Nayapul is a roadside town near Pokhara, at about 1,070 m, where many Annapurna treks begin. It has a checkpoint and tea shops, and is around 1.5 hours by road from Pokhara. From here trails lead to Birethanti, Ghandruk, Ghorepani and the Annapurna Base Camp route.
Altitude: about 1,070 m. Heights quoted for villages and camps vary by source, so treat this as a guide.
Where Nayapul is and why trekkers stop
Nayapul sits at the end of the road in the Modi Khola valley, and almost everyone passes through it at the start or end of a trek. It is the first stage of the Annapurna Base Camp route for walkers who start from here, and it also forms the start of the Ghorepani and Poon Hill loop. Our route pages link it to Pokhara, Ghandruk, Tikhedhunga, Ulleri, Sinuwa, Bamboo and Poon Hill. Few stay long, but it is where the walk becomes real.
What to expect at Nayapul
Expect a busy roadside scene with parked jeeps and buses, tea shops, small stalls and groups sorting their bags. The first check post is near Birethanti, a short walk along the road, so permits come into play soon. The surroundings are warm and green, with the river nearby. Some groups take a jeep further up the valley to save effort. Use the time to repack, buy snacks and fill water bottles, then start before the heat builds.
Altitude and how you may feel
At low altitude, Nayapul gives no trouble from thin air, and the day's work is heat and the first climb. The trek then rises through several days, so altitude is a later issue. On the Annapurna Base Camp route, height builds steadily and altitude illness can strike if you ascend too fast. Learn the signs early: headache, nausea, tiredness and poor sleep. If symptoms get worse higher up, descend and tell your guide. Start gently and drink water from the first day.
Lodging, food and practical tips
Most trekkers do not sleep in Nayapul, but a few simple guest houses and tea shops exist. Food is basic, and a hot tea while sorting permits is typical. Bring cash, since the trail has limited machines. Registration and permit checks happen nearby, so keep your documents handy. Jeep and taxi prices should be agreed in advance through your agency. The drive from Pokhara takes about 1.5 hours, though it varies with traffic and road conditions.
Stage guides that pass through Nayapul
These day-by-day guides start or end at Nayapul, with walking times, ascent and where to sleep.
- Nayapul to Ghandruk trek: altitude, time and route
- Nayapul to Sinuwa trek: stages, altitude and time
- Pokhara to Nayapul trek: altitude, time and route
- Nayapul to Bamboo trek: stages, altitude and time
- Nayapul to Tikhedhunga trek: altitude, time and route
- Nayapul to Ghorepani trek: stages, altitude and time
- Nayapul to Ulleri trek: stages, altitude and time
- Nayapul to Poon Hill trek: stages, altitude and time
Common questions
How far is Nayapul from Pokhara?
It is around 1.5 hours by road, depending on traffic and road conditions. Taxis, shared jeeps and private vehicles run on the route, and most trekkers do the drive in the morning.
Which treks start at Nayapul?
Many Annapurna treks, including the Ghorepani and Poon Hill loop, the Ghandruk walk and the Annapurna Base Camp route for walkers who start here. Routes lead onward through Birethanti and up the Modi Khola gorge.
Where are permits checked near Nayapul?
The first check post is near Birethanti, on the road from Nayapul, and more checks follow higher up. Keep your permits and ID easy to reach, and ask your agency or guide what is needed.
