Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 14 Days

After you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will have to go through customs formalities. You will be greeted by our representative, who will be anxiously waiting for you with a placard displaying your name in his hand. Then, you will be transferred to the 4-Star category hotel in a private vehicle.

Once you get refreshed, you will get a briefing regarding the itinerary. Similarly, you will also be introduced to your crew members and other trekkers who are going to join you on the trip. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the evening, where you can taste an authentic Nepali dinner. You will stay overnight in a hotel.

After breakfast, we will organize a half-day sightseeing tour during which you will be taken on a memorable UNESCO Heritage Tour. The tour begins with a visit to Nepal’s holiest Pashupatinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Explore the temple grounds and hidden shrines behind the main temple. There are also cremation ghats along the Bagmati River. The temple offers a rich insight into the Hindu philosophy of life, death, and rebirth. 

After Phasupatinath, we will take a tour of the iconic Boudhanath Stupa. It is a massive hemispherical stupa with hundreds of prayer wheels and small monasteries surrounding it. You can witness hundreds of Tibetan Buddhist monks chanting and performing circumambulation, or the kora. You, too, can walk clockwise while spinning the prayer wheels. There are also many restaurants and eateries within the premises. You can sip coffee or have lunch while enjoying the serene environment. 

An alternative tour for Boudhanath Stupa is the 2500-year-old Swoyambhunath Stupa. Climb up to the hilltop where the stupa sits and enjoy panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley. The ancient stupa is decorated with prayer flags and shrines. Monkeys roam around the premises freely. Hence, it is also known as the “Monkey Temple.” After the half-day tour, we will return to the hotel and do the final check and shop for any missing items. Then, you can do the final packing and get ready for the trip.

We will drive towards Tribhuvan Airport’s domestic terminal for the Kathmandu to Pokhara flight after breakfast. Pokhara is the centre of the Western Development Region and the Gateway to the Annapurna Region. In the 25 minutes of scenic flight, we will enjoy the panoramas of Annapurna Mountain, Ganesh Mountain, Nilgiri Mountain, Manaslu Mountain, and other mountains. Once we reach Pokhara Airport, we will take a 2.5-hour drive to Trikhedhunga, following the Pokhara-Baglung Highway. The drive provides you with the first glimpse of the beautiful countryside of Pokhara. We will pass by beautiful villages, terrace farms, and the river valleys. It heightens the excitement.

The road passes through Lumle village via Nayapul to get to Tirkhedhunga. We will begin our trek from here onwards. The ABC Trekking trail starts with a gentle walk through small Gurung settlements. We will cross the Bhurungdi River on a suspension bridge. The trail soon turns into the challenging stone staircases. There are over 3,000 steep stone staircases that go through villages and hillside terrace farms. We will follow the ascending path for a couple of hours to reach the Magar village of Ulleri. It is a small stone-paved village on the hillside from where we can enjoy the scenic views of Annapurna Mountain. We will stay overnight at Ulleri.

We will start our second day trek from Ulleri. The Annapurna Base Camp Trekking trail enters the lush forest of rhododendrons and oak from here. Moving further uphill, we can feel a slight change in the climate as it gets cooler. The winding trail takes us deeper into the lush forests. Occasionally, we can see cascading waterfalls and small streams. Along the way, we will also pass by villages like Banthanti and Nangethanti, where we can see the locals busy tending their crops and cattle. 

The trail starts to ascend through stone staircases from Nangethanti. Fortunately, it is not as demanding and steep as the Ulleri staircase. After a while, the forest gradually becomes thinner and opens up. We can see the snow peaks of Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Dhaulagiri, Machhapucchre, and more on the horizon. Finally, we will reach Ghorepani, located on the ridge surrounded by forest. It is a beautiful Magar village and offers scenic views of the Annapurna ranges. Stay overnight in a teahouse in Ghorepani.

We will prepare for the trek quite early in the morning to witness one of the most beautiful sunrise views from Poon Hill. A 40-minute walk uphill through lush rhododendron forest from Ghorepani will take us to this iconic viewpoint. Poon Hill is named after the Pun ethnic, the inhabitants of the area. We will enjoy the views of the far western Himalaya of over 600km of range, including Mount Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Dhampus, Nilgiri Peak, Annapurna, Machhapuchre, Hiunchuli Peak, Himal, and other peaks. We will return to Ghorepani for breakfast. 

Descending from Ghorepani, the ABC Trek route goes uphill through forest ridges. We will come across the Deurali Pass, which is a great viewpoint to witness the snow-capped peaks. From here, the trail again descends through dense rhododendron and oak forests towards Banthanti. The charming village of Banthanti is an excellent spot for resting. After the brief rest, we will continue our journey to Tadapani. The trail has short uphill and downhill climbing sections. Tadapani is a small village that sits on a ridge and offers a close-up look at Annapurna South, Machhapuchhare, and Hiunchuli. We will stay here overnight.

Leaving Tadapani early in the morning, we will follow the steep descending trail through the rhododendron, oak, and bamboo forests. The path then becomes narrow and takes us to Chuile. It is a small settlement that offers a clear view of Annapurna South. The trekking route continues to descend into a valley, passing by small rivers and crossing several suspension bridges. There are a few gradual ups and downs along the way.

The ABC trail takes us through the small village of Gurjung. It is a pretty Gurung village with traditional houses and terraced farmlands. We can stop here for lunch and energize ourselves. The trail from here passes through scattered settlements and terrace fields. As we get closer to Chhomrong, the path begins to level out. It is the largest Gurung village in the region and the last permanent settlement before the Annapurna Base Camp. Chhomrong is the gateway to Annapurna Sanctuary. Tonight we will stay at a teahouse here.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast in Chhomrong, and then we will resume our ABC journey. There is also a local checkpoint here, where we must show our ACAP permits. We will begin our long descent on stone staircases towards the Chhomrong Khola. We will cross the river on a suspension bridge and start our steep uphill trek. Lowering down to the Chhomrong River, we will walk through the colourful rhododendron forest and choose the rising path that contours up towards Sinuwa. The steep climb will take us to Lower Sinuwa and then to Upper Sinuwa. The towering peaks of Annapurna and other snow-capped peaks will greet us from here. We can take a short break here before resuming the journey.

The ABC Trekking route enters the forests of bamboo and rhododendron, where it becomes increasingly humid. We will gradually descend to the Bamboo village before ascending again. The trail is a mix of stone-paved and forest paths. From here, we will trek through thick bamboo forests and mossy trees. Along the way, there are many small waterfalls and streams, which we will cross on small wooden bridges. It takes around 1.5 hours of hiking from Bamboo to reach Dobhan. We will rest overnight at a small teahouse in this serene village.

After breakfast, we will leave Dovan and begin a steady uphill climb to the Himalaya Hotel. En route, we will cross several suspension wooden bridges over small streams. Himalaya Hotel is not your traditional hotel, but a cluster of basic lodges. It is located in a narrow valley surrounded by steep, towering cliffs. The path beyond the Himalaya Hotel takes us to the forest. We will continue with our gradual ascent along the Modi Khola Valley. Enjoy the spectacular view of the glacial river before you reach Hinku Cave. The Hinku Cave is one of the famous landmarks along the Annapurna Base Camp route. It offers a striking view of the surrounding cliffs.

From Hinku Cave, the forest begins to get thinner, and it transitions into alpine meadows. It takes an hour-long uphill trek to reach Deurali. We will continue climbing and pass through the rocky area to get to the open basin of Machhapuchhare Base Camp (MBC). The base camp sits right below the south face of Mount Machhapuchhare. It offers magnificent and close-up views of the fish-shaped Machhapuchhare, and other surrounding peaks like Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, and more. The area is surrounded by glacial moraines and snowy ridges. Overnight stay at Machhapuchhare Base Camp.

Today is the peak day of our journey. We will walk up in the serene atmosphere, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. After an early breakfast, we will walk through the sanctuary to Annapurna Base Camp. Following the Modi Khola upstream, we will make a gentle ascent. The landscape opens up into a wide glacial basin, and there is no vegetation in the area. The upper valley trail becomes broader as we continue trekking forward. We will pass by moraine fields to reach the ABC basin.

It takes around two hours of trekking to reach the Annapurna Base Camp. The Base Camp lies within a natural amphitheater of Annapurna Sanctuary. Enjoy the unobstructed views of Annapurna South (7,219 meters), Hiuchuli (6,441 meters), Machhapuchhare (6,993 meters), SingaChuli (6,501 meters), Tent peak(5,663 meters), Gangapurna Mountain (7,455 meters), and other peaks and mountains. Annapurna Base Camp certainly is a piece of heaven on earth. There are fluttering prayer flags along the route that offer a sense of spirituality. You can spend the rest of your time exploring around and enjoying the views to your heart’s content. Stay overnight at this iconic place.

Nothing sounds better than starting the day by watching the sunrise over the Annapurna ranges. Then, we will have breakfast and prepare to leave the Annapurna Base Camp. Today, we will retrace our steps back to Bamboo. We will once again trek past the glacial valley and descend to Machhapuchhare Base Camp. The ABC Trek return trail then descends steeply towards Duerali, and the barren landscape once again turns greener.

The trail heads into the forests of rhododendron and bamboo. Likewise, we will also make a steep downhill climb on stone steps and cross familiar wooden bridges. Once again, we will trek past the Himalaya Hotel and then reach the Bamboo village. We will spend the night at this village, surrounded by dense forests and bamboo.

Leaving Bamboo early in the morning, we will make a gradual descent through dense forests. We will follow the downward trail to Kuldighar. On this day, we will again retrace our steps to Deurali and then to Sinuwa. You will trek back the same way you ascended on stone stairways, forest paths, villages, and terrace farms. Upon reaching Sinuwa, enjoy the pleasant views of the surrounding mountains. From Sinuwa, you will follow the trail along the Modi Khola River valley and towards Jhinu Danda.

The final stretch of the route descends steeply through the riverside trails. Along the way, we will pass by several small villages. We will take a rest at Jhinu Danda tonight. After checking in at our lodge, we will leave our luggage and visit the nearby hot water spring known as Tato pani. Bathing in a hot spring can help cure skin diseases and soothe tired muscles. The hot spring is situated near the river, surrounded by lush greenery, and offers a relaxing atmosphere.

Day 12 is our final trekking day. After breakfast at Jhinu Danda, we will descend on the gentle trail along the Modi Khola River valley. The forest path passes through small villages, terrace fields, and open fields. We can enjoy the beautiful view of the surrounding green hills and the distant snow-capped peaks. Continuing further, we will reach Ghandruk, where we get our transport to Pokhara.

We will once again drive on the winding road, passing by villages, hillside terrace fields, rivers, and valleys. After arriving in Pokhara, we will first check in at our hotel. In the evening, we will take a tour of the famous Lakeside. Boating in Phewa Lake is available at your own expense. Soak in the gorgeous sight of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhare, and relax. There are numerous souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, and pubs at the Lakeside. So, you can have fun exploring the area. We will return to the hotel for dinner. Stay overnight at the Lakeside hotel.

Today we will leave Pokhara and return to Kathmandu. We will drive to Pokhara Airport and take a scenic flight from Pokhara, which will take us to Kathmandu. After reaching the capital city, you can relax at the hotel or explore the city. You can also take a guided sightseeing tour if you want to visit more cultural sites in Kathmandu.

If you want to shop for souvenirs, we recommend you visit Thamel. It is one of the major tourist spots, lined with handicrafts and souvenir shops. In the evening, we will hold a farewell dinner for you. We will celebrate the success of our Annapurna Base Camp Trek and share memories with the team. With this, your adventure in Nepal comes to an end. Stay overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, we will transfer you to the Tibhuvan International Airport, 2 to 3 hours before your scheduled flight. Thank you for choosing Dream Himalaya Adventures for your dream trek in Nepal. Have a safe journey. We hope to see you again for your next adventure to the Himalayas.