Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Also known as Annapurna Sanctuary Trek (ABC).
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a moderate 7-11-day teahouse trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, reaching 4,130 m. It starts at Jhinu Danda (Samrung/Matque road head, jeep from Pokhara) and ends at Jhinu Danda (jeep back to Pokhara).
Key facts
- Region
- Annapurna (Kaski)
- Duration
- 7-11 days, 4-6 hours walking per day
- Distance
- 67 km
- Maximum altitude
- 4,130 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate — Well-developed teahouse trail with long stone staircases and 400-700m daily gains, reaching 4,130m. No technical terrain or passes, but the fast altitude profile (Pokhara to 4,130m possible in 4 days) creates real AMS risk, and the Deurali-MBC corridor has winter/spring avalanche exposure.
- Trek type
- Teahouse, out-and-back route
- Best season
- Autumn (Oct-Nov) and Spring (Mar-Apr)
- Guide
- Not mandatory
- Restricted area
- No
- Budget cost
- NPR 35,000–50,000
- Comfortable cost
- NPR 55,000–85,000
- Guided cost
- NPR 50,000–77,000
- Getting there
- Kathmandu -> Pokhara (tourist bus, 6-8h, or 25-min flight) -> Jhinu Danda/Samrung bridge (shared jeep via Nayapul-Kyumi road, 3-3.5h) -> trail
- Altitude sickness
- Moderate: itineraries reach 4,130m within 3-4 walking days from ~1,800m, and mild AMS at MBC/ABC is common; severe cases occur when trekkers skip the Himalaya/Deurali overnight staging.
Weather
The Annapurna Sanctuary is a steep-walled amphitheatre that traps precipitation: monsoon (Jun-Sep) brings heavy rain, leeches and cloud; winter brings snow above Deurali and periodic trail closure of the Deurali-MBC section due to avalanche danger. Mornings are clearest year-round.
Permits
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) — NPR 3,000 for foreigners. Where to get it: Nepal Tourism Board offices Kathmandu (Bhrikutimandap) or Pokhara (Damside); checkpost purchase possible at higher fee
- TIMS Card — NPR 2,000 for foreigners. Where to get it: NTB Kathmandu/Pokhara, via registered agency
Itinerary
- Day 1: Pokhara to Chhomrong, 1.5-2 h, 2,170 m — Drive through Nayapul; steep staircase Jhinu to Chhomrong; Annapurna South views
- Day 2: Chhomrong to Himalaya, 6-7 h, 2,920 m — Chhomrong stone steps, bamboo and rhododendron forest via Sinuwa, Bamboo, Dovan
- Day 3: Himalaya to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC), 4-5 h, 3,700 m — Hinku Cave, Deurali, entry to the Sanctuary gorge
- Day 4: MBC to Annapurna Base Camp, 2-3 h, 4,130 m — 360-degree amphitheatre: Annapurna I south face, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre; sunset/sunrise at base camp
- Day 5: ABC to Bamboo, 6-7 h, 2,310 m — Sunrise at ABC, long descent through the gorge
- Day 6: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda, 5-6 h, 1,780 m — Re-climb to Chhomrong then descend; natural hot springs by the Modi Khola
- Day 7: Jhinu Danda to Pokhara, 0.5 h, 822 m — Short walk to Samrung road head, jeep out
More Annapurna treks
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
- Australian Camp - Dhampus Trek
- Ghandruk Loop Trek
- Royal Trek
- Mardi Himal Trek
- Khopra Danda Trek
- Mohare Danda Trek
- Panchase Trek
- Sikles Trek
- Jomsom - Muktinath Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake
- Nar Phu Valley Trek
- Upper Mustang Trek
- Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
- Ghale Gaun - Lamjung Community Trek
- Sirubari Village Trek
- Kori Danda (Kapuche Lake - Kori) Trek
- Annapurna North Base Camp Trek