The Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary runs 10 days from Kathmandu — four road days, six days on the trail, and one of the finest mountain destinations on earth waiting at the end. The route climbs through traditional Gurung villages, dense rhododendron forest, and the narrowing Modi Khola gorge before opening into the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130m — a glacial amphitheatre completely surrounded by seven peaks above 6,000m. No domestic flight is required at any point. The entire route runs by road between Kathmandu and Pokhara, and by jeep to Ghandruk. This guide covers every day in full detail — altitude, walking hours, the trail itself, and what to expect so you arrive at Ghandruk knowing exactly what the six trekking days ahead involve.
What’s Inside This Guide
- 10-Day Itinerary at a Glance
- Day-by-Day Detailed Guide
- Poon Hill Extension Option
- Helicopter Return Option
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary — 10 Days at a Glance
| Day | Route | Altitude | Hours | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Drive Kathmandu → Pokhara | 820m | 6–7 hrs drive | Pokhara (hotel) |
| Day 2 | Drive to Ghandruk | 1,940m | 3–4 hrs drive | Ghandruk |
| Day 3 | Ghandruk → Chhomrong | 2,170m | 5–6 hrs | Chhomrong |
| Day 4 | Chhomrong → Bamboo | 2,310m | 5–6 hrs | Bamboo |
| Day 5 | Bamboo → Deurali | 3,230m | 4–5 hrs | Deurali |
| Day 6 | Deurali → MBC → Annapurna Base Camp | 4,130m | 5–6 hrs | Annapurna Base Camp |
| Day 7 | ABC Sunrise → Trek to Bamboo | 2,310m | 6–7 hrs | Bamboo |
| Day 8 | Bamboo → Jhinu Danda Hot Springs | 1,780m | 5–6 hrs | Jhinu Danda |
| Day 9 | Jhinu Danda → Drive to Pokhara | 820m | 2.5–3 hrs drive | Pokhara (hotel) |
| Day 10 | Drive Pokhara → Kathmandu | 1,400m | 6–7 hrs drive | Kathmandu |
What makes this Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary work
The Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary gains altitude gradually from 1,940m at Ghandruk to 4,130m at base camp across four trekking days, with each stage adding a manageable 140–230m of overnight altitude gain — except Day 5 and Day 6, which each gain roughly 900m in a single push. There’s no dedicated rest day built into the standard schedule; the route’s overall gradient is gentler than EBC’s, and one night at maximum altitude rather than several is generally lower-risk than sustained high-altitude exposure. That said, Day 6 specifically is a single-day 900m gain above 3,000m, and trekkers should treat it accordingly — walk at a conversational pace, drink consistently through the gorge section, and tell your guide immediately about any headache or nausea rather than pushing through it. For the full altitude picture: ABC Altitude Sickness Guide →
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary — Day by Day
Day 01 — Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m)
Drive: 6–7 hrs | Meals: Not included | Stay: Hotel, Pokhara
The trek begins with the drive west from Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway — six to seven hours through river valleys, terraced hillsides, and rural market towns. The road follows the Trishuli and Seti river corridors for much of the journey. As Pokhara approaches, the Annapurna range appears on the northern horizon — Machapuchare’s unmistakable fish-tail summit visible from the lakeside when conditions are clear. Check gear tonight. The drive to Ghandruk starts tomorrow.
Day 02 — Drive to Ghandruk (1,940m)
Drive: 3–4 hrs | Meals: B, L, D | Stay: Ghandruk
A scenic drive from Pokhara up to Ghandruk, climbing through terraced hillsides and small villages before ending right at the doorstep of one of the best-preserved Gurung villages in Nepal. Arriving by road means more time to actually settle into Ghandruk on Day 2 rather than rushing in tired — stone-paved lanes, slate roofs, and Annapurna South and Hiunchuli rising directly above the village, close enough that they appear without warning as you clear the final bend. Take the afternoon to walk through the village itself and visit the small Gurung heritage museum before the trekking starts properly tomorrow.
Day 03 — Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2,170m)
Trek: 5–6 hrs | Altitude gain: +230m | Meals: B, L, D | Stay: Chhomrong
The trail drops briefly from Ghandruk before climbing through forested hillside and terraced farmland toward Chhomrong. The route crosses the Chhomrong Khola before the final ascent to the village — a Gurung settlement perched high above the Modi Khola gorge. This is the first real trekking day of the trip, and Chhomrong is the most important strategic stop on the entire route — it has the last ATM before the sanctuary, the last reliable hot shower with good water pressure, and the last point where turning back is genuinely straightforward. Use both facilities tonight and tomorrow morning — above Chhomrong the gorge becomes progressively more remote with each hour.
Day 04 — Chhomrong to Bamboo (2,310m)
Trek: 5–6 hrs | Altitude change: +140m net, with significant descent and reclimb | Meals: B, L, D | Stay: Bamboo
The trail drops steeply from Chhomrong down a long stone staircase to the Chhomrong Khola — several hundred steps with no flat sections. From the river, the trail climbs back up through Sinuwa before levelling into the bamboo and rhododendron forest that gives Bamboo its name. This is the section most ABC trekkers underestimate on paper: the descent loads the knees, and the climb back up demands patience rather than pace. Trekking poles make a real difference here. The gorge closes in properly above Sinuwa — dense forest canopy, waterfalls cutting through rock on both sides, and the Modi Khola running constantly below.
Day 05 — Bamboo to Deurali (3,230m)
Trek: 4–5 hrs | Altitude gain: +920m | Meals: B, L, D | Stay: Deurali
The gorge continues to narrow above Bamboo as the trail pushes through Dobhan and the Himalaya Hotel teahouse cluster. Forest cover thins with every hour, and the trail feels increasingly remote. Altitude effects can begin here for some trekkers — a mild headache or reduced appetite at 3,230m is normal and not a reason to stop, but worth telling your guide about regardless. The transition from gorge terrain to open glacial approach happens right at Deurali, a noticeable shift in landscape as the high peaks appear above the valley walls for the first time. Arrive well-hydrated and rested — tomorrow is the day the whole trek has been building toward.
Day 06 — Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp via Machapuchare Base Camp (4,130m)
Trek: 5–6 hrs | Altitude gain: +900m | Meals: B, L, D | Stay: Annapurna Base Camp
The trail climbs out of the last vegetation into open alpine ground, passing Machapuchare Base Camp (3,700m) — the sacred fishtail peak rising directly overhead, close enough that it no longer looks like a distant summit. From MBC, the final push opens onto Annapurna Base Camp itself at 4,130m, completely enclosed by Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Gangapurna on every side. This is a genuine 900m gain in a single day, entirely above 3,000m — the trail itself isn’t technically difficult, just a clear path on glacial moraine, but the body works significantly harder at this altitude.
Some operators break this stretch with an overnight at MBC instead of pushing straight through; our itinerary covers it in one day, so walk at a pace you can hold a conversation at, drink consistently, and tell your guide immediately about any headache rather than pushing through it. Arrive at base camp and the sanctuary delivers everything it promises — you don’t look up at these peaks, you stand between them.
Day 07 — Sunrise at ABC, Descend to Bamboo (2,310m)
Trek: 6–7 hrs | Altitude change: -1,820m | Meals: B, L, D | Stay: Bamboo
An early start for sunrise at base camp — Annapurna South and Hiunchuli catching the first light, then Machapuchare turning gold as the sun clears the ridgeline. After that, the long descent begins, retracing yesterday’s route back down through Deurali and the gorge to Bamboo. This is the hardest day on the route by volume, not altitude — 1,820m of descent in a single day, on steep gorge terrain, after five previous trekking days. The knee load accumulates in a way pure uphill days don’t. Trekking poles are non-negotiable today — pace the descent from the first step, not the last.
Day 08 — Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1,780m)
Trek: 5–6 hrs | Altitude change: -530m | Meals: B, L, D | Stay: Jhinu Danda
The trail continues down through Sinuwa and Chhomrong, covering familiar ground before branching toward Jhinu Danda — home to natural hot springs right on the riverbank. This is the easiest full day on the lower gorge, the body descending consistently and the altitude dropping with every hour. After a week of teahouse showers and cold mornings, the springs are one of the most well-earned rewards on any Nepal trekking route. Most trekkers spend the evening soaking with a view of the gorge they just walked out of — the trekking portion of the trip ends here on a high note.
Day 09 — Jhinu Danda, Drive to Pokhara (820m)
Drive: 2.5–3 hrs | Meals: B, L | Stay: Pokhara
No trek today — the trip ends with a drive straight from Jhinu Danda back to Pokhara, with the road picking up close to the village. Hot showers, real beds, and lakeside restaurants after six days on the trail — this arrival is usually the first proper rest of the whole trip, and it’s well earned. Tips for your guide and porter are typically settled here in cash before you part ways.
Day 10 — Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu
Drive: 6–7 hrs | Meals: Breakfast
The return drive to Kathmandu, retracing the route from Day 1 in reverse. Ten days, the full Annapurna Sanctuary, and a different mountain experience than anywhere else in Nepal. Done.
Poon Hill Extension Option
The classic Ghorepani–Poon Hill variation replaces the Ghandruk approach with a ridge route via Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani (2,860m), and Poon Hill (3,210m), before descending through Tadapani to rejoin the standard route at Chhomrong. This adds 2–3 days to the itinerary — 12–13 days total instead of 10 — and delivers one of the finest sunrise panoramas in the Annapurna region: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and Machapuchare all visible simultaneously from the viewpoint tower at dawn. Both routes reach the same Annapurna Sanctuary, so choosing Poon Hill is purely about whether the extra days and the ridge walking appeal to you. Talk to us before booking and we’ll build it into your itinerary with adjusted pricing.
Helicopter Return Option
A helicopter pickup from Jhinu Danda, Chhomrong, or elsewhere in the Annapurna region flies you directly back to Pokhara or Kathmandu, cutting the return road journey entirely and giving you a final aerial view of the Annapurna massif from above. It’s a popular choice for trekkers with limited time, those finishing early due to fatigue, or anyone who wants a more memorable finish than a road drive. Emergency evacuation by helicopter is also available from any point on the route within hours when needed — your travel insurance covers this cost when the policy explicitly includes trekking above 4,000m and helicopter evacuation. Contact us before booking to add a helicopter return to your itinerary: Chat with us on WhatsApp →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ten days Kathmandu to Kathmandu — four road-travel days and six trekking days. Day 1 is the drive to Pokhara, Day 2 is a scenic drive directly to Ghandruk, Days 3 through 8 cover the trekking circuit to the Sanctuary and back down to Jhinu Danda, Day 9 is the drive from Jhinu Danda to Pokhara, and Day 10 returns to Kathmandu. The Ghorepani and Poon Hill variation adds 2–3 extra days for a 12–13 day total.
Day 7, the descent from Annapurna Base Camp back to Bamboo, is hardest by volume — 1,820m of altitude loss in a single day on steep gorge terrain, after already trekking for five days. For pure altitude, Day 6 takes it: the climb to base camp itself is a 900m gain in one day, entirely above 3,000m. Most trekkers underestimate Day 4 instead, Chhomrong to Bamboo, thanks to the long stone staircase descent and reclimb through Sinuwa.
No dedicated acclimatisation day sits in the standard 10-day schedule, unlike EBC. The route’s overall altitude gain is more gradual across the lower days, and trekkers spend only one night at maximum altitude before descending, rather than several nights at extreme elevation. Day 6 specifically involves a 900m single-day gain above 3,000m, so pace, hydration, and honest communication with your guide matter more than usual on that stage. Full details: ABC Altitude Sickness Guide →
Related Planning Guides
- ABC Trek Package — Full 10-day expedition from USD 597 per person
- How Hard Is the ABC Trek? — Section-by-section difficulty guide
- ABC Trek Cost 2026 — Full budget breakdown
- Altitude Sickness Guide — What to expect above 3,000m on ABC
- ABC for Beginners — Fitness guide and preparation plan
- Packing List — Gear guide including trekking poles
- Best Time to Trek — How season affects trail conditions
Ten Days, Six Trekking Days, One Sanctuary
This Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary is built for a reason — the road days on either end save you time and money, and the six trekking days are paced to get you to 4,130m in good shape rather than rushed. Follow the guide’s pace through the gorge, respect Day 6 for what it is, and the Sanctuary delivers a version of the Himalayas nothing else in Nepal quite matches — peaks on every side instead of a distant view.
We’ve been guiding this exact itinerary since 2018, based right here in Kathmandu — not a booking platform reselling someone else’s trip. When you contact us, you’re talking to the team that walks this route every season, so any question about a specific day, the pacing, or the Poon Hill extension gets a real answer from people who were last on this trail recently.
The full package starts at USD 597 per person for groups of 8–12, USD 659 for 5–7, USD 798 for 2–4, and USD 899 for solo trekkers. Both permits and all transport included every time — porter included from 2 people up, available as a paid add-on for solo trekkers.
View the full Annapurna Base Camp Trek package →
Questions about any specific day, the pacing, or adding Poon Hill to your itinerary? We respond within 12 hours and give straight answers.