Annapurna Base Camp Trekking - 11 Days | Nepal Guide

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

This is a there-and-back trek to the awe-inspiring Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepal’s second most popular trek after Everest Base Camp. From Annapurna Base Camp at 4130 m, you'll wake up to truly one of the most spectacular views you will ever see. The trek begins at Phedi after a short drive from Pokhara and passes through Gurung villages, rhododendron forests, and stunning river valleys set against the backdrop of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks.

02 / WHY GO

The memorable moments

Highlights

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 9: Trek from Jhinu Danda to Ghandruk Phedi, Drive to Pokhara — This morning, the trail drops down to the river and onward to Ghandruk Phedi where your vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Pokhara. Back in Pokhara, the rest of the day is yours to explore and relax. Day Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu — Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel. Once you've settled in, head out and explore the city. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a great place to start your exploration, where you'll walk through narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, ancient temples, and local restaurants. If you want to stretch your legs, Swayambhunath, the white stupa rising above the valley, is the perfect spot to catch the sunset over the valley. In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes. Day Day 10: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu — After breakfast, you may have time to do more sightseeing, relax, or check out one of Pokhara's coffee shops. About 1.5 hours before your flight, you'll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the domestic airport to catch your flight back to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, you'll be transferred to your hotel and can enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Explore Kathmandu's streets on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip. In the evening, choose from a selection of Nepali, French, Vietnamese, and Middle Eastern dishes in Kathmandu. Day Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, Trek to Landruk (5,085 ft / 1,550 m) — This morning we experience a spectacular half-hour ?ight along the mighty Himalayan Range to Pokhara. After you land, you'll have a scenic drive to Dhampus. From here, you'll trek to Pothana and then veer up the ridge at Deurali to gain magnificent views of the Annapurna range, including Mt. Dhaulagiri, the highest mountain in this region. After enjoying the views and a well-earned rest, you'll descend through forest to the small village of Tolka, a small Gurung settlement rich in culture. Then, head on to Beri Kharka and, from there, the trail descends through scattered forests and villages to reach Landruk. Landruk is a large Gurung village situated above the Modi River. You'll overnight in a local teahouse. Day Day 11: Depart Kathmandu — It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and some final souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. It's best to be at the airport at least two hours prior to departure. Day Day 3: Trek from Landruk to Chomrong (6,693 ft / 2040 m) — The route now climbs quite steeply, high above the river, through bamboo forest and isolated farmsteads. The teahouses at Jhinu provide a welcome opportunity to stop for a drink and a rest on this long, hot climb. Ascending farther along a treeless ridge, you come to Taglung and just a short distance beyond this is Chomrong. From this Gurung village, there is a great view of Annapurna South, as well as impressive views of Machhapuchhare. Day Day 4: Trek from Chomrong to Himalaya Hotel (8,793 ft / 2680 m) — After dropping down to the Chomrong Khola on steep stone steps, the trail climbs again, initially through terraced fields and then through a forest of bamboo and rhododendron. Today's walk is always either up or down on steep paths which are often paved. Sometimes there are views of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare ahead, but often the forest is too thick to allow more than a tantalizing glimpse. After reaching the village of Khuldigar, you descend a stone staircase to a section of exceptionally thick bamboo forest which leads to the settlement known as "Bamboo Lodge". From here, you climb steeply through bamboo and rhododendron forest, following the trail high above the river to day's end at Himalaya Hotel. Day Day 5: Trek from Himalaya Hotel to Machapuchare Base Camp (11,811 ft / 3600 m) — After a steep climb, you soon reach a fire-blackened overhang which has been walled-in to make a small lodge. This place is known as Hinku Cave. The trail rises continually now, as you near the entrance to the Sanctuary. Passing the lodges at Deorali and Bagar, you arrive at the level and grassy moraine platform known as Machapuchare Base Camp. Day Day 6: Trek from Machapuchare Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp (13,550 feet / 4,130 m) — You'll wake up and have breakfast in Machapuchare Base Camp and then set out for Annapurna Base Camp. Any living vegetation that you may have encountered on previous days will likely be replaced with snow, rocks, and boulders. Dress warm and take the trail slowly so you can acclimatize to the higher elevation. The path widens as you enter the Annapurna Sanctuary, follows a stream, and then continues uphill. You'll enjoy a rewarding finish with unobstructed views of Machapuchare, Annapurna south, Annapurna I, Hiuchuli, and other peaks. Day Day 7: Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Himalaya Hotel — Today. retrace your steps back to Himalaya Hotel. Day Day 8: Trek from Himalaya Hotel to Jhinu Danda (5,840 ft / 1780 m) — Today, retrace your steps as far as Jhinu Danda. In the afternoon, you'll have the chance to relax in the natural hot springs about a 15-minute walk down (and half-hour walk back up) from the teahouse. It's well worth the walk, and there's a small shed to change clothes in and the hot springs have simple cement slabs to contain the water. Day Day 9: Trek from Jhinu Danda to Ghandruk Phedi, Drive to Pokhara — This morning, the trail drops down to the river and onward to Ghandruk Phedi where your vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Pokhara. Back in Pokhara, the rest of the day is yours to explore and relax. Day Day 10: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu — After breakfast, you may have time to do more sightseeing, relax, or check out one of Pokhara's coffee shops. About 1.5 hours before your flight, you'll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the domestic airport to catch your flight back to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, you'll be transferred to your hotel and can enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Explore Kathmandu's streets on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip. In the evening, choose from a selection of Nepali, French, Vietnamese, and Middle Eastern dishes in Kathmandu. Day Day 11: Depart Kathmandu — It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and some final souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. It's best to be at the airport at least two hours prior to departure.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 9Trek from Jhinu Danda to Ghandruk Phedi, Drive to Pokhara — This morning, the trail drops down to the river and onward to Ghandruk Phedi where your vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Pokhara.+