Annapurna Base Camp Trek-14 Days

Upon arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), you will complete the immigration formalities before proceeding to exit the airport. A representative from Nepal Spirit Adventure will be waiting for you in the arrivals terminal, holding a placard with your name on it. They will greet you and escort you to your hotel, which is about a 20-25 minute drive from the airport, depending on traffic.

No activities are scheduled for today, especially if you have a late flight. After checking in at the hotel, you’ll have some free time to relax, aside from our trip briefing meeting. We will inform you of the time for the trip briefing on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary for the following day, and we will overnight in Kathmandu.

Today is a rest day, and breakfast is included in your trip package. After enjoying breakfast, you will attend a short trek briefing where your guide will explain what to expect on the trail. This will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.

Following the briefing, you can review your packing list. Nepal Spirit Adventure provides the necessary gear, including a sleeping bag, a down jacket, a duffel bag, a map of Annapurna Base Camp, a T-shirt, and a cap. Please note that the sleeping bag, down jacket, and duffel bag must be returned after the trek.

Today will be a very special day for you because you’re flying approximately a 25-minute scenic mountain flight with awesome views of the mountains, and the right-hand seat is reserved for better views of the Annapurna Himalaya ranges.

Arrive in Pokhara, a beautiful city, and you’ll have a vehicle and drive towards Birethanti (1040 meters), an important trailhead for most treks in the Annapurna Region. It takes approximately one and a half to two hours from Pokhara to reach Birethanti (trek starting point). The first day of the trek, you’ll enjoy pastoral views, riverside fields, villages, farms, and small towns buzzing with activity on the way.

Your Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Nepal begins as soon as you cross the bridge over the Modi River and reach Birethanti. Hike up a staircase passing through villages like Ramghai and Sudame (1,160 meters), explore the villages as you make your way to Hile, a traditional Magar and Gurung ethnic village, and Tikhedunga, which means sharp (Tikhe) stone (Dunga). You will complete your trek by ascending over 3,000 stone steps and achieving an elevation gain of nine hundred (9,00 m) meters to reach Ulleri, a traditional Magar village requires 5-6 hours walking overnight in a lodge of Ulleri.

Today marks your fourth day of trekking. You can enjoy breakfast while surrounded by the lush jungle, with stunning views of Mt. Fishtail (Nepali: Machhapuchhare) and Himchuli. After breakfast, you will complete your final packing for the day's trek. Your journey begins as you leave Magar village in Ulleri and continue climbing up to Banthanti. Along the route, you'll walk on a level jeep track before descending into a river gorge and heading upriver.

Before reaching Ghorepani, you will enter a vibrant tropical jungle alive with gray-faced langurs and the sounds of chirping birds. As you walk through the dense forests of Banthanti, located at an elevation of 2,210 meters, you'll be surrounded by rhododendrons, which are Nepal's national flower. After climbing for about two hours, you will arrive at Nangethanti, sitting at 2,460 meters, where you can take a break for lunch.

From Nangethanti, it takes approximately 2-3 hours to hike to your destination, Ghorepani. Ghorepani is a picturesque Magar settlement situated just below Poon Hill at an elevation of 2,840 meters. Before the construction of modern highways, this trail was commonly used by locals from Manang and Mustang, as well as traders traveling along the Tibet trade route.

Upon entering Ghorepani, your trekking permits and necessary documents will be checked at the ACAP office, and you will spend the night in Ghorepani.

Today marks one of the most important days of the trek. Wake up early around 4:00 AM and get dressed. With your head torch lighting the way, begin your hour-long hike to Poon Hill, which sits at an elevation of 3,210 meters and offers an incredible viewpoint of the Himalayas. Once you reach the top of Poon Hill, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Annapurna Mountain range and a stunning sunrise over more than twenty snow-capped peaks, including Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and Annapurna I (8,091 m), both of which are among the ten highest mountains in the world.

After spending some time at Poon Hill to take photographs and savor the view, you'll descend to Ghorepani for breakfast. Following breakfast, you will start your trek with a gradual ascent to Deurali Pass (2,960 meters), another picturesque viewpoint of the Annapurna Himalaya range. Continue walking along a scenic ridgeline, then descend into a beautiful rhododendron forest. The trail will take you down to the rocky cliffs and charming streams of Banthanti (3,180 meters), which is a great place to stop for lunch.

After lunch at Banthanti, you'll embark on an approximately one-and-a-half to two-hour trek to Tadapani, a settlement of the Gurung people. This area is surrounded by the magnificent flora and fauna of the Annapurna Conservation Area. From Tadapani, you can enjoy closer views of the mountains, including Himchuli, Annapurna South, and the iconic Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail). 

Today, you can enjoy your morning breakfast with a stunning view of the mountains from Tadapani. After breakfast, begin your day with a scenic descent to Chuile/Kimrong Khola, passing through lush paddy fields. Cross the river via a metal suspension bridge and then ascend uphill past small shrines and paddy fields.

As you walk up the stone staircase, you'll encounter small villages inhabited by the Gurung local communities, along with tiny teahouses and farms. The trail will lead you to a beautiful rhododendron forest, where you can admire the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. Continue your hike until you reach the Gurung village of Chhomrong, a well-known overnight stop for trekkers on the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek in Nepal.

Today marks day seven since your arrival in Nepal. You will trek from Chhomrong, at an altitude of 2,170 meters, to Dovan, which is 2,600 meters high—an elevation gain of 430 meters, taking approximately 5 to 6 hours of walking. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you will depart from Chhomrong and begin your hike. The journey starts with a steep descent down 2,500 stone steps to the Chhomrong Khola, which you will cross via a metal suspension bridge. Following the bridge, you will ascend steeply to Lower Sinuwa, a climb that will take roughly 2 to 3 hours. During this stretch, you will travel approximately 2.5 to 3 kilometers while gaining 390 meters in elevation along a stone staircase.

Sinuwa is one of the larger villages in the region, and the walk from Lower Sinuwa to Upper Sinuwa may take some time. However, once you reach Upper Sinuwa, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the snow-capped mountain range. Maintain a steady pace and take breaks to hydrate and rest as needed. After passing through Kuldighar, you will descend steeply to Bamboo, a serene spot nestled in a lush bamboo and oak forest. A small signboard will indicate that you are entering a sacred area, where the consumption of meat and the carrying of non-vegetarian items are prohibited.

After a brief rest at a guesthouse in Bamboo, you will continue trekking to Dovan. The trail to Dovan consists of a mix of ascents, descents, and river crossings. Upon reaching Dovan, you will head to one of the few operational lodges to spend the night. From Sinuwa onwards, proper settlements or villages become scarce, with only a couple of teahouses available at each rest stop (Bamboo, Dovan, Himalaya, Deurali, MBC, and ABC) to cater to trekkers along the ABC route.

The elevation gain is approximately 600 meters!!

Today's trail is flatter and less steep than yesterday's. As you leave Dovan, you'll walk through a lush forest and arrive at a shrine dedicated to a Hindu goddess. This shrine is built next to a magnificent rock face, from which silvery waterfalls cascade down. Take a moment to pay your respects to the deity and capture some photos.

After some time, you'll reach a place called the Himalaya, named after the original teahouse that once stood there. There are now a couple of additional teahouses at Himalaya, where you can stop for a brief rest and refreshments.

As you continue your hike, you'll pass by an overhanging rock known as Hinku Cave, which was once a campsite for cattle herders and early Annapurna expedition groups. From Hinku Cave, it takes about an hour to reach Deurali, where you'll spend the night. Along the way, you'll cross a river located in an avalanche-prone zone, so please be cautious as you pass through this area.

Deurali sits at an elevation of 3,230 meters above sea level, surrounded by towering cliffs. Once you arrive, you'll stay in a cozy teahouse. 

Start your trek after breakfast as you cross a beautiful, narrow valley surrounded by tall mountains on either side. After approximately 2-3 hours of walking, you will arrive at Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m), located at the base of Fishtail Peak, or Machhapuchhre—a sacred peak where climbing is prohibited. Take a short break here to enjoy the stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains.

While you are ready, leave Machhapuchhre Base Camp and begin your hike to Annapurna Sanctuary, your final destination. The trail ascends via a steep stone staircase that is shaded by the Annapurna Massif.

For most of the year, the trekking trail is covered in snow. After about 2 hours of hiking, you'll reach the 'Namaste Annapurna Base Camp' signboard. Take pictures to commemorate your achievement with your team. Head to a nearby teahouse and enjoy a well-deserved rest. Annapurna Base Camp, situated at an altitude of 4,130 m, is the highest point of this trek. Here, you’ll be surrounded by the towering, jagged peaks of the Annapurna Massif, as well as Gangapurna and Hiunchuli.

If the weather permits, consider making your way to the viewpoint of Annapurna Sanctuary to witness a beautiful sunset. Today, your trek will gain 900 meters than yesterday.

Wake up early in the morning and head to the ABC viewpoint to witness a breathtaking sunrise over the snow-covered mountains. The soft glow of the morning sun illuminating the white peaks of Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Baraha Shikhar, Tent Peak, and others is a mesmerizing sight. After enjoying the view, return to the teahouse for breakfast before embarking on your journey back to Bamboo, is requires approximately seven hours of walking back from Annapurna base camp.

On the tenth day of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you will say farewell to the stunning peaks of Mt. Annapurna and begin your descent along the same route to Bamboo. This downhill hike takes approximately 6 to 7 hours. As you navigate the steep descent to a lower elevation, be cautious of the slippery trails and areas that may be prone to avalanches. Remember to enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains as you make your way down.

You will walk alongside the Modi Khola River before reaching Bamboo. 

From Bamboo, follow a trail that features both flat paths and steep ascents and descents. After crossing the Chhomrong Khola, you will encounter a steep climb to reach the village. Take a brief rest here before continuing towards Jhinu Danda. The trail to the Jhinu hot spring winds down through wooded slopes towards Chhomrong, passing by Khuldi Ghar.

From Chhomrong, you will walk through fields and alongside small streams. In the distance, you can see the villages of Landruk and Ghandruk. As you take in the rural scenery, you will descend a steep stone staircase to reach the village of Jhinu Danda, which is situated on a ridge above the Modi River (Modi Khola). 

Once you arrive, leave your luggage at a teahouse and head down to the riverside. Spend some time relaxing and soaking in a natural hot spring pool. There’s nothing better than a soothing dip in a hot spring after an exhausting trek. 

On the final day of our ABC trip, you will leave Jhinu Danda and make your way down to the Modi River. You will cross the river via the longest suspension bridge in the Kaski District, then reach the jeep station. From there, you will board a jeep and drive towards Pokhara. 

Upon arriving in this lakeside city, you can check into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. You have the option to either relax at your hotel or explore Pokhara on your own. There are many beautiful sites worth visiting, such as Gupteshwar Cave, Phewa Lake, Davis Falls, Peace Stupa, and the International Mountain Museum. If you would like to take a guided tour, we can arrange that for you.

Breakfast is included, and you can enjoy morning sightseeing in Pokhara. In the afternoon, you'll fly back to Kathmandu, which takes approximately 25 minutes. The Nepal Spirit Adventure airport crew will pick you up from the domestic terminal and transfer you to your hotel. In the evening, a farewell dinner is also included.

Trip Option: If you plan to stay longer in Nepal, you might be interested in visiting Chitwan National Park or the birthplace of Buddha in Lumbini. These services are also available, and you can freely discuss with the management of Nepal Spirit Adventure.

It's time to head home. Say goodbye to your guide and the friends you made during this adventure as you make your way to the international airport. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Tribhuvan International Airport at least three hours before your flight departs.

If you wish to extend your stay, we would be more than happy to help you organize more unforgettable adventures in the Himalayas.