Annapurna Base Camp Trek
A trek into one of the most spectacular mountain amphitheaters on Earth — a 360-degree ring of giant peaks above 7,000m.
Know before you go
Trip readiness
Best timing
October-November, March-May
Treat this as the first planning window, then verify local trail and weather conditions.
Time needed
10 days
Include acclimatization and transport buffers for mountain routes.
Permit status
Permit required
ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) and TIMS card (NPR 2,000) required
Difficulty
Moderate
Annapurna route. Match this to fitness, altitude experience, and daily walking hours.
Live conditions
Trail weather available
Use the weather card before starting, especially during monsoon and winter windows.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek culminates in one of the most spectacular mountain amphitheaters on Earth — a 360-degree ring of giant peaks including Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Machhapuchhre (6,993m), Hiunchuli (6,441m), and Gangapurna (7,455m), all towering above the glacial basin at 4,130m.
The trail begins in the subtropical lowlands near Pokhara, climbing through terraced farmland and the beautiful Gurung villages of Ghandruk and Chhomrong. Beyond Chhomrong, the route enters the Modi Khola gorge, passing through dense bamboo forest before emerging above the treeline at Machhapuchhre Base Camp. The final stretch crosses moraine and glacial terrain.
Teahouse accommodation is excellent throughout. The trek can be combined with Poon Hill for a comprehensive 12-15 day itinerary. Early starts are crucial for the best views, as clouds often build by mid-morning in spring.
Field log · Day by day
The route, walked
- Stages
- 10
- Day01
Nayapul→Ghandruk
moderateOvernightGhandruk- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Trailhead approach from Pokhara, then climb through foothill villages to Ghandruk.
- Day02
Ghandruk→Chhomrong
moderateOvernightChhomrong- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Traverse Gurung villages and descend/climb into Chhomrong, the main gateway village for the sanctuary route.
- Day03
Chhomrong→Bamboo
hardOvernightBamboo- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Descend to the Chhomrong Khola, climb to Sinuwa, then continue into the Modi Khola gorge and bamboo forest.
- Day04
Bamboo→Deurali
moderateOvernightDeurali- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Continue up the gorge through forest and waterfall sections toward Deurali.
- Day05
Deurali→Machhapuchhre Base Camp
hardOvernightMachhapuchhre Base Camp- Walking
- 4.0–5.0h
Climb above the gorge into the alpine sanctuary below Machhapuchhre.
- Day06
Machhapuchhre Base Camp→Annapurna Base Camp
cruxOvernightAnnapurna Base Camp- Walking
- 2.0–3.0h
Short but high-altitude climb into the Annapurna Sanctuary amphitheater.
- Day07
Annapurna Base Camp→Bamboo
hardOvernightBamboo- Walking
- 6.0–7.0h
Early views in the sanctuary, then a long descent back through Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Deurali.
- Day08
Bamboo→Jhinu Danda
moderateOvernightJhinu Danda- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Return through Sinuwa and Chhomrong, then descend toward Jhinu Danda.
- Day09
Jhinu Danda→Nayapul
moderateOvernightNayapul- Walking
- 5.0–6.0h
Descend toward the roadhead; many itineraries finish with a jeep transfer once road access is reached.
- Day10
Nayapul→Nayapul
Rest dayOvernightNayapulBuffer/rest day for weather, road timing, or a slower descent; separate transport data will later handle the Pokhara transfer explicitly.
- End
views
Planning this trek? Local operators publishing trips here can arrange it.
Elsewhere in this region
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