There is more than one way to reach the Annapurna Sanctuary. You can walk the classic route through Gurung villages, combine it with the famous Poon Hill sunrise, or use new jeep roads to reach base camp in as little as five days from Pokhara. This guide compares the main Annapurna Base Camp itineraries and walks through our recommended 11-day ABC trek day by day.

Hand-picked itineraries

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ABC Itinerary Options Compared

Classic 11-Day Annapurna Base Camp Itinerary

Highlights Along the Way

Chhomrong

This large Gurung village sits on a steep hillside facing Annapurna South and the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre. It is the last big village before the sanctuary and a great place to try apple pie and local honey.

The Modi Khola gorge

Between Sinuwa and Deurali the trail winds through dense bamboo and rhododendron forest. In spring the rhododendrons bloom red and pink – Nepal’s national flower.

Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC)

At 3,700 m the valley opens and you enter the Annapurna Sanctuary. Machhapuchhre itself is sacred and has never been officially summited.

Annapurna Base Camp

ABC sits in a natural amphitheatre ringed by Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre. Sunrise here, as the light moves down the south face of Annapurna, is unforgettable.

The 5-Day Fast ABC Route

By taking a jeep from Pokhara to Jhinu Danda and walking long days, you can reach ABC on day three and be back in Pokhara on day five. It works well for fit hikers, but days 2 and 4 involve 7–9 hours of walking and you spend only one night high, so it is not ideal for anyone new to altitude.

Adding Poon Hill

The Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts via Ulleri and Ghorepani. A pre-dawn climb of Poon Hill (3,210 m) gives a panorama of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas before you cross through Tadapani to Chhomrong and join the ABC trail. It adds two days and some of the best forest walking in Nepal.

Tips for Choosing Your Itinerary

• First Himalayan trek? Choose the 11-day route – the gradual ascent is easier on your body.
• Travelling in winter or early spring? Build in a spare day in case avalanche risk closes the trail above Deurali.
• Want solitude? Consider Mardi Himal or trekking in late November or March.

Check the full Annapurna Base Camp cost guide and our advice on difficulty and the best time to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days is the Annapurna Base Camp trek?

The classic itinerary is 11 days from Kathmandu, with about 7 days of walking. From Pokhara the trek itself can be done in 5 to 8 days depending on your pace and route.

Where does the ABC trek start and end?

Most itineraries start and end in Pokhara. Jeeps now reach Jhinu Danda, Siwai or Ghandruk, where the walking begins.

Can I do Annapurna Base Camp in 5 days?

Yes, fit trekkers can complete a 5-day Pokhara-to-Pokhara route using jeep transfers, but it involves long days and little acclimatisation time.

Is it worth combining Poon Hill and ABC?

Yes, if you have two extra days. Poon Hill offers a classic sunrise panorama and the forest trail through Ghorepani and Tadapani is beautiful.

Which is better: Annapurna Base Camp or Mardi Himal?

ABC takes you inside a ring of 7,000–8,000 m peaks; Mardi Himal is a quieter ridge walk with close views of Machhapuchhre. Both are excellent 1-week treks.