The Annapurna Base Camp trek (also known as the Annapurna Sanctuary treks) is one of Nepal’s best treks. Designed for trekkers who want their mountains up close and personal, but not too technically challenging, this 10-day itinerary blends epic views, exposure to village life and a touch of adventure. The hike in takes you past grassy fields and stone houses, through rhododendron forests and up a snow-filled basin flanked by an impressive natural amphitheater of glacier-draped peaks to glacier valleys with views of the world’s 10th highest mountain.
The diversity is what sets the ABC trek apart. In a matter of days, you’ll transition from subtropical foothills to high-alpine environments – blanketed by the towering behemoths of the Himalayas. The visually mesmerizing, cultural rich journey will be guided by local people who revere the Annapurna as a living goddess and possess an intimate relationship with nature. For people with limited time the trek offers a taste of the full Himalayan experience and can be achieved by even those new to trekking.
10 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary
The walk to the formidable Annapurna is an adventure trip of a lifetime.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
You arrive in the city of Kathmandu.
Once you arrive in Kathmandu airport, they transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, recuperate from your journey or discover this ancient city on your own.
DAY 2: Transfer to Pokhara (822 m) by car/bus or flight
Travel to Pokhara on the Prithvi Highway (scenic drive) or short domestic flight. The ride provides sights of rivers, terraced fields, valleys and village. Reach Pokahara in the afternoon, enjoy lake side activities after checking into your room.
DAY 3: Drive to Jhinu Danda and Trek to Chhomrong (2,170m): 5-6 hours appx.
Your trekking adventure begins today. You will drive to Jhinu Danda and proceed walking along the Modi Khola, passing your first suspension bridge of the trek. The walk ascends up and down gentle through forested hills to Chhomrong, a Gurung village which is the entry point for the Sanctuary. Overnight in a tea house.
Day 4: Trek to Dovan (2,310m)
You hike deeper into the Annapurna Conservation Area after breakfast. Your permits are checked shortly after Chhomrong and you continue the trail through cultivated farm fields and dense forest for a short while till you reach a suspension bridge. Overnight in a tea house at Dovan.
Day 5: Walk to Deurali (3,230 meters)
Today’s trail gradually gains altitude. Ascending to Sinuwa through stone steps that indicate you are approaching Deurali as the trail climbs through Upper Bamboo where the route becomes more steeper. The terrain starts to shift, the tree cover less dense and with more open views of Machapuchare (Fishtail) and Hiunchuli. Overnight in a tea house.
Day 6: Walk to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m)
This is the hike’s crescendo. You arrive at Machapuchare Base Camp, a field of sparse vegetation affording hiker’s eye views of wide alpine meadows. The mountains soar on all sides as you hike toward Annapurna Base Camp. The 360-degree Himalayan view of sunrise and sunset is one of the most significant panoramas in Nepal. There is also time set aside for acclimatization and sight seeing.
Day 7: Trek down to Bamboo (2,350 m)
You rise early to watch the sunrise illuminate the Annapurna range – a moment many trekkers describe as one of the most unforgettable parts of their journey. You will start your descend down to Bamboo after breakfast following same trail until you reach Chomrong. Downhill walking can be difficult, but the varied scenery makes for a stimulating day.
Day 8: Trek to Jhinu Danda and ride back to Pokhara
The path drops steeply amidst forests and villages and eventually leads to Jhinu Danda. Here, you can ease your aches and pains away in natural hot waters – perfect for relaxing your tired muscles. Then you drive back to Pokhara for some anticipated rest.
Day 9: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu(or fly back)
Driving back to Kathmandu, the road variably passes through villages that lies in river valleys and on hill slopes. It’s so tranquil between the mountain trails and the busy capital city. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 10: Departure from Nepal
Your trek concludes today. You are taken to the airport as per your flight time, which marks the end of Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal.
Closing Thoughts
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is so much more than a hike to the base of the 10th highest mountain in the world. It’s a trek that passes through a variety of fantastic landscapes, cultures and ancient trails with some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the Himalayas. You get through lush forests, snow-clad meadows, friendly villages and a very impressive natural mountain amphitheater in as little as in 10 days.
Including all of the necessary factors for a pure Himalayan adventure, from beautiful landscapes to a rich cultural history and challenging trekking days, everyone should be write this trek in the list of Nepal’s best trips. It’s a place where hard work meets reward, silence meets spectacle and every step is an accomplishment.