Annapurna Base Camp Trek

📅

6 Days

Duration

⛰️

4,130 m

Max Altitude

🟡

Moderate

Difficulty

👥

Max 12

Group Size

🗓️

Mar–May, Oct–Nov

Best Season

💰

From $450

Per Person

Overview

The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek delivers one of the most dramatic mountain settings in Nepal. The trail winds through terraced farmland, dense rhododendron and bamboo forest, and the traditional Gurung villages of Chhomrong and Sinuwa, before entering the Annapurna Sanctuary — a high glacial basin completely enclosed by towering peaks.

Standing at base camp (4,130 m) surrounded by Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and the iconic Machapuchare (Fishtail Peak) is an experience that stays with trekkers for life. The moderate difficulty and relative accessibility from Pokhara make this one of Nepal's most satisfying treks for all experience levels.

Highlights

Walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary, ringed by the Annapurna massif
Close-up views of the never-summited Machapuchare (Fishtail Peak)
Mountain culture in the Gurung villages of Chhomrong and Sinuwa
A varied trail through rhododendron and bamboo forest
Natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda on the way down
Easy access from Pokhara — popular as a first serious trek

Itinerary

Day 1

Drive Pokhara → Jhinu Danda → Trek to Sinuwa (2,360 m)

An early morning drive from Pokhara brings you to Jhinu Danda, famous for its natural hot springs — a perfect send-off before the trail begins. From here the path climbs steeply through terraced fields and dense forest, crossing suspension bridges over the roaring Modi Khola before reaching the quiet ridgeline village of Sinuwa for the night.

Day 2

Sinuwa → Himalaya Hotel (2,920 m)

The trail descends briefly into a bamboo and rhododendron forest before a steady climb deeper into the Annapurna Sanctuary corridor. The forest grows wilder and the peaks start to close in around you as you arrive at Himalaya Hotel — a cluster of teahouses at the edge of the alpine zone with the first big mountain views of the trek.

Day 3

Himalaya Hotel → Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m)

Today the landscape transforms dramatically. The tree line is left behind as the trail enters the open glacial valley of the Annapurna Sanctuary. The sacred and never-summited Machapuchare (Fishtail Peak) dominates the skyline ahead, growing larger with every step. Arrive at MBC — a high windswept plateau — in time to watch the peaks glow at sunset.

Day 4

Machhapuchhre BC → Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m)

A short but momentous morning walk brings you fully into the Annapurna Sanctuary — a natural amphitheatre ringed by thirteen peaks over 6,000 m, including Annapurna I (8,091 m), the world's tenth highest mountain. Spend the afternoon at base camp soaking in the extraordinary 360° panorama of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and the great Fishtail towering above.

Day 5

ABC → Bamboo (2,310 m)

Rise early for a final sunrise over the Sanctuary — the peaks turn a deep amber before the light spreads across the glacier. Begin the long descent, passing back through MBC and Himalaya Hotel, all the way down through the forest to the teahouse settlement of Bamboo. The legs work hard today but the views reward every step of the way down.

Day 6

Bamboo → Jhinu Danda → Drive to Pokhara

The final morning on the trail winds back down through bamboo groves and across the Modi Khola to Jhinu Danda, where you can soak tired legs in the famous natural hot springs before the vehicle picks you up for the scenic drive back to Pokhara. Arrive in the afternoon with time to celebrate at the lakeside.