Annapurna Base Camp Trek 11 Tage

From Kathmandu to Pokhara, the starting point of the trek.

• Travel: A 25-minute flight or about 200 km by road (6–7 hours).
• Afternoon: Trek briefing and kit check with your guide; boating on Phewa Lake.
• Permits: You need the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a trekker registration card; we arrange both. Since 2023, foreign trekkers in Nepal's national parks and conservation areas must walk with a licensed guide.
• Tip: Last chance for ATMs, gear shops and trekking snacks.
• Overnight: Pokhara (820 m)

The trek begins with a famous stone staircase.

• Drive: Pokhara to Nayapul or on to Tikhedhunga by jeep, 1½–2½ hours depending on road conditions.
• Trail: From Tikhedhunga, about 3,300 stone steps climb steeply through villages to Ulleri. 3–5 hours of walking.
• Evening: Teahouse dinner of dal bhat with views over the valley.
• Tip: Go slowly on the steps; use trekking poles. Carry 2 litres of water and purification tablets.
• Overnight: Ulleri, teahouse

A steady climb through rhododendron and oak forest, 5–6 hours.

• Trail: Through Banthanti and Nangethanti, with Hiunchuli and Annapurna South appearing between the trees.
• Evening: Ghorepani, a village of lodges on a ridge. Most heat the dining room but not the bedrooms.
• Tip: In March and April the rhododendron forest is in full red bloom.
• Overnight: Ghorepani, teahouse

The most famous viewpoint in the Annapurnas, then a long forest day.

• 4:45 a.m.: 45-minute climb by headlamp to Poon Hill for sunrise on Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre.
• Trail: Back to Ghorepani for breakfast, then 5–6 hours over the Deurali pass through forest to Tadapani.
• Tickets: Small Poon Hill entry fee.
• Tip: Cloud can hide the view at any time of year; nobody can promise the sunrise.
• Overnight: Tadapani, teahouse

Mostly downhill, 4–5 hours, to the last permanent village before the Sanctuary.

• Trail: Steep descent through forest to the Kimrong Khola, then up to Chhomrong.
• Afternoon: Hot showers, a bakery and the last reliable phone signal. The view of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre is close and huge.
• Tip: Poles save your knees on the descent.
• Overnight: Chhomrong, teahouse

Into the Modi Khola gorge, 5–6 hours.

• Trail: Down 2,500 stone steps to the Chhomrong Khola, up to Sinuwa, then through bamboo and rhododendron forest past Bamboo to Dovan.
• Wildlife: Langur monkeys and, if you are lucky, the Himalayan tahr on the slopes.
• Note: Above Chhomrong, meat is not served in the Sanctuary out of respect for the local deity; meals are vegetarian.
• Overnight: Dovan, teahouse

Up the narrowing gorge, 4–5 hours.

• Trail: Past Himalaya Hotel (2,920 m) and the Hinku cave, with waterfalls dropping off the cliffs.
• Tip: In winter and spring, check for avalanche risk between Deurali and MBC; your guide decides the timing each morning.
• Overnight: Deurali, teahouse

The day the trek builds to, about 5 hours.

• Trail: Above the tree line into the Sanctuary: 2–3 hours to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m), then 2 hours to ABC.
• Afternoon: A ring of peaks all around you: Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre.
• Tip: Walk slowly and drink plenty; tell your guide about any headache or nausea. Afternoons usually cloud over, so we start early.
• Overnight: Annapurna Base Camp, teahouse

First light in the Sanctuary, then the long way down, 6–7 hours.

• Sunrise: Annapurna I turns gold, then the whole ring of peaks.
• Trail: Back down through MBC, Deurali and Dovan to Bamboo.
• Overnight: Bamboo, teahouse

A shorter walk, a hot soak and a real bed.

• Trail: Up to Chhomrong and down to Jhinu Danda, 5–6 hours. The natural hot springs are 20 minutes below the village.
• Drive: From New Bridge or Jhinu by jeep to Pokhara, about 3 hours.
• Evening: Celebration dinner in Lakeside.
• Overnight: Pokhara

Back to Kathmandu by air or road.

• Travel: A 25-minute flight or a 6–7 hour drive.
• Drop: Your hotel or the airport.
• Overnight: Kathmandu, or your flight home