Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Tour snapshot
Moderate
1-25
guided trek with local guides
4130.0 m
Pokhara
Pokhara
Trek to Machhapuchre and Annapurna Base Camps,
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November)
Overview
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC) stands out as one of Nepal's most sought-after trekking adventures. It is renowned for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural encounters with impressive mountain views. ABC trek offers everything a trekker desires from awe-inspiring mountain panoramas, picturesque terraced fields, charming Gurung settlements, and a vibrant array of flora and fauna, this trek is truly a gem. Mt. Annapurna, towering at 8091m, ranks as the 10th highest peak globally, and the journey to its base camp, at 4130m/13549 ft, is the highlight of this trek. En route, trekkers will also witness the presence of Mt. Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), which is believed to be abode of lord Shiva and is worshipped by locals.
Highlights
- Discover not one but two base camps: Machhapuchre Base Camp (3,700 m) and Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m).
- Ascend to an altitude of 4,130m (13,550 ft) and complete the Pokhara trek in just 7 days.
- Admire breathtaking mountain vistas and surreal panoramas en route from MBC to ABC.
- Traverse diverse landscapes, from verdant terraced rice fields to tranquil alpine meadows.
- Observe the authentic lifestyle and vibrant culture of the Gurung and Chhetri communities.
- Revitalize in the natural hot springs of Jhinu Danda, relieving trekking exhaustion.
- Fill your memories with a Himalayan trek in Nepal that will remain forever in your heart and soul.
What's Included
Trekking Permits
Both way transportation
Guide
Porter
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Accomodation
What's Excluded
Personal expenses
Tips to staff ( your choice )
Trip Itinerary
A representative of enlightenment treks will come to pick you up at the airport. After some rest, we will offer a trip briefing about your 7 days at Annapurna Base Camp Trek and answer each of your questions at our office. We will also give you quick do’s and don’ts during the trip. After the trip briefing prepare yourself and your equipment for your trek tomorrow.
We start our trek to Annapurna Base Camp by driving towards Nayapul on a Jeep. We check in our ABC permit at the Nayapul checkpost and continue driving to the start of our trekking route, Jhinu Danda. The drive from Pokhara to Jhinu Danda takes 4 hours. We cross the 287 m long suspension bridge of Kimrong Khola, on the way. As we ascend to Chhomorng Village on stair pathways, we witness the Gururng ethnic community and charming lodges. The entire journey from Jhinu Danda to Chhomrong takes 4 hours. Enjoying the mountain views from lodge windows, we spend the night at Chhomrong.
After breakfast at Chhromrong, we depart from this picturesque Gurung village and set out for Dovan. The trek route is about 8.6 kilometers / 5.3 miles, which takes approximately 6 to 7 hours to complete.
Along the route, we trek along forests, rocky slopes, and bamboo thickets, passing through villages like Sinwa and Bamboo. After about six hours of trekking, we arrive at Dovan, situated at an elevation of 2600 m, where we spend the night.
As today is the longest leg of our trek, we trek early towards Deurali (3,230m), descending along rocky paths. We will have our lunch upon reaching Deurali.
We venture through rhododendron forests towards Hinku Cave, passing by a temple along the trail between Dovan and Himalaya, adorned by a splendid waterfall called Pujinam Baraha Mandir. After a 2.5-hour journey through the Annapurna Valley, we arrive at Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m). Covering a total distance of 13km, we will reach MBC around 6-7 hours of trekking.
At MBC, we will witness panoramic views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna Range. We spend the night at Machhapuchhre Base Camp.
On the fourth day, we trek about 2.9km, which takes roughly 3 hours from Machhapuchhre Base Camp to finally reach Annapurna Base Camp. Here, we spend the entire day exploring amidst the majestic peaks, including Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South (7219 m), Annapurna III (7555 m), Machhapuchhre (6993 m), Gangapurna (7455 m), Khangsar Kang (7485 m), Hiunchuli (6441 m), Singhu Chuli (6501 m), Gandarba Chuli (6248 m), Bharha Chuli (7647m), and many more.
We watch the sunset, and the red rays on top of mountains, and walk back to the teahouse for an overnight stay.
We wake up early, to greet the sunrise casting its glow upon the snow-capped Annapurna Mountain Ranges. The golden sunrise is the major highlight of the Annapurna Base Camp trek, and it will be enchanted in your memory forever.
After that, our journey retraces back to Dovan, which takes about 6 hours as we cover a distance of 13 kilometers. The descent towards Dovan is mostly downhill, passing through MBC and Deurali before arriving at our destination. Embrace the traditional Gurung community and savor authentic Gurung cuisines in the village of Dovan, where we spend the night.
We start our trek early as we need to cover a nearly 13-kilometer journey from Dovan to Jhinu Danda Hotspring. The trek takes about 6-7 hours with varied terrain. While the trek starts with a route upwards, it quickly descends towards Bamboo, surrounded by lush greenery, before proceeding to Sinwa.
Following lunch and a short rest in Sinwa, we trek uphill toward Chhomrong Village. From there, we descend via stairs to the picturesque village of Jhinu. Jhinu is renowned for its natural hot spring. We bathe in soothing, warm waters to alleviate the fatigue of the trek. We conclude the day with an overnight stay at Jhinudanda.
You can directly take a Jeep from Jhinu. However, if you want to trek on the last day of the trek you can trek to Sinuwa and take a Jeep back to Pokhara from there. The trek is very short, it is just a 2-hour hike at max. We check out our permit at Nayapul and drive back to Pokhara. Your trek ends here.
Gears and Equipments
For trekking in Nepal, you'll need essential equipment to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Here's a list of items you might need:
1. Backpack
2. Hiking boots
3. Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, waterproof jacket, and pants)
4. Sleeping bag
5. Trekking poles
6. Headlamp/flashlight
7. Water bottle or hydration system
8. First aid kit
9. Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat)
10. Trekking socks
11. Gloves
12. Personal toiletries
13. Navigation tools (map, compass, GPS)
14. Emergency whistle
15. Lightweight towel
16 Snacks and high-energy food
17. Camera/phone for capturing memories
Remember, packing light is key for trekking, so prioritize the essentials and choose high-quality, lightweight gear .
Trip Map
FAQs about
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
The ABC trek used to take around 10 to 14 days to complete, depending on the route and the pace of the trekker. However, with the road access up to Jhinu Danda, it can be completed in seven days by a beginner and five or six days by a seasoned hiker.
Annapurna Base Camp sits at an altitude of approximately 4,130 meters (13,550 feet) above sea level, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
ABC trek used to be a tent/camp trekking, but now, trekkers can find various accommodation options including teahouses, lodges, and guesthouses. These provide basic amenities and a warm place to rest after a day of trekking.
The best time to trek the ABC trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the weather is generally clear, offering excellent visibility and stable trekking conditions. However, it is crowded in this season, so early winter and monsoon are also being preferred by trekkers nowadays.
Trekkers need to obtain the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card before starting the ABC trek. These permits help support conservation efforts and ensure safety for trekkers.
Note: If you are planning other treks within the Annapurna region, request the check post/office not to mark your permit as 'exit' so it remains valid for other trekking exploration.
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