Annapurna Base Camp Trek was shortly opened after the Annapurna Circuit Trekking and it is an equally beautiful trekking trail in Nepal. It does not reach the height of the circuit in terms of elevation. But sets the benchmark in terms of mountain panorama and culture. In case of a time crunch, you can finish the trek within a week. And in case of liberty in time, you can take as long as a month. This trek paves the way for other several trekking routes in Nepal, especially the Annapurna region.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek begins from Nayapul at around 1,200 meters from sea level and reaches the zenith of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek which lies at around 4,130 meters. You will never walk alone on the trail as you will have a wonderful set of indigenous people waiting in their tea houses. The trail, throughout, is touristic and full of amenities. No doubt that you will be in the wild but you will most of the time have a cellular network and will also have an internet connection.
Talking about the scenery, you will be fortunate enough to see beautiful mountains from several viewpoints and not just the Annapurna or the fishtail but many others. You will also experience walking through a very dense forest of rhododendrons, fir, birch and bamboo, creating canopies. You will walk along with mules and a herd of ships and goats and cross the rustic suspension bridges. If lucky enough, you will see orchids blossom, ferns, and a few black-faced monkeys namely Langoor. There are several other species of wildflowers, animals and birds you will witness if you look out with all your eyes.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek entirely falls in the Annapurna Conservation Area and hence eco-tourism is practiced. Whereas, the inhabitants of this area are primarily Gurung. Gurungs have small eyes, round faces, and flat noses and are famed as the Gurkha soldiers. Their houses are made from stone sates and tinned roofs and above all warm hearts. Overall, this trek is a win trek and will win your hearts in terms of culture, wildlife, and the mountain scenery.
Book this trek with Karma Eco Adventure today!
Day 01: Arrival and Hotel/Hostel Transfer
Day 02: Trek Preparation and Last-minute Shopping
Day 03: Bus to Pokhara (8, 20m/2,690ft)
Day 04: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ghandruk (1,940m/6,360 ft): 5 - 6 hours
Day 05: Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2,170m/7,120ft): 5 - 6 hours
Day 06: Chomrong to Himalaya (2,310m/7,578ft): 4 - 5 hours
Day 07: Himalaya to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m/12,139ft): 4 -5 hours
Day 08: MBC to ABC (4,130m/13,550ft): 3 – 4 hours
Day 09: ABC to Bamboo (2,310m/7,579ft): 5 – 6 hours
Day 10: Bamboo to Jhinu dada(1,780m/5,840ft): 5 – 6 Hours
Day 11: Jhinu dada to Nayapul to Pokhara (820m/2,690ft): 4 hours of walking, 1.5 hours of jeep ride.
Day 12: Pokhara to Kathmandu
Day 13: Departure your destination.
Day 01: Arrival and Hotel/Hostel Transfer
Thank you for choosing the Annapurna Base Camp Trek as your next adventure destination! On this day you arrive in Kathmandu and we transfer you to your accommodation. You rest and rejuvenate for days to come. You can also explore the surroundings and get to know a little about the country and culture.
Day 02: Trek Preparation and Last-minute Shopping
You will meet your trek leader on this day and he will brief you about trekking in Nepal and your chosen destination. Meanwhile, the back office staff will prepare all required permits for your trekking. Later in the day, you will do the last-minute shopping for your trekking along with your guide. While our back office staff get ready to prepare permits from the government offices, our guides help you get acquainted with the country by taking you to the most happening market in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Bus to Pokhara (8, 20m/2,690ft)
On this day we have our breakfast by 6:00 a.m. and head towards the tourist Bus Park at Thamel and board a tourist bus to Pokhara. The bus ride will take around 7 hours through curvy roads of hilly terrain with a couple of breaks in between for snacks and lunch. The drive to Pokhara on one of the major highways is exhilarating with beautiful views of never leaving tributaries, lush green hills and roadside settlements.
Day 04: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ghandruk (1,940m/6,360 ft): 5 - 6 hours
We head out early on a curvy country road for around 1.5 hours until we reach Nayapul. The trek on foot starts from here and as soon as we cross the confluence of Modi River over a rustic bridge. Once on foot and half an hour later we get our permits checked in the village of Birethanti and move further. The first day of the trek is easy compared with the days to come and very short. With breaks in between, we trek for 4 hours, until we arrive at Ghandruk. The difficult section is the 2500 manmade steps to Ghandruk. Overnight in Ghandruk.
Day 05: Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2,170m/7,120ft): 5 - 6 hours
On a clear day, we wake up with splendid views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre, from Ghandruk. We ascend for the first 2 and half hours to Kimrong Dada and then steeply descend for 2 hours to Kimrong Khola and then finally accent on the famous steps to Chomrong for 3 hours. Most of the walking is done in lush green subtropical forest. Overnight in Chhomrong.
Day 06: Chomrong to Himalaya (2,310m/7,578ft): 4 - 5 hours
Today is one of the difficult days in the Annapurna base camp trek and one of the longest, with multiple ascents. Starting the day early, it would take around 8 hours to reach the Himalayas. As soon as we embark on the trails from Chomrong we walk steep downhill until an old suspension bridge. After the bridge, we walk on steep hills, on man-crafted beautiful slate trails for over 2 hours until we reach bamboo. In this section of the trail, we often walk through dense forests of bamboo, oak, rhododendron and dotted fern. Further down the trail, after lunch, we walk for just over 3 hours to reach the Himalayas. Bamboo to Dovan and Dovan to Himalaya as well is an uphill walk. Overnight in the Himalayas.
Day 07: Himalaya to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m/12,139ft): 4 -5 hours
We start the day by hiking a pleasant ascend, making our way through streams and falls until a steep ascend to Hinku and a further small but steep hike to Deurali. Immediately after Deurali, the damp trees of lush green forest change into more dry and grassy land. The trail is more relaxed from here onwards but undergoes one of the most adventurous sections being it is prone to avalanches. The views of distant Machhapuchhre become more dominant and we get the first glimpse of majestic Annapurna. On this day we start to feel the effect of altitude. Overnight at Machhapuchhre base camp.
Day 08: MBC to ABC (4,130m/13,550ft): 3 – 4 hours
The trek to Annapurna base camp (ABC) from Machhapuchhre base Camp (MBC) takes over 2.5 hours. The walk is easier compared to days earlier and the incline is gradual. The views of Hiunchuli, Annapurna Dakshin, Annapurna I, Tent Peak, Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Barasinga, Machhapuchhre and a few others is very impressive. Overnight at ABC
Day 09: ABC to Bamboo (2,310m/7,579ft): 5 – 6 hours
After having breakfast at regular time, we trek the same route to Annapurna base camp on the previous day. We first head to MBC followed by Deurali, Himalaya, Dovan and finally Bamboo. We descend for almost 7 hours until we reach Bamboo. Like every day, we take frequent breaks between the initial point and the final destination. After a long day on trails, we rest at a teahouse in Bamboo.
Day 10: Bamboo to Jhinu dada (1,780m/5,840ft): 5 – 6 Hours
Down through the rivers, crossing streams and bridges and steep uphill for almost 1 hour, we enjoy the majority of our trails through lush green forest. Most of this day's walk is on flat trails with gentle ups and downs except for one final steep climb for half an hour to Chomrong. We take a steep trail downwards from Chomrong to Jhinu Danda where there are natural hot springs. We have the possibility of enjoying the natural hot springs and rejuvenating for the rest of our journey.
Day 11: Jhinu dada to Nayapul to Pokhara 820m/2,690ft): 4 hours of walking, 1.5 hours of jeep ride
From Jhinu Danda the trails are easier, and ascending and descending are very effortless. We make our way through rustic bridges, patches of villages and jeep tracks. We finally checkout from ACAP at Birethanti and walk around 15 minutes to Nayapul At Nayapul we board our vehicle and drive an hour back to Pokhara. By the time we reach Pokhara, it is around 5, we can enjoy walking around the Phewa Lake or rest, as per our preference.
Day 12: Pokhara to Kathmandu
The bus ride takes around 7 hours to Kathmandu. The bus traverses through beautiful lush green hills and views of mountains (only in season). Once we reach Kathmandu we transfer you to your accommodation and hence officially come to the end of the Annapurna base camp trek.
Day 13: Departure your destination
The specific costs are per person for group trekkers (for solo trekkers trip cost may increase some percent) except international airfare. mentioned below are the departure dates obtainable for on line booking.
