Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 15 Things You Need To Know in [2022]

A typical itinerary for Annapurna Base Camp trek is Kathmandu-Pokhara-Ghorepani-Poonhill-Tadapani-Chomrong-Himalayan Hotel-Bamboo Lodge-Deurali Lodge-Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC)-Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)-Bamboo Lodge-Kyumi Village-Pokhara. For the whole trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara, you will need about 15 days on average, although you can shorten or lengthen this time depending on your needs.

Day 1: Drive to Naya Pul (1,020 m/3,346 ft) and trek to Ulleri (2,040 m/6,692 ft).

You will start your trek in Pokhara, which will take about one hour and 30 minutes. The first day is an easy hike that is mostly flat.

Upon arrival at Naya Pul (also known as New Bridge), you will begin your hike to Tikhedhunga. This section is about 1 km long and has a slight incline. From here it should only take you about 20 minutes to reach Tikhedhunga.

At Tikhedhunga, cross the suspension bridge over the Modi River and continue hiking to Ulleri, where you will have lunch. Ulleri is a large village with many tea houses and lodges where you can stay, but there are other options if you want to be a little less busy.

Day 2: Hike to Ghorepani (2,850 m/9,347 ft).

Today you will trek to Ghorepani. After breakfast at the tea house, you will begin your journey with a steep climb up stone steps leading to Ulleri (2,070 m/6,790 ft), a Magar village. You will then hike through beautiful rhododendron forests until you reach Ghorepani.

The hike from Ulleri to Ghorepani is not too difficult and will take about four hours. You are now at 2,850 meters above sea level and should experience mild effects of altitude sickness such as headache or nausea if you have them.

Once you arrive at Ghorepani, visit Poon Hill for breathtaking views of some of the highest mountains in the world: Dhaulagiri (8,167 m/26,795 ft), Annapurna I (8,091 m/26,545 ft), Fishtail Mountain (6993 m/22,946 ft) and Hiunchuli (6441 m/21125 ft). Watch a magical sunset over these peaks before returning to your teahouse for dinner and rest.

Day 3: Hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani (2,690 m/8,823 ft).

After a hearty breakfast, hike to Poon Hill (3,210 m), the best place to watch the sunrise in the Annapurna region. You will enjoy a panoramic view of mountains such as Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna II, Annapurna South, Himchuli and many other mountain peaks. After spending some time at Poon Hill, we will return to Ghorepani for breakfast.

Today’s trail descends to Banthanti (2,250 m) through the rhododendron forest and then climbs up to Tadapani (2,690 m). This day hike is relatively easy. During our hike from Ghorepani to Tadapani you will explore the beautiful rhododendron forest.

Upon arrival at Tadapani, you can explore the village and enjoy the view of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre Mountain.

Day 4: Trek to Chhomrong (2,170 m/7,118 ft).

Chhomrong is a large village located south of Annapurna base camp. It is located at an altitude of 2170 meters (7118 feet). It is the second largest Gurung village in Nepal and has many lodges to choose from.

Chhomrong was once famous for its apple orchards, which were unfortunately destroyed by heavy snowfall in 2010. Since then they have expanded their cultivation to other fruits and vegetables.

Chhomrong is located in a subtropical climate with year-round temperatures ranging from 10°C (50°F) to 25°C (77°F). The higher you climb into the mountains, the more the temperature drops. Above 3500 meters (11483 feet), it can even get as cold as -24°C (-11.2°F) in the summer!

Day 5: Hike to Dovan (2,600 m/8,530 ft)

After a refreshing rest in Chhomrong, begin the day’s hike toward Dovan. The hike is not difficult as the path is well maintained and will take you about six hours.

From Chhomrong, the trail leads to Kuldi Ghar, a small village. From Kuldi Ghar, the trail continues to the Doban Khola valley through which the Modi River flows, while the trail then leads to Doban and finally ends in Dovan.

Day 6: Hike to Himalayan Hotel (3,380 m/11,090 ft)

After the long hike from Chhomrong, you’ll be glad to spend some time at the Himalayan Hotel. Located within sight of the base of Annapurna South, this is also a great place to charge your devices and relax over a meal.

It is important to stay hydrated as you advance further into the mountains. So make sure you eat and drink enough before continuing your trek.

This hotel is ideally located for those looking for a shortcut to Machhapuchhre Base Camp. The next day, wake up early and make your way up through bamboo forests before emerging in an area known as the “green mountain”.

Day 7: Hike to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m/12,139 ft).

Today’s hike is relatively easy and you will be at the highest altitude of your trek so far. The trails are well marked, but there is a steep climb at the end.

The views along the way are breathtaking and if you are hiking in high season, you’ll have company! Just past Machhapuchhre Base Camp you will reach Annapurna Base Camp.

From here you can take a short rest and admire Annapurna South, Tent Peak (Tharpu Chuli), Gangapurna, Glacier Dome and Hiunchuli.

Day 8: Hike to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m/13,545 ft) and back to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m/12,139 ft).

It is a strenuous climb to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) which takes about 4-5 hours from Machhapuchhre Base Camp. ABC is surrounded by spectacular views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurana and other peaks.

The hike back to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) takes about 2-3 hours.

Day 9: Hike back to Himalayan Hotel (3,380 m/11,090 ft) via Bamboo Lodge and Sinuwa Lodge.

It is the last day of your Annapurna Base Camp trekking. After having breakfast at Bamboo Lodge, follow the same trail back to Himalayan Hotel.

The trail passes through a dense bamboo forest with rhododendrons and many wildflowers growing here and there. You may hear the voice of the red panda in this area.

After about three hours of hiking, you will reach the top of the bamboo forest where you can enjoy the first view of Mt. Hiunchuli, the sea of clouds and the sunrise over the Machhapuchhre (Fishtail).

Continuing on your way to the Himalayan Hotel, you will pass Sinuwa Lodge, where you can have lunch before heading to the Himalayan Hotel, which is a short walk from Sinuwa Lodge.

Day 10: Hike back to Jhinu Hot Springs (1,760 m/5,774 ft) via Chhomrong. Take a break at the hot springs!

If you have time, a visit to Jhinu Danda Hot Springs is highly recommended. When it comes to unwinding after a long day of hiking, nothing beats a nice soak in a hot spring! At Chhomrong, you can buy drinking water from the stores.

However, as you descend and stay in warmer temperatures, your water will no longer freeze and you can fill up your bottle while following the springs together with Gurungs (villagers). This will save you money compared to buying bottled water.

After such a long journey, this will be very welcome to you! If you do not get enough sleep at night due to symptoms of altitude sickness and feel sleepy during the second half of the trek that day, we recommend you stay one more night in Chhomrong to let your body get used to the lower altitude before you start the return trip.

Day 11: Hike back to Landruk (1565m).

If you are not staying overnight in Chomrong, it is a good idea to leave early and hike down to Landruk (1565m). The trail will take you about 5-6 hours in total.

On the way back, you will see some of the same scenery as on the way there, but there are some distinct differences in the surroundings. This is because you will be descending and therefore will have a different view.

Also, it is likely that the time of day will be different, as we recommend leaving early to avoid possible rain showers in the afternoon (see Weather section below).

You can also pass by the Jhinu Danda hot spring on your way back and take a relaxing bath in its warm waters before continuing your trek to Landruk.

You can spend another night in one of the many options in Landruk or continue to Nayapul and take a cab back to Pokhara to relax after your strenuous trekking adventure!

Day 12: Trek back to Pothana (1990m) via Dhampus and Australian Camp.

You will have plenty of time to walk back to Pothana today, as it takes about 4 hours. The trail is mostly apartment and passes through scattered villages where you can stop for tea or lunch at Dhampus.

If you are looking for a good place to eat, you should visit the Green Hill Restaurant. Enjoy the view from there on the way back to Pothana, where there are plenty of places to stop if you want to eat out again this evening.

Day 13: Return from Pothana to Pokhara. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

On the not-so-happy thirteenth day of your trek, you will have to retrace your steps and cover the same distance you did on your way from Landruk to Pothana.

On a clear day, the views of the Himalayan mountains are as good as they are at sunrise.

After arriving back at Landruk, hike a little further down to Jhinu Danda, where you can take a break and take a dip in the hot springs.

You will follow the river for about an hour to Birethanti, where you will cross a suspension bridge over the Modi River. Then you continue through small villages and along fields until you reach Naya Pul (literally “new bridge”), which is located on a road that goes all along the river.

Day 14: Drive or fly from Pokhara back to Kathmandu. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

On Day 14 of your 15-day Annapurna Base Camp trek, you can either drive or fly back from Pokhara to Kathmandu. From Pokhara, a drive to Kathmandu takes about 7 hours. The other option is to take a flight which takes about 30 minutes.

We recommend you to opt for the car ride as this way you can enjoy great views of the mountains and many other things. After your arrival in Kathmandu, we will take you back to the hotel and spend the night there.