The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a 9-day moderate Himalayan trek in central Nepal, walking from Pokhara through the Gurung villages of Ghandruk and Chhomrong, into the Modi Khola gorge, and up through Dovan and Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130m (13,550 ft). The Vertical Tribe runs it as a Pokhara-to-Pokhara trip with a built-in buffer day, covering roughly 70 km of trail.
Highlights
- You walk into a natural amphitheatre. Annapurna Base Camp sits inside the Annapurna Sanctuary — a glacial basin. The panorama is genuinely 360°.
- History under your feet. Annapurna I was the first 8,000m peak ever climbed — Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, June 3, 1950. The mountain you stand under at ABC is the one that opened the modern Himalayan era.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek at a glance
- What is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
- A 9-day moderate trek in Nepal that walks from Pokhara into the Annapurna Sanctuary, finishing at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) under the south face of Annapurna I — the world's 10th-highest peak.
- How hard is it?
- Moderate. No technical climbing — high-altitude trail walking with stone-step ascents and descents through forest and the Modi Khola gorge. Days run 2–8 hours; the trek tops out at ABC (4,130m).
- How long does it take?
- 9 days Pokhara to Pokhara, plus a 1-day buffer for weather or logistics. Roughly 70 km of trail.
- How much does it cost?
- ₹36,500 per trekker — covers Pokhara hotel nights, tea-house stays Day 2 to Day 8, all meals from Day 2 lunch to Day 9 breakfast, road transport, and permits and entry fees.
How difficult is Annapurna Base Camp Trek, really?
Graded Moderate. There is no technical climbing on this route: it is six trail days, of 10 km / 6.5 hrs, 10.5 km / 7 hrs, 10 km / 6 hrs, 3.5 km / 2 hrs, 13 km / 8 hrs and 12 km / 7 hrs. The 13 km / 8-hour Day 7 descent from Annapurna Base Camp to Dovan is the longest day.
- Terrain
- The brochure describes the trail as “a bit steep” on the last stretch into Chhomrong (Day 3); “steep ascent till upper Sinuwa” and “crossing Bamboo through dense forest” (Day 4); “some gradual and steep ascents” to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (Day 5); “Mix of gradual and steep descent” (Day 7); and “Steep descent from lower Sinuwa” then “climbing steps” to Chhomrong (Day 8).
- Altitude
- The sleeping ladder is Ghandruk 1,950m, Chhomrong 2,180m, Dovan 2,580m, Machhapuchhre Base Camp 3,700m, then Annapurna Base Camp 4,130m — the trek's high point, and where you sleep on Day 6. The descent returns to Dovan 2,580m and Jhinu Danda 1,740m.
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 dense 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
The tea-house lodging and the Pokhara approach make this a forgiving introduction to the Himalayas; repeat trekkers come back for the stretch above Machhapuchhre Base Camp, where the Modi Khola opens into the full Sanctuary.
The route, point by point
| Point | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pokhara | — | Trail-head town; Phewa Lake; first and last hotel night |
| Ghandruk | 1,950m | Gurung village; first night on the trail |
| Chhomrong | 2,180m | Last village with full hotel comfort |
| Dovan | 2,580m | Dense forest in the Modi Khola gorge |
| Machhapuchhre Base Camp | 3,700m | Sanctuary gateway; the Modi Khola opens out |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 4,130m | Sanctuary high point; Anatoli Boukreev memorial |
| Jhinu Danda | 1,740m | Hot springs above the Modi Khola |
Itinerary
10 days, Pokhara to Pokhara.
- Day 2: sleeps at 1,950m .
- Day 3: sleeps at 2,180m .
- Day 4: sleeps at 2,580m .
- Day 5: sleeps at 3,700m .
- Day 6: sleeps at 4,130m .
- Day 7: sleeps at 2,580m , climbing to 4,130m.
- Day 8: sleeps at 1,740m , climbing to 2,580m.
- Day 9: sleeps at 1,740m .
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Day 1 Reach Pokhara by afternoon
AcclimatiseReach 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
Approach 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
Approach 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
Approach 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
Approach 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
Climb 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
Descend 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
Descend 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
DescendA 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
DescendBuffer 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'
How it compares to other peaks
| Peak | Altitude | Grade | Best for | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Base Camp (this trek) | 4,130m | Moderate | Sanctuary amphitheatre walk | The benchmark — 360° peak views from a moderate trek into a glacial basin. |
| Everest Base Camp | 5,364m | Moderate | Higher-altitude Khumbu trek | Pick this for the higher-altitude Everest experience and Sherpa villages. |
| Markha Valley Trek | 5,260m | Moderate | Ladakhi tea-house trek | Pick this for arid Ladakhi tea-house trekking with a high-pass finish. |
| Dev Kyara Trek | 4,100m | Moderate | Garhwal meadow | Pick this if you want an Indian-Himalayan meadow trek at similar altitude. |
| Nafran Valley Trek | 12,750 ft (3,886m) | Moderate | Kashmiri alpine meadows | Pick this for Kashmiri alpine meadows and lakes. |
Dates & availability
No fixed dates yet — get in touch for the next batch or private/custom dates.
No public slots are available 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.
or email us →Need different dates? Private departures are possible with a minimum of 4 trekkers — message us on WhatsApp.
Your leaders
Subodh Bhadauriya ITRA
Lead Trek Leader · Mountain Athlete · 8+ years
What we don't do
- We don't pad the itinerary
- Nine days is what the walk needs — eight trail days plus a buffer for weather. No invented 'extra rest' days that exist only to inflate the price.
- We don't fabricate summit success rates
- This is a trek, not a climb — there is no summit day. We don't market metrics that don't apply.
Permits, rules and cancellation
Permits
- All necessary permits and entry fees, TIMS card — included in the trek fee and handled by TVT (TVT Annapurna Base Camp brochure, p.7)
Cancellation
- Cancellation between 90 days to 60 days — 75% refund
- Cancellation between 60 days to 30 days — 30% refund
- Cancellation less than 30 days from the start of the trek — no refund
Rules on the mountain
- Consumption of alcohol and smoking during trek is not allowed
- Do not litter and disturb the flora and fauna; respect local culture
- Usage of loud speaker not allowed
- Help us preserve natural ecosystem and follow 'Leave No Trace' rule
Frequently asked
Do I need a permit for the ABC trek?
Yes. All necessary permits and entry fees 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. Hot showers, WiFi, and battery charging are not included.
How fit do I need to be?
You should be able to walk 6–8 hours a day, manage steep stone-step ascents and descents, and handle the long Day 7 descent (13 km / 8 hours).
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.
