Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative. You will then be transferred to your hotel in the vibrant Thamel district via a private tourist car or van, depending on the size of your group. After settling in and relaxing, our manager will meet you at the hotel or our office to provide a detailed briefing about the upcoming trek and introduce you to our guide(s). In the evening, you can enjoy a stroll through the lively Thamel area, which is particularly bustling and colorful after dark. This is also an ideal time to shop for any last-minute food, gear, or other essentials you may need for the trek.

Your day begins with an early start as the bus to Pokhara departs from the tourist bus park at 7:30 am. Breakfast at the hotel will be ready around 6:00 am, giving you plenty of time to eat and prepare for the journey. Our guide(s) will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to the bus park. The journey to Pokhara takes approximately 8-9 hours, offering scenic views of Nepal's countryside along the way. Upon arrival in the picturesque Pokhara Valley, you'll be transferred to your hotel. After settling in, you'll have ample time to relax and unwind. In the evening, take a stroll around the lakeside area, with the serene Phewa Lake providing a stunning backdrop. Pokhara, known for its cleanliness and well-managed environment, offers a refreshing contrast to Kathmandu. You can enjoy mesmerizing views of beautiful mountains like Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m), Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m), and Mt. Machhapuchhre (6,993 m). As sunset approaches, make your way to Barahi Chowk on the bank of Phewa Lake. Here, you can witness the mesmerizing evening aarti performed by priests from the Tal Barahi Temple. This sacred ceremony is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Devi Ganga, and Devi Durga, adding a spiritual touch to your evening. Overnight stay at the hotel in Pokhara.

After breakfast, you will depart from Pokhara around 7 am. Your guide(s) and porters will be ready to assist with your luggage. You will embark on a scenic drive in a private 4-wheeler to Birethanti (1,025m). As your jeep climbs the hills outside the Pokhara valley, you can enjoy fantastic views of Pokhara city and the beautiful Phewa Lake. After approximately a 2-hour drive, you will reach Birethanti, marking the beginning of your trek toward the base of one of the world's eight-thousanders, Mt. Annapurna. After hiking for 2-3 hours, you will arrive at the village of Tikhedhunga (1,480m). Here, you will stop for lunch and have some time to rest after the initial leg of your trek. Once you are refreshed, you will continue your hike to Ulleri (2055m) village. This village at a distance of 48 kilometers from Pokhara will arrive once you climb a steep gradient which may sound exhausting but don’t worry there are stone steps up. Some say there are 3500 steps, some say there are 5000 steps. This has been a subject of debate among trekkers so hey why don’t you count? Upon reaching Ulleri, you will be treated to stunning views of Annapurna South (7,219m) and Hiunchuli (6,441m), making the effort worthwhile. Overnight stay at a lodge in Ulleri.

The next destination on our trek is Ghorepani (2,874m), a 4-5 hour trek from Ulleri. Today's journey takes you through captivating forests, where the sweet chirping of birds accompanies your walk, and you'll encounter a beautiful, secluded waterfall nestled within the forest. Walking through the traditional Magar villages from Ulleri to Ghorepani, you will have the opportunity to learn about the indigenous communities in the mountains. Along the way, you will pass through two charming villages: Banthanti and Nangethanti. Nangethanti will be your designated stop for drinks and a 20-30 minute rest break. You will arrive in Ghorepani with plenty of time to spare. After ordering your lunch, you will receive the keys to your room. Take some time to relax, enjoy your meal, and perhaps take a stroll around the village. The following morning, before sunrise, you will hike to the renowned Poon Hill (3,210m) to witness a breathtaking sunrise and enjoy panoramic views of many magnificent mountains. The sunrise time varies during the summer and winter, so your guide will inform you about the exact time the day before.

Today's adventure begins early in the morning as you set out to climb Poon Hill, renowned for its stunning sunrise views over the Annapurna Mountain Range. The hike to Poon Hill takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, so it's best to start before breakfast. Be sure to carry some snacks and a bottle of water, as you might get hungry along the way. Upon reaching Poon Hill, the breathtaking scenery will make you forget the strenuous hike. You'll witness panoramic views of majestic peaks including Annapurna I (8,091m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Machapuchare (6,993m), Hiunchuli (6,441m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Dhampus Peak (6,012m), Dhaulagiri II (7,751m), Nilgiri (7061m), and Manaslu (8163m) (if the weather is 100% clear). Take your time to capture some photos and enjoy the view. After spending 30-40 minutes soaking in the beauty, you will head back to the hotel for breakfast, with more opportunities to see the mountains along the way. Following breakfast, you will begin your trek to Tadapani (2,630m), which is approximately 10 kilometers from Ghorepani. The trek will take about 4-5 hours, mostly downhill, making it less tiring. Along the way, you will stop for lunch at Banthanti (not to be confused with the previous day's Banthanti), located about 2-3 hours from Ghorepani. The route will take you through picturesque villages such as Deurali Danda (3,090m), the highest point of today's trek, Thulo Odar, and Liui Kharka. Overnight stay at a teahouse in Tadapani.

Today, you will descend to Choomrong (2150m) village. Among all the trekking routes in Nepal, Choomrong village boasts the best pizza in the mountains, though it might not quite match the quality of those in Kathmandu and Pokhara. To reach Choomrong, you'll start by descending the hill from Tadapani, then cross the Kimrong River. Following this, you'll embark on a hike up to Choomrong Danda (hill). The journey involves a series of ups and downs, eventually bringing you to Choomrong in about 5-6 hours. Once there, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Mt. Machhapuchhre (6993m) and Annapurna South (7219m). Overnight stay in Chhomrong.

Today's trek takes you from Choomrong to Himalaya, a journey of 6-7 hours. You'll begin by descending Choomrong Hill, passing by a beautiful monastery, serene water streams, and the traditional Gurung community. After crossing a suspension bridge, you'll start your ascent. About half an hour into the climb, you'll reach Bhanuwa village, also known as Lower Sinuwa. From Bhanuwa, a 45-minute uphill hike brings you to Upper Sinuwa (2360m), also referred to as Sinuwa by the locals, where you can enjoy stunning views of Mt. Machhapuchhre (6993m) and Annapurna III (7555m). After a brief rest in Upper Sinuwa, you'll continue hiking. The fresh air from the dense forest and the cool, refreshing mountain water from numerous water crossings will keep you energized. After approximately 2 hours, you'll reach Bamboo village (2145m), your lunch spot for the day. Post-lunch, the trek towards Himalaya resumes, taking 3-4 hours from Bamboo. On the way, you'll pass through Dovan village (2505m). From Dovan, it's another 2-hour hike to reach Himalaya (2900m). The journey, despite its steep gradients, will be made enjoyable by the invigorating forest air and the refreshing mountain streams. Overnight at Himalaya.

Today, you'll finally reach your destination: the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) at an altitude of 4130 meters. The trek from Himalaya to ABC takes about 5-6 hours. Your journey begins with a hike up from Himalaya, reaching Deurali village after about 1-1.5 hours. After a brief rest in Deurali, you'll continue your ascent towards Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) at 3700 meters. Along the way, you'll pass through beautiful rhododendron trees, the national flower of Nepal, which thrive only in the high hills of the country. As you leave Deurali, you'll notice the vegetation begins to thin out, with no more big trees, allowing unobstructed views of the majestic mountains and the stark, naked rocky hills. The trekking trail, bordered by the Modi River and rhododendron trees, with beautiful long waterfalls cascading from the rocky hills, is truly captivating. After about 2-3 hours of hiking, you'll reach MBC, your lunch spot for the day. From MBC, you can enjoy close-up views of Mt. Machhapuchhre (6993m) and Mt. Annapurna III (7555m) After lunch, the final leg of your trek to ABC begins. You'll walk up the hill alongside a tiny river, which later becomes the Modi River, originating from the laps of Mt. Annapurna South (7219m). In about 1-2 hours, you'll arrive at ABC. Congratulations! You've finally reached your destination, the Annapurna Base Camp. Overnight at Annapurna Base Camp.

Early in the morning, before breakfast, you'll take a short walk to a viewpoint just five minutes from your hotel. Here, you'll capture the breathtaking sunrise and enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains stretching in every direction. This moment will be a highlight of your trek, with stunning views of Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Annapurna South, Annapurna Fang (locally known as Baraha Shikhar), Hiunchuli, Dhampus Peak, Tent Peak, and Gandharbha Chuli. The sight of these peaks up close makes the nine-day journey feel incredibly worthwhile. After spending some time at the viewpoint and capturing these moments, you'll head back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, you'll begin your descent, retracing your steps towards Bamboo village, a journey that will take about 5-6 hours from ABC. The trek is mostly downhill, which makes it less exhausting, and the magnificent mountain views will rejuvenate you along the way. Your lunch spot for today will be Himalaya, about 3-4 hours from ABC. After a relaxing lunch, you'll continue your trek to Bamboo village, which is another 2-3 hours from Himalaya. Nestled in the cliffs of the forest, Bamboo village offers a secluded and tranquil setting, with the soothing sound of the flowing river providing a perfect backdrop for rest after a long day of trekking. Overnight stay in Bamboo village.

Today marks the final day of your hike, although not the end of your journey. Your destination is Jhinu Danda, situated at an altitude of 1780 meters. Starting from Bamboo, you will begin with a small ascent of 30-45 minutes, after which the trail descends all the way to the Modi River. From there, you'll ascend for 1-2 hours, passing along Choomrong village. The villages you'll encounter along the way are the same as those you saw on your way to the base camp: Dovan, Sinuwa, and Bhanuwa. After 3-4 hours of trekking, you'll arrive at Choomrong village, which will serve as your lunch spot for the day. This may be your final lunch on the Annapurna Base Camp trek unless you decide to visit the base camp again. After lunch, you'll descend for 1-2 hours to reach Jhinu Danda. The village of Jhinu is renowned for two things: its newly built suspension bridge, reputed to be the longest in the world, and the natural hot water spring. Once you arrive, take some time to relax before visiting the hot water spring. A dip in these soothing waters is the perfect way to wash away the exhaustion of your 10-day trek. Spend the night in Jhinu Danda, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and reflecting on the incredible journey you've undertaken.

Today, you'll finally head to Pokhara. The journey begins with a short 5-minute descent, followed by crossing the newly built suspension bridge. Take a moment to capture some pictures before heading to the other side of the river, where a jeep will be waiting to drive you to Pokhara. Along the way, you'll encounter plenty of Himalayan Raspberries. Though considered invasive in many countries, these wild fruits grow abundantly on the hills of Nepal. If you're interested, you can ask your guide to stop the jeep so you can pick and enjoy some fresh raspberries. After a two-hour drive, you'll arrive in Pokhara. With the rest of the day at your leisure, you have plenty of time to relax and unwind. Consider treating yourself to a spa, sauna, or any other activity that helps alleviate the exhaustion from your trek. Pokhara offers a variety of activities, especially after coming from such an adventurous journey. In the evening, you can take a leisurely walk along the banks of Lakeside, explore the Lakeside Tourist Market, or simply sit on the grass by the lake and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

Today marks the final day of your journey as you head back to Kathmandu. After enjoying breakfast, you will depart from your hotel at 8 a.m. A private vehicle, reserved exclusively for you, will ensure a comfortable and cozy ride along the Prithvi Highway. The drive will take approximately 8-9 hours, during which you can relax and reflect on the incredible experiences of your trek. Upon reaching Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel, officially concluding your Annapurna Base Camp trek. Congratulations on successfully completing the ABC trek!

The Annapurna Base Camp is among the moderately easier trails in Nepal. In a scale of 1-10, we would rate ABC about 7 with 10 being the most difficult.

You can reach the ABC in a little as just 3 days of hiking. For this, you will have to start your trek from Jhinu danda. The package is called Short Annnapurna Base Camp Trek.

The Everest Base Camp standing at an altitude of 5364 meters is harder than the Annapurna Base Camp, which is at just 4130 meters because of its higher altitude. At higher altitudes, you need to be more cautious as the oxygen level falls way below make it challenging for you to breathe which might affect you not only in day but also at night, you might not get a good night’s sleep.

While you can see three of the eight-thousand peaks Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu (if the weather is very very clear, Everest cannot be seen from there as EBC is in the eastern side of Nepal Himalayas and ABC is on the western side.

Annapurna Base Camp is among the safest trekking trails in Nepal. However, in the mountains you cannot be for sure because due to unpredictable weather, avalanches and landslide can occur. If the safety precautions are followed then ABC you are good.

ABC is famous because of its close-up mountain view, Rhododendron forests, water-falls along the way, the traditional Gurung and Magar communities.