Excited for your North ABC aka Annapurna First Base Camp trek but unsure about the vehicle details? Well, you’ve landed in the right place!
Let’s dive straight into the details. To kickstart your trekking journey, you first need to get to Bhurung Tatopani, Beni.
It turns out that many travelers aren’t familiar with this location in the Myagdi district. Basically, it lies on the way to Mustang. And yes, you’ll need to catch a bus heading toward Mustang in order to reach Tatopani.
Once you get off the bus, the next step is to take a jeep to reach the trek’s actual starting point: Humkhola.
Keep reading to get the full details about the North ABC Jeep details.
Key Facts About North ABC Bus & Jeep
| Bus Starting Point | Gongabu Bus Park, Kathmandu |
| Bus Ending Point | Bhurung Tatopani, Beni, Myagdi |
| Bus Tickets Available From | Gongabu Bus Park (get to one that goes to Mustang) |
| Bus Fare | Rs. 1500 (can vary based on bus service provider) |
| Night Bus Timing | 5:00 PM (day buses are also available) |
| Total Distance (Kathmandu to Tatopani) | 300 km approx. |
| Bus Duration | 13 to 14 hours |
| Bus Route | Kathmandu > Mungling > Pokhara > Beni Bazar > Bhurung Tatopani > goes to Mustang, but you have to get off at Tatopani |
| Jeep Starting Point | Bhurung Tatopani, Beni, Myagdi |
| Jeep Ending Point | Humkhola, Narchyang, Myagdi |
| Jeep Fare | Rs. 8000 per trip |
| Total Distance (Tatopani to Humkhola) | 15 km approx. |
| Jeep Ride Duration | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Jeep Booking | Google Form |
Kathmandu to North ABC Bus & Jeep Details
Whether you’re from Kathmandu Valley or any other district, your first task is to reach Bhurung Tatopani.
Since I’m from Kathmandu, this article will primarily focus on the travel details for Kathmandu residents.
If you’re from another district, you’re kindly requested to arrange a suitable bus to Bhurung Tatopani on your own. Just remember: look for the bus heading toward Mustang and make sure to get off at Tatopani.
Step #1: Book Your Bus & Jeep in Advance
For those of you from Kathmandu, it’s essential to book both the bus and the jeep in advance.
While there are plenty of Mustang-bound buses available these days, I personally visited Gongabu Bus Park to get my ticket.
If you’re aiming to complete the trek faster, it’s best to choose a night bus. The bus fare should be around Rs. 1500, but please note that it can vary slightly depending on the bus provider.
For the jeep, you can contact other trekkers who have already been to North ABC. They should have a contact number to assist you.
We have also started an online booking service for jeeps. Fill up the form provided above and we’ll contact you!
Step #2: Get a Night Bus and Get off at Bhurung Tatopani
Based on my experience, the night bus usually departs around 5:00 PM from Gongabu Bus Park.
Don’t stress too much about the exact timing or bus details. You’ll receive all the necessary information from the official counter by the next day.
In my case, I had to visit the counter a day in advance to get the bus number. So, if you follow my approach, expect a similar process!
It takes about 13 to 14 hours to reach Bhurung Tatopani. The bus will make several stops throughout the night to ensure a comfortable journey.
Just be mindful of what you choose to eat. I highly recommend going for light and healthy food only. In fact, if you can pack some home-made items, that’s even better!
Step #3: Hop onto Tatopani to Humkhola Jeep
Once you get off the bus, you might find yourself a bit confused about what to do next. Jeeps aren’t always readily available.
Even if you haven’t booked in advance, you can still seek help from the hotels or the nearby check post. But doing so means you’ll have to wait until a jeep arrives.
In fact, if you’re heading to North ABC during peak season, you might end up sharing the ride with multiple people, which can affect your overall experience.
If you’d prefer to have lunch first, you’re completely free to do so. However, keep in mind that after a heavy meal, the bumpy ride can increase the chances of motion sickness for some passengers. So, taking an anti-vomiting pill is a smart move (Devomine is recommended).
It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Humkhola, depending on the road condition at the time.
A much better option would be to have breakfast at the only hotel available here. But of course, that’s totally up to you!
Step #4: Trek to Annapurna First Base Camp
The total trek for North ABC can take two to three days, depending on your walking ability, weather conditions, and your willingness to spend time at Panchakunda Lake.
What we do suggest is that you stick with the same team for the return trip. Why? Because return trips can become quite expensive if you’re in a small group. Plus, the driver who took you there usually expects to bring you back as well.
That being said, make sure to bond with the people you’re sharing the jeep with. Maybe name yourselves ‘TNT buddies’? And don’t forget to tag us in your social media posts. We’d love to see how we helped connect you!
Here’s the North Annapurna Base Camp route:
Humkhola Dam > Gurase Danda > Phutphute Waterfall > Sadhi Kharka > Pancha Waterfall > Gupha Phat > Sky Cave > Red Waterfall > Bhusket Mela > Dharmashala > Sun Khola > Panchakunda Lake > Annapurna I Base Camp
Step #5: Trek Back to Humkhola
Personally, my friend and I spent the night at Bhusket Mela and woke up early to explore Panchakunda Lake and North ABC the following day.
In fact, we even returned the same day. However, the return trip completely depends on you and your new friends.
The best approach is to spend the first night in Sadi Kharka, the second night at Panchakunda Lake, and return on the third day to Humkhola.
This makes the trek a lot easier and more comfortable. You see, the North ABC trek is relatively short, and taking an extra day makes the hike even more relaxed.
Just be cautious about the high altitude of 4,190 meters, and make sure you’re well-acclimatized.
Step #6: Return to Bhurung Tatopani on the Same Jeep
When returning, make sure to call the jeep driver once you reach Gurase Danda. That’s the only spot upto where you’ll find mobile network coverage at present.
Once you’ve made the call, the driver will be on their way to pick you up. They’ll usually arrive by the time you reach Humkhola.
Also, as mentioned earlier, try to return with the same jeep driver.
And don’t rush home just yet! Bhurung Tatopani is well-known for its natural hot springs. Take the time to enjoy a relaxing dip. It’s even believed to have medicinal properties, making it a must-try before heading back.
Step #7: Change Multiple Vehicles to Return to Kathmandu
If you’re late reaching Tatopani, it’s better to spend the night there. That’s exactly what we did!
Since direct buses to Kathmandu are only available in the late afternoon, I wouldn’t suggest playing the waiting game.
Instead, wake up early and catch a bus to Pokhara. If you don’t find one, take a jeep to Beni, from where you can hop on either a jeep or Hiace to reach Pokhara.
Get off at Prithvi Chowk, and then catch a Kathmandu-bound Hiace for a quicker return.
Sometimes, you just have to be an extreme traveller…
What’s the Fare of North ABC Jeep?
While the bus fare up to Bhurung Tatopani varies depending on the service provider, that’s not the case with the jeep fare to Humkhola.
The fare for the North ABC Jeep is on a per-trip basis, as mentioned earlier. It’s a flat Rs. 8,000 for Nepali citizens, regardless of the number of passengers. For foreign nationals, the price may be slightly higher.
There are rumors that jeeps operate on a Rs. 1,000 per person basis, but that’s not true (true if you have eight trekkers on board). The drivers here charge per trip. So the more members, the merrier.
Road Condition to Humkhola Explained
It’s only been a few years since the road from Tatopani to Humkhola was constructed. This road exists thanks to the Humkhola Dam construction, which is part of the Nilgiri Hydropower Project.
Whether you’re traveling in a private vehicle or the jeep arranged by Travel Nepal Today, Humkhola is the last drivable stop. However, be informed as the road condition is completely off-road at the moment.
While the route may be rough, I still believe it’s manageable if you have proper off-road driving experience.
But remember: the path is narrow in some places, and if it rains, the road becomes even more dangerous!
Final Words
Hopefully, I was able to offer the right information you needed regarding North ABC transportation. In case you need more advice, feel free to drop a comment below.
If you’re a new reader, bookmark this site right away! Travel Nepal Today will continue to bring you even more transport-related articles and travel insights.
In fact, if you have any suggestions on topics you’d like us to cover, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Happy travelling to Myagdi!
About The Author
can you give me the contact number of Hotels in BusketMela and Hira Ram Dai and jeep contact number
Hi Ronish,
For the time being, you may fill in this form and we’ll contact you soon!