The Annapurna Base Camp trek map covers one of Nepal’s most visually diverse trekking routes — approximately 70-75km round trip from Ghandruk (1,940m) through traditional Gurung villages, dense rhododendron forest, and the narrowing Modi Khola gorge to the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130m. The route follows a single main trail with clear signage throughout — no technical navigation, no confusing junctions that require map-reading skill. Understanding the route geography before you go — the key sections, the villages, where the gorge narrows and opens, and where the sanctuary reveals itself — makes every day more meaningful on the ground. This guide walks the full route in geographic detail, covering every section from Ghandruk to base camp and back.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Route Overview — Ghandruk to ABC
- Key Trail Sections
- Village and Overnight Stop Guide
- Permit Checkpoints on the Route
- Poon Hill Variation Route
- Navigation — How Easy Is the Trail to Follow?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Map — Route Overview
After the road transfer to Ghandruk, the ABC route runs north through the Modi Khola valley, climbing progressively through a series of villages and the gorge before opening into the Annapurna Sanctuary. The trail divides into three geographic zones.
| Zone | Altitude Range | Character | Key Stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Approach | 1,940–2,170m | Terraced farmland, Gurung villages, open ridgelines | Ghandruk, Chhomrong |
| Modi Khola Gorge | 2,170–3,230m | Dense bamboo and rhododendron forest, steep gorge terrain | Bamboo, Deurali |
| Annapurna Sanctuary | 3,230–4,130m | Open glacial moraine, high alpine, sanctuary enclosure | MBC, Annapurna Base Camp |
The Annapurna Base Camp trek map direction and orientation
The Annapurna Base Camp trek map runs predominantly north from Ghandruk. The Modi Khola river flows south from the Annapurna glacier — the trail follows the river gorge northward on the approach and southward on the return. Chhomrong at 2,170m acts as the geographical gateway; all trail variations, including the Poon Hill extension and the Ghandruk return, converge here before entering the sanctuary section. The direction of travel is consistent throughout: north toward the mountains, south on the return, with the Modi Khola as the constant geographic reference.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Map — Key Trail Sections
Days 1 and 2 are road transfers — Kathmandu to Pokhara, then Pokhara to Ghandruk by jeep, passing through Birethanti along the way. No walking happens on those days. The trekking sections below begin at Ghandruk.
Ghandruk to Chhomrong (1,940m → 2,170m)
The trail descends briefly from Ghandruk before crossing the Chhomrong Khola and climbing to Chhomrong. This section passes through open hillside and terraced farmland with the Annapurna range increasingly dominant on the northern horizon. Chhomrong is the pivotal junction on the entire route — trails diverge here toward the Poon Hill approach from the north and the Ghandruk return from the south. Every trekker heading to the sanctuary passes through Chhomrong in both directions, and it serves as the last fully-serviced village before the gorge.
Chhomrong to Bamboo (2,170m → 2,310m)
Below Chhomrong the route changes character entirely. The long stone staircase descends steeply to the Chhomrong Khola crossing, then climbs back up through Sinuwa before the forest closes in above. The bamboo and rhododendron gorge above Sinuwa is one of the most atmospherically distinctive sections of any Nepal trekking route — cathedral forest, constant river sound, waterfalls on the walls above, and a trail that grows increasingly narrow and remote. The teahouses at Bamboo sit in the deepest section of this forest at 2,310m, and this section delivers the most dramatic single transformation in trail character of the entire route.
Bamboo to Deurali (2,310m → 3,230m)
The gorge narrows further above Bamboo as the trail passes through Dobhan and Himalaya Hotel before the forest begins to open and the first high peaks appear above the valley walls. The gradient increases steadily, and by Deurali at 3,230m the trail sits at the transition between gorge and sanctuary — dense forest behind, open glacial terrain ahead. The Annapurna peaks are now consistently visible above the valley, and the scale of the mountains becomes apparent for the first time. Deurali is the psychological turning point of the approach: the sanctuary is close and the environment has already started to change.
Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (3,230m → 4,130m)
Above Deurali the trail enters the open glacial moraine of the Annapurna Sanctuary approach. Machapuchare Base Camp at 3,700m provides the first close-range view of the fish-tail summit directly overhead. The trail continues up the moraine through increasingly open terrain to base camp at 4,130m, where the sanctuary enclosure reveals itself fully. Annapurna I, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, and Machapuchare surround the basin on all sides. Unlike EBC, where Everest is hidden from base camp by Nuptse, every major peak here is fully visible from the Annapurna Sanctuary — the arrival delivers the complete 360-degree mountain enclosure that makes this destination unique in Nepal.
Village and Overnight Stop Guide
| Village | Altitude | Key Facilities | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghandruk | 1,940m | Good teahouses, ATM, shops | Traditional Gurung village — best lower-trail stop |
| Chhomrong | 2,170m | ATM (last on route), shops, hot showers | Gateway to sanctuary — last reliable ATM and shower |
| Bamboo | 2,310m | Basic teahouses, river water | Deep gorge setting — atmospheric overnight |
| Deurali | 3,230m | Basic teahouses, limited facilities | First night above 3,000m — mild altitude effects possible |
| MBC (Machapuchare BC) | 3,700m | Small teahouses | Transit stop Day 6 — Machapuchare summit directly above |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 4,130m | Basic teahouses, very limited | Highest overnight — cold, open, spectacular |
| Jhinu Danda | 1,780m | Teahouses, natural hot springs | Hot springs 10 min walk — Day 8 reward stop |
Permit Checkpoints on the Route
| Checkpoint | Location | Permit Checked |
|---|---|---|
| ACAP entry checkpoint | Birethanti — passed by vehicle en route to Ghandruk | ACAP permit |
| Chhomrong checkpoint | Chhomrong village | ACAP and TIMS verification |
| Upper sanctuary checkpoints | Various above Chhomrong | Occasional spot checks |
Two permits cover the entire route, both included in every Mountain Hike Nepal package: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) at NPR 3,000, and the TIMS card at NPR 2,000. One thing worth correcting here, since it trips up a lot of independent research: TIMS is not suspended for the Annapurna region — that’s the situation in the Everest/Khumbu region specifically. For Annapurna treks including ABC, TIMS remains required in 2026. Your guide carries both permits and presents them at every checkpoint, so permit requirements are straightforward from your side: two permits, both included in the package, nothing to arrange yourself beyond carrying an original passport for identity verification. For full permit details: ABC Permits Guide 2026 →
Poon Hill Variation Route
The classic Ghorepani–Poon Hill variation replaces the Ghandruk approach with a ridge route that adds 2–3 days and the finest sunrise panorama in the Annapurna region. The variation route runs: Nayapul → Tikhedhunga → Ghorepani (2,860m) → Poon Hill (3,210m) sunrise → Tadapani → Chhomrong, where it joins the standard route and continues to the sanctuary. Poon Hill delivers Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna South, and Machapuchare simultaneously visible at dawn — the most celebrated viewpoint in the Annapurna Conservation Area. Trekkers with 12–13 days available should strongly consider this variation for the same sanctuary destination with a substantially richer approach.
Ask us about the Poon Hill route →
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Map — Navigation and Trail Marking
The ABC route is one of the best-marked trekking trails in Nepal. Navigation concerns are minimal for trekkers with a licensed guide — and a guide is mandatory on this route under Nepal’s 2023 regulation.
How easy is the route to follow?
The main Ghandruk to base camp trail has clear stone cairns, painted markers, and signboards at every major junction throughout. The volume of trekkers on this route during October, November, and April also means the trail is never empty — if uncertain at any junction, the nearest teahouse owner or passing trekker provides instant clarity. Getting genuinely lost on the main ABC trail is essentially impossible with a guide, and very unlikely even without one.
Key junctions on the Annapurna Base Camp trek map
Three junctions benefit from awareness. First: Chhomrong, where trails diverge for the Poon Hill approach (southwest), the Ghandruk return (south), and the sanctuary (north). Second: Bamboo, where a smaller trail branches toward Kuldi Ghar that some trekkers inadvertently take. Third: Deurali, where the sanctuary approach and a side trail toward the Australian Camp diverge. All three junctions have clear signage, and with a Mountain Hike Nepal guide, none of them require independent navigation decisions from the trekking team at any point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — the Annapurna Base Camp trek map route follows a single main trail from Ghandruk with clear signage throughout. Getting lost on the main trail is essentially impossible. Nepal’s 2023 regulation also requires all foreign trekkers to have a licensed guide on this route, and your Mountain Hike Nepal guide handles all navigation, checkpoints, and trail decisions. Navigation is never a real concern on this trek.
The main overnight stops in order are: Ghandruk (1,940m), Chhomrong (2,170m), Bamboo (2,310m), Deurali (3,230m), and Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m). Chhomrong is the most important hub on the route — it has the last ATM, the best shower facilities before the gorge, and serves as the junction for all Annapurna sanctuary approaches. Allow time at Chhomrong on both the inbound and outbound days to use the ATM and shower properly.
Yes — and unlike Everest Base Camp, where Everest is hidden by Nuptse, every major peak is fully visible from the Annapurna Sanctuary. Annapurna I’s south face rises nearly three kilometres directly above the basin floor. Machapuchare, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South complete the 360-degree enclosure, all simultaneously visible from base camp. The visual experience at the Annapurna Sanctuary is unique in Nepal — you stand inside the mountains, not in front of them.
Related Planning Guides
- ABC Trek Package — Full 10-day expedition from USD 597 per person
- Day-by-Day Itinerary — Every stage with altitude and trail notes
- Trek Distance Guide — Total km and daily walking hours
- Altitude and Elevation Guide — Complete altitude profile for every stop
- Permits Guide 2026 — ACAP and TIMS checkpoint locations and what to carry
- How Hard Is the ABC Trek? — Section-by-section difficulty guide
- Best Time to Trek — Season guide for the Annapurna region
Know the Route. Walk Into the Sanctuary.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek map covers a route that changes character three times — the open Gurung village approach, the dense gorge, and the open sanctuary. Understanding the geography before you go makes every section more rewarding on the ground. The trail is well-marked, the villages are well-serviced, and the sanctuary at 4,130m delivers something no amount of reading fully prepares you for.
Mountain Hike Nepal has guided the ABC trek since 2018 as a licensed local operator in Kathmandu. When you contact us, you speak directly with the team that walks this route every season. Any question about specific trail sections, village stops, the Poon Hill variation, or permit checkpoints gets a straight 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. All permits and transport included. No domestic flight required.
View the full Annapurna Base Camp Trek package →
Questions about the route, specific sections, or the Poon Hill variation? We respond within 12 hours and give straight answers.