Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Your Himalayan adventure begins with a breathtaking 25-minute flight to Pokhara, where the Annapurna range appears like a painting across your airplane window. After landing, a 2-3 hour scenic drive winds through river valleys and hillside villages to reach Kimche, where your boots finally meet the trail. The 9km trek to Ghandruk (3-4 hours) unfolds like a living postcard, stone-paved paths weaving through emerald terraces, rhododendron forests buzzing with birdsong, and the occasional mule train carrying supplies to mountain settlements.

As you round the final bend, Ghandruk reveals itself, a cascade of slate-roofed houses clinging to the hillside at 2,000m. The village greets you with jaw-dropping views of Annapurna South and the iconic Fishtail peak. Settle into a cozy teahouse where the Gurung people's legendary hospitality makes you instantly feel at home, the starry sky above promising even greater adventures ahead.

Flight: 30 min

Hiking: 2-3 hrs.

Driving: 2 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

The trail unfolds like a mountain symphony today , 10km (4-6 hours) of rhythmic ascents and descents connecting two iconic Gurung villages. Your morning begins with a steep descent through Ghandruk's stone staircases, crossing the Kyumi Khola on a swaying suspension bridge alive with prayer flags. Then comes the day's challenge: the relentless 2,000 stone steps climbing to Chhomrong, where each turn reveals new angles of Annapurna South's icy face and Fishtail's distinctive silhouette.

At 2,170m, Chhomrong welcomes you with its orderly slate-roofed houses cascading down the hillside. This thriving village buzzes with energy – trekkers comparing notes, porters balancing improbable loads, and local women weaving traditional garments. As sunset paints the peaks gold, your teahouse balcony becomes the perfect stage to watch the day's final light dance across the highest mountains on Earth.

Hiking: 4-6 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

The morning sun illuminates our descent from Chhomrong as we navigate the legendary stone staircase, nearly 2,000 steps descending to the Chhomrong Khola's rushing waters. After crossing the swaying suspension bridge (adorned with wind-whipped prayer flags), the trail transforms. We enter a magical green world where moss-draped trees filter sunlight onto the path, their branches alive with birdsong.

The climb to Sinuwa rewards us with one last panoramic view of the valley before we descend deeper into the old-growth forest. The air grows moist and earthy as we follow the trail through stands of bamboo so thick they creak like ship masts in the wind. By afternoon, we reach Bamboo Lodge (2,310m), where steaming mugs of ginger tea await in this cozy haven surrounded by whispering bamboo groves.

Hiking: 4-5 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

Dawn in the bamboo forest feels like waking inside an emerald. We move through liquid shadows as sunlight drips through the canopy, following the Modi Khola's roar upstream. The trail becomes a living thing - one moment clinging to cliff edges behind silver waterfalls, the next plunging into tunnels of rhododendron where tree roots form natural staircases.

At Himalaya Hotel, we pause where the valley narrows like a cathedral nave. Then comes the final push - through avalanche-scarred landscapes where the air grows thin and the peaks suddenly dominate the skyline. Reaching Deurali's cluster of stone lodges at 3,230m, we're greeted with hot lemon tea and an impossible view: the sanctuary's icy walls glowing peach in the evening light, their glacier-carved faces whispering of the high places we'll walk tomorrow.

Hiking: 3-4 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

We rise before dawn, our breath visible in the frozen air as we begin the sacred walk into the sanctuary. The trail climbs steadily through a world of ice-polished boulders and whispering moraines, where the morning sun ignites Machhapuchhre's iconic fishtail summit into a golden blade against the blue sky. At MBC (3,700m), we sip hot tea in silent reverence, dwarfed by the mountain's impossible steepness.

Then comes the magic hour, crossing the last moraine ridge as the entire Annapurna massif reveals itself in a heart-stopping panorama. At ABC (4,130m), time seems to pause. Glaciers creak, prayer flags snap in the wind, and the mountains surround us in a 360-degree embrace. As night falls, we gather around the dining lodge stove, our faces glowing in the lamplight, knowing we've reached one of Earth's most spectacular sanctuaries. The stars here don't twinkle, they burn.

Hiking: 5-6 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

With one last sunrise over the sanctuary's icy peaks, we begin our descent from ABC (4,130m), each backward glance revealing new dimensions of the mountains we've come to know. The return through Machhapuchhre Base Camp feels like visiting an old friend - the Fishtail's distinctive silhouette now familiar yet no less awe-inspiring.

As we lose elevation, the world comes alive again: glacial streams become rushing rivers, the air thickens with oxygen, and bamboo forests envelop us in their emerald embrace. By afternoon, we're back in Bamboo (2,310m), where the distant roar of waterfalls lulls us to sleep - no longer trekkers heading upward, but storytellers carrying the mountains within us.

Hiking: 7-8hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

The forest releases us gently today, first through bamboo tunnels where sunlight dapples the path, then past terraced fields stepping down the valley like giant staircases. Women in colorful aprons winnow grain, their laughter mixing with the clang of goat bells. At Chhomrong, we descend the legendary stone staircase, each step taking us further from the snows and closer to the valley's warmth.

Jhinu Danda welcomes us with its secret: steaming hot springs hidden by the riverside. We slip into the milky waters as local children giggle from the rocks above. The heat works magically on trek-weary muscles while the river carries away fragments of the high mountains. Tonight, we sleep to the lullaby of water over stone, our bodies remembering how to be soft again.

Hiking: 5-6 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

As dawn paints the hills gold, your final descent begins - past terraced fields where farmers tend crops and children shout cheerful greetings. The trail gradually surrenders to gravel roads, leading to Mathque, where your trekking adventure officially concludes. Swapping dusty boots for a comfortable vehicle, you'll watch the mountain landscapes transform during the scenic drive to Pokhara. Arriving by mid-afternoon, the lakeside city welcomes you with its relaxed charm. Check into your hotel, where a hot shower and soft bed feel like luxuries after days on the trail. Spend your evening strolling Phewa Lake's promenade as fish eagles circle overhead or toast your accomplishment at a rooftop café with Annapurna's reflection shimmering in the twilight waters - a perfect finale to your Himalayan journey.

Hiking: 50 min

Driving: 2 hrs.

Simple Lodge

B

After checking out from your Pokhara hotel, transfer to the airport for your scenic morning flight to Kathmandu. As the plane ascends, enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the Annapurna range - a final, spectacular perspective of the mountains you've trekked through these past days.

Upon landing in Kathmandu, you'll be transferred to your hotel, where you can freshen up and reflect on your journey. The remainder of the day is yours to explore - perhaps wander through Thamel's vibrant markets, visit a heritage site, or simply relax with a celebratory dinner, reminiscing about your Himalayan adventure.

Flight: 30 min

Hotel

B

It’s time to bid farewell to Kathmandu as your journey comes to an end. Enjoy a relaxed morning at your leisure before being transferred to the airport in time for your onward flight. We hope you leave with unforgettable memories and a heart full of experiences.

B

  Ø  No, ABC is a trekking destination and doesn't require climbing experience. It's accessible to hikers and trekkers of varying experience levels.

  Ø  The best times to visit ABC are during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is pleasant and the trails are in good condition.

  Ø  The trek to Annapurna Base Camp usually takes around 7-12 days, depending on your starting point and itinerary.

  Ø  Yes, you need two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card.

  Ø  Accommodation varies from basic teahouses to more comfortable lodges. The quality of lodging increases as you descend to lower elevations.

  Ø  Hiring a guide or porter is not mandatory, but it can enhance your trek by providing navigation help, carrying your gear, and offering local insights.

  Ø  Essential items include warm clothing, a good quality backpack, trekking boots, a sleeping bag, first-aid supplies, and other personal necessities. Layers are important due to changing altitudes.

  Ø  While ABC is at a lower elevation than Everest Base Camp, altitude sickness is still a concern. Adequate acclimatization is crucial, and you should be aware of the symptoms and when to descend if needed.

  Ø  In lower elevations, you may find phone signals and Wi-Fi in some places. However, connectivity can be limited as you ascend higher into the mountains.

  Ø  The ABC trek is generally safe, but you should be prepared for various terrain and weather conditions. Staying informed about potential hazards and exercising caution is important.

  Ø  The cost of the ABC trek varies based on factors like guide and porter hire, accommodation choices, and route. It can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars.

  Ø  Annapurna Base Camp is situated at an elevation of approximately 4,130 meters (13,550 feet) above sea level.

  Ø  The most common starting point for the ABC trek is in Nayapul, and the trail takes you through various villages, including Chhomrong, before reaching Annapurna Base Camp.

  Ø  Yes, there are helicopter services available for reaching or departing from Annapurna Base Camp, but they can be costly.