Annapurna Base Camp Trek from Pokhara: 13 Days

You reach 4,170 meters without climbing experience or altitude sickness risk.

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a 13-day trek from Pokhara through the Annapurna region to the base camp at 4,170 meters, with an experienced English-speaking guide, porter support, all meals and tea house lodging included. The route climbs from 870 meters at Pokhara to the highest point at Annapurna Base Camp, passing through Ghorepani, Poon Hill (where you watch sunrise over a dozen Himalayan peaks), Chhomrong, and a hot spring at Jhinu Danda on the descent. No technical mountaineering skills are required, and altitude sickness is not a typical concern on this route. The trek includes airport pickup in Kathmandu, two nights in a 3-star hotel before and after trekking, all permits, a duffle bag for the trek, and a farewell dinner with cultural performance in Kathmandu.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival at Kathmandu Airport

• Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport
• Meet company representative
• Transfer to hotel
• Meet trek participants
• Overnight stay at hotel

Day 2 — Drive to Pokhara and explore

• Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara by bus
• Afternoon walk around Fewa Lake
• Overnight stay at hotel

Day 3 — Drive to Nayapul and trek to Tikhedhunga

• Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul
• Trek from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga
• Optional walk up Ulleri hill
• Overnight stay at tea house

Day 4 — Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani

• Steep ascent from Tikhedhunga
• Pass through Ulleri and Banthati villages
• View Machhapuchhare and Annapurna mountains
• Overnight stay at tea house

Day 5 — Trek to Tadapani via Poon Hill

• Early morning hike to Poon Hill
• Enjoy sunrise over Himalayan peaks
• Trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani
• Overnight stay at tea house

Day 6 — Trek from Tadapani to Chhomrong

• Trek through forests and villages
• Arrive at Chhomrong village
• Enjoy views of Annapurna ranges
• Overnight stay at tea house

Day 7 — Trek from Chhomrong to Himalaya

• Descend stone staircase from Chhomrong
• Cross Sinuwa check post
• Trek through bamboo and rhododendron forests
• Arrive at Himalaya village
• Overnight stay at tea house

Day 8 — Trek to Annapurna Base Camp

• Trek through alpine forest
• Approach Annapurna Base Camp
• Enjoy panoramic Himalayan views
• Overnight stay at tea house

Day 9 — Trek from Base Camp to Bamboo

• View sunrise at Annapurna Base Camp
• Trek down to Bamboo village
• Overnight stay at tea house

Day 10 — Trek to Jhinu Danda Hot Spring

• Trek through forests to Kuldi Ghar
• Descend stone staircase to Chhomrong
• Reach Jhinu Danda village
• Walk to hot spring and relax
• Overnight stay at tea house

Day 11 — Trek from Jhinu Danda to Pokhara

• Descend observing waterfalls
• Ascend to Birethanti
• Trek to Nayapul
• Drive to Pokhara
• Overnight stay at hotel

Day 12 — Drive back to Kathmandu and farewell

• Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by bus
• Visit Manakamana cable car area
• Arrive in Kathmandu
• Farewell dinner with cultural show
• Overnight stay at hotel

Day 13 — Departure from Kathmandu

• Transfer to airport
• Prepare for departure flight

The Experience

The trek starts in Pokhara, a six-to-seven-hour drive from Kathmandu where you arrive and spend your first two nights. From Pokhara, you drive to Nayapul and begin trekking to Tikhedhunga, then climb steeply for six to seven hours to Ghorepani at 2,860 meters. The next morning, you hike early to Poon Hill at 3,210 meters to watch sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges—you'll see Mount Annapurna I, Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail), Nilgiri, and a dozen other snowcapped peaks from a single vantage point. This is the signature moment most trekkers come for, and the timing is built into the itinerary so you're there at the right hour.

From Ghorepani, the route descends and climbs through rhododendron and bamboo forests, passing through Tadapani and Chhomrong (a Gorkha village where pizza is a dinner option despite the altitude). You trek down stone staircases into deep forest, cross the Chhomrong Khola, and reach Himalaya at 2,920 meters before the final push to Annapurna Base Camp. That last stretch takes six to seven hours and follows an alpine forest trail with views of Gangapurna, Annapurna South, and Annapurna I opening up as you approach. At the base camp, you stand at 4,170 meters surrounded by glacier and mountain walls, with time to rest and watch sunrise the next morning before descending.

The descent reverses through Bamboo and Jhinu Danda, where you can soak in a natural hot spring at the bank of the Modi Khola—a deliberate inclusion on the way down. From there, you trek to Nayapul and drive back to Pokhara for two nights in a 3-star hotel before the six-to-seven-hour drive back to Kathmandu. Your guide and one porter (shared between two trekkers) handle the route, pacing, and logistics; meals are provided at tea houses and lodges along the way. You return to Kathmandu for a farewell dinner with cultural performance, then transfer to the airport for departure.

What’s included

• Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu.
• four nights in 3-star hotels (two in Kathmandu before the trek, two in Pokhara after).
• an experienced English-speaking guide and porter support (one porter per two trekkers).
• all meals during trekking (breakfast, lunch, and dinner at tea houses).
• all tea house and lodge accommodations on the trail.
• TIMS permit and ACAP conservation area permit.
• a duffle bag for the trek.
• company t-shirt.
• medical first aid kit.
• and a farewell dinner with cultural performance at an authentic Nepalese restaurant in Kathmandu.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Himalayan Adventure Treks and Tours Pvt Ltd

Is this one for you?Start from Pokhara instead of Kathmandu, which cuts out the need to arrange your own transport to the trailhead and lets you begin trekking the same day you arrive in the region—useful if you're traveling without a car or coordinating with others who are flying in separately.

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Top questions

Do I need climbing experience or special fitness to reach Annapurna Base Camp?

No technical climbing skills are required. The trek is graded for moderate fitness—you need to be comfortable walking five to seven hours a day over several days, but the route itself is a hiking trail, not a mountaineering climb. Altitude sickness is not a typical concern on this route, though the operator recommends carrying altitude sickness medicine if it's your first time at high elevation.

What's included in the 13 days, and what do I pay extra for?

The trek includes airport pickup, two nights in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu, the six-to-seven-hour drive to Pokhara, all trekking days with guide and porter, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), tea house lodging, permits, a duffle bag, and a farewell dinner with cultural performance. International airfare, Nepal visa fees (which you can obtain at Kathmandu airport), travel insurance, tips for your guide and porter, and personal expenses like phone calls and extra water are not included.

What is Poon Hill, and why is it part of this trek?

Poon Hill is a viewpoint at 3,210 meters where you hike early in the morning to watch sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. From that single spot, you see Mount Annapurna I, Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail), Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, and many other snowcapped peaks. It's the most photographed sunrise on the Annapurna circuit and is built into the itinerary as a core experience of the trek.

How does the porter system work, and will I carry my own pack?

One porter is assigned for every two trekkers. The porter carries the heavy duffle bag with your belongings, so you trek with only a day pack containing water, snacks, and layers. This arrangement lets you focus on the walk and the views instead of managing a full backpack over steep terrain.

What happens at Jhinu Danda, and why is it on the descent?

Jhinu Danda is a village at 1,750 meters where a natural hot spring sits at the bank of the Modi Khola. On the descent from Annapurna Base Camp, you trek down to Jhinu Danda and can soak in the hot spring to recover—it's a deliberate rest point built into the route to ease the transition from high altitude back to lower elevation.

When is the best time to trek Annapurna Base Camp?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons. These periods offer clear skies, stable weather, and the best visibility of the Himalayan peaks. Winter and monsoon seasons bring snow, rain, and cloud cover that obscure the mountains and make trekking more difficult.