New Roads in the Annapurna Region | Nepal

 In the last few years a large number of new roads have come up in the Annapurna region (most of them remain as dirt tracks for four wheel drive jeeps) and these roads can reduce the trekking days for popular treks in the region. I list some of these roads below and give the cost of a reserved jeep in some cases where I have used them.

 Pokhara to Kimche

Kimche is about 1 hours walking below Ghandrung and this road goes upto Nayapul (black top) and then on a dirt track to Kimche – the black top section is quite good now and the whole journey by jeep takes about 2 hours. There are also buses running from the Pokhara bus park.  NPR 9000/-

 Pokhara to Ghandrung

It is possible now to go all the way upto Ghandrung by taking a lower road (not the Kimche one) by jeep and it would take about 2.5 hours to reach Ghandrung. An early departure from Pokhara would make it possible to trek to Tadapani the same day. NPR 10,000/-

 Pokhara to Kimrong Danda

The same road which goes to Ghandrung carries on further to Kimrong Danda possibly a 30 minutes drive from Ghandrung.

 Pokhara to Landrung

The approach to the Annapurna Base Camp trek would be shortened by a day or more by driving to Landrung in about 3 hours and heading up to Jhinu Danda the same day. But there is also now a road which is ending below Jhinu so for ABC trekkers looking to save time this would be the better option (see below). NPR 12,000/-

 Pokhara to below Jhinu Danda

This road goes near Jhinu Danda in about 3-3.5 hours from Pokhara so from here you could walk to Chomrong the same day.  NPR 12,000/-

 Pokhara to Dhampus

This walk from Phedi is now effectively over as the road goes all the way to Dhampus in about 1 hour minutes from Pokhara. You could do a day trek in this region walking from Dhampus to Australian Camp and then down to Kande to meet the road and back to Pokhara.

 Pokhara to Pitam Deorali

Pitam Deorali is the usual first day’s stop for the Mardi Himal trek but now it is possible to drive here in about 2 to 2.5 hours and go to Forest Camp the same day if you can leave Pokhara by 7 am.

 Mardi Himal Roads

There are the following options for the Mardi trek depending on where you enter or exit the trek:

Pokhara to Siding 2 hours NPR 8000/-

Pokhara to Kalimati  1 hour 30 min

Pokhara to Lawang 1 hour 30 min

 Ghorepani Trek

The road now goes upto Banthanti and it is being steadily pushed towards Ghorepani. From Banthanti to Nayapul would be about 50 min and 1 hour 15 min to Pokhara from there. NPR 10,000/-

 Khopra Trek

There are different approaches and exits for this trek but if you walk from Khopra to Swanta you can get a jeep from here to Pokhara via Beni which takes 4-5 hours. NPR 18,000/-

 Annapurna Circuit Roads

The Annapurna Circuit trek has been impacted by roads on both sides – along the Marsyandi from Besisahar to Manang and along the Kali Gandaki from Pokhara-Beni-Jomsom-Muktinath. The dirt track from Jomsom goes past Kagbeni all the way to Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang possibly changing the standard Mustang trek to a jeep safari. Regarding the circuit the upper route from Pisang to Manang is still spectacular and after two day acclimatisation in Manang you could attempt Tilicho/ Thorung La.  However some alternative walking trails have been built on the other side of the river (referred to as the NAAT trails) and these do by pass the roads to a great extent. The only thing is that th trekking experience in not so enjoyable as you can hear the cars and motorbikes on the other side.

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