A short teahouse loop from Pokhara through Magar and Gurung villages and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani and the Poon Hill viewpoint (3,210 m), returning via Tadapani and Ghandruk.
- Days
- 4 days
- Maximum altitude
- 3,210 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
Pokhara & Annapurna, Annapurna Region
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
A teahouse trek from the road heads north of Pokhara through Gurung villages and the bamboo forest of the Modi Khola gorge into the Annapurna Sanctuary, to Annapurna Base Camp at about 4,130 m.
- Days
- 7-12
- Max altitude
- 4,130 m
- Distance
- about 60 km
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Start / end
- Kimche or Ghandruk (by jeep from Pokhara); alternative starts at Nayapul, Phedi or Kande / Jhinu Danda road head (by jeep to Pokhara)
- Sleep in
- Teahouses, Lodges
- Permits
- 2 required
Overview
The Annapurna Base Camp trek climbs from the farmland north of Pokhara through the Gurung villages of Ghandruk and Chhomrong, then follows the narrow Modi Khola gorge north into the Annapurna Sanctuary, a high glacial basin closed in by Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre.
Above Chhomrong there is a single trail up the valley, with lodge stops at Sinuwa, Bamboo, Dobhan, Himalaya and Deurali before the gorge opens at Machhapuchhre Base Camp (about 3,700 m). Annapurna Base Camp (about 4,130 m) sits on the moraine about two hours further on, below the south face of Annapurna I.
The route has many long stone staircases, especially around Chhomrong and Sinuwa, and the last day up gains a lot of height. Jeep roads now reach Ghandruk, Kimche and the Jhinu Danda area, so the trek can be done in 7-8 days from Pokhara, or extended with Poon Hill at the start.
Sunrise on the south face of Annapurna IThe ring of peaks inside the Annapurna SanctuaryMachhapuchhre from Machhapuchhre Base CampGurung villages of Ghandruk and ChhomrongBamboo and rhododendron forest of the Modi Khola gorgeHot pools below Jhinu Danda
Why it is rated moderate
- Daily walks of 4-8 hours with many steep stone staircases
- Sleeping altitude rises to about 4,130 m, with a large height gain on the final day
- Snow, ice and avalanche paths above Deurali in winter and spring
Elevation profile
About altitudeSleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
Show the profile as a table
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghandruk | 2,012 m | - |
| 2 | Chhomrong | 2,170 m | - |
| 3 | Bamboo | 2,310 m | - |
| 4 | Deurali | 3,200 m | - |
| 5 | Annapurna Base Camp | 4,130 m | - |
| 6 | Bamboo | 2,310 m | - |
| 7 | Jhinu Danda | 1,780 m | - |
| 8 | Pokhara | 822 m | - |
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Drive to Kimche, walk to Ghandruksleep 2,012 m1-3 habout 4 km
Drive about 2-3 hours to Kimche (or further to Ghandruk), then walk up through terraced fields to the stone-built Gurung village of Ghandruk. Without the jeep, the walk from Nayapul via Birethanti takes most of a day.
Teahouse in GhandrukAbout Ghandruk
Day 2Ghandruk to Chhomrongsleep 2,170 m5-6 habout 10 km
Climb over the Komrong Danda ridge, drop steeply to the Kimrong Khola and climb again to Chhomrong, with close views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Chhomrong has the last ACAP checkpoint and the last wide choice of lodges.
Teahouse in ChhomrongAbout Chhomrong
Day 3Chhomrong to Bamboosleep 2,310 m5-6 habout 6 km
Down a long stone staircase to the Chhomrong Khola, up to Sinuwa (about 2,360 m) and on through forest past Kuldighar, then down to the lodges at Bamboo in the Modi Khola gorge. No plastic water bottles are sold above Chhomrong.
Teahouse in BambooAbout Bamboo
Day 4Bamboo to Deuralisleep 3,200 m4-5 habout 7 km
Through Dobhan and Himalaya, out of the forest past the overhang of Hinku Cave to Deurali. Ask at the lodges about snow and avalanche conditions before going higher.
Teahouse in DeuraliAbout Deurali
Day 5Deurali to Annapurna Base Campsleep 4,130 m4-5 habout 6 km
Past Bagar to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (about 3,700 m), then up the broad moraine into the Sanctuary. This day raises sleeping altitude by about 900 m: anyone with symptoms should stop at Machhapuchhre Base Camp.
Lodge at Annapurna Base CampAbout Annapurna Base Camp
Day 6Sunrise at ABC, down to Bamboosleep 2,310 m6-8 habout 13 km
Watch the sun reach Annapurna I and Annapurna South, then retrace the route down the gorge. It is a long descent; some groups stop at Dobhan or Himalaya instead.
Teahouse in BambooAbout Bamboo
Day 7Bamboo to Jhinu Dandasleep 1,780 m5-6 habout 8 km
Back up to Sinuwa and Chhomrong, then down the staircases to Jhinu Danda. The natural hot pools by the Modi Khola are about 20-30 minutes below the village.
Teahouse in Jhinu Danda
Day 8, travel dayJhinu Danda to Pokharasleep 822 m0.5-1 habout 1 km
A short walk down to the jeep road near the suspension bridge below Jhinu Danda, then about 3-4 hours by jeep to Pokhara. Road heads move as roads are extended, so confirm the pick-up point locally.
Hotel in Pokhara
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Route map
Trail geometry from OpenStreetMap.
Permits
ACAP entry permit (Annapurna Conservation Area)Conservation area
Issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation, which runs the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, at its offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara or through its online e-permit system. Carry it with your passport; it is checked at trail posts. Checkpoints on this route include Birethanti, Ghandruk and Chhomrong.
TIMS cardTrekker card
Check whether a TIMS card is currently required; since 2023 it has been issued through registered trekking agencies.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against National Trust for Nature Conservation (Annapurna Conservation Area Project, e-permit links). Guide rule: Nepal bans solo trekking for tourists, guides mandatory from April 1 (The National, March 2023).
Nepal trekking permits explainedWhen to go
Best months: Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- September to November: October and November are usually clearest and busiest; late September can still bring monsoon showers.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February: cold and often clear, but snow and ice lie above Deurali from as early as mid-November and avalanche danger can close the trail.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May: rhododendron forest in flower below Deurali and warmer days, with afternoon cloud; late snow can still bring avalanche risk in March and April.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August: heavy rain, leeches, slippery steps, landslides on approach roads and cloud hiding the peaks.
Weather on the route
Forecasts for start (Ghandruk, 2,012 m), highest overnight (Annapurna Base Camp, 4,130 m), end (Pokhara, 822 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
Weather in Ghandruk (start)
Forecast for 2,012 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Annapurna Base Camp (highest overnight)
Forecast for 4,130 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Pokhara (end)
Forecast for 822 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Safety
Above about 3,000 m, a widely used guideline (CDC Yellow Book; Wilderness Medical Society) is to raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a day and to add a rest day every 3 to 4 days. This is general information, not medical advice.
Know the signs of acute mountain sickness: headache with nausea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, dizziness or poor sleep. Do not go higher with symptoms and go down if they get worse. Confusion, stumbling or breathlessness at rest are emergencies: descend at once and get help.
Buy travel insurance that covers trekking and helicopter evacuation to the highest point of the trek, and see a doctor before you travel about any altitude medicine.
Between Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp the trail crosses avalanche paths that can be dangerous after heavy snow, mainly from December to April. Follow local advice and any closure.
Snow and ice can lie above Deurali from mid-November; microspikes and poles make the trail safer.
Stone steps are slippery in rain and frost; take descents slowly.
What to pack
- Broken-in boots and a light pair of camp shoes
- Warm sleeping bag for nights below freezing at ABC
- Down jacket and warm layers for the Sanctuary
- Microspikes from late November to April
- Trekking poles for the long stone staircases, especially on descents.
- Refillable bottles and purification, as no plastic bottles are sold above Chhomrong
- Headlamp, sunglasses and sun cream
- Cash for the whole trek; there are no ATMs on the trail
Side trips and alternatives
Jhinu Danda hot springs
Natural pools by the Modi Khola, 20-30 minutes below Jhinu Danda, usually visited on the way out.
Start with the Poon Hill loop and join the ABC route at Chhomrong via Tadapani, adding 2-3 days.
Sleep here instead of ABC if you feel the altitude, and walk up for sunrise.
Annapurna Base Camp questions
How many days is the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Usually 7-8 days from Pokhara using jeeps to Kimche or Ghandruk and back from Jhinu Danda, or 10-12 days if you walk from Nayapul or Phedi or add Poon Hill.
How hard is the ABC trek?
Moderate. Days are 4-8 hours with many stone steps, and the last night is at about 4,130 m, so fitness and a careful pace both matter.
Is altitude sickness a risk on the ABC trek?
Yes. Sleeping altitude rises about 900 m on the last day up. Know the symptoms, and stop at Machhapuchhre Base Camp if you feel unwell.
What permits do I need for Annapurna Base Camp?
An ACAP entry permit from the National Trust for Nature Conservation; check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
Do I need a guide for the ABC trek?
A Nepal Tourism Board rule from 1 April 2023 requires foreign trekkers in conservation areas to go with a licensed guide; enforcement has varied, so check the current rule.
When is the trail to ABC dangerous?
After heavy snow, mainly December to April, when avalanche paths above Deurali can be active. Follow local advice and closures.
Similar treks
A ridge trek from Kande near Pokhara through rhododendron forest to the open crest below Machhapuchhre, with a day climb to Mardi Himal Base Camp at about 4,500 m.
- Days
- 6 days
- Maximum altitude
- 4,500 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
A quieter loop west of the Annapurna Sanctuary from Ghandruk via Tadapani, Dobato and Khopra Ridge (about 3,660 m) to Swanta, Ghorepani and Poon Hill, with an optional hike to Khayer Lake.
- Days
- 7 days
- Maximum altitude
- 3,660 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Editorial draft: altitudes, permits and rules are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Annapurna Sanctuary trek, Wikivoyage, Annapurna Sanctuary, Wikipedia, National Trust for Nature Conservation (Annapurna Conservation Area Project, e-permit links), Nepal bans solo trekking for tourists, guides mandatory from April 1 (The National, March 2023)
Annapurna Base Camp · 8 days