10 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The road journey to Pokhara begins early, and you will depart from your hotel via a private jeep or a tourist bus. The ride takes you away from the bustling city of Kathmandu towards green hills and suburban areas along the Prithvi Highway. Moving on, you'll be traveling alongside the Trishuli River, where one could occasionally see adventurers rafting in the turquoise rapid water.

On the way, we will stop at Mugling or Malekhu for a refreshment and lunch. These two places are renowned for their delicious freshwater fish. After stretching your legs and taking the break you need, the drive continues towards the beautiful lake city of Pokhara. Upon your arrival, you will be escorted to a designated hotel, where you will relax and rest before heading out to explore the vibrant lakeside in the evening.

Note: Double-check all the gears, clothing, equipment, and essentials. Go to bed early to get a good night's rest for tomorrow's journey.

Our journey today begins with a ride from Pokhara to the small, bustling town of Nayapul. This is where you officially enter the Annapurna Conservation Area. The initial section from Nayapul to Birethanti is relatively flat and easy, a perfect warm-up for your body.

Eventually, the real test of the Annapurna Base Camp trek begins after the village of Tikhedhunga, which is where the infamous, near-vertical climb to Ulleri starts. Prepare yourself to walk the 3,200+ stone steps, a continuous staircase that climbs steeply up the hillside. It's a nonstop, muscle-burning ascent that takes 2 to 3 hours.

Finally, you reach the gentle path that leads into Ulleri, a traditional Magar village, with numerous stone-built houses. At the teahouse, you will unpack your belongings and rest with a

jaw-dropping panorama of the snowy peaks of Annapurna South (7,219m) and Hiunchuli (6,441m) dominating the skyline.

Note: Today is one of the most challenging hikes of the entire trek! Don't rush the steps. Remember the mantra, 'Slow and steady.' Take short, frequent breaks every 10 minutes or so to catch your breath, and don't forget to admire the view.

The hike today is a complete change of pace from yesterday's grueling ascent. Today, you will be hiking on mostly flat landscapes with easy ascents and descents through dense oak and rhododendron forests. The initial section from Ulleri takes you to smaller settlements like Banthanti and Nagethanti. Moving on, you will have a break near a beautiful waterfall, where you can enjoy the serene surroundings.

After resting for a while, the hike continues for about 1.5 hours to Ghorepani, which means "Horse Water". It references its historical role as a resting spot for traders and their animals. The scenic Magar village is perched on a high ridge offering spectacular views of the Dhaulagiri range and the Annapurna South peak. In the evening, you can explore the Magar Museum, which provides insights into the local indigenous culture and heritage.

Note: Make sure your headlamp batteries are fully charged this evening. We’ll be waking up before dawn (around 4:30 AM) to make the final ascent to Poon Hill for the sunrise.

Your day begins early, usually between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM, with an early-morning hike to Poon Hill. We suggest you wear your warmest layers and grab your headlamps for a 45 to 60-minute uphill climb from Ghorepani to the summit of Poon Hill. Moving ahead, you will be walking on stone-paved paths and taking frequent breaks to catch your breath.

Once you reach the top, you feel a profound sense of pure achievement. The sun rises above the horizon, illuminating the Himalayan peaks with vibrant reds and yellows. From here, you will have a 360-degree panoramic view of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna I (8,091m), the iconic Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.

After taking pictures and videos, we started our descent back to Ghorepani for breakfast before heading towards Tadapani. The path initially climbs to a ridge near Deurali (2,960m), offering another beautiful, wide-angle view of the mountains. Keep in mind that the trail here is rugged and often slippery, especially after recent rain.

The trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani takes you through peaceful rhododendron forests, passing settlements like Gurung Hill, Deurali, and Banthanti. Finally, the trail levels out and winds around the hillside before a short, final uphill walk brings you to Tadapani. The village offers dramatic, close-up views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre that you've never seen before.

Note: Use trekking poles for the ascent to Poonhill, and the descent to Tadapani is steep. This prevents the feeling of exhaustion and joint pain the next morning.

After leaving the Tadapani village, you will hike a downhill trail and descend almost 500 meters through dense, cool rhododendron and bamboo forest. The trail is often a series of uneven stone steps that drop sharply toward the Kimrong Khola. Along the way, you will pass by the quiet village of Chuile and the Ghurjung village.

After crossing the river via a sturdy suspension bridge, the trail changes dramatically. You now face a continuous, moderate climb that lasts for about 1.5 to 2 hours, bringing you up the opposite hillside to the magnificent village of Chhomrong.

The village is one of the largest and most developed settlements on this route, built on a ridge that splits the Modi Khola valley, giving it absolutely mesmerizing views. You will have your ACAP permits registered here tomorrow at a checkpoint before entering deeper in the Annapurna Sanctuary. You will spend the rest of the evening at a teahouse, soaking in an unparalleled, up-close view of Annapurna South.

The hike begins with a seemingly endless stone staircase to the Chhomrong Khola. This descent requires careful footing to protect your knees and ankles from getting injured. Eventually, you will cross a suspension bridge and start the climb to Sinuwa (2,360m). The trails ahead pass through forests of oak, then rhododendron, and finally, into thick, damp bamboo groves that give the village of Bamboo (2,310m) its name.

In the afternoon, after a brief stop at Dovan (2,500m), you will have to hike for around 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Himalaya. You'll pass several beautiful, cascading waterfalls, following the river deep into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary. The day ends at a teahouse in the Himalaya, where you will rest early to help your body recover, and prepare for the final push toward Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) and Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) tomorrow.

Note: Only drink boiled water, or treated/filtered water, and get into the habit of drinking continuously, not just when you feel thirsty.

After breakfast at the teahouse in the Himalayas, you will begin the 3-hour trek to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m). As you ascend higher, the environment changes dramatically here, and the dense forest gives way to a wide, open valley carved by the glacier. You will be walking on steep, rocky trails mostly covered in snow. The trail follows the glacial moraine along the Modi Khola, leading towards MBC, where we will have lunch.

Eventually, after the needed rest, we set our course for the two-hour trek from Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp. The ascent is slow and gradual, and as you trek, you are greeted by the incredible views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli peaks. Once at ABC, the experience is out of this world, a moment to remember, and memories that will last a lifetime. We recommend drinking plenty of hot garlic soup and staying warm tonight to help your body adjust to the higher altitude.

Note: Walk at a slow and steady pace and listen to your body. Don't try to keep up with anyone else. At this altitude, oxygen is significantly low, and you may feel symptoms like a dull headache or slight nausea. Please do not ignore them. If you feel unwell, notify our guide, who will advise you to rest or descend to lower elevations.

The hike from ABC to Bamboo is entirely downhill, and you will retrace the same path, passing through Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC), Deurali, and Himalaya. But you will have a change in perspective on the world-view around you, as it is an entirely new experience. The trail passes through settlements like Himalaya and Dovan and enters the lush, dense forest zone, thick with oak and the iconic bamboo groves.

Note: The rapid descent can press your toes hard against your boots, leading to blisters. It is advised to use blister plasters to prevent unwanted injuries.

The trail from Bamboo winds through Sinuwa and eventually brings you back to the familiar, immense stone staircase of Chhomrong. This might have been impossible at the beginning of the trek, but now it's manageable because you have now become well-versed in hiking steep terrain. Eventually, after climbing out of the Modi Khola gorge and passing through the central part of Chhomrong, you will follow a gentler path that descends toward the river, leading you toward Jhinu Danda.

The descent from Chhomrong to Jhinu Danda (1,780m) is steep and challenging on the knees, so do not rush; walk steadily. After arriving at the village, you will walk for 20 minutes to reach the stone pools, which capture the naturally heated, mineral-rich water along the banks of the Modi Khola River. Soaking your tired muscles after days of hiking provides a sensory experience of deep, calming relief and satisfaction.

After the relaxing session, we reach the pickup point where a pre-arranged jeep will drive us back to Pokhara. Finally, back in Lake City, you can look forward to a comfortable hotel room and a hearty meal before ending the night and giving yourself a well-deserved rest.

We depart from Pokhara at 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM to avoid traffic that builds later in the day. The drive back to Kathmandu offers the perfect time to look through your photos, videos and reflect on the memories you made along the way.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be dropped off at your hotel, and in the evening, we will have a farewell dinner at an authentic Nepalese restaurant. This gathering is an opportunity to share stories, celebrate your achievement, and express gratitude to your trekking team (guide and porters).