The short version
- 110 days, about 70 km on foot, topping out at 4,130m. Rated Moderate on Trail to Tides.
- 2Best in Mar–May, Sep–Nov.
- 3Starts from Nayapul / Pokhara, reached via Pokhara.
- 42 nights gain more than 500 m above 3,000 m. That's common on Himalayan treks, but it's where altitude sickness tends to show up: go slowly the day before and drink well.
- 5Operators charge ₹35,000 to ₹37,500 per person; 3 listed, 2 verified.
The trek
Overview
The Annapurna Base Camp trek takes you into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary — a glacial amphitheatre ringed by eight peaks above 7,000m. The route climbs through terraced farmland, subtropical forest and rhododendron woodland into the high alpine zone, and ends in a morning few treks on Earth can match: waking up at ABC surrounded by Annapurna I (8,091m), Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli on all sides.
Right for you if
- You can climb stone stairs for hours: Chhomrong alone is thousands of steps
- You've slept above 3,000m without getting properly sick
- You can take 11–12 days off, Pokhara to Pokhara, with a spare day
- Teahouse lodges are fine: shared toilets, cold rooms near base camp
- You're Indian: no visa needed, just a passport or voter ID
Think twice if
- Your knees hate long descents: much of the way down is steep stone stairs
- You have a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition without a doctor's OK for 4,000m
- You're going after heavy snow: the Deurali to Machhapuchhre stretch has avalanche risk
- You're going in the monsoon (Jun–Aug): leeches, landslides on the road, clouded views
Season
When to go
Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
Autumn: the clearest skies and steadiest weather of the year. Nights get cold quickly from October, and early snow is possible in November.
More on the Himalayan seasons: When to go.
Travel
Getting there
Meet in
Pokhara
Nearest airport
Kathmandu, then a flight or 6 to 8 hour drive to Pokhara
Nearest railway
No railway; Gorakhpur is the nearest Indian railhead for the border
By road
Pokhara to the trailhead near Nayapul, about 1 to 2 hours
Most operators run a shared pickup from Pokhara early on day one. Arrive the evening before so a late train or flight doesn't cost you the trek, and keep a buffer day at the end: mountain roads close for landslides and snow. Travel times are approximate.
Itinerary
Day by day
A typical plan, measured along the mapped trail: 65 km with about 5,760 m of climbing. The biggest day is day 3, climbing 1,150 m. Operators vary it a little.
- Day1
Nayapul → Ulleri
Along the Bhurungdi river, then over 3,000 stone steps up to Ulleri
10.8 km1,030 m20 msleep at 2,005 m
- Day2
Ulleri → Ghorepani
Through rhododendron forest to the village under Poon Hill
7.9 km830 m0 msleep at 2,896 m
- Day3
Ghorepani → Tadapani
via Poon Hill
Poon Hill at sunrise for Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, then along the ridge to Tadapani
16.4 km1,150 m1,350 msleep at 2,680 m
- Day4
Tadapani → Chhomrong
Down and up again to Chhomrong, the gateway to the sanctuary
9.4 km400 m1,080 msleep at 2,160 m
- Day5
Chhomrong → Bamboo
Down Chhomrong's stairs, over the river and into bamboo forest
6.9 km580 m270 msleep at 2,310 m
- Day6
Bamboo → Deurali
Up the narrow Modi Khola gorge. Watch for avalanche warnings here in spring
7.1 km860 m0 msleep at 3,256 m
- Day7
Deurali → Annapurna Base Camp
via Machapuchare Base Camp
Past Machapuchare Base Camp into the sanctuary, ringed by Annapurna's walls
6.8 km920 m0 msleep at 4,130 m
- Day8
Annapurna Base Camp → Bamboo
Sunrise at base camp, then a long descent down the gorge
13.8 km0 m1,770 msleep at 2,310 m
- Day9
Bamboo → Jhinu Danda
Back over Chhomrong to the hot springs at Jhinu
≈7.8 km520 m580 msleep at 1,720 m
Altitude
Altitude and acclimatisation
Start
1,013 m
Highest night
4,130 m
Highest point
4,107 m
Know the warning signs before you go: Altitude sickness.
Fitness
How fit you need to be
Rated Moderate. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack.
What this trek asks of you, on the ACE scale from 0 to 5:
Take the Matchmaker to compare yourself against these scores, and use the 8-week plan to close any gaps. How ACE works.
Paperwork
Permits and paperwork
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).
- National park or conservation area permits, plus any trekker registration. Indian citizens need a passport or voter ID; no visa.
- Carry original government photo ID and a few photocopies.
- Rules and fees change. Ask your operator what's included and what you need to bring, two weeks before you go.
More detail: Permits and documents.
Kit
What to pack
For Annapurna Base Camp Trek in particular, on top of the standard layers:
- A warm down or synthetic jacket for nights near or below freezing
- Broken-in trekking shoes with ankle support, trekking poles, and a 25 to 35 litre daypack with a rain cover
The full list and how to layer: What to pack. The trek page has a tick-off checklist for this trek.
Safety
Safety on this trek
- Altitude is the main risk. Don't go higher with symptoms; descend if they get worse.
- Stay between the leader and the sweep, and respect the turnaround time on summit or pass days.
- Signal is scarce beyond the roadhead. Share your itinerary and your operator's emergency number with someone at home.
See also Trail craft and Insurance and emergencies.
Booking
Booking and cost
3 operators run this trek on Trail to Tides, from ₹35,000 to ₹37,500 per person. Prices usually cover the trek from the roadhead; check transport, permits and offloading.
- Bikat Adventures4.8₹35,000
- Trekup India4.3₹35,000
- Trek The Himalayas4.7₹37,500
What to ask before you pay: Choosing an operator.
Navigation
Offline map and GPX
Download the trail, with every overnight stop and its height, and load it on your phone before you lose signal.
Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors, via BRouter.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How difficult is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
It's rated Moderate on Trail to Tides. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack. The highest point is 4,130m, so pace and acclimatisation matter as much as fitness.
When is the best time for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
How many days does the Annapurna Base Camp Trek take?
10 days including travel to and from the trailhead, with 9 walking days. Add a buffer day for weather or road delays.
How do I reach the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Most groups meet in Pokhara. Nearest airport: Kathmandu, then a flight or 6 to 8 hour drive to Pokhara. Nearest railway: No railway; Gorakhpur is the nearest Indian railhead for the border. Pokhara to the trailhead near Nayapul, about 1 to 2 hours.
How much does the Annapurna Base Camp Trek cost?
Listed operators charge from ₹35,000 to ₹37,500 per person. Check what's included: transport, permits, meals, tents and offloading vary.
Do I need a permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). National park or conservation area permits, plus any trekker registration. Indian citizens need a passport or voter ID; no visa.
This guide is built from Trail to Tides' trek data, mapped trails and operator listings, and checked by our team. Conditions change with weather and seasons: your trek leader's call on the day always comes first.