Annapurna Base Camp is a moderate nature trek that starts at Nayapool, a short drive of about 2 hours from Pokhara, which takes you to the foot [Base Camp, 4130m] of Mt. Annapurna, one of the most magnificent peaks in the world.
The trail takes you through fascinating traditional villages of Nepal’s ethnic communities of the Gurung, Magar, and Thakali who will greet you very warmly if you stop for a conversation. The hike continues through dense rhododendron forests with towering snowy peaks in the background.
The return walk is even more interesting as the trek winds around different ridges towards Ghorepani, where you witness breathtaking views of an early morning sunrise as a red halo seeps through glistening gaps over the snowcapped peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountains. The sceneries seen throughout this trek grace the landscape of the Himalayas where imagination defines the beauty of nature as an experience that can never be forgotten.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek can be even more interesting in spring, as the whole forest along the trail turns red, pink and white with rhododendron flowers.
Trip Facts
Trip: Annapurna Base Camp trek
Duration: 14 Days
Activities: Trekking
Walking per day: 5-7 hours
Accommodation: Hotel / Tea house
Transportation: Car / Haice
Inspire Trek and Travel prices include all internal air and land transportation and all accommodation throughout your stay.
Cost includes:
- All necessary airport, hotel transfer
- Hotel in Kathmandu for 3 nights including breakfast
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu with tour guide salary, entrance fees and transportation
- Flight/Drive from KTM to Pokhara to Kathmandu for both members and guide
- Domestic airport tax
- Transportation from Pokhara to Nayapul to Pokhara for both the members and guide
- ACAP Permit Fee
- TIMS card
- Food and accommodation during the trekking period for both the members and guide
- 1 night hotel in Pokhara
- Half day Pokhara sightseeing with boating and entrance fees
- Food and accommodation for guide in Pokhara
- Flight/Drive back to Kathmandu for both the member and guide
- Trekking guide salary
- Porters wages during the trekking
- Welcome/Farewell dinner
- Insurance for Nepali staff
Cost does not include:
Please also ensure you can arrange or provide the following –
- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Personal expenses and equipment
- Alcohol and beverages
- Boiled or bottled water during the trek
- Travel insurance and medical evacuation
- Days extension due to uncontrollable factors such as strike, heavy snowfall, weather etc
- Tips
Please note …
… the itinerary trekking times and distances are approximate.
Cloud and turbulent weather are regular phenomena along the Himalaya range. It is therefore possible that domestic flights from Kathmandu to or from Lukla may have to be delayed for a few hours or even cancelled for a day or more.
Fortunately this does not happen very often during the high seasons of March to May or September to November, but you need to plan for this possibility.
As a safeguard, we recommend that you add on a couple of extra days after your trek, before you fly from Kathmandu to your onward destination.
Summary of Itinerary
Day 02: City tour and preparation in Kathmandu (1300m)
Day 03: Fly to Pokhara; Drive to Nayapul and trek to Birethanti (1025m)
Day 04: Trek to Ulleri (1960m): 5 hours walking
Day 05: Trek to Ghorepani (2860m): 5 hours walking
Day 06: Trek to Tadapani (2630m): 6 to 7 hours walking
Day 07: Trek to Chhomrong (2170m): 5 to 6 hours walking
Day 08: Trek to Himalayan (2920m): 6 to 7 hours walking
Day 09 : Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m): 6 hours walking
Day 10: Trek to Bamboo (2310m): 6 hours walking
Day 11: Trek to Jhinu Danda (1760m) Hot Spring: 6 hours walking
Day 12: Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara: 5 hours trek, 2 hours drive
Day 13: Fly or drive to Kathmandu
Day 14: Departure
Cost: 3 star services* – £1045 minimum 2 person
4 star services* – £1175 minimum 2 person
* 3 star services provides a minimum 3 star hotel accommodation in cities, i.e. Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, and tea house accommodation on treks
* 4 star services consist of minimum 4 star hotel accommodation in main cities, and the best of the available tea houses while on trek
Prices are based on two people sharing; if you want to book a single room please enquire for a revised price
Full Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Our representative will meet you at the Tribhubhan International Airport and transfer to the hotel. You will have a short briefing regarding your trip.
Day 02: City tour and preparation in Kathmandu (1300m)
In the morning you will meet your tour guide and visit historic, religious and architectural places of Kathmandu valley. You will visit Swoyambhunath (Bhuddhists Shrine, also called Monkey Temple), Baudhanath (largest stupa in the world), Pasupatinath (Hindu’s greatest pilgrimage site) and Patan Durbar Square (historic place for ancient art and architecture).
Your guide will check all your trekking equipment. You can rent or buy the required equipment in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Fly to Pokhara; Drive to Nayapul and trek to Birethanti (1025m)
Today you will either fly or drive to Nayapul. If driving it takes 8 hours to reach Nayapul, and if flying it takes 25 minutes to reach Pokhara, then one and half hours drive to Nayapul. From Nayapul it takes 30 minutes to reach Birethanti.
You can see green forests, small villages, hills and you can feel the cool weather. After Nayapul you will have to pass though a tourist check post where you have to show your ACAP Permit and Trekking Permit. Brethanti is a beautiful village where you can hear the Bhurundi River. Overnight at tea house.
Day 04: Trek to Ulleri (1960m): 5 hours walking
After breakfast we start our journey. On the way you can see local people, farm land, horses, greenery, comfortable lodges and more. Our trek will continue heading to Ulleri following the banks of the Burungdi stream.
We climb slightly up to the valley of Hile (1495 metres) and Tikhedhunga (1525 metres). The trail leads steeply up to Ulleri (2073 metres), a large beautiful Magar village, through the stone slabs. You have to climb steeply for two hours from Tikhedhunga to reach Ulleri. Overnight at tea house.
Day 05: Trek to Ghorepani (2860m): 5 hours walking
Today the trail leads us to the Ghorepani, one of the most popular destinations of Annapurna region. Our trek gently ascends up to Banthanti (2250 metres) through oak and rhododendron forests.
We then continue our trek towards Ghorepani through Nangeythanti (2460 metres). You will find a good internet connection in Ghorepani. Overnight at tea house.
Day 06: Trek to Tadapani (2630m): 6 to 7 hours walking
Today early in the morning we walk uphill to see the panoramic views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Lamjung Himalayan ranges, as well as the sunrise over the Himalayas. Experiencing the great views of Himalayan panorama from Poon Hill, we descend to Ghorepani.
After having breakfast, we continue our journey. The trail goes along the ridges of rhododendron and pine forests until we reach Tadapani.
Day 07: Trek to Chhomrong (2170m): 5 to 6 hours walking
From Tadapani you can see the beautiful view of Mt. Annapurna south, Mt. Fishtail and Hiunchuli. Today’s trail descends to Kimrong stream through the forests of rhododendron. We then walk towards Chhomrong crossing through the Gurjung village.
Chhomrong offers you close views of Mt. Annapurna south and Hiunchuli and the virgin peak, Fishtail (Machhapuchchhre). Chhomrong is one of the most beautiful villages offering comfortable lodges, internet service and hot showers.
Day 08: Trek to Himalayan (2920m): 6 to 7 hours walking
We descend to Chhomrong stream and continue to climb steeply, negotiating a trail that leads us through oak and rhododendron forests until we reach a welcome tea house on top of the ridge at Sinuwa (2350m). There are few lodges to stay in, and you get some wonderful close up views of Mt Fishtail.
Day 09 : Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m): 6 hours walking
The day begins with a climb to Machhapuchhre base camp (3900 metres). To reach there we have to pass some glaciers, with care as one of them is a little dangerous. After Machhapuchhre base camp we have to walk across rocky moraine for around two hours to reach Annapurna Base Camp.
On the way you can see the awesome view of rivers, small flowers, Mt. Annapurna range, Mt. Fishtail and more. It will definitely feel awesome to be at Annapurana Base Camp due to the trek and its natural beauty.
Day 10: Trek to Bamboo (2310m): 6 hours walking
Early in the morning you can clearly see Mt. Annapurna range, Tent Peak, Mt. Fishtail and Hiunchuli. You will surely feel that you are in heaven, in the lap of the Annapurna Base Camp.
The breathtaking views widen your adventure experience to great extent. After having breakfast, we walk down to Bamboo. We follow the same route that we used to reach Base Camp.
Day 11: Trek to Jhinu Danda (1760m) Hot Spring: 6 hours walking
From Bamboo, we head for a steep ascent to the Kuldi Ghar and then to Sinuwa, following the stone steps that lead to Lower Chhomrong. Then we ascend on the thousand stony steps taking us to Upper Chhomrong.
From Chhomrong, we descend to Jhinu Danda. Today will have an opportunity to enjoy the hot springs lying just a 15 minute walk from Jhinu Danda.
Day 12: Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara: 5 hours trek, 2 hours drive
We will trek from Jhinu Danda to New Bridge and then to Kyumi village. After having lunch, we trek to Syauli bazzar and then down to Birethanti.
Later, after about an hour’s trek from Birethanti, we will be at Naya Pul, where the trek ends. From Naya Pul, we drive to Pokhara.
Day 13: Fly or drive to Kathmandu
Fly or drive back to Kathmandu.
Day 14: Departure
Our representative will drop you to the Tribhubhan International Airport and give you Khada, for good luck.