Annapurna Base Camp Trek

You will start your Annapurna Base Camp by driving 6 to 7 hours from Kathmandu to Pokhara. On your way to Pokhara, you will pass by the Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers. After just reaching Pokhara, you will get to see majestic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

You will already get the taste of how amazing this high-altitude trek will be when you arrive there. In the evening, you can check into your hotel, then go sightseeing around the lakeside. The nightlife around Pokhara’s lakeside is beautiful, but make sure to return and take adequate rest.

The day begins with an early-morning drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, a 42–45 km stretch that typically takes 1.5 hours via the Baglung Highway. Along the way, you will pass through Hyangja and Naudanda with glimpses of terraced mid-hills and the Mardi Khola valley. From Nayapul, the route briefly follows the Modi Khola before reaching the lively riverside village of Birenthanti. Here, you will visit the checkpoint where the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is checked.

From Birenthanti, the drive continues upstream along the Bhurungdi Khola toward Hile and Tikhedhunga. From Thikhedhunga, you will leave behind vehicles and begin ascending towards Ulleri. This climb is known for its steep stone staircase with over 3,200 steps. The path winds through terraced fields and clusters of Magar homes.

As you climb higher, you will feel cooler air, see thicker oak and rhododendron trees, and enjoy better views of the valley below. Ulleri, at 1,540 m, is about as high as Tikhedhunga but sits on a high terrace. You will get views of the Mardi Ridge and the deep Bhurungdi Gorge. Overnight stay at the teahouse at Ulleri.

Today’s hike is quite exciting as you climb towards Ghorepani. From the trail, you can enjoy views of the snow-capped peaks: Annapurna, Machhapuchre, and Hiunchuli. As you pass through the rhododendron forest, you will see fresh spring rivers and waterfalls. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you might see wild animals, like musk deer. As you continue ascending, you will arrive at the beautiful rhododendron garden. They are delightful in Spring as they bloom and turn red and pink. During this trail, you will constantly hear the soaring sound of Bhurundi Khola.

After a few hours of trekking, you will stop at Nangethanti for lunch. The final section to Ghorepani is a steady climb that is not as steep as the steps at Ulleri. When you reach Lower Ghorepani, you will see blue-roofed teahouses along the ridge. If you go a few more minutes up to Upper Ghorepani, you will enjoy amazing views of Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), Annapurna South, and the path to Poon Hill. This makes Ghorepani a beautiful stop on the Ghorepani–Poon Hill route.

You will wake up early in the morning and start hiking towards Poon Hill. It takes about 45 to 60 minutes to climb the stone staircase. Since it is still dark, you will be guided by the headlamps. You will first reach a small checkpoint and then the impressive Poon Hill View Tower. More than 12 mountain peaks are visible from here, like Tukuche Peak, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna range, Nilgiri, Fishtail, and others. At the summit, there’s often a small tea stall with hot drinks, and mobile networks (NTC/Ncell) usually work well due to the elevation. After heading down to Ghorepani for breakfast, the trail to Tadapani begins with a short climb to Deurali Pass (about 3,090 m). From there, a viewpoint offers a direct view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli through the trees.

You will enter a rhododendron and oak forest from Deurali to the Ghorepani-Ghandruk section. The trail first drops toward Banthanti, then gradually ascends towards Tadapani. If you arrive at Tadapani earlier than expected, you will continue on to Chuile. From Tadapani, the trail goes down steeply for about an hour through a quieter forest with fewer teahouses. It crosses a small wooden bridge over the Kimrong Khola before reaching the terraced village of Chuile.

The trek begins with a gradual descent from Tadapani or Chuile, depending on where you stayed the night before. Immediately after leaving Tadapani, you will get a stunning view of Annapurna South ridge and Fishtail mountain. The path drops sharply to the suspension bridge over the Kimrong Khola. You will pass through the small settlement of Gurjung, where you’ll find a reliable family-run teahouse and the delicious Gurung meals.

Occasionally, you may get sightings of langur monkeys in the treetops. You will reach a suspension bridge where the trail gradually climbs toward Chhomrong. Chhomrong is the largest group village on the route to the base camp. You will find lots of excellent cafes, bakeries, and teahouses. It is also an excellent place for photography, offering fantastic views of Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre.

You can also click some fantastic pictures of the sunset. If you begin your trek in Tadapani, you will spend the night in Chhomrung. But if you began trekking from Chuile, continue trekking towards Sinuwa. From Chhomrong, you will descend a long stone staircase to the Chhomrong Khola and then ascend again toward Lower and Upper Sinuwa. This final stretch becomes quieter, with fewer lodges but more stable weather and forest cover before you reach Sinuwa. Sinuwa is the last place you will get strong WIFI signals.

On the sixth day, the trek starts either from Chhomrong or Sinuwa, based on your previous destination. If you stayed overnight in Chhomrong, you would hike down steep stones to Chomrong Khola, then climb through bamboo, oak, and rhododendron forests to get to Sinuwa.

If you spent the night in Sinuwa, your trek starts there. You will see views of Machhapuchre and the Annapurna snowcaps along the trekking trail. The trail passes through Khuldigar village, descends to Bamboo Lodge, and then ascends to Himalaya. If you start from Sinuwa, you will end your day at Deurali.

Today you will trek from Himalaya or Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), the primary destination of this trek. Your morning starts with a gradual ascent as you follow the well-defined trail through a beautiful forested landscape, primarily rhododendron and alpine vegetation. The path gradually opens up to more exposed areas as you approach Machhapuchhare Base Camp (MBC) at 3,700 m.

You will get to see majestic views of the surrounding peaks, including the Machhapuchhare (Fishtail) Mountain. The section from Himalaya or Deurali to MBC typically takes around 2-3 hours.

From MBC, it takes another 2-3 hours to reach ABC. You will trek along more rugged trails, offering views of peaks such as Annapurna I, II, III, and IV, as well as Gangapurna and Hiunchuli. You’ll pass through alpine meadows and stone shelters. It’s essential to pace yourself due to the risk of altitude sickness. Once at Annapurna Base Camp, you’ll experience beautiful views of Annapurna I. The ABC is a popular spot for trekkers to rest and acclimatize while soaking in the incredible scenery.

Today you’ll descend from ABC to Bamboo. The day starts with a gradual downhill path from the base camp, where the stunning views of Annapurna and Machapuchare begin to fade as you descend in altitude. Initially, you will start retracing your steps along the moraine.

First, you will arrive in the rugged, rocky terrain you crossed earlier, before entering the forested area. The descent continues through the scenic Deurali, where you re-enter a more densely forested area as you head back to Bamboo.

As you go down the trail, it passes through beautiful rhododendron and bamboo forests. You can occasionally see the Modi Khola River below. The trek to Bamboo is not as hard as the earlier parts, allowing you to think about the amazing views you’ve seen while descending.

Bamboo is a small village surrounded by bamboo trees. It is a popular stop for trekkers, offering a good place to eat and sleep. The trail is less physically challenging than the climb, but you still need to stay alert because it slopes down and can be slippery in spots.

On Day 09 of the trek, you’ll be trekking from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda. Jhinu Danda is quite a popular stop for trekkers during ABC. The trek begins with a descent from Bamboo, followed by trekking through a known path through dense forests of rhododendron and bamboo. You will cross a few small streams and rivers along the way. You will find that the trail can be a bit steep in some sections.

There is a mix of both uphill and downhill stretches, but the stunning natural beauty makes it a rewarding experience. After a few hours of trek, you’ll eventually reach Sinuwa, where you can take a short break. From here, it’s a gradual descent towards Jhinu Danda.

The final stretch of the trek to Jhinu Danda involves more downhill. You will pass through terraced fields and small villages before reaching Jhinu Danda. Jhinu Danda, at an altitude of 1,780 m, is famous for its natural hot springs.

After several days of trekking, you will find soaking your feet in a hot spring very relaxing. The hot springs are located a short walk from the main village, near the Modi River. Upon reaching Jhinu Danda, you’ll have time to rest and enjoy the stunning surroundings.

The final day of the trek begins with a descent from Jhinu Danda.  You will hike through a series of stone steps and small villages. As you descend, the trail gradually opens up to views of the Modi Khola River. After walking for a few hours, you will reach Siwa or Ghandruk Phedi, both lower-altitude points along the trek. Ghandruk Phedi, near the base of the popular Ghandruk village, known for its traditional Gurung houses and culture. Your trek is quite short and less difficult, providing a perfect opportunity to relax before your drive to Pokhara.

After you reach Ghandruk Phedi or Siwa, you will drive back to Pokhara. During the ride, you can enjoy beautiful views of hills, valleys, and rivers. Pokhara is a popular destination known for its calm atmosphere, lovely lake, and stunning views of the Annapurna range. Once you arrive, you will have time to relax and enjoy the city’s peaceful vibe.

The end of the 11-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary is upon us. You will have breakfast at the hotel, then board your bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The bus journey takes approximately seven hours. You will return to the path where the Trishuli and Marshyangdi rivers meet, and leave behind the Annapurna range. As you arrive in Kathmandu, your amazing Annapurna Base Camp trek ends here.