The Annapurna Base Camp trek usually takes 7 to 12 days from Pokhara, with 10 days the most comfortable pace for first-timers. You walk from roughly 1,000 m up to 4,130 m through teahouse villages. You need an Annapurna Conservation Area permit, and the best months are October–November and March–May.
Key takeaways: Plan 10 days including a buffer day, get your permits in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you start, and go in spring or autumn. Treat altitude seriously: the trek is lower than Everest Base Camp but still reaches 4,130 m.
How many days do you need for Annapurna Base Camp?
Most people need 7 to 12 days of walking and travel, counting from Pokhara and back. A fit walker on the fastest common schedule can reach the base camp in about 5 days and be back in 7, but that leaves little room for bad weather or slow acclimatisation. A 10-day plan, with a short first day and a spare half day, is the one I would suggest to anyone new to high-altitude walking. The extra time matters more than it looks: if you lose a day to rain or a stomach bug, you do not have to rush the climb above 3,000 m.
The route is a there-and-back trek through the Modi Khola valley, with a loop option over Poon Hill at the start. Villages have teahouses every few hours, so you carry a daypack and sleep in simple rooms rather than tents. If you want a wider view of Nepal's trekking options, our Nepal trekking guide compares the main regions, and the Everest Base Camp guide shows how much longer and higher that trek is.
What does a 10-day Annapurna Base Camp itinerary look like?
A standard 10-day route goes Pokhara, Poon Hill, Chhomrong, the Machapuchare Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp and back down via Jhinu Danda. Altitudes and walking times below are approximate and vary with the trail, the season and your pace. Landslides sometimes reroute sections, and many teahouse owners will tell you the same day-by-day split, so treat this as a framework rather than a rigid timetable.
| Day | Route | Sleeping altitude (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokhara to Nayapul by road, walk to Ulleri or Tikhedhunga | 1,500 m (Ulleri) |
| 2 | Ulleri to Ghorepani | 2,860 m |
| 3 | Poon Hill at sunrise (3,210 m), then to Tadapani or Chhomrong | 2,600 m (Tadapani) |
| 4 | Tadapani to Chhomrong, then on to Sinuwa or Bamboo | 2,310 m (Chhomrong) |
| 5 | Chhomrong to Himalaya or Dovan | 2,900 m (Himalaya) |
| 6 | Himalaya to Deurali | 3,200 m |
| 7 | Deurali to Machapuchare Base Camp (MBC) | 3,700 m |
| 8 | MBC to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) and stay the night | 4,130 m |
| 9 | ABC back down to Bamboo or Sinuwa | 2,300 m |
| 10 | Jhinu Danda hot springs, walk out to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara | Pokhara, about 820 m |
The climb above Deurali is the part that catches people out. From Deurali to MBC the valley narrows and the trail crosses slopes that can be avalanche-prone in snowy weather, so local guides and teahouse staff watch conditions closely and may tell you to wait. MBC to ABC is short, usually a couple of hours, which is why many people sleep at MBC the night before and go up in the morning. Sleeping at ABC itself is common because the light on the surrounding peaks is best at dawn.
Which permits do you need for the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
You need an Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry permit, and since the rules have shifted in recent years you should also ask about any local municipality fee that replaced or sat alongside the old TIMS card. The ACAP permit has long cost around NPR 3,000 for foreign visitors, and you can see the current fee on the National Trust for Nature Conservation's ACAP page. The permits are issued at the NTNC office in Kathmandu (Nepal Tourism Board building) and in Pokhara, and you need your passport and passport photos.
Because fees and which cards are required have changed more than once, confirm the current list with the Nepal Tourism Board or your trekking agency before you pay for anything. Some trekkers also ask whether they need a guide. Nepal's rules on mandatory guides for independent trekking in national parks and conservation areas have been discussed and revised, so check the current position with an official source rather than relying on a forum post. Carry your permits at all times: checkpoints at places like Chhomrong and Sinuwa record them.
- Bring your passport and a few passport-sized photos to Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Buy the ACAP permit and any required local fee or card at the official counters.
- Keep paper copies and a phone photo of every permit.
- Show them at each checkpoint on request.
When is the best time to trek to Annapurna Base Camp?
The best windows are October to November and March to May. Autumn has the clearest mountain views and the busiest teahouses, while spring brings warmer days and blooming rhododendrons, especially around Ghorepani and Tadapani. We are now at the tail end of the autumn season, so the practical move is to plan for March or April next year and book flights and a first night in Pokhara early. Weather in the mountains can change quickly in any month, so keep a spare day in your plan.
The monsoon, roughly June to September, brings heavy rain, leeches on the lower trail and cloud that hides the peaks, though the route stays open. Winter is cold and the section from Deurali to ABC carries more avalanche risk, and some teahouses at the top close. Many people accept those trade-offs for fewer crowds, but it is not the best choice for a first Himalayan trek. If you are not sure, spring is the more forgiving season for newcomers.
How hard is it, and how do you avoid altitude sickness?
Annapurna Base Camp is a moderate trek with long days of stone steps rather than technical climbing, and altitude is the main risk. Thousands of stone steps up to Ulleri and Chhomrong are tiring for the knees, and the final days above 3,000 m can bring headaches, poor sleep and nausea. Going slowly, drinking water through the day and not rushing the ascent from Deurali are the most useful habits. Acute mountain sickness can affect fit people as much as unfit ones, so fitness alone is not protection.
- Do not climb more than a few hundred metres of sleeping altitude per day once above 3,000 m.
- If symptoms such as a worsening headache, vomiting or confusion appear, do not go higher; descend if they do not improve.
- Do not rely on tablets as a substitute for a slow pace; ask a doctor about them before you leave.
- Carry a basic first-aid kit and trekking poles for the long stone staircases.
Make sure your insurance covers trekking up to 4,200 m and helicopter evacuation, because many standard policies cap altitude lower. Our travel insurance primer explains what to look for in the wording, and the 2026 insurance comparison is a starting point for specific policies.
How much does the trek cost and how do you get to Pokhara?
Costs depend mostly on whether you hire a guide or porter and how much you spend on food and charging in the upper villages. Teahouse rooms are cheap, but the teahouse expects you to eat your meals there, and prices rise with altitude because everything is carried up by porters or mules. Budget extra for hot showers, device charging and Wi-Fi, which can cost more at higher camps. Exact prices vary by season, so ask your agency or lodge for current rates rather than trusting an old blog post.
To reach Pokhara from Kathmandu you can take a domestic flight of around 25 minutes, or a tourist bus or private car that usually takes six to eight hours depending on traffic and road works. Check schedules with the airlines or a ticket agent, since flights are affected by weather and can be delayed. From Pokhara it is roughly an hour and a half by taxi to Nayapul or a little further to Ghandruk-area trailheads. Some travellers also compare guided packages online; if you want to see what is on offer, you can compare Annapurna tours on GetYourGuide (affiliate link: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you).
What usually goes wrong on the trek?
The usual problems are rushing the schedule, bringing the wrong clothes and underestimating how cold it gets at night. At MBC and ABC temperatures can drop well below freezing even in spring, and teahouses are not heated beyond the dining room. A warm sleeping bag liner, a down jacket and gloves are worth carrying, and you can often rent heavier gear in Pokhara. Pack light, as the steps make every extra kilogram feel heavier; our backpack guide may help you choose.
Other common issues are landslides on the lower trail after rain, crowded dining rooms in October and stomach upsets from untreated water. Bring purification tablets or a filter and avoid raw salads and meat at higher altitude. Book your first and last nights in Pokhara flexibly, because delays in weather and transport can shift your return. Rules, fees and trail conditions all change, so check the official sources listed above shortly before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
Is Annapurna Base Camp easier than Everest Base Camp?
Generally yes: it is shorter and its high point (about 4,130 m) is lower than Everest Base Camp. It still has long stair sections and real altitude risk, so it is not trivial. See our Everest Base Camp guide for the comparison.
Can you do the Annapurna Base Camp trek without a guide?
Many people walk it independently using teahouses, but rules on guides have been revised in Nepal. Check the current requirement with the Nepal Tourism Board or a licensed agency before you go.
Do you need to book teahouses in advance?
Usually not, but in peak weeks of October and spring the upper villages such as MBC and ABC can fill up. Starting early each day helps you get a bed, and a guide can phone ahead.
Do I need travel insurance for the trek?
Yes, and check it covers trekking to at least 4,200 m and helicopter evacuation. Many standard policies exclude high-altitude trekking, so read the wording. See our insurance comparison.
Is there mobile signal or Wi-Fi on the trail?
Coverage is patchy: you can often get signal in the larger villages, and some teahouses sell Wi-Fi or charging for a fee. Do not count on connectivity at MBC or ABC.
If you are planning Nepal as a whole, start with the Nepal trekking guide, then decide how many days you can spare for Annapurna.
