The mountains appear all at once. You round a bend on the moraine trail above Chomrong, the bamboo thins, the cloud lifts, and suddenly you are standing inside a ring of ice. Annapurna I (8,091m) fills the northern sky. Annapurna South closes the west. Machhapuchhre, the sacred Fishtail, rises to the east with its twin summit catching the first gold of morning. Between them, glaciers tumble into a bowl of silence so deep you can hear your own heartbeat. This is the Annapurna Sanctuary, a natural amphitheatre at 4,130 metres (13,550ft) that the Gurung people have considered sacred ground for centuries. No roads reach here. No helicopters land. The only way in is on foot, and you have just walked it.
This 9-day trek takes you from Pokhara, Nepal's lakeside adventure capital, through terraced hillsides and Gurung villages, up through rhododendron forests that blaze crimson in spring, past bamboo groves and waterfalls, and into the heart of the Annapurna Conservation Area. You'll sleep in teahouses run by families who have hosted trekkers for generations, eat dal bhat and Nepali momos cooked over wood fires, and soak tired muscles in the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda on the way down. It is one of Nepal's most rewarding treks packed into just nine days, designed by Shreejan Simkhada, whose family has been guiding people through these mountains since the 1960s.
What Makes This Trek Unforgettable
- Stand inside the Annapurna Sanctuary, a 360-degree amphitheatre of peaks above 7,000 metres, with Annapurna Base Camp at its centre (4,130m / 13,550ft)
- See Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) from closer than almost any other trail in Nepal. No climbing permit has ever been issued for this sacred peak, and from ABC, its sheer south face fills half the sky
- Walk through Ghandruk, one of Nepal's most beautiful Gurung villages, where stone houses with slate roofs sit among terraced fields and the Gurung cultural heritage is still very much alive. You'll pass prayer flags strung between stone houses and hear stories of mountain gods
- Soak in the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda on the descent, where a riverside pool heated by geothermal springs sits beneath the forest canopy
- Trek through rhododendron forests that explode in red, pink and white blooms from March to May, creating one of the most spectacular spring displays in the Himalayas
- Complete one of Nepal's classic high-altitude treks in just 9 days, making it achievable even with limited annual leave
- All permits included (ACAP and TIMS), so you don't need to spend a day in Kathmandu queuing at government offices
- Small groups of 2 to 20, always with a Nepal government well-trained guide who knows this trail intimately
- Three tiers (Budget, Standard, Luxury) so you can choose the comfort level that suits you without compromising on safety or expertise
- Every booking supports education for 70 children in rural Nepal through the Nagarjun Learning Center
9-Day Overview
Your journey begins and ends in Kathmandu, but the trek itself starts from Pokhara, reached by a scenic drive through Nepal's middle hills. From Pokhara, you travel to Nayapul, the traditional trailhead for the Annapurna Sanctuary route. The first days climb through Ghandruk and Chomrong, two of the most photographed villages in the Annapurna region, where terraced fields cascade down hillsides and the mountain panorama grows wider with each hour of walking. Beyond Chomrong, the trail enters the Modi Khola gorge, passing through bamboo forests, past waterfalls, and up through increasingly stark alpine terrain to Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC). From MBC, a final morning walk across the glacial moraine delivers you to Annapurna Base Camp itself. The descent follows a different line through Jhinu Danda, where the hot springs provide a perfect end to the mountain days before returning to Pokhara and then Kathmandu.
Before You Arrive
Please arrive in Kathmandu the day before your trek starts. This gives you time to recover from your international flight, meet your guide, and do any last-minute gear shopping in Thamel if needed. We arrange your hotel and airport transfer, so you can step off the plane knowing everything is sorted. Make sure your Nepal visa and trekking insurance are in order before you fly, and bring enough Nepali rupees for personal spending on the trail.
Online Briefing
After you book, we schedule a video call to walk you through everything: what to wear, what to pack, what the teahouses are really like, how acclimatisation works on this route, and anything else on your mind. This is also when you share your hotel preferences in Kathmandu and Pokhara so we can match the right accommodation to you. No question is too small.
Transport
All three tiers travel the same route: Kathmandu to Pokhara by road (approximately 6-7 hours), then Pokhara to Nayapul (about 1.5 hours) to reach the trailhead. The return follows the same route in reverse. The difference between tiers is the vehicle. Budget trekkers travel by local tourist bus or shared vehicle, which is comfortable, safe and well-used by Nepalis and travellers alike. Standard trekkers ride in a private tourist vehicle with more legroom and air conditioning. Luxury trekkers get a premium private vehicle with extra comfort for the long drive. There are no flights on this itinerary; everything is by road, which keeps costs down and gives you more of Nepal's countryside. For a full breakdown of what trekking in Nepal actually costs, see our complete cost guide.
Your Trek, Your Way
Every trek we run is arranged privately for your group. You won't be paired with strangers unless you choose to join a public departure. Whether you book as a solo trekker, a couple, or a group of friends, this itinerary belongs to you. Want to add a rest day? Spend longer in Ghandruk? Extend to include Poon Hill? We can adjust. Our three tiers (Budget, Standard and Luxury) give you genuine choice over accommodation, meals, porter support and transport without affecting the route itself. Same expert guides. Same safety standards. Three comfort levels. Read more about what the price difference actually buys or explore our budget trekking guide.
Difficulty
We rate this trek Moderate to Challenging (3 out of 5). That rating reflects the combination of altitude, terrain and daily walking hours rather than any single extreme element. You'll reach 4,130 metres at ABC, which is high enough for altitude sickness to be a genuine concern. The ascent from Chomrong involves thousands of stone steps, both up and down, and the infamous Chomrong staircase is a test for even experienced trekkers. Daily walking ranges from 4 to 7 hours over uneven trails, river crossings on suspension bridges, and sections of exposed moraine near the base camp. The trail gains altitude rapidly once you leave the Modi Khola valley, so good cardiovascular fitness and proper acclimatisation habits matter. Our guides carry a pulse oximeter and monitor your oxygen levels daily, and we build the itinerary with a steady altitude gain profile. If you can comfortably walk 6-7 hours a day on hilly terrain, you can do this trek. If you have concerns, read our beginner's guide to Nepal trekking.
Compare Our Three Packages
| Feature | Budget | Standard | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | USD $425 | USD $750 | USD $1,200 |
| Meals | Not included (order and pay at teahouses) | 3 meals daily + tea, fruits and 2L water | All meals + all drinks (except alcohol) |
| Room | Shared teahouse room | Private twin with attached bathroom | Private deluxe with bed heater |
| Porter | Not included | 1 porter per 2 trekkers | 1 porter per trekker (carry nothing) |
| Guide | 1 guide per group (assistant at 8+) | 1 guide per 6 trekkers (assistant at 6+) | 1 guide per 2 trekkers |
| Transport | Local vehicle | Private tourist vehicle | Luxury private vehicle |
| SIM & Data | SIM card only | SIM with limited data | SIM with unlimited data (see our SIM card guide) |
| Best for | Backpackers and independent travellers | Comfort trekkers, couples, families | Premium experience seekers |
Himalayas for Every Budget. Same expert guides, same safety, three comfort levels. Every tier includes all permits, a Nepal government well-trained guide, airport transfers and 24/7 emergency support. The only things that change are the comfort details. Read our full comparison of what the price difference actually buys or explore luxury trekking in Nepal. Note: in Pokhara, only breakfast is included at your hotel across all tiers; other meals in Pokhara are at your own expense and choice, giving you the freedom to explore the city's lakeside restaurants. Check our guide on WiFi and charging on the trail so you know what to expect above Chomrong.
Your Trek, Our Family
The Everest Holiday is not a faceless agency. It's a family.
Hari Lal Simkhada, Shreejan's grandfather, arranged logistics and supported Himalayan expeditions in the 1960s and 1970s, back when reaching Nepal's high mountains required weeks of approach marching and a willingness to solve problems nobody had solved before. Ganesh Prasad Simkhada, Shreejan's father, has held senior positions in Nepal's tourism and mountaineering institutions, helping shape the industry that now brings over 200,000 trekkers to Nepal each year.
Today, Shreejan Simkhada runs The Everest Holiday as CEO and third-generation guide. He personally designs every itinerary, selects every guide, and remains available to trekkers before, during and after their trip. This is not a company where you are handed off to a call centre. When you message us on WhatsApp (+977 9810351300), you are talking to the family.
Our Credentials
- 196 TripAdvisor Reviews, rated 4.9 out of 5, TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2024
- 108+ Google Reviews, rated 4.9 out of 5
- TAAN Certified, Member #1586, Government Registration: 147653/072/073
- Secure 10% deposit processed through Himalayan Bank Limited, Nepal's most trusted commercial bank
- Himalayas for Every Budget: three tiers, one standard of care
- Three generations of Himalayan guiding since the 1960s
Solo Trekkers Welcome
Most of our trekkers book alone. It's the single most common booking type we receive, and if you're wondering whether it's strange to trek solo in Nepal, it isn't. Nepal's mandatory guide rule means nobody treks without professional support, and our small groups (2-20 people) mean you'll be walking with a handful of like-minded travellers, not a convoy. By day three, most groups feel like family. You can book a private departure if you prefer to walk with just your guide, or join a public group to share costs and meet people. Either way, you are not alone out there. You'll want to read our guide on Nepal travel etiquette before you go, and our notes on tipping your guide and porter. Read more in our solo female trekking guide (the advice applies to everyone, not just women).
Difficulty
Moderate to Challenging (3 out of 5). Here is what that means in practical terms for the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
The maximum altitude is 4,130 metres (13,550ft) at ABC. This is well above the threshold where altitude sickness can occur, and the rapid altitude gain from Chomrong (2,170m) to ABC over just three trekking days demands respect. Our guides monitor your oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter and know when to slow down, when to push on, and when to turn back. We also recommend consulting your doctor about Diamox before departure.
The terrain is relentless in places. The Chomrong staircase involves roughly 2,500 stone steps descending into the Modi Khola valley and then climbing back up the other side. Your knees will know about it. Bring your camera but also trekking poles. Above Bamboo, the trail follows the river gorge through increasingly narrow and steep sections. Near Deurali and MBC, you're walking on exposed moraine and loose stone. River crossings are made on suspension bridges, some of them narrow and high.
Daily walking hours range from 4 to 7 hours, with the longest days on the approach to ABC and the descent day. You should be comfortable walking uphill for extended periods, and ideally have done some hill training before arrival. If you're unsure, our beginner's guide covers what fitness level is genuinely required.
Trek With a Purpose — Changing the World, One Step at a Time
In 2019, Shreejan Simkhada and Shamjhana Basukala founded the Nagarjun Learning Center in one of Nepal's most remote communities. Today, 70 children receive free education and hot meals every school day at the centre's flagship branch in Saldum Village, Dhading District. More than 600 people have received free medical care through annual health camps. 275 women have been reached through support and skills programmes. Seven learning centres now operate across Nepal.
The Nagarjun Learning Center is verified and listed on the UN Partner Portal.
When you trek with us, you are not just climbing mountains. You are building futures. A portion of every booking goes directly to the centre, funding teachers, meals, and internet access for children who had none before. Every trek also upholds our commitment to responsible trekking and porter welfare. You can learn more at nepallearningcenter.com.
