Drive from Pokhara to Kimche, then walk up through stone-paved Gurung villages to Ghandruk. 3 to 4 hours.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
8
Days
Overview
- NTB-certified guides who grew up in the Annapurna foothills
- Small groups, 12 trekkers or fewer, never a bus-tour crowd
- All-inclusive pricing: permits, lodges, meals and porters covered upfront
- Direct support for teahouse families along the Modi Khola trail
- A genuine 4,130m base camp finish, not a lower viewpoint substitute
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is an 8-day teahouse trek to 4,130m in Nepal's Annapurna Conservation Area, following the Modi Khola valley through Gurung villages, rhododendron forest and a wall of 7,000m peaks. It suits first-time high-altitude trekkers with a reasonable fitness base. Full details, day-by-day route and pricing are below.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek climbs from Pokhara's mid-hills to a natural amphitheatre at 4,130m, ringed by Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, this route sees more annual trekker permits issued than any other in Nepal, which says something about how forgiving the trail is for a first big trek.
We run it as a full-board teahouse trek: no camping, no cooking gear, just a bed and a hot meal at the end of each day. Spring brings the rhododendron forest into bloom; autumn gives you the sharpest mountain views of the year.
Trip snapshot
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days (trek only, Pokhara to Pokhara) |
| Max altitude | 4,130m (Annapurna Base Camp) |
| Difficulty | Moderate to strenuous, 5 to 7 hours walking most days |
| Best season | March to May, September to November |
| Group size | 2 to 12 people, or private on request |
| Price basis | Per person, teahouse full board included |
| Permits required | ACAP permit and TIMS card |
Booking
We're a Kathmandu-based, government-registered outfit and we run this trek in small groups with our own guides. Email contact@aqtreks.com or visit aqtreks.com to lock in dates.
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Pokhara to Ghandruk (1,940m)
Day 2 :
Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2,170m)
Descend to the Kimrong Khola, then climb steadily to Chhomrong, the last big village before the valley narrows. 5 to 6 hours.
Day 3 :
Chhomrong to Dovan (2,600m)
Steep stone steps down to the river, then up through bamboo and rhododendron forest to Sinuwa and on to Dovan. 5 to 6 hours.
Day 4 :
Dovan to Deurali (3,230m)
Through Himalaya and Hinku Cave, the valley walls close in and the forest thins to alpine scrub. 5 hours.
Via Machhapuchhre Base Camp, the trail opens into the amphitheatre. Sunset at ABC is the reason people do this trek. 5 to 6 hours.
Sunrise at ABC first, then a long descent back through Deurali and Dovan to Bamboo. 6 to 7 hours.
Day 7 :
Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1,780m)
Down to Chhomrong and on to Jhinu, where a natural hot spring by the river is the best-earned bath of the trip. 5 hours.
Day 8 :
Jhinu Danda to Pokhara
Short walk to Siwai or Kimche, then drive back to Pokhara. 3 hours walking plus the drive.
The cost includes
- All teahouse accommodation on the trek
- Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day on the trail
- ACAP permit and TIMS card
- Licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- Ground transport, Pokhara to trailhead and return
The cost excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Nepal visa fee
- Travel insurance with high-altitude evacuation cover
- Personal trekking gear
- Tips for guide and porters
Before You Go
Best time to go
Spring is our personal favourite: the rhododendron forest between Chhomrong and Dovan turns red and pink, and the days are warm enough to sit outside at the teahouses. Autumn gives you clearer skies and better mountain photos, but it's busier on the trail.
We're upfront with guests about the monsoon months, June to August: the lower forest sections get muddy and leeches show up below 3,000m. It's not our recommended window, though the upper valley itself stays walkable.
Check current conditions on Windy.com before you fly in, especially for the Deurali to ABC stretch where cloud can roll in fast.
Permits and practical info
You'll need an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit and a TIMS card, both arranged through the National Trust for Nature Conservation. We handle both for you as part of the package price, no separate trip to an office in Pokhara.
Altitude sickness risk is low on this route compared to the higher treks we run, but it isn't zero at 4,130m. Our guides carry a pulse oximeter and know the early signs. For general altitude guidance, the Himalayan Rescue Association publishes clear, practical advice.
Ready to book? Email contact@aqtreks.com or head to aqtreks.com and we'll get you a date.
Departures
No fixed departure dates published yet for this trek — send us an enquiry for a private departure.
Routes
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
It's moderate to strenuous. Most days run 5 to 7 hours of walking with real elevation gain, including some steep stone-step climbs near Chhomrong. You don't need mountaineering experience, but a few months of hill walking or stair training beforehand makes a real difference to how much you enjoy it.
How many days does the Annapurna Base Camp trek take?
Our itinerary runs 8 days, trek only, from Pokhara back to Pokhara. Some agencies quote 10 to 14 days because they count Kathmandu arrival and departure days as part of the trek. We count only the days you're actually walking, since most guests arrange their own Kathmandu-Pokhara timing separately.
What is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp?
Annapurna Base Camp sits at 4,130 metres (13,550 feet). That's noticeably lower than Everest Base Camp at 5,364m, which is part of why ABC has a gentler acclimatisation profile and suits more first-time high-altitude trekkers who want real mountain scenery without the same physical toll.
Do I need a permit for the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Yes, two: an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit costing NPR 3,000, and a TIMS trekking card costing NPR 2,000. Both are mandatory and checked at entry points along the trail. We arrange both for every guest as part of our package price.
What is the best time to trek to Annapurna Base Camp?
Spring, March to May, and autumn, September to November, are the two reliable windows. Spring gives you blooming rhododendron forest and milder nights; autumn gives you the clearest mountain views of the year. We personally lean toward spring, but both are genuinely good.
Can beginners do the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Yes, this is one of the more beginner-friendly high-altitude treks in Nepal. The trail is well-marked, teahouses appear every few hours, and the altitude gain is gradual. We still recommend some hill-walking fitness beforehand, since 8 days of consecutive 5 to 7 hour walking days adds up regardless of altitude.
How far is the Annapurna Base Camp trek from Pokhara?
The trailhead is about 1 to 2 hours by road from Pokhara, depending on which village you start from. From there, it's roughly 60 to 70km of walking round trip through the Modi Khola valley to reach base camp and back.
What is the weather like at Annapurna Base Camp?
Daytime temperatures at 4,130m typically run 5 to 15°C in spring and autumn, dropping well below freezing overnight, especially just before dawn. Pack proper layers and a warm sleeping bag rated for at least minus 10°C, since teahouse rooms aren't heated.
Is the Annapurna Base Camp trek suitable in winter?
It's possible, and some teahouses stay open through December and January, but snow can close sections of trail above 3,000m and temperatures drop sharply. We only run winter departures when trail conditions genuinely support it, and we'll tell you plainly if a given week doesn't.
How much does the Annapurna Base Camp trek cost?
Our all-inclusive package starts at USD 950 per person for a solo trekker, dropping to around USD 680 per person in a group of 7 to 12. That covers permits, teahouse lodging, full board, a licensed guide and porter service. Flights, insurance and personal gear are separate.
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