Annapurna Base Camp Trek: The Only Guide You Need

Every single year, there are thousands of trekkers from around the world who choose the Annapurna Base Camp Trek over other Himalayan routes. And there are good reasons for that!

At 4,130 meters, the base camp sits at a manageable altitude for most reasonably fit trekkers. The route passes through Gurung villages, rhododendron forests, and river valleys before it opens into one of the most dramatic mountain panoramas in the Himalayas. 

You are surrounded by Annapurna I (8,091 m), Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), basically the entire Annapurna range!

But managing expectations really matters before you commit. The ABC trek comes with long walking days, stair-heavy sections, and a few nights above 3,000 meters. 

If you are still figuring out why the Annapurna Base Camp Trek should be on your bucket list, this complete guide covers everything you need to plan it right. Read it until the end for a successful 2026/27 trek in Annapurna Sanctuary.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary Guide

Our standard Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary at Everest Trekking Routes goes via Ghorepani and Poon Hill (3,210 m), which adds best sunrise views of the entire Annapurna region before you even reach the sanctuary!

Here’s how the full ABC trek route looks like this:

Nayapul > Tikhedhunga > Ulleri > Ghorepani > Poon Hill > Tadapani > Ghandruk > Chhomrong > Sinuwa > Bamboo > Dovan > Himalaya > Deurali > Machhapuchhre Base Camp > Annapurna Base Camp > return via Jhinu Danda

The total trekking distance for the standard route is around 50 to 95 km, and the trek takes between 5 and 8 days depending on your pace and itinerary choice.

From Kathmandu, reaching Annapurna Base Camp means taking a 6 to 7-hour bus ride or a 25-minute flight to Pokhara first. Then, from Pokhara, your ABC trekking starts usually via Nayapul after a short drive or from Ghandruk/Jhinu Danda in shorter itineraries.

For a more visual reference, check out this Annapurna Base Camp Trek map. Here, we have clearly shown the trail, elevation gain, and also key checkpoints along the route. And if you’re seeking a day-by-day breakdown, we’ve also written a detailed trekking to Annapurna Base Camp guide that covers every stage!

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost For 2026/2027

The cost of your Annapurna Base Camp Trek depends on several factors. Some of which are your chosen package type, duration of the overall trek, guided vs unguided experience, going with or without a trekking agency, spending habits, etc. At Everest Trekking Routes, here is what is currently available:

• Our Standard ABC Trek (main package): USD 690 per person, which includes guide, permits, accommodation, and meals
• 10-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek: for those with tighter schedules
• 12-Day ABC Trek: for a more relaxed pace with extra acclimatization time
• 6-Day Short Trek: starting from Siwai or Jhinu Danda for time-limited trekkers
• 7-Day Solo Trek: a good option for independent travelers
• Budget ABC Trek: for trekkers managing costs more carefully
• Luxury ABC Trek: upgraded accommodation and services throughout

For those starting from Pokhara directly, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek cost from Pokhara is different from the Kathmandu-inclusive package, so it is worth checking that separately!

While permits and accommodation costs are included in the package, you need to allocate extra budget for Nepal visa (USD 30 for 15 days or USD 50 for 30 days), personal expenses, WiFi on the trail (NPR 200 to 500 per use at tea houses), and tipping, which is a standard practice and roughly 10% of your trek cost.

Permit Costs for Annapurna Base Camp Trek

As of 2026/2027, the two trekking permits required are:

• ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit): NPR 3,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals
• TIMS card: NPR 1,000 when booked through a registered agency like Everest Trekking Routes, but this is optional these days (so, many skip it in case not needed)

Both are included in our packages at ETR (and so is in many trekking agencies too). 

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Major Attractions

Be sure to stop at these locations before moving forward or visit them during the return trip:

• Chhomrong Village: At 2,170 meters, Chhomrong is the gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary and is home to the Gurung community. The views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre from here are some of the clearest on the entire route! This is a stone-paved village center and the traditional architecture makes it one of the most pleasant stops on the trail. Ladies can even try Gurung dress here for pictures!
• Pojenjyam Baraha Temple and 108 Chahara Waterfall: Often not talked about and often missed, the route from Dovan to Himalaya has a sacred temple that you’ll cross, which happens to be a Shaktipeeth location too. And right before you is a combination of 108 small waterfalls to make one big waterfal, thus giving it the name of 108 Chahara.
• Machhapuchhre Base Camp: At 3,700 meters, MBC is where the landscape shifts dramatically! The vegetation thins, the peaks get closer, and the temperature drops significantly. Many trekkers rush past MBC to reach ABC, but spending a few extra minutes here is completely worth it.
• Jhinu Danda Hot Springs: On the return from ABC, you descend to Jhinu Danda (1,760 m), where natural geothermal hot springs sit on the banks of the Modi Khola river. After 6 to 8 days of hard walking, soaking in warm mineral water while looking at the forest and river is exactly what your body needs!
• Ghorepani and Poon Hill: As mentioned earlier, our standard itinerary at Everest Trekking Routes goes via this Gurung village that is home to one of the most beautiful hill stations of Nepal. Just two hours away, you get the most mesmerizing views of the Annapurna Massif and the Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.

Difficulty Guide: Is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek Right for You?

The ABC Trek is rated as moderate difficulty. This does not mean easy, but it is suitable for first-time trekkers with a basic fitness level. For a detailed breakdown of what that means in practice, our ABC Trek difficulty guide for beginners goes deep into this.

On average, you will walk 6 to 8 hours per day on a mix of stone-paved trails, forested paths, and river valleys. 

The stone stair sections from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri, Jhinu Danda up to Chhomrong, Chhomrong to Sinuwa, Himalaya to Deurali, and back from Chomrong to Jhinu are the most physically demanding stretches!

Now, the question is: can beginners do this trek? Well, yes if you’re mentally opting for it! 

Our team at Everest Trekking Routes has accompanied trekkers with no prior high-altitude experience who completed the ABC Trek without major issues. But the key here is not rushing and completing the trek fast, rather going slow and enjoying the views during the trek. 

For fitness preparation, here are some tips from our experts at ETR:

• Start with regular uphill walks of about an hour per day at least four to six weeks before the trek. 
• Squats and lunges will help with the stair sections we mentioned above. 
• If you can do a short hike of 5 to 6 hours carrying a daypack before you arrive, you will be in good shape!

And for a full preparation checklist, our how to prepare for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek guide covers fitness, gear, diet, and health checks in detail. Do read it before you plan this trip!

Best Season Guide for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

For a full month-by-month breakdown, our best time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek guide is the most detailed reference. Here is a quick summary:

• Autumn (October to early November): This is peak season and for good reason. The sky is clear, mountain views are sharp, and temperatures are manageable. Our ABC Trek in October guide explains what to expect in the busiest window of the year. Tea houses fill up fast, so booking ahead is important.
• Spring (late March to May): Rhododendrons bloom on the lower trails, making the Ghorepani to Chhomrong stretch especially rewarding. Our ABC Trek in spring guide has full details.
• Winter (December to February): Possible but cold. Nighttime temperatures at ABC can drop below -10°C in January. Snow above Deurali may require crampons. For those considering it, check the ABC Trek in winter, ABC Trek in December, and ABC Trek in January guides specifically.
• Monsoon (June to September): Heavy rainfall, leeches on the lower trail, and landslide risk. Not recommended for most trekkers, especially beginners. The Jhinu Danda hot springs are also closed during this period.

Trekking Tips: Acclimatization, Cultural Etiquette, and Responsible Tourism

The section from Deurali (3,230 m) to ABC (4,130 m) is where many beginners face altitude problems on this trek. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you get there:

Acclimatization Tips:

• Kindly do not push directly from Himalaya or Dovan to ABC in a single stretch (many poor itineraries have this and it’s not beginner-friendly!).
• Be sure to apply the “climb high, sleep low” principle: this means you can go for short hikes around the area (or at least roam around) instead of directly heading to sleep.
• A persistent headache, loss of appetite, or even dry cough can be early AMS warning signs! Stop ascending and tell your guide immediately. Our guides from ETR will monitor your health and take necessary actions (if required).
• If you have a prior history of AMS, speak to your physician about acetazolamide (Diamox) before the trek. Our altitude and acclimatization guide for ABC covers the full approach.

Cultural etiquette:

• Chhomrong and Ghandruk are Gurung villages. Greet locals with “Namaste” and keep your shoulders and knees covered in village areas.
• Ask permission before photographing anyone.
• Pass mani walls and chortens on your left, keeping them on your right.

Responsible trekking:

• Carry a refillable bottle and use purification tablets. Single-use plastic is a persistent problem on this trail.
• Above Bamboo, stick to vegetarian protein sources as much as possible. Meat at higher elevations does not get proper refrigeration and can slow your digestion on the heaviest trekking days.
• Stay in locally-run teahouses. The Annapurna Conservation Area already runs on local revenue, and we at ETR strongly support the locals too!

Anything we have not answered here is in our Annapurna Base Camp Trek FAQ (please do go through it!).

How Does the ABC Trek Compare to Other Popular Treks?

This is a question we get a lot, and here are the key comparisons:

• Vs Everest Base Camp: ABC reaches 4,130 m against EBC’s 5,364 m. It costs less, requires no domestic flight, and starts from road access. For a first high-altitude trek, ABC is surely the more sensible starting point!
• Vs Ghorepani – Poon Hill: Poon Hill tops out at 3,210 m and takes a maximum of 4 to 5 days. If your window is short, choosing Poon Hill over ABC would fit your schedule, and also this is best for those with no prior hiking experience and are unsure about their fitness too.
• Vs Mardi Himal: A quieter option in the same Annapurna region with similar level difficulty (although due to length, ABC is comparatively harder), but view-wise, we’d say ABC is still better. Some trekkers even combine both on a single trip if they have 12 to 14 days (check our combined route guide for more info).
• Vs Annapurna Circuit: This is a longer and more demanding route, typically 15 to 20 days, where you need to cross the Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m. This one’s more for those who wish to experience a more challenging high-altitude adventure.
• Vs Langtang Valley Trek: Going to a different region entirely, you’ll also find a different culture, terrain, and logistics style. Langtang is much easier and is close to the capital city, with final sleeping altitude at 3,890 meters. 

Shorter and Alternative Ways to Experience Annapurna Base Camp

Not everyone has 10 to 12 days. Our ABC Short Trek starts from Jhinu Danda, cutting out the lower sections below Chhomrong and reducing the total trekking days, but you still reach the sanctuary!

For those who cannot trek at all, the Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour flies you directly into the sanctuary and back in a single day.

For permits, guides, accommodation, and full trip logistics of Annapurna Base Camp, Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd. handles everything for you! All you have to do is reach us at everesttrekkingroutes.com or contact our expert, 

Rabin Gurung, on WhatsApp at +977-9843467921 for any itinerary customization.