Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Trekkers arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Kathmandu sits at 1,400 m (4,593 ft) above sea level. The city serves as the entry point for all major Himalayan treks in Nepal. This day is reserved for arrival, rest, and preparation.

After hotel check-in, guides or company representatives brief the group about the Annapurna Base Camp Trek program and safety guidelines. Trekkers are advised to pack light and leave non-essential luggage at the hotel.

The day begins with an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The flight takes approximately 25 minutes and offers aerial views of the Himalayan range on clear mornings. Pokhara sits at 822 m above sea level and serves as the gateway to the Annapurna region. From the airport, trekkers drive to Naya Pul, the starting point of the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.

The drive from Pokhara to Naya Pul covers approximately 41 km and takes around two hours by road. At Naya Pul (1,070 m), the trek officially begins. The trail passes through Birethanti, a small bazaar village where permits are checked at the ACAP checkpoint. From Birethanti, the route heads northeast along the Modi Khola River. The trail gradually climbs through terraced fields and subtropical vegetation, including banana trees and paddy farms.

The ascent to Ulleri is steep and involves a long stone stairway. Trekkers gain approximately 890 m in elevation from Naya Pul to Ulleri. The village of Ulleri sits at 1,960 m (6,430 ft) and is inhabited primarily by Magar and Gurung communities. Teahouses in Ulleri provide meals and overnight accommodation. The first trekking day is physically demanding due to the rapid elevation gain.

From Ulleri, the trail continues climbing through rich forests of rhododendron and oak. The ascent is consistent but less steep than the previous day. You will pass through the village of Banthanti before reaching Nangethanti. The forest trail is shaded and cool, providing good conditions for walking in the morning hours.

Ghorepani is a popular trekking hub located at 2,860 m (9,383 ft). The village has a wide selection of teahouses and lodges, making it a well-equipped rest stop. It serves as the base for the Poon Hill viewpoint hike the following morning. On clear days, peaks including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre are visible from the upper reaches of the trail. Trekkers typically arrive at Ghorepani in the early afternoon, allowing time to rest before the early morning hike the next day.

You will wake before dawn for the hike to Poon Hill. The trail from Ghorepani takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Poon Hill sits at 3,210 m (10,531 ft) and is the highest point on this itinerary before Machhapuchhre Base Camp. The summit offers a 360-degree panorama of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges at sunrise. Peaks visible from Poon Hill include Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre.

After the sunrise hike, you will return to Ghorepani for breakfast. The trail then heads east toward Tadapani. The route climbs through rhododendron and birch forests before passing through Deurali at 3,050 m. From there, the path descends through thick forest to the village of Banthanti, then continues to Tadapani. Tadapani sits at 2,630 m (8,628 ft) on a forested ridge overlooking the Kimrong Khola valley. The village offers good views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and Annapurna III on clear days.

The trail from Tadapani descends steeply through dense forest toward the Kimrong Khola. The descent passes through the hamlets of Chuile and Siprong, both inhabited by Gurung communities. After crossing the Kimrong Khola bridge, the trail climbs through Gurjung village and then continues to the junction near Chomrong. The path joins the main trail near the Heaven View Hotel at Taulung before entering Chomrong.

Chomrong is the last major village on the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, sitting at 2,170 m (7,120 ft). It is a large Gurung settlement with a wide selection of lodges, restaurants, and shops. Supplies such as batteries, toilet rolls, and basic medicines are available here. Chomrong also has a small medical center and access to mobile phone networks. The village provides excellent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre. It marks the beginning of the restricted Annapurna Sanctuary zone and the approach to ABC.

Leaving Chomrong, the trail descends steeply through stone-paved steps toward the Chomrong Khola bridge at approximately 1,860 m. After crossing the bridge, the route climbs through the villages of Tilche and Banawa before reaching Sinuwa at 2,340 m. Beyond Sinuwa, you enter the Annapurna Sanctuary Special Management Zone. Wood fires are strictly prohibited inside the zone, and lodges are clustered in designated areas with limited capacity.

The trail continues through thick forests of oak, rhododendron, and bamboo. You will pass through the lodge cluster at Bamboo (2,340 m) before a short descent and climb to reach Dovan. Dovan sits at 2,580 m (8,464 ft) and has three lodges offering basic accommodation. Views from Dovan are partially blocked by the canyon walls, with only the tip of Machhapuchhre visible. The Modi Khola gorge narrows noticeably as trekkers approach this section of the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.

The trail from Dovan continues through forests of oak and rhododendron, crossing multiple streams over small bridges. The route passes by the Baraha Than shrine, a small local deity shrine marked with brass bells and colorful cloth offerings. Beyond the shrine, the forest begins to thin as trekkers gain altitude. The two lodges at Himalaya (2,900 m) mark the transition from forested terrain to a more open, boulder-strewn landscape.

Past Himalaya, the trail becomes rougher and more exposed. Trekkers navigate rocky sections before descending to Deurali at 3,230 m. Deurali has four lodges and sits in an avalanche-prone zone. Travelers should check local conditions before proceeding, particularly in late autumn and early spring. Beyond Deurali, the canyon widens into alpine terrain with low scrub, birch trees, and boulders. The abandoned lodges of Bagar mark the entry into the final stretch toward the sanctuary. Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) sits at 3,700 m (12,139 ft). It offers dramatic views of Machhapuchhre rising directly behind the camp and Annapurna South visible to the west.

The hike from MBC to Annapurna Base Camp is best started early morning. The trail climbs steeply for approximately one kilometer before the gradient eases. As you ascend, the initial rays of sunlight gradually illuminate Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the neighboring peaks. The route passes along the lateral moraine of the South Annapurna Glacier, offering increasingly open views of the amphitheater.

Annapurna Base Camp sits at 4,130 m (13,550 ft) inside the Annapurna Sanctuary. The camp is enclosed by a ring of massive peaks, including Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Annapurna III (7,555 m), Gangapurna (7,454 m), Machhapuchhre (6,997 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), and Tharpu Chuli (5,662 m). The ABC trek reaches its highest point here. Four lodges provide meals and accommodation inside the camp. Trekkers spend the day exploring the moraine ridges and enjoying the surrounding panorama. Altitude sickness symptoms should be monitored closely. Those experiencing worsening symptoms should descend immediately to MBC.

The descent from Annapurna Base Camp begins early. The trail retraces the ascent route through MBC and Deurali before continuing downward toward Dovan and Bamboo. The descent is significantly faster than the ascent but requires careful footing on rocky and uneven sections, especially near Himalaya and the approach to Deurali. Trekkers descend over 1,800 m in a single day, making this one of the most demanding stages of descent.

Bamboo sits at 2,310 m (7,579 ft) and serves as the overnight stop for Day 9. The lodge cluster at Bamboo is located in a forested clearing beside a stream. The transition from alpine terrain to dense bamboo and rhododendron forest is noticeable as trekkers descend. Basic teahouse accommodation is available at Bamboo. The lower altitude and warmer temperatures provide a comfortable rest after the demanding descent from ABC.

From Bamboo, the trail climbs back through Sinuwa and then descends via the Kimrong Khola toward the Chomrong junction. Rather than returning to Chomrong directly, the route branches toward Ghandruk. This variation avoids retracing the same upward path and provides different views of the lower Annapurna foothills. The trail crosses the Kimrong Khola bridge and climbs through terraced farmland before reaching Ghandruk.

Ghandruk is a large, well-established Gurung village sitting at 1,940 m (6,365 ft). It serves as the regional headquarters of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). The village has a wide selection of lodges, restaurants, and curio shops. Panoramic views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre are visible from the upper sections of the village. Ghandruk is known for its traditional stone-paved lanes, slate-roofed houses, and strong Gurung cultural identity. It is one of the most visited villages on the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.

The descent from Ghandruk to Nayapul takes approximately four hours. The trail begins with a steep stepped descent from the village past Sakura Lodge and the local police post. The route continues through the hamlets of Chane and Kimche before reaching the junction at Kliu. From Kliu, the trail joins the main Birethanti path and descends through Syauli Bazar and Chimrong back to Birethanti.

At Birethanti, permits are checked at the ACAP exit point. The short walk from Birethanti brings trekkers to Nayapul, where vehicles await for the drive back to Pokhara. The drive takes approximately two hours. Trekkers arrive in Pokhara by the afternoon or early evening. Hotel accommodation in Pokhara provides a comfortable rest after 10 days of trekking. The ABC trek officially concludes upon arrival in Pokhara.

Pokhara is Nepal's second-largest city, located beside Phewa Lake at 822 m above sea level. The city offers clear views of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre peaks on good-weather mornings. This free day allows trekkers to rest, recover, and experience local attractions at their own pace. Popular sites include Phewa Lake, the World Peace Pagoda, the Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave, and the International Mountain Museum.

Boat rides on Phewa Lake and visits to Barahi Temple on the lake island are common activities. The Pokhara Lakeside area has a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and shops. You can enjoy local cuisine, browse Nepali handicrafts, and relax after the demanding ABC trek. This day also allows time for packing and organizing gear before the return flight to Kathmandu.

You will depart Pokhara on the morning flight back to Kathmandu. The flight takes approximately 25 minutes and follows the same mountain corridor as the outbound journey. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, trekkers transfer to the hotel. The afternoon and evening are free for any remaining shopping, sightseeing, or rest in Kathmandu.

Thamel, the tourist hub of Kathmandu, offers a concentrated area of restaurants, gear shops, and souvenir markets. Major sites in Kathmandu include Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and Durbar Square. Trekkers with evening flights may use this day for final city visits before departure. The hotel stays on Day 13 serves as the final night of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek program.

Day 14 marks the end of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary. Trekkers check out of the hotel and transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for their onward flights. Transfer timing is based on individual flight schedules. Airport transfers are typically arranged.