Annapurna Base Camp Trek was a truly stunning travel experience for me. I’ve done the Everest Base Camp trek as well, but the ABC trek has a unique and special way of standing out from other treks in Nepal. From the moment you start walking from Jhinu Danda, you can already feel the excitement of seeing Annapurna and Machhapuchhre rising in the distance. Those majestic peaks give you the motivation to keep moving, step by step. And as you climb higher, the views along the route keep growing more beautiful with every step you take towards the base camp.
In this blog, I’ll take you through a complete, detailed guide to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Stay with me till the end for everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC Trek)
Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), popularly known as the Annapurna Sanctuary, is one of Nepal’s most iconic trekking destinations, located within the Annapurna Conservation Area. This stunning trek leads you through lush landscapes to the 4,130-meter-high lab of majestic Annapurna. Situated in the center of the Annapurna Massif, the camp offers some of the most breathtaking views of the mountains from every aspect.
You only need one week to complete the moderate Annapurna Base Camp Trek. But if you prefer a longer journey with added experiences in the Annapurna region, you can easily extend your itinerary. Add on beautiful routes like the Ghorepani–Poon Hill Trek or the Mardi Himal Trek for more variety. You can even continue the adventure directly from the Annapurna Circuit, making your trek seamless, richer, and even more rewarding.
An overview of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Total days: 6–8 days
- Total distance: 90 km – 100 km
- The highest point: 4,130 m
- Permits: ACAP permit
- Guide: Not mandatory
- Starting point: Ghandruk/Jinu Danda
- Ending point: Jinu Danda
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Highlights
- The views of Annapurna, Hiunchuli, and Machapuchare will leave you amazed and overwhelmed.
- It’s a well-maintained trail, supported by good-quality tea houses throughout.
- Accommodation is available in restaurants all around, offering breathtaking mountain views.
- Lush green forest with diverse flora and fauna
- At ABC, the stargazing experience is truly breathtaking.
- Finish your journey with a rejuvenating natural hot spring experience.
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek Map
What permits are required for the ABC Trek?
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek requires permits. The primary permit you need is the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit.
This permit is mandatory, and you’ll find multiple ACAP checkpoints along the trekking route. You can easily obtain the ACAP permit from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pokhara.
- ACAP Permit Fee: 1,000 NPR
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Here, I’ve shared a brief itinerary for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. This plan covers the proper and most efficient way to complete the ABC trek within 6–7 days.
I personally did this trek with a slight variation from the itinerary below, but based on my experience on the trail, this is the best itinerary I recommend for anyone planning the ABC Trek.
Day 1: Ghandruk (1,940 m) / Jhinu Danda (1,780 m) → Chhomrong (2170m)
Distance:7-8 kms / Duration: 5-6 hrs.
Since I reached Ghandruk in the evening, I decided not to begin the trek from there. Instead, on the same day, I took a jeep down to Jhinu Danda, and that’s where my ABC trail officially started.
Ghandruk Village - Gateway to Annapurna Base Camp
If you start your trek from Ghandruk, you’ll be greeted with beautiful village views right from the starting point. This village sits at 1,950 m on the Himalayan foothills and is a traditional Gurung settlement known for its unique culture
For your stay in Ghandruk, the iconic stone-house lodge Gurung Cottage is a great choice. It’s the same beautiful cottage you often see across social media, and it’s highly recommended as one of the best lodges in the village, offering spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks.
How to reach Ghandruk /Jinu Dada from Pokhara
You can easily reach Ghandruk or Jhinu Danda from Pokhara by taking a shared taxi. Shared jeeps and taxis are available from Hari Chowk, Pokhara, running regularly throughout the day.
Cost: 1,000 NPR per person
After just a 10-minute walk from Jhinu Danda, you will reach a long suspension bridge. This stunning bridge, also known as the New Jhinu Danda Bridge or Kadoorie Bridge, connects Jhinu Danda and Simrong, offering breathtaking views of the valley and the gorge carved by the Modi Khola river.
After crossing the suspension bridge, it took me around three hours to walk the steep uphill trail made of stone staircases to reach Chhomrong, my stop for the day.
Along the way, I slowly began to realize the true beauty of this trek, though it was quite challenging on the very first day. As I was making my way uphill, the sun began to set.
Just before reaching Chhomrong, I was greeted with my first breathtaking views of Annapurna, Himchuli, and Machhapuchhre, bathed in the golden glow of the sunset, it was absolutely mesmerizing.
I stayed at Himalaya View Restaurant in Chhomrong. It’s a beautiful spot with stunning views of Annapurna, Himchuli, and Machhapuchhre. Surrounded by colorful flowers, the restaurant makes the experience even more wonderful.
Day 2: Chhomrong (2170m) - Sinuwa (2360m) →
Bamboo (2145m)
Distance:7-8 kms / Duration: 5-6 hrs.
Waking up to a misty morning in Chhomrong was truly refreshing, with clear views of the snow-covered peaks.
Descending through the village offered a glimpse into the daily life of the local Gurung people living in this region.
After 1 hour of trekking, I reached the ACA Checkpost in Chhomrong. I showed them my permit, and they sealed and approved my onward trekking.
It’s the first Buddhist stupa you encounter in the village and a key landmark for trekkers. A peaceful reminder that you’re entering the spiritual heart of the Himalayas.
As you head toward Bamboo, you’ll walk into deep oak, rhododendron, and cedar forests, where the thick canopy blocks out the sun, nature’s own sunscreen, keeping the trail cool and shaded.
After a slightly challenging climb through the forest, I was rewarded with a stunning view of the green mountains in behind.
I stopped at the Hotel Chino restaurant in Sinuwa for a quick tea before continuing the hike toward Bamboo for lunch. You can push all the way to Himalaya on the same day, but if you’re a beginner, I’d recommend staying in Bamboo. It’s easy to find comfortable accommodation there.
The best thing I see in the ABC trail is how convenient the tea-house system is , lodges appear every 1–2 hours, and the trail has clear information, making it easy to pause the day’s hike whenever you want.
The beauty of the villages along the ABC trail lies in how beautifully the locals maintain their homes. Their colorful flower gardens add a delightful freshness, making the entire place feel like a wonder to behold.
Day 3: Bamboo (2145m) - Dovan (2520m) - Himalaya (2920m) → Deurali (3200m)
Distance: 10-11 kms / Duration: 6-7 hrs
After a quiet, peaceful day in Bamboo, the morning began with a refreshing walk through the bamboo forests. By the third day of trekking, the body slowly starts to adapt to the challenges of climbing a mountain.
The endless stone steps make the walk a little hard, but there’s a special beauty in this route, you begin to enjoy descending through dense forests and crossing river streams.
I stopped at Dovan for a quick tea, ginger, lemon, and honey, my mountain favorite. Perched on the upper edge of a deep gorge, Dovan has even made perfect use of its location with a small hydropower plant.
Another steep ascent brought me to a beautiful place called Himalaya, where I stopped for lunch. The menu was surprisingly interesting, and I ended up enjoying spaghetti in the open air.
After lunch, I continued climbing the endless stone steps toward my target for the day. The trail led me past the massive Hinku Cave, and from there I followed a gentle ascent along the Modi Khola river, finally choosing my lodge for the night at Deurali.
After reaching a small resting point with a little Buddhist statue, I could finally see Deurali, tucked away in the middle and surrounded by the mountains.
Day 4: Deurali (3200m) - MBC (3700m) - ABC (4130m)
Distance: 7-8 km/ Duration: 5-6 hrs
“Breakfast at Deurali, Lunch at Machapuchare Base Camp and Dinner at Annapurna Base Camp” A glacier on the trail marked the end of the tree-lined path. The final stretch from Deurali to MBC via the ABC route was exciting and challenging, but the thought of reaching Annapurna Base Camp, and the breathtaking views along the way, kept me moving forward.
I picked up my pace a little, the terrain was quite challenging due to the high altitude. Pushing forward up the steep stone steps, I finally reached MBC, spotting patches of snow and ice along the way.
Many international travelers were resting here, taking an hour or two to eat, relax, and enjoy the amazing views, Machapuchare to the left, Annapurna to the right.
The trek from Machapuchare Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp felt incredibly tough. My knees were in pain, breathing was difficult, and every step felt challenging. I moved slowly, taking frequent rests along the way, but kept pushing forward toward ABC.
Whenever I paused to rest, I saw mountains stretching endlessly behind me, magic in every direction. The beauty was beyond words, filling me with awe and making every step of the journey feel truly unforgettable.
And finally, the last push brought me here, standing beneath the iconic Mount Annapurna. The moment was surreal, I took a picture to capture the feeling of being at the base camp, surrounded by towering peaks and the breathtaking Himalayan landscape. Every step, every struggle, all felt worth it.
Sunset & Starry Nights at Annapurna Base Camp
No doubt about it, the beauty of this trek peaks at Annapurna Base Camp sunsets, stars, and serenity that stay with you forever. I reached Annapurna Base Camp at 4 o’clock, and the mountains welcomed me in silence, no words could capture it. The sunset over Machapuchhre was indescribable, with the snow-capped peak painted in shades of orange and red. It felt like nature itself was showing its most beautiful masterpiece just for me.
If you want to experience stargazing, the Milky Way, or shooting stars, Annapurna Base Camp is one of the best places to witness these natural wonders. It makes you pause and marvel at the magic and wonder of the universe.
Grateful for those rare, quiet moments the Himalayas gifted me, I began my descent on the familiar trail and stopped at Himalaya for the night.
Day 5: Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) → Bamboo (2145m)
Distance: 14-16 km / Duration: 6-7 hrs
Waking up at ABC to a crystal-clear morning felt surreal. Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Fang revealed themselves in perfect clarity, a view I’ll never forget.
Early morning, I started my return journey, saying goodbye to Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machapuchhre, Gangapurna, and Hiunchuli, and found myself walking a little faster down the trail. My plan was to reach Bamboo by the end of the day.
Day 6: Bamboo (2145m) → Jhinu Danda (1,780 m) → Pokhara
Distance: 7-8 km / Duration: 5-6 hrs
It was my last day dealing with those stone steps I had cursed the entire trek, but somehow, I was already starting to miss them. I left Bamboo early in the morning, heading toward Jhinu Danda, because I needed to reach Pokhara the same day. The descent felt easier, and with every step, I began to notice the beauty I never had the energy to see while climbing up.
Best time to visit Annapurna Base Camp?
Autumn and spring are the ideal seasons to visit Annapurna Base Camp, offering comfortable weather and crystal-clear mountain views. These months are also considered the peak trekking period.
Autumn in Nepal comes with festive vibes, bringing color, culture, and celebration. Spring, on the other hand, transforms the region with lush green forests and vibrant blooming flowers.
Spring spans March to May, while autumn lasts from September to November.
How difficult is Annapurna Base Camp?
Trekking to Annapurna isn’t very easy if you don’t have prior trekking experience, and the Annapurna Base Camp trail is no exception. It’s graded as a moderate-to-difficult trek, but with proper preparation, it’s an experience anyone can enjoy. The route takes you through forests, hills, and rocky terrain, with constant ups and downs. You’ll also face long stretches of stone steps, both ascending and descending.
To handle these challenges comfortably, being physically and mentally prepared before starting the trek is extremely important.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp can be planned on different budgets depending on whether you choose to hire a guide or trek independently. Traveling with a guide or porter makes the journey safer and more comfortable but comes at a higher cost, while trekking without one is more affordable for experienced trekkers. Apart from these, you should also account for miscellaneous expenses that usually come up during the trek, such as food, Wi-Fi, charging, or hot showers.
Cost Breakdown:
- With Guide/Porter: 38,400 NPR / 24,000 INR
- Without Guide/Porter: 22,400 NPR / 14,000 INR
- Miscellaneous Expenses: 18,000 INR
Conclusion
To be honest, it was an amazing experience. I’ve done the Everest Base Camp trek as well, and both treks have given me memories that will stay with me for a lifetime. In the end, trekking to Annapurna Base Camp is something that stays in your heart long after the journey is over. Whether you go with a guide or explore the trail on your own, the mountains give you something special. For me, I don’t think I’ll ever forget the moments, the views, and the peace these trails gifted me.
