15 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Your 15 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek officially begins the moment you touch down at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Our representative will be waiting at the arrival terminal to greet you and manage your transfer to a comfortable hotel. Kathmandu is a bustling, sensory-rich city where ancient heritage meets modern chaos. After checking into your room and freshening up, you will meet with your trekking guide for a comprehensive pre-trip briefing. We will review the gear checklist, finalize your permits, and discuss trail safety. The rest of the afternoon is yours to wander through the narrow streets, exchange currency, or rest.

Following a hearty hotel breakfast, you will join an experienced local city guide for a dedicated tour of the Kathmandu Valley's most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will visit the sacred Hindu temple complex of Pashupatinath, located on the banks of the Bagmati River. Next, you will marvel at the massive Buddhist mandala of Boudhanath Stupa, a center for Tibetan culture in Nepal. The tour also includes the ancient architecture of Bhaktapur Durbar. This cultural immersion provides vital context for the religious traditions you will witness in the mountains. In the evening, finalize any last-minute gear rentals.

Leave the Kathmandu Valley behind as you board a comfortable tourist bus for the overland journey to Pokhara. The drive follows the winding Prithvi Highway, tracing the steep banks of the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers. The landscape transitions from terraced agricultural hillsides to deep river gorges, offering glimpses of rural Nepalese life. Upon arriving in the lakeside city of Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna region, you will be instantly greeted by the crisp air and the towering reflection of Mount Machhapuchhre in the waters of Phewa Lake. Check into your hotel and spend the evening enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the Lakeside district.

Today, after breakfast, we drive to Nayapul (New Bridge) for about 2 hours by our private cars with the driver to start our trek. From Nayapul, we follow the south bank of the river. After several hours, we pass through the sub-tropical valley forests, sometimes on the carved trail on the side of the cliff. We are continuing and crossing the Modi Khola River via a suspension bridge to the village of Tikhedhunga for the night. If the time allows, we can trek further along the trail, quite steep at times, and reach Ulleri by late afternoon for the overnight, ensuring your comfort and convenience throughout the journey and making you feel reassured that you are well taken care of. This initial day of walking is intentionally paced to help your muscles adapt to the trail conditions.

We make our ascent to the Ghorepani village. The name Ghorepani in Nepali means horse water, owing to its role as an important campsite for the traders before it became a trekker's teahouse. Ghorepani is an interesting place with small shops and stalls selling local products and crafts. The town has two parts: one is a saddle and the other is a few hundred feet lower. Since Ghorepani lies relatively higher than a previous stop, we begin to feel the chilly weather, especially in the evenings. We overnight in Ghorepani with a beautiful view of the Annapurna & Dhaulagiri mountain range, a sight that will leave you awe-inspired and amazed at the beauty of nature.

Wake up before dawn and switch on your headlamp for a brisk, 45-minute uphill hike to the summit of Poon Hill (3,210m). As the sun breaks over the horizon, it paints the towering peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, and Machhapuchhre in brilliant shades of gold and pink. After absorbing this world-class panorama, descend back to Ghorepani for a well-earned breakfast. Pack your bags and continue the trek, climbing a high ridge that offers more continuous mountain views before plunging into a damp, moss-covered pine and rhododendron forest. The trail features several steep descents and ascents before finally arriving at the peaceful forest clearing of Tadapani.

Departing Tadapani, the trail drops sharply through dense, shadowy forests down to the Kimrong Khola river. After crossing a suspension bridge, you will face a steep, switchbacking ascent up the opposite side of the valley to the village of Gurjung. The path then contours gently around the hillside, offering sweeping views of the upper Modi Khola valley, before arriving at Chhomrong. Chhomrong is the largest and most significant Gurung settlement on this route, spreading beautifully across the mountainside. From your teahouse window, you will have an incredibly dominant, unobstructed view of Annapurna South and the jagged peak of Mount Machhapuchhre directly across the gorge.

The day begins with a massive descent down a long stone staircase to the Chhomrong Khola. Once you cross the bridge, you must immediately regain all the lost elevation by climbing steeply up to the ridge at Sinuwa. From Sinuwa, the trail enters the deep, narrow V-shaped gorge of the upper Modi Khola. You are now officially entering the Annapurna Sanctuary restricted zone. The path weaves through dense, unbroken stands of bamboo, oak, and fern forests. The temperature drops noticeably as you pass through the damp settlement of Dovan and continue climbing steadily alongside the roaring glacial river until you reach the small cluster of teahouses known as Himalaya.

This is the pinnacle of the itinerary. The trees thin out into sparse alpine scrub as you hike past the Hinku Cave and tackle the avalanche-prone moraine trails leading to Deurali. As you push past Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC), the narrow gorge dramatically widens, revealing the breathtaking Annapurna Sanctuary. The final push to Annapurna Base Camp takes you across a high-altitude glacial basin with sparse vegetation. Upon arriving at the ABC signboards at 4,130 meters, you are rewarded with a mind-blowing, 360-degree amphitheater of vertical ice and rock, dominated by the colossal, near-vertical South Face of Annapurna I. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the Himalayas.

Wake up early to witness the sun illuminating the sanctuary walls, an experience that highlights the raw scale of the Himalayas. After taking your final photographs at base camp and enjoying a hot breakfast, it is time to turn around and begin the long descent. Because you are dropping in elevation, your breathing will become significantly easier, allowing you to cover ground quickly. You will retrace your steps past MBC, Deurali, and Himalaya, watching the landscape shift from barren glacial moraine back into the lush, green bamboo forests. The day concludes in the deeply shaded, riverside settlement of Bamboo, providing a warmer and highly oxygenated night of sleep.

Continue your descent through the forest, navigating the short, sharp climb back up to Sinuwa ridge. From Sinuwa, you drop steeply back down to the Chhomrong Khola, cross the bridge, and face the grueling stone staircase leading back up to Chhomrong village. After stopping for a hearty lunch and enjoying the familiar views of Annapurna South, the trail diverts from the incoming route. You will follow a steep, descending path straight down the hillside to the settlement of Jhinu Danda. After checking into your room, take a 20-minute walk down to the Modi Khola riverbanks to soak your tired legs in the therapeutic, natural thermal hot springs.

Your final day on the trekking trails involves a relatively straightforward walk along the right side of the Modi Khola valley. The route undulates through scattered hillside farms, terraced fields, and small settlements like Birethanti. The climate becomes noticeably warmer and more humid as you drop back into the subtropical zone. Upon reaching Nayapul, you will officially sign out at the ACAP checkpoint, marking the successful completion of your Annapurna Base Camp Trek. A private vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to the comforts of Pokhara. Spend the evening enjoying a celebratory dinner, a hot shower, and a comfortable hotel bed.

This entire day is dedicated to relaxation and exploration in the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara. With your grueling trek behind you, you can take advantage of the city's numerous cafes, bakeries, and massage spas. For those who still have energy, you can hire a small wooden boat to row across Phewa Lake and hike up to the brilliant white World Peace Pagoda for stunning views of the city and the Annapurna range. Alternatively, you can visit the International Mountain Museum, explore the depths of Gupteshwor Cave, or simply sit by the lake and reflect on the immense journey you just accomplished in the mountains.

After breakfast at your Pokhara hotel, you will board the tourist bus for the scenic overland return journey to the capital city. The drive provides a final opportunity to observe the rural landscapes, suspension bridges, and rushing rivers that define Nepal's mid-hills. Upon arriving in Kathmandu in the late afternoon, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Thamel. You have the rest of the evening to engage in last-minute souvenir shopping for pashminas, singing bowls, or trekking gear. Himalayan Planet Adventures will host a farewell dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant, complete with local cuisine and cultural dance performances to celebrate your success.

Your 15 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek concludes today. Depending on your international flight schedule, you may have time for a final cup of Himalayan coffee or a quick walk through the colorful alleys of Thamel. A representative from Himalayan Planet Adventures will meet you at your hotel and provide a private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport, ensuring you arrive three hours before your scheduled departure. As you board your flight and look down over the Kathmandu Valley, you will carry home incredible memories of the Annapurna Sanctuary, the Gurung people, and your successful journey through the high Himalayas.