Trekking · Nepal
How Much Does the Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost?
ACAP permit, guide, porter and teahouse costs — a realistic budget for the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek is one of Nepal's best-value classics, reached by road from Pokhara without an expensive mountain flight. Budget roughly US$500–900 per person for a 7–10 day independent trek with a guide, covering the ACAP permit, TIMS card, guide and food and lodging on the trail, before international flights.
The short answer
ABC sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so the only permits are an ACAP entry permit and a TIMS card — no costly restricted-area permit. Add a guide, your teahouse food and beds, and transport from Pokhara, and a comfortable independent trek lands in the mid-hundreds of dollars. Set it against the Annapurna Circuit trek cost and the wider Nepal trekking cost breakdown.
Permits
- ACAP permit: conservation-area entry, bought in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- TIMS card: the trekkers' information management card, now arranged through a registered agency or the tourism board.
For the current fees and where to buy them, see our Nepal trekking permits guide. Since 2023 a licensed guide is also required, so factor that wage in.
Guide, porter and staffing
A guide's daily wage plus their food and lodging is a major line item — share it across a small group to cut per-head cost. Many trekkers add a porter to carry the main pack. Read hiring a guide and porter in Nepal for fair wages, insurance and tipping.
Food and lodging on the trail
ABC is classic teahouse trekking: a simple room and meals in family-run lodges. Prices are low in Ghandruk and Chhomrong and climb as you approach base camp, where everything is carried up. Expect to pay extra for hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging and bottled drinks.
Getting to the trailhead
ABC's affordability comes from its road access — a jeep or bus from Pokhara to Nayapul, Kimche or Jhinu reaches the trail, with no Lukla-style flight. That keeps it cheaper than the Annapurna Base Camp trek logistics suggest at first glance.
Plan around altitude and season
Base camp sits at roughly 4,130 m, so ascend gradually and read the altitude sickness guide. Trek in autumn or spring — check the best time to visit Nepal — and for the full menu of trek budgets, return to the Nepal trekking costs hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Annapurna Base Camp trek cost?+
An independent Annapurna Base Camp trek with a guide typically costs around US$500 to US$900 per person for a 7 to 10 day trip on the trail, covering the ACAP permit, TIMS card, guide, food and teahouse lodging. Agency packages cost more but bundle transport, permits and staff into one price.
What permits do I need for Annapurna Base Camp?+
ABC lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need an ACAP entry permit plus a TIMS card. There is no special restricted-area permit, which keeps ABC cheaper than Manaslu or Upper Mustang. Both permits are arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you start walking.
Is Annapurna Base Camp cheaper than Everest Base Camp?+
Usually yes. ABC starts near Pokhara and is reached by road, avoiding the expensive Lukla flight that the Everest trek requires, and it is shorter. Teahouse prices on both routes are similar, but the cheaper access and fewer days generally make ABC the more affordable classic trek.
How many days does the ABC trek take?+
Most trekkers reach Annapurna Base Camp in about 7 to 10 days round trip from Pokhara, depending on the start point and side trips such as Poon Hill. Fewer days mean a lower total cost, but build in enough time to ascend gradually and acclimatise to roughly 4,130 metres at base camp.
