Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary: 6, 7 & 8 Days (+Map)
Want to plan your Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary?
I spent almost 2 weeks solo trekking in the Annapurna region and the Annapurna Base Camp was one of the highlights of my trek! I loved being in nature, see the mountains, and meet other travellers but was also proud to have made it to ABC!
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek can be completed between 5-8 days, but I recommend going for a 7-day itinerary. A 7-day ABC itinerary is perfect as the trek can be difficult at times, but with 7 days, you don’t have to push yourself too hard.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek route usually starts in Ghandruk, and you go through the villages of Chhomrong, Dovan, Deurali, MBC and finally ABC at 4,130 m (13,550 feet). If you feel fine at high altitude, I recommend staying the night at ABC, as it is really magical to be right there for the sunrise!
Below are 3 itinerary options for the ABC trek in Nepal, however, they can be customized to fit your fitness level and trekking experience. So, the below itineraries serve more as a guide than a hard and fast rule.
➡️ 1-11 November 2026
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Information
Annapurna Base Camp Difficulty
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is moderate difficulty. The Annapurna region in Nepal is known for its many stairs going up and down along the trekking routes, so it is hard on the knees.
The weather is also unpredictable, and in just one day, you can experience hot sunny weather, rain, snow and hailstorm. This means to make your trek more comfortable, you should prepare for all types of weather.
Overall, I would say the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is not too difficult. It gains altitude gradually, and if you plan your trek in a way that you only trek for around 5 hours a day (plus, lunch and snack breaks), then it is not too hard to complete it even if it’s your first time trekking.
Annapurna Base Camp Altitude
The altitude of Annapurna Base Camp is 4,130 meters (13,550 feet).
There are teahouses right at Annapurna Base Camp, so if you feel good at high altitude, then you can even stay the night and be right there the next morning for sunrise.
I met another trekker who told me stories of how he trekked ABC 15 years ago and at that time there were not even teahouses at ABC. Due to the increasing number of trekkers, they built the teahouses at ABC in the last 15 years.
If you feel fine with altitude, I recommend staying at ABC for a night, it is really incredible!
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits
Foreigners have to get the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for trekking the Annapurna Base Camp, which costs Rs. 3,000 (USD 22).
You can get the ACAP at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu, the ACAP office in Pokhara, or online.
The online system was recently introduced and you can only get the permits for treks in the Annapurna, Manaslu, and Gaurishankar regions.
Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Guide Rule
It is not mandatory to have a guide for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, and if you are an experienced trekker, it is fine to trek it solo.
However, if it is your first time in Nepal or going on a trek, I recommend hiring a guide. Having a guide ensures your safety, and you can learn more about Nepali culture through your guide.
Nepal tried to implement a rule to make guides mandatory in 2023, however, it was never enforced. Since then, at the start of every trekking season, they bring out this rule but in reality, it is still not enforced.
I trekked ABC solo, but I have done other treks in Nepal before, so I felt confident to do so. ABC is a popular trekking route, and you never really feel alone as you meet other groups as well as solo trekkers on the trail.
Network Coverage
Network coverage is mostly non-existent above 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) for NCell SIM card users. However, all teahouses have wi-fi available which you have to pay around Rs. 300 (USD 2) to get access.
Generally, Namaste (Nepal Telecom) has better coverage in the mountains. So, if you are considering getting a Nepali SIM card, make sure to go for Nepal Telecom.
Best Time for Annapurna Base Camp
The best time for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is in Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March-April).
Autumn and Spring generally have clear skies and good weather (or I would say better weather than Winter or Monsoon). However, weather patterns can be unpredictable, and you can have rain and clouds even in April.
Autumn and Spring are the main trekking seasons in Nepal and so the trails can get very busy with tour groups. In Autumn, Nepal also has its biggest festival time (Dashain and Tihar), when a lot of Nepali people also go on treks – which makes it even busier on the trails.
If you are planning to trek in Nepal in the Autumn, I would recommend to trek towards the end of November – beginning of December. Generally, the first half of December has still good weather for trekking and it is a less busy time, so you get to enjoy being in nature more.
To avoid the crowds in the Spring, you can consider trekking in the beginning of Spring (mid-February to early March).
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Map
The Annapurna Base Camp trek route goes through the villages of Ghandruk, Chhomrong, Sinuwa, Bamboo, Dovan, Himalaya, Deurali, MBC and ABC.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary: 6, 7 & 8 Days
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek can be done in 6, 7 or 8 days, however, travellers who are very fit and are short on time, could even finish it in 5 days.
I recommend trekking ABC for around 6-7 days. A 7-day Annapurna Base Camp trek is the most ideal, as it is not too rushed to feel completely exhausted and you have time to take in the views.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek mostly used to start from Nayapul, however, in recent years, it is worth taking a jeep to Ghandruk and start the trek from there.
The road from Nayapul to Ghandruk is a jeep road and honestly not very enjoyable to trek it. Apparently, there is also a trail along the villages, but it is not well marked and easy to get lost if you trek solo.
Most tour groups go on the jeep road, and I don’t think it is worth to walk on the dusty jeep road. So, you might as well take a jeep to Ghandruk.
Overall, depending on your fitness level, you can go as fast or as slow as you feel good about. Even if you have a guide, the guide can adjust the itinerary to fit the trekkers fitness level.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek 6 Days
Completing ABC in 6 days can feel a bit rushed, but if you are short on time, it is possible to trek it in 6 days.
Usually, people save time by taking the jeep to Ghandruk early morning (6-7 am) and then trek to Chhomrong the same day. Ghandruk is a nice village with good views and culture, so if you have more time, it is worth it to spend 1 night there.
Some travellers also complete ABC in less than 6 days, however, I don’t recommend it. The trekkers who complete it in 4-5 days are usually Nepali travellers who are short on time and rush through the trek just to see ABC.
If you are not in a rush, it is better to trek ABC in around 7 days, so you have time to take in the views and nature. Also, if you go up too fast, you risk getting altitude sickness, so it is not worth to rush it.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek 6 Days Itinerary
- Day 1: Pokhara to Ghandruk by jeep, then trek to Chhomrong (2 hours jeep ride to Ghandruk (2,000 m/6,560 ft). Trek from Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2,200 m/7,220 ft), 7.7 km, 4.5 hours walking.
- Day 2: Chhomrong to Dovan (2,600 m/8,530 ft): 9.5 km, 5.5 hours walking.
- Day 3: Dovan to Deurali (3,230 m/10,600 ft): 4.8 km, 4.5 hours walking.
- Day 4: Deurali to ABC (4,130 m/13,550 ft): 6.7 km, 4.5 hours walking
- Day 5: ABC to Upper Sinuwa (2,360 m/7,740 ft): 15 km, 7 hours walking
- Day 6: Upper Sinuwa to Jhinu Danda (1,730 m/5,680 ft), jeep back to Pokhara: 3 hours walking (4 km), 3 hours jeep.
This 6-day Annapurna Base Camp itinerary starts by taking a jeep to Ghandruk.
The jeeps go from Hari Chowk (Pokhara) from 5 am in the morning and they are sharing jeep. It means that you don’t have to pre-book a ticket, you can just turn up and once the jeep is full, it leaves for Ghandruk.
Once you get to Ghandruk, it is good to stop for a quick break and gain some energy before starting the trek to Chhomrong.
The second day of the trek (Chhomrong to Sinuwa to Bamboo) is pretty strenuous as you go through a lot of steps that go up and down. It is also in a section of the trail that is not covered in shade by trees, so you are put to the mercy of the weather (whether it rains or shines).
Once you reach Bamboo, the trail becomes slightly easier up to Dovan.
For Day 3, I recommend only going from Dovan to Deurali. From Deurali, you start to see the mountains much closer and you start to get into the mood of getting to ABC soon.
Day 4, goes from Deurali to ABC, and you have the biggest altitude gain on this day (900 m/2.950 ft). So, it is good if you go slowly and take a break at MBC.
The trek from Deurali to MBC goes through an avalanche risk zone, and if you trek in the winter or spring, they recommend to trek through this section before 9 am. They say usually the avalanches start after 9 am, so make sure to have an early breakfast and start from Deurali by 7 am.
Nevertheless, avalanches can happen anytime, even after 9 am, so what is important is that you get past this section as soon as possible. It is quite a long section, maybe even 1 hour to trek past, but it is important that you don’t take long breaks here.
Once you reach MBC, it is good to take a break. The altitude is higher, and if you don’t feel well, it is better to stay at MBC then to go up to ABC.
If you feel fine with altitude, you can continue from MBC to ABC. This last section of the trail is not very long, but due to the altitude and lower oxygen levels, it can be hard. For me it took almost 2 hours from MBC to ABC, but other do it in like 1.5 hours.
Once you get to ABC, you can start celebrating your achievement! If you feel fine with altitude, it is really amazing to stay the night at ABC. You have the most chance to see clear views of the mountains (sunset, sunrise), plus the teahouses are buzzing with happy trekkers.
All along the ABC trek, people mostly sticked to their groups in the teahouses, but at ABC people really came together. It was the best vibe (and I rarely say “vibes”) but it was really nice to see all the people coming together, watching the views and feeling happy about our accomplishment.
If you spend the night at ABC, you have an easy start to Day 5, which is to see the sunrise from ABC. (If you stay at MBC, then you have to start your trek to ABC at like 4 am to get to ABC for the sunrise).
The sunrise is hopefully with clear views. The weather is generally clear in the morning, so even if it is cloudy at ABC to see the sunset, you have the best chance for a good sunrise view.
After sunrise, you have your breakfast and start your way back down. It is good if you can trek from ABC all the way until Upper Sinuwa.
I would say the trek goes pretty fine from ABC to Bamboo, but then the trail becomes very hard with a lot of steps from Bamboo to Sinuwa. So, it is recommended to push through this hard section of the trail, so that the next day, you have an easier start.
Day 6: The last section of the trek is to get from Upper Sinuwa to Chhomrong to Jhinu Dhanda.
It is good if you start early, because the trail becomes difficult again with a lot of steps from Lower Sinuwa to Chhomrong.
Overall, it is around 3 hours of walking from Upper Sinuwa to Jhinu Danda (without breaks), but it feels pretty tiring as you are now on Day 6 of trekking.
Once you are in Jhinu Danda, you can stop for the hot springs, or head straight to the jeep station and catch a bus back to Pokhara.
The sharing jeeps from Jhinu Danda to Pokhara are around Rs. 7,000 (USD 52) and the cost is split between the passengers.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek 7 Days
The 7-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary follows closely the one for 6 days, the difference is that with 7 days, you can spend one day in Ghandruk at the start of your trek.
Ghandruk is a Gurung village in the Annapurna region and it is famous for its views of the Himalayas. If the weather is clear, you can see the mountains very well.
Plus, there are also museums in Ghandruk (Old Gurung Museum, Ghandruk Cultural Museum), a tea garden, and hiking routes. So, with just one extra day, you can make a stop here, enjoy the views and gather your energy before going on the ABC trek.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek 7 Days Itinerary
- Day 1: Pokhara to Ghandruk by jeep: 2 hours jeep ride to Ghandruk (2,000 m/6,560 ft)
- Day 2: Ghandruk to Chhomrong: Trek from Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2,200 m/7,220 ft), 7.7 km, 4.5 hours walking.
- Day 3: Chhomrong to Dovan (2,600 m/8,530 ft): 9.5 km, 5.5 hours walking.
- Day 4: Dovan to Deurali (3,230 m/10,600 ft): 4.8 km, 4.5 hours walking.
- Day 5: Deurali to ABC (4,130 m/13,550 ft): 6.7 km, 4.5 hours walking
- Day 6: ABC to Upper Sinuwa (2,360 m/7,740 ft): 15 km, 7 hours walking
- Day 7: Upper Sinuwa to Jhinu Danda (1,730 m/5,680 ft) + jeep back to Pokhara: 3 hours walking (4 km), 3 hours jeep.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek 8 Days
The 8-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek is also similar to the 6 and 7-day itineraries, only with more stops along the way.
This 8-day ABC trek itinerary makes a stop in Ghandruk, plus includes more time up at MBC and ABC.
Generally, people only spend 1 night either at MBC or ABC, but if you have 8 days, you can spend 1 night at MBC, and 1 night at ABC. This not only helps you to acclimatize better but also maximize your time to see the Himalayas up close.
The views both from MBC and ABC are great. At MBC, you can see the Fishtail (Machhapuchhre) up close, and from ABC you see Annapurna South, Annapurna I, and Annapurna III.
If you have the chance to spend one night and MBC and one night at ABC, in my opinion, is really great.
However, you have to consider the cold, and the likelihood that you won’t feel like taking a shower in such a cold environment, so you have to be fine staying there and using wet wipes instead of a shower.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek 8 Days Itinerary
- Day 1: Pokhara to Ghandruk by jeep: 2 hours jeep ride to Ghandruk (2,000 m/6,560 ft)
- Day 2: Ghandruk to Chhomrong: Trek from Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2,200 m/7,220 ft), 7.7 km, 4.5 hours walking.
- Day 3: Chhomrong to Dovan (2,600 m/8,530 ft): 9.5 km, 5.5 hours walking.
- Day 4: Dovan to Deurali (3,230 m/10,600 ft): 4.8 km, 4.5 hours walking.
- Day 5: Deurali to MBC (3,700 m/12,140 ft): 3.7 km, 2 hours walking
- Day 6: MBC to ABC (4,130 m/13,550 ft): 3 km, 2 hours walking
- Day 7: ABC to Upper Sinuwa: (2,360 m/7,740 ft): 15 km, 7 hours walking
- Day 8: Upper Sinuwa to Jhinu Danda (1,730 m/5,680 ft), + jeep to Pokhara: 3 hours walking (4 km), 3 hours jeep.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Packing List
When packing for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, make sure to prepare for all types of weather.
During my ABC trek in April, we had hot and sunny days, as well as times when it rained, or snowed!
I usually trek with a 28-litre backpack, and actually, you can have all the essential items fit in it. I also find that a 28-litre backpack is a pretty decent weight to carry on a trek once it is packed, and it doesn’t feel too heavy.
✔️ Check out my recommended packing list for ABC here, and make sure that you have all the necessary items with you!
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost
In total, I spent Rs. 21,000 (USD 155) on my 7-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek, which comes down to Rs. 3,000 (USD 22) per day. It includes food, accommodation, permit, transport and extras (hot shower, wifi, charging, and hot drinking water).
I managed to save by negotiating a “package deal” with the teahouse owners that is now popular with Nepali trekkers, but you can also negotiate for it as a foreigner.
I really tried to keep my costs to a minimum, but if you want to buy more snacks or have a beer in the evenings, than you should budget around USD 35 per day.
✔️ Check out the costs for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek here, including how to budget and reduce the costs for the trek!
Teahouses on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek
The teahouses on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek are basic and similar to that of teahouses on other trekking routes in Nepal.
The rooms are usually twin rooms, but there are also dormitory rooms with 4-5 beds. Usually there are not many single rooms, so it can be hard to find a place as a solo trekker.
Teahouse owners prefer to keep twin rooms for those trekking in groups of 2. Sometimes, they offer the dormitory rooms for solo trekkers, but if you prefer a single room, then just ask around other teahouses and see if there is a room for a solo trekker.
The only difference in teahouses on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route is that the teahouses don’t have a fireplace in the dining hall. It makes ABC the coldest trek I have ever been on in Nepal!
Usually on a trek in Nepal, you can warm up by the fire in the dining halls in the evenings, but there is no possibility for that on the ABC route.
It gets extremely cold, as you may be caught in rain or snow on the trek, but then you are not really able to warm up properly. You can ask to take your blankets to the dining hall, and sit there covered in your blanket to warm up.
How to Get from Pokhara to Ghandruk (ABC Start Point)
Ghandruk is the most popular starting point to the ABC trek, and you can get there by taking a jeep or bus from Pokhara. It takes 2 hours by jeep from Pokhara to Ghandruk.
For jeeps, you can either take a private or shared jeeps and you can get it directly at Hari Chowk in Pokhara. The jeeps go from 5 am to 6 pm every day, and you can just turn up at Hari Chowk without pre-booking a ticket.
For sharing jeeps, you have to wait a bit until there are enough people to share the jeep with. The total cost for the jeep is Rs. 5,000 (USD 37) which is split between the passengers. For example, if 8 people share the jeep, the cost is Rs. 625 (USD 4.50) per person.
If you don’t want to wait for other passengers, you can also just hire the jeep for yourself and pay the Rs. 5,000 (USD 37).
Some trekking agencies are selling private jeeps from Pokhara to Ghandruk for around USD 100, which is much more expensive. If you want to save on the jeep, just go to Hari Chowk and get the jeep yourself.
There are also buses that go from the Baglung Bus Park in Pokhara to Ghandruk. The bus costs Rs. 450 (USD 3) but can take 3-5 hours. So, usually, it is better to take the jeep as it is faster.
How to Get Back to Pokhara from Jhinu Danda (ABC End Point)
Most people finish their ABC trek in Jhinu Danda. From Jhinu Danda, you can find jeeps that go to Pokhara.
The sharing jeeps from Jhinu Danda to Pokhara take around 3 hours and cost Rs. 7,000 (USD 52) – the cost is split between the passengers.
Currently, there are some road constructions in that area, so right now, your option is to take a jeep from Jhinu Danda to Ghandruk, and then change to a jeep that goes to Pokhara.
Once the road construction is completed, the jeep will go straight from Jhinu Danda to Pokhara.
Tips for Trekking ABC
✔️ Start Your Days Early
Have breakfast at 6.30 am and start your trek by 7 am. If the weather is sunny, you get a head start before it gets too hot. If it’s rainy, it may start raining around 11 am, and then the closer you are to your destination, the less time you have to walk in the rain.
✔️ Don’t Ascend Too Fast
If you have time, it is better to take it slow. Have shorter days of trekking (5 hours trekking per day), take breaks and enjoy the trek. This way, you don’t get too tired and also adjust to altitude much better.
✔️ Have Clothes for All Types of Weather
The weather can be very unpredictable in the mountains, and I experienced the most changes in weather on the ABC trek out of all my treks in Nepal.
In just one day, there can be everything from super hot weather to rain, to snow to hailstorms. Check my recommended ABC packing list here.
✔️ Take Enough Cash
There are no ATMs in the villages along the trek, so take enough cash with you. The best is to take more cash with you than you budget.
It ensures that you have enough cash for the whole trek and if you want to splurge, can buy extra snacks, beer or recharge your phone.
✔️ Have Insurance
Insurance companies like True Traveller, World Nomads, and the Alpine Club are ones that are recommended for trekking in Nepal.
They also include helicopter evacuation that is needed in case you get a really bad altitude sickness.
FAQs: Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary: 6, 7 & 8 Days
How many days do you need for Annapurna Base Camp?
You need around 6-8 days to trek the Annapurna Base Camp. A 7-day itinerary is an ideal time for the ABC trek as you have more time in the mountains and it does not feel too rushed.
Can beginners do the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Yes, beginners can do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow.
However, there are some sections that are difficult due to a lot of stairs, and you also have to be careful to not go too fast due to the altitude.
Can you do ABC in 5 days?
It is possible to complete ABC in 5 days, however, I don’t recommend it as it is too rushed and you risk altitude sickness if you ascend too fast.
Can you do Annapurna Base Camp in 10 days?
Yes, you can definitely do the Annapurna Base Camp in 10 days, in fact, you can even do it in just 7 days.
If you have 10 days, you can connect ABC with Mardi Himal or Poon Hill.
Is there a short Annapurna Base Camp trek?
The shortest you can possibly complete ABC is in 5 days, however, it is still very exhausting and you risk altitude sickness if you go up too fast.
I recommend to complete ABC in at least 6 days the minimum, but 7-8 days is the best.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek can be completed between 5-8 days, but I recommend going for a 7-day itinerary. 7 days are just the perfect itinerary as the trek can be hard, but with 7 days, you don’t have to push yourself to exhaustion.
The ABC trek route usually starts in Ghandruk, and you go through the villages of Chhomrong, Dovan, Deurali, MBC and finally ABC at 4,130 m (13,550 feet). If you feel good at high altitude, I recommend staying the night at ABC, as it is really magical to be right there for the sunrise!
The best time for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is in Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March-April).
Autumn and Spring generally have clear skies and good weather (or I would say better weather than Winter or Monsoon). However, weather patterns can be unpredictable, and you can have rain and clouds even in April.
The weather is unpredictable in the mountains, so when planning your ABC trek, you should be prepared for all types of weather: sun, rain, snow and hailstorms.
Read Next
- Best Time to Trek Annapurna Base Camp
- Annapurna Base Camp Packing List
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost
- Mardi Himal vs Annapurna Base Camp: Which Trek is Better for You
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