Duration
12Days
Activities
Trip Grade
Easy
Group Size
-
Start
Pokhara
End Point
Pokhara
Max-Altitude
4130 metres (13,550 ft)
Accomodation
Tea House
The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek offers an extraordinary blend of cultured villages, lush forests and a thrilling encounter with the Himalayan world. Over the course of 12 days you will walk from green lower foothills through terraced farms and rhododendron woods, step by step ascending into the dramatic amphitheater that forms the Annapurna Sanctuary. The sanctuary is a natural bowl ringed by towering peaks and glaciers where the sheer scale of the mountains becomes a constant, humbling companion. This trek is both accessible and rewarding, ideal for travellers who want profound mountain views without the extreme logistics of the higher Himalayan regions.
Each day of the ABC route brings new textures: the steaming lowland mornings transform into crisp alpine afternoons, villages change from bustling market centres to quiet high-altitude settlements, and terraced rice paddies give way to wind-swept moraines. The people you meet, Gurung and Magar communities extend warm hospitality that mirrors the landscape’s kindness. Their culture, traditional architecture and mountain cuisine deepen the journey’s meaning and provide moments of human connection that balance the natural spectacle.
Annapurna Base Camp is famed not only for its diverse scenery but also for the intimate, close-up view of some of the world’s most dramatic faces: Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South and Hiunchuli dominate the skyline, especially at sunrise and sunset. Reaching ABC is an emotional highlight: standing in the sanctuary, you look up at a ring of snow and ice that makes you feel tiny and truly alive. This trek is a classic Himalayan experience that rewards physical effort with spectacular panoramas and deep cultural insight.
Our itinerary offers sufficient time for steady walking and proper acclimatisation, including comfortable teahouse accommodation throughout the trail. You need only carry a daypack while our porters handle the heavy loads, letting you focus on the trail, views and cultural encounters. Whether you’re a first-time trekker or an experienced walker seeking a soulful Himalayan experience, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is an unforgettable journey into one of Nepal’s most beloved mountain landscapes.
Stand at the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary, surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks.
Experience panoramic sunrise views over Annapurna and Machhapuchhre.
Walk through terraced farmlands, traditional Gurung villages, and scenic valleys.
Explore lush rhododendron, oak, and bamboo forests rich in biodiversity.
Witness dramatic landscapes transitioning from lowlands to alpine glaciers.
Enjoy warm hospitality and cultural richness of Gurung and Magar communities.
Relax in the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda after the trek.
A perfect blend of Himalayan scenery, culture, and moderate adventure
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our friendly representative will transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu. After settling in, your guide will brief you on trip details, gear, and itinerary; this is the moment for final questions and last-minute preparations so you start the trek well informed.
In the evening we gather for a welcome dinner featuring Nepali cuisine and cultural insights from your guide. This first night gives you a gentle introduction to Nepal’s energy and the historic streets of Thamel where your adventure really begins.
We leave early for the scenic drive to Pokhara, travelling through countryside, terraced fields, and quaint towns; the drive takes about 6–7 hours and offers your first distant glimpses of the Annapurna range. Pokhara is a peaceful lakeside city, the gateway to the Annapurna region, and a good place to reorganize gear and relax before trekking.
In Pokhara you’ll enjoy the lakeshore atmosphere and views of the snow peaks on the western horizon. Our evening briefing will finalise trekking details and ensure everyone is comfortable with the days ahead.
After a short drive to Nayapul, your trail begins through farmland and small villages where locals carry on with traditional lives. The route climbs steadily to Tikhedhunga via Ulleri’s famous stone steps, a good test of rhythm and stamina as the landscape changes from rice terraces to forest.
The day provides treats of local interaction and valley scenery; the teahouses at Tikhedhunga welcome you with warm hospitality, and you’ll sleep with the satisfying tiredness that follows a day well walked.
Today’s walk includes a steady climb through dense rhododendron and oak forest, passing local farms and wooden homes. You ascend the long stairway at Ulleri and eventually reach Ghorepani, a charming village and popular trekking hub with breathtaking viewpoints nearby.
Ghorepani sits beneath Poon Hill, and the village’s teahouses offer cosy rest and mountain views. The evening is the perfect time to sleep early and prepare for an early sunrise hike the next morning.
An early morning ascent to Poon Hill rewards you with one of the most celebrated sunrises in Nepal: the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs light up in blazing color while valleys spill below. This moment is the emotional highlight for many trekkers and a photographer’s dream.
After soaking in the dawn spectacle, you return to Ghorepani for breakfast and continue the trek through forested ridges to Tadapani, enjoying changing viewpoints and peaceful mountain air along the way.
We descend through dense forest to a river crossing and then climb to the beautiful Gurung village of Chhomrong, perched with panoramic views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Annapurna South. Chhomrong’s terraces and stone houses reflect the traditional farming life of the region. This day’s varied terrain keeps the walking interesting and provides deeper cultural glimpses. Teahouse comforts in Chhomrong will feel especially welcoming after a day of ups and downs.
Leaving Chhomrong, you descend to cross the Chhomrong Khola then climb toward Sinuwa and Bamboo, a hush-shaded camp woven into bamboo groves and rhododendron. The path is scenic and fragrant, often cooler and restful as you move into mid-valley forest. Bamboo’s teahouses give a rustic sense of mountain living and offer a chance to relax ahead of the higher, more exposed sections of the sanctuary.
The trail climbs out of the densely wooded valley into more open terrain; you feel the altitude more and the peaks begin to dominate the skyline. As you reach Deurali the surroundings change to a high-valley feel, with rocky slopes and glimpses of glaciers ahead. This higher stop is a good chance to hydrate and rest, preparing mentally and physically for the next day’s entrance into the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Today you enter the sanctuary proper, a dramatic bowl ringed by towering peaks. The final section climbs to Machhapuchhre Base Camp and onward into the amphitheatre where Annapurna I and surrounding giants rise on all sides. Arriving at ABC is an emotional moment, you’ve reached a natural stage set of extraordinary beauty. Spend the evening at ABC soaking in panoramic views and the unique silence of the high mountains. The glow of sunset and the starry night make this a night to remember.
An early morning reveals the sanctuary in crisp daylight, sunlit glaciers and towering faces make for an unforgettable sunrise view before you begin the descent back toward lower altitudes. Descend gradually to Machhapuchhre Base Camp and then further to Bamboo, retracing your steps through changing landscapes. Descending is a different kind of pleasure: the pace is gentler, and you can reflect on the highs of the trek while enjoying familiar stops along the way.
From Bamboo you walk down to Jhinu Danda via beautiful forests and terraced fields. Jhinu Danda is famed for its natural hot springs, an ideal place to soothe muscles after long days on the trail. A soak in the warm waters is a perfect reward and a very Nepali way to celebrate the trek’s closing stages. The evening is relaxed with laughter, food and stories with fellow trekkers; it’s a time to look back on highlights and savour the last mountain meals before returning to civilization.
A final short trek brings you to Nayapul, where our vehicle will meet you for the drive back to Pokhara. From Pokhara, you may either continue to Kathmandu by bus or flight (depending on the plan); either option returns you to city comforts and modern amenities. This final day marks the formal end of your trekking adventure, farewell to the mountains for now, with memories and photos that will keep the Annapurna sanctuary close to your heart for a lifetime.