Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Alt: 2,800m - Lukla| 2,652m Phakding | Walk 8km, 3-4 hours

We can customise the second day of your trip according to your interests. We do, however, recommend visiting some of Kathmandu Valley’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites – such as Lord Shiva’s sacred Pashupatinath Temple, the Buddhist and Hindu holy place of Swayambunath (Monkey Temple), Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Boudhanath, Basantapur Durbar Square and so on. Other activities that you could enjoy include shopping, visiting museums and dining in delicious local restaurants.

If you need to buy or rent any equipment for the trek, this is the time to organise that. In the evening, you will join a briefing back at the hotel of what to expect on the trek and get you ready to embark the following day.

After a hearty breakfast, you will embark on the 174km road journey to Pokhara along the picturesque Prithvi Highway. You will get to explore Pokhara briefly, giving you a taste of this wonderful city and allowing us to finalise anything else you may need for the trek.

Then it’s time to head to Nayapul where the trek will commence. We will start hiking towards Ulleri (2000m) where we will stop for the night. Be sure to take in the stunning night sky – it’s like nothing you will have seen in the city.

After breakfast, it’s time to embark on the 6 hour hike to our next destination – Ghorepani (2800m). This leg of the journey will reveal to you some amazing views of some of the world’s largest peaks – Mount Annapurna South, Himchuli and Mount Dhaulagiri (the higgest peak of the range). Spend the evening relaxing in your hotel at Ghorepani.

After an early pre-dawn start, the route will take us through rhododendron arboretum forests (the national flower of Nepal) until we reach the summit of Poon Hill (3193m). Here you will get a spectacular view of the sunrise and 180 degree views of the Annapurna mountain range. We will then descend down to the lodge where we’ll enjoy breakfast before heading on to our next destination of Tadapani (2170m).

Be prepared for a solid day of ascending and descending. Today’s route will pass through local villages, thick forests and a deep valley to reach the next hill of Chhomrong. The north face of the hill offers spectacular views of Machhapuchre.

Today, you will trek through thick forests, small villages and along rocky cliffs at Bamboo with a break at Doban (2500m) for lunch. The day will continue by ascending through jungles, waterfalls and the Hinku Lake toward Deurali (3200m) with a temple visit thrown in for good measure. We’re sure you’ll be pleased to reach the lodge after such a long day.

The big day has finally arrived! Today, you will be climbing to the highest points along this trek with your first stop being the Machhpuchre Base Camp. After taking in the sights, we will continue on through the grasslands for another 2 hours before finally reaching the Annapurna Base Camp. We’ll lodge here overnight, giving you ample time to reflect on the journey you have just taken.

The return will take us back along the same path, giving you a reverse perspective of the trail whilst descending back to Chhomrong. We will spend the night here once again before continuing.

The next section of the descent follows a different route, offering yet another spectacular view o the Nepali mountain-scape. Trekking down the trail towards Ghandruk, you will be greeted with views of the Annapurna Mountains. After lunch, we will continue downwards towards Lanark. We will stop for the night at Landruk village (1565m) where you can enjoy the local hospitality.

On today’s journey, we will pass the largest village on the route (Dhampus) before reaching the road head where we will meet up with our transport and be taken back to Pokhara. Return to creature comforts as you dine in one of the many lakeside restaurants.

You will be able to spend most of the day enjoying the paradise that Pokhara – dine in the lakeside restaurants, shop to your hearts content and explore the various entertainment options on offer (such as rowing and boating). In the afternoon, we will return to Kathmandu by car, reaching the city by evening – just in time for a cultural dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant.

After a good night’s sleep, your trip has drawn to a close. If you aren’t continuing on with your travels, we will arrange for you to be taken back to the airport where you can fly home for some much-deserved rest.