Annapurna Base Camp Trek is an extraordinary adventure that takes you into the glacial heart of the Himalayas, and you will be face to face with the glorious 8091m mountain, which is the 10th highest in the world. The trail comprises forested slopes, traditional villages, and rushing rivers of exceptional beauty. However, there’s more to the trek than natural beauty alone, as the trail is well-known for the cultural diversity it offers among the inhabitants.
The region has ethnic mountain communities of Gurung and Magar, while the temples, shrines, and monasteries signify the residents’ faith in Buddhist values. The trail can also offer some glimpses of wildlife, including Himalayan monal and red panda, as we walk across the shaded forests and lush greenery. And all the while, legendary snow-clad mountains will be soaring over our heads as we enjoy the quaint atmosphere of the Himalayas that is nothing like anywhere else.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Highlights
- Maximum Altitude of 4,130 meters
- Sunrise views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri from the Poon Hill Viewpoints
- Relax in the hot springs of Jhinu Danda
- Learn about the ethnic cultures and traditions in the Annapurna Region
- Get up-close with Annapurna Massif and Himchuli at the base camp
Undoubtedly, it is one of the most popular treks in the world. It is that sort of trek which you can do without prior trekking experience. Notably, the trek comprises diverse terrain that includes hills, valleys, and rivers, wildlife, culture, and ethnic villages. Not to mention, it offers some spectacular up-close views of Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna Range.
The Annapurna region is a well-known sanctuary protecting not only the wild plants and animals but also the cultures and traditions that have been thriving for centuries. You will encounter terraced rice fields, exquisite farmlands, verdant pine and bamboo forests, temples, and gompas over the period of the trip. So, it is no surprise that the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most sought-after treks due to the rich rewards and exploration it offers.
Itinerary
We begin our trip by first driving to Nayapul where we start our hiking. The trail follows terraced fields and moderately dense forests alongside a fast-flowing river. Our path will then take us towards the north bank of Bhurungdi Khole where we ascend to reach Hille and then to Tikhedhunga. We will spend our night in a hotel in Tikhedhunga.
On the second day, we will continue hiking along a steep ascent whereby we can enjoy some excellent views of Machhapuchhare, Hiunchuli, and the Annapurna Range. Our trail will take us through rhododendron forests and across springs and rivers. First, we will arrive at Nanghethani and then reach Ghorepani after an hour of hiking. Notably, Ghorepani itself is a major trekking destination, especially for the Ghorepani-Poonhill trek. We will enjoy the view and take photographs in Ghorepani before staying overnight in a nearby hotel.
We begin early before sunrise and ascend the glorious Poon Hill. The sunrise view from the hill is nothing short of spectacular. After enjoying the views and taking photographs on the hill, we will return to our hotel for a breakfast and then continue our trekking. We will walk across oak and rhododendron forests to reach Deurali and then descend to Tadapani, which is a quiet and beautiful village. We will spend our night in a hotel in Tadpani.
On the fourth day, our trek involves a further ascent from Tadapani to Ghandruk and then descend to Kimron River on the fourth day. From the river, we climb uphill again to reach Chomrong. The village of Chomrong is located right on the lap of the Annapurna massif and offers some excellent views of Machhapuchhare and Annapurna South. We will spend our night in Chomrong village.
From Chomrong, we climb down to reach the Chomrong River and climb further to the valley of the Modi River. Our trail will then go along the Modi river as we traverse through rhododendron, bamboo, and oak forests. After reaching a trailside canyon, we walk further to reach Himalaya, where we spend the night.
We will start following the trail that goes through the narrow gorge alongside the Modi Khola valley. Then, our path goes through more dense forests as we pass locations such as Hinku Cave and the various teahouses of Deurali. A distinct entryway of the sanctuary welcomes us to the Annapurna base camp, where we will walk alongside the glaciers formed between the mountains. Moreover, we will pass through Machhapuchhre Base Camp on the way, which is in itself an excellent viewpoint for the mountains. At the Base Camp, we are welcomed by the up-close scenery of the various mountains that include the Annapurna Massif, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, and Gangapurna, among many others. We will spend the night at the base camp.
After reaching our destination, it is time for us to descend down. The day will incorporate almost 9 miles of hiking, but it is mostly downhill. After retracing our steps to the Modi River Valley, we will reach the quaint stopover location called Bamboo. We will spend the night at Bamboo.
We will descend down the river and then pass through some verdant forests. After reaching Kimrong Khola we will begin ascending amidst beautiful rhododendron, oak, and bamboo forests. Our last location for the day is Jhinu Danda, which is a quiet little village. Moreover, the village also has natural hot springs nearby where we can relax our tired muscles. We will spend the night in Jhinu Danda.
It will be the final day of our trek, where we will walk alongside Modie Khola and reach Ghandruk Phedi. From there, we will get on a private vehicle that will take us back to Pokhara while offering some picturesque views of the rural area outside Pokhara.
