Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Today, you board your international flight and begin the journey to Nepal, the gateway to the Himalayas and home of the legendary Mount Everest. Although international flights are not included in the trip price, we’re happy to offer advice or recommendations to help with your travel plans. The adventure of a lifetime starts here.

Your Himalayan adventure begins! Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our friendly team will be waiting to greet you, just look out for a sign with your name as you exit the arrivals hall. From there, you’ll be whisked away through the vibrant streets of the city to Thamel Eco Resort, a peaceful oasis tucked in the heart of Kathmandu’s lively Thamel district.

Once you’ve settled in, the rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from your journey. If you’re feeling energetic, step outside and explore the colourful streets, boutique shops, and lively cafés of Thamel. Soak up the first sights and sounds of Nepal, you’re finally here.

After breakfast, you’ll be collected from your hotel for a guided cultural tour of Kathmandu’s most iconic and sacred sites. This immersive experience offers a fascinating glimpse into Nepal’s rich spiritual heritage and architectural grandeur.

Durbar Square – Once the seat of kings from various dynasties, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a living museum of intricately carved temples, courtyards, and palaces, a stunning showcase of Hindu and Buddhist artistry.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) – Perched atop a hill west of the city, this ancient stupa is one of Nepal’s holiest sites. Crowned by the “All-Seeing Eyes” of Buddha and surrounded by fluttering prayer flags and mischievous monkeys, the stupa offers panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley and a profound sense of peace.

Bouddhanath Stupa – One of the largest stupas in the world and a centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, this colossal white dome radiates spiritual energy. Circled by prayer wheels and monasteries, it’s a deeply atmospheric place of pilgrimage and reflection.

Pashupatinath Temple – A sacred Hindu site dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. While non-Hindus may not enter the temple itself, you can observe the striking golden rooftops and powerful cremation rituals that unfold on the riverbanks, offering a rare and respectful insight into Nepalese life and death.

After your tour, enjoy some time to relax before we take you out for a traditional Nepali welcome dinner, complete with live cultural performances, a perfect introduction to the heart and soul of Nepal.

After breakfast at the Thamel Eco Resort, we’ll set off on a scenic road journey west to Pokhara, Nepal’s stunning lakeside city nestled at 900m above sea level.  As we wind our way through hills and river valleys, keep an eye out for glimpses of rural village life and terraced fields carved into the hillsides, a beautiful introduction to the landscapes that await.

Pokhara is nothing short of enchanting.  Set in a tranquil valley and framed by the soaring peaks of the Annapurna range, Machapuchare (Fish Tail) dominates the skyline with its iconic, double-summit silhouette.  From your hotel, this sacred mountain seems almost close enough to touch.  The city offers breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri to the west, Manaslu and Lamjung Himal to the east, and a serene atmosphere that invites you to slow down and soak it all in.

Upon arrival, you’ll check in to the Kuti Resort, located near the shimmering waters of Phewa Lake, the heart of Pokhara.  Most of the city’s best cafes, shops, and restaurants line the lake’s eastern shore, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the evening.

This morning marks the real beginning of your Himalayan trekking adventure.  After a hearty breakfast in Pokhara, we’ll drive for about an hour through lush farmland and small villages to reach Nayapul (1,010m), the gateway to the Annapurna region.

Our trek begins gently as we follow the banks of the Modi Khola, a glacial river whose clear waters rush down from the mountains.  After just 15 minutes on foot, we arrive at the charming village of Birethanti (1,015m), where we check into the trail officially and continue alongside the Bhurungdi Khola.

The path winds through terraced fields, bamboo groves, and clusters of traditional homes as we climb steadily to Hille (1,495m).  After a final gentle push, we reach our destination for the night, Tikhedhunga (1,570m), a peaceful village nestled in the hills with views back down the valley.  It’s a relatively easy introduction to the trek, giving you time to settle into the rhythm of the trail.

Today’s trek takes us deep into the heart of the lower Himalayas and offers one of the most scenic days on the trail so far.  We begin with a challenging but rewarding ascent up a long stone staircase to Ulleri (2,070m), a traditional Magar village perched on the hillside.  The effort is more than worth it, the views begin to open up, and the mountain air turns cool and refreshing.

From Ulleri, the trail becomes gentler as we enter a mystical forest of ancient oak and vibrant rhododendron, Nepal’s national flower.  In spring, this path is ablaze with colour as the trees burst into bloom, creating a natural tunnel of reds and pinks.

We pass through the peaceful settlements of Banthanti (2,250m) and Nangethanti (2,460m), where the sound of birdsong and rustling leaves replaces the bustle of city life.  After about five hours on the trail, we reach Ghorepani (2,840m), a charming village with sweeping views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.

Ghorepani is more than just a place to rest, it’s a cultural crossroads where ancient mountain traditions meet modern trekking life.

Today begins in the stillness of pre-dawn as we set out by headlamp for the hour-long hike up to the legendary Poon Hill (3,210m).  As the sky begins to lighten, anticipation builds, and if the weather is kind, you’ll witness one of the most breathtaking moments of the trek: a spectacular sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

From your panoramic vantage point, the peaks glow in hues of gold and pink, Machapuchare, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Dhaulagiri rising like silent giants above the valley.  It’s a moment of magic and awe you’ll remember forever.

After soaking in the views (and taking plenty of photos), we descend back to Ghorepani for a well-earned hot breakfast.  Energized, we set off again, climbing gently along a forested ridge toward Deurali (2,960m).  The trail winds through whispering pine and rhododendron woods, occasionally opening up to reveal glimpses of the high peaks.

From Deurali, we descend through serene woodland to Banthanti, before taking a quieter path that leads us to Tadapani (2,610m), a peaceful village surrounded by forest with stunning views of the mountains peeking through the trees.

We begin our day with a peaceful descent from Tadapani, winding through lush, moss-draped forests alive with the sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves.  The morning air is cool and fresh as we make our way deeper into the heart of the Annapurna region.

As we leave the forest behind, the landscape opens into terraced hillsides and traditional stone villages.  After crossing a small suspension bridge, we reach Gurjung, a quiet village inhabited by the Gurung people, known for their warm hospitality and deep-rooted mountain traditions.

From here, the trail levels out, offering an easier and more relaxed walk toward Chhomrong (2,140m), a beautiful village perched on the hillside with unforgettable views of Machapuchare and Annapurna South looming directly overhead.  Chhomrong is the last permanent settlement on the way to Annapurna Base Camp, and its peaceful atmosphere and welcoming lodges make it a perfect place to unwind after the day’s journey.

Today’s journey takes us deeper into the dramatic landscapes of the Annapurna Sanctuary.  We begin by descending a stone staircase to cross the Chhomrong Khola on a swaying suspension bridge, pausing to take in the rushing glacial waters below.  From here, we climb steadily through terraced fields and dense forest toward Khuldighar (2,380m), once home to an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) checkpoint.

As we move higher, the forest begins to close in, and we find ourselves immersed in a cooler, misty world of towering trees and hidden wildlife.  Beyond Khuldighar, the trail narrows and plunges steeply down a rocky slope, an adventurous section that adds to the thrill of the day.

At the bottom, the terrain levels out and we follow the trail through an enchanting stretch of bamboo forest, the air damp and earthy as we walk beneath a thick green canopy.  The trail hugs the side of the gorge, where waterfalls tumble from the cliffs and the river roars in the distance.

By early afternoon, we arrive at Dovan (2,500m), a quiet, forest-shrouded hamlet nestled in the gorge, offering a peaceful and remote resting place as we inch closer to the base of the Annapurna’s.

Though today’s trek is shorter in distance, it’s rich in atmosphere and significance as we gain altitude and step into the higher Himalayan realm.

We begin with a gradual ascent through dense bamboo and rhododendron forests, where the mist clings to mossy trunks and the silence is broken only by birdsong and the sound of our footsteps.  The trail meanders upward to the remote Himalayan Hotel, a quiet rest stop nestled in the trees.

As we climb higher, the vegetation begins to thin, the air grows crisper, and the towering cliffs around us feel even more dramatic.  Along the way, we pass Hinko Cave, a natural rock shelter once used by early mountaineers.  It’s a place steeped in history and wilderness spirit, a reminder that we are truly entering the sacred heart of the Annapurna’s.

Just beyond, we reach Deurali (3,200m), perched on a ridge with breathtaking views and a quiet, otherworldly stillness.  Tonight’s stop is one of reflection and acclimatisation, your body adjusts to the higher elevation as your anticipation builds for what lies ahead.

Today is the day you’ve been dreaming of – the journey to the iconic Annapurna Base Camp (ABC).  The trail climbs steadily from Deurali, and the landscape begins to shift dramatically as we rise above the tree line and into a high alpine world of rock, ice, and sky.

We first reach Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3,700m), nestled beneath the sacred peak of Machhapuchhare (Fishtail Mountain).  Though not an official base camp, climbing this revered mountain is forbidden, it’s a powerful place where prayer flags flutter in the wind and the mountains close in around you.

From here, we enter the breathtaking Annapurna Sanctuary, a natural amphitheatre of towering peaks.  Snow-capped giants rise on all sides; Annapurna I (8,091m), Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, and Gangapurna, among others, surrounding you in a 360-degree panorama of Himalayan majesty.

After about two more hours of awe-inspiring trekking through this high-altitude haven, we reach Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), a place of profound beauty and quiet triumph.  Here, beneath some of the highest mountains on Earth, you’ll stand in one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes imaginable.

Take time to soak it all in.  You’ve earned this moment.

After witnessing sunrise light up the walls of the Annapurna Sanctuary, we begin our descent from base camp, taking one last look at the peaks that have kept watch over us through the night.

Retracing our steps, we follow the trail down past Machhapuchhare Base Camp, leaving behind the windswept alpine world and gradually re-entering the embrace of greenery and forest.  The descent is long, about 1,700 metres in total, but the changing scenery keeps the journey fresh and rewarding.  As we drop in elevation, each step brings warmer air, more oxygen, and a renewed sense of vitality.

We pass familiar landmarks, Hinko Cave, the Himalayan Hotel, and the thick stands of bamboo and rhododendron that now feel like old friends.  Eventually, we arrive at Bamboo (2,345m), a quiet village nestled in a cool, forested section of the valley, where we’ll spend the night in the calm of the jungle, soothed by the sound of the nearby river.

Today’s journey takes us through familiar terrain, but with fresh eyes and renewed energy as we begin our return from the mountains.  We follow the trail back toward Chhomrong, ascending gently through bamboo groves and rhododendron forests, where bursts of colour and birdsong fill the air once more.

Along the way, we pass Khuldighar, home to a small experimental sheep farm tucked into the hillside, a quiet reminder of how life adapts even in these remote places.  From here, the trail contours the valley before descending steeply back into the heart of Chhomrong village, where we pause briefly before continuing our descent.

Soon, the trail drops sharply toward Jhinu Danda, perched on a lush ridge above the Modi Khola.  Just below the village lie the famous natural hot springs, a welcome reward after days on the trail.  Soak your tired muscles in the warm, healing waters beside the river, surrounded by jungle and the gentle murmur of flowing water, a blissful contrast to the high-altitude chill of base camp.

It’s a perfect place to relax, reflect, and celebrate how far you’ve come.

After a rejuvenating soak in the natural hot springs of Jhinu, we set off on our final trekking day, walking along the gentle riverside path that traces the curve of the Modi Khola.  Today’s trail is one of the most serene and scenic of the entire journey, a soothing contrast to the dramatic ascents and descents of the days before.

As we walk, the landscape shifts from thick forest to open farmland, terraced fields, and peaceful villages, with the distant echo of the river always nearby.  Birethanti, with its stone-paved paths and slow, timeless rhythm, marks a symbolic return to the world below.  The air is warmer, the colours more vibrant, and your stride lighter as the accomplishment of reaching Annapurna Base Camp settles in.

We reach Nayapul, where our trek ends, but not our journey.  A short and scenic one-hour drive brings us back to the lakeside city of Pokhara, where a hot shower, soft bed, and cool drink await.  You’ll check back into the Kuti Resort, just steps from Phewa Lake, the perfect place to rest and reflect.

After a final lakeside breakfast at the Kuti Resort, your Himalayan adventure gently winds down.  We’ll transfer you to Pokhara Airport, where a short but breathtaking flight carries you across the mountains, offering one last aerial view of the snow-capped peaks you’ve trekked among.

On arrival in Kathmandu, you’ll be met by our representative, ready and waiting with a warm welcome and a sign bearing your name.  From here, you’ll be transferred back to the elegant comfort of The Shanker Hotel, nestled close to the heart of the city yet offering a peaceful oasis of calm.

With the rest of the day at your leisure, you may wish to explore more of Kathmandu’s bustling bazaars and spiritual landmarks or simply relax and reflect on the extraordinary journey you’ve just completed, from jungle paths to high alpine sanctuaries.

After breakfast and perhaps one last moment of calm in the gardens of Thamel Eco Resort, it’s time to say goodbye, for now.

At the scheduled time, we’ll transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your journey home. As you leave the Kathmandu Valley behind, you carry with you far more than photos: memories of sunrise over the Annapurnas, forest paths and stone villages, quiet moments in mountain lodges, and the joy of standing beneath some of the world’s highest peaks.

This may be the end of your trek, but the spirit of the Himalayas will stay with you, quietly calling you back to adventure.