Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 9 Days
Nine days from Pokhara into the Annapurna Sanctuary — a glacial amphitheatre ringed by 7,000m peaks. Nepal's most rewarding short high-altitude trek.
Trip Facts
| Duration | 9 days (7 trekking days) |
|---|---|
| Max altitude | 4,130m / 13,550ft — Annapurna Base Camp |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Trek start / end | Pokhara |
| Best season | Mar–May, Sep–Nov |
| Accommodation | Teahouse + 2 nights hotel |
| Group size | 2–14 (private departures available) |
| Permits | ACAP + TIMS |
| Daily walking | 5–6 hours |
Overview
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is the most direct route into the high Himalaya that Nepal offers. In nine days you walk from subtropical rice terraces at 1,100m to a glacial basin at 4,130m, enclosed by a wall of peaks that includes Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and the sacred, unclimbed pyramid of Machhapuchhre — the Fishtail. What makes this trek exceptional is the geography. The Annapurna Sanctuary is a natural amphitheatre entered through a single narrow gorge. You spend days walking up that corridor through rhododendron and bamboo forest, seeing only fragments of sky, and then the valley opens and you are standing in a 360-degree ring of mountains with nothing between you and Annapurna I but glacier. Because the trek gains altitude steadily and tops out below 4,200m, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is achievable for trekkers with no previous high-altitude experience — provided you are comfortable walking five to six hours a day for a week. It is also one of the few Nepal treks where a genuine 8,000m base camp fits inside a nine-day holiday, which is why it is our most-booked route. The trail passes through Gurung villages — Chhomrong, Jhinu, Ghandruk — where teahouses are run by the families who have lived on these hillsides for generations. Our descent takes you through the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda, which is the best possible end to a week of walking.
Highlights
- Stand inside the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130m, ringed by Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre
- Sunrise at base camp — the peaks turn gold from the summit down
- Walk through Gurung villages and terraced hillsides of the Modi Khola valley
- Rhododendron forest in full bloom if you trek in March–April
- Natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda on the return leg
- Reach an 8,000m-peak base camp without needing prior altitude experience
Itinerary
Arrive Kathmandu, trek briefing and permit processing
Drive or fly Kathmandu to Pokhara; evening free at Lakeside
Drive Pokhara to jhinu danda and trek to sinuwa
Sinuwa to Bamboo to himalayan
Himalayan to Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp
MBC to Annapurna Base Camp; bamboo
Bambo to jhinu(descend to Jhinu hot springs
Jhinu to Siwai; drive to Pokhara
Fly or drive Pokhara to Kathmandu; final departure
What the Price Includes
Cost Includes
- Airport pick-up and drop-off (private vehicle)
- All ground transport per itinerary
- Teahouse/lodge accommodation throughout the trek (twin share)
- Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu/Pokhara per itinerary (3-star, B&B)
- Three meals a day on trek — breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Tea/coffee with meals on trek
- Government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers, max 25kg)
- All staff wages, insurance, equipment, food and lodging
- All required trekking permits and entry fees
- TIMS card
- Seasonal fresh fruit after dinner
- First aid kit and pulse oximeter carried by guide
- Duffel bag, trekking map and company T-shirt
- All government taxes and service charges
Cost Excludes
- International airfare and Nepal visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory — must cover helicopter evacuation to 6,000m)
- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (except where stated)
- Personal trekking equipment and clothing
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, battery charging and bottled drinks on trek
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses — laundry, phone, souvenirs
- Emergency evacuation costs (recoverable from your insurer)
- Tips for guide and porters
- Anything not listed under "Cost Includes"
Best Time to Trek
The most reliable season. Clear skies, stable weather, firm trails and the sharpest mountain views of the year. Book early; this is peak season on every route.
The second-best window and the finest season for scenery below 4,000m, when rhododendron forests are in full bloom. Warmer nights and longer days, with some afternoon haze building through May.
Clear, quiet and cold. Excellent for lower routes such as Poon Hill, Mardi Himal and Kathmandu Valley. High passes may close under snow.
Wet and leech-prone on most routes, but this is the right season for the rain-shadow trails: Upper Mustang, Nar Phu and Upper Dolpo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moderate. The maximum altitude of 4,130m is manageable for most reasonably fit trekkers, and there is no technical terrain — but you will climb several thousand stone steps between Chhomrong and Bamboo. Two months of hill walking or stair training beforehand makes a large difference.
Yes. It is one of the best first Himalayan treks in Nepal because the altitude stays below 4,200m and teahouses are available every two to three hours. Beginners should consider our 10 or 11-day version, which adds an acclimatisation night.
Two: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card. Both are included in your trek price and we arrange them in Kathmandu or Pokhara before departure.
Mild symptoms are possible above 3,000m. Our itinerary is paced to reduce that risk, your guide carries a pulse oximeter, and we monitor everyone daily. Rapid itineraries of five or six days significantly increase risk — we do not run them.
Ready to Book This Trek?
Departures run year-round on your dates — private groups, couples and solo trekkers all welcome. Tell us your dates and we will send a full quote within 24 hours.
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