Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Dreaming of standing inside a natural amphitheater of 7,000-metre giants with snow underfoot and blue sky overhead? The Annapurna Base Camp Trek makes that dream real in just 10 days. One of Nepal’s most beloved and accessible Himalayan treks, the route to ABC winds through rhododendron forests, Gurung and Magar villages, and alpine meadows before delivering you to the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 metres. In this complete guide, Getaway Nepal Adventure walks you through everything you need: a detailed day-by-day itinerary, honest difficulty assessment, full cost breakdown, and the best time to go  so you can plan with confidence and trek with joy.

What is Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek — also called the ABC Trek or Annapurna Sanctuary Trek — is a classic Nepal Himalayan trekking route that leads directly into the heart of the Annapurna massif. The route originates in Pokhara, Nepal’s adventure capital, and follows the Modi Khola river valley deep into a natural glacial basin known as the Annapurna Sanctuary, ringed by thirteen peaks over 6,000 meters.

Unlike the longer and more gruelling Annapurna Circuit, the ABC trek is a focused, out-and-back journey that packs extraordinary mountain scenery into a compact 10-day itinerary. It is Nepal’s most popular moderate trek — sitting comfortably between the beginner-level Poon Hill trek and the advanced high-altitude routes to Everest or Manaslu.

Trek Highlights at a Glance

• Stand inside the Annapurna Sanctuary — a 360-degree amphitheatre of snow-capped Himalayan giants including Annapurna I (8,091 m, world’s 10th highest).
• Iconic views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Peak) — one of Nepal’s most photographed and sacred mountains.
• Trek through lush rhododendron forests that erupt in crimson and pink during spring bloom
  Experience the warm hospitality of Gurung and Magar communities in hilltop villages along the route.
• Witness dramatic landscape transitions — subtropical valley floors to glacial alpine terrain in six days.
• Soak in the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda after the descent — a trekker’s reward
  Panoramic views of Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the Gangapurna glacier.
• Spend a night at Machapuchare Base Camp (3,700 m) and experience true high-altitude wilderness
  Pokhara’s Phewa Lake and lively lakeside — a perfect recovery base before and after the trek.
• A professionally guided small-group experience with Getaway Nepal Adventure — safe, authentic, and well-supported

Day-by-Day Annapurna Base Camp Itinerary Overview

The following itinerary covers 10 days from arrival in Kathmandu to final departure. All trekking distances and durations are approximate and may vary based on individual pace and conditions.

Annapurna Base Camp Detail Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Kathmandu (1,364 m)

Your Annapurna Base Camp Trek begins the moment you land at Tribhuvan International Airport. A Getaway Nepal Adventure representative will greet you and transfer you to your centrally located hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of Day 1 is intentionally relaxed — take time to recover from your flight, acclimatise to Kathmandu’s altitude, and soak in the energy of this ancient city.

The lively district of Thamel is a five-minute walk from most hotels — a warren of trekking outfitters, coffee shops, bookstores, and street food stalls. This is your last chance to pick up any trekking essentials before the trail begins. Your guide will brief you on the week ahead over a welcome dinner.

Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast

Day 2 — Kathmandu to Pokhara by Tourist Bus (822 m)

An early start sees you board a comfortable tourist bus for the journey along the Prithvi Highway — Nepal’s main artery connecting the capital to the lake district. The seven-to-nine-hour drive is scenic rather than gruelling, passing gorges carved by the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers, terraced hillsides stacked high with mustard and millet, and glimpses of the Himalayan foothills on clear days.

Pokhara is a revelation after the bustle of Kathmandu — quieter, greener, and framed by the Annapurna massif on three sides. Check in to your lakeside hotel and spend the evening strolling the Phewa Lake promenade. On a clear evening, Machhapuchhre’s perfect triangle reflects in the still water — your first view of the mountain you’ll be standing beneath in just four days.

Drive: Kathmandu to Pokhara | 7–9 hours | Prithvi Highway
Accommodation: Lakeside hotel, Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 — Drive to Jhinu Danda & Trek to Chhomrong (2,170 m)

After breakfast, a 3–4 hour drive through terraced farmland and traditional villages delivers you to Jhinu Danda at 1,780 metres — the trek’s unofficial start point. From here, the trail climbs steadily on well-worn stone steps through subtropical forest, with views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre emerging above the tree line.

Chhomrong is the gateway village to the Annapurna Sanctuary and one of the trek’s most charming stops. This Gurung settlement sits on a prominent ridge with extraordinary mountain views, terraced gardens, and guesthouses run by warm local families. It is also the last significant village before the wilderness section begins.

Drive: Pokhara to Jhinu Danda | 3–4 hours
Trek: Jhinu Danda to Chhomrong | 5 km | 2–3 hours
Accommodation: Guesthouse, Chhomrong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 — Chhomrong to Dovan (2,600 m)

Today’s trail descends sharply to the Chhomrong Khola before climbing equally sharply to Sinuwa — a good preview of the rhythmic ascent-descent pattern that defines this route. Beyond Sinuwa, the landscape shifts as the valley narrows and the canopy closes overhead. Dense groves of bamboo, giant rhododendron, and oak forest create a cool, humid microclimate rich with birdsong.

Passing through the small settlements of Bamboo and Himalaya, the trail follows the Modi Khola upstream. Dovan (meaning ‘two rivers’) sits at the confluence of two streams and provides a peaceful overnight stop with the sound of rushing water and the first hints of alpine air.

Trek: 10 km | 5–6 hours
Elevation Gain: Approx. +900 m with intermediate descent
Accommodation: Guesthouse, Dovan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 — Dovan to Deurali (3,230 m)

The character of the trek changes today. The forest gradually thins as altitude increases, revealing rocky terrain, cascading waterfalls, and the first dramatic cliff faces of the sanctuary walls. En route, you will pass the Hinku Cave — a massive overhanging rock shelf that has sheltered trekkers and shepherds for generations.

The trail crosses several small stream bridges and passes through the settlement of Himalaya before the final push to Deurali — a critical acclimatisation point. At 3,230 metres, the air is noticeably thinner, and Deurali’s position at the sanctuary entrance means temperatures drop sharply after sunset. Tonight, spend time hydrating, resting, and watching for the cloud that pours over the sanctuary walls at dusk like liquid.

Trek: 9 km | 5–6 hours
Key Landmarks: Hinku Cave, Deurali Pass viewpoint
Accommodation: Guesthouse, Deurali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 — Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) — The Summit Day

This is the day the trek has been building towards. Rising early, the trail leaves Deurali and enters the Annapurna Sanctuary proper — the landscape now entirely alpine, a world of rock, ice, and sky. The gradient is steady rather than severe, and within two hours you reach Machapuchare Base Camp at 3,700 metres, where Machhapuchhre’s twin-peaked summit fills the entire sky ahead.

From MBC, a further 90-minute walk across glacial moraine brings you to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 metres. The moment you step into the sanctuary is genuinely breathtaking — thirteen Himalayan giants surround you on every side: Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Fang, and Machhapuchhre dominating the amphitheatre. The evening light on the snowfields turns gold, then pink, then deep purple. Sleep here tonight — and wake to see it all again at sunrise.

Trek: Deurali to ABC via MBC | 10 km | 5–6 hours
Max Altitude: 4,130 m — Annapurna Base Camp
Accommodation: Guesthouse, ABC
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 — Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2,310 m)

Rise before the guides call you — the pre-dawn at ABC, with the stars extinguished one by one as alpenglow creeps across the summit of Annapurna I, is one of Nepal’s great spectacles. After a final sunrise and a hot breakfast, the descent begins, retracing the route through MBC, Deurali, and Dovan to Bamboo.

The descent is significantly faster than the ascent, but knees and trekking poles will earn their keep on the stone steps. The forest re-embraces you as altitude drops, and the warmer, oxygen-rich air at Bamboo feels genuinely luxurious after two nights above 3,000 metres.

Trek: 13 km | 6–7 hours | Descent
Accommodation: Guesthouse, Bamboo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 — Bamboo to Jhinu Danda & Drive to Pokhara

The final trekking day follows the now-familiar forest trail back down through Chhomrong to Jhinu Danda — but today there is a reward waiting. The natural hot springs at Jhinu, carved into the riverbank of the Modi Khola, are one of Nepal’s great trail pleasures. Slide into the steaming pools, let the sulphurous water work on eight days of accumulated muscle ache, and stare up at the last visible ridge of the Annapurna foothills above you.

After lunch at Jhinu, a 3–4 hour drive returns you to Pokhara. This evening is yours — Lakeside restaurants, rooftop bars, a massage, or simply the profound satisfaction of sitting quietly by Phewa Lake with the knowledge of what you have accomplished.

Trek: Bamboo to Jhinu | 11 km | 5–6 hours
Drive: Jhinu to Pokhara | 3–4 hours
Highlight: Natural hot spring soak at Jhinu Danda
Accommodation: Lakeside hotel, Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 — Pokhara to Kathmandu by Tourist Bus

A morning departure sees the tourist bus retrace the Prithvi Highway east to Kathmandu. The 7–9 hour drive is unhurried and scenic, offering a final panorama of the hills you have just traversed. Arrive in Kathmandu by late afternoon, check in to your hotel, and enjoy a Getaway Nepal Adventure farewell dinner — traditional Nepali dal bhat, cultural dance performance, and the warm camaraderie of a group that has shared something rare.

Drive: Pokhara to Kathmandu | 7–9 hours
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (farewell — traditional Nepali food)

Day 10 — Final Departure from Kathmandu

After a leisurely final breakfast, your Getaway Nepal Adventure transfer will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your onward flight. The team will be on hand to assist with any departure formalities. You leave with a trekking completion certificate, a full species list of peaks you have stood beside, and the particular satisfaction that only a real Himalayan journey can provide.

Meals: Breakfast
Certificate: Trekking completion certificate issued by Getaway Nepal Adventure

Best Time to Visit Annapurna Base Camp

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a year-round route, but two seasons deliver the finest conditions. Understanding the seasonal rhythms helps you choose the departure date that matches your priorities.

Difficulty Level & Physical Preparation

How Hard Is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

The ABC Trek is rated Moderate. It does not require technical climbing skills, ropes, or crampons. However, it involves 5–7 hours of walking per day on steep stone trails, cumulative elevation gain of approximately 3,000 metres, and two nights above 3,000 metres. Healthy adults with a reasonable level of fitness and a proper training programme can complete it successfully.

What Makes It Challenging

• Long trekking days (5–7 hours) on uneven stone trails and root-covered forest paths
• Significant cumulative elevation gain — the route climbs from ~800 m to 4,130 m over six days
• Altitude effects above 3,500 m — headache, fatigue, and reduced appetite are common and manageable
• Cold nights at high-altitude guesthouses, particularly at Deurali and Annapurna Base Camp
• The descent is physically demanding on knees — trekking poles are strongly recommended

How to Prepare

• Begin cardiovascular training 8–12 weeks before departure: hiking, stair climbing, cycling
• Train with a loaded daypack (7–10 kg) on hilly terrain to simulate trail conditions
• Practice yoga or stretching to protect knees, hips, and lower back
• Consult your doctor about altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide / Diamox) — particularly if you have no high-altitude experience
• Ensure your travel insurance covers adventure trekking to 5,500 m and emergency helicopter evacuation

FAQ — Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Do I need prior trekking experience for the ABC Trek?

No prior Himalayan trekking experience is required, but you should be physically active. If you can hike 4–5 hours comfortably on hilly terrain carrying a daypack, you are ready. Getaway Nepal Adventure’s professional guides pace the group carefully and monitor for signs of altitude sickness throughout the trek.

Is altitude sickness a risk on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Altitude sickness (AMS — Acute Mountain Sickness) is possible above 3,000 metres. The itinerary is designed with gradual elevation gain to allow natural acclimatisation. Common symptoms include mild headache, fatigue, and reduced appetite. Serious AMS is rare on the ABC route due to the manageable altitude profile. Your guide carries supplemental oxygen and a first-aid kit. Speak to your doctor before departure about preventive medication such as acetazolamide (Diamox).

Are solo travellers welcome on this trek?

Absolutely. The weekly group departure format works well for solo travellers — you join a small, like-minded group and trek together with professional guide support. Solo travellers should note that accommodation is on a triple-sharing basis at the standard package price; a single supplement is available for Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels.

What is the guesthouse standard on the trail?

Guesthouses on the Annapurna trail are simple but comfortable — clean beds, warm blankets, attached or shared bathrooms, and menus ranging from dal bhat and pasta to pancakes and soup. Hot showers and phone charging are available at most stops for a small extra fee (typically NPR 100–300 per use). At higher altitudes like Deurali and ABC, facilities are more basic due to the remoteness.

What happens if I get sick and cannot complete the trek?

Your safety is Getaway Nepal Adventure’s first priority. If a trekker is unable to continue due to illness or injury, the guide will arrange an appropriate descent and, if necessary, coordinate helicopter evacuation through your travel insurance provider. This is why comprehensive travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation to 5,500 metres is mandatory for all participants.

Can the itinerary be extended or customized?

Yes. The standard 10-day package can be extended to include additional rest days, a Poon Hill sunrise extension, or a longer Annapurna Circuit variant. Getaway Nepal Adventure also arranges fully private custom departures on any date — ideal for families, corporate groups, or travellers with specific scheduling needs.

What's included

• Tourist bus Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu (both ways)
• All ground transfers airport to hotel and back
• 2 nights hotel in Kathmandu (triple sharing)
• 2 nights hotel in Pokhara (triple sharing)
• 5 nights guesthouse on trail (triple sharing)
• All meals during 6 trekking days (B, L & D)
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
• Trekkers Information Management System card (TIMS)
• Professional licensed trekking guide
• Porters — 1 per 2 guests (max 12 kg per bag)
• Guide and porter insurance
• Comprehensive first-aid medical kit
• 1 group farewell dinner
• Trekking completion certificate
• All government taxes and VAT

What's excluded

• Nepal Visa fee.
• International flights.
• All meals not mentioned in inclusions.
• Personal expenses not stipulated.
• Optional add-ons.
• Gratuities.

Customer Reviews

Aussie Couple

"Best travel company you can use"

Raj and his team are awesome. Especially after seeing how other travel companies in Nepal have functioned, not only are they on top of everything, but the guides and porters working with the company are treated really well. The morning we were meant to leave for Lukla, the plane kept getting delayed. By 9 am our guides had a chopper organised to take us, where we later chatted to people who only got on one at around 2 pm and ended up hiking in the dark. We also saw multiple porters carrying more than one duffle bag, however, this company limits it to one, for the wellbeing of the porters. I cannot recommend this company enough.

Lisa G

"Amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience"

My dad and myself did plan to trek the Annapurna Circuit from Jagat to Jomsom and booked the trip via Raj and Getaway Nepal Adventure. While organizing everything in advance went smooth from the very beginning, we were amazed by the organisation of the whole trip once we arrived in Nepal – starting with a pick-up service in Kathmandu airport, also wisely chosing our guide and our porter (Manisha and Dai) which both were a perfect match to accompany us on our trekking. Both were very thoughtful and we felt like a companionship from the very beginning, but also very professional when it came to all concerns regarding the hike, like proper acclimatisation, the daily hike and everything besides. Overall organisation has been extraordinary and there hasn’t been anything where Raj was not able to support (even after the trip has finished).

This really has been a once-in-a-lifetime trip and we were so happy to have this with Manisha and Dai. If ever planning to do a trekking in Nepal again (and we would love to do soon) we definitely would book with Raj again and his company one more time.