11 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Tour Nepal
Trip Overview
One of the most significant draws in Nepal’s exquisite mountain haven, the ABC trek has become highly commercialized in recent times. However, the sublime beauty and the rising thrill quotient of this trek make it all worth it. Reaching the base camp, you come up close and face to face with jaw-dropping views of the great Annapurna massif. The electrifying aura and pull of ABC apart, the trail holds a number of attractions for the naturist and mountain lovers. A sparkling panorama of the unusually structured Machapuchare ‘fishtail’ mountain, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, and Hiunchuli visible from different corners on the trail, the cool and silent forest pathway of the Annapurna Conservation Area, and the lovely hospitality of the ethnic Nepalese people found on the road is simply heartwarming. Make great memories all the way to the top!
Itinerary
DAY 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)
Meet your adventure team at Kathmandu Airport today, get treated with a delectable welcome buffet and get familiar with your fellow trekkers at the hotel.
DAY 02: Fly to Pokhara (823m/2,700ft) 30 minute flight, trek to Ghandruk (1940m/6360 ft): 5 – 6 hours trek
Fly over the spellbinding gorgeous mountain highs, from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You will be picked up for a 1 hour 20 minute drive to Nayapul, and then by the main road near Birethanti. From Birethanti, we shall trek to Gandhruk-- a village nestling in the hills, inhabited by the ethnic Gurung people. There’s a Gurung museum in the town, one you may visit if time permits. We will stay the night at Ghandruk.
DAY 03: Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2170m/7120ft): 5 – 6 hours
The day’s trek begins with an hour's uphill climb to Kimrungdanda to the vast welcoming panorama of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, the ‘Fishtail’ peak that also goes by the name of Machhapuchhre, and Gangapurna. Descending, we reach Kimrong Khola at midday, and from thereon to Chere Danda by a steep ascent. Towards afternoon, a gentle walk shall take us to Chomrong-- a pretty village located in the green laps of the magnificent Annapurna Mountains. We will stay tonight at Chomrong.
DAY 04: Chhomrong to Bamboo (2310m/7578ft): 4 – 5 hours
Climbing down the stone paved steps, we will descend near a bridge beneath Chomrong Khola, take a swerving high path uphill to Sinuwa. Hereon, a beautiful shadowy forest path winds inside the thickets to Kuldihar, taking a downhill turn next towards Bamboo. The night will be spent in Bamboo.
DAY 05: Bamboo to Deurali (3230m/10,595ft): 3 – 4 hours
The bamboo forest that we would trek through today has several steep sections with a steady ascent. The first landmark on today’s trek route is the Himalaya Hotel, beyond which the forest opens up to the sun and an ice cool glacial river can be seen streaming below. The ethereal view makes way through to a drier forestside at the Hinku Cave, at which point we take a turn towards Deurali.
DAY 06: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m/13,545ft) via Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3700m/12135ft): 5 – 6 hours
We begin trekking today under the watchful eye of Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. In some sections of the trail through a snow patched pine forest, stairwells are made for the ease of the travellers. The forest landmark on the way today comes at Bagar. The hike gets somewhat more strenuous from here to Machhapuchhre Base Camp. There are some excellent photo-ops available from here-- a brilliant vision of Machhapuchhre along with Mt. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Gandharvachuli, and others will unveil before us in all their divine glory. Today, we shall tread inside the Annapurna Sanctuary, the vegetation growing scarce as we tread deeper. The near-vertical south face of Annapurna peak will be towering over us quite sensationally between the thickening leaves. Reaching the Annapurna Base camp, a 360 degrees panorama will greet us and a wonderful night under the starry sky shall unfold. We will pitch tents at the base camp tonight.
DAY 07: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo: 7 – 8 hours
Retracing our steps, we shall journey downhill back to Bamboo and stay overnight.
DAY 08: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1760m/5770 ft): 5 – 6 hours
The way back is a reiteration of the immense lyrical beauty of Nepal all over again. Starting from Bamboo, the trek to Kuldighar is a gentle uphill stride. Reaching the settlement, we will next take the way down to Chhomrong Khola-- a lightly flowing stream. From the banks, a stairway rises to Chhomorong and further up to Jhinu Danda where you can enjoy the warm mineral waters of the hot springs. The night will be spent at Jhinu Danda.
DAY 09: Trek to Naya Pul then drive to Pokhara: 6 hours trek, 1 hour drive
The amazing hillscape of western Nepal becomes fully manifest on this trek once again on reaching Nayapul on the way back. At Nayapul roadhead you will find your ride towards Pokhara waiting. The night will be spent at Pokhara.
DAY 10: Fly to Kathmandu
On the tenth day, we fly back to Kathmandu in the afternoon; spend the day exploring more of the historic city, shop souvenirs, pashmina shawls, and intricate art works. The night will be made memorable with a big farewell dinner and exchange of trip memorabilia.
DAY 11: Final Departure: Home Sweet Home
The adventure team will reach you at the airport today, all set for the final departure.
Included
- Airport pickups and drops ina private vehicle
- 2-star Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Domestic flights (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu)
- An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide)
- Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
- Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food and accommodation
- Down jacket and sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion)
- Alpine Club of Himalaya bag/duffel bag, t-shirt and trekking map are yours to take
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (ACAP, TIMS)
- Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
- All government and local taxes
- 7 Nights Accommodation in Tea Houses/Guest House doing the trek
- 1 night accommodation in Pokhara, includes Breakfast.
Excluded
- Nepalese visa fee
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Excess baggage charges
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and/or Pokhara
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
- Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)
Good to Know
The seasons when this trek can be most pleasant are during the spring- from March to May, in autumn- from mid-September to mid-December, and if you are up to withstanding the harsh winters for the sake of the extreme experience, do come during December-February.
Depending on the weather and health of group members, the organizers reserve their discretion and right to cancel or postpone each day’s promised trip.
Itinerary
DAY 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)
Meet your adventure team at Kathmandu Airport today, get treated with a delectable welcome buffet and get familiar with your fellow trekkers at the hotel.
DAY 02: Fly to Pokhara (823m/2,700ft) 30 minute flight, trek to Ghandruk (1940m/6360 ft): 5 – 6 hours trek
Fly over the spellbinding gorgeous mountain highs, from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You will be picked up for a 1 hour 20 minute drive to Nayapul, and then by the main road near Birethanti. From Birethanti, we shall trek to Gandhruk-- a village nestling in the hills, inhabited by the ethnic Gurung people. There’s a Gurung museum in the town, one you may visit if time permits. We will stay the night at Ghandruk.
DAY 03: Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2170m/7120ft): 5 – 6 hours
The day’s trek begins with an hour's uphill climb to Kimrungdanda to the vast welcoming panorama of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, the ‘Fishtail’ peak that also goes by the name of Machhapuchhre, and Gangapurna. Descending, we reach Kimrong Khola at midday, and from thereon to Chere Danda by a steep ascent. Towards afternoon, a gentle walk shall take us to Chomrong-- a pretty village located in the green laps of the magnificent Annapurna Mountains. We will stay tonight at Chomrong.
DAY 04: Chhomrong to Bamboo (2310m/7578ft): 4 – 5 hours
Climbing down the stone paved steps, we will descend near a bridge beneath Chomrong Khola, take a swerving high path uphill to Sinuwa. Hereon, a beautiful shadowy forest path winds inside the thickets to Kuldihar, taking a downhill turn next towards Bamboo. The night will be spent in Bamboo.
DAY 05: Bamboo to Deurali (3230m/10,595ft): 3 – 4 hours
The bamboo forest that we would trek through today has several steep sections with a steady ascent. The first landmark on today’s trek route is the Himalaya Hotel, beyond which the forest opens up to the sun and an ice cool glacial river can be seen streaming below. The ethereal view makes way through to a drier forestside at the Hinku Cave, at which point we take a turn towards Deurali.
DAY 06: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m/13,545ft) via Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3700m/12135ft): 5 – 6 hours
We begin trekking today under the watchful eye of Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. In some sections of the trail through a snow patched pine forest, stairwells are made for the ease of the travellers. The forest landmark on the way today comes at Bagar. The hike gets somewhat more strenuous from here to Machhapuchhre Base Camp. There are some excellent photo-ops available from here-- a brilliant vision of Machhapuchhre along with Mt. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Gandharvachuli, and others will unveil before us in all their divine glory. Today, we shall tread inside the Annapurna Sanctuary, the vegetation growing scarce as we tread deeper. The near-vertical south face of Annapurna peak will be towering over us quite sensationally between the thickening leaves. Reaching the Annapurna Base camp, a 360 degrees panorama will greet us and a wonderful night under the starry sky shall unfold. We will pitch tents at the base camp tonight.
DAY 07: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo: 7 – 8 hours
Retracing our steps, we shall journey downhill back to Bamboo and stay overnight.
DAY 08: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1760m/5770 ft): 5 – 6 hours
The way back is a reiteration of the immense lyrical beauty of Nepal all over again. Starting from Bamboo, the trek to Kuldighar is a gentle uphill stride. Reaching the settlement, we will next take the way down to Chhomrong Khola-- a lightly flowing stream. From the banks, a stairway rises to Chhomorong and further up to Jhinu Danda where you can enjoy the warm mineral waters of the hot springs. The night will be spent at Jhinu Danda.
DAY 09: Trek to Naya Pul then drive to Pokhara: 6 hours trek, 1 hour drive
The amazing hillscape of western Nepal becomes fully manifest on this trek once again on reaching Nayapul on the way back. At Nayapul roadhead you will find your ride towards Pokhara waiting. The night will be spent at Pokhara.
DAY 10: Fly to Kathmandu
On the tenth day, we fly back to Kathmandu in the afternoon; spend the day exploring more of the historic city, shop souvenirs, pashmina shawls, and intricate art works. The night will be made memorable with a big farewell dinner and exchange of trip memorabilia.
DAY 11: Final Departure: Home Sweet Home
The adventure team will reach you at the airport today, all set for the final departure.
Included
- Airport pickups and drops ina private vehicle
- 2-star Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Domestic flights (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu)
- An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide)
- Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
- Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food and accommodation
- Down jacket and sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion)
- Alpine Club of Himalaya bag/duffel bag, t-shirt and trekking map are yours to take
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (ACAP, TIMS)
- Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
- All government and local taxes
- 7 Nights Accommodation in Tea Houses/Guest House doing the trek
- 1 night accommodation in Pokhara, includes Breakfast.
Excluded
- Nepalese visa fee
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Excess baggage charges
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and/or Pokhara
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
- Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)
Good to Know
The seasons when this trek can be most pleasant are during the spring- from March to May, in autumn- from mid-September to mid-December, and if you are up to withstanding the harsh winters for the sake of the extreme experience, do come during December-February.
Depending on the weather and health of group members, the organizers reserve their discretion and right to cancel or postpone each day’s promised trip.