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Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Step by step guide

November 6, 2022 By Travelsauro 32 Comments

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. There are other affiliate links too. This disclosure pertains to all product links.

Mountain lovers can understand what reaching the Himalayas means. It’s a long, tough journey to get there and admire the highest mountains in the world. A new challenge, another dream come true.

You wake up and it’s cold. You put on some warm clothes and sit on the edge of a cliff with a cup of tea warming your hands. The wind gently moves the clouds that cover the mountains. Gradually, great snowy peaks emerge, the sun rises, the mist descends and the show overwhelms you. Now you are in a magical place. Take a deep breath and watch. Enjoy your tea and feel the peace surrounding this place that you will never forget.

annapurna base camp sanctuary

annapurna base camp sanctuary machapuchare

The Annapurna base camp trek (also known as Annapurna Sanctuary trek) can be completed in about 7-8 days, and although you must be physically fit, the difficulty is not that high. With good acclimatization, you can enjoy this wonderful route gracefully, going on your own, without guides.

TRAIL DETAILS

Total distance: 110 km
Time: 7-8 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Maximum elevation: 4,130 meters

Annapurna base camp trek, Itinerary for eight days

Day 1: Nayapul – Ulleri
Day 2: Ulleri – Ghorepani
Day 3: Ghorepani -Poonhill -Tadapani
Day 4: Tadapani – Chomrong
Day 5: Chomrong – Doban
Day 6: Doban – MBC
Day 7: MBC – Annapurna Sanctuary – Chomrong
Day 8: Chomrong – Nayapul

MAP

DAY 1: Nayapul – Ulleri

The adventure begins. After leaving the village of Nayapul, we started our trek into the mountains. The route this day was mainly uphill, with lots of stairs.

The hike to the Annapurna base camp is one of the most popular in the world, so the trails are well preserved. It’s not exactly a wild path; there are a lot of stairs, some paving stones, bridges and signs in many places to make your experience easier.

When we got to Ulleri, we found a nice celebration that brightened the evening with dances, songs and performances of the local culture. It was an excellent welcome.

annapurna base camp sanctuary ulleri

DAY 2: Ulleri – Ghorepani

We continued our journey uphill. Another day with lots of stairs to reach the small village of Ghorepani. This part of the trek passes through beautiful green areas and rice paddies.

annapurna base camp sanctuary
Making friends

annapurna base camp sanctuary

DAY 3: Ghorepani -Poon Hill -Tadapani

The plan for the third day was to wake very early and walk up to Poon Hill, watch the sun rise over the mountains and keep on the route. The sunrise itself was quite cloudy, so we couldn’t enjoy the show from this viewpoint, which is said to be very spectacular. On the way back to Ghorepani, the sky began to clear up so we could partially see the big mountains for the first time.

On the way from Poon hill to Ghorepani
On the way from Poon hill to Ghorepani
Lovely Tadapani
Lovely Tadapani
Making more friends
Making some more friends

DAY 4: Tadapani – Chomrong

We kept our hike going uphill and downhill before getting to the village of Chomrong, situated in the valley that leads directly to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Chomrong is quite loved by hikers because of the really good bakery there. I remember how we enjoyed a cinnamon roll and a chocolate cake, with the excuse that we needed to recharge our batteries before the final stage.

annapurna base camp sanctuary bridge

annapurna base camp sanctuary people
Nice people we met on the way

DAY 5: Chomrong – Doban

It was a mild hike this day. Lush cliffs and rivers around us, and a valley ahead constantly calling us. We knew that we were close to the end.

annapurna base camp sanctuary

annapurna base camp sanctuary

annapurna base camp sanctuary

DAY 6: Doban – MBC

The valley became narrower, or at least that’s the feeling watching the mountains rise around you, making you feel like you’re walking through a terrible gorge.

Finally, we arrived at the Machapuchare base camp, at 3,700 meters. That was the night we slept at the highest altitude, but we didn’t have any problems with altitude sickness. All we felt was the excitement of being so close to Annapurna. We were almost there!

Machapuchare base camp
Machapuchare base camp

DAY 7: MBC – ABC – Chomrong

We woke up at 4:00 am to get to the Annapurna base camp at dawn. It was less than two hours away.
Just before sunrise, there we were, enjoying the Annapurna Sanctuary, situated at 4,130 meters high, deep in the heart of the frozen mountains.

annapurna base camp sanctuary sunrise

The Annapurna base camp is located on a high plateau surrounded by huge peaks in all directions.
Gently, the sun rose, coloring the crests of the mountains. The sky opened and the show began. Definitely, one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in my life.

After having a hot ginger tea and realizing what we had just seen, we were ready to return. We walked on and on until we got back to Chomrong.

annapurna base camp sanctuary

sanctuary annapurna base camp

annapurna base camp sanctuary

annapurna base camp sanctuary
Machapuchare peak, watching us

DAY 8: Chomrong – Nayapul

The last day was quite tiring because our bodies needed a break but it was a long day of walking before getting back to Nayapul and taking a bus to Pokhara. At the end, we left the mountains with our legs destroyed but big smiles on our faces.

annapurna base camp sanctuary

annapurna base camp sanctuary

annapurna base camp sanctuary kids

annapurna base camp sanctuary kids

annapurna base camp sanctuary woman people

TRAVEL BUDGET FOR HIKING THE ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP

The average budget for accommodation and food was about $ 12 US / day, not including the entrance fee.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project entrance fee / Permits

Foreigners: $ 20 US

Accommodation during the trek

We didn’t pay anything in most of the lodges. You can negotiate to get free accommodation in exchange for purchasing snacks, dinner and breakfast at their restaurant.

In the lodges of Doban and Machapuchare base camp, it’s harder to negotiate. The price for a simple bed is about $ 3- $ 4 US, depending on the season.

They usually charge extra for hot showers, heaters, etc.

Accommodation in Pokhara

When visiting Pokhara, I recommend that you stay in Pushkar Backpackers. It’s a good place with nice atmosphere, friendly travelers, and cheap food and beers.

Food

Food prices increase the higher you go. Annapurna base camp is obviously where you will pay the most for food because everything is transported manually. A bowl of rice with vegetables or some noodles costs about $ 3- $ 5 US.

Transport

The bus from Pokhara to Nayapul costs around $ 2 US.
You can also share a taxi with fellow travelers for about $8 – $10 US.

WEATHER. WHEN TO COMPLETE THE ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK.

The two best seasons for this route are autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May). From December to February there is too much snow and from June to August too much rain.

I was there in October and the weather was pretty good. I was told that it’s worth it to go during the spring, because the landscape is more colorful.

Flying to Nepal during the high season can be more expensive. I recommend that you download the free Skyscanner app which shows you a comparison chart with the cheapest flights in each month.

TIPS FOR TREKKING THE ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP

Poon Hill route

The Poon Hill Trek can easily be completed in about 7-8 days. Therefore, I recommend that you take the regular trail going through Ghorepani – Poon Hill -Chomrong to visit different landscapes.

However, if you do not have many days, you can take the shortcut by going through Nayapul – Ghangruk – Chomrong and save one or two days of hiking.

Jhinudanda Hot Springs

Near Chomrong, there is a small village called Jhinudanda, which has some amazing hot springs. The pools are built right next to a wild river surrounded by spectacular views.

Acclimatization and altitude sickness

Although this is not an extremely high trek, it’s very important to ensure good acclimatization; drink plenty of water and if you are not feeling ok, descend.

Should I take a guide?

The trail is well marked and you will always find people to ask if you are in doubt, so although optional, it is not really necessary to get a guide.

Travel Insurance

Whether you hire a guide or not, I highly recommend that you get a travel insurance before you visit Nepal. Trusted by thousand of adventurers, World Nomads is one of the best and more reliable options.

 

Traveling to Nepal? Check out on Amazon: Lonely Planet Nepal and Lonely Planet Himalaya


Next Read: Best things to do in Pokhara


Do you have any doubts about the Annapurna Base Camp trek? Leave a comment!

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some other links in this post are affiliate links too.

Travelsauro
Travelsauro

Hi, I’m Miguel; Adventure traveler, scuba diver and hiking lover. I have been traveling the world for the last 12 years and I hope my experiences, photos and hiking routes inspire you to travel the world too.

HIKING, NEPAL

Comments

  1. Julien says

    August 9, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    Hi!
    I’m going to Nepal in October and want to do that trek.

    Do you have any idea how long it took you in between each stops approximatively?

    I’d like to try this one as some kind of speedtrek, so I’m wondering if it is possible to skip one or two of the stops you mentionned. I will be already well acclimatized since I will have done the Annapurnna circuit a few days before.

    So for exemple if you’ve done 2 days of walking 4 hour, I’d be doing one day of 8 hours or maybe stopping after 6 hours if there are any other lodges one the way.

    Your photos are very nice btw!

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      August 9, 2016 at 6:30 pm

      Hi Julien!
      well, I think I walked around 6 hours a day on the way up and a bit longer on the way back.. but we did skip a lot of towns getting down… you can definitely do it shorter and faster… I was enjoying the scenery, taking pictures, etc..

      Good luck, it’s a beautiful place!

      Reply
      • Julien says

        August 10, 2016 at 10:02 am

        Thank you for your help! I can’t wait to be there πŸ™‚

        Reply
  2. teguh says

    March 12, 2017 at 8:44 am

    Hi Miguel,
    Seems i will follow your way, i’ll be there next month for solo trekking to ABC.
    About the backpack what size did you bring and total weight did you carry on it? and how about the drinking water and snack/food for each day, was it easy to find food stall along the way? thanks.

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      March 13, 2017 at 2:20 am

      Hi teguh, great! you’ll love the hike.. it’s awesome! about the backpack.. you need to bring your own sleeping bag and warm clothes.. You’ll need at least a 40-50 liter backpack. You will find plenty of food and water along the hike.. there are many villages in which you sleep and get all the food and drinks. πŸ™‚

      Good luck and enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Liza says

    March 30, 2017 at 5:42 am

    Hello,

    I will be doing this same trek next month with my boyfriend. We are also not going to get a guide, our only worry is not being able to get a place to sleep in the teahouses, as we wont be able to book ahead. How did you find getting a place to sleep each night?

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      March 30, 2017 at 6:25 am

      Hi Liza! Don’t worry too much about that, there should be some place! Most people don’t book in advance. I went there during the high season and I had no problem! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  4. Rahmen Ali says

    July 22, 2017 at 3:14 am

    Hi Miguel,

    Thank for sharing your trekking experience at the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. It was inspiring.
    We are planning to do this trek this October.
    I assume your point of arrival was at Kathmandu? How do you travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
    What type of sleeping bag should I bring for this trek in October?
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      July 22, 2017 at 8:03 am

      Hi Rahmen! Thanks! I’m glad you liked it!

      October is a very good moment to visit the Annapurna Sanctuary. Yes, I traveled from Kathmandu to Pokhara. I took a van, there are buses, vans, etc. It’s easy to find transport.
      At the time, I had a 10ΒΊ sleeping bag which is a bit too cold for that hike. But you can borrow an extra cover in most homestays. Otherwise, I recommend that you bring a warm sleeping bag. at least one for 0ΒΊ or -10ΒΊ. Mainly for the last two days, the rest isn’t that cold.

      Have a nice trek!
      Miguel.

      Reply
  5. Rahmen says

    July 24, 2017 at 2:07 pm

    Thanks Miguel!
    Another thing, how do you adapt to the acclimatization and altitude sickness. If I see from your itinerary, you trekked from Nayapul to Ulleri and if I am correct, the height difference between this 2 areas is rather huge, right?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      July 24, 2017 at 3:04 pm

      Hi Rahmen!

      Nayapul is at 1070 mts, and Ulleri at 1960 mts. it’s a big diffence but you’re still lower than 2000 meters.. no problemo! πŸ™‚

      Acclimatization shouldn’t be a big issue on the route since most places are located lower than 3.000 meters.. It’s the last few days only when you get higher than 3.000. and your body should be acclimatized by then. The Annapurna Base Camp itself is at 4.100.. which is not that high. Most common problems at that altitude may include headache, nausea and vomits… but it shouldn’t represent any high risk if you have done some acclimatization (the previous days of hiking). Anyway, If you feel really bad anytime, hike back to a lower town and rest.

      Enjoy the Himalayas!
      Miguel.

      Reply
  6. Dilip says

    November 19, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    Very nice post Miguel, the pictures are awesome.

    Reply
  7. Lisa says

    January 11, 2018 at 1:04 pm

    This is the best blog/itinerary/information I have found yet so thank you for sharing.
    Some people say you don’t need to bring sleeping bag, do you think it really necessary to bring one? As well, this is in the middle of a year long trip for us so we will have a lot of unnessasry gear with us, have you heard of bag storage in Pokhara and is it easy to rent hiking gear (jackets, sleeping bag) ?

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      January 12, 2018 at 9:37 am

      Thank you very much Lisa! You’ll get some blankets at the guest house, but I don’t like to be cold (and it’s pretty cold at night) so for me it was really good that I brought my sleeping bag. You can leave your gear at your hostel in Pokhara, most people do that, and you get it back once you return to the city. There are plenty of hiking stores in Pokhara, you can buy or rent anything you need. No worries! πŸ™‚

      Safe travels and let me know how it goes!

      Miguel

      Reply
  8. Aditya Nigam says

    February 14, 2018 at 8:55 pm

    Hey Miguel!
    Thank you for sharing your experience. How much money is sufficient for a ‘solo travel to ABC? What is the best time to plan for a snow trek?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      March 27, 2018 at 1:47 pm

      Hi, you can do it on your own, so you’ll spend a few dollars a day, just for accommodation and food. From December to February you’ll find snow. Safe travels.

      Reply
  9. zoe cusack says

    February 20, 2018 at 9:29 am

    Hi Miguel,

    Really enjoyed reading your blog, I’m travelling to Nepal in March and it will be my first trek. I haven’t had much time to prepare in terms of trekking/hiking practice, I counting on the good fitness levels I have through cycling/swimmer/yoga – most days.

    Do you think I will be ok during the trek, its taking us 15 days so that includes leaving Kathmandu and returning to Kathmandu. The guide says we go pretty slow.

    Many thanks
    Zoe

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      February 20, 2018 at 6:32 pm

      Hi Zoe, well… I can’t say for sure, but I guess you’ll be fine if you take it easy.. it’s not especially hard. Safe travels!

      Reply
  10. Alpine Ramble Treks says

    February 20, 2018 at 11:09 pm

    Very helpful post for the new trekkers who wish to explore the Annapurna Himalayas of Nepal. welcome to Land of the Himalayas!

    Reply
  11. Garry Doyle says

    April 2, 2018 at 4:40 am

    Hi Miguel
    My wife and I will fly to Kathmandu at the very end of may
    we will probably do the same path as you have done. we will go on our own without a guide. I have done the poon hill walk before with out a guide
    ( 28 years ago ) but never did the ABC (Beautiful Spot )
    . Can you please tell me on an average how many hours did you walk a day and do you think we would need sleeping bags for that month or would sleeping liners be fine

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      April 11, 2018 at 1:04 pm

      Hi Garry, it depends on how much you want to walk.. there are several villages to sleep, so you don’t need to stop in all of them.. if you have time and energy, you can keep walking till the next village.. On average, I’d say you walk 6-7 hours a day. I’d take a sleeping bag.. you can also borrow a blanket from the guest houses, but it’s pretty cold up there. Safe travels!

      Reply
  12. Rachae says

    April 8, 2018 at 12:29 am

    Hi Miguel,

    I’m doing this trip in October, 2018 solo, and your post is everything that I have been looking for, so thank you. Is there somewhere to download the information that you have shared?

    Safe Travels.

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      April 11, 2018 at 12:52 pm

      Hi Rachae, thanks for your comment! You can copy the info from the post and paste it in a text document I guess. Safe travels.

      Reply
  13. Jamie says

    May 21, 2018 at 10:09 am

    Hi, Miguel

    Thank you for sharing your experience and this helpful information. I’m doing the ABC trip next week. The first plan was going with an organised group, then things changed at the last minute. Now I have to go for it on my own. I was quite worried and afraid as I had no ideas and pictures of managing everything by myself. It seems so hard. But after reading this best piece of guidance of yours, I feel that I can do it. Thank you for the inspiration. Keep it up πŸ™‚
    Wish you travel safe and enjoy wherever you go.

    All the best

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      June 18, 2018 at 1:41 am

      Hi Jamie, I hope you have a great hike! You’ll see that it’s not hard to do on your own! Enjoy that beautiful place! Miguel

      Reply
  14. Sam says

    May 21, 2018 at 10:13 am

    The best blog ever. Thank you, Miguel.

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      June 15, 2018 at 3:15 am

      Thank you Sam! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  15. Maricar says

    July 26, 2018 at 5:23 am

    Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m planning to trek solo next year 3rd week of April.

    Im having a dilemma as I found avalanche during spring season is higher. Any tips?

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      July 31, 2018 at 1:12 am

      Hi Maricar, April is considered high season for hiking the ABC so there should be no problem. You can ask a local company just in case to be sure. Safe travels,

      Reply
  16. Yana Maximova says

    September 9, 2019 at 1:36 am

    Love your picture at ABC with the clouds beneath you! I’ve done several treks in the Annapurna region (Poon Hill, ABC, Mardi Himal), and I find that every trek is beautiful in its own way. But still, ABC impressed me the most. I just loved being surrounded by all those giant mountains. You feel so small there πŸ™‚ Though our itinerary was a bit different, and we stayed at ABC for a night, so at 4 am we were the only people outside, watching the stars and dancing to warm up, as it was too cold (-10C).

    Reply
  17. Millie says

    September 17, 2019 at 3:22 pm

    I loved this trek! Brings back such good memories! Thanks for sharing I love reading your posts. Have you done Mera Peak? I’m going on a few weeks and would love some reads on it.

    Reply
    • Travelsauro says

      September 21, 2019 at 9:02 am

      Hi Millie, thanks! I haven’t done Mera Peak, let me know how it goes!

      Reply

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