The Annapurna Base Camp 7-day Trek offers an excellent alternative to the Everest Base Camp Trek, providing a specially customized experience for enthusiastic trekkers seeking an economical adventure. This journey takes us to the Base Camp at 4,130m, nestled in the shadow of the 10th highest peak in the world, Mt. Annapurna (8,091m). It has become the preferred choice for trekkers in recent times due to its moderate nature, allowing for 6-7 hours of walking each day with ample rest breaks. This trek is suitable for everyone, including solo, novice, and expert trekkers with varying levels of physical stamina.
The trek showcases the captivating natural beauty of the region, which is home to a wide variety of flora, fauna, and endangered wildlife, including Himalayan Thar, , Musk Deer, wild monkeys, and sheep along the route. This region is a must-visit for avid trekkers who crave an adventurous escape.
Our journey on the Annapurna Base Camp 7-day Trek begins with a short flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara or 9-10 Hours bus , often touted as Nepal’s most beautiful tourist destination. From Pokhara, a short and scenic drive takes us to kimchi. The trek follows an easy and tranquil path through a thin forest to reach the Ghandruk,which is most popular and picturesque gurung village. where we can revel in the serene landscapes and catch glimpses of snow-capped mountains.
While most of the trekking trails are relatively easy, the segment from kimrung khola to Durbin Danda and Chhomrong to Sinuwa presents the most challenging stone-paved staircase on the ABC Trek. From Chomrong, the trail continues through Sinuwa, Bamboo, Dovan, and Himalaya hotel, passing suspension bridges and traversing dense Rhododendron, bamboo, and oak forests. Along this route, we’ll be treated to spectacular close-up views of Mt. Fishtail, numerous streams, and the rolling green hills.
Beyond the Himalaya hotel, our journey takes us to Machhapuchre Base Camp and finally to Annapurna Base Camp, leading us through dense rhododendron, bamboo, and oak forests, past streams, yak pastures, avalanche risk zones, and rocky boulders along the Modi Khola River. The most serene moments of our trek await at Machhapuchre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp, where we’ll be rewarded with a panoramic 360° view of the Annapurna massif. This breathtaking vista includes Annapurna South (7,219m), Mt. Macchapuchre (Fishtail) (6,997m), Gangapurna (7,455m), Mardi Himal (5,553m), Bharha Chuli (7,646m), Annapurna I (8,091m), and more.
After savoring delightful moments and capturing extraordinary memories in the pristine lap of Annapurna I, our journey descends from ABC, retracing earlier trails to Ghandruk Phedi. From there, we’ll embark on a drive back to Pokhara. The trek concludes in this vibrant tourist hub, allowing us to make the most of our remaining vacation by immersing ourselves in its natural beauty and partaking in adventurous activities.
In essence, the Annapurna Base Camp 7-day Trek is an exceptional adventure, offering a budget-friendly and accessible alternative to other treks. It promises an unforgettable journey through the stunning Annapurna region, leaving us with cherished memories of Nepal’s natural wonders and the thrill of adventure.
Regarding the difficulty of this trek, it is very moderate and doesn’t demand advanced physical fitness levels so anyone can enjoy and take pleasure in nature walking during this trek.
Also, those who are traveling with children can get pleasure from this trek.
Trekking Annapurna Base Camp allows your body to get adapted and acclimatized with high altitude. It helps you to keep your body in better shape and you can tackle physically depending aerobic walk in thin air area.
Visitor having previous trekking experience with fit body can trek it without any problem. The highest elevation we will reach is 4130 meter from sea.
The day before our trekking expedition begins, we’ll gather for a memorable welcome dinner. It’s a perfect occasion for us to connect and become acquainted with one another before we set off on our exciting adventure. This dinner also provides a valuable opportunity for you to approach your guide with any final questions or concerns you may have.
Vehicle: 2h 30min
Trek: 6h, 511m ascent, 201m descent, 8.1km distance
From Pokhara, we will be driving to Kimche through Nayapul and Syauli Bazaar. The real trekking starts from Kimche. On the path, we will see incredible mountain terrain, terraced farms, humongous mountains, and subtropical forests. From Kimchi we will start trekking to Ghandruk 1h up steep stairs, then from Ghandruk to Komrong 1h mostly flat, from Komrong to Kimrong 1h steep downhill, and finally from Kimrong to Chhomrong steep uphill followed by flat. Chhomrong is the highest permanent settlement in the valley, but herders take sheep and goats to upper pastures in the sanctuary during the summer. There is a tremendous view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli, which seem to tower above the village, and there are good views of Machhapuchhare, the fishtail mountain, across the valley. It is from this point onwards that the reason for the name of this peak becomes apparent.
4h, 854m ascent, 591m descent, 12km distance
Leaving Chhomrong, the trail descends on a stone staircase and crosses the Chhomrong Khola on a swaying suspension bridge at 1,860m, then climbs out of the side valley via the tiny settlement of Tilche, through forests of bamboo, rhododendron and oak. Climbing further on a rocky trail we will reach in Sinuwa (2,340m). We will climb in a forest of rhododendrons festooned with orchids and ferns to a stone-paved trail that passes Kuldi (2,470m). The ruins here once housed an ACAP visitor centre. The trek now enters the upper Modi Valley and we can see Bamboo and Dovan below. We will descend a long, steep, slippery stone staircase into a deep bamboo and rhododendron forest, before arriving ar Bamboo (2,310m), a collection of hotels crammed into the narrow valley. In early autumn and late spring, this part of the trail is crawling with leeches. In winter, it’s common to find snow anywhere from this point on. The trail climbs steeply through stands of bamboo, then through rhododendron forest up the side of the canyon. Occasionally the trail drops slightly to cross tributary streams on narrow bridges, but it ascends continuously. We have to keep an eye out for troops of black-faced langur monkeys. When there is snow this stretch of trail is particularly difficult because the bamboo lying on the trail, hidden beneath the snow, provides an excellent start to a slide downhill. Local people harvest the dense bamboo forests beyond Kuldi to make mats for floors and roofs, and for dokos, the baskets that porters carry. After traveling several avalanche chutes we’ll reach the stone-paved trail of Dovan.
3h, 827m ascent, 238m descent, 4.5km distance
Beyond Dovan the trail crosses a stream and avalanche chute, then climbs across a landslide. In the forest is a small temple where local people leave offerings of flowers, cloth or leaves. There’s a sign in Nepali saying that out of respect for the local deity, Baraha Than, one should not carry eggs or meat beyond this point. Climb past a cascade over a rock platform and pass a trailside temple decorated with Shiva tridents and flowers. Later we will walk, first on a rocky trail through forests, then up a steep ravine, to Hinku Cave (3,100m), named after the huge overhanging rock that used to house a small hotel. High cascades tumble off the high rock walls in all directions. The trail crosses the remnants of a glacier (a major avalanche track) just beyond Hinko, then climbs through large boulders to Deurali.
5h, 1489m ascent, 761m descent, 12.5km distance
Above Deurali, the valley widens and becomes less steep, and we can see the ‘gates’ to the sanctuary as the mountains really start to kick in. After heavy snowfall, avalanches from Hiunchuli and Annapurna South, peaks that are above this point but not visible, come crashing into the valley with frightening speed and frequency. The lodge owners in Deurali together with our guides will know whether there have been any avalanches recently. The trail diverts to avoid a dangerous avalanche area and climbs through an unusual mix of bamboo and birch. We’ll climb across more avalanche paths and we’ll cross a moraine and descend to a stream. We’ll soon climb to the Machhapuchhare Base Camp. There’s technically no such thing as ‘Machhapuchhare Base Camp’, since ascents of the mountain are prohibited. The mountain views are stupendous; the panorama includes Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III (7,555m), Gangapurna (7,454m), and the ever-changing Machhapuchhare, whose sheer triangular face takes on yet another aspect here. We are now at an elevation where altitude problems can occur. The climb to Annapurna Base Camp is a pleasant walk, our guide will find the rout if there’s fresh snow. Before long we can see the hotels of base camp, but the view is deceptive and it takes quite a while to reach them as the trail sticks close to the foot of a large lateral moraine. The area is cold, windy and often snowbound. In spring the snow reaches the hotel roofs. There are tremendous views of the near-vertical south face of Annapurna towering above the sanctuary to the northwest.
6h, 445m ascent, 2,250m descent, 14km distance
Mornings are usually clear in Annapurna Base Camp, clouds often roll in to obscure the peaks by noon, and then clear in the late afternoon. For the sunrise we will walk to a prayer-flag-draped viewpoint on the moraine for a spectacular view over the glacier. Nearby is a memorial chorten (stone Buddhist monument) to climbers. There are few birds in the sanctuary, but there are tahr, Himalayan weasels and pika. Heading back down the valley will be much easier.
4h, 528m ascent, 1,059m descent, 8.5km distance
Our trek continues, we head down to Kimrong Khola, and from there, the path ascends and passes through the serene rhododendron, bamboo, and oak forests, ultimately leading to Chomrong village. However, we continue until we reach a small peaceful settlement called Jhinu Danda. This village has nearby riverside hot springs, where we soothe our tired muscles. We will be staying at Jhinu Danda for the night.
Trek: 3h 30min, 800m descent, 5.8km distance
Vehicle: 2h 30min
Today will be the last day of the trek. We leave Jhinu Danda and follow the dust road along the right of Mardi Khola. After a leisurely walk for, we reach Siwai. From Siwai, we first drive to Birethanti, then Nayapul until we reach Pokhara. Our trek completes at Pokhara. We hope, by then, you would have created precious memories of reaching Annapurna Base Camp. Once we arrive in Pokhara, before bidding farewell to our team, we will express our gratitude to our porter and guide and appreciation for their unwavering support and assistance throughout our incredible journey.
The best time for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC) varies depending on the season, and each season offers a unique trekking experience:
Autumn (September to November):
Spring (March to May):
Winter (December to February):
Monsoon/Summer (June to August):
In summary, the best time for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is during autumn (September to November) when the weather is at its best, providing clear skies and pleasant temperatures. Spring (March to May) is also a great choice with blooming rhododendrons. While winter and monsoon seasons have their own unique appeal, they come with more challenges and are less favored by most trekkers. Always consider your preferences, fitness level, and tolerance for different weather conditions when planning your trek to ABC.
Travel insurance is compulsory for the trek. All the trekkers must provide a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance policy certificate. The policy must cover medical and emergency repatriation – including helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses at high altitudes (up to 4,000m).
Trekking members are kindly requested to send their detailed insurance information after trek booking. In case of emergencies, we will be using the insurance policy and informational documents you sent us. It will help us arrange a quick and effective rescue operation, transfer for emergency medical help, etc. Please ensure that your insurance covers all costs incurred during mountain rescue service.
Before buying travel insurance, make sure to call the insurance company and recheck if they have heli-rescue up to 4,000m.
We recommend you bring a container for one liter of water. In the teahouses we can buy boiled water suitable for drinking with which to fill our bottles. Another option is to refill the water from the fountains that we find along the way or from the tap of the teahouses themselves, for this we have to count on water disinfectant tablets that we can find in pharmacies.
Between Dovan and Machhapuchhare Base Camp there are several places where avalanches from hidden slopes of Hiunchuli come crashing onto the trail. It is the only major trekking route in Nepal with significant avalanche danger. Our certified local guide will know whether the trail is safe. Most avalanches occur after 9am. We will be specially wary if there has been recent heavy rainfall in the lowlands.
We will be watchful for symptoms of altitude sickness as we reach Machhapuchhare Base Camp. Do not hesitate to tell everything to your guide and remember to stay especially hydrated.
The 50km-long Annapurna massif encompasses a whole swathe of spectacular peaks, including four summits named Annapurna. The mountain is named after the female Hindu god of harvest, fertility and abundance.
The main summit is to the west of Annapurna Sanctuary. Gangapurna (7,454m) towers above Manang and Annapurna II (7,937m) is above Chame, about 24km to the east. Annapurna South (7,219m) is clearly visible from the trekking routes leading up to the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Annapurna (8,091m) was first climbed by a French expedition led by Maurice Herzog in 1950. Equipped with 150 porters, the team became the first Westerners to ascend the Kali Gandaki Valley, initially basing themselves at Tukuche. After deciding Dhaulagiri was too difficult, they turned their attention to climbing Annapurna, the world’s 10th-highest peak. Hampered by inaccurate maps (it took the team weeks just to find the mountain!), they eventually ascended via the Miristi Khola to the north face and made what was the first ascent of any 8,000m peak on 3 June, just days before the start of the monsoon. The summiteers suffered severe frostbite on the descent (as depicted in Herzog’s classic Annapurna) and were finally evacuated back to the roadbed in India.
Annapurna was not climbed again until 1970, when a British army expedition followed essentially the same route as Herzog. At the same time Chris Bonington led a successful British expedition to the very steep and difficult south face. An all-woman team marked the first American ascent in 1978. Annapurna II was first climbed in 1960 by a team under Jimmy Roberts that included a younger Chris Bonington.
Annapurna is considered one of the hardest and most dangerous peaks in Himalaya, with an ascent rate half (and a death rate triple) that of Everest, largely due to the avalanches that regularly rip down the mountain. Famed mountain guide Anatoli Boukreev (one of the climbers involved in the Everest ‘Into Thin Air’ disaster of 1996) was killed by an avalanche while attempting a winter ascent on Christmas Day in 1997, and his memorial is in Annapurna Base Camp.
My solo trek with Firantes on the Annapurna Base Camp was an eye-opening experience that changed the course of my journey. The raw beauty of Nepal’s landscapes, the warmth of its people, and the seamless coordination of Firantes were beyond expectations.
Little did I know that this trek was just the beginning. Inspired by the allure of Nepal and the impeccable service of Firantes, I decided to extend my trip. Over the next two months, I embarked on a whirlwind adventure, exploring every nook and cranny of Nepal under Firantes’ expert guidance.
From the tranquil corners of Pokhara to the bustling streets of Kathmandu, Firantes unveiled the heart and soul of Nepal. Each step was a new discovery, each interaction a lesson in culture and humanity. The diversity of experiences – from spiritual retreats to mountain summits – enriched my journey beyond measure.
The guides, who became more like companions, shared their insights and passion, making every moment profound. The expertise and empathy of Firantes turned my solo journey into an expedition of companionship and shared memories.
As I bid farewell to Nepal, gratitude fills my heart. Firantes, your role in shaping this chapter of my life is immeasurable. The choice to extend my stay and explore Nepal’s depths was fueled by the authenticity and excellence that you consistently deliver.
From a lone traveler to a part of a bigger journey, Firantes, you’ve etched your mark in my life story. Thank you for igniting my wanderlust and crafting an unforgettable voyage through the heart of Nepal.
Wow, Firantes! The Annapurna Sanctuary left me speechless. Every corner was a perfect painting. The natural beauty was breathtaking, and the Firantes team made it even more magical. Thanks for a trip that stole my heart. 💖🏔️
Words can hardly express the depth of gratitude my husband, in-laws, and I feel towards Firantes. This was our fourth incredible journey together, and once again, you outdid yourselves. From the moment we landed in Nepal to the bittersweet farewell, every detail was flawlessly executed.
Firantes, you’ve become our trusted travel companion, weaving memories that form the tapestry of our lives. Your dedication to creating authentic experiences has kept us coming back for more. It’s as if each trip is a new chapter in the ongoing novel of exploration and discovery.
This time, the Annapurna Base Camp trek with my family was a remarkable voyage. Firantes, your guides are not just guides – they’re storytellers, historians, and friends who guide us through the wonders of Nepal’s diverse landscapes. The Himalayas’ grandeur, the tranquility of the villages, and the connection with locals create an immersive experience that transcends mere tourism.
But let’s not forget the backbone of our journey – the porters. Their tireless dedication to carrying our burdens with a smile makes us reflect on the privileges we sometimes take for granted. Their strength and resilience remind us of the values that bind us as humans.
A mixture of emotions flooded us – accomplishment, wonder, and deep appreciation. Firantes, your commitment to responsible travel shines brightly, preserving the pristine beauty of the landscapes we explore and ensuring a positive impact on local communities.
Our family’s bonds have grown stronger with each Firantes adventure. Sharing the highs and lows, the laughter and challenges, with those we love is a gift beyond measure. Firantes, you’re not just an agency; you’re an integral part of our journey through life.
From the bottom of our hearts, Danke schön, Firantes, for curating unforgettable experiences that paint our memories with vibrant hues. We eagerly anticipate our next chapter with you, knowing that it will be another masterpiece in our travel saga.
As a seasoned nature photographer accustomed to capturing Norway’s rugged beauty, I thought I had seen it all. But then, Nepal happened, and Firantes, you’ve left me in awe once again. The Annapurna Base Camp trek was a symphony of visual splendor that harmonized with the echoes of my camera’s shutter.
From the ethereal glow of sunrise against the Himalayan peaks to the intimate details of village life etched in every cobblestone, Nepal’s landscapes and Firantes’ expertise painted a canvas that surpassed even my wildest photographic dreams.
Your guides, more than just experts, were passionate storytellers. Their knowledge of the region added layers of significance to every frame I captured. I found myself immersed not just in the visual spectacle, but in the essence of Nepal – a land where nature’s grandeur meets human resilience.
While I’m used to chasing the Northern Lights in Norway, the celestial display at Annapurna Base Camp was a different kind of magic. Surrounded by towering peaks and the universe above, I felt minuscule yet profoundly connected.
Firantes, your meticulous planning and commitment to responsible tourism ensured that I could focus on my craft without compromising the environment or local communities. The camaraderie with fellow trekkers and the heartwarming interactions with locals further enriched my experience.
As I look through the photographs taken during the trek, each image is a portal to memories and emotions that transcend time and space. Nepal’s mountains are now etched in my heart alongside Norway’s fjords.
Thank you, Firantes, for igniting my passion anew and for gifting me an experience that has redefined my photographic journey. Your dedication to delivering not just trips, but profound experiences, is a testament to your exceptional service. Until the next adventure unfolds through my lens, my gratitude knows no bounds.
What an incredible experience at the Annapurna Base Camp with Firantes and my friends! From day one, excitement was in the air. The landscapes were breathtaking, and the camaraderie of the group made each step even more special. Firantes’ guides were fabulous, sharing stories and insights that enriched our journey. Reaching the base camp and being surrounded by those majestic mountains was an achievement and a source of awe. Thank you, Firantes, for a trip we’ll always remember with a smile.