Annapurna Base Camp Trek Guide

Overview

The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek is one of Nepal's most loved Himalayan walks — and for many trekkers the single most rewarding short trek in the country. Starting from Pokhara, the route follows river valleys and stone-stepped ridges up into the Annapurna Sanctuary, a high glacial basin sealed off by an almost unbroken ring of mountains. Stand at base camp and you are surrounded on every side by giants: Annapurna I (8,091 m, the tenth-highest mountain on Earth), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and the unmistakable shark-fin spire of Machhapuchhre — "Fishtail" — which has never been officially climbed.

What makes ABC special is the sheer density of reward for the effort. In a single trek you pass through terraced farmland and the handsome Gurung villages of Ghandruk and Chhomrong, climb through cool rhododendron and bamboo forest, follow the roaring Modi Khola gorge, and finally break out into the open snow bowl of the Sanctuary itself. The maximum altitude is 4,130 m at Annapurna Base Camp — high enough to deliver true alpine drama, but low enough that altitude sickness, while a real consideration, is far less of a threat than on the higher Himalayan routes.

Most people complete the trek in 7 to 10 days of walking, depending on where they start the drive and how many acclimatisation or rest days they build in. It is graded moderate: there is no technical climbing and the trails are well-marked and supported by a continuous chain of teahouses, but the relentless stone staircases — especially the long climb in and out of Chhomrong — make a reasonable level of fitness essential.

Because it is comfortably done in around a week, sits at a manageable altitude, and serves up genuine high-mountain scenery, ABC is often the trek that hooks first-timers on the Himalaya. It also pairs beautifully with shorter options nearby — many trekkers combine it with the Ghorepani Poon Hill sunrise viewpoint, or save it as a step up from the gentle Mardi Himal ridge before tackling something bigger like Everest Base Camp.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

This is the classic Annapurna Base Camp itinerary, designed for a comfortable, well-acclimatised trek. It can be shortened to about 7 days for fit walkers (combining stages) or stretched to 10-11 days by adding a Ghorepani Poon Hill loop at the start or extra rest days. All stages start and finish in Pokhara.

Day 1 — Pokhara to Siwai / Nayapul, trek to Ghandruk (1,940 m)

A scenic morning drive (1.5-2.5 hours) from Pokhara to the trailhead at Nayapul (1,070 m) or, on the newer road, all the way to Siwai. From here you climb stone steps and forest paths to the large, beautifully preserved Gurung village of Ghandruk, famous for its slate-roofed houses, Gurung museum and front-row views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. (3-4 hours walking.)

Day 2 — Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2,170 m)

The trail contours and dips to Kimrong Khola before a steep climb to Chhomrong, the last permanent village and the true gateway to the Sanctuary. Perched on a hillside, it offers superb views back to Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre and is the place to stock up — and to eat the famous local apple crumble. (5-6 hours.)

Day 3 — Chhomrong to Bamboo (2,310 m)

The day begins with a long, knee-testing descent of stone steps to the Chhomrong Khola, then a sustained climb to Sinuwa before the trail drops into thick forest. You pass through Kuldighar and down to the cluster of lodges at Bamboo, set deep in the humid, green Modi Khola gorge. (5-6 hours.)

Day 4 — Bamboo to Deurali (3,230 m) via Dovan

A steady forest climb leads through Dovan (2,600 m) and Himalaya Hotel, where the vegetation thins and the gorge narrows dramatically. Continue up to Deurali (3,230 m), the last stop before the avalanche-prone section into the Sanctuary. The air is noticeably cooler and thinner here. (5-6 hours.)

Day 5 — Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) and Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m)

The big day. The trail climbs through the Sanctuary "gate" — a steep, avalanche-exposed gully best crossed early — and opens into the high alpine basin. You reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC, 3,700 m) for lunch and views of the Fishtail directly overhead, then make the final gradual climb to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m). Spend the afternoon soaking in the 360-degree wall of peaks. Many trekkers sleep at MBC instead to aid acclimatisation and walk up to ABC at dawn. (5-7 hours.)

Day 6 — Sunrise at ABC, descend to Bamboo (2,310 m)

Wake before dawn for the unforgettable sunrise over Annapurna I, when the peaks glow pink and gold above the glacier. After breakfast, retrace the route down — descending fast through Deurali, Dovan and back to Bamboo. Going down is quicker but hard on the knees. (6-7 hours.)

Day 7 — Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1,780 m), hot springs

Climb back over the Sinuwa ridge and Chhomrong, then descend to Jhinu Danda, where a 15-20 minute walk down to the Modi Khola brings you to natural hot springs on the riverbank — the perfect reward for tired legs. (5-6 hours.)

Day 8 — Jhinu Danda to Pokhara

A shorter final walk to the road head at Siwai or New Bridge, then drive back to Pokhara (2-3 hours) for a hot shower, a lakeside dinner and a well-earned rest. (3-4 hours walking plus drive.)

Faster trekkers often merge Days 1-2 and Days 6-7 to finish in 7 days. Adding the Ghorepani Poon Hill loop at the start turns this into a fuller 10-11 day circuit with an extra sunrise viewpoint.

Difficulty & Fitness

Annapurna Base Camp is graded moderate. There is no technical climbing, no glacier travel and no high pass — but it is not a casual stroll either, and the difficulty surprises people who underestimate it.

The defining challenge is the endless stone staircases. The Annapurna foothills are built around steep river gorges, so the trail is a constant rhythm of climbing and descending hundreds of stone steps at a time. The notorious descent and re-climb around Chhomrong and the Chhomrong Khola is the toughest single stretch, and the long downhill days on the return punish the knees as much as the climbs test the lungs.

Walking days run roughly 5-7 hours with daily elevation changes of 800-1,200 m. You will gain altitude steadily, reaching 4,130 m at base camp — high enough that some trekkers feel mild altitude effects, but moderate compared with the 5,000 m-plus of Everest Base Camp.

How fit do I need to be?

• Train for stairs and downhill. The single best preparation is climbing real stairs or hills with a daypack. Include downhill walking to condition your knees and quads.
• Build cardio over 4-8 weeks. Regular hiking, running, cycling or swimming so you can comfortably sustain effort for several hours.
• You don't need to be an athlete. Reasonably active people of most ages — including older trekkers and motivated beginners — complete ABC successfully with steady pacing.
• Use trekking poles. They take significant load off the knees on the long stone descents and are strongly recommended.
• Go at your own pace. Slow and steady beats fast and exhausted; altitude and stamina both reward a gentle, sustainable rhythm.

Permits & Regulations

The Annapurna Base Camp trek lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal's largest protected area, so it requires two documents. Neither involves any technical climbing permit — ABC is a teahouse trek, not a mountaineering expedition.

1. ACAP — Annapurna Conservation Area Permit

The ACAP is the main entry permit, issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the National Trust for Nature Conservation. The fee for foreign nationals is around NPR 3,000; SAARC nationals pay less. It is checked at entry posts such as Ghandruk and along the route, so keep it accessible.

2. TIMS Card — Trekkers' Information Management System

The TIMS card is a registration card that records trekkers for safety and rescue purposes. The fee for foreign nationals is around NPR 2,000 for those trekking with an agency, with a higher rate sometimes applied to individual trekkers; SAARC nationals pay less.

Where to get them

Both permits can be obtained in Pokhara (the most convenient option for ABC) or in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board offices. You will need your passport, passport-sized photos and the fees in Nepali rupees. Trekking agencies routinely arrange both permits as part of a package.

Guide rule

Since 2023, Nepal's Tourism Board has required trekkers in many national-park and conservation areas to be accompanied by a licensed guide, ending the era of fully solo, independent trekking on routes like ABC. Rules and enforcement continue to evolve, so check the current requirement with a registered agency or the NTB before you travel. In practice, hiring a licensed guide (and optionally a porter) is now the standard and safest way to trek the Annapurna region.

Permit fees change periodically. Treat the figures above as 2026 estimates and confirm current rates with the Nepal Tourism Board or your trekking agency before departure.

Best Time to Trek

There are two clear prime seasons for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, mirroring Nepal's main trekking windows:

Autumn (October-November) is the most popular and arguably the best time. The monsoon has cleared the air, skies are crisp and blue, mountain views are at their sharpest, and temperatures are pleasant. It is also the busiest period, so teahouses on the route fill quickly.

Spring (March-May) is the other top season, prized for the spectacular rhododendron blooms that set the forests around Ghandruk and Chhomrong ablaze in red and pink. Days are warm and the high peaks remain dramatic, though afternoons can grow hazier than in autumn.

Seasons to watch

• Late winter / early spring (Feb-March): the route into the Sanctuary passes through an avalanche-prone section above Deurali. After heavy winter snowfall this stretch can be dangerous; cross it early in the day, heed local advice, and never push on against a guide's warning.
• Winter (December-February): trekkable in stable conditions with fewer crowds, but cold, with snow at higher camps and a real chance of route closures after storms. Base camp nights drop well below freezing.
• Monsoon (June-September): heavy rain, cloud-obscured views, slippery trails and abundant leeches in the forest sections make this the least favourable time, though the landscape is lush and green and crowds are thin.

Cost & Budget

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of the better-value Himalayan adventures. Your total cost depends mainly on whether you book a full guided package or arrange the trek more independently (within the current guide rules), and on how long you take.

Daily teahouse costs on the trail

• Lodging: a basic twin teahouse room costs roughly NPR 500-1,500 at lower elevations, rising at higher camps like MBC and ABC where rooms can be free or cheap if you eat there.
• Meals: prices climb with altitude. A plate of dal bhat runs about NPR 500-1,000; expect to budget NPR 3,000-5,500 per day for food and lodging, rising to NPR 5,000-7,500 near MBC and ABC.
• Extras: tea (NPR 60-200), bottled or boiled water (NPR 80-250), hot showers and device charging all cost more the higher you go — carry cash, as there are no ATMs on the trail.

Other budget items

Add the cost of a guide (around NPR 3,500-5,000 per day) and an optional porter (around NPR 2,500-3,500 per day), gear rental or purchase in Pokhara, travel insurance with high-altitude and helicopter-evacuation cover, and tips for your crew (typically 10-15% of the package, customary and appreciated).

Packing, Safety & Tips

Altitude & AMS basics

At 4,130 m, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is less likely than on higher treks but still possible. Watch for headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite and poor sleep. The rules are simple: ascend gradually (sleeping at MBC before ABC helps), drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol high up, and if symptoms worsen, descend — never continue climbing with worsening AMS. Tell your guide how you feel.

What to pack

• Layers: moisture-wicking base layers, a fleece or down mid-layer, and a waterproof, windproof shell.
• Lower body: trekking trousers, thermal leggings for the higher camps, and good underwear and trekking socks.
• Footwear: well broken-in waterproof boots with ankle support, plus sandals or camp shoes for the evenings.
• Sleep: a warm sleeping bag (rated to around -10°C) for the cold nights at MBC and ABC.
• Essentials: trekking poles, headlamp, sun hat, warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, and a reusable water bottle with purification tablets or a filter.
• First aid: personal medicines, blister care, painkillers, rehydration salts, and (on a doctor's advice) altitude medication.
• Money: enough Nepali rupees in cash for the whole trek, as there are no ATMs beyond Pokhara.
• Swimwear: a quick-dry layer for the Jhinu Danda hot springs on the way out.

Hot springs at Jhinu Danda

One of the trek's great rewards is the natural hot springs beside the Modi Khola, a short steep walk below Jhinu Danda. After days of stone steps, soaking tired muscles in the warm river-fed pools is the perfect end-of-trek treat — bring swimwear and a towel.

Safety & insurance

Buy comprehensive travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking to at least 4,500 m and includes helicopter evacuation — a rescue from the Sanctuary is expensive without it. Carry your guide's and agency's contact numbers, keep your permits handy for checkpoints, and stay weather-aware near the avalanche zone above Deurali.

Combining with Poon Hill and other treks

ABC pairs naturally with the short Ghorepani Poon Hill trek: many trekkers add the famous Poon Hill sunrise viewpoint at the start, creating a richer 10-11 day loop through the Annapurna foothills. If you want to build up gradually, the gentler Mardi Himal ridge is a good warm-up, and ABC itself is excellent training before the bigger, higher Everest Base Camp trek. Whichever you choose, base yourself in Pokhara before and after to organise permits, rent gear and recover by the lake.