14-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek from Kathmandu

Walk from Kathmandu's temples to the Himalayas: time in the valley, time on the trail, a soak in natural hot springs.

A 14-day trek from Kathmandu to Annapurna Base Camp combines sightseeing in the UNESCO sites of the valley with a high-altitude trek through the Annapurna Conservation Area. You start with two days exploring Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, then drive to Pokhara and trek nine days to the base camp at 4,130m, descending through Jhinu's natural hot springs before returning to Kathmandu. Private transport, an English-speaking guide and all lodge accommodation are included; sleeping bags and down jackets are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Kathmandu and welcome dinner

• Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport
• Transfer to hotel
• Stroll in Thamel
• Attend welcome dinner with company representatives

Day 2 — Kathmandu sightseeing and trek preparation

• Tour major UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Visit Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, and Boudhanath
• Lunch at authentic Nepali diners
• Arrange trek permits and documents
• Overnight in Kathmandu

Day 3 — Drive to Pokhara city

• Drive along Prithvi Highway to Pokhara
• Enjoy views of hills, mountains, and rivers
• Explore Phewa Lake, Mahendra Cave, and Davis Falls
• Overnight in Pokhara

Day 4 — Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri

• Drive to Nayapul by private vehicle
• Trek through Birethanti and Tikhedhunga
• Cross suspension bridge and ascend stone staircase
• Experience ethnic Magar culture in Ulleri
• Overnight in Ulleri

Day 5 — Trek to Ghorepani village

• Trek to Banthanti for lunch
• Continue trek to Ghorepani village
• View Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges
• Overnight in Ghorepani

Day 6 — Sunrise at Poonhill and trek to Tadapani

• Early morning hike to Poonhill for sunrise
• Descend to Ghorepani for breakfast
• Trek to Tadapani Gurung village
• Experience Gurung culture and homestay
• Overnight in Tadapani

Day 7 — Trek to Chhomrong village

• Descend to Kimrong Khola
• Climb through Modi valley forest
• Stop for lunch at Talung Gurung village
• Climb staircase to Chhomrong
• Overnight in Chhomrong

Day 8 — Trek to Himalaya village

• Cross Chhomrong Khola
• Ascend to Sinuwa settlement
• Pass through rhododendron and oak forests
• Lunch at Bamboo
• Climb to Himalaya village
• Overnight in Himalaya

Day 9 — Trek to Annapurna Base Camp

• Trek through alpine scrub and bushes
• Explore Hinku cave
• Visit Machhapuchhre Base Camp viewpoint
• Arrive at Annapurna Base Camp
• Observe Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu mountains
• Overnight at Annapurna Base Camp

Day 10 — Descend to Bamboo village

• Enjoy morning views of Himalayas
• Descend from ABC to Bamboo
• Overnight in Bamboo

Day 11 — Trek to Jhinu Danda hot springs

• Climb to Khuldighar sheep farm
• Descend through rhododendron fields to Sinuwa
• Ascend steeply to Jhinu
• Relax at natural hot springs
• Overnight in Jhinu

Day 12 — Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara

• Descend to Birethanti
• Lunch at Birethanti
• Walk to Nayapul
• Transfer to hotel in Pokhara
• Overnight in Pokhara

Day 13 — Return to Kathmandu

• Visit Phewa Lake and World Peace Pagoda
• Drive back to Kathmandu
• Explore Kathmandu or rest
• Shop for souvenirs at Thamel
• Overnight in Kathmandu

Day 14 — Departure from Kathmandu

• Breakfast at hotel
• Brief session with company representative
• Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport

The Experience

The trip opens in Kathmandu with airport pickup and a welcome dinner, then a full day sightseeing the valley's major temples—Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath—by private vehicle with your guide. The company arranges all permits while you're in the city. On day three you drive six to seven hours along the Prithvi Highway to Pokhara, watching the landscape shift from the valley floor through lush green hills and river valleys.

The trek itself begins at Nayapul and climbs steadily through Magar and Gurung settlements. The first days take you through stone staircases and suspension bridges to Ghorepani, where you wake before dawn on day six to hike Poonhill for sunrise over the Annapurna range—one of the world's recognized viewpoints. From there the trail descends and climbs through rhododendron and oak forests, passing through villages like Chhomrong and Himalaya. The vegetation thins as you gain elevation; by the time you reach Annapurna Base Camp on day nine, only alpine scrub remains. At 4,130m, the base camp sits below the colossal faces of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu, and you spend the night there among other trekkers and mountaineers.

The descent takes three days, mostly downhill through Bamboo to Jhinu Danda, where natural hot springs let you soak tired legs before the final walk back to Nayapul. Your guide and private transport meet you there for the drive back to Pokhara. On the last full day you return to Kathmandu by road—six hours through typical hilly highway scenery—with time to explore Phewa Lake and the World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara, or shop for souvenirs in Thamel before your departure flight.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara and return.
• English-speaking guide for all 14 days and his meals and accommodation.
• all lodge stays on the trek and 3-star hotel nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
• sleeping bags and down jackets.
• first aid kit.
• all permits, fees and taxes.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Nepal Treks and Tour

Is this one for you?Book this trek if you're arriving in Kathmandu without a car or plans yet—pickup from the airport is included, and the guide meets you there, so you step off the plane into an organized itinerary. The 14-day span lets you acclimatize in the valley before climbing, which matters at altitude; the descent through hot springs gives your body recovery time before the long drive home.

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Top questions

What's the elevation gain like on the trek to Annapurna Base Camp?

The trek climbs from 1,300m in Kathmandu to 4,130m at Annapurna Base Camp over nine days of walking. The ascent is gradual—you gain roughly 600m per day on average—but the final days above 3,000m bring noticeable altitude. The descent is faster, mostly downhill over three days.

Do I need mountaineering experience to reach Annapurna Base Camp?

Annapurna Base Camp is a trekking destination, not a climbing peak, so no mountaineering skills are needed. The trail is well-established and used by trekkers of varying experience. You do need moderate physical fitness and acclimatization time; the company recommends at least moderate cardiovascular health for the altitude and daily walking distances.

What's included in the 14 days, and what do I need to arrange myself?

The trek includes private transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back, an English-speaking guide for the entire journey, all lodge accommodation, sleeping bags and down jackets, permits, and all fees and taxes. You choose whether to add Nepal visa fees and tips for your guide, porter and driver at checkout. Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately.

How long are the actual trekking days, and do I trek every day?

Trekking days range from three to six hours of walking, depending on the route and elevation. You trek nine consecutive days from Nayapul to Annapurna Base Camp and back to Nayapul. Before that, you spend two days sightseeing by vehicle in Kathmandu and one driving to Pokhara; after the trek, you drive back to Pokhara and then to Kathmandu, with a final day for departure.

What are the hot springs at Jhinu like, and how much time do you spend there?

Jhinu Danda sits at 1,780m and has natural hot springs fed by geothermal water. You arrive there on day eleven after descending from the base camp, and you have the evening and night to soak and relax before trekking out the next morning. The springs are a well-known stop on the trek and offer relief for tired muscles after nine days of climbing and descent.

What's the weather and temperature range I should expect?

The trek crosses multiple climate zones. In Kathmandu and Pokhara (below 1,000m), expect warm days and cool nights. On the trail, temperatures drop as you climb—Ghorepani and Tadapani (around 2,800–3,200m) are cool and can be cold at night. At Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), nights are freezing and snow is visible on the upper trail. The company provides sleeping bags and down jackets to manage the cold.