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Private Trip
Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 12 days
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Accommodation Hotel in Kathmandu & Teahouse Accommodation During Trek
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Duration 12
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Trip Difficulty Moderate
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Activities Trekking & Cultural Sightseeing
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Best Time Spring (March–May) & Autumn (September–November)
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Max. Elevation Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m / 13,550 ft)
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Group Size Min-02 pax
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Transportation Private Vehicle & Domestic Flight
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Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (BLD) During Trek
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Start/End Kathmandu to Kathmandu
Overview
Trek through rhododendron forests, traditional Gurung villages, terraced hillsides, and deep Himalayan valleys before reaching Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), ringed by some of the highest peaks on Earth. This 12-day route through the Annapurna Sanctuary combines varied scenery, local culture, and one of the most rewarding mountain views in Nepal — all on a well-established teahouse trail that doesn’t require technical climbing experience.
You’ll start with a short drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, then follow the trail up through Ghandruk and into Chhomrong. This traditional Gurung village marks the gateway into the Annapurna Sanctuary. From there, rhododendron forest gives way to steeper, narrower valley walls as you climb toward Machhapuchhre Base Camp and, beyond it, ABC itself.
Most trekkers aim to be at Annapurna Base Camp for sunrise, when the surrounding peaks — Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli — catch the first light. On the way back down, the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda are a welcome stop to ease tired legs before the return to Pokhara.
What Makes This Trek Special?
Unlike Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek combines mountain scenery with traditional villages, dense forests, waterfalls, and natural hot springs. In less than two weeks, you’ll experience dramatic changes in landscape while staying in comfortable teahouses and reaching the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary without technical climbing.
Trip Highlights
- The Annapurna Sanctuary — a natural amphitheater of peaks surrounding Annapurna Base Camp, one of the most dramatic mountain views reachable without technical climbing
- Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m) — your last stop before ABC, with close-up views of the sacred, unclimbed Fishtail peak
- Jhinu Danda hot springs — natural hot springs by the Modi Khola river, a genuinely good way to recover after the push to and from base camp
- Gurung villages and culture — Ghandruk and Chhomrong are both traditional Gurung settlements, known for their stone-and-slate houses and distinct customs
- Rhododendron forests — Nepal’s national flower lines much of the trail; if you trek in spring, expect forests in full bloom
- Sunrise at Annapurna Base Camp — the classic reason people time this trek the way they do — dawn light on Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400m) Land at Tribhuvan International Airport, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing A day exploring the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a chance to check your gear before flying west.
Day 3: Fly to Pokhara (827m), trek to Ghandruk (1,940m) — 30-minute flight, 5-6 hours trek A short scenic flight to Pokhara, then a drive to the trailhead and a first afternoon of walking up to Ghandruk, a Gurung village with some of the best Annapurna views on the whole route.
Day 4: Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2,170m) — 5-6 hours The trail drops into the valley and climbs back up to Chhomrong, the last big village before the Annapurna Sanctuary proper begins.
Day 5: Chhomrong to Bamboo (2,310m) — 5-6 hours A steep descent out of Chhomrong, then a climb through dense rhododendron and bamboo forest — the terrain gets noticeably wilder from here.
Day 6: Bamboo to Deurali (3,230m) — 4-5 hours The valley narrows and the forest thins out as you gain altitude. Take this day at a steady pace to help your body adjust.
Day 7: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), via Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m) — 5-6 hours The final push. You’ll pass Machhapuchhre Base Camp before the last stretch to ABC, where the full Annapurna Sanctuary opens up around you.
Day 8: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2,310m) — 7-8 hours After sunrise at ABC, it’s a long day retracing your steps back down through Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Deurali to Bamboo.
Day 9: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1,760m) — 5-6 hours Continue the descent to Jhinu Danda, where the natural hot springs are a genuinely good reason to stop early and rest.
Day 10: Trek to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara — 5-6 hours trek, 1 hour drive The last trekking day back to the trailhead, followed by a short drive back into Pokhara.
Day 11: Fly to Kathmandu A short flight back to the capital, with the rest of the day free.
Day 12: Final departure Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400m) Land at Tribhuvan International Airport, where a Snow Bank Adventure representative will meet you and take you to your hotel. A welcome dinner is planned for the evening. Accommodation: hotel | Meals: dinner
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing Spend the day visiting four of Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath (the "Monkey Temple"), and Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world. Accommodation: hotel | Meals: breakfast
Day 3: Fly to Pokhara (827m), trek to Ghandruk (1,940m) — 30-minute flight, 5-6 hours trek An early flight to Pokhara gives you good mountain views from the right side of the plane. From the airport, it's about a 1-hour drive to Nayapul, where the trek begins. You'll follow the trail from Birethanti up to Ghandruk, a large Gurung village with some of the best close-up Annapurna views on the whole route. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2,170m) — 5-6 hours The trail climbs for about an hour to Kimrong Danda, with good views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Gangapurna along the way. A steep descent brings you down to the Kimrong Khola river, followed by another steep climb up to the ridge above it. From there it's a gentler walk into Chhomrong, a Gurung village built into the hillside at the edge of the Annapurna Sanctuary. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Chhomrong to Bamboo (2,310m) — 5-6 hours You'll descend roughly 2,500 stone steps and cross the river below Chhomrong, then climb steadily to Sinuwa. From Sinuwa, the trail runs through forest to Kuldighar before an easy downhill walk into Bamboo, named for the dense bamboo forest surrounding it. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Bamboo to Deurali (3,230m) — 4-5 hours The trail climbs through bamboo forest to Dovan, then on to Himalaya, where the forest opens up and you get your first clear views of the glacial river below. A steep climb through drier forest brings you to Hinku Cave, a rock overhang used by shepherds long before it became a trekkers' landmark. From there the trail drops close to the river before the final climb to Deurali. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), via Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m) — 5-6 hours The climb from Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp is one of the tougher stretches of the trek, but it pays off — from MBC you get clear views of Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, and Gangapurna. The trees disappear completely as you continue toward ABC, and the valley opens into the wide bowl of the Annapurna Sanctuary, with Annapurna's south face rising almost straight up ahead of you. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2,310m) — 7-8 hours After sunrise at ABC, it's a long day retracing your steps back down through Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Deurali to Bamboo. It's all downhill, so it's more about distance than difficulty, and you get to see the scenery from Days 6 and 7 in reverse. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1,760m) — 5-6 hours From Bamboo, a climb up to Kuldighar is followed by a descent to the Chhomrong Khola, then a climb up stone steps into Chhomrong itself. From there the trail drops down to Jhinu Danda. Once you've settled in, it's a 15-20 minute walk downhill to the natural hot springs by the river — a good way to ease sore legs after eight days of walking. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10: Trek to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara — 5-6 hours trek, 1 hour drive The last trekking day follows the trail back down through the hill country of western Nepal to Nayapul, where a vehicle will be waiting to take you the rest of the way to Pokhara. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11: Fly to Kathmandu An evening flight back to Kathmandu. With the trek behind you, the rest of the day is free — some people rest, others use the time for last-minute shopping or to catch any sights they missed on Day 2. A farewell dinner rounds off the evening. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12: Final departure A Snow Bank Adventure representative will take you to the airport about three hours before your flight, giving you plenty of time to check in before you head home. Meals: breakfast
Note: distances, trail conditions, and overnight stops can shift depending on the season, trail maintenance, and teahouse availability — your guide will Inclusions vary by package, so confirm the final list before booking plan day to day.
Includes & Excludes
Includes
- Airport Transportation
- Farewell dinner
- Kathmandu sightseeing by private vehicle
- Professional government-registered tourist guide
- Accommodation 3 nights in Kathmandu and 2 nights in Pokhara with Bed and breakfast
- Kathmandu -Pokhara - Kathmandu by domestic flight
- Transportation from the starting and ending point of trekking by private vehicle
- Three meals and tea, coffee during the trek
- Safe drinking water( treated with chlorine and iodine)
- Permit of the trek(TIMS, Conservation, and National park fee)
- All types of necessary government paperwork and government taxes
- Guide and Porter(meals, wages, Insurance & transpiration )
- An English speaking government registered trekking guide
- Trekking equipment like a raincoat, sleeping bag, down jacket, and walking pole
Excludes
- Personal expenses
- Personal & medical insurance
- Rescue evacuation by Helicopter in Emergency case
- Beverage and Bar bills( soft drinks, hard drinks, and mineral water) Boiled water
- Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu except for welcome and farewell dinner
- Electronic devise recharge
- Wi-fi during the trek
- Tips for Guide and Porter
Trek Route Map
Download
Trek Video
Packing List
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400m) Land at Tribhuvan International Airport, where a Snow Bank Adventure representative will meet you and take you to your hotel. A welcome dinner is planned for the evening. Accommodation: hotel | Meals: dinner
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing Spend the day visiting four of Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath (the "Monkey Temple"), and Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world. Accommodation: hotel | Meals: breakfast
Day 3: Fly to Pokhara (827m), trek to Ghandruk (1,940m) — 30-minute flight, 5-6 hours trek An early flight to Pokhara gives you good mountain views from the right side of the plane. From the airport, it's about a 1-hour drive to Nayapul, where the trek begins. You'll follow the trail from Birethanti up to Ghandruk, a large Gurung village with some of the best close-up Annapurna views on the whole route. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2,170m) — 5-6 hours The trail climbs for about an hour to Kimrong Danda, with good views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Gangapurna along the way. A steep descent brings you down to the Kimrong Khola river, followed by another steep climb up to the ridge above it. From there it's a gentler walk into Chhomrong, a Gurung village built into the hillside at the edge of the Annapurna Sanctuary. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Chhomrong to Bamboo (2,310m) — 5-6 hours You'll descend roughly 2,500 stone steps and cross the river below Chhomrong, then climb steadily to Sinuwa. From Sinuwa, the trail runs through forest to Kuldighar before an easy downhill walk into Bamboo, named for the dense bamboo forest surrounding it. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Bamboo to Deurali (3,230m) — 4-5 hours The trail climbs through bamboo forest to Dovan, then on to Himalaya, where the forest opens up and you get your first clear views of the glacial river below. A steep climb through drier forest brings you to Hinku Cave, a rock overhang used by shepherds long before it became a trekkers' landmark. From there the trail drops close to the river before the final climb to Deurali. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), via Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m) — 5-6 hours The climb from Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp is one of the tougher stretches of the trek, but it pays off — from MBC you get clear views of Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, and Gangapurna. The trees disappear completely as you continue toward ABC, and the valley opens into the wide bowl of the Annapurna Sanctuary, with Annapurna's south face rising almost straight up ahead of you. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2,310m) — 7-8 hours After sunrise at ABC, it's a long day retracing your steps back down through Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Deurali to Bamboo. It's all downhill, so it's more about distance than difficulty, and you get to see the scenery from Days 6 and 7 in reverse. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1,760m) — 5-6 hours From Bamboo, a climb up to Kuldighar is followed by a descent to the Chhomrong Khola, then a climb up stone steps into Chhomrong itself. From there the trail drops down to Jhinu Danda. Once you've settled in, it's a 15-20 minute walk downhill to the natural hot springs by the river — a good way to ease sore legs after eight days of walking. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10: Trek to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara — 5-6 hours trek, 1 hour drive The last trekking day follows the trail back down through the hill country of western Nepal to Nayapul, where a vehicle will be waiting to take you the rest of the way to Pokhara. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11: Fly to Kathmandu An evening flight back to Kathmandu. With the trek behind you, the rest of the day is free — some people rest, others use the time for last-minute shopping or to catch any sights they missed on Day 2. A farewell dinner rounds off the evening. Accommodation: teahouse | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12: Final departure A Snow Bank Adventure representative will take you to the airport about three hours before your flight, giving you plenty of time to check in before you head home. Meals: breakfast
Note: distances, trail conditions, and overnight stops can shift depending on the season, trail maintenance, and teahouse availability — your guide will confirm the exact plan day to day.
- Duffel Bag ( 25 kg): Provided during the briefing in Kathmandu. It is durable and waterproof and porters will carry it throughout the trek.
- Daypack with Rain Cover ( 25-30L): Choose one with good back support and adjustable straps. It should hold your daily essentials like a Jackets, water, snacks, sunscreen, gloves, a camera, and important documents.
- Sleeping Bag ( -10°C to -15°C): A high - quality sleeping bag is included at no extra cost. Suitable for colder places like Deurali, MBC, and ABC.
- Down Jacket ( -10°C to -15°C): Supplied by us. It is warm, insulated, and comes with a hood- perfect for chilly morning and evening.
- Trekking Poles: Helpful for maintain balance, and reducing strain on joints, especially on steep trails like ulleri, chomrong, and the descent to jhinu Danda.
- Water Bottle ( 1-2L): Can be refilled daily. We suggest using a Nalgene bottle or a 2-3l hydration bladder with a tube for convenience.
- Headlamp + Spare Batteries: Necessary for early starts, Power outages and pre-dawn hikes
- Travel Adapter ( Type C,D,M): Nepal uses different plug types so a universal adapter with USB ports is recommended.
- Dry Bags / Zip Locks (3-4): Use to protect clothes, electronics, and toiletries from moisture. Large Plastic bags also work well in wet seasons.
TripAdvisor Reviews
FAQs
The average temperature of Annapurna Base Camp is around 5°C. Mostly, the base camp is always cold, so you need warm cloths to keep yourself comfortable and warm. The lowest temperate recorded is -20°C during the winter season. The warmest temperate was around 15°C during the summer. Overall, keep in mind it is always cold.
Trekking in Nepal is not an easy task. However, Annapurna Base Camp is a moderate to difficult level trek that anyone can enjoy. The trail goes through the forest, hills downs. Some sections of the trail involve ascending and descending on a stone path. So, you must be well prepared to cope with such difficulties during the trek. You need to do physical fitness training a few months before your trip starts.
The highest point is around 4,130 meters, so there is less chance of getting altitude sickness. The also makes the trail an ideal starting point for beginners. We have tips for beginner trekkers. Make sure to check them.
As mentioned above, Annapurna Base Camp is a moderate trek. This trek is not as strenuous as other trekking routes. But if you area beginners, you should be physically fit enough to be able to walk 5-6 hours every day.
Altitude sickness, known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a sickness that usually occurs at high altitudes due to low oxygen levels and low atmospheric pressure. The symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, and so on.
Annapurna sanctuary does not take a high altitudes like other trekking routes, but you should be concerned about altitude sickness, most trekkers can still digest high altitudes, but prevention is better than cure.
Good news, you can prevent altitude sickness. The best way to fight back is acclimatization. Eat enough carbohydrates and stay hydrated. Incase are not feeling well, you can take Diamox tablets too.
Electricity is available throughout the route even in ABC. Nowadays, teahouses do not charge money for charging devices. Furthermore, charging plugs are available in every room.
But in upper settlements, charging parts are only available in the dining hall. Therefore, you might stay in the queue to charge your devices. It is better to carry a power bank just in case.
Likewise, Wi-fi is available all around the route. Tea houses charge USD 1 to USD 4, depending on the place you are staying. It is not fast enough because everyone will be using the same wi-fi but is ready to go.
No, you do not need guide and porters to trek to Annapurna Base Camp. Anyone can travel in the Annapurna region without the need for additional assistance. It is a paradise for solo travelers.
However, we highly recommend hiring a guide and porter. You can understand the culture and history of Nepal even better. In addition, a porter can help carry all your stuff.
Bring layered clothing ( fleece, down jacket), comfortable trekking boots, a steeping bag, and reusable water filter.
It is recommended to use water purification tablets or a filter, as bottled water is expensive and generates plastic waste.
Basic medical care is available in lower villages.
Winter at Annapurna Base Camp brings regular snowfall. Actually, December to February often sees heavy snow above 3,500m. Moreover, trails may be teahouse less crowded. Likewise, cold winds increase the chill factor our. Company, Snow Bank Adventure monitors trail conditions and informs clients departure.
Similarly, we equip our guides with up-to-date weather reports.
Autumn offers the clearest sunrise and sunset views on the ABC trek. Actually, September to November brings dry skies and stable weather. Move ever the crisp and mountains look very close.
