Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a walk up a valley, and it changes with every day. You start on stone steps above Nayapul, climb through forest to Ghorepani, and look out from Poon Hill (3,210 m) at first light. You then drop to Tadapani and Chhomrong, and turn up the valley itself: stair-laced forest to Bamboo, then higher to Deurali, Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) and the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 m.

Our primary version runs from Kathmandu airport and back. Day 1 is the drive to Pokhara; the walking starts at Nayapul on day 2. You sleep in tea houses, with your own group and a local team, so the pace and the early starts are yours to set. The route is popular, and a private group makes it quieter than it sounds.

Water, a warm layer and a steady pace do most of the work. Ghorepani gives you a first night near 2,900 m, the days after it teach you how you walk at height, and you reach Deurali after six nights of building up.

The way up and the way down differ. You come off the Sanctuary by Bamboo, Jhinu Danda and Siwai, then drive to Pokhara and on to Kathmandu. The days are long, between 5 and 7.5 hours of walking, and the stairs are the real work. The height comes late, and one reserve day waits at the top.

• Days: 11 days, 10 nights, plus a flexible reserve day (12 days in all)
• Highest point: Annapurna Base Camp, 4,130 m
• Start and end: Kathmandu airport; the trek itself starts and ends at Pokhara
• Grade: Moderate+
• Season: October to May

Day 9 is a flexible reserve day at Annapurna Base Camp, for weather or rest. It is part of the 12 days.

• Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m: the day 8 walk from Deurali by Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) ends in the Sanctuary, among the Annapurna peaks.
• Poon Hill at 3,210 m: an early excursion from Ghorepani on day 4, with a warm layer and a torch, before the walk on to Tadapani.
• A flexible reserve day at the top: day 9 stays at Annapurna Base Camp, so weather or tiredness does not cost you the view.
• Ulleri to Ghorepani: a 5.5-hour climb by Banthanti and Nangethanti, from 2,050 m to 2,874 m.
• Chhomrong, 2,170 m: the village you reach on day 5 after repeated ups and downs from Tadapani, and the turning point into the upper valley.
• Forest to moraine: forest and meadow trail below Deurali give way to the open ground of the upper valley.
• A different way down: the return goes by Bamboo, Jhinu Danda (1,780 m) and Siwai, not back over Poon Hill.
• Tea houses and a private team: you sleep in tea houses, with your own group and team, and meals on the trail.

The Annapurna Base Camp trek in our primary itinerary takes 11 days and 10 nights, plus a flexible reserve day, from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu. Here is how the days run.

Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara (822 m) by road, about 200 km and 5 to 6 hours. Pokhara is also 25 to 30 minutes by air from Kathmandu.

Day 2: Pokhara to Nayapul (1,070 m) by road, then 9 km and about 6.5 hours up to Ulleri (2,050 m).

Day 3: Ulleri to Ghorepani (2,874 m), 10 km and about 5.5 hours, by Banthanti and Nangethanti.

Day 4: Poon Hill (3,210 m) first, then Ghorepani to Tadapani (2,630 m), 12 km and about 7 hours in all.

Day 5: Tadapani to Chhomrong (2,170 m) by Chuile, 10 km and about 6 hours.

Day 6: Chhomrong to Bamboo (2,310 m) by Sinuwa, 7 km and about 5 hours.

Day 7: Bamboo to Deurali (3,230 m) by Dovan and Himalaya, 11 km and about 6 hours.

Day 8: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) by Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m), 8 km and about 6 hours.

Day 9: the flexible reserve day at Annapurna Base Camp. If the weather and your legs are good, it is a walk of 5 to 7 hours and 12 km.

Day 10: Annapurna Base Camp down to Bamboo, 16 km and about 7.5 hours, the longest day of the trek.

Day 11: Bamboo to Siwai by Jhinu Danda (1,780 m), 12 km and about 7 hours, then the drive to Pokhara.

Day 12: Pokhara to Kathmandu, 5 to 7 hours by road, ending at the airport.

If you want a different pace or length, tell us your dates and experience, and we will shape the days with you.

The first three trekking days set the tone for the rest of the walk. They are steady climbing on stone steps, and the trail stays between 2,050 m and 3,210 m.

Nayapul to Ulleri. You leave Pokhara early by road and start walking at Nayapul (1,070 m). Day 2 covers 9 km and about 6.5 hours, almost all of it uphill, to Ulleri at 2,050 m. Keep your daypack light for the long stair sections, and refill water before the main climb begins.

Ulleri to Ghorepani. Day 3 is 10 km and about 5.5 hours, through Banthanti (2,250 m) and Nangethanti (2,460 m) to Ghorepani at 2,874 m. Settle into a steady pace on the long ascent, and keep a warm layer for the evening. The next morning starts early.

Poon Hill. On day 4 you walk up to Poon Hill (3,210 m) before breakfast, then come back down, eat, and continue at a relaxed pace to Tadapani (2,630 m). The whole day is about 7 hours and 12 km. Carry a warm layer and keep your torch and essentials ready the night before.

Ghorepani is also your highest night so far. It is a useful rehearsal for the Sanctuary days: you learn how you walk at height, how you sleep, and how much to drink.

Why this way in. This version of the trek goes in by Ghorepani and out by Jhinu Danda. The way up and the way down are different, so the valley is not a repeat, and there are more days on the trail before the highest camps.

For another Nepal route after this one, see the Annapurna Circuit.

Between Tadapani and Deurali the trek changes character. The hillside villages fall behind, and the walking follows the valley that leads into the Annapurna Sanctuary.

Tadapani to Chhomrong. Day 5 is 10 km and about 6 hours, by Chuile (2,300 m) to Chhomrong at 2,170 m. The trail has repeated ups and downs, so start on time. Watch your footing on wet stone steps, and refill water before the final approach.

Chhomrong to Bamboo. Day 6 is shorter: 7 km and about 5 hours, by Sinuwa (2,360 m) to Bamboo at 2,310 m. The stone stairs are long. Do not rush them, and keep rain gear within reach in the forest zone. Reach Bamboo with time to rest.

Bamboo to Deurali. On day 7 the climb is real. You gain nearly 900 m, from 2,310 m to 3,230 m, through Dovan (2,600 m) and Himalaya (2,920 m), in 11 km and about 6 hours. Climb steadily and avoid racing the height. Sip water all day, eat an early dinner and rest properly.

What changes on the way. The terrain on this trek runs from dense forest and meadow trail to moraine, rocky trail and, in season, snow trail. The nights get colder as you rise; the temperature range for the trek is about -5 to 20 degrees Celsius.

The habits that matter on these three days are simple: a slow, steady pace, plenty of water, a warm layer ready for the evening, and an early night. Day 7 is the one to respect. It is the first day that ends above 3,000 m, and the next morning's walk to Annapurna Base Camp goes by Machhapuchhre Base Camp, so you want to arrive at Deurali rested, fed and unhurried.

Annapurna Base Camp is at 4,130 m. The itinerary reaches it by gaining height in steps, and how you pace the last three days matters more than your fitness on the first three.

The height profile. The trek starts at Pokhara (822 m). The first nights are at Ulleri (2,050 m), Ghorepani (2,874 m) and Tadapani (2,630 m). Chhomrong and Bamboo are at 2,170 m and 2,310 m. Then comes the climb: Deurali at 3,230 m on day 7, and Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m on day 8, passing Machhapuchhre Base Camp at 3,700 m.

The last two climbing days gain about 900 m each, the steepest part of the trek. That is why the earlier days are not rushed, and why the nights near 2,800 m sit before it.

The reserve day. Day 9 is a flexible reserved day at Annapurna Base Camp. If the weather is clear and everyone feels well, it is a day to look around the Sanctuary, a walk of 5 to 7 hours and 12 km. If cloud comes in or someone needs rest, it becomes an easy day. It is part of the 12 days, so it does not stretch the trip.

Above Deurali. Move slowly above Machhapuchhre Base Camp and keep your breathing relaxed. Layer up before camp, as the temperature drops quickly. Tell your leader about a headache or nausea without delay, so the day can be changed.

Other paces. We also run a Leisure Pace with Better Acclimatization version, 12 days and 11 nights plus a flexible reserve day, and a Strong Trekker Compact version, 5 days and 4 nights plus a flexible reserve day. Tell us your experience and we will suggest which fits.

The grade is Moderate+, and the long days are the main demand. For a bigger trek afterwards, look at the Everest Base Camp trek.

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a popular one. We run it for your group only, usually 2 to 10 people, with a local team, and the pace is set around you.

Getting here. You arrive at Kathmandu airport, where our pickup starts, and the drive to Pokhara is on day 1. The road is about 200 km and 5 to 6 hours; flights to Pokhara take 25 to 30 minutes. At the end of the trek we bring you back to Pokhara and on to Kathmandu on day 12, ending at the airport.

Tea houses and meals. You stay in tea houses along the route, and the trek days include breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea and snacks. That keeps your pack light: a daypack with water and layers is enough.

Permits. We arrange them for you.

Season. The trek runs from October to May, and the temperature range is about -5 to 20 degrees Celsius. Nights near the top are cold. Where snow lies on the upper trail, we provide the gear conditions call for, so you need not bring it.

Spare days. The reserve day on day 9 sits at the top, where weather matters most. A spare day in Nepal before the trek and another before your flight home are also worth planning if your schedule allows.

Who it suits. It suits people who enjoy long walking days and stone stairs, and who will go slowly at height. It is graded Moderate+ because of the long days and the nights above 3,000 m.

Tell us your dates, your experience and the pace you like, and we will shape the days to suit your group.