Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Driving Time: Approx. 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan International airport, our representative will be awaiting you to cordially welcome you with great hospitality. The representative will be displaying the “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” placard outside the airport terminal.

You will be then escorted and transferred to the hotel in our private vehicle. Our staff will accompany you and help you with the check-in at your accommodation. Further, you will be given a brief description of the activities that will take place during the upcoming trip and a preliminary briefing on hygiene and safety by our representative.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Tour Duration:  8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Meal: Breakfast

9:00 AM: Kathmandu Valley Cultural Tour

Begin with a guided tour of Kathmandu Valley, exploring its vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors. Our expert guides will share insights into the local culture and history.

Local Market Tour

Visit the bustling Ason and Indrachowk markets to experience traditional Nepali life, see locals shopping and bargaining, and learn about local products from your guide.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square, the former royal palace complex, with stunning 15th-18th century temples, shrines, and landmarks like Kumari Ghar, Kasthamandap, and Kal Bhairab.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

Visit Swayambhunath, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and enjoy the serene atmosphere as you witness Buddhist and Hindu rituals and hear chants of “Om Mani Padme Hum.”

PM: Boudhanath

See the 5th-century Boudhanath Stupa, a spiritual hub for Tibetan culture, surrounded by colorful prayer flags and bustling with devotion.

Pashupatinath

End the day at Pashupatinath, a sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, where you can witness rituals, cremation ceremonies, and the spiritual atmosphere along the Bagmati River.

Altitude above sea level: (1,960 m) Ulleri

Flight duration: KTM-PKR 25 minutes approx.

Driving Duration: PKR-Birethathi 1 hr. approx.

Hiking Duration: 4 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Teahouse lodge

After breakfast, fly to Pokhara and drive to Birethanti to begin your trek. Enjoy scenic views of lush countryside, rice paddies, and a clear river as you pass through picturesque villages. Start your trek to Hille via Birethanti, crossing steel bridges and passing your first TIMS checkpoint. Continue along the trail past a small waterfall to Sudami for lunch. The trek then follows a gradual uphill path to Hille, along the Bhurungdi Khola River. Afterward, ascend gradually to Tikhedhunga, followed by a challenging climb of 3,200 steps to reach Ulleri.

Altitude above sea level: (2,750 m) Ghorepani

Hiking Duration: 5-6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you ascend steeply and then climb gradually until you reach Nangethathi.  This trail offers you a breathtaking view of Machhapuchhre or Fish Tail (6,997 m.), Hiunchuli (6,441 m.), and the Annapurna (7,219 m) South on the way.

Continue the climb until you start noticing more densely populated houses- Ghorepani. It is believed that the village was named Ghorepani as in the past it used to be a resting place for merchants where they found water for their horses, from where the name became ‘Ghora’ horse and ‘pani’ water.  This village is different from other towns with distinctive blue roofs and houses. It is also a gateway to the most important point of the trek – Poon Hill.

Altitude above sea level: Poonhill (3,210 m), Tadapani (2,721 m)

Hiking duration: Ghorepani-Poonhill 45 minutes, Poonhill-Ghorepani -40 minutes approx. Ghorepani-Tadapani- 5-6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Start out with an early morning wake-up call and start your pre-dawn hike to Poon Hill. Once you are at the top, you will be greeted with clear panoramic views of several snow-capped mountains and peaks like Gangapurna, Annapurna South Mountain, Annapurna- I, Dhaulagiri,  and the Hiunchuli with a magnificent sunrise.

After soaking in mesmerizing views, you will return downhill to Ghorepani for breakfast. After breakfast, you hike further to Tadapani. Continue your trek that winds its way north along the ridgeline of magnificent views of the Annapurna’s stretching out from east to west. Then the trail descends steeply down to a small settlement and eventually the gorge, where the trail enters an open area.  Further, trek down again before the final uphill climb through dense forest to our destination at Tadapani.

Tadapani is a beautiful village overlooking the Modi river valley. From here you have a gorgeous view of the sacred Machhapuchre mountain (Fishtail mountain) when the weather is nice.

Altitude above sea level: (2,170 m) Chhomrong

Hiking duration: 6-7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Your journey continues after a hot breakfast, in the morning. The trail leads down a steep hill and passes through a forest of rhododendron trees to the village of Chomrong. You can hear the melodious chirping of birds along the trail. If you are trekking during spring, the entire forest is decorated with vibrant rhododendron flowers.

Further, continue your trek, emerging out and into terraced fields to Kimrung Khola and cross the suspension bridge.  Then you ascend to the village of Ghurjung (2,010 m). The path takes you over numerous properties until you reach a wooden bridge. You traverse the bridge and walk through a number of side valleys.

Further, take a steep ascent up to a mountain ridge, from where you have a superb view of the Machhapuchhre. You hike further and pass the village Taglu. A little further on you’ll find the village of Chhomrong.

Altitude above sea level: (2,920 m) Himalayan

Hiking duration:  7 -8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, the trail descends to the Chomrong Khola on steep stone steps. The trail ascent again, firstly through terraced fields and then through bamboo and rhododendron forests. Along the trail, you will see rhododendron, oak, and hemlock line the gorge, and the area is a delight for bird lovers. Today’s hike involves a mixed trail of up or down on steep paths. You can see the intermittent views of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre ahead, but often the forest is too dense to allow more than a tantalizing glimpse.

After reaching the village of Khuldigar, you descend a stone staircase to a section of very dense bamboo forest, which takes you to the settlement known as “Bamboo Lodge”. From here, ascent steeply through bamboo and rhododendron forest, following the trail high above the river to day’s end at Himalaya.

Altitude above sea level: (3,700 m) MBC

Hiking duration:  5 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

With an early start, you will trek to your next destination, Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Continue through the Bamboo forest to Hinko cave which leads us to a narrow entrance, into a steep gorge until you pass through the “gates” of the sanctuary, formed by Hiunchuli on the left and Machhapuchhre on the right.  

 Hinko Cave is an enormous boulder that has nestled on the side of the steep mountain that gives some shelter for the goat and sheep herders in the summer and the occasional ABC trekkers.

The panorama is magnificent and stunning peaks surround you. Above you on a ledge is Machhapuchhre Base Camp, where you will stop for the night.  The Macchapuchhre is a holy mountain in Nepal, and it is not allowed to climb. The view of the Himalayas is spectacular: you will see the Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and of course the Machhapuchhre.

Altitude above sea level: (4,130 m) ABC

Hiking duration:  3 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you leave for Annapurna Base Camp early in the morning before sunrise. This pleasant hike will take you to the Annapurna Base Camp. More importantly, the risk of avalanches is at its lowest level during the morning.

The Base Camp nestled at the foot of the Annapurna Glacier’s lateral moraine. The path widens as you enter the Annapurna Sanctuary, follows a stream, and then continues uphill. Reaching ABC provides any trekkers a weird blend of emotions: immense relief at finally arriving, as well as pleasure at being so high.  Admire a rewarding finish with unobstructed views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Hiuchuli, and several soaring peaks. Besides the tremendous view of the mountain, you also have an impressive view of the glacier from the moraine!

Altitude above sea level: (2,335 m) Bamboo

Hiking duration:  6 – 7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After enjoying the splendid Mountain View and taking a decent breakfast, continue your trek to Bamboo. Follow the same trail to base camp, passing the Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Deurali, and Himalayan Hotel. You descend to Modi Khola to reach the rural village of Bamboo.

Altitude above sea level: (1,970 m) Ghandruk

Hiking duration: 6 – 7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today’s trek is a long descending trek, so you start off early; retracing the trail back to Chomrong village. From here, the trail climbs to a spur ridge. Entering Kimrong Khola valley the trail evens out for a while and the walking is easy.

You reach the junction with the route from Ghorepani and just beyond the village of Kimrong.  The trail suddenly drops in short, steep switchbacks, then through open rock-strewn fields to the Ghandruk village.

Ghandruk is a major settlement of the Gurung, an ethnic group of Nepal. Exploring around this village gives you a glimpse of the local way of life in Nepal’s mountains, especially that of the Gurung people. From here, you have an incredible panorama of the surrounding Annapurna massif. Also, it is a famous Gurung village with terraces and offers splendid views of sunrise and sunset. After arriving, you can stroll around to explore the large old-style village, visiting a cultural museum and monastery.

Altitude above sea level: (895 m) Pokhara

Hiking duration:  4-5 hrs. Approx.

Driving time: 1.5 hr. approx.

Accommodation: Mount Kailash Resort or similar

Meals: Breakfast, & Lunch

Early morning starts with the superb view of the Annapurna range and adjacent snowy peaks smiling toward us. You will have a hearty breakfast in Ghandruk and admire the sunshine and mountain views.

Then you set off on today’s trek, passing small villages and scenic rice fields to reach Syaulibazaar. Once you arrive, you’ll meet your private jeep transfer waiting to take you back to Pokhara.

Check-in at the hotel and spend some time at leisure exploring Pokhara. You can either visit caves and pagoda or hire a boat that takes you to Tal Barahi, a temple that sits on a small island in Phewa Lake.  It is worthwhile visiting International Mountain Museum if you are keen on Nepal’s indigenous history and mountain climbing.

Altitude above sea level: (1,302 m), Kathmandu

Flight duration: 25 minutes approx.

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you take a short flight back to Kathmandu. Check-in at the hotel and spend some time at leisure. You can spend your leisure time shopping for souvenirs for your beloved ones or simply relax after an exhausting but momentous adventure.

Driving Duration HTL-APT: Approx. 25-30 minutes depending on traffic

Meal: Breakfast

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the terrific experiences of Nepal in mind. Make sure you reach TIA airport on time, as you should check in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight. If you wish to stay a few more days, there are still plenty more places to explore around Kathmandu valley.