Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a Majestic Trails Nepal team member will be waiting at the arrival terminal holding our signboard. A private vehicle transfers you to your hotel in Thamel — Hotel Thamel Park, approximately 30 minutes from the airport.

That evening, a Majestic Trails Nepal team member meets you for a full trek briefing — covering the itinerary day by day, what to expect on the trail, and answering any questions before departure. This is also when you meet your guide for the first time. If you have specific requirements or want to adjust the itinerary, this is the moment to discuss — customised itineraries can be arranged at this stage. 

Your guide will also check your packing to make sure you have everything needed for the trail and nothing unnecessary adding weight to your bag. At the briefing, Majestic Trails Nepal provides your duffle bag, down jacket, and sleeping bag.

One tip from our guides: avoid street food in Kathmandu the evening before the trek. A stomach problem on Day 1 of the trail is the most preventable way to ruin a trek — eat at your hotel restaurant and rest well.

Your guide meets you at the Hotel lobby early in the morning. The hotel prepares a packed breakfast for the road — the bus station is just 5 minutes from the hotel, and departure is between 7:00 and 7:30 AM.

The drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara covers 206 km and has three distinct sections worth knowing before you sit down. The first 95 km out of Kathmandu is bumpy with winding mountain road — the most uncomfortable section of the journey. If the weather is clear, approximately one hour into the drive, look north for your first Himalayan views of the Ganesh Himal ranges appearing above the ridgeline — an unexpected highlight of what most trekkers assume is just a transit day.

For much of the middle section, the Trishuli River runs alongside the highway — one of the longest rivers in Nepal, flowing through a dramatic gorge that follows the road for hours. On the right side of the road, watch for the Manakamana Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu temples in Nepal, recognisable from the road by its cable car rising up the hillside. Most Nepali passengers on the bus will know exactly when it appears.

Approximately one hour before reaching Pokhara the road opens into a fully maintained 6-lane highway — 3 lanes in each direction — making the final stretch smooth and comfortable. As of 2026 this is one of the best maintained highway sections in Nepal. On a clear day the Annapurna ranges begin appearing on the horizon as you approach Pokhara — your first view of the mountains you will be walking into tomorrow.

Depending on traffic you will arrive in Pokhara between 3 and 5 PM. Your guide assists with check-in at Hidden Kingdom Hotel, located just 5 minutes walk from Pokhara's famous Lakeside area on Phewa Lake. If you have energy after the drive the Lakeside is worth a short evening walk — restaurants, cafes, and lake views within minutes of the hotel. Rest well — tomorrow the trek begins.

Our tip: If you prefer to skip the long drive, adding USD 110 upgrades your Kathmandu to Pokhara journey to a 25-minute mountain flight with aerial Himalayan views — giving you more time to explore Pokhara before the trek starts. This can be arranged through Majestic Trails Nepal at the time of booking.

Today, you drive to Birethati (1,110 m / 3,644 ft) and trek to Ulleri (1,960 m / 6,430 ft). You will leave at around 7:00 am in the morning after breakfast from Pokhara and drive to Birethati, which is around 50 km, and the drive will be approximately 90 minutes. By watching the view of the Annapurna ranges, you will reach Birethati. Birethati is the first checkpoint we have to check in at and the starting point of the 14-day Annapurna Base Camp trek.

From here, we will start walking. For the first 3 hours, we will walk on the off-road and beside the river and forest. During the season, vehicles will pass by you. After 3 hours, depending on your pace, we will start to walk from the trails and reach a traditional village called Tikhedhunga, which means “sharp stone,” standing at an altitude of 1,540 m. Leaving Tikhedhunga, we will cross 2 suspension bridges. You might see some local fishers fishing also.

Our last part will be a steep uphill all the way to Ulleri. The uphill is famous for 3,000 stone steps. That uphill will take around 2 hours, depending on your pace. After you walk 1 hr, on the right side, if there are no clouds, you might see Annapurna South 7,219 m / 23,684 ft. After the uphill, you will reach the hotel. The hotel in Ulleri is nice. You will get a comfortable room with an attached bathroom.

After breakfast, the trail climbs steadily through Ulleri village past local farmers and small tea houses. Within the first hour, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South appear ahead — your first clear mountain views of the trek. You pass through Banthati — meaning "forest resting place" in Nepali — before entering the largest rhododendron forest in the world, a 2–3 hour walk through dense canopy with wooden bridges, waterfalls, and a chance of spotting langur monkeys in the trees above. During spring, the trail between 2,400 m and 2,880 m is covered in spectacular pink rhododendron blooms — the most vivid and concentrated section of the entire forest.

A village midway through the forest is a natural lunch stop before the final approach to Ghorepani. Note that as of November 2026, a new road connects Pokhara to Ghorepani — the last section follows this road briefly before the checkpoint.

Majestic Trails Nepal always stays in Upper Ghorepani — 15 minutes above Lower Ghorepani on stone stairs — for one reason: the views. The full Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges are visible from here on a clear evening. Sleep early — Poon Hill sunrise departure is between 4 and 5 AM tomorrow.

Your guide gives you the exact wake-up time at dinner the night before — departure for Poon Hill is between 4 and 5 AM depending on sunrise. The climb from the hotel to Poon Hill (3,210 m) takes 45 minutes to 1 hour on maintained stone stairs all the way to the top.

At Poon Hill, the sunrise unfolds across one of the widest Himalayan panoramas in Nepal — Dhaulagiri catches the first light on its summit, followed by Annapurna South, Annapurna Fang, Nilgiri, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) emerging from the pre-dawn darkness one by one. Spend time at the top before descending the same trail back to Upper Ghorepani for breakfast. Pack your bags — the main trekking day begins after breakfast.

From Ghorepani, a flat 5-minute trail leads to the base of the day's first climb — 1 hour 45 minutes of uphill to Thapla Danda Pass (3,160 m). After Thapla danda, the trail descends all the way to Banthati (2,660 m) — a beautiful downhill walk through forest but with one specific hazard: tree roots crossing the trail surface. Descend slowly and watch your footing, especially after rain. Banthati is the natural lunch stop.

After lunch, a 30 min downhill and 45-minute uphill followed by the final section into Tadapani — a mix of stone stairs, steep and flat, with the last 10 minutes climbing before the village appears. Tadapani is a small settlement of 7-8 guest houses with no attached bathrooms. The reward for the day's effort is immediate — Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre are now noticeably closer than they were from Ghorepani.

Start the day with breakfast in Tadapani — try the local Tibetan bread, a staple on this section of the trail. Tadapani also offers one of the best static views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre before you descend into the forest.

The first 30 minutes downhill through rhododendron forest is the most peaceful section of the entire trek — only birdsong and the chance of spotting langurs moving through the trees above. After that, the trail transitions to well-maintained stone stairs for the remaining 1 hour of descent.

At the bottom, a suspension bridge crosses the Khimrong Khola river before the trail climbs gradually through Ghurjung village. Watch for locals making Raksi — a traditional Nepali rice or wheat wine produced in small family distilleries along the village. It is one of the few places along the ABC route where you can see authentic daily mountain village life, unchanged by the trekking industry.

A gradual uphill from Ghurjung leads into Chhomrong (2,170 m). Arriving here Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre are suddenly and dramatically closer — the moment most trekkers realise the mountains are no longer a backdrop but directly ahead.

Today you officially enter the Annapurna Sanctuary. After breakfast, 10 minutes of stone stairs leads to the last checkpoint at the edge of Chhomrong — your guide handles the entry formalities before continuing.

A few minutes past the checkpoint stands a small stupa. Trekkers can light a lamp here for good health and a safe trek — no fixed charge, donation only. It is a quiet moment before the trail drops steeply downhill for 30 minutes through old houses and forest, crossing a suspension bridge at the bottom.

What follows is the hidden elevation of the route. Chhomrong sits at 2,170 m and Dovan at 2,600 m — a 430 m difference that looks easy on paper. In reality, the trail descends 300 m from Chhomrong before climbing 500 m to reach Dovan. The 2-hour uphill to Upper Sinuwa is the most tiring section of this day — not because of altitude or exhaustion but because the trail is fully exposed to the sun at this point and the heat builds quickly. Upper Sinuwa is the natural rest stop — cold drinks with a close view of Machhapuchhre directly ahead. The mountain takes its name from its peak, which splits exactly like a fish tail when viewed from this angle.

From Upper Sinuwa the trail continues 1 hour 30 minutes to Bamboo — the landscape shifts here, bamboo trees mixing with rhododendron and the temperature dropping as the trail enters thick forest shade. Lunch at Bamboo. After lunch a final 1 hour 30 minutes brings you to Dovan (2,600 m).

Dovan is one of the smallest stops on the entire route — only 3 tea houses. In peak season every room fills. Majestic Trails Nepal reserves rooms at Dovan in advance — one of the reasons booking early matters on this itinerary. As of March 2026 Dovan tea houses serve chicken dishes — worth noting as it is one of the last stops on the route where meat is available. Above the Barahi Temple further up the trail, carrying and serving meat is prohibited by local tradition.

The day starts with the sound of the Modi Khola river outside your window — one of those small details that stays with trekkers long after the trek ends. After breakfast, the trail enters jungle for 15 minutes past small streams before reaching Upper Dovan, a cluster of just 2 tea houses. From here, 1 hour through dense jungle leads to the Barahi Temple (2,750 m).

The Barahi Temple sits beside the river with a waterfall directly behind it — one of the most naturally beautiful religious sites on any Nepal trek. Trekkers cannot enter but can observe from outside. Spitting is not permitted in this area. This is the sacred boundary above which horses, donkeys, and meat are prohibited — the official entrance into the upper sanctuary.

After the temple, a steep 40-minute stone staircase climbs hard before 15 minutes of gradual trail into Himalaya Hotel (2,900 m). Do not walk past without stopping — it has the only coffee machine on the upper route and locally made Himalayan cookies baked on site. Every trekker remembers this stop.

From Himalaya Hotel the treeline gradually disappears as 1 hour 30 minutes of well-maintained stone stairs climbs into open alpine terrain. The Hinku river crossing requires full attention — slippery rocks and avalanche risk in winter and early spring. Your guide checks conditions and manages the crossing carefully. The final 10 minutes uphill brings you into Deurali (3,200 m).

One thing to know about Deurali — once the sun goes down the temperature drops sharply and it becomes significantly colder than ABC itself. Layer up early, stay warm in the dining hall, and rest well. Tomorrow is Annapurna Base Camp day.

Before leaving Deurali your guide points out the natural Buddha statue visible on the rock face across the Modi Khola — easy to miss without someone who knows where to look.

The first section passes through the avalanche zone. Depending on the season local people may create an alternative crossing on the other side of the Modi Khola — your guide checks conditions before the group moves through. The trail then follows the river bank through open alpine terrain with a large flat stone along the way — the natural photo stop before MBC.

The 1 hour climb to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) is where altitude makes itself felt for the first time — slow pace and frequent breaks are the right approach. MBC sits directly at the base of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) — the only mountain in Nepal that has never been climbed and remains permanently closed to all expeditions. Stop for a hot drink and take in the first direct view of the path ahead to ABC.

From MBC the trail climbs before reaching Tolyong — the Annapurna Sanctuary mirror lake at 3,980 m. This is the signal that uphill is finished. The terrain is now fully open — wind builds fast when weather changes. Windbreaker and buff are essential from here regardless of how warm the morning felt.

One hour from Tolyong the first ABC signboard appears — every trekker stops here for photos. The glacier viewpoint is 2 minutes from the tea house — your guide takes the group there after check in if weather permits.

Your guide gives the exact sunrise wake-up time at the previous evening briefing. The viewpoint is 3 minutes from the tea house — be dressed and ready before departure. As the sky lightens, the sun rises from directly behind Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and strikes Annapurna South, Annapurna Fang, and Annapurna I — the 10th highest mountain in the world at 8,091 m — in full morning light. Every guest smiles. Most say it is the most beautiful morning of their life. After ten years of guiding this route, our team has watched this moment hundreds of times, and it never becomes ordinary.

After sunrise, take time to watch the glaciers in the morning light before returning to the tea house for breakfast. Then the long descent begins.

Today is the longest walking day of the trek — 13 to 14 km mostly downhill. The section from ABC to MBC requires extra caution — the trail is partially slippery and demands careful footing on every step. Use trekking poles if you have them and follow your guide's pace. As you descend Machhapuchhre appears ahead and grows larger with every step. At some point on the trail trekkers naturally stop, turn around, and look back at Annapurna South one final time before the amphitheatre disappears behind the ridgeline. Every trekker feels it — a quiet goodbye to the mountain they came so far to reach.

Bamboo (2,310 m) is the overnight stop — a welcome rest after the biggest day of the trek in both distance and emotion.

Today is the final trekking day, and it ends with the most rewarding evening of the entire journey. The trail has one last test, though: just after leaving Bamboo, a steep 30-minute uphill climb begins immediately with no warm-up. After that, a 1-hour 30-minute mix of jungle trail leads to Upper Sinuwa before a 300 m descent followed immediately by a climb back up to Chhomrong. All stone stairs, steep in both directions — but you have come this far, and your legs know what to do.

Chhomrong is the natural lunch stop. Sit, eat, and look up — Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre are all visible from here. A few days ago you were standing behind Annapurna South at base camp. From Chhomrong you can see the full mountain from the front — a perspective that hits differently after everything you have walked through to get here.

After lunch, all maintained stone stairs descend from Chhomrong down to Jhinu Danda (1,780 m). Drop your bag at the hotel and your guide takes you to the Jhinu Danda hot spring, 20 to 30 minutes downhill near the Modi Khola river. As of June 2026 there are 3 natural pools fed by geothermal water sitting under natural stone.

Our guide's tip: buy cold drinks, carry them down, soak in the hot spring, drink cold while your body recovers in the warm water. Then walk back up and sleep well — tomorrow is an easy drive day.

The final morning starts with one last short walk — 20 minutes from the hotel to the jeep station. On the way, the trail crosses the longest suspension bridge of the entire trek at 280 metres. Before stepping on, your guide checks both sides for mule trains — if one is coming, you wait, as turning back from the middle of a 280-metre bridge is not ideal. Seven minutes after the bridge, the private jeep is waiting.

The drive from Jhinu Danda to Pokhara takes approximately 3 hours. The first hour is off-road and bumpy — the last rough road of the entire trip. After that the surface becomes well-maintained tarmac all the way into Pokhara. Arriving back at Pokhara's Hotel, the trek is officially complete.

The afternoon is yours. Most trekkers are tired but too happy to sleep. Your guide recommends finding a lakeside restaurant for sunset — sitting at Phewa Lake watching the Annapurna ranges catch the evening light from a comfortable chair is a completely different experience after 10 days of walking toward those same mountains. If energy allows, paragliding over Pokhara valley and Phewa Lake is available nearby, as is the World Peace Pagoda across the lake for those who want one last viewpoint.

Your guide meets you at the hotel lobby and transfers you to the tourist bus park for the return drive to Kathmandu — the same scenic 206 km route, this time with the Annapurna ranges behind you and the memories of 10 trekking days ahead.

Back in Kathmandu, a Majestic Trails Nepal team member meets you at the hotel to collect your feedback and hear about your experience on the trail. This is also the moment to confirm your departure transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for the following day. 

If you want to extend your stay in Nepal — whether for sightseeing in Kathmandu, another trek, or a side trip — our team arranges everything from here.

Tip: Adding USD 110 upgrades the return journey to a 25-minute Pokhara to Kathmandu mountain flight — the same aerial Himalayan views, one last time before you leave Nepal.

 

According to your flight schedule a Majestic Trails Nepal team member and private vehicle will be waiting at Hotel Thamel Park to transfer you directly to Tribhuvan International Airport. Your Annapurna Base Camp journey is complete.