Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a roughly 110-km point-to-point trail in north-central Nepal, climbing from about 1,070 m to a high point of 4,130 m for a cumulative gain near 5,600 m across 7–12 days. Rated moderate to challenging, it threads Gurung villages and bamboo forest into a glacial amphitheatre ringed by ten Himalayan peaks.

About the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Known to most trekkers simply as “ABC,” the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal’s three classic Himalayan walks, alongside Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit. Unlike a summit attempt, it requires no ropes, crampons or technical mountaineering — just steady legs, good acclimatisation and a tolerance for thousands of stone steps. The reward is the Annapurna Sanctuary, a high glacial basin sitting at 4,130 m and encircled by giants including Annapurna I (8,091 m), Machapuchare (6,993 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m) and Annapurna South (7,219 m).

The route forms part of the wider trekking network within the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal’s largest protected region at 7,629 km². As a recognised stage of the National Walking Network (NWN) — the country’s major maintained trail system — the path is waymarked, lined with teahouses and supported by porters and licensed guides. It runs point-to-point, beginning in the lowland subtropical valley of the Modi Khola and ending deep in alpine moraine, so the landscape transforms completely over the course of the walk.

Most hikers cover around 110 km from the Nayapul or Siwai trailhead to the sanctuary and back, though the figure varies with chosen side-trips such as the Poon Hill detour. The total distance is best treated as approximate: teahouse trekking is measured in walking hours and altitude rather than precise kilometres, and several alternative entry and exit points exist. What is fixed is the elevation profile, which climbs and descends relentlessly through the lower forest before opening into the sanctuary.

The trek’s defining feature is variety packed into a short span. In a single week you pass through subtropical farmland at 1,100 m, temperate oak and rhododendron forest around 2,500 m, and barren glacial moraine above 3,800 m, watching the vegetation thin and the peaks close in with every hour gained. The Gurung and Magar communities who run the lodges add a strong cultural thread, and roadhead development on the lower trail means you can now start higher and skip the hottest, least scenic kilometres if time is tight. For first-time Himalayan trekkers, this combination of dramatic scenery, manageable logistics and reliable food and shelter is exactly why ABC is so often recommended as an introduction to high-altitude walking.

Route Overview & Stages

The classic itinerary below shows a representative seven-walking-day plan from the Ghandruk side, returning via the hot springs at Jhinu Danda. Daily distances and gains are typical ranges; teahouse availability lets you shorten or lengthen most stages.

Fitter walkers compress this into six days; those adding the Ghorepani–Poon Hill loop spread it over 10–12. Whichever variant you choose, the golden rule is to gain no more than 500 m of sleeping altitude per day above Chhomrong to manage acute mountain sickness.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Ghandruk (1,940 m) — one of the largest Gurung settlements in Nepal, with slate-roofed houses, a small museum and a wraparound view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.
• Chhomrong (2,170 m) — the gateway village where every ABC route converges; famous for its German bakeries, apple crumble and the last reliable resupply before the sanctuary.
• Modi Khola Gorge — the steep, forested river canyon between Chhomrong and Deurali, dense with rhododendron, bamboo and langur monkeys.
• Machapuchare Base Camp (3,700 m) — the staging point beneath the sacred “Fish Tail” peak, which remains unclimbed and closed to mountaineering out of religious respect.
• Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) — the trek’s climax, a 360-degree glacial amphitheatre with sunrise light striking Annapurna I, the world’s tenth-highest mountain.
• Annapurna Glacier & moraine — the icefall and rubble field directly below base camp, a stark contrast to the green valley walked through days earlier.
• Jhinu Danda Hot Springs (1,780 m) — natural riverside thermal pools, a 20-minute descent from the village and the classic reward on the return leg.
• Poon Hill (3,210 m) — an optional sunrise viewpoint on the Ghorepani variant, offering one of the most photographed Himalayan panoramas in Nepal.

Best Time to Hike the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

There are two clear trekking windows. Autumn (late September to late November) brings stable post-monsoon weather, washed-clean skies and the sharpest mountain visibility of the year. Spring (March to April) is warmer and famous for rhododendron forests in full bloom between 2,000 and 3,000 m, though afternoon haze is more common. Winter (December to February) is feasible but cold, with snow and avalanche risk above Deurali and many high teahouses closed. The monsoon (June to mid-September) is best avoided: leeches, landslides and cloud-locked views dominate.

For 2026, October is the single best month. Daytime temperatures at the lower villages sit around 15–20 °C, nights at base camp drop near −5 °C, the trail is dry and the air at altitude is exceptionally clear. As of 2026 the route remains busy in this window, so book teahouse beds early or start walking by mid-morning to reach the next village before the afternoon rush. A late-November departure trades slightly colder nights for noticeably thinner crowds.

Practical Information

Accommodation

This is a teahouse trek, so tents are unnecessary. Family-run lodges line every stage, offering twin rooms with shared bathrooms. A bed typically costs only NPR 300–800 (roughly €2–6) per night, on the understanding that you eat dinner and breakfast at the same lodge. Meals are where the real spend lies: expect a plate of dal bhat to cost around €4–7 at lower elevations and €7–10 near base camp, where everything is carried up by porter. Budget realistically for €25–40 per person per day all-in, including hot drinks, charging and Wi-Fi fees. Hot showers (gas-heated) run €2–4. Carry enough cash from Pokhara, as there are no ATMs on the trail. Fuelling well matters on a long climbing day — see our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day to plan teahouse meals.

Getting There & Back

The trek is organised around Pokhara, Nepal’s lakeside trekking hub. From Kathmandu, Pokhara is a 25–30 minute domestic flight or a 6–8 hour drive by tourist bus along the Prithvi Highway. Pokhara International Airport (PKR) is the nearest airport to the trailhead. From Pokhara, a jeep or local bus reaches the Nayapul / Siwai trailhead in about 1.5–2.5 hours, where walking begins. On the return, most trekkers descend to Jhinu Danda or Siwai and take a shared jeep back to Pokhara, a journey of 3–4 hours on rough mountain road. Many international visitors fly into Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport first, then connect to Pokhara; allow a buffer day on each side, as domestic flights in the Himalaya are regularly delayed by weather. Hiring a licensed guide and porter in Pokhara is straightforward and, as of 2026, strongly encouraged for navigation, altitude monitoring and supporting the local economy.

Permits & Fees

Two documents are mandatory and checked at entry posts. The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) costs NPR 3,000 (around €21) for foreign nationals, administered by the National Trust for Nature Conservation. The Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card costs NPR 2,000 (around €14) for foreign individual trekkers. Both are obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara through the Nepal Tourism Board offices or a registered agency; carry passport photos and your passport. Confirm current fees before you travel via the National Trust for Nature Conservation and the Nepal Tourism Board, as rules and guide requirements are periodically revised.

Gear & Packing List

Because you sleep indoors every night, ABC is a relatively light pack compared with camping treks — but the 3,000 m of vertical range means you must carry kit for both subtropical warmth and sub-zero base-camp mornings. A 40–55 L backpack is the sweet spot. The lightweight, high-volume Arc Haul Ultra 60L suits trekkers carrying their own load, while a supported, ventilated carry such as the Atmos AG 50 handles longer days comfortably. For a trekking-day pack on the trail, the Abisko Hike 35 is a durable mid-size option.

Essentials beyond the pack: a four-season sleeping bag rated to −10 °C (teahouse blankets are thin at altitude), down jacket, waterproof shell, sturdy broken-in boots, trekking poles for the endless stone steps, a headtorch, water purification, and a buff for dust on the jeep road. Pack a small first-aid kit with blister care and a thermometer, plus a few high-energy snacks, since trailside prices climb steeply with altitude. A lightweight repair kit and spare batteries round out a sensible high-mountain load. Keep base weight low and your knees will thank you on the long descent — our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested packs that shave kilograms without sacrificing support.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high-altitude teahouse rhythm of ABC appeals, the wider Himalaya offers natural next steps — the Annapurna Circuit crossing the Thorong La (5,416 m), the Everest Base Camp trek, and the quieter Mardi Himal ridge that branches off the same Annapurna network. For a comparable hut-to-hut adventure closer to Europe, the cross-border Balkan classic is a superb alternative: read our full guide to hiking the Theth to Valbona Trail in Albania (2026), which shares ABC’s mix of mountain villages, dramatic passes and guesthouse stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to trek to Annapurna Base Camp?
Autumn, from late September to November, is the prime season, with October the single best month for clear skies and stable weather. Spring (March–April) is the second-best window, prized for blooming rhododendron forests. Avoid the June–September monsoon, when leeches, landslides and cloud cover spoil both the trail and the mountain views.

How difficult is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
It is rated moderate to challenging. No technical climbing, ropes or crampons are needed, but you face long days of steep stone steps and a high point of 4,130 m where altitude sickness is a genuine risk. Reasonable fitness, proper acclimatisation and a gradual ascent of under 500 m sleeping height per day make it achievable for most regular hikers.

How many kilometres do you walk per day?
Daily stages typically run 9–17 km, or roughly 5–7 hours of walking, with the descent days being longest. The total round trip is about 110 km. Effort is driven less by distance than by relentless ascent and descent — thousands of stone steps mean even modest kilometre counts feel demanding on the legs.

What is the accommodation like on the trek?
The route is served entirely by teahouses, so no tent is required. Family-run lodges offer simple twin rooms with shared bathrooms for around €2–6 per night, on the basis that you eat dinner and breakfast there. Higher up, rooms are basic and unheated, so a warm sleeping bag rated to −10 °C is essential at base camp.

What permits do I need for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Two are mandatory: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), about NPR 3,000 (€21) for foreigners, and a TIMS card, about NPR 2,000 (€14). Both are arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara through the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency. Bring your passport and photos, and confirm the latest guide and permit rules before departure.