Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Tea Houses, Local Guides & All Meals

Summary

Trekking to annapurna base camp through villages and forests

You’ll trek from Kathmandu through Gurung villages and forests toward Annapurna Base Camp with a local guide and porter team. Expect early mornings with mountain views, tea house stays with warm meals, and small surprises—like sharing salty butter tea during a rainstorm or hearing folk songs before sunrise.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember the steam rising off my morning tea in Ghorepani — the mug warming my hands while the sky behind Machapuchare started turning that weird pinkish orange. It was too early for words, so we just watched in silence, except for Dawa (our guide) quietly humming something. I think it was a folk song? The air smelled like woodsmoke and wet earth. My boots were still damp from the day before, but honestly, I didn’t even care at that point.

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a lot of up and down — literally, but also emotionally. We’d pass through Gurung villages where kids would wave or just stare at us (one tried to sell me a boiled egg for 10 rupees — I bought it). The stone steps near Ulleri nearly broke my knees, and I almost gave up counting them after a while. Lunches were always dal bhat with hot chilies on the side. Dawa kept telling us “Dal bhat power, 24 hour,” which made us laugh every time even though it’s kind of true.

One afternoon near Bamboo, it rained hard enough that everything smelled green — like moss and leaves smashed together underfoot. We ducked into a tea house where an old man poured us salty butter tea (not my favorite taste, but you have to try it). My friend slipped on a rock and laughed so hard she almost cried. The porters just grinned at us like they’d seen this a thousand times. At night the rooms were cold but the blankets heavy; sometimes you could hear distant bells or someone coughing in another room.

Reaching Annapurna Base Camp itself felt strange — not triumphant exactly, more like quiet awe. There’s prayer flags everywhere flapping in wind that smells sharp and clean. Everyone takes photos but then just stands around looking at the peaks because what else can you do? On the way back down to Pokhara my legs felt wobbly but lighter somehow. Even now when I smell woodsmoke or hear Nepali music by accident, I think about those mornings above the clouds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer

• Arrive in Kathmandu
• Visit Pasupatinath temple
• Transfer to hotel

Day 2 — Travel to Pokhara and sightseeing

• Travel to Pokhara by tourist bus
• Visit Pokhara lake
• Check in Hotel Pokhara View

Day 3 — Drive to Ulleri and trek to Ghorepani

• Drive to Ulleri
• Enter Annapurna Conservation Area at Birethanti
• Trek to Ghorepani
• Stay at Tea House Hotel

Day 4 — Climb Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani

• Climb Poon Hill viewpoint
• Trek to Tadapani
• Stay at Tea House Lodge

Day 5 — Trek to Chhomrong village

• Trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani
• Trek to Chhomrong
• Stay at Tea House Lodge

Day 6 — Trek to Bamboo village

• Trek to Bamboo
• Stay at Tea House Lodge

Day 7 — Trek to Deurali village

• Trek to Deurali
• Stay at Mountain Tea House

Day 8 — Trek to Annapurna Base Camp

• Trek to Annapurna Base Camp
• Stay at Mountain Tea House

Day 9 — Trek to Sinuwa village

• Trek to Sinuwa
• Stay at Mountain Tea House

Day 10 — Trek to Kewi and drive to Pokhara

• Trek to Kewi
• Drive to Pokhara
• Stay at Mountain Tea House

Day 11 — Return to Kathmandu by bus

• Travel to Kathmandu by tourist bus

Day 12 — Final international departure

• Depart for home

Top questions

How long does the Annapurna Base Camp trek take?

The trek usually takes between 10 to 14 days including travel from Kathmandu.

Are meals included during the Annapurna Base Camp trek?

Yes, all meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) are included during the trek.

Is accommodation provided on the Annapurna Base Camp trek?

You’ll stay in tea houses along the trekking route plus hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Is pickup included for this Annapurna Base Camp trek?

Yes, airport/hotel pickup and drop-off by private vehicle are included.

Do I need permits for the Annapurna Base Camp trek?

Yes—your TIMS Card and ACAP Permit are arranged as part of your booking.

What is the highest altitude reached on this trek?

The highest point is Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 meters above sea level.

Are guides and porters included on this trek?

A licensed professional trekking guide and expert local porter are included throughout your journey.

What kind of food will I eat on this trek?

You’ll mostly eat traditional Nepali dishes like dal bhat plus some snacks at tea houses along the way.

What’s included

Your journey includes airport pickup and drop-off by private car or van, all necessary trekking permits (TIMS Card and ACAP), two nights’ hotel stay in both Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast, all meals during your days on the trail (with hot drinks), nightly accommodation in cozy tea houses along the route, plus guidance from a licensed trekking guide with support from local porters—so you can focus on each step without worrying about logistics or where your next meal’s coming from.