of the options below. If you are traveling on the same day, leave enough time for the second leg and the walk into the village.

Pokhara to Jhinu Danda by Bus

A bus is generally the more economical option for traveling from Pokhara towards Jhinu Danda. Buses going to Baglung can drop you off in Nayapul, from where you can start your trek or take a shared jeep to lower Jhinu Danda.

The route typically follows Pokhara-Lumle-Nayapul-Birethanti and continues towards the lower Jhinu Danda area, depending on road access.

• Estimated fare: Around NPR 500-700 per person.
• Travel time: Approximately 3-5 hours, depending on the service and road conditions.

Note:
These fares and journey times may change. Ask locally about the latest bus departure times, destinations, and fares before traveling.

Pokhara to Jhinu Danda by Jeep

A shared jeep is the most popular option, particularly if you want a more direct journey or are traveling with other trekkers. You can also arrange a private jeep if you prefer greater flexibility. Shared jeeps to Jhinu Danda depart from Harichowk, Pokhara.

The drive follows the road towards Nayapul and the surrounding trekking settlements before reaching the available drop-off point near Jhinu Danda.

• Estimated shared jeep fare: Around NPR 1,000-1,500 per person.
• Private jeep: The total cost depends on the vehicle, season, and pickup arrangements.
• Travel time: Approximately 3-5 hours, subject to road conditions.

Pokhara to Jhinu Dada by Taxi

There’s also an option to hire a taxi till Nayapul and join a shared jeep or start walking from there. It’s similar to getting a private jeep, but your journey will be much more comfortable.

Walking from Lower Jhinu Danda to the Village

Getting to the road doesn’t mean you’ve got to the village itself. You can get vehicles right down to the lower Jhinu Danda (locally known as Naya Pul).

From the drop-off point, it’s about a 15-20 minute walk to Jhinu Danda village (that includes crossing the suspension bridge). The time will of course vary depending on where the vehicle stops and how quickly you walk.

Why you shouldn’t miss an overnight stay at Jhinu Danda

Jhinu Danda is a valuable stop on the Annapurna Base Camp route, offering riverside hot springs, a suspension bridge, and a unique village experience unlike that of higher trails. Whether visiting after ABC or from Pokhara, allow sufficient time for the walk into the village and your return. Planning ahead ensures you have a stay that you can enjoy at Jhinu Danda without feeling rushed.