Annapurna Base Camp
Annapurna, Western Nepal
Eight days that end inside a natural amphitheatre at 4,130 m, with Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli and Gangapurna standing all the way round you.
- Duration
- 8days
- Max altitude
- 4,130m
- Difficulty
Moderate
- Best seasons
Spring — March to May
Autumn — September to December
From · 3–5 people
€550
When to go
Coldest to warmest across the route, and rainfall. Open-Meteo
Day by day
The route
Day 01
Pokhara → Ghandruk
Explore the traditional Gurung village of Ghandruk, with views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre.
- Altitude
- 1,940m
- Driving
- 4–6 hrs· 55 km
Scenic drive through villages and terraced hillsides
Day 02
Ghandruk → Chhomrong
A forested trail with views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, ending in the lively Gurung settlement of Chhomrong.
- Altitude
- 2,170m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs· 10 km
Gradual ascent, then a descent to Kimrong Khola and a final climb to Chhomrong
Day 03
Chhomrong → Bamboo
Rhododendron and bamboo forest. A quiet, peaceful stretch away from the villages.
- Altitude
- 2,310m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs· 9 km
Stone steps down to Chhomrong Khola, then uphill through forest
Day 04
Bamboo → Deurali
Waterfalls and river valleys, with the mountain views opening up as you climb.
- Altitude
- 3,230m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs· 10 km
Forest into alpine transition, steady ascent
Day 05
Deurali → Annapurna Base Camp
Past Machhapuchhre Base Camp at 3,700 m and into the sanctuary — a 360° view of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre and Gangapurna.
- Altitude
- 4,130m
- On foot
- 6–7 hrs· 8 km
Alpine landscape, gradual ascent
Day 06
Annapurna Base Camp → Bamboo
Sunrise over the Annapurna range from base camp, then back down through MBC, Deurali and Himalaya.
- Altitude
- 2,310m
- On foot
- 6–7 hrs· 14 km
Descending alpine and forest trails
Day 07
Bamboo → Jhinu Danda
Natural hot springs by the Modi Khola at Jhinu Danda, at the end of the walking.
- Altitude
- 1,780m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs· 12 km
Forest trail, a descent to the river, then uphill climbs
Day 08
Jhinu Danda → Nayapul → Pokhara
A final walk out through farmland and villages, then the drive back to Pokhara.
- Altitude
- 820m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs· 10 km
- Driving
- 2 hrs· 42 km
Downhill through farmland and villages
Maptoolkit · © OpenStreetMap contributors
What’s included
Licensed female guide
Experienced and licensed, with all salary, meals and accommodation covered.
All meals on trek
Full board — breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus two servings of tea, coffee or another hot drink each day.
Accommodation
High-rated teahouse stays throughout the trek.
Transport
All transportation related to the trek.
Permits and taxes
All necessary government and local permits, paperwork and taxes.
Trekking essentials
Trekking poles, microspikes or crampons, and seasonal fruit on the trail.
What’s not included
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended for high-altitude treks, and required for helicopter evacuation cover.
Personal expenses
Wi-Fi, laundry, battery charging, bottled or hot water, hot showers.
Alcoholic and personal drinks
Tips for your guide
You can add
A porter
Hired from the region you are walking through, so the work and the money stay in the villages on your route — and you walk with a lighter pack and someone who knows the ground.
[PRICE TBC]
Permits
ACAP · TIMS — arranged for you. Restricted areas require a licensed guide by law.
Safety
Our altitude protocol
Altitude is the thing most people worry about, so here is exactly what we do about it. This is our operating protocol, not medical advice.
A guide trained in mountain safety and first aid
Licensed, and trained specifically for the conditions on these routes.
Daily health monitoring
We record your SpO2 and heart rate each day with a pulse oximeter, alongside an AMS assessment, and keep it in a wellness log you can see.
A first aid kit on every trek
Essential emergency supplies, including altitude sickness medication.
Pre-trek safety briefing
Altitude awareness, pacing, weather and emergency procedures — before you start walking, not on the trail.
Emergency coordination
With local health posts, rescue services and helicopter evacuation. The evacuation itself is covered by your travel insurance.
Annapurna Base Camp is a classic journey in the Annapurna region, reaching 4,130 m at the foot of Mt. Annapurna. The trail moves through genuinely different country as you climb — terraced fields and rhododendron forest give way to high alpine meadow — and ends with close panoramic views of Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli and Gangapurna standing around you.
It is a blend of natural beauty, culture and Himalayan adventure, and it is more accessible than its scale suggests.
Annapurna I was the first 8,000 m peak ever climbed, in 1950. It is also one of the deadliest — which makes it all the more striking to sit and look at it from the safety of base camp.
Questions
Before you go
Why is Annapurna Base Camp so famous?
It is one of the few places in the world where you can stand in the middle of a natural amphitheatre surrounded by giants like Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli.
When is the best time to trek ABC?
Spring (March–May) for rhododendron blooms and clear skies, or autumn (September–December) for crisp mountain views and stable weather.
Which peaks can you see from ABC?
Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Machhapuchhre (6,993 m) and Gangapurna (7,455 m) all tower around you.
What kind of wildlife might I spot?
Keep an eye out for Himalayan monals (Danphe), langurs and mountain goats — and if you are lucky, musk deer along the forest trails.
What are the teahouses like on this trek?
Cosy family-run lodges with simple wooden rooms and a good range of meals.
Not sure this is the right trek?
Book a free call with someone who has walked it. We will tell you honestly if another route suits you better — that happens often, and it is the whole point of talking first.