Annapurna Base Camp Trek | ABC Trek

Published on Apr 15, 2026

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a 10-day Himalayan journey that takes you deep into the heart of the Annapurna, reaching an altitude of 4,130 metres at base camp. Operated by Trexmount Ventures, one of the best trekking agencies in Nepal, this route passes through Gurung villages, rhododendron forests, and glacial valleys before delivering you to one of the most dramatic mountain amphitheatres on Earth. The total cost starts at USD 990 per person, covering accommodation, meals, a licensed guide, and all permits.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Overview
10-Day ABC Trek Itinerary
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route and Distance
How Difficult Is ABC Trek?
Is Annapurna Base Camp Trek Safe?
What Are the Biggest Risks at Base Camps?
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost
What Is Included and Excluded
FAQs
Book Your Trek with Trexmount Ventures

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Overview

The Annapurna Base Camp Trekking route sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area in the Gandaki Province of Nepal. At its highest point, ABC stands at 4,130 m, surrounded 360 degrees by peaks including Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), and the sacred Machhapuchhre (6,993 m). The trek is widely regarded as one of the best short high-altitude treks in the world, and for good reason.

The route passes through some of the most culturally rich villages in Nepal, particularly the Gurung settlement of Ghandruk, and rewards trekkers with natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda on the way back. Unlike longer Himalayan expeditions, this trek can realistically be completed in 10 days without sacrificing depth of experience.

Key Facts	Details
Maximum Altitude	4,130 m (Annapurna Base Camp)
Trek Duration	10 Days
Total Trek Distance	Approx. 110–115 km
Difficulty Level	Moderate
Best Season	March–May, October–November
Starting Point	Syauli Bazaar / Pokhara
Permits Required	ACAP + TIMS Card
Total Cost	USD 990 per person

10-Day ABC Trek Itinerary

The Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary 10 days, is designed to balance acclimatisation, cultural immersion, and trekking distance each day. Below is the complete day-by-day breakdown as operated by Trexmount Ventures.

Day	Route	Altitude	Meals
Day 1	Arrive Kathmandu	1,350 m	Dinner
Day 2	Drive to Pokhara	820 m	Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3	Drive to Syauli Bazaar, Trek to Ghandruk	1,940 m	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4	Trek to Sinuwa via Chhomrong	2,340 m	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5	Trek to Deurali	3,230 m	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6	Trek to Annapurna Base Camp	4,130 m	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7	ABC to Sinuwa	2,340 m	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8	Sinuwa to Jhinu Danda, Drive to Pokhara	820 m	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9	Drive to Kathmandu	1,350 m	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10	Final Departure	—	Breakfast

Day 1 – Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350 m)

Your journey begins at Tribhuvan International Airport, where a Trexmount Ventures representative picks you up and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. In the afternoon, you visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by the Aarati Puja ceremony at Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The evening ends with a detailed pre-departure briefing by your trek leader.

Day 2 – Drive to Pokhara (820 m)

After breakfast, the overland journey to Pokhara follows the Prithvi Highway westward through terraced hillsides and river valleys. The drive takes approximately seven to eight hours. As you descend into the Pokhara valley, the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges appear on the horizon for the first time. The evening is free to explore the Lakeside area.

Day 3 – Syauli Bazaar to Ghandruk (1,940 m)

A jeep drive of roughly one and a half to two hours brings you from Pokhara to Syauli Bazaar. Permits are collected at Birethanti, and the trail climbs through Kimche (1,640 m) before the first dramatic views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre open up. A steep stone-stepped ascent delivers you to Ghandruk, the largest Gurung village in the Annapurna region, famous for its stone houses, ancient gompas, and sunset mountain views.

Day 4 – Ghandruk to Sinuwa via Chhomrong (2,340 m)

The trail descends from Ghandruk to the Kimrong Khola river at 1,480 m before a 500-metre climb brings you up to Chhomrong (2,170 m), the last well-developed village before the Annapurna Sanctuary. From Chhomrong, the route drops steeply to the Chhomrong Khola and then climbs through bamboo and rhododendron forest to Sinuwa.

Day 5 – Sinuwa to Deurali (3,230 m)

The trail passes through Bamboo (2,310 m) and Dovan (2,600 m) as the valley narrows and the air grows colder. After the Himalayan Hotel (2,930 m), the forest thins into an alpine environment. Deurali sits beneath towering cliffs and frequently catches low cloud, making it a critical acclimatisation stop before the high-altitude section.

Day 6 – Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m)

This is the summit day of the ABC Trek. The trail follows the Modi Khola gorge through glacial moraine and bare rock. Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) appears beneath the dramatic north face of the sacred fishtail peak. From there, the final push up a wide open glacial valley leads to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m, where you stand surrounded by Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre simultaneously.

Day 7 – ABC to Sinuwa (2,340 m)

The descent retraces the route through Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC), Deurali, Himalayan Hotel, Dovan, and Bamboo. As altitude drops, the air thickens, and the trail re-enters the dense rhododendron forest. The long descent eventually leads back to Sinuwa for the night.

Day 8 – Sinuwa to Jhinu Danda and Drive to Pokhara

After climbing briefly back to Chhomrong for lunch, the trail branches down to Jhinu Danda (1,780 m), a riverside village famous for its natural hot spring pools beside the Modi Khola. A 15-minute walk below the village, naturally heated geothermal pools offer a perfect recovery soak. A jeep then drives via Syauli Bazaar to Pokhara.

Day 9 – Drive to Kathmandu (1,350 m)

The return journey to Kathmandu follows the Prithvi Highway, taking seven to eight hours by road, or 30 minutes by domestic flight from Pokhara airport. The evening is free for a celebratory dinner in Thamel.

Day 10 – Departure

A final breakfast is followed by a transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. Depending on your flight schedule, a short visit to Boudhanath or Swayambhunath is possible before departure.

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Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route and Distance

The Annapurna Base Camp trek distance covers approximately 110 to 115 kilometres in total across both ascent and descent. The route follows the Modi Khola valley, entering through the southern approach at Syauli Bazaar and climbing steadily through multiple ecological zones before reaching the high glacial sanctuary.

Understanding the Annapurna Base Camp trek map helps trekkers appreciate the elevation gain involved. The trail rises from 820 m at Pokhara to 4,130 m at ABC, representing a total gain of over 3,300 metres across the trekking days.

Trail Section	Distance (Approx.)	Elevation Change
Syauli Bazaar to Ghandruk	11 km	+720 m
Ghandruk to Chhomrong	9 km	+230 m (net)
Chhomrong to Deurali	12 km	+1,060 m
Deurali to ABC	10 km	+900 m
ABC to Sinuwa (descent)	22 km	-1,790 m
Sinuwa to Jhinu Danda	8 km	-560 m

How Difficult Is the ABC Trek?

The Annapurna Base Camp Trekking route is rated as a moderate trek. It does not require any technical climbing skills or prior mountaineering experience. However, it does demand a reasonable level of physical fitness, the ability to walk 5 to 7 hours per day on uneven stone-paved and dirt trails, and the mental resilience to manage altitude-related fatigue.

The steepest sections are found between Ghandruk and Chhomrong, and again from Chhomrong to Deurali. Stone staircases are common throughout, and the descent from ABC to Sinuwa on Day 7 is long and tiring on the knees. Trekkers with prior hill-walking experience will find the trail very manageable with proper preparation.

Difficulty Factor	Rating
Physical Demand	Moderate
Technical Skill Required	None
Maximum Altitude	4,130 m
Daily Walking Hours	5–7 hours
Terrain Type	Stone steps, forest trails, glacial moraine
Altitude Sickness Risk	Moderate above 3,500 m

Is Annapurna Base Camp Trek Safe?

Yes, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is considered one of the safer high-altitude treks in Nepal when approached with proper preparation and a qualified guide. The trail is well-established, passes through villages with teahouses daily, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), which maintains checkposts and trail standards throughout.

That said, safety on any Himalayan trek depends on pacing, weather awareness, and physical preparation. Trexmount Ventures assigns experienced licensed guides to every group, and all porters are covered by insurance and equipped appropriately. Emergency evacuation by helicopter is possible from several points along the trail, including MBC and ABC, in serious cases.

What Are the Biggest Risks at Base Camps?

The most common risk at Annapurna Base Camp is acute mountain sickness (AMS), which can affect trekkers above 3,000 m. Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. The risk increases if trekkers ascend too quickly without adequate acclimatisation. This itinerary is designed to manage that risk by staging a rest at Deurali before the final push.

Other notable risks include:

Avalanche exposure in the upper gorge between Deurali and ABC, particularly in late winter and early spring
Rapid weather changes at high altitude, including sudden snowfall that can close the trail
Hypothermia at night above 3,500 m, especially outside the October-November and March-May windows
Trail injury from uneven terrain and stone steps is the most frequent cause of trip interruption

Trekkers are strongly advised to carry comprehensive travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation. Trexmount Ventures provides a warm sleeping bag and down jacket as part of the package to address cold-weather risks.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost

The total Annapurna Base Camp trek cost with Trexmount Ventures is USD 990 per person for a group booking. This is an all-inclusive price that covers accommodation, all meals as listed, a licensed guide, porter service, permits, and government taxes.

For context, the average market price for a comparable 10-day guided ABC Trek from Pokhara typically ranges between USD 900 and USD 1,200, depending on the operator, group size, and service level. Trexmount Ventures keeps the cost competitive while maintaining full service standards.

Cost Category	Amount (USD)
Base Package per Person	USD 990
Single Supplement (room upgrade)	On request (Charge Accodingly)
Private Vehicle Upgrade (one way)	USD 30 extra per person
Pokhara-Kathmandu Flight (one way)	USD 85 extra per person

Additional personal expenses such as drinks, tips, travel insurance, and emergency costs are not included in the base price.

What Is Included and Excluded

Included

Airport pickup and drop transfer
All transportation as per the itinerary
All accommodation on a twin-share basis
Meals: 14 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 10 Dinners, each with tea or coffee
Licensed experienced guide and the required number of porters (one porter per two trekkers), including their food, accommodation, transportation, salary, insurance, and equipment
Warm sleeping bag, down jacket, and walking stick if required
Trek bag
All government taxes
Trek Completion Certificate from Trexmount Ventures

Excluded (Not Included)

Tips for guides, porters, or any other staff
Single supplement charge for solo trekkers using a private room
Personal travel insurance, medical costs, and emergency evacuation expenses
All drinks, including mineral water, cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages
Any personal expenses not listed in the inclusions
Private vehicle upgrade: USD 30 extra per person per one-way trip
Domestic flight Pokhara to Kathmandu or vice versa: USD 85 extra per person one way

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

The standard Annapurna Base Camp Trek as offered by Trexmount Ventures takes 10 days in total, including travel days from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back. The actual trekking on trail spans six active days, from Syauli Bazaar to ABC and back to Jhinu Danda. The total trekking distance is approximately 110 to 115 kilometres across both directions.

2. What is the best time for the ABC Trek?

The two best seasons for Annapurna Base Camp Trekking are spring, from March to May, and autumn, from October to November. Spring brings rhododendron blooms and clear morning skies. Autumn offers the most stable weather and the sharpest mountain visibility. Monsoon months from June to August bring heavy rainfall and landslide risk, and winter from December to February brings snow above 3,000 m.

3. Do I need prior trekking experience for the ABC Trek?

No prior mountaineering experience is required for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. However, you should be reasonably fit and comfortable walking 5 to 7 hours per day on uneven trails and stone staircases. Prior hill walking or regular cardiovascular training in the months before the trek makes a significant difference in comfort and enjoyment.

4. What permits are required for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Two permits are required. The first is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which currently costs NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 22) for foreign nationals. The second is the Trekkers’ Information Management System card (TIMS), which costs approximately USD 10 to USD 20. Both are collected at Birethanti before the trail begins. Trexmount Ventures handles the permit process on your behalf.

5. What is the Annapurna Base Camp trek cost in 2026?

The total Annapurna Base Camp trek cost with Trexmount Ventures is USD 990 per person for a 10-day fully guided package. This covers accommodation, meals, guide, porter, permits, and taxes. Optional upgrades such as a private vehicle or domestic flight between Pokhara and Kathmandu are available at an additional cost of USD 30 and USD 85, respectively, per person.

6. How high is Annapurna Base Camp?

Annapurna Base Camp sits at an altitude of 4,130 metres above sea level. It is positioned inside the Annapurna Sanctuary, a high glacial bowl surrounded by Annapurna I at 8,091 m, Annapurna South at 7,219 m, Hiunchuli at 6,441 m, and Machhapuchhre at 6,993 m. This makes it one of the most dramatically enclosed base camp viewpoints in the Himalayas.

7. Is altitude sickness a problem on the ABC Trek?

Altitude sickness can affect trekkers above 3,000 m, and the ABC Trek reaches 4,130 m. Symptoms such as headache, nausea, and fatigue are common at higher elevations. The 10-day itinerary includes a staged ascent designed to reduce this risk, with an acclimatisation stop at Deurali before the final push to base camp. Descending immediately is the most effective response if severe symptoms develop.

8. Can I do the ABC Trek solo?

Technically, trekkers can walk the trail independently. However, Nepal’s trekking regulations now require all foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area to be accompanied by a licensed guide as of the 2023 regulatory update. Booking through Trexmount Ventures ensures full compliance with current regulations, and the presence of a licensed guide also significantly improves safety and navigation.

9. What should I pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Key items include moisture-wicking base layers, a waterproof outer shell jacket, thermal insulation layers, sturdy trekking boots with ankle support, UV-protection sunglasses, sunscreen, a personal first aid kit with basic altitude medication, and a refillable water bottle. Trexmount Ventures provides a sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, and a trek bag as part of the package, so these do not need to be carried from home.

10. What is the Annapurna Base Camp trek map route?

The route follows the Modi Khola valley from south to north. Starting at Syauli Bazaar near Birethanti, the trail climbs through Ghandruk, descends to the Kimrong Khola, climbs to Chhomrong, then follows the gorge through Bamboo, Dovan, and Himalayan Hotel to Deurali. From Deurali, the trail enters the upper sanctuary through MBC at 3,700 m before reaching ABC at 4,130 m. The descent mirrors the ascent before branching to Jhinu Danda for the hot springs finish.

Book the ABC Trek with Trexmount Ventures

If the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is on your list, Trexmount Ventures is ready to make it happen. Our 10-day package at USD 990 per person covers everything from your airport pickup in Kathmandu to your final hot spring soak at Jhinu Danda, with no hidden charges. Our licensed guides, insured porters, and carefully designed itinerary give you the safest and most rewarding route to one of the world’s great mountain sanctuaries.

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