Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Guided Nepal Trek with Hot Springs

Summary

Pokhara to Annapurna Base Camp: Local Villages & Mountain Trails

If you want real mountain adventure mixed with village life—and maybe a soak in natural hot springs—the Annapurna Base Camp trek covers it all: epic views, friendly locals, tough climbs balanced by warm meals in cozy teahouses, plus time to explore both Kathmandu and Pokhara along the way.

What’s the experience like?

Landing in Kathmandu, the city’s energy hits you right away—motorbikes weaving through Thamel’s narrow lanes, the smell of incense drifting from tiny shops. Our airport pickup was easy; I remember our driver chatting about his favorite momo stall near Garden of Dreams. That first night at Hotel Florid Nepal, I barely slept—half nerves, half excitement for what was coming.

The next morning, we boarded a tourist bus to Pokhara. It’s a long ride (six hours if you’re lucky with traffic), but watching the Trishuli River snake alongside the road and seeing locals selling oranges at every stop made it feel less like a chore. In Lakeside Pokhara, the air felt softer somehow—maybe it was the lake breeze or just being away from Kathmandu’s buzz.

Our trek started after a short drive to Nayapul. The first day felt gentle enough—walking along the Modi River past tiny teahouses where kids waved and asked for “chocolate?” But Ulleri’s stone steps? They’re no joke. I lost count somewhere after 1,000. Still, reaching that Magar village at the top felt like a win. The tea house there served up dal bhat that tasted extra good after all those stairs.

The trail from Ulleri to Ghorepani winds through forests thick with rhododendrons and oaks—if you hit it in spring, everything glows pink and red. Banthanti is one of those blink-and-you-miss-it stops, but our guide insisted we try some local chiya (sweet milk tea) before pushing on. Ghorepani itself is all about mountain views—you’ll see trekkers comparing sunrise plans for Poon Hill over plates of fried noodles.

Poon Hill is worth the early wake-up. We left before dawn with headlamps on, following a line of quiet hikers up the hill. At the top, everyone goes silent when the sun hits Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South—it’s not just about photos; it’s this hush that settles over the crowd for a few minutes.

After breakfast back in Ghorepani, we headed toward Tadapani and then Chhomrong—a Gurung village perched right under Annapurna South. The path dips through forests alive with birdsong (and sometimes leeches if it’s rainy). Crossing suspension bridges here always gave me butterflies; they sway just enough to keep things interesting.

The next stretch took us down stone steps to Chhomrong Khola and up again through Sinuwa and Bamboo—names that fit their surroundings perfectly. The bamboo forest here feels damp and cool even when midday sun is out; you can hear water trickling somewhere nearby but never quite see it.

Between Dovan and Deurali, there’s this rule: no loud talking because of a temple hidden in the trees. It makes everything quieter—the only sounds are boots on gravel and distant waterfalls tumbling down cliffsides. We stopped at Himalaya for tea; by then my legs were tired but seeing glacial rivers sparkling below kept me moving.

Reaching Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) was surreal—suddenly you’re surrounded by peaks on all sides, snow crunching underfoot even in late spring. The last push to Annapurna Base Camp itself is wider and more open; guides warn about avalanche zones so everyone sticks together here. Standing at ABC (4,131m), I just sat down for a while, letting cold air sting my cheeks while watching clouds drift around Machhapuchhre’s sharp summit.

The way back down moves faster—retracing steps through Bamboo and Sinuwa until Jhinu Danda appears like an oasis. There’s nothing like soaking your feet in Jhinu’s hot springs after days on rocky trails; steam rising off the pools as locals chat quietly nearby makes it feel almost sacred.

The final walk out follows Modi River again before we catch our ride back to Pokhara—a last look at terraced fields dotted with buffaloes grazing lazily in afternoon sun. Back in Kathmandu, we had time for one last stop at Pashupatinath Temple before heading home—a quick photo op among saffron-robed sadhus and monkeys darting between shrines.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Kathmandu

• Meet at Tribhuwan International Airport and transfer to hotel
• Rest or office briefing

Day 2 — Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara

• Drive to Pokhara by tourist bus with lunch stop
• Overnight at guesthouse in Pokhara

Day 3 — Drive to Nayapul and Trek to Ulleri

• Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul (1 hour)
• Trek from Nayapul to Ulleri via Birethani, Hille, Tikhedhunga
• Overnight in lodge/tea house

Day 4 — Trek Ulleri to Ghorepani

• Trek through rhododendron and oak forests to Ghorepani
• Overnight in lodge/tea house

Day 5 — Poonhill Sunrise and Trek to Tadapani

• Sunrise hike to Poonhill viewpoint
• Trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani
• Overnight in lodge/tea house

Day 6 — Trek Tadapani to Chhomrong

• Trek down and climb to Gurung village Gurjung and Chhomrong
• Overnight in lodge/tea house

Day 7 — Trek Chhomrong to Dovan

• Descend to Chhomrong Khola, climb to Sinuwa, trek to Bamboo and descend to Dovan
• Overnight in lodge/tea house

Day 8 — Trek Dovan to Deurali

• Trek through bamboo and rhododendron forests, pass waterfalls, ascend to Deurali
• Overnight in lodge/tea house

Day 9 — Trek Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp

• Trek via river bed and climb to Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp
• Overnight in lodge/tea house

Day 10 — Trek ABC to Sinuwa

• Return trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Sinuwa
• Overnight in lodge/tea house

Day 11 — Trek Sinuwa to Jhinu Hill

• Trek to Jhinu Hill with lunch stop at Chhumrung
• Overnight in lodge/tea house

Day 12 — Trek Jhinu Hill to Nayapul and Drive to Pokhara

• Visit natural hot springs near Jhinu Danda
• Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara
• Overnight at hotel in Pokhara

Day 13 — Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu

• Lunch stop during drive back to Kathmandu
• Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu

Day 14 — Transfer to Kathmandu Airport

• Drive via Pashupatinath Temple with photo stop

Top questions

How difficult is the Annapurna Base Camp trek?

You’ll need moderate fitness since there are steep climbs (like Ulleri) and long days walking 4-7 hours daily. Guides help set a comfortable pace for most travelers.

Are hot showers available during the trek?

Some tea houses offer basic hot showers for an extra fee—usually heated by gas or solar power—but don’t expect luxury everywhere above Chhomrong.

What should I pack for this trek?

You’ll want sturdy hiking boots, layers for changing weather (it gets cold above Deurali), rain gear if trekking outside dry season, snacks, sunscreen, water purification tablets—and don’t forget flip-flops for hot springs!

Is altitude sickness common on this route?

The risk exists above 2,500m but most people acclimatize well if they follow guide advice: go slow and drink plenty of water.

What’s included

Your trip includes an experienced local guide who knows every shortcut (and best tea spots), all taxes/fees handled up front so there are no surprises later on, round-trip transfers between cities by tourist bus or private vehicle as listed in your itinerary, plus overnight stays at hotels or cozy lodges along each stage of your journey—including nights in Thamel/Kathmandu and Lakeside/Pokhara before and after trekking days.