1 daysEasy4,130 mAnnapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour — 1 Day
From / person
$900
TrekModerate
Annapurna Base Camp Trek — 9 Days
9 days4,130 mFrom Nayapul (drive from Pokhara)Best: Oct–Nov, Mar–May
Photo by Bijaya2043 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
01 / 07
Duration
9 days
From
$920/person
Max Altitude
4,130 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Starts
Nayapul (drive from Pokhara)
Group Size
2–12 People
Stay
Tea House
Meals
Breakfast & Dinner
Best Season
Oct–Nov, Mar–May
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Trip Highlights
Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) — glacial amphitheatre surrounded by 3,500 m walls
360° close-up views of Annapurna I, Machapuchare, Hiunchuli, and Gangapurna
Modi Khola gorge — one of Nepal's most dramatic river-valley approaches
Bamboo and rhododendron forests alive with colour in spring (March–May)
Machapuchare Base Camp (3,700 m) — the sacred Fish Tail mountain up-close
Jhinu Danda natural hot springs — perfect trail-tired-leg recovery on descent
Ghorepani Poon Hill sunrise add-on option on the return leg
Chhomrong — the largest Gurung village on the trek with spectacular views
Poon Hill at sunrise, then Annapurna Base Camp — 9 days that hit every highlight of the Annapurna circuit at a pace you will actually enjoy.
Day-by-Day Itinerary(9 days)
Altitude Profile
Peak: 4,130 m · Day 8Drive from Pokhara (820m) to Nayapul (1,070m), the trailhead for the Annapurna Sanctuary. Trek through terraced fields and Gurung villages, crossing the Modi Khola suspension bridge to Birethanti, then climbing through subtropical forest to Tikhedhunga (1,540m).
1,540 m4–5 hours12 kmB, L, DTea House
The Annapurna Base Camp trek delivers one of the most spectacular mountain amphitheatres on earth in just 9 days. At 4,130 m, the Annapurna Sanctuary is a glacier-ringed bowl encircled by thirteen peaks over 6,000 m — Annapurna I (8,091 m), Machapuchare (6,993 m, the sacred "Fishtail"), Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and the South Face of Annapurna, widely considered the most dramatic wall in the Himalaya. No other accessible trek puts you this close to this many high peaks simultaneously.
The approach from Nayapul climbs through the Modi Khola valley past Tikhedhunga's famous stone staircase, through the rhododendron forests of Ghorepani (spectacular in March–April bloom), and up to the Chhomrong ridge — one of the finest viewpoints in the Annapurna region — before entering the sanctuary itself through the narrow Modi Khola gorge. The final ascent to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) and then ABC is steep but short; the reward at the top is immediate and overwhelming.
After the overnight at ABC and the morning light show on the surrounding peaks, the route descends to Jhinu Danda for a soak in the natural hot springs — one of the best endings to any Himalayan trek.
9 Days, Not 12: Why the Pacing Works
Some ABC operators add 3 extra days for "flexibility." Our 9-day itinerary is deliberately optimised: the altitude gain is gradual enough for proper acclimatisation (maximum gain of 700 m/day), stages are 5–7 hours of active walking (manageable for anyone with regular fitness), and two nights at Chhomrong provide natural acclimatisation before the Sanctuary. Our completion rate on this itinerary is 94% — the highest of any ABC operator we're aware of — because the pacing is right, not because the itinerary is padded with rest days.
Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Start: Pokhara (private jeep to Nayapul included). Max altitude: Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m.
What's Included
Included
- Government-registered English-speaking trek guide
- Porter (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) permit
- TIMS card
- Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu tourist bus (or flight option at extra cost)
- Pokhara–Nayapul private jeep (both ways)
- All teahouse accommodation throughout
- 3 meals per day on trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Altitude sickness kit and pulse oximeter
- Kathmandu hotel airport transfers
- All government taxes and service charges
Not Included
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Lunches
- Personal gear
- Tips
Best Time to Go
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Best season. Crystal-clear skies, stable weather, spectacular mountain views. Peak crowds on EBC and ABC trails.
Low: -5°C High: 15°C Possible above 4,500 m in November
Spring (Mar–May)
Second-best season. Rhododendrons in bloom, good visibility. Slightly warmer than autumn. Pre-monsoon clouds build in afternoon.
Low: -2°C High: 18°C Possible above 5,000 m in March
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold but uncrowded. Clear skies and great views. High passes may be snowed-in. Lower altitude treks (Ghorepani, Langtang lower) remain open.
Low: -15°C High: 8°C Heavy above 3,500 m
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Wet season. Trails slippery, leeches on lower sections, views often obscured. Not recommended except for rain-shadow regions (Upper Mustang).
Low: 10°C High: 22°C None at low altitude
Permits Required
TIMS Card
USD 20 (group trek) / USD 10 (free individual)Required for all trekkers in Nepal
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
USD 30Required for Annapurna region. Valid for single entry.
All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.
What to Pack
Moisture-wicking base layers (top + bottom)
Fleece mid-layer jacket
Down jacket (600+ fill power)
Waterproof shell jacket and pants
Trekking trousers (2 pairs)
Trekking shorts (1 pair)
Merino wool socks (4–5 pairs)
Liner socks (3 pairs)
Warm hat / beanie
Sun hat or cap
Lightweight gloves
Heavy gloves or mittens for high passes
Neck gaiter or buff
Thermal underwear set
A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Frequently Asked Questions
From the trail · Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Reels from the trailtap for sound
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