Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) sits at 4,130 metres inside the Annapurna Sanctuary in Gandaki Province, at about 28.53° N, 83.88° E. It is a wide basin ringed by Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). On this 10-day trek, you walk up through Gurung villages and rhododendron forest for five days. Then you fly back to Pokhara by helicopter in about 20 to 25 minutes, so you skip the long walk down.
Grade: PD
This is how the 10-day trip works, from the drive to Nayapul to the helicopter flight home. It covers the pace, transport, the reserve day, and the safety arrangements.
You drive to Nayapul and walk up to ABC over five days. Then, the helicopter takes you out, so you never walk the same trail twice.
Walking days are 5 to 7 hours, mostly on stone steps and forest path. Skipping the walk down suits trekkers with a short holiday or tired knees, but the climb up is the same as on any other ABC route!
Most days start with an early breakfast and a start on the trail soon after.
You walk for three to four hours, stop for lunch at a lodge, then walk again until mid or late afternoon. Dinner is early, and most trekkers are asleep soon after.
Airport transfers on arrival and departure are by private vehicle. On Day 3, we collect you from your Pokhara hotel and drive you to Nayapul.
Between Kathmandu and Pokhara, you can fly, which takes about 25 minutes, or go by road, which takes roughly 6 to 8 hours.
For the road, you can choose a private vehicle or a tourist bus, and a local sharing jeep or public bus is cheaper (just mentioning, not part of the package). The flight and the choice of vehicle change the price, so tell us what you prefer when you book!
We base the helicopter in Pokhara. That means it flies to ABC and brings you back to Pokhara after your trek, and you get to spend about20 to 25 minutes in the air.
A direct flight from ABC to Kathmandu is possible but optional, for trekkers with limited holiday time. It costs more, and the aircraft is still based in Pokhara.
Note that helicopters fly only in clear weather. If cloud blocks the flight, we have to wait for a window and it's mostly in the mornings!
Note: We base our helicopter in Pokhara, so the flight from Annapurna Base Camp to Pokhara is the more affordable option. If you have a short holiday, you can choose an optional direct helicopter flight from ABC to Kathmandu instead. The cost varies depending on your flight destination and arrangements, so please contact us for the final price.
Day 9 is kept free so a weather delay does not break your plans. If everything runs on time, you can use it to leave early, see more of Kathmandu, explore around Pokhara or go for an extension trip to Bandipur, Chitwan, or both!
Because delays can happen, we suggest not booking your flight home before Day 10!
The route is planned around slow height gain. Dovan to Deurali is one steady stage so your body can adjust before you reach the Annapurna Sanctuary.
On Day 7, we stop at MBC for lunch and an AMS check before the last climb. The full steps are in the itinerary (so, kindly read taking time)!
Your guide sets the pace, watches the group each day, and decides when to stop or go down. We carry a first aid kit for you as well as our staff, with bandages, antiseptic, blister plasters, pain relief, rehydration salts and basic medicines.
In case you become sick or hurt, the guide checks on you and calls our office. Mild cases rest or go down to a lower village, and serious cases are evacuated by helicopter.
The evacuation steps are:
Simple habits help your body at height:
NTC and Ncell data services work in many villages but not everywhere, and the signal drops higher up. Where there is none, your guide uses a lodge phone or Wi-Fi, or sends a runner to the nearest village with signal.
Moreover, this is a lodge-based trek, not a remote wilderness camping trip. You sleep in proper teahouses or mountain lodges and pass well-settled places on most days.
The Annapurna Sanctuary is a high-altitude lodge trek, and the helicopter flight out adds one more thing that has to go right. Here is how we handle it on this route.
Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Heli Return combines a huge glacial basin, some of the highest mountains in the world, living Gurung villages and long stretches of forest. Here are the main attractions you will see on this trek.
Annapurna Base Camp sits on a flat stretch of moraine at 4,130 metres, inside a ring of snow peaks.
Annapurna I (8,091 m), the tenth highest mountain in the world, stands on one side, and a French team led by Maurice Herzog first climbed it in 1950 (but used the other North ABC route).
Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), and Machhapuchre (6,993 m) fill most of the rest of the view. The light is best at dawn, when the snow turns pinkand then gold.
Moreover, the lodges are low stone buildings close together, and a short walk around camp gives you new angles on the peaks!
MBC is a small cluster of lodges below the south face of Fishtail.
The mountain looks very close from here, and its twin summit is easy to see. During the sunset, the face of Fishtail catches the sunlight and turns golden!
The slopes above the lodges carry fresh snow for much of the year. It is also the last settlement before the open ground leading to ABC.
Fishtail or Machhapuchhre gets its name from its twin summit, which looks like the tail of a fish. From Pokhara, it looks like a pointed pyramid over the lake, but as you walk closer, the peak splits into two points.
Many local people link the mountain with the god Shiva.
A British team stopped about 50 metres below the top in 1957, and the summit has been closed to climbers since. Because it guards the gate of the Annapurna Sanctuary, you see it from many points along the trail and serves as the major highlight.
Annapurna South (7,219m) and Hiunchuli (6,441m) rise above Ghandruk and Chhomrong long before you reach the Sanctuary.
Hiunchuli's rounded summit sits next to the sharper ridge of Annapurna South. On clear mornings, both catch the first light from the village terraces.
At the gateway, above Deurali, they stand on one side of the gap, with Fishtail right behind. By ABC, they have grown into the high walls of the basin!
The Modi Khola is the river you follow for most of the walk. It rises in the Sanctuary and runs down through steep forested gorges, and you cross it on suspension bridges.
The whole route lies in the Annapurna Conservation Area, which was set up in 1986. The forest is home to langur monkeys, deer and the colourful Himalayan monal, Nepal's national bird.
In spring, the rhododendron, Nepal's national flower, turns the lower slopes red and pink.
Above Dovan, the trail reaches 108 Chahara, a wall of small waterfalls that pour down the rock beside the path.
The name means 108 streams, and the water comes from the melting glaciers of Annapurna and Gangapurna.
Right next to the falls stands the Pojenhyam Baraha Temple, a Shakti Pitha that is sacred not just to Hindus but also Buddhists. Local people treat the place with great respect, so please do not spit or leave litter near the temple.
You pass it on Day 6, between Dovan and Himalaya, and it is one of the best photo stops on the route!
The Gurung people call themselves Tamu, and their villages on this trail are some of the most welcoming in Nepal.
Many follow a mix of Buddhism and older shamanic traditions, and their biggest festival, Tamu Lhosar, falls in winter.
Their houses are built from stone and slate, and many have wooden verandas facing the valley. Many young men from the villages have served in the British and Indian armies, and the money they send home has helped build schools and lodges (including here in the ABC trail).
Staying in family-run lodges gives you a close look at daily life that you will not get on a wilderness route.
Between Chhomrong and Deurali, the trail climbs through bamboo and then moss-covered rhododendron forest. Thick moss covers the tree trunks, and light comes through the leaves in thin beams.
The river runs below the path, and its sound follows you for hours. In spring, the blooms add red and pink to the green, and in the colder months the forest is dark and quiet. Above Deurali, the trees fade into rock and snow.
The trail passes through towns, farming villages and forest stops that make the walk worth every step. These are the places you pass, in order from the start of the trek.
Pokhara sits at about 822 m beside Phewa Lake, and on a clear day Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range rise straight behind it.
The lakeside has cafes, boat rentals and shops where you can fix any last gear problem. On the water, the Tal Barahi Temple stands on a small island that you can reach by rowing boat.
On the hills above town, Sarangkot and the World Peace Pagoda are popular spots for views of the range. You also come back here at the end of the trek, when it is a good place to rest.
Nayapul is a small roadside town where the road ends and the trail begins. Thisi is also the last stop where ATMs are available.
Birethanti, a short walk upstream, is a busy village where the Modi Khola and the Bhurungdi Khola meet. Stone-paved streets, tea shops and a suspension bridge make it a pleasant place to stretch your legs.
Your permit is checked at Birethanti before you start climbing. Behind the village, the first terraces and stone steps of the Sanctuary trail begin!
Above Birethanti, the path climbs past small settlements such as Syauli Bazaar and Kimche. Terraced fields, stone steps and small streams fill this part of the trail.
You pass farmers working the terraces and women carrying loads of fodder and firewood. These small scenes of daily life make this trek richer than a walk through empty wilderness.
Ghandruk is one of the largest Gurung villages in Nepal. Stone-paved lanes run between the houses, and terraced fields of millet, maize and rice step down the hillside.
A small Gurung museum in the village shows local life, and many families take in trekkers in their homes. The view takes in Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre in one wide line. It is one of the best places (also a trending one) on the trek to watch the evening light on the peaks!
After Ghandruk, the trail drops steeply to the Kimrong Khola, a fast river that you cross on a bridge.
The climb out of the gorge on the far side is long, and it brings you onto the ridge leading to Chhomrong. This stretch changes all the time, with forest, farm terraces and open slopes in turn. It is the part of Day 4 where most trekkers first feel their legs working!
Chhomrong clings to a ridge, with a stone staircase running through the village. It is the last large settlement before the Sanctuary, and lodges get simpler beyond it.
The village is a busy stop, with small shops, bakeries and lodges built into the hillside. Annapurna South and Fishtail face the village across the valley. Looking back the next morning, you can see the whole valley you have walked up!
Past Chhomrong, the trail climbs to Sinuwa, a small ridge settlement, and then enters the forest at Bamboo. The name comes from the thick bamboo groves that shade the path.
The trail here is steep and quiet, with few buildings between the villages. In the monsoon, the forest is wet and full of leeches, while in the dry months it is cool and shaded. It is one of the calmest parts of the walk!
Dovan is a small stop with a few basic lodges set in thick forest. The river runs close by, and you can hear it all night.
Nights here are colder than in Chhomrong, and the mornings are often misty. It is the last place where you sleep among tall trees.
You have two options - Dovan or Upper Dovan, both are like 10 minutes apart.
Himalaya is a small cluster of lodges roughly halfway between Dovan and Deurali. It is a common tea/cofffee stop, and the forest around it is thick with rhododendron and moss.
From here, the trees slowly get shorter and the air gets cooler. Many trekkers stop for a hot drink before the steeper section to Deurali!
Hinku Cave is a rock shelter beside the trail, between Himalaya and Deurali. It is a natural shelter where travellers can wait out rain and snow.
The cave sits in a damp section of forest with moss, ferns and the sound of the river below. Many trekkers stop here for a short rest and a photo.
Note: The part of the trail close to Hinku Cave is also popular by the name "Hinku River", although it's the same Modi Khola. After heavy snowfall, this region is prone to avalanches, so please be careful when crossing here. Stick with our guide and he/she shall lead you!
In Nepali, a deurali is a high point or pass on a trail, often marked with a small shrine or pile of stones.
On the ABC trail, Deurali is the last stop before the gateway and the open ground above. A few lodges sit close together, and nights are cold. The last of the forest is just below the village!
Beyond Deurali, the trail passes a small stop called Bagar before reaching MBC. The forest is gone here, and the ground is open grass, rock and snow!
Wind picks up in the afternoon, so keep a warm layer within reach. The peaks on both sides now look very close! The gorge here is narrow, and the walls are steep and covered in loose rock and snow.
Small waterfalls drop from the slopes, and the path follows the river over stones and short wooden bridges.
Each option below is optional and costs extra. We can customize your itinerary based on your interests and available time.
Visit a traditional Newar hilltop town at approximately 1,000 m.
Walk through its historic bazaar, explore traditional brick and wood houses, and enjoy Himalayan views on clear days.
A peaceful stop between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Explore Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal’s southern lowlands.
Choose from jeep, canoe, and walking safaris to look for one-horned rhinos, birds, and other wildlife.
Bengal tigers also live in the park, although sightings are rare.
Add Bandipur, Chitwan, or both to your itinerary.
Allow an additional 2–3 days, depending on your chosen extension.
Use your reserve day for our Pokhara Cultural Sightseeing Tour or Kathmandu Valley Cultural Tour.
If you prefer to trek back down instead of taking the helicopter, see our Annapurna Base Camp Trek instead.
Note: If you need extra days beyond the planned itinerary, the extra days are charged by the day. The price depends on several factors, so please ask our team for the daily rate.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for this trek. March, April, May, October and November give the most stable weather and the clearest views!
Spring brings blooming rhododendron in the lower forest and warmer days, and mornings are usually clear. By afternoon, cloud and haze often build, so the best mountain views come early. Late May is warm and hazy, and the views are less sharp with possible light downpours.
Autumn usually brings dry trails, sharp visibility, and steady weather. October and November are the clearest months, but nights at Deurali, MBC and ABC are very cold. Autumn is also the busiest time, so lodges fill up faster and our backup arrangements are used more often.
Here's a month by month comparison:
Note: Dashain, usually in late September or October, is Nepal's biggest festival. Buses and flights fill up, and some shops in the cities close for a few days, so plan your travel dates around it.
Winter (December to February) is very cold at ABC, and snow can cover the upper trail. The monsoon (June to August) brings rain, leeches and heavy cloud, and helicopter flights get cancelled more often.
The whole route is inside the Annapurna region, so you need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). It is included in the package and we arrange it for you!
Currently, ACAP fee for non-SAARC foreign nationals at NPR 3,000, with a lower fee for SAARC nationals. Permits are checked at the checkpoint at Birethanti, as mentioned earlier.
Please do remember to send us a clear copy of your passport and passport photos before you travel. Keep your passport with you on the trail!
On the trail, carry out your plastic waste and do not pick plants or feed wildlife. These are standard rules in the conservation area and you should follow them by heart!
Insurance is separate from the permit. You need personal travel and health insurance that covers trekking up to 4,200m and emergency helicopter rescue.
It's not a legal compulsion for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek but considering the high altitude, we highly recommend to every trekker wishing to book with us!
Your policy pays for any rescue or hospital costs, so check the wording before you buy! That means it must cover your helicopter evacuation, altitude sickness medication, etc.
In fact, we insure our own team (guide and porter) for the whole trip too. If they are being insured, why not you?
Honestly speaking, this is a moderate trek. You walk about 5 to 7 hours a day for five days, mostly on stone steps, and you do not need climbing skills.
The hardest section is Chhomrong to Deurali, where staircases go up and down again and again. Above Deurali, the path eases, but the thin air makes every step slower.
Steps can be slippery after rain, and the upper trail can be icy on spring and autumn mornings. Nights at Deurali, MBC and ABC are freezing as we've been mentioning about it multiple times here!
So, you need to be comfortable walking several days in a row with a small pack. Altitude sickness can affect any trekker, fit or not, so fitness helps but does not replace a slow pace!
During the trip, you will experience a mix of city comfort in 3-star hotels and authentic mountain hospitality in family-run tea houses along the trail. While accommodations become simpler at higher elevations, warm dining halls and freshly cooked meals keep you comfortable throughout the trek:
While the helicopter return skips the downhill walk, the ascent demands solid physical stamina and careful packing for shifting high-altitude conditions. Here is what you need to focus on before you travel:
The right equipment is essential for a safe and comfortable Annapurna Base Camp Trek. You will experience changing temperatures, cold nights, steep trails, and possible rain or snow as you gain altitude. Pack in layers so you can adjust your clothing to the conditions, and choose comfortable, well-broken-in trekking boots with good grip. Use the checklist below to prepare your gear, clothing, documents, and personal essentials for the journey.
Most visitors need a tourist visa. You can usually get one on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, and the fee is not included in the package.
Do not rely on one! Withdraw Nepali rupees in Kathmandu or Pokhara, since you pay for showers, charging, drinks and tips in cash.
You can usually leave spare bags at your Pokhara or Kathmandu hotel while you trek. Ask us when you book so we can arrange it!
Yes. Dal bhat, vegetable noodles, pasta, vegetable momos and egg dishes are easy to find. Tell us about any allergies when you book so we can prepare right food for your trip!
Yes. You can buy an NTC or Ncell tourist SIM at Tribhuvan International Airport or in Kathmandu with your passport.
Avoid it at altitude. Alcohol worsens dehydration and can hide the signs of altitude sickness. Also, note that we do not include alcoholic drinks in this package.
Tips are not included. Many trekkers tip the guide and porters at the end of the trek, and we can help suggest a fair amount at your briefing.
Yes. Many first-time trekkers do ABC. A slow pace and honest reporting of symptoms matter more than past experience.
Welcome to Nepal! A member of our team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and takes you to your hotel. We choose the best 3-star hotel available for your dates. If it is full, we use another of the same category!
After you check in, rest or walk around Thamel. Later, our guide or trip coordinator gives you a short briefing about your upcoming trip in Nepal.
We go through the route, check your passport details for the permit, and answer all your questions. This is also a good time to look over your gear, since shops in Thamel can fill small gaps like gloves, socks or poles.
Keep the evening easy because the next day starts with a long travel leg. Dinner is not included, so you can choose any local restaurant!
Today, you travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara by road or by a short flight. We arrange whichever you choose. Just let us know in advance and note that the price varies accordingly.
The drive follows the Trishuli and Marsyangdi river valleys and passes small towns along the highway. The flight is faster and gives you mountain views on a clear day.
Pokhara is the base for the whole trip, and our helicopter is based here too. After you check in, the afternoon is free!
You can walk beside Phewa Lake and watch Machhapuchhre appear on the skyline. Pack a small day bag for the trail tonight and leave anything extra at the hotel.
After breakfast, we drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, the start of the trail. Your guide meets the porters and arranges the permit checks at Birethanti.
Then, you start walking along the river and climb through terraced fields and small hamlets. The last part is a long stone staircase up to Ghandruk.
You stop for lunch on the way and reach the village in the afternoon. The climb can feel steep if you are not used to steps.
Ghandruk is a large Gurung village with stone houses and neat lanes. Walk around once you have rested.
On a clear evening you may see Annapurna South and Hiunchuli above the roofs. Walking time is about 5 to 6 hours!
This is a long and varied day. You leave Ghandruk, follow the ridge, then drop down to a river and climb again!
Most of the ups and downs are stone steps, so poles help. There are forest sections, small tea stops, and wide views across the valley!
Your guide keeps a steady pace and picks a good lunch stop. In the afternoon, you climb into Chhomrong.
The village sits on a ridge facing Annapurna South and Fishtail. It is the last big village before the Sanctuary, so food choices are wider here.
Drink plenty of water and rest well. From tomorrow, the lodges get simpler and the height begins to matter. Walking time is about 6 to 7 hours.
From Chhomrong, the trail drops down a long staircase. Then, it climbs again through Sinuwa and Bamboo into thick forest.
The path is shaded and cool, and you hear the Modi Khola below. You pass small lodges where you can stop for tea!
The walk is about 5 to 6 hours. The forest can be wet and slippery, so go slowly on the steps.
Dovan is a small stop with basic lodges.Nights are colder than in Chhomrong.
Eat well, drink water throughout the afternoon, and sleep early. Tomorrow is the key stage for acclimatization!
We go from Dovan to Deurali in one planned stage because it gives you a steady gain and helps your body adjust. The walk takes about 3 to 4 hours.
The trail passes Himalaya and the area near Hinku Cave. The forest thins as you rise and the views open up!
Walk slowly and tell your guide at once about headaches, nausea, or strange tiredness. Early signs are easier to manage than late ones!
Deurali has a few lodges close together, and nights are cold. The dining hall is the warmest place!
Wear warm layers by late afternoon and eat as much as you can. Go to bed early because tomorrow is the big day as you reach the Annapurna Base Camp.
You leave Deurali and walk through the gateway between Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre. The first stop is Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m).
At MBC, we stop for lunch and spend a couple of hours there. During this time, our guide checks every trekker for signs of AMS.
If everyone is well, we move on to ABC. If someone is not, we decide on the safest plan for that person, which may mean going down.
The last section is not steep, but the height makes it slow. The whole day takes about 5 to 6 hours.
You reach ABC in the afternoon, and the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary opens up around you. Don't miss the sunset as it's one of the best moments of the entire trip. Wrap up warm and try to wake before sunrise.
Get up early for sunrise on Annapurna I and the peaks around the basin. After breakfast, take a short walk around the base camp and enjoy the quiet!
Then, the helicopter arrives. The flight to Pokhara takes about 20 to 25 minutes, and we base the helicopter in Pokhara to keep it short and affordable.
If you have limited holiday time, you can choose the optional direct flight from ABC to Kathmandu. The cost is higher, though!
Flights depend on weather and visibility, so we confirm the timing on the day. Once you land, we take you to your hotel for a hot shower and a good rest. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own!
This day protects your plan if weather delays the helicopter. It also gives you choices if everything ran on time!
If you are already in Kathmandu, you can depart today or explore the city.
If you are in Pokhara, you can stay and visit nearby places, or drive or fly back to Kathmandu.
As mentioned earlier, you can book one of our Pokhara Cultural Sightseeing Tour and Kathmandu Valley Cultural Tour if you want a guided day!
You can also extend the trip with a short Bandipur visit or a Chitwan jungle safari, or both. This adds 2 to 3 days and we customize the plan for you.
Today is your departure day. Our team takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport based on your flight time.
Before you leave, check your room and keep your passport and tickets in your hand luggage. If your flight is later in the day, you may have time for a last walk in Thamel.
Please tell us your flight time early so we can plan the pickup. If you added Bandipur or Chitwan, your departure shifts by 2 or 3 days and we adjust the transfers.
We hope the Annapurna Sanctuary was everything you wanted. Safe travels!