Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, a representative from Summit Nepal Adventure will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the bustling Thamel area. After checking in, you can rest, unwind, or explore the vibrant streets of Kathmandu. In the evening, there will be a trek briefing with your guide to go over the itinerary and provide important information about the trek ahead. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, you’ll board a comfortable tourist bus for the scenic drive to Pokhara, a journey of approximately 7-9 hours. As you leave the busy city streets behind, enjoy the changing landscape as the road winds through lush valleys, terraced fields, and mountain views. Upon arrival in Pokhara, you'll be transferred to your hotel in the Lakeside area. Spend the evening relaxing by Phewa Lake or strolling around the lively Lakeside area. Overnight at the hotel.
After an early breakfast, you'll drive to Birethanti, a small village located at the edge of the Annapurna Conservation Area. From Birethanti, the trek begins. The trail starts with a gradual ascent through the lush forests, crossing several charming villages. You’ll eventually reach Ulleri, a scenic village located on a ridge, offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. This first day of trekking is relatively moderate, and you'll spend the night in a guesthouse in Ulleri.
Today, the trail continues through oak and rhododendron forests as you ascend towards Ghorepani. The journey offers stunning views of the Annapurna range, with peaks like Annapurna South and Machapuchare coming into view. You’ll pass through several villages, and the trail becomes steeper as you approach Ghorepani, a popular stop for trekkers. Ghorepani offers fantastic mountain views, and it will be a great place to rest for the night at a local guesthouse.
An early morning start will take you to Poon Hill, a renowned viewpoint offering one of the best sunrise views in the Himalayas. From here, you’ll have panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, with the peaks glowing in the early morning light. After enjoying the sunrise, you’ll return to Ghorepani for breakfast and then continue the trek to Tadapani. The journey is through dense rhododendron forests and offers more great views of the surrounding mountains. You’ll arrive in Tadapani, a peaceful village, and rest for the night.
The trail to Deurali is a steady ascent, passing through dense forests and crossing several suspension bridges. As you climb, the vegetation thins, and the landscape opens up to reveal stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Machapuchare (Fishtail Mountain). You’ll eventually arrive in Deurali, a small settlement located in a more alpine environment. After a long day of trekking, rest here for the night in a local guesthouse.
This is the most exciting day of the trek as you make your way to Annapurna Base Camp. The trail continues through the Annapurna Sanctuary, with awe-inspiring views of Annapurna I, Machapuchare, and other surrounding peaks. The landscape gradually becomes more barren as you approach base camp, and you’ll feel the excitement building as you reach the Annapurna Base Camp, where you’ll be surrounded by towering peaks. This will be an unforgettable experience. Overnight at a guesthouse.
After a memorable experience at Annapurna Base Camp, you’ll begin your descent. The trail back to Bamboo is steep in parts but generally more manageable. You’ll retrace your steps through the Annapurna Sanctuary, passing lush forests, rivers, and small villages. You’ll spend the night at Bamboo, a small village nestled by the river, in a cozy guesthouse.
Today’s trek will take you through more beautiful forests and villages as you make your way to Jhinu. The highlight of the day is the natural hot springs located just outside of Jhinu, where you can relax and soak your muscles after days of trekking. The walk to Jhinu is relatively easy and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
After breakfast, you’ll take a bus back to Kathmandu. The journey takes approximately 7-9 hours, and along the way, you’ll pass through charming villages and terraced fields. Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for some rest or to enjoy any last-minute shopping in Thamel. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
On your final day in Nepal, you’ll be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing. We hope you had a memorable experience and look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure!
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp with Summit Nepal Adventure was an absolute delight. The views were breathtaking, the trails peaceful, and the support from the team was top-notch. Every step felt like a connection with nature and culture. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular and iconic trekking routes in Nepal. It takes trekkers through stunning landscapes, traditional Gurung and Magar villages, lush forests, and finally up to the Annapurna Sanctuary—a vast bowl-shaped amphitheater surrounded by towering peaks, including Annapurna I (8,091m), Machapuchare (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli. This trek is known for its incredible diversity in landscapes and cultures, providing trekkers with an unforgettable experience as they journey through the heart of the Annapurna region. Unlike other high-altitude treks, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek combines both natural beauty and cultural immersion in a relatively accessible way.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek typically takes around 10 to 14 days, depending on the itinerary and acclimatization days. The trek begins with a scenic drive or flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by a drive to Nayapul and the start of the trek. The route passes through Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani (where you can hike to Poon Hill for sunrise), Tadapani, and Chomrong, before reaching Annapurna Base Camp. After spending time at the base camp, trekkers descend back via Bamboo and Jhinu Danda, where they can relax in natural hot springs, and finally return to Pokhara for a flight back to Kathmandu.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is considered a moderate trek, suitable for trekkers with a good level of fitness and some prior trekking experience. The highest point of the trek is Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130m, which is well within the range of most trekkers. While the trek involves daily hikes of 5-7 hours with gradual ascents and some steeper stretches, it’s not as strenuous as some other high-altitude treks like the Everest Three Pass Trek. The trek’s gradual incline and steady pace, along with rest days for acclimatization, make it accessible for trekkers with average fitness levels. However, it’s always recommended to prepare with light cardio training and strength exercises before the trek.
The ideal times for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek are during spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November). These seasons offer clear skies, stable weather, and optimal trekking conditions in the Annapurna region. Spring brings vibrant rhododendron blooms, while autumn presents crisp mountain views and pleasant temperatures. Summer (monsoon season) is not recommended due to heavy rainfall and slippery trails, while winter trekking is possible but comes with cold temperatures and potential snow, which can complicate the trek.
Accommodation during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is in teahouses along the route. These teahouses offer simple rooms with basic amenities, typically with twin beds and shared bathrooms. Higher up, the accommodation is more basic, but teahouses are welcoming and cozy, providing shelter from the cold. The food is hearty, typically consisting of Nepali and Tibetan cuisine such as dal bhat (lentil soup with rice), momos (dumplings), noodles, and fried rice. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and most meals are freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients. Teahouses also offer hot drinks and snacks, and we ensure that all food is hygienic and nutritious for high-altitude trekking.
While the Annapurna Base Camp Trek reaches a maximum elevation of 4,130m at the base camp, altitude sickness is still a potential concern, especially if trekkers ascend too quickly without proper acclimatization. Summit Nepal Adventure follows a gradual ascent, including acclimatization days to ensure trekkers’ bodies adjust to the increasing altitude. Symptoms of altitude sickness can include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Our guides are trained to identify early signs of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) and will ensure trekkers descend if necessary. Proper hydration, slow and steady ascent, and good health prior to the trek are key in minimizing the risks of altitude sickness.
To trek in the Annapurna region, you will need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card. Summit Nepal Adventure takes care of obtaining these permits for you, so you don’t need to worry about any of the paperwork. You’ll need to provide a valid passport and a passport-sized photo for the permit applications.
No, previous trekking experience is not required, but a basic level of fitness and stamina is important. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is considered a moderate trek and is suitable for beginners with some preparation, as well as more experienced trekkers. You should be able to walk 5-7 hours a day on moderate inclines with a daypack. It is highly recommended to prepare in advance with some light cardio, walking, or hiking to get your body accustomed to daily trekking activities.
Packing for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek requires careful consideration of both warm clothing and light trekking gear. Essential items include trekking boots, warm layered clothing, a down jacket, a sleeping bag rated for cold temperatures, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, gloves, and waterproof gear. Trekking poles, a first-aid kit, headlamp, and water purification tablets are also important. Summit Nepal Adventure provides a detailed packing list once you’ve booked your trek. You can also hire a porter to carry your heavier gear, allowing you to trek with a lighter load.
Safety is our top priority. Summit Nepal Adventure ensures that our trekking guides are experienced and first-aid certified, and they are familiar with the Annapurna region and high-altitude trekking safety protocols. We provide you with the best support throughout the trek, including proper acclimatization schedules, emergency evacuation plans, and clear communication with our team in case of any issues. We also recommend having travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking.
Booking your Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Summit Nepal Adventure is easy! You can book by contacting us directly via email, phone, or through our website. Once you’ve confirmed your dates, we’ll require a deposit to secure your spot, and we will assist you with preparing for the trek, including detailed itineraries, packing tips, and any other questions you may have. We’ll guide you every step of the way to ensure you have a safe, memorable, and enjoyable trekking experience.
