Annapurna Base Camp Altitude: How High Is ABC in Metres and Feet?

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday and third-generation Himalayan guide. TAAN Member #1586.

People ask me "how high is Annapurna Base Camp?" all the time, and the number is easy: 4,130 metres. What the number does not tell you is how the trek feels on the way up. Base Camp is lower than Everest Base Camp and far lower than the Annapurna Circuit, but the last climb into the Sanctuary is steeper than most people expect.

Below I give the height of every night on our 9-day itinerary, the jump between them, how ABC compares with other treks, and what I would do about altitude. The heights in the table are the ones on our own itinerary page. Prices on this page are for 2 to 4 people. Solo travellers and bigger groups pay a different rate, which is on the package page.

How high is Annapurna Base Camp?

Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) is 4,130 m or 13,550 ft. Almost every trekking company gives the same figure, for example Himalayan Glacier and Ian Taylor Trekking. It is the highest point of our trek. You do not go higher, and you sleep there one night.

Annapurna Base Camp altitude, day by day

This is our 9-day itinerary. The last column shows how much higher or lower you sleep compared with the night before, which matters more for your body than the height itself.

Day	Where you sleep	Metres	Feet	Change from night before
1	Pokhara (after the drive from Kathmandu)	820 m	2,690 ft	-
2	Ghandruk	2,010 m	6,594 ft	+1,190 m
3	Chomrong	2,170 m	7,119 ft	+160 m
4	Deurali	3,174 m	10,413 ft	+1,004 m
5	Annapurna Base Camp (you pass Machhapuchhre Base Camp on the way)	4,130 m	13,550 ft	+956 m
6	Bamboo	2,310 m	7,579 ft	-1,820 m
7	Jhinu Danda	1,780 m	5,840 ft	-530 m
8	Pokhara (trek to Nayapul, then drive)	820 m	2,690 ft	-960 m
9	Kathmandu	1,400 m	4,593 ft	+580 m

The "change" column is simple subtraction of the heights in the table. Other websites list slightly different heights for Ghandruk (some say 1,940 m) and Deurali (some say 3,230 m). Village heights on this trail are rounded in different ways. Annapurna Base Camp itself, at 4,130 m, is the same everywhere.

How high is Machhapuchhre Base Camp?

Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) is about 3,700 m (12,139 ft), according to other operators' itineraries. On our trek it is a lunch and tea stop on day 5, not a night. If you want to know more about the place and the mountain above it, read my guide to Machhapuchhre Base Camp.

How high are the mountains around Annapurna Base Camp?

ABC sits in a bowl, with big peaks on almost every side. The heights below are from the Himalayan Glacier elevation guide, apart from Annapurna I.

Peak	Height
Annapurna I	8,091 m (26,545 ft), 10th highest mountain in the world (Wikipedia)
Annapurna III	7,555 m
Gangapurna	7,455 m
Annapurna South	7,219 m
Machhapuchhre (Fishtail)	6,993 m
Gandharva Chuli	6,248 m

Base Camp is about 3,960 m below the summit of Annapurna I (8,091 minus 4,130). You are standing at the foot of a mountain that is nearly twice as high as you are.

Is Annapurna Base Camp higher than Everest Base Camp?

No. Everest Base Camp is 5,364 m, which is 1,234 m higher than ABC. Here is how the main treks compare. The Annapurna Circuit figure (Thorong La) is from Himalayan Glacier's comparison table.

Trek	Highest point
Annapurna Base Camp	4,130 m
Everest Base Camp	5,364 m (Kala Patthar 5,645 m)
Annapurna Circuit	5,416 m (Thorong La)

If the altitude of Everest worries you, ABC is a good first Himalayan trek. For a straight comparison, read Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp: which one should you choose, and my page on Everest Base Camp altitude.

Can you get altitude sickness at Annapurna Base Camp?

Yes. Altitude illness can start from about 2,500 m, and ABC is well above that. Fit people get it too, and age and fitness do not predict who will. Two things are in your favour. The trek is short at height, because you sleep above 3,000 m for only two nights. And once you are at ABC, the way down is quick: you lose 1,820 m on day 6.

The hard part is the last two days. The CDC Yellow Book advises that above 3,000 m you should move your sleeping altitude by no more than 500 m a day. On our itinerary you sleep 956 m higher on day 5, from Deurali to Base Camp. I want to be honest about that: it is nearly double the guideline. Many people do this trek in 9 days or fewer without trouble, but some do not, and I would rather you knew before you booked.

What helps is the short walk on day 5 (two to three hours from Deurali, so you arrive early and can rest), a slow pace, plenty of water, and telling your guide at once if you have a headache, feel sick or cannot sleep. If someone is not well, the answer is to go down, and from ABC you can go down fast. Talk to your doctor before you travel. My full guide is here: Altitude sickness on Nepal treks.

What travel insurance do I need for ABC?

Your policy must cover trekking up to the highest point of the trek, rounded up to the next 500 m. For Annapurna Base Camp that is 4,130 m, so check your policy covers you to at least 4,500 m. Read the small print on "trekking" and "helicopter rescue", because some policies stop at a lower altitude or exclude one of them.

How many days does it take to reach Annapurna Base Camp?

On our 9-day trek you reach Base Camp on day 5 and are back in Kathmandu on day 9. If you have less time, there are shorter versions, and if you want more time to adjust there are longer ones. I compare them in Annapurna Base Camp in 5, 7 or 9 days. For the walking hours and distances on each day, see the ABC trek map and heights and the 9-day itinerary.

Annapurna Base Camp trek prices for 2027

For 2 to 4 people, the 9-day trek costs USD 645 per person on Budget, USD 1,345 on Standard and USD 2,065 on Luxury. Budget has no porter and no meals included. Standard has a porter for every two trekkers and all meals. Luxury has all meals with fruit, nuts and drinks, your own porter and private deluxe rooms. Full inclusions, and prices for one person or larger groups, are on the Annapurna Base Camp trek page, and I explain every cost in Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost 2027.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Annapurna Base Camp in feet?

13,550 ft. In metres it is 4,130 m.

How high is Annapurna Base Camp compared with Poon Hill?

ABC is much higher. Poon Hill is at 3,210 m according to Himalayan Glacier, so Base Camp is about 920 m above it.

What is the highest point on the Annapurna Base Camp trek?

Annapurna Base Camp itself, at 4,130 m. You do not climb any higher.

How cold is it at ABC?

Cold at night in every season, and colder in winter. I explain this month by month in the best time to trek ABC.

Do I need a permit to reach Annapurna Base Camp?

Yes. You need the ACAP and TIMS permits, and we arrange both. The rules and fees are in Annapurna Base Camp permits explained.

Is Annapurna Base Camp harder than Everest Base Camp?

It is lower, but the climbing is steeper, with long stone staircases up to Chomrong and a steep final day. How hard it feels depends on you. See how difficult the Annapurna Base Camp trek is.

Can I drive or fly to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. You can drive to the start of the trail, but the last stretch is on foot. There is no road to the Sanctuary. A helicopter day tour is possible, and I compare it with the trek in this guide.

Ready to plan?

If you want to talk it through, message me on WhatsApp. Tell me your dates and how many of you are going, and I will answer personally. You can also see the 9-day Annapurna Base Camp trek.

Updated 12 November 2026.