Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a strong choice for travelers who want close Himalayan views without committing to a longer circuit route. The trail leads directly into the Annapurna Sanctuary, where Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Gangapurna rise around the high mountain basin.

The route also offers a good mix of village life, forest trails, suspension bridges, stone stairways, and alpine scenery. Overnight stops in Chhomrong, Dovan, and Deurali create a steady altitude progression, while the stay at base camp gives you time to enjoy both the evening views and sunrise over the surrounding peaks.

Tour Plan

1. Day 01Arrival in Kathmandu

   You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where our team welcomes you and transfers you to a 3-star hotel. After checking in, you can rest from your international flight or walk around the nearby streets of Thamel.

   Later, you meet your guide for a short trek briefing. The guide explains the Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary, road transfers, daily walking hours, accommodation, meals, packing requirements, permits, and altitude safety.

   • Trip duration: 25 to 30 minutes, vehicle ride from the airport to your hotel
   • Drive distance: Approx. 6 km / 3.7 miles (depending on your hotel's location)

   Note: Keep your passport, travel insurance, and passport-size photographs ready for permit processing.

2. Day 02Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara | 6 to 8 hrs

   Your journey begins with a morning drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The road follows river valleys and passes terraced fields, forested hills, roadside settlements, and busy market towns along the Prithvi Highway.

   After reaching Pokhara, our team will transfer you to your hotel. You can rest after the drive or take a short walk beside Phewa Lake while preparing for the trek.

   • Drive duration: 6 to 8 hours
   • Drive distance: Approx. 200 km / 124 miles

   Note: Traffic, road repairs, and highway conditions may affect the arrival time in Pokhara.

3. Day 03Drive from Pokhara to Samrong and Trek to Chhomrong (2,170m / 7,119ft) | 5 to 7 hrs

   You leave Pokhara in the morning and drive toward Samrong through Nayapul, Birethanti, Siwai, and nearby hill settlements. The paved road gradually changes into a rough mountain track as you enter the lower Annapurna region.

   From Samrong, you begin walking uphill toward Chhomrong, a large Gurung village overlooking Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. After reaching the village, you settle into the teahouse and enjoy the surrounding mountain and valley views.

   • Drive duration: 3 to 4 hours
   • Drive distance: Approx. 65 to 75 km / 40 to 47 miles
   • Trek duration: 2 to 3 hours
   • Trek distance: Approx. 3 to 4 km / 1.9 to 2.5 miles
   • Maximum altitude: 2,170m / 7,119ft
   • Elevation gain: Approx. +600m / +1,969ft

   Note: Keep water, rain protection, and a light jacket in your daypack because mountain weather changes quickly.

4. Day 04Trek from Chhomrong to Dovan (2,600m / 8,530ft) | 6 to 7 hrs

   You begin with a long descent down stone steps from Chhomrong to the Chhomrong Khola. After crossing the suspension bridge, the trail climbs steadily through Lower Sinuwa and Upper Sinuwa before entering a quieter forest section.

   The route continues through rhododendron and bamboo forests before passing Bamboo village and reaching Dovan. The day includes several steep climbs and descents, making it harder than the total elevation gain may suggest.

   • Trek duration: 6 to 7 hours
   • Trek distance: Approx. 11 to 12 km / 6.8 to 7.5 miles
   • Maximum altitude: 2,600m / 8,530ft
   • Elevation gain: Approx. +700m / +2,297ft
   • Elevation loss: Approx. -270m / -886ft

   Note: Use trekking poles on the steep Chhomrong stairways and walk carefully on wet forest sections.

5. Day 05Trek from Dovan to Deurali (3,230m / 10,597ft) | 4 to 5 hrs

   You leave Dovan and continue through a cool forest filled with bamboo, moss-covered rocks, and tall trees. The trail follows the Modi Khola valley and passes several waterfalls before reaching the Himalaya.

   From Himalaya, the path climbs through rocky and forested terrain toward Deurali. The surroundings become more open as you gain altitude, with steep mountain walls rising above the upper valley.

   • Trek duration: 4 to 5 hours
   • Trek distance: Approx. 7 to 8 km / 4.3 to 5 miles
   • Maximum altitude: 3,230m / 10,597ft
   • Elevation gain: +630m / +2,067ft

   Note: Follow your guide's instructions around avalanche-prone sections, especially after heavy rain or snowfall.

6. Day 06Trek from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m / 13,550ft) | 4 to 5 hrs

   You leave Deurali and climb through the upper Modi Khola valley toward Machhapuchhre Base Camp. The trail passes between steep cliffs before opening into a wide alpine area surrounded by Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Gangapurna.

   From Machhapuchhre Base Camp, you follow a gradual high-altitude trail into the Annapurna Sanctuary. After reaching Annapurna Base Camp, you settle into the teahouse and spend time enjoying the close views of Annapurna I and the surrounding peaks.

   • Trek duration: 4 to 5 hours
   • Trek distance: Approx. 7 to 8 km / 4.3 to 5 miles
   • Maximum altitude: Annapurna Base Camp, 4,130m / 13,550ft
   • Elevation gain: +900m / +2,953ft

   Note: Walk slowly above Machhapuchhre Base Camp and report if you have any headaches, nausea, dizziness, or unusual tiredness to your guide.

7. Day 07Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2,310m / 7,579ft) | 6 to 7 hrs

   You wake early to watch the morning light reach Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and nearby peaks. After breakfast, you leave the base camp and descend through Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Deurali, Himalaya, and Dovan.

   The trail then re-enters the thick forest before reaching Bamboo for the night. Although the route is mostly downhill, the long descent and repeated stone sections can place pressure on your knees.

   • Trek duration: 6 to 7 hours
   • Trek distance: Approx. 14 to 16 km / 8.7 to 10 miles
   • Maximum altitude: 4,130m / 13,550ft
   • Sleeping altitude: 2,310m / 7,579ft
   • Elevation loss: -1,820m / -5,971ft

   Note: Use trekking poles during the long descent and avoid rushing across wet stones or exposed tree roots.

8. Day 08Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda and Drive to Pokhara | 10 to 12 hrs

   You leave Bamboo and climb through the forest toward Upper Sinuwa before descending to Chhomrong Khola. After crossing the bridge, you climb the long stone staircase to Chhomrong and continue downhill toward Jhinu Danda.

   Depending on your walking pace and the vehicle schedule, you may visit the natural hot spring beside the Modi Khola. You then meet the jeep near the road-accessible section and drive back to Pokhara for a comfortable hotel stay.

   • Trek duration: 5 to 6 hours
   • Trek distance: Approx. 9 to 11 km / 5.6 to 6.8 miles
   • Drive duration: 3 to 4 hours
   • Driving distance: Approx. 60 to 70 km / 37 to 43 miles
   • Maximum altitude: Approx. 2,340m / 7,677ft near Sinuwa
   • Elevation loss: Approx. -1,488m / -4,882ft

   Note: The Jhinu Danda hot spring visit depends on daylight, walking speed, road conditions, and the jeep departure time.

9. Day 09Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu | 6 to 8 hrs

   You drive back to Kathmandu after breakfast, following the highway through riverside towns, farming areas, forested hills, and roadside settlements. The journey retraces the road through the Marsyangdi and Trishuli river valleys.

   After arriving in Kathmandu, our team transfers you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for rest, spa, massage, souvenir shopping, laundry, or a farewell dinner with the trekking team.

   • Drive duration: 6 to 8 hours
   • Drive distance: Approx. 200 km / 124 miles

   Note: Keep your passport, money, electronics, and other important items in your day bag during the drive.

10. Day 10Final Departure from Kathmandu | 25 to 30 min ride

    Our team transfers you from your hotel to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your flight schedule. The drive normally takes around 25 to 30 minutes, although traffic conditions may affect the travel time.

    You leave Nepal with memories of Chhomrong, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, the Annapurna Sanctuary, and the forested trail through Bamboo and Jhinu Danda.

    • Trip duration: 25 to 30 minutes taxi ride from the hotel to the airport
    • Drive distance: Approx. 6 km / 3.7 miles

    Note: Reach the airport at least three hours before your international flight.

What’s Included & Excluded

ABC Trek Packing List

The ABC Trek passes through warm valleys, damp forests, and cold alpine areas. Pack light, quick-drying layers, while keeping water, snacks, documents, rain gear, and warm clothing in your daypack.

Route Map & Seasonal Conditions

Seasons & weather

The best time for the ABC Trek is during spring from March to May and autumn from September to November. Autumn offers clear skies, stable weather, and sharp views of the Annapurna range, while spring brings mild temperatures, blooming rhododendrons, and colorful lower trails. These are the busiest months, so early teahouse booking is recommended.

Winter from December to February offers quieter trails and snow-covered scenery, but temperatures can fall sharply at higher altitudes, and avalanche risk increases near Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp. The monsoon season from June to August is less suitable because heavy rain can make the trail muddy, slippery, and more exposed to leeches, landslides, and travel delays.

Teahouses & meals

During the ABC Trek, you stay in family-run teahouses that provide simple twin-share rooms with two single beds, mattresses, pillows, and basic blankets. Private rooms may be available at lower stops, but attached bathrooms are limited and depend on the lodge. Shared toilets are common, especially at higher elevations, while Western-style toilets are easier to find in larger villages. Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and device charging usually cost extra, and solar power may be limited, so carrying a power bank is recommended.

Teahouses serve filling Nepali and international meals in shared dining rooms. Breakfast options include Tibetan bread, porridge, pancakes, and eggs, while lunch and dinner menus often include dal bhat, momos, fried rice, chow mein, pasta, pizza, potatoes, and soups. Dal bhat is a practical choice because many teahouses provide refills. It is best to avoid meat above Chhomrong because refrigeration is limited and supplies are carried on foot. Expect to spend around USD 15 to 30 per day on food and drinks, with extra charges for boiled water, Wi-Fi, hot showers, and charging.

Fitness & altitude

The ABC Trek is rated moderate to moderately challenging. It does not require technical climbing skills or mountaineering experience, so fit beginners can complete it with proper preparation. The main difficulties include long stone staircases, repeated uphill and downhill sections, changing mountain weather, and the climb to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130m / 13,550ft. Mild altitude symptoms such as headaches, nausea, poor sleep, or tiredness may occur as the trail moves above 3,000m / 9,843ft.

Trekkers usually walk for five to seven hours each day, and the physical effort builds over several consecutive days. Good cardiovascular fitness, strong legs, and healthy knees make the journey more comfortable. Before the trek, you should be able to walk for about five hours with a 5 to 6 kg daypack, climb several flights of stairs without long breaks, complete basic leg exercises, and walk downhill for at least 30 minutes without knee pain.