Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Into the Annapurna Sanctuary, an amphitheatre of 7,000 m peaks.
- Duration
- 10 days
- Max altitude
- 4,130 m
- Distance
- 70 km
- Best season
- October–November, March–April
- Starts
- Nayapul / Ghandruk
- Ends
- Nayapul
Overview
Through Gurung villages and bamboo forest into the Modi Khola gorge, the ABC trek ends inside a ring of mountains: Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre all stand within a few kilometres. Lower and shorter than Everest Base Camp, it is a strong choice for a first big trek.
- Ghandruk
- Chhomrong
- Machhapuchhre Base Camp
- Annapurna Base Camp sunrise
- Jhinu hot springs
Plan this trek
Day-by-day itinerary
Sleeping altitude goes from 1,940 m on day 1 to a high of 4,130 m on day 5, ending at 1,780 m on day 7.
- 1
Drive to Nayapul, trek to Ghandruk
Stone steps through villages to the big Gurung town.
Sleep at 1,940 m
- 2
Ghandruk to Chhomrong
Down to the Kimrong Khola and back up.
Sleep at 2,170 m
- 3
Chhomrong to Bamboo
The long staircase down, then into the gorge.
Sleep at 2,310 m
- 4
Bamboo to Deurali
Steady climb past Dovan and the Hinku cave.
Sleep at 3,230 m
- 5
Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp
Via Machhapuchhre Base Camp into the Sanctuary.
Sleep at 4,130 m
- 6
Sunrise at ABC, descend to Bamboo
Long descent.
Sleep at 2,310 m
- 7
Bamboo to Jhinu Danda
Hot springs by the river.
Sleep at 1,780 m
- 8
Jhinu to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara
New bridge shortens the walk out.
- 9
Buffer day
- 10
Buffer day
Permits
Permit rules and fees change. We link the official source for each and show when it was last checked.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
NPR 3,000 (mid-2026); checked at Ghandruk and Chhomrong.
TIMS card
NPR 2,000 for foreign nationals (mid-2026).
Safety and altitude
Altitude sickness is the main risk on any trek above 2,500 m. Ascend slowly, sleep no more than 300–500 m higher each night above 3,000 m, drink plenty, and descend immediately if symptoms worsen. Headache, nausea and loss of appetite are early warnings; confusion or breathlessness at rest are emergencies.
Carry travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking to your maximum altitude and helicopter evacuation. Weather can close trails and airports for days; keep buffer days and cash.
Packing list
Essentials are marked; the rest is optional.
- Broken-in trekking boots (essential)
- Four-season sleeping bag (lodge blankets are limited) (essential)
- Down jacket (essential)
- Waterproof shell (essential)
- Sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen (essential)
- Water purification tablets or filter (essential)
- Head torch (essential)
- Basic first-aid kit incl. blister care (essential)
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Power bank (optional)
Frequently asked questions
From travellers
Travellers who trekked Annapurna Base Camp Trek
First-hand accounts from people who walked it recently. Read one, then plan a trip like it.
Travel storyDemo storyTraveller story · Emma Clarke · 12 Nov 2025
Annapurna Base Camp, step by step with three friends
Seven days through bamboo forest and rhododendron to the amphitheatre of peaks at 4,130 metres. A friends’ trek with steady pacing, early nights and a hot spring on the way back.
- Visited
- October 2025
- Places
- Annapurna Region · Pokhara
More treks
Other treks in Annapurna Region
Annapurna Conservation Area
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
The classic short trek: rhododendron forest and a sunrise panorama.
- Duration
- 4 days
- Max altitude
- 3,210 m
Annapurna Conservation Area
Mardi Himal Trek
A quiet ridge walk to a high viewpoint beneath Machhapuchhre.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Max altitude
- 4,500 m
Gorkha (Manaslu) and Manang
Manaslu Circuit Trek
A quieter rival to the Annapurna Circuit around the world’s eighth-highest mountain, over the Larkya La.
- Duration
- 14 days
- Max altitude
- 5,106 m
