The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a must-do journey for any adventure seeker visiting Nepal. The trek takes you through the breathtaking Annapurna region, home to the world’s 10th-highest mountain, Mt. Annapurna. From the base camp at 4,130 meters, you will be surrounded by the majestic peaks of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machapuchhre, and Hiunchuli.
The trek includes a journey through lush forests and along the Modi River, as well as the opportunity to experience the local cultures and traditions of the Gurungs, Magars, Thakalis, and Lobas.
You will also encounter small Buddhist shrines and Gumbas along the way, making for a truly peaceful and memorable journey. The trek can start and end in Pokhara, or it can be incorporated into the Annapurna Circuit.
Overview of the tour
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a must-do journey for any adventure seeker visiting Nepal. The trek takes you through the breathtaking Annapurna region, home to the world’s 10th highest mountain, Mt. Annapurna. From the base camp at 4,130 meters, you will be surrounded by the majestic peaks of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machapuchhre, and Hiunchuli.
The trek includes a journey through lush forests and along the Modi River, as well as the opportunity to experience the local cultures and traditions of the Gurungs, Magars, Thakalis, and Lobas.
You will also encounter small Buddhist shrines and Gumbas along the way, making for a truly peaceful and memorable journey. The trek can start and end in Pokhara, or it can be incorporated into the Annapurna Circuit.
Itinerary
After arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by one of our representatives and transported to your hotel in a private tourist vehicle. During the pre-trip meeting, you will have the opportunity to meet your trip guide and ask any questions you may have about your upcoming mountain trek.
We will reach Pokhara in about 6-7 hours, depending on the road conditions. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel and have lunch. In the afternoon, we will take a short tour around Pokhara and visit some of the popular attractions such as the Phewa Lake, the International Mountain Museum, and the World Peace Pagoda. The rest of the day will be free for you to relax and explore Pokhara on your own. Overnight in Pokhara.
As we leave Hile, we will pass through small villages and forests of rhododendron and bamboo. The Modi Khola, a stream that flows from the Annapurna Sanctuary, will accompany us on our right throughout the day. We will also pass by a small waterfall before arriving in Ulleri, where we will spend the night in a local teahouse.
We move on towards our destination Ghorepani, a popular scenic village at an altitude of 2,840 m/9,318 ft. The trail ascends more gently from Ulleri, through fine forests of oak and rhododendrons, towards Banthanti (2,250 m/7,382 ft). Then we trek towards Nangethanti (2,460 m/8,071 ft). After an hour walk, we arrive at Ghorepani.
Today, very early in the morning, we start an hour or two hikes to Poon Hill (3,210 m/10,531 ft). The place is a brilliant mountain range spectacle. This vantage point provides an unobstructed view of the sunrise over the high Himalayas.
We spend about 1 to 2 hours on Poon hill and retrace our path back to Ghorepani. Here we take a hot breakfast. Then we make a climb along ridges, and through pine and rhododendron forests, towards Deurali (2,960 m/9,711 ft). After that, we descend to the Banthanti, then turn off to Tadapani.
The day starts with a steep downhill through rhododendron forests. Leaving Tadapani, we descend through the forests and then the trail eases as we reach Gurjung, the village of Gurung people. From here, it is an easy walk to Chomrong (2,140 m/7,021 ft).
Today the trail drops down to the Chomrong Khola and again we continue climbing to Khuldighar (2,380 m/7,808 t). An ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) check post used to be there. There is a clearing in the forest a little further on.
Soon after, the route travels very steeply down a rock bank, then levels out. Along the way, we pass through thickets of bamboo at the bottom of the gorge while always staying on the west side of the river. We walk through bamboo and rhododendron forests to the Himalayan Hotel.
Today the trail climbs on past the Hinko Cave, Deurali and then Machapuchare Base Camp, which isn’t really a base camp since climbing Mt Machapuchare is not permitted. Since it is totally surrounded by mountains, this area is known as the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Two hours trek from Machapuchare Base Camp takes us to the Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m/13,550 ft). There, we will view astonishing views of mountain scenery, which is very spectacular.
We follow the same trail down today. The trail drops by 1,700 m/5,577 ft to the bank of Modi Khola to Bamboo (2345 m/7,694 ft). The panoramas of Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Singu Chuli, Tharpu Chuli, and other peaks are worthwhile. There are a few teahouse/lodges available to stay at Bamboo.
We follow the same trail until Chomrong. Once we have passed Khuldighar, there is an experimental sheep farm. The trail continues through rhododendron and bamboo fields. From Chomrong, the trail descends very steeply to the Jhinu. Here we can bath in natural hot springs.
From Jhinu, we walk on the right side of the Modi Khola (River) for 3 to 4 hours until Syauli Bazaar, the end point of our trek. Today’s walk can be considered one of the best and most relaxing walks of the entire trek. We will rest for a while in Syauli Bazaar.
Soon enough we take a drive to Pokhara. The road until Nayapul is unpaved and uneven as it was recently made. We will have a bumpy and challenging drive. This section lasts for 2 to 3 hours of the total drive. From Nayapul onwards, the road is paved in concrete and is more maintained than in the previous section. In 1 to 2 hours from Nayapul, we will reach Pokhara.
We will be driving back to Kathmandu in the morning. In the evening, we host a farewell dinner in a fine restaurant. (Your guide(s) and an office staff will accompany you).
The trip concludes today. Our airport representative will drop you at the international airport in Kathmandu for your flight departure from Nepal.
What’s Included
- Accommodation in Standard Hotels on Twin Sharing Basis
- Equipment
- Domestic Flights
- Local Guide & Support Staff
- All Private Ground Transportation Including Airport Transfers
- All meals included at the hotel and on expedition.
- Permits
What’s not included
- Airfares and additional expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
During the trek, all meals will be provided, while only breakfast will be available in Kathmandu. There will also be welcome and farewell dinners for guests. While on the trek, we will have breakfast and dinner at the lodges or teahouses where we stay overnight, and lunch on the way to the next destination. The menu will feature a variety of cuisines, including Nepalese, Tibetan, continental, and Indian.
For breakfast, you can expect hot beverages, toasts, pancakes, eggs, and other items. Lunch will include rice dishes, noodles, potatoes, pizza, pasta, burgers, meat dishes, and more. Dinner will start with a soup course, followed by main dishes similar to those offered at lunch, as well as a dessert and a hot beverage. This information should give you a good idea of the food that will be provided during the Annapurna trek.
Note: Please note that if you follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, you must let us know when you book your trip. We also recommend avoiding alcoholic beverages during the trek, and suggest avoiding meat as it must be carried a long distance from Lukla or Namche before it is consumed, which can lead to freshness issues and upset your stomach. If you have any dietary restrictions or preferences, it is important to inform us in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is considered a moderate to demanding trek that does not require any technical mountaineering skills. It is essentially a long hike up to an altitude of 5,364 meters / 17,599 feet. The trek can be physically challenging due to its duration of 13 days of hiking over a variety of terrains (13 days including arrival and departure). However, no special technical expertise is required to complete the trek.
The best time to embark on the Annapurna Base Camp trek is during the spring (March-May) and fall (October-November) when the weather is most favorable for high altitude climbing. These seasons offer clear skies and stunning mountain views. It is also possible to do this trek in February and early September, but the optimal time is during the mentioned months.
Yes, our booked trips are guaranteed to run under normal circumstances. If you have booked a trip with us, you will be able to complete the trek even if other trekkers cancel their trip. We are a tailor-made company and the number of participants does not affect the operation of our trips. If you are in a last-minute stress because your trip has been cancelled by your operator, you can rely on us to help you make new arrangements. We offer stress-free holidays and our trips are 100% guaranteed to run unless there are unforeseen circumstances such as political riots, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, or weather catastrophes.
The cancellation charges vary depending on when you cancel your trip. If you cancel your trip more than 60 days before the start of the trip, you will receive a full refund minus a 5% processing fee. If you cancel your trip between 30-60 days before the start of the trip, you will receive a 50% refund. If you cancel your trip less than 30 days before the start of the trip, you will not be eligible for a refund.
Please note that these cancellation charges apply to all trips booked with CEMT Travel. It is important to carefully consider your travel plans and make sure that you are able to commit to the trip before booking. If you have any doubts or concerns, we recommend that you speak with one of our team members to discuss your options.
Additionally, we also have assistant guides and porters who will assist the main guides in leading the group and carrying the luggage. Our guides and porters are trained in first aid and emergency rescue procedures, and are always prepared to handle any unexpected situations that may arise during the trek. They are also familiar with the local culture and traditions, and will do their best to make your trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. You can rest assured that you will be in good hands with our experienced and knowledgeable team.
During the Annapurna Base Camp trek, you will stay in lodges or teahouses rather than camping tents. While the experience may not be as cold as in Kilimanjaro, it is still important to bring the appropriate clothing. Refer to our detailed clothing packing list for recommendations on what to bring on the trek.
It’s also important to note that trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp can be physically demanding and requires a good level of fitness. It is recommended that you start training a few months in advance, particularly if you are not used to long walks or hikes. This can help you to build up your endurance and strength, and reduce the risk of injury during the trek. Some helpful training activities include walking, running, cycling, and swimming. It’s also a good idea to gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts as you get closer to the trek. This can help you to prepare your body for the physical demands of the journey.
