Slow days · Annapurna Base Camp
Soak in the hot springs at Jhinu Danda
On the way down from the sanctuary, walk 20 minutes below the village of Jhinu Danda to natural hot pools beside the roaring Modi Khola, and soak away days of steps.
Jhinu Danda sits on a ridge below Chhomrong, and its hot springs are the trekker's reward on the way out of the sanctuary. From the village, a stone path drops through forest for about 20 minutes to the river, where hot water from the ground has been channelled into a few concrete pools right beside the Modi Khola.
The water is warm rather than scalding, and the setting is the point: the river thunders past, forested gorge walls rise on both sides and steam drifts in the cool air. A small fee is charged at the springs to maintain the pools. There are changing rooms and a shower.
Go mid-afternoon, after arriving at Jhinu Danda, and bring a swimsuit and quick-dry towel. Nudity is not acceptable. Climb back up slowly before dark: after a hot soak, the 20-minute climb feels longer. In the monsoon the river can flood the pools, which may be closed.
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Questions
Where are the hot springs on the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
The hot springs are about 20 minutes' walk below the village of Jhinu Danda, beside the Modi Khola. Jhinu Danda is on the main ABC route below Chhomrong, so most trekkers stop on the way down. There are a few pools with changing facilities. A small entrance fee applies, paid at the springs.
Are the Jhinu Danda hot springs open all year?
They are generally open in the trekking seasons, but heavy rain in the monsoon, June to September, can flood or damage the pools beside the river, and they may close temporarily. Floods have damaged them in the past. Ask at your lodge in Jhinu Danda or Chhomrong about current conditions before walking down.
What should I bring to the Jhinu hot springs?
Bring a swimsuit, a quick-dry towel, sandals and a warm layer for the climb back. Nudity is not acceptable, and modest swimwear is respectful in a village setting. Carry a little cash for the entry fee and a snack. Leave valuables at your lodge, and keep an eye on belongings near the pools.
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