Annapurna North Base Camp Trek 2027: 9-Day Itinerary, Cost and Best Time

Updated 18 October 2026.

Short answer: Annapurna North Base Camp is a quiet, strenuous trek on the north side of Annapurna I, reached from Pokhara by 4WD to Bhurung Tatopani and then on foot. The base camp is at about 4,190 m. My version takes 9 days, with an extra short day at Busket Mela so you do not jump 1,000 m in one night, and it ends with a soak in the hot springs at Tatopani. For two to four people it costs USD 800 Budget, USD 1,270 Standard and USD 1,955 Luxury per person. Best months are mid October to November, then March and April.

I am Shreejan. People find us searching for the Annapurna Base Camp trek and then ask if there is a quieter way to see the same mountain. This is it, but it is not an easier way. It is a different trek, with simpler lodging, and I want you to know that before you book.

What is the Annapurna North Base Camp trek?

The famous Annapurna Base Camp is on the south side of Annapurna I, with a busy, well-known teahouse trail. North Base Camp is on the other side. The trail is quieter, with more forest and fewer lodges, and it ends below the north face of Annapurna I (8,091 m). Because there are few lodges, the highest nights are in community-run tent hotels. That is how the area works, not a choice I made to save money.

The altitudes below come from published trekking sources and not from a survey, so read them as approximate.

What is the 9-day itinerary?

Pokhara to Beni takes about three hours on a sealed road. Beyond Beni the road is rough, which is why we use a high-clearance 4WD.

Why does my plan have nine days and not eight?

Many itineraries sleep at Sandhi Kharka (about 3,164 m) and go to base camp (about 4,190 m) the next day. That is a gain of about 1,000 m. Published sources describe no permanent lodge between Sandhi Kharka and the base camp, so the stop in between is the community tent hotel at Busket Mela, at about 3,550 m. I use it. Day 4 is short, you sleep a little higher, and the push to base camp on day 5 is about 640 m and not 1,000 m.

It costs one more day. I think it is worth it. If you want to understand how altitude affects people, read altitude sickness in Nepal and how to prevent it.

How is it different from the Annapurna Base Camp trek?

If this is your first Himalayan trek, I would send you to the south side. See the Annapurna Base Camp trek and the shorter 7-day version from Pokhara. For how hard that one is, read how difficult Annapurna Base Camp is. North Base Camp suits walkers who have done Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp, have slept above 3,000 m before and want something quieter.

When is the best time to go?

Which tent hotels and lodges are open depends on the season, and I confirm what is open before you travel. Bring a warm sleeping bag. If you do not have one, we lend a sleeping bag and a down jacket.

What does it cost in 2027?

These are the prices on the trip page today, in US dollars per person. The price falls as the group grows.

The price includes the 4WD, rooms, the permits, a licensed guide, first aid with a pulse oximeter and the government taxes. Standard and Luxury include meals on the trail. Budget does not include meals. Pokhara and Kathmandu hotel nights are not in any tier, and I quote them separately.

A solo trekker has no porter on Standard, and the guide carries up to 10 kg. Luxury solo has a dedicated porter. Read the Annapurna Base Camp cost breakdown if you want to compare what the south side costs.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Annapurna North Base Camp trek? It is strenuous. You walk five to seven hours a day, lodging is simple and the last climb is steep. The two highest nights are in community-run tent hotels.

How high is North Annapurna Base Camp? About 4,190 m (13,747 ft), below the north face of Annapurna I.

Do I need a permit? Yes. You need the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card. Both are included and we arrange them. I have not found a separate restricted-area permit for this route. Bring your passport. See the ACAP and TIMS fees explained.

Is there a hot spring? Yes. On day 8 we stay at Tatopani, whose name means hot water, and you can soak in the natural springs.

Can I do it alone? Yes, with your own guide. You have the guide and the vehicle to yourself, so the solo price is higher.

Is it suitable for children or older people? It is a strenuous trek at altitude, and I do not recommend it for young children. Fit teenagers who have trekked before can do it. Tell me ages and experience and I will tell you honestly.

Do I need travel insurance? Yes, bought at home. The highest point is about 4,190 m, and I round up to the next 500 m, so ask for cover to 4,500 m with helicopter evacuation.

What if the road is closed? We check the road 48 hours before departure. If it is not open, we move your dates free of charge.

How do payment and cancellation work?

You pay a deposit of 10 per cent to book and the balance when you meet us in Kathmandu, in US dollars or euros, in cash or by card. Cash carries no fee, and card carries a 3.5 per cent bank charge. We cannot take Nepali rupees from foreign guests.

The deposit is non-refundable, and there is no refund if you cancel yourself. I can move your trip free of charge to any date within one year, with at least 72 hours notice. If we cannot run the trip, we refund what you have paid, less taxes, bank or card charges and any money already spent on your behalf.

What is the next step?

The full trip page is Annapurna North Base Camp Trek, 9 Days. Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, group size and the trekking you have done before. I will tell you honestly if this trek or the south side suits you better.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.