Trekking · Kathmandu
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Seven to ten days into the Annapurna Sanctuary from Pokhara, with Machhapuchhre views the whole way.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek packs a high-mountain amphitheatre into a single week, walking right into the Annapurna Sanctuary beneath a ring of peaks. It is shorter and lower than Everest, which makes it a favourite first Himalayan trek.
The short answer
The ABC trek is staged from Pokhara, not Kathmandu, and runs 7–10 days into the Annapurna Sanctuary, with Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) dominating the skyline most of the way. It tops out near 4,130m, so altitude is more manageable than on Everest. You'll need the ACAP permit and a licensed guide, and you sleep in teahouses throughout.
Most people combine it with a Kathmandu arrival, then transfer to Pokhara to begin.
Route and logistics
- Get to Pokhara first. Fly or drive from Kathmandu, then start the trek from one of the valley trailheads. See things to do in Pokhara for a rest day before or after.
- The walk: Stone-stepped trails climb through villages such as Chhomrong and Deurali before entering the Sanctuary itself; the final stretch reaches Machhapuchhre Base Camp and then ABC.
- Teahouses: Lodges line the route, so you carry only a daypack if you have a porter.
When to go and how to combine it
October–November and March–May give the clearest mountain views; the monsoon brings cloud, leeches and slippery steps. Pair this with a Kathmandu start and, if you have time, a higher route like the Everest Base Camp trek later in your trip. If you would rather book it as a ready-made trip, our 10-day Annapurna Base Camp trek package runs Kathmandu to Kathmandu with the full itinerary, inclusions and a realistic US$800–1,400 price band.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Annapurna Base Camp trek?+
The ABC trek typically takes 7 to 10 days of walking from Pokhara into the Annapurna Sanctuary and back. Itineraries vary with your starting trailhead and pace, and many travellers add a day at the hot springs in Jhinu Danda on the way out.
Is Annapurna Base Camp easier than Everest Base Camp?+
Generally yes. ABC tops out around 4,130m — well below Everest Base Camp — so altitude is less of a concern, and the trek is shorter. It still involves long days and many stone steps, so a good base level of fitness helps.
Do you start the ABC trek from Kathmandu or Pokhara?+
The trek is staged from Pokhara, where the trailheads begin. Most travellers start in Kathmandu, then reach Pokhara by a short flight or a roughly seven-hour drive before heading to the hills.
What permit do you need for Annapurna Base Camp?+
You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit, which can be arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara. A licensed guide is also required for the route, and most trekkers also carry the TIMS card; your agency will usually sort the paperwork.
How difficult is Annapurna Base Camp trek?+
It is a moderate trek: 5–6 hour days, thousands of stone steps and a high point of about 4,130m at the Sanctuary. Nothing is technical, and the altitude is manageable for most people who pace themselves — the fitness to climb stairs all day matters more than mountain experience.
Is ABC trek risky?+
With sensible pacing in season, ABC is one of Nepal's safer teahouse treks. The altitude tops out low enough that severe sickness is uncommon, though the main hazards to respect are avalanche risk on the upper Sanctuary approach after heavy winter or early-spring snow, and slippery stone steps in the monsoon. A licensed guide, now required anyway, helps you judge conditions.
