Embark on an unforgettable journey to the enchanting Annapurna Base Camp, where every step is a testament to the beauty and majesty of the Himalayas! As your trusted adventure partner, we at Pristine Nepal Treks & Expedition are dedicated to providing you with the ultimate trekking experience in Nepal.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Highlights
- Walk through the Annapurna Conservation Area
- Dazzling mountain views of Machhapuchre, Annapurna, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and many more
- Hot spring at Jhinu Danda
- Exploring Pokhara city
- Rich flora and fauna
- Local people, culture, and traditions
- Annapurna Base Camp
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Overview:
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular and classical trekking destinations in Nepal. The ABC trek is also known as Annapurna Sanctuary Trek which takes you away from the busy city life to the serene adventure around the Himalayas. On this trek, you will stand on the lap of the world’s 10th-highest mountain Annapurna (8091m), immersing yourself in it.
The Annapurna trail is the second most visited trek in Nepal after the Everest Base Camp. Thousands of trekkers go to Annapurna Base Camp every year. The Annapurna trekking takes you through the lush rhododendron forests, different climatic zones, diverse landscapes, and culturally enriching villages. It is a lifetime trekking experience one could ever imagine.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m) & transfer to hotel.
- Day 2: Drive to Pokhara
- Day 3: Drive to Nayapul & Trek to Tikhedunga
- Day 4: Trek to Ghorepani
- Day 5: Hike to Poon Hill & Trek to Tadapani
- Day 6: Trek to Chhomrong
- Day 7: Trek to Dovan
- Day 8: Trek to Machhapuchre Base Camp
- Day 9: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp
- Day 10: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo
- Day 11: Trek to Jhinu Danda
- Day 12: Trek to Nayapul and Drive to Pokhara
- Day 13: Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Day 14: Final Departure
Annapurna Base Camp Cost Inclusion:
- Airport picks up and drops service on a private vehicle.
- Two-night hotel in Kathmandu on the basis of twin sharing.
- Two-night stay in hotel of Pokhara
- Tourist Bus ticket (Kathmandu to Pokhara & again return ticket for Kathmandu)
- Taxi to/from the bus park
- Private vehicle from Pokhara to Nayapul 42km (Nayapul is the main starting point for trekking)
- Private vehicle from Nayapul to Pokhara (after finishing trekking)
- Lodge accommodation on-mountain during trekking
- Meals on Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner during the trek
- Fresh fruits with dinner during the trek
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit
- TIMS Card for Trekking
- Authentic licensed, English speaking experienced trekking guide (minimum 5 years experience)
- One porter for two trekkers
- Guide and Porter’s salary, food, accommodation, equipment & insurance
- Government and local taxes
- Water purification device
- Farewell dinner at one of the reputed restaurants in Kathmandu
Cost Exclusion
- Your Travel insurance
- All kinds of hard drinks or soft drinks.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, bar bills, battery charge, extra porters, bottled or boiled water, hot shower on the lodge, heater, phone calls, etc
- Tips for guide and porter
- Any additional night stay in hotels in case of an early return from the trek or an extended stay in Nepal
14-Day ABC Detailed Itinerary
Today will be your arrival day at the international airport of Nepal. Our team will be present there for your arrival at the airport to pick you up. Shortly after your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel with a short drive. Usually, we Pristine Nepal Team manages your stay inside the Thamel area which is the main tourist place.
After your arrival at the hotel, most of the time you will have plenty of time to do many activities in Thamel, Kathmandu. The first thing we recommend you to do is eat the traditional food of Nepal in Thamel. Obviously, it is common to get hungry after a long flight. If you don’t know what to eat then check our blog that perfectly describes “Must Try foods of Nepal”. For instance, MO: MO is the favorite dish among tourists in Nepal. The next thing after eating your food is exploring the Thamel area for any essential gear for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. It is important to check your things again for trekking and having conversations with your guide.
As soon as you are ready after your breakfast, your guide will come to pick you up. Today, you will have a long drive to Pokhara which is 126 miles from Kathmandu. Pokhara is the starting point of many trekking regions including the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Driving from Kathmandu, the journey leads past villages & towns with amazing natural scenery. Similarly, there are many good spots to have a short break and take photos while driving to Pokhara. Besides driving to Pokhara from Kathmandu, another quickest method to reach Pokhara is by taking a flight from Kathmandu by paying a certain amount of fare. After reaching Pokhara, you will be transferred to your hotel near the famous Phewa Lake.
After a good sleep & a delicious breakfast near Phewa Lake, it is time to have the next 2 hours’ short drive to Nayapul. Along the way to Nayapul, you will pass through the lovely Lumle village. Before heading to Nayapul, make sure you have everything you need like cash, snacks, gear, etc. From Nayapul village, it is time for your first long walk to Tikhedunga crossing Bhirethati village, Lamdawali, Sudame, and Hile. Usually, we have our lunch at Ramghai tea houses & then trek slowly upwards to Tikhedunga. The distance between Nayapul to Tikhedunga is 9.2 kilometers which will take 5 hours approximately. While trekking, you will enjoy waterfalls, Himalayan scenery, terraced fields along Bhurungdi Khola.
As usual, after breakfast in Tikhedunga, you will have a challenge up ahead to climb 3,000+ series of stone steps for an hour to reach Ulleri Village. Ulleri Village is a moderate size “Magar village” with typical traditional Nepalese-style slated roofs built of mud/stones. During springtime, the trail is filled with rhododendron forests & pine trees till Ghorepani village. This village is the home of the Magar tribe with a famous spot for a sunrise view called Poon Hill. Also, if the weather gets clear during the trek, you will have the best photoshoot. After reaching Ghorepani, you will be staying there for one night.
Starting the trek early hoping for good weather, you will hike to Poon Hill to catch the amazing sunrise view over a range of Himalayan peaks. You can witness the World’s 7th highest Dhaulagiri, 10th highest Annapurna with a range of peaks including the world’s 8th highest Manaslu with towering Machhapuchare peak “Fish Tail”. After watching the sunrise view and taking some photos in Poon Hill, we will head back to Ghorepani. From Ghorepani, you will continue your trek to the next destination-Tadapani which is 2,630 m altitude. Tadapani is 5-6 hours of walk from Ghorepani crossing through dense forest, prayer flags, gentle water streams & Deurali Danda. You will have your night’s stay in Tadapani which is the best place to relax.
Luck on the side, it’s a downhill to Chhomrong from Tadapani- 7.6 kilometers/ 4.7 miles. It takes 5 to 6 hours to reach Chhomrong from Tadapani exploring Kimrong Khola, Taulung villages, Ghurjung village, Chuila. As usual, after having breakfast early in the morning, you will start your journey early morning to Chhomrong. Walking to Chhomrong, you will have an amazing view of Annapurna South, Huinchuli, & Mt. Machhapuchre Himal (Fishtail) which gives the best photoshoot. After a long descent walk to Komrong River valley, it’s again a short climb through terraced fields to reach Chhomrong. Finally, after crossing the stone-paved path you will reach Chhomrong Village which is also a village of Gurung people where you will stay for the night.
The distance between Chhomrong to Dovan is 8.6 km / 5.3 miles which take 5-7 hours to trek. It is a steep downhill to the river until crossing the bridge and a decent walk towards Sinuwa which is at 2,360m altitude. Surrounded by oak trees, bamboo & rhododendron forests- trekking through Sinuwa offers a calm vibe that attracts many trekkers to visit Annapurna Base Camp. Walking beside an amazing view of the tenth highest peak of the world “Mount Annapurna”, soon you will reach Dovan with a short climb. Reaching Dovan, you will spend your night surrounded by panoramic views of mountains.
After staying at Dovan at 2,500m altitude-the next destination is Machhapuchre Base Camp which is at 3,700m altitude. You will be walking beside the majestic Machhapuchre Himal (Fish Tail) and Modi River all the way to Machhapuchre Base Camp. The path to Machhapuchre Base Camp is rockier & slippery than others so you need to be more careful. Continuing further, you will cross the Hinko Cave where the first expedition to the Base Camp used to camp. From Hinko cave, you can see the lodges at Deurali which is still far from here. After lunch at Deurali, the path is steeper until you cross the forest behind. If the weather gets clear then you can get a glimpse of Hiunchuli and Machhapuchre too. Soon, you will reach Machhapuchre Base Camp where you will spend your night at the tea house.
Starting early in the morning, today will be the moment to trek to your main destination– “Annapurna Base Camp” which is at 4,130m altitude above sea level. The distance between Machhapuchre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camo is 2.9km which will take 2 hours to trek approximately. During the afternoon, you can relax with the views of majestic peaks-Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Gangapurna (7,455m), Machhapuchre (6,993m) & Annapurna III (7,555m). Overnight stay in Annapurna Base Camp.
After a refreshing night at Annapurna Base Camp, you will need to start your trek early. Today will be a long walk to Bamboo which will take 6 hours approximately. However, you will still have a panorama view of all the mountains seen in Annapurna Base Camp. The distance between Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo is 16.7 km / 10.3 miles. However, the altitude drops from 4,130m to 2,300m when you reach Bamboo. This is why you will feel less exhausted when descending from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo. Overnight stay at Bamboo.
The distance between Bamboo to Jhinu Danda is 8.5 km approximately which will take up to 6 hours to reach. After leaving the Bamboo starting the trek early, you will head to Khuldi-Ghar surrounded by a dense forest. Soon, you will reach to Chomrong river crossing Sinuwa Danda after a decent walk. From Chomrong, it is again a short walk to the top ridge where you will need to change the direction that leads to Pokhara. However, you will stay at Jhinu village to spend your night. The reason to start your trek early today is to reach the hot spring to take a bath by the Modi River.
Today, we will follow the Modi River all the way to Nayapul or you can take a public vehicle from Siwai to Nayapul. After reaching Nayapul, you will have a private vehicle from Nayapul to Pokhara where you will spend your night.
The trekking will be over today completely so you can return from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Also, you will have a tourist bus ride of approximately 7 hours from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Instead of taking a long drive from Pokhara, you can have 30min short flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu too with a small fare.
As per the package, today will be the departure day and the end of the Annapurna Base Camp trek. You will be escorted to the airport according to your flight schedule.
Packing List For Annapurna Base Camp
Planning and Preparation are very important to have a safe and sustainable experience while trekking. Focusing only on fitness is not what you should be doing to prepare for the trek, instead, there are so many key factors that you should consider before leaving for the trek.
Things like gear & equipment, mental preparation, budgeting, planning itinerary, acclimatization, safety & other important factors are necessary to avoid trekking errors. Here are some important factors to plan & prepare for a safe & sustainable trek in Nepal:
Gears & Equipment: Packing list for ABC
Packing the right gear & equipment can save you from any unnecessary expenses. To make it easy for you, here is the checklist of the packing list for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Clothing gear for the trek:
- Down jackets
- Trekking boots
- Long sleeve t-shirts
- Gortex-waterproof & windproof jackets
- Hiking socks
- Beanie
- UV rays protected sunglasses
- Nylon windproof pants
- Water bottles
- Gloves
- Neck gaiter
Essential gears for the trek:
- Duffle bag (It is provided by us without extra charges if you trek with us)
- Minimum 40L daypack for carrying essential items during the trek
- Water bottles or Camelbak (Hydration bladder)
- Sleeping bags
- Trekking poles
- Quick dry trekking towels
Toiletries Items:
- Toilet paper
- Soap
- Shampoo Diaper
- Rash cream
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Lip balm
- Wet wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Hairbrush
Foods and Snacks
- Snacks (which include chocolate bars and Protein & carb-containing foods)
- Thermos (For storing hot water for a longer time)
- Re-hydration powder (To stay hydrated)
Important Documents
- Passport (It is needed for entry gate registration)
- Visa
- Travel Insurance
Additional Supplies
- Portable solar charger/power bank
- Playing cards or any other games
- DSLR cameras
- Book
What can you rent in Thamel, Kathmandu for your trek?
In Thamel, Kathmandu, we can recommend several rental shops where you can rent a Down Jacket, sleeping bag, and Trekking Pole, and buy the remaining gear too. We also offer quality sleeping bag rental service.
I am Vegan, what extra things should I pack for the trek?
If you are a vegan, it is strongly recommended to bring additional protein bars or snacks for the trek. The cost of snacks in the trekking trail will be expensive, so prepare accordingly.
More About Annapurna Base Camp Trek:
ABC Trek Route Overview:
Our 14-day trip to Annapurna Base Camp begins with a bus ride to the picturesque city of Pokhara. It takes 6-7 hours to get there from Kathmandu. Upon reaching Pokhara you will be amazed by the beauty of this city. Additionally, the reflection of the Annapurna mountain ranges in the Fewa lake will leave you speechless.
Note: Due to the onging construction of Kathmandu – Pokhara highway, it will add couple of hours to the original schedule to reach Pokhara.
Our second day progressed with a short drive to Nayapul from where our trekking starts. From here onwards we will continue our journey to the Ghorepani passing through beautiful villages like Tikhedhunga, Ulleri, and so forth. Ghorepani is a beautiful famous village in the Annapurna region. Next morning, we will hike to the Poonhill viewpoint to take in the breathtaking panoramic vista of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. In spring the path is full of blooming rhododendron forests everywhere.
Further walking for a few more days, we make our way to Machhapuchre Base Camp, the last stop before reaching the Annapurna Base Camp. Finally, on the ninth day of the journey, we will reach our main destination Annapurna Base Camp which is at an altitude of 4,130m. Take in the breathtaking vista of Mt. Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna Mountain ranges (6,993m) from the base camp.
We will return back following the same trail passing through Deurali, Dovan, Bamboo, Sinuwa, and Chomrong villages. From Chomrong we will trek to Jhinu Danda and stop there for an overnight stay. After a strenuous nine days of hiking, we shall have a hot bath at Jhinu Danda to soothe our bodies. The following morning, we will hike to Nayapul before taking a private vehicle back to Pokhara.
Exploring Pokhara:
Pokhara is the major highlight of the Annapurna trek. This is one of the busiest and most popular tourist hubs. We’ll stay in Pokhara for two nights. We use this time to explore Pokhara in the meanwhile. You’ll fall in love while strolling along the lakeshore at night. You might be able to see the Aarati performance at the lakeside as well. Furthermore, Pokhara has endless nightlife. After returning from the hike, we can also visit bars, restaurants, or coffee shops to cap off the adventure on a good note.
Meals and Accommodation:
While you are in Kathmandu & Pokhara food (lunch and dinner) is not included except for breakfast. On the last day in Kathmandu, we will organize the farewell dinner.
We offer Full Board Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) with tea or coffee throughout the trekking period. On the trek, you can enjoy the varieties of continental, Chinese, and Indian cuisines along with the local Nepali dishes. Tibetan bread, eggs, pancakes, dal, bhat, momo, pizza, macaroni, and other menu items are some of the most well-liked dishes.
Note: Non-veg items are not available after Sinuwa village up to the Annapurna Base Camp. Also, it is important to note that the food options are limited at higher elevations, and not all kinds of foods are available.
For accommodation, we provide a star-category two-night stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara each with a breakfast plan on the basis of twins sharing.
Whereas, during the trek, you will stay at the finest hotel and lodge. Don’t worry. In recent days, all the accommodations have been well-equipped to meet the fundamental needs of the trekkers.
ABC Trek Permits:
Annapurna Base Camp is located within an Annapurna Conservation Area which means you need permits to trek in this region. There are two different permits required; Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS).
The cost for ACAP is NRS 3000 whereas TIMS costs NRS 2000 for independent trekkers and NRS 1000 through an agency. You can purchase these permits from Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Note: Our Company obtains all the necessary permits for the Annapurna Trek.
Best Time for ABC Trek
Trekking in Nepal offers the best experience to any adventurer visually as well as mentally with breathtaking landscapes, majestic Himalayas, histories, local traditions, & others.
The months of Spring & Autumn season are considered the best time to trek in Nepal for the Annapurna Base Camp. During these periods the weather is perfect, and the temperature is stable making it the perfect climate for trekking.
Besides, there are other months of Monsoon & Winter seasons that you may want to consider.
ABC Trek Route Map:
FAQ
There are 3 options to get to Pokhara. You can go by tourist bus, private car or by flight.
Our Annapurna Base Camp package includes all the transfers (airport pickup/drop, Pokhara-Kathmandu-Pokhara, and Pokhara-Nayapul-Pokhara) by private vehicle. However, you can also opt for private car or flight which will cost you extra charge.
The trekking route to Annapurna Base Camp trek can be completed between 6 to 12 days.
The difficulty level of the trek is evaluated to be moderate yet demanding by most trekkers.
Unlike other trekking destinations of Nepal, there is a good connection of internet access in most places of ABC Trek. Some lodges even provide free Wi-Fi, but most will charge USD 1- USD 4 for using Wi-Fi and mobile charging.
