Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the 2nd best trekking in Nepal package, combines the best of the Annapurna region's natural and cultural features and offers a superb introduction to rural Nepal and the High Himalaya. The trail sports a breathtaking panorama of Annapurna (8091m), Gangapurna (7454m), Machhapuchhre (6997m), Lamjung (6983m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Fang (7647m) among other peaks. Apart from the scenery, the numerous Gurung and Magar villages also provide an authentic insight into their culture, tradition and lifestyle.
Spend a day exploring the intoxicating Kathmandu before driving west, through forest and agricultural landscapes to Pokhara. Explore this lakeside city. Begin the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with a drive to Nayapul and trek through Hindu farming communities, then Tibeto-Berman groups for two days to Ghorepani – to climb Nepal’s most popular physical landmark. A pre-dawn walk up Poon Hill (3 210m/10 530ft) offers a 70km panoramic sunrise that includes Dhaulagiri I, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, fish-tailed sacred Machhapuchhare and Manaslu.
The trail then heads east towards the Modi Khola Valley which carries melt water from the ice fields above. This route offers ample time for acclimatization for anyone who is reasonably fit and used to walking. At Taglung the trail turns north and heads up the valley, in manageable stages, through a mix of forest and intense agriculture. Passing through the rhododendron and pine forests, you will have the opportunity to explore the biodiversity of the Annapurna region, including Himalayan wildlife such as Musk Deer, Rhesus and Langur Monkeys, Leopard, Bear and much more. The numerous villages are attractive and warmly welcoming.
The climax is reached in the spectacular Annapurna Sanctuary amphitheatre where the Machhapuchhare BC, is followed by the Annapurna BC (4 130m/13 550ft). Here you are surrounded by an immense wall of rock and ice rising 4 000m/13 100ft above the hotels on the glacial moraine. The scene at sunrise is breathtaking.
The downward journey is spread over four days. On the return trek, the trail passes through Jhinu, whose natural hot springs will be a welcome rejuvenating experience. A final short walk leads back to the road for the drive back to your hotel in Pokhara. Fly back to Kathmandu along the Himalayan Range.
If you haven't more time for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek or are physically uncomfortable, you can join our comparatively easy Annapurna Sunrise Trek of 9 days package.
The best times of the year to perform the Annapurna Base Camp Trek are during spring (March to May) and autumn (last week in September to mid-December) seasons. During these periods, the weather remains stable and the mountain views are good leading to the best experience. In monsoon, the weather can be unpredictable and the rain can make the trails slippery and perilous. Winter trekking might not be suitable for everyone due to the harshly cold temperatures. However, the trek does provide some amazing views and extra snow and enjoyment to anyone capable of performing it in winter.
This 15 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a moderate difficulty trek that takes you up to altitudes of 4130m (ABC). You will be trekking over steep hills and semi rocky terrain for most of the trek. While previous trekking experience is not a necessity, it will certainly make the trek easier. We recommended this trek for people with at least decent physical fitness and stamina. Altitude sickness is generally not an issue due to most of the trail lying at fairly low altitudes.
NRS. 3000 ($30) per person
NRS. 1000 ($10) for organized trekkers
NRS. 2000 ($20) for independent trekkers
After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, we will meet you outside the terminal building (look for your name board) and transfer you to your hotel: afternoon free. Evening: a welcome dinner, introduction to your guide and a briefing on the trek with a check on necessities. Overnight at hotel.
Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, the famed “monkey temple”; the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, architecture, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the world’s largest stupa.
A car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not included.)
After breakfast, drive to Pokhara along the Prithvi Raimarg which offers fascinating glimpses of rural Nepal as you pass through Middle Hill scenery and along major rivers such as the Trisuli Nadi, which rises in Tibet north east of Kathmandu. The route passes through the lower Gorkha region (beneath Manaslu), south of the epicentre of the first of the recent earthquakes.
Transfer to your hotel. An afternoon City Tour includes: Devi’s waterfall and Shiva’s Cave. Enjoy an evening cruise on tranquil Lake Phewa before dinner. Overnight in Pokhara.
From your hotel, we drive north through farmland and forest to the trail head at Nayapul. Trek to the prosperous riverside village of Birethanti (1 000m) at the meeting point of the Modi and Bhurungdi Kholas. Then follow the Bhurungdi Khola to Sudame (1 340m) before climbing regularly up the side of the valley, to Tikhedhunga(1 510m), After that a long and step and steep climb on rock staircases to the village of Ulleri (2 080m).where we spent overnight.
The day starts early in the morning with an amazing landscape and marvelous views of Annapurna South (7 219m) and Hiunchuli (6 441m). The ascent continues through lush and ancient rhododendron and oak forests for several hours, with rest breaks, to the large village of Ghorepani. From here there are nice views of Dhaulagiri I 8 172m and the Annapurna Himal. Overnight in Ghorepani.
An early, ¾ hr, steep trek leads to Poon Hill’s grassy knoll. This landmark viewpoint offers unobstructed vistas of the high Himalaya from Dhaulagiri I (8 172m) and Upper Dolpo in the west, across the Annapurnas (Annapurna I, 8 019m), to Machhapuchhare (6 997m, Fish Tail) and east to Manaslu (8 156m). Behind: an ocean of Sal forests stretch to lowland India.
After breakfast, the eastward path to Tadapani crosses many ridges through thick rhododendron and pine forest with uphill and downhill sections and magnificent views of the snow peaks to the north from high ground. Overnight in Tadapani.
The trek north east from the village descends through forest and farmland to reach the suspension bridge over Kimrong Khola Valley. This deeply incised gorge carries melt water from the Annapurna South ice fields to the Ganges. To take a Lunch in Gurjung After lunch, the trail Zigzeg through stands of oak and rhododendron forest, around the hillsides to the wealthy agricultural village of Chhomrong: and closer views of the huge peaks above.Overnight in Chhomrong.
Descend the broad staircase to the Chhomrong Khola (1 900m), then ascend to charming Sinuwa (2 340m). The trail then enters the upper Modi Khola Valley through dense forests of bamboo, rhododendron and oak. It rises then drops to the village of Bamboo (2 310m) on the river bank: for lunch. Continue up through uninhabited forest to Dobhan (2 500m), before crossing avalanche chutes towards the small village of Himalaya Hotel. Overnight in Himalaya Hotel.
With increasing altitude, forest gives way to alpine scrub and grasses. Explore the cave at Hinku (3 100m) before crossing a ravine and avalanche tracks to Deorali (3 140m).
The geology of the canyon’s side walls is fascinating. Views into the sacred Sanctuary gradually appear as the trail approaches a ridge and rises to MBC, for lunch.
A further two hours, slow, walk up grassy slopes leads to the ABC hotels built on Annapurna South’s glacial moraine: some 4 000m/13 100ft beneath the peaks that crown the surrounding ice walls. Overnight in Base Camp.
Before dawn walk to the rim of the glacier for unforgettable views and photos. The ring of peaks, clockwise from Hiunchuli, include Annapurna South, the vast ice wall topped by Annapurna I (8 097m/26 566ft) and Singu Chuli ( flutedpeak) TentPeak ( TharpuChuli ) towering above you round, to Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Machhapuchhare. Listen to the glacier grinding below you, in its U-shaped valley.
After breakfast, retrace your steps to Deurali for Lunch and then continue the descent for more comfortable night. Overnight in Bamboo.
Climb back to Kuldi and on to flower bedecked Sinuwa before descending to the Chhomrong Khola and the stairs back to Chhomrong. Close by is Taglung: plunge left, down the narrow side trail to the attractive village of Jhinu Danda below. After lunch, descend to the river for a plunge in the hot springs on its banks. Overnight in Jhinu Danda.
Head south, close to the river, to New bridge ; cross to the east bank Himal Pani. Continue south to Landruk (1 620m): good views of Hiunchuli, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare. The trail continues through scattered trees and flowering shrub to Tolka (1 790m), after which it ascends gradually, for ~2 hrs, to the ridge village Deorali (2 150m). Excellent views of Phewa Lake and Pokhara are possible from here and the last beautiful views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and the right side of the range. The trail then downhill along a red-earth path ( that is lethal when wet) to Pothana. Overnight in Pothana.
The last day offers an easy walk down a point to the large farming rural village of Dhampus (1 700m). It then steep descends through scattered villages and rice paddies to Dhampus Phedi on the Pokhara – Baglung highway. A short drive will return you to your hotel in Pokhara. Afternoon free: consider a visit the Mountain Museum. Overnight in Pokhara
After breakfast drive to the nearby airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. Transfer to your Hotel. Rest of day free.
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.