The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the finest walks on earth. Every year, thousands of trekkers from across the world travel to Nepal specifically for this trail — and almost all of them finish it saying the same thing: it was better than they expected.
The destination is the Annapurna Sanctuary — a glacial amphitheatre at 4,130m completely enclosed by seven Himalayan peaks above 6,000m. Annapurna I (8,091m), Machapuchare (6,993m), Hiunchuli, and Gangapurna surround you on all sides when you arrive. You do not look up at the peaks from below. You stand between them.
The standard itinerary runs 10 days from Kathmandu — one day driving to Pokhara, eight days on the trail via Ghandruk and the Modi Khola gorge, and one day driving back. No domestic flight is required. No technical climbing experience is needed. Just preparation, a steady pace, and the willingness to walk into one of the great mountain environments on earth.
This route can also be extended via Ghorepani and Poon Hill for trekkers who want the famous sunrise viewpoint and additional ridge walking. Customise your itinerary here.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Trek Name | Annapurna Base Camp Trek |
| Total Duration | 10 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu) |
| Road Travel Days | 2 days — Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara |
| Trekking Days | 8 days |
| Maximum Altitude | 4,130m — Annapurna Base Camp |
| Major Highlights | Annapurna Sanctuary, Machapuchare Base Camp, Ghandruk, Chhomrong, Jhinu Hot Springs |
| Trek Difficulty | Moderate |
| Trek Start / End | Nayapul (from Pokhara) |
| Best Season | Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November) |
| Good Off-Season | Winter — cold nights, clear views, very few trekkers |
| Avoid | Monsoon — June, July, August |
| Accommodation | Hotel in Pokhara / Teahouse on trail |
| Meals Included | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (trekking days) |
| Permits Required | ACAP + TIMS |
| Region | Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal |
Kathmandu → Pokhara → Nayapul → Ghandruk → Chhomrong → Bamboo → Deurali → Machapuchare Base Camp → Annapurna Base Camp → Bamboo → Jhinu Danda → Nayapul → Pokhara → Kathmandu
Most Nepal treks give you views of the mountains. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek puts you inside them.
The Annapurna Sanctuary is a closed glacial basin. When you arrive at base camp, the peaks are not in front of you — they surround you on all sides. Annapurna I’s south face rises nearly three kilometres directly above the valley floor. That sense of complete enclosure is what separates this trek from Everest Base Camp, from Manaslu, from everything else in Nepal.
The route to reach it earns its place too. Ghandruk is one of the finest traditional Gurung villages on any Nepal trekking route — stone houses, mountain views, and a community that has welcomed trekkers for decades without losing its character. Chhomrong sits above the gorge with views that most trekking routes cannot match. The bamboo and rhododendron forest of the Modi Khola gorge is extraordinary — cathedral trees, waterfalls, birdsong, and the constant river below. And the Jhinu Danda hot springs on the descent are one of the most genuinely satisfying trail rewards in all of Nepal.
This trek is moderate — not casual. The gorge sections above Chhomrong and the altitude above 3,500m demand genuine preparation. Trekkers who arrive fit and ready finish this route saying it was the best thing they have ever done. That difference comes entirely from preparation.
$899
per person
Recommended
$798
per person
per person
per person
✅ All ground transportation as per the itinerary: Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu by comfortable tourist bus
✅ Private vehicle transfer between Pokhara and Nayapul (Pokhara–Nayapul–Pokhara)
✅ Accommodation in Pokhara as per itinerary (twin-sharing deluxe air-conditioned room with breakfast)
✅ All trekking accommodation in local teahouse lodges (shared basis)
✅ All meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner), including tea or coffee in the early morning
✅ Licensed, experienced English-speaking trekking guide
✅ One strong, experienced local porter (1 porter for 2 trekkers, maximum load 18 kg)
✅ Required trekking permits for the Annapurna region (ACAP)
✅ Guide and porter wages, meals, accommodation, insurance, local transport, and necessary equipment
✅ All applicable government taxes and service charges
❌ International airfare to and from Nepal
❌ Nepal entry visa fee
❌ Travel and medical insurance (must cover high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation)
❌ Personal trekking gear and equipment, including personal medications
❌ Meals and accommodation in Kathmandu
❌ Lunch and dinner in Pokhara
❌ Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging of electronic devices during the trek
❌ Alcoholic beverages, bottled drinks, snacks, and other personal expenses
❌ Tips for guide and porter
❌ Additional accommodation or meals due to early arrival, late departure, or itinerary changes
❌ Costs arising from delays, weather conditions, road conditions, or natural disasters
Altitude: 822m | Drive: 6–7 hours | Accommodation: Hotel, Pokhara | Meals: Not included
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek begins with the drive west from Kathmandu to Pokhara — six to seven hours through river valleys, terraced hillsides, and rural market towns along the Prithvi Highway. The road follows the Trishuli and Seti river corridors for much of the journey. As you approach Pokhara, the Annapurna range begins to appear on the northern horizon — Machapuchare’s unmistakable fish-tail summit visible from the lakeside if conditions are clear.
Pokhara is a comfortable place to arrive. Phewa Lake, the Lakeside restaurants, and the relaxed pace of the city give you space to rest and prepare. Check your gear tonight. The trail starts tomorrow.
Altitude: 1,940m | Drive: 45 minutes | Trek: 5–6 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short drive from Pokhara brings you to Nayapul at 1,070m — the roadhead where the trail begins. The path climbs immediately through cultivated fields, small Magar settlements, and terraced farmland before ascending steadily toward Ghandruk.
Ghandruk is one of the finest traditional Gurung villages in Nepal — stone-paved lanes, slate-roofed houses, community water fountains, and mountain views that open without warning as you clear the last ridge. Annapurna South (7,219m) and Hiunchuli appear directly to the north. The Annapurna range is suddenly very close.
Ghandruk sets the tone immediately for what follows. This is not a resort experience. It is a genuine Himalayan village that has welcomed trekkers for decades without losing what it is. Eat a good dinner, sleep well, and trust the trail.
Altitude: 2,170m | Trek: 5–6 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail drops briefly from Ghandruk before climbing through forested hillside and terraced farmland toward Chhomrong. The route passes through the small village of Kimche and crosses the Chhomrong Khola before the final ascent to Chhomrong itself.
Chhomrong is the most important village on the Annapurna Base Camp route — a traditional Gurung settlement perched high above the Modi Khola gorge with Annapurna South filling the northern view from the upper teahouses. It is the last large village before the sanctuary. It has the last ATM on the route. Hot showers and reliable electricity are available here — use both before the gorge section begins tomorrow.
This is where the Annapurna Sanctuary approach begins in earnest. Everything above Chhomrong is deeper, quieter, and closer to the peaks.
Altitude: 2,310m | Trek: 5–6 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The descent from Chhomrong on a long stone staircase to Chhomrong Khola is steep and sustained. The climb back up the other side to Sinuwa is equally unrelenting. There is no flat section in this part of the gorge — it descends and climbs and the trail does not apologise for it.
Above Sinuwa the environment changes completely. Dense bamboo and rhododendron forest closes in on both sides. The Modi Khola fills the valley far below. Waterfalls cascade from the walls above. The teahouses thin out and the trail feels genuinely remote. Bamboo sits at 2,310m in the heart of this forest — a small cluster of lodges where the river runs loudly all night and the mountain walls rise steeply on both sides.
The Annapurna Sanctuary is close now. You cannot see it yet from here. But it is close.
Altitude: 3,230m | Trek: 4–5 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The gorge continues to narrow above Bamboo. The trail pushes through Dobhan and the small Himalaya Hotel teahouse cluster — increasingly isolated, increasingly remote — before the forest begins to open and the first rock faces of the high peaks appear above the valley walls.
By the time Deurali appears at 3,230m, something has shifted. The trail ahead is no longer gorge — it opens into the wide glacial terrain of the Annapurna Sanctuary approach. Deurali sits at the mouth of this transition. On a clear evening, the snow faces of Hiunchuli and Annapurna South are already visible at the head of the valley directly above.
Altitude effects can begin here for some trekkers — a dull headache, slightly reduced appetite, sleep that feels less restful than normal. These are normal responses at 3,230m. Drink 3–4 litres of water, eat a full dinner, go to bed early. Tomorrow is the day the trek delivers everything it promised.
Altitude: 4,130m | Trek: 5–6 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is the day.
The trail climbs from Deurali through Machapuchare Base Camp at 3,700m — where the Machapuchare fish-tail summit fills the sky directly above, closer than it has any right to be — before continuing up the open glacial moraine to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130m.
The sanctuary does not reveal itself all at once. The valley widens gradually. The peaks rise on both sides. Then the last ridge is crossed and the full 360-degree enclosure appears. Annapurna I’s south face rises nearly three kilometres directly above the basin floor. Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, and Machapuchare complete the ring. Most trekkers stop moving entirely and stand in silence.
Arrive before 2pm for the clearest mountain views. The evening inside the sanctuary — and the dawn the following morning — are the finest observation moments of the entire trek. The sun lights the peaks from east to west in sequence at sunrise. It is worth the early wake-up.
Altitude: 2,310m | Trek: 6–7 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake before sunrise. The early morning light over Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machapuchare from base camp is the finest mountain moment on the entire trek — peaks lit orange and pink against a dark blue sky, reflected in the snow around the teahouses. This is what you came for.
After breakfast the descent begins. The trail drops from 4,130m back through Machapuchare Base Camp and Deurali, then descends steeply through the gorge to Bamboo. It is a long day — nearly 1,820m of altitude loss — and the knee load is significant. Trekking poles make a genuine difference on the Deurali to Bamboo section.
Breathing becomes easier with every hour below Deurali. The forest closes back in. The temperature rises. By the time Bamboo arrives in the late afternoon, the hard part is done.
Altitude: 1,780m | Trek: 5–6 hours | Accommodation: Teahouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail returns through Sinuwa and back up to Chhomrong — the familiar gorge terrain in reverse — before descending south on a new trail section to Jhinu Danda on the Modi Khola.
The natural hot springs here are a 10-minute walk from the teahouses, beside the river in a gorge setting. After seven days of altitude, bamboo forest, glacial moraine, and stone staircases, warm water is exactly what the body wants. Entry costs NPR 500–1,000. Most trekkers spend at least 30–45 minutes and leave wanting more. Bring small cash and no particular plans for the afternoon.
Trek: 4–5 hours | Drive: 45 minutes | Accommodation: Hotel, Pokhara | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The final trekking day follows village paths, terraced farmland, and river trails through Chomrong and Syaulibazaar back to Nayapul. The jeep waits at the roadhead for the return drive to Pokhara.
Pokhara welcomes the returning trekker properly. Phewa Lake. A lakeside restaurant. A warm shower in a room with a real bed. The trek ends on arrival in Pokhara — the evening is yours.
Drive: 6–7 hours | Meals: Breakfast
The return drive follows the Prithvi Highway east back to Kathmandu — the same river valleys and terraced hillsides from Day 1, the Annapurna range visible behind you on clear mornings as you leave Pokhara. Arrive in Kathmandu by mid-afternoon. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek ends on arrival.
Ten days. Two road journeys. Eight days on the trail. The Annapurna Sanctuary. Done.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a 10-day Himalayan journey from Kathmandu — two days of road travel and eight days trekking through the Annapurna Conservation Area to the sanctuary at 4,130m. The sanctuary itself is a glacial amphitheatre completely enclosed by seven peaks above 6,000m, including Annapurna I — the tenth-highest mountain on earth. No technical climbing exists anywhere on the route. Just preparation, a steady pace, and one of the most extraordinary mountain environments on the planet.
The standard Mountain Hike Nepal itinerary is 10 days total from Kathmandu — Day 1 is the drive to Pokhara, Days 2 through 9 cover the Nayapul to Nayapul trekking circuit (8 full trekking days), and Day 10 is the return drive to Kathmandu. The Ghorepani and Poon Hill variation adds 2–3 extra trekking days for a total of 12–13 days. Contact us to build the extended itinerary into your booking from the start.
The trek is rated moderate — not casual, but absolutely achievable for well-prepared trekkers. The most demanding sections are the steep gorge terrain between Chhomrong and Deurali, the long 1,820m descent on Day 7, and the altitude above 3,500m from Day 5 onward. Six to eight weeks of consistent outdoor preparation before departure makes a real difference. The Poon Hill extension adds one extra demanding day but does not change the overall moderate rating significantly. For a full section-by-section breakdown: ABC Trek Difficulty Guide →
One permit covers the full route — the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) at NPR 3,000 per person. Mountain Hike Nepal includes the ACAP in every package price. The TIMS card is currently suspended until further notice from TAAN — no TIMS purchase is required for the 2026 season. Your guide handles all permit documentation and presents it at every checkpoint — no separate application or permit office visit from you at any point. For full details: ABC Permits Guide 2026 →
Yes — Nepal’s 2023 trekking regulations require all foreign trekkers in the Annapurna region to use a licensed guide from a registered agency. Independent trekking without a guide is no longer legally permitted regardless of experience level or nationality. Mountain Hike Nepal includes licensed English-speaking guides with specific Annapurna region knowledge on every departure — this is a standard package inclusion, not an optional extra.
October and November are the finest months — post-monsoon clarity, stable weather, and the clearest mountain views of the year. April is the best spring option — rhododendron forests in full bloom between Ghandruk and Chhomrong, and the Annapurna range fully visible from base camp. December and early March are solid off-season choices for trekkers who want quieter trails. Avoid June, July, and August entirely — monsoon rain makes the gorge trail slippery and the mountains disappear under cloud for weeks. For the full month-by-month breakdown: Best Time for ABC Trek →
Yes — and if your schedule allows, take it. 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 Chhomrong. This adds 2–3 days and the finest sunrise panorama in the Annapurna region — Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and Machapuchare all visible simultaneously from the viewpoint tower at dawn. Both routes join at Chhomrong and reach the same Annapurna Sanctuary. Talk to us about the Poon Hill route →
The standard 10-day Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu package starts from USD 597 per person for groups of 8–10 and USD 899 for solo trekkers — guide, porter, all permits, all trek meals, teahouse accommodation, and all transport included. No domestic flight needed — every transfer runs by road between Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Nayapul. The Poon Hill extension is priced separately by group size and additional days. For the full budget breakdown: ABC Trek Cost Guide → | Contact us for Poon Hill pricing →
Yes — and it is one of the most memorable ways to end this trek. 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. It is a popular choice for trekkers with limited time, those who want a spectacular aerial finish over the Annapurna massif, or anyone who simply prefers to fly rather than walk the gorge back. Emergency medical evacuation by helicopter is also available from any point on the route — your travel insurance covers the 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 for helicopter options →
Everything you need to plan the ABC trek in one place. Each guide covers a specific part of the journey in honest detail:
