Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary and Route Options

25/May/2026

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek can be done in as few as 5 days or as many as 12, depending on where you start, which route you choose, and how much time you want to spend in the lower cultural belt before entering the sanctuary.

Picking the wrong itinerary for your fitness level or available days is one of the most common planning mistakes trekkers make before arriving in Nepal.

At Everest Trekking Routes, our main ABC Trek package runs 10 Days / 12 Days (with arrival/departure) and follows the Ghorepani-Poon Hill route from Kathmandu. Also, we offer shorter variations for trekkers with tighter schedules.

Now, here’s a complete guide that lays out all five Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary options with a full day-by-day breakdown so you can choose what actually fits your trip.

ABC Trek Different Route Plans with Distance

Before finalizing your itinerary, let us first understand the three main approach routes into the Annapurna Sanctuary. They all merge at Chhomrong (2,170 m) and share the same upper trail from there onward.

However, the starting section changes your total distance, cultural exposure, and the number of days needed.

Route via Jhinu Danda (Shortest Approach)

Very few guides will tell you this. Well, vehicle access now reaches up to Samrung, which is a small settlement just ahead of Jhinu Danda on the Modi Khola riverside.

In fact, this is the shortest possible route to ABC and is used for the 5 and 6-day itineraries.

Full route: Pokhara > Samrung > Jhinu Danda > Chhomrong > Lower Sinuwa > Upper Sinuwa > Bamboo > Dovan > Pojenjyam Baraha Temple > Himalaya > Deurali > Machhapuchhre Base Camp > Tolyong Lake > Annapurna Base Camp

Total trekking distance (one-way): 25 km approx.

Total round trip: 50 km approx.

Route via Nayapul and Ghandruk

This is the classic approach through the largest Gurung village in the Annapurna region. It adds 1 to 2 days over the Jhinu approach but includes proper cultural immersion in Ghandruk before the trail climbs toward Chhomrong.

Also, note that you can even reach Ghandruk by driving directly from Pokhara, which is just 60 km approx. and can take about 3 hours to reach.

Full route: Pokhara > Nayapul > Birethanti > Chimrong > Syauli Bazar > Kimche > Ngyo Danda > Ghandruk > Komrong Danda > Kimrong Khola > Chhomrong > Sinuwa > Bamboo > Dovan > Deurali > Machhapuchhre Base Camp > ABC

Nayapul to ABC total trekking distance (one-way): 47 km approx.

Nayapul to ABC total round trip: 68 km approx. (return via Jhinu)

Ghandruk to ABC total trekking distance (one-way): 30 km approx.

Nayapul to ABC total round trip: 55 km approx. (return via Jhinu)

Route via Ghorepani and Poon Hill

This is the longest and most complete approach, adding the Poon Hill sunrise viewpoint (3,210 m) before the trail descends through Tadapani and Ghandruk to join the upper route at Chhomrong.

Full route: Pokhara > Nayapul > Birethanti > Matathanti > Sudame > Tikhedhunga > Ulleri > Banthanti > Nangethanti > Ghorepani > Poon Hill > Ghorepani > Tadapani > Chuile > Gurjung > Chhomrong > Sinuwa > Bamboo > Dovan > Deurali > MBC > ABC

Total trekking distance (one-way): 58 km approx.

Total round trip (return via Jhinu): 82 km approx.

Note that regardless of which route you take on the way up, the return via Jhinu Danda is always the best option. Once you do that, you get to enter the natural geothermal hot springs on the banks of the Modi Khola, and after 5 to 12 consecutive trekking days, they are exactly what your legs need before the drive back to Pokhara!

5-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary

This is the most compressed or shortest version of the ABC Trek, built entirely around the Jhinu Danda approach. It suits experienced trekkers with prior high-altitude experience who are comfortable walking 7 to 8 hours per day.

And yes, even beginners can do it! But do remember that the ascent to Deurali and ABC both shall be a little demanding, as you’ll directly head towards high altitude without much preparation in the lower regions. Still, if you’re tight on schedule, then our team at Everest Trekking Routes is all ready to serve you!

Now, here’s what to expect in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek 5 Days itinerary:

Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Samrung / Jhinu Bridge (1,500 m), Trek to Sinuwa (2,340 m):

Drive Distance: 65 km
Drive Duration: 3 hours
Trek Distance: 6 km
Trek Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Elevation Gain (Jhinu to Chhomrong): 840 m

Day 2: Sinuwa to Deurali (3,200 m):

Trek Distance: 11 km
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation Gain: 860 m

Day 3: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m):

Trek Distance: 7 km
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation Gain: 930 m

Day 4: ABC to Sinuwa (2,340 m)

Trek Distance: 18 km
Trek Duration: 7 to 8 hours
Elevation Loss: 1,790 m

Day 5: Sinuwa to Jhinu, Drive to Pokhara

Trek Distance: 7 km
Trek Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Elevation Loss: 840 m
Drive Distance: 65 km
Drive Duration: 3 hours

6-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary

One extra day over the 5-day ABC version makes a significant difference for sure! You can start from Nayapul and go for a more manageable ascent to Deurali on Day 3 and a far less exhausting push to ABC on Day 4.

Well, Ghandruk village at 1,940 m is the largest Gurung settlement in the Annapurna foothills, and the trail through Komrong Danda and Kimrong Khola to Chhomrong is one of the more interesting lower-trail sections in the region. In fact, the extra walking on Days 1 and 2 means your legs are properly warmed before the trail gets serious above Sinuwa.

Moreover, the Pojenjyam Baraha Temple and the 108 Chahara Waterfall on the Dovan to Himalaya stretch also become stoppable instead of rushing, as most trekkers doing the 5-day version pass both without realizing it.

Honestly, this one is best suited for trekkers with moderate fitness and some prior hiking experience. Here’s what to expect in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek 6 Days itinerary:

Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Nayapul (1,010 m) and Trek to Ghandruk (1,950 m):

Drive Distance: 41 km
Drive Duration: 1.5 hours
Trek Distance: 12 km
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Elevation Gain (Nayapul to Ghandruk): 940 m

Day 2: Ghandruk to Sinuwa:

Trek Distance: 14 km
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation Gain: 390 m

Day 3: Sinuwa to Deurali

Day 4: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp

Day 5: Annapurna Base Camp to Sinuwa

Day 6: Sinuwa to Jhinu Danda, Drive to Pokhara

Note: From Day 3 to Day 6, the distance, duration, an elevaiton gain/loss are the same as the 5-day itinerary.

7-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary

The 7-day itinerary also uses the Nayapul-Ghandruk approach but slows down during the descent for a stop in Bamboo and also includes a full hike down to Nayapul rather than returning from Jhinu.

Note that even this isn’t Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu but rather Pokhara-to-Pokhara. This one’s best suited for both beginners to moderate trekkers (with minimum difficulty) and even those who are first-time visitors to Nepal’s hill regions!

Basically, this is the itinerary that comes with balanced pacing and good cultural exposure. Here’s what to expect in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek 7 Days itinerary (even possible for solo trekkers):

Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Nayapul, Trek to Ghandruk

Day 2: Ghandruk to Sinuwa

Day 3: Sinuwa to Deurali

Day 4: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp

Day 5: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2,310 m)

Trek Distance: 14 km
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation Loss: 1,820 m

Day 6: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda Hot Spring (1,780 m)

Trek Distance: 9.5 km
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Elevation Loss: 530 m

Day 7: Jhinu Danda to Nayapul, Drive to Pokhara

Trek Distance: 17 km
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation Loss: 770 m
Drive Duration: 1.5 hours

Note: From Day 1 to Day 4, the distance, duration, an elevaiton gain/loss are the same as the 6-day itinerary. And remember that you have to option to directly drive from Jhinu to Pokhara on Day 7, which you can discuss with your assigned Everest Trekking Routes guide.

10-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary

This version takes you to ABC and uses the full Ghorepani-Poon Hill approach. The Poon Hill sunrise at 3,210 m on Day 4 is the most iconic viewpoint, with Dhaulagiri and the entire Annapurna range clearly visible. The added lower-altitude days before Chhomrong also make the upper trail less demanding.

Also, during the return, we go up to Motkyu and it gives perfect opportunity to peek into this part of the Annapurna Conservation Area too. Here’s what to expect in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 Days itinerary (also perfect for luxury trekkers and budget travellers):

Day 1: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (822 m)

Distance: 200 km
Duration: 6 to 8 hours

Day 2: Drive Pokhara to Nayapul, Trek to Ulleri (2,050 m)

Drive Duration: 1.5 hours
Trek Distance: 11 km
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,040 m

Day 3: Ulleri to Ghorepani (2,860 m)

Distance: 8 km
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation Gain: 810 m

Day 4: Climb Poon Hill (3,210 m), Trek to Chuile (2,430 m)

Distance: 11 km
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation Gain: 350 m
Elevation Loss: 780 m

Day 5: Chuile to Sinuwa

Distance: 10 km
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation Loss: 90 m

Day 6: Sinuwa to Deurali

Day 7: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp

Day 8: Annapurna Base Camp to Sinuwa

Day 09: Sinuwa to Motkyu (1,620 m), Drive to Pokhara

Trek Distance: 10 km
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Elevation Loss: 720 m
Drive Distance: 62 km
Drive Duration: 2.5 hours

Day 10: Pokhara to Kathmandu Drive

Note: From Day 7 to Day 9, the distance, duration, an elevaiton gain/loss are the same as the 5-to-7-day itinerary. Also, remember that you have the option to reach Jhinu and drive to Pokhara too.

12-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary

This is one of the main Annapurna Base Camp Trek packages at Everest Trekking Routes and the itinerary we recommend for most trekkers.

It starts from Kathmandu (with arrival and departure, it’s 14 days), comes with the full Ghorepani-Poon Hill approach, and a proper return through Jhinu Danda.

What’s fascinating is that we even reach Pittam Deurali to end the journey, which happens to be the starting point of the Mardi Himal Trek. This means you even get to extend Anapurna to Mardi route.

The 12-day structure means you are never rushed on any single day, and the two lower-altitude days before Ghorepani give your body real time to adjust before the trail climbs toward 4,130 m.

It’s best suited for all fitness levels with a Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu trip structure. And of course, highly recommended for first-time ABC trekkers in spring and autumn.

Here’s what to expect in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek 12 Days itinerary:

Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara by Tourist Bus

Day 2: Drive to Nayapul, Trek to Ulleri

Day 3: Ulleri to Ghorepani

Day 4: Ghorepani to Poon Hill, Reach Chuile

Day 5: Chuile to Sinuwa

Day 6: Sinuwa to Deurali

Day 7: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp

Day 8: ABC to Bamboo

Day 9: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda

Day 10: Jhinu Danda to Pittam Deurali (2,140 m)

Trek Distance: 13 km
Trek Duration: 6 hours approx.
Elevation Gain: 360 m

Day 11: Deurali to Pokhara Drive

Drive Distance: 35 km
Drive Duration: 2.5 hours

Day 12: Pokhara to Kathmandu Drive

Note: From Day 1 to Day 9, the distance, duration, an elevaiton gain/loss are the same as the 10-day itinerary.

Tips to Plan Your Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Now, let us provide you with some tips on choosing the best itinerary that suits you. Read carefully as this is from multiple of our Everest Trekking Routes guides who have hiked the Annapurna Base Camp trail dozens of times!

Choosing the right itinerary length:

If you have 12 days, use all of them! The Ghorepani-Poon Hill approach on Days 3 to 6 adds views and natural altitude gain for acclimatization that directly benefit the upper section. Trekkers who shortcut this will regret it most at Deurali (trust us when we say it).

First-time trekkers should go with the 7-day version via Ghandruk or the 10 to 12-day version via Ghorepani. The 5 and 6-day itineraries compress the ascent in ways that are uncomfortable without prior experience.

Buffer days matter, really. An unexpected weather delay or a slow acclimatization day at Chhomrong can push any of these itineraries back by a full day. The 12-day version already accounts for this.

Permits:

You’ll need the ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, NPR 3,000 for most foreign nationals, and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals) and must be obtained before the trek, not on the trail.

Well, permits are checked at multiple points: at Birethanti near the start and also at the ACAP checkpoint in Chhomrong.

Best time by itinerary:

The 10 and 12-day itineraries through Ghorepani work best in late March to May and October to early November, when rhododendrons bloom on the lower sections and mountain views above the sanctuary are at their clearest.

Shorter 5 to 7-day itineraries suit the same windows but are most practical for experienced trekkers in autumn when conditions above Deurali are predictable.

Winter trekkers in December, January, and February should add at least 1 to 2 buffer days to any itinerary, since snow above Deurali can slow progress and crampons become necessary above MBC.

For the full cost breakdown and package inclusions for any of the above itineraries, our Annapurna Base Camp Trek cost guide covers all pricing in detail. And for stage-by-stage distances with precise elevation data, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek distance guide has the complete breakdown. Read all before you decide to book your ABC Trek with us this 2026/27 season!