Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 15 Days/14 Nights

Spend the day exploring the Kathmandu Valley with a local guide. Visit Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa known as the Monkey Temple, and Kathmandu Durbar Square with its old palaces and temples. Depending on time, you may also see Boudhanath Stupa or Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River. In the afternoon, our team finalises your trekking permits and checks your gear. Thamel is the best place to buy or rent anything you are missing before heading to the mountains.

Leave Kathmandu early on a tourist bus along the Prithvi Highway, following the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers through terraced hills and busy roadside towns. The journey takes around seven hours, with stops for breakfast and lunch. You arrive in Pokhara in the afternoon, a relaxed lakeside city set against the Annapurna range. Take an evening stroll along the shore of Phewa Lake. A flight of about 25 minutes can replace the drive for an extra cost. Your guide will meet you in the evening to confirm the plan for the trek.

After breakfast, drive from Pokhara past Nayapul to Hile, a trip of around two hours by jeep. The trek begins here, crossing the Bhurungdi Khola at Tikhedhunga before tackling the famous stone staircase up to Ulleri. It is a steep but short first day, with thousands of steps climbing through terraced fields. Ulleri is a Magar village with lovely views down the valley and your first glimpse of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Take the steps slowly, as there is no hurry on the first day.

Today the trail climbs more gently through Banthanti and Nangethanti into dense forests of oak and rhododendron. In spring, from March to April, the hillsides are bright with red, pink and white blooms. Moss-covered trees, small streams and birdsong make this one of the prettiest sections of the trek. Arrive in Ghorepani, a busy village of stone teahouses on a ridge with fine views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South. Go to bed early, as tomorrow begins before dawn. The teahouses here have warm dining rooms with a central stove.

Wake around 4:30 am for the steep 45 to 60-minute hike up to Poon Hill (3,210 m). As the sun rises it lights up a panorama of more than twenty peaks, including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Nilgiri. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then follow the ridge east to Deurali pass before descending through quiet forest to Tadapani. This village looks straight across to Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South, and it is often less crowded than Ghorepani. It is a long day, but the scenery makes every step worthwhile.

Descend through forest to Chuile and Gurjung, then continue along the hillside with open views of the Modi Khola valley. After a short drop to the Kimrong Khola, climb up to Chhomrong, a large Gurung village on a hillside of terraced fields. From here Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre look close enough to touch. Chhomrong is the gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary and the last village with a good choice of shops and bakeries, so it is a great place to stock up on snacks.

Descend a long stone staircase to cross the Chhomrong Khola, then climb steeply to Sinuwa. From here the trail enters the Modi Khola gorge and bamboo, oak and rhododendron forest closes in around you. The path is shaded and often damp, with glimpses of the river below. Bamboo is a small group of teahouses in a clearing in the forest. It is a moderate day that lets your body adjust before the climb into the sanctuary. Take a moment to watch for langur monkeys in the trees along the way.

Continue up the gorge through Dovan and Himalaya, climbing steadily as the forest thins. Beyond Hinku Cave the scenery becomes more alpine, with huge rock walls, waterfalls and avalanche chutes on either side. Deurali is the last stop before the sanctuary. The walking day is shorter to help with acclimatisation, so rest, drink plenty of fluids and enjoy the dramatic setting in the afternoon. Keep to your guide’s pace and don’t rush, as the altitude is starting to make a difference now.

Walk along the river into the Annapurna Sanctuary and reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) after two to three hours. The peak’s fishtail summit rises straight above you. The trail then climbs gently across open meadows and moraine to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m). Here the massive south face of Annapurna I, along with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Machhapuchhre, forms a complete ring of snow and ice. Sunset from base camp is unforgettable. Wrap up warmly, as nights at base camp are well below freezing.

Get up early to watch the first light strike the summit of Annapurna I and slowly spread across the sanctuary. After breakfast and plenty of photos, begin the long descent back through Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Deurali, Himalaya and Dovan. As you lose height the air warms up and the forest returns. The day is long but mostly downhill. Trekking poles help protect your knees. Overnight at Bamboo. Your guide sets a steady pace so the group stays together on the rocky sections.

Retrace the route to Sinuwa and climb back up the stone steps to Chhomrong for a final look at Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. From Chhomrong, a steep descent leads to Jhinu Danda. In the afternoon, walk 20 to 30 minutes down to the natural hot springs beside the Modi Khola. After days on the trail, a soak in the warm pools is the perfect way to relax tired muscles. Enjoy a celebratory dinner with the team at the teahouse. Bring a swimsuit and a small towel for the springs.

Enjoy a short, easy walk down the Modi Khola valley to the road head at Siwai. Here a jeep takes you back to Pokhara, a drive of around two to three hours. Check in to your hotel, enjoy a hot shower, and spend the evening relaxing at the lakeside cafés or rowing on Phewa Lake. Celebrate the end of the trek with your guide and porters. Take time to thank your porters, who have carried your gear all the way.

After breakfast, board the tourist bus back to Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway, arriving in the late afternoon. You can also take a short flight for an extra cost. The rest of the day is free to shop for souvenirs in Thamel. In the evening, join our team for a farewell dinner with cultural dishes to celebrate your journey to Annapurna Base Camp. Your guide can recommend the best spots for handicrafts, tea and pashmina. Traffic on the highway can add an hour or more, so keep the evening flexible.

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today. Depending on your flight time, enjoy a last breakfast and some free time in Kathmandu. A member of our team drives you to Tribhuvan International Airport about three hours before your international departure. If you would like to extend your stay, we can arrange a jungle safari in Chitwan, white-water rafting or more sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley. We hope to welcome you back to the mountains of Nepal again soon.