Annapurna Base Camp Trek

This 12 days trek combines some of the most spectacular mountain scenery, modern hill life of the Annapurna region "

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

One of Nepal's most classic short treks, this route takes you to the foot of some of the tallest mountains in the world. Along the way, you'll spend the night in two famous base camps with close-up views of Annapurna I and Machapuchare.

Highlights

Trek into the heart of the Annapurnas, surrounded by 7000-8000 peaks
Pass through the beautiful farming village of Ghandruk
Rest your weary muscles in the hot springs at Jhinu Danda
Enjoy classic views of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machapuchhre, and Hiunchuli

Trek Overview

In some ways, the Annapurna Base Camp trek is a less-intense version of the Everest Base Camp trek but can be done in a shorter amount of time. The route ascends a river valley that gradually narrows before opening up into an amphitheater of mountains. While other treks circle around the mountains or take you to panoramic viewpoints, this trek is more about getting to the base of these great Himalayan peaks.

Best Season

As with other treks in Nepal, the best time to do this trek is in the spring (Mar-May) & fall (Sep - Nov). It can be done in the summer, monsoon months as well, but be sure to prepare for the rain. You can also do this trek in winter, but best to inquire with one of our local experts if all the necessary teahouses will be open at this time. Avalanches can also be a risk during the winter months, so it's important to trek with a knowledgeable guide who is familiar with the conditions

Accessing this Trek

From Pokhara, you'll take a 45-minute private jeep ride or public transport to Phedi, the most common starting points for this trek. Almost all routes end in Nayapul, from where you'll catch transport back to Pokhara. Recently, it's possible to take a jeep farther than Nayapul and cut off the first day of the trek if you're short on time.

Permits & Regulations

As with other treks in the Annapurna Region, you'll need to purchase a TIMS card ($10) and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) ($20 USD). There will be a checkpoint at the beginning of your trek where you'll have to display these.

Accommodation & Meals

You'll find well-equipped teahouses available along the entire trek, and all your meals, snacks and water can be purchased from local shops. Some teahouses will offer hot showers along with battery charging and wi-fi, but reliability varies depending on the village and the season.

Brief Itinerary

Our suggested itinerary—starting and ending in Kathmandu—takes 15 days and offers a great overall experience of this trek, which gives you a day of exploring the amazing views in the Sanctuary. If you're short on time, it's also possible to do this trek safely in 10 days, in which case the itinerary below will be adjusted for you.

DAY 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)

After arriving in Kathmandu, a representative from Nepal New Generation will pick us up from the airport and take us to our hotel. In the afternoon, we may take a rest or visit Nepal New Generation’s office. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Nepal New Generation. For dinner, you will be served authentic Nepalese cuisine which will introduce you to the country’s food culture. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Included meals:Dinner

DAY 02 : Explore Kathmandu

Kathmandu has a special atmosphere during the early morning hours when the city is slowly coming to life yet not too chaotic. It's a great time to walk and explore the streets or have a chai overlooking one of the local courtyards or durbar squares. There are a number of ways you can spend the day given the many incredible sights around the Kathmandu Valley. Later in the evening, head out for dinner at one of the city's great eateries, or your specialist can arrange a home-cooked dinner with a local family.

DAY 03: Fly to Pokhara (827m/2,700ft), trek to Ghandruk (1940m/6360 ft): 30 minutes flight, 5 - 6 hours trek

We take an early morning flight to Pokhara, the beautiful lake city and catch great views of the Himalayas from the right side of our airplane. After landing in the Pokhara airport, we drive to Naya Pul (1 hour and 20 minutes) and start the trek. From Birethanti, we trek to Ghandruk, a beautiful village mostly inhabited by the Gurung community. If time permits, we also visit the Gurung museum today. Overnight in Ghandruk.