Highlights
- You walk into a natural amphitheatre.
- A real sense of progression.
- History under your feet.
Overview
The Annapurna Base Camp trek walks south-to-north up the Modi Khola valley into the Annapurna Sanctuary. Day 1 is arrival at Pokhara; Day 2 is a road transfer to Ghandruk (1,950m), a Gurung hill village with views east to the Annapurna massif. From there you cross the Kimrong Khola to Chhomrong (2,180m), drop down to a hanging bridge over the Chhomrung Khola, climb to upper Sinuwa, then descend into the Modi Khola gorge — a steep-walled corridor of bamboo and rhododendron forest — to Dovan (2,580m). Above Dovan the gorge tightens past the Hinku Cave; the Modi Khola opens out and the views start to dominate as you reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m). A short Day 6 push of 3.5 km / 2 hours delivers you into the Sanctuary itself — Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130m. The descent retraces the route: ABC down to Dovan in a single long day (13 km / 8 hours), then on through Jhinu Danda (1,740m, hot springs) and a drive back to Pokhara on Day 9.
Who climbs with us
Our ABC groups skew mixed — first-time Himalayan trekkers coming for the Sanctuary, repeat trekkers who've been to Kashmir or Ladakh with us before, and a steady stream of working professionals from Indian cities. The tea-house lodging and the Pokhara approach make this a forgiving introduction to the Himalayas; the views past Machhapuchhre Base Camp keep return climbers coming back.
Itinerary
10 days, Pokhara to Pokhara.
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Day 1 Reach Pokhara by afternoon
822mReach Pokhara by afternoon. Explore beautiful Phewa Lake. Briefing of the trek in the evening — get to know each other.
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Day 2 Drive to Ghandruk
1,950mDrive from Pokhara to Ghandruk. Stay in the beautiful Gurung village of Ghandruk tonight. Enjoy local food and culture.
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Day 3 Ghandruk to Chhomrong
2,180mFirst stunning views of the Annapurna massif as the trail goes through the Kimrong Khola. The last stretch of today's ascent is a bit steep, but the view at Chhomrong is totally worth it.
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Day 4 Chhomrong to Dovan
2,580mAn initial 30-minute descent leads to the hanging bridge over the Chhomrung Khola, after which a steep ascent climbs to upper Sinuwa. Dovan is reached crossing Bamboo through dense forest.
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Day 5 Dovan to Machhapuchhre Base Camp
3,700mToday's trail follows the Modi Khola; as we approach the Hinku Cave the views for which this trek is known begin to open up. We reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp through a mix of gradual and steep ascents.
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Day 6 MBC to Annapurna Base Camp
4,130mAfter the sunrise at MBC we slowly make our way to Annapurna Base Camp. As we get closer to ABC, a 360° view of the Annapurna massif takes over. Lunch, explore ABC, and visit the Anatoli Boukreev memorial.
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Day 7 ABC to Dovan
2,580mA long day. After the unforgettable sunrise over Annapurna main peak, we take the same route back — a mix of gradual and steep descent.
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Day 8 Dovan to Jhinu Danda
1,740mSteep descent from lower Sinuwa till the Chhomrung Khola, then climbing steps to Chhomrong. Then a mix of steep and gradual descent to Jhinu. Hot-water spring at Jhinu in the evening.
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Day 9 Jhinu to Pokhara
822mA short hike from Jhinu to the road head, then drive back to Pokhara. Hot shower, real bed, and a chance to recover by Phewa Lake.
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Day 10 Buffer day
822mBuffer day for unexpected circumstances — weather, slow days, or logistics. Trek fees do not cover the buffer day. Book your travel back only after the 10th day of the trek.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation — first and last day in hotel (Pokhara), Day 2 to Day 8 stay in tea houses (sharing)
- Meals — all meals starting from Day 2 lunch to Day 9 breakfast
- Transport — Pokhara to Ghandruk and back to Pokhara
- Certified trek leads, experienced guides, and support staff
- All necessary permits and entry fees, TIMS card
Not included
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Porters charges for backpack offloading
- WiFi, battery charges, filter water, hot showers
- Customary tip to guides and porters
- Evacuation and medical expenses (advisable to get insurance)
- Anything not outlined under 'Inclusions'
Dates & availability
No fixed dates yet — get in touch for the next Mar – May · Sep – Nov batch or private/custom dates.
We haven't opened a public batch for this trek yet. Reach out and we'll share the next departure as soon as it's confirmed, or set up a private group on dates that suit you.
Need different dates? Private departures are possible through Mar – May · Sep – Nov with a minimum of 4 trekkers — message us on WhatsApp.
Your leaders
Subodh Bhadauriya ITRA
Lead Trek Leader · 8+ years
Long-distance hiker, trail runner, and occasional poet — at home in the Himalaya.
Frequently asked
What is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
A 9-day moderate trek in Nepal, walking from Pokhara to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130m, through the Gurung villages of Ghandruk and Chhomrong, the Modi Khola gorge, and Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Roughly 70 km of trail.
How difficult is the ABC trek?
Moderate. There's no technical terrain — the difficulty is altitude (4,130m at ABC) and back-to-back days of stone-step trail walking, including a 13 km / 8-hour descent on Day 7.
How long does the trek take?
9 days Pokhara to Pokhara, plus a 1-day buffer day for weather or logistics.
How much does the ABC trek cost?
₹36,500 per trekker. Covers transport, hotel and tea-house stays, all meals from Day 2 lunch to Day 9 breakfast, permits, the TIMS card, and certified trek leads. Insurance, evacuation, personal expenses, hot showers, WiFi, and porter offloading are extra.
When is the best time for the ABC trek?
Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November). October is the single best month for clear post-monsoon skies; April brings rhododendrons in full bloom.
Do I need a permit for the ABC trek?
Yes — the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and a TIMS Card. Both are included in the TVT trek fee and handled on your behalf.
What's the highest point on the trek?
Annapurna Base Camp itself, 4,130m / 13,550 ft.
What kind of accommodation should I expect?
Hotel in Pokhara on Day 1 and Day 9. Tea houses on Days 2–8 — basic, sharing rooms, common dining hall. Hot showers, WiFi, and battery charging are typically charged extra at tea houses and are not included.
What's the food like?
Tea-house menus along the trail — dal bhat, momos, fried rice, noodle soup, eggs, pancakes. All meals from Day 2 lunch to Day 9 breakfast are covered.
How fit do I need to be?
You should be able to walk 6–8 hours a day for 5–6 days running, manage steep stone-step ascents and descents, and handle the long Day 7 descent (13 km / 8 hours). 6–8 weeks of focused cardio and leg-strength work before departure is recommended.
What happens on the buffer day?
Day 10 is held back for weather, slow days, or logistics. The buffer day is not included in the trek fee — book your return travel from Pokhara only after Day 10.
What's the cancellation policy?
90 to 60 days before departure: 75% refund. 60 to 30 days: 30% refund. Less than 30 days: no refund.