Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Kathmandu, Nepal
5.0 (2 reviews)Trip Highlights
- World Famous Trek
- Incredible Elevation Change
- Dramatic Mountains & Views
- Giant Rivers, Waterfalls & Valleys
- Fantastic, Local Cuisine
- Relatively Moderate Hiking
- Temples, Monasteries & Villages
Description
Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), also called the Annapurna Sanctuary, is one of the most beautiful treks in the world. The trek itself provides generally moderate hiking (for the Himalayas), stunning scenery and a mix of cultures unmatched by any other trek in Nepal. The predominant caste in this area are the Gurung people. Additionally, the Magar and Chetrie people live in the same area and are historically famous for serving as soldiers in the British Army (Ghorkas). The cultural highlights of the ABC trek combined with the amazing views of Mount Machapuchare (22,943 ft.), Mount Dhulagiri (26,794 ft.) and Mount Annapurna South (26,545 ft.) create a full, unforgettable Himalayan trekking experience.
The trek to Annapurna follows a well-trodden path through small villages, terraced farmlands and spectacular forests on its way up to the glaciated alpine zones at the higher elevations. We eventually make our way to Machapuchare Base Camp where we will stay before ascending to the alpine mountain sanctuary of the Annapurna Base Camp (13,550 ft.) for sunrise. Come see why our Annapurna Base Camp Hike is one of the best treks in the world!
$250 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
On this trip the single supplement includes single rooms in the hotels we stay at before and after the trek. Once on our trek we will not have the ability to put guests in single rooms. Please be prepared to share rooms, huts, teahouse accommodations..etc. with other guests and hikers once we’re on the trek. Different sexes will never be asked to share a room unless they are traveling together or we are in communal lodging with several people in one room.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Our difficulty ratings are based on a scale of 1-5, tours with a rating of 1 being least difficult, tours with a rating of 5 being most difficult
- Backpack Weight:
- 10-15 pounds
- Daily Hiking Distances:
- 4-10 miles
- Most Elevation Loss:
- 5000 feet
- Most Elevation Gain:
- 3000 feet
- Quality of Trails:
- This trip follows well-trodden dirt and rock paths
- Additional:
- This trip has significant one-day elevation gains (up to 3000 feet) and losses (up to 5000 feet), but our elevations don’t exceed 14,000 feet and we’re hiking with light day packs. For these reasons, we give this trip a Level 4 difficulty rating.
Participants should:
- be active and healthy
- exercise several times per week
- be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles per day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a 15-pound backpack
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Nepal hike a solitude 2. You can expect to have as much as an hour of solitude at a time while hiking.
Learn More about our Rating SystemBOOKING FLIGHTS
For our Nepal treks you will need to arrive in Kathmandu on the day the trip begins before 5 P.M. Your guide will rendezvous with you at the airport and transport you to our hotel. An orientation meeting, dinner and accommodations are included on Day 1. Your return flight should be scheduled for the final day of the tour. Flights to and from Kathmandu are the guest’s responsibility. Multiple airlines operate flights into Kathmandu, but there are no direct flights from U.S. or European cities. Most flights connect through Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Doha (Qatar), New Delhi (India), Seoul (South Korea). The duration of these multiple-stop flights, including layovers, is normally between 29 and 35 hours.
Your flight on the final day can depart at any time.
Minimum of 2 Guests
We require a minimum of 2 guests to confirm this trip. If a trip date is not confirmed yet, you can register and will be notified when the trip is officially confirmed. We recommend not making final travel arrangements until your trip meets the minimum number of guests and is confirmed.
In most cases, if a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, or be refunded your payments in full. We make the final determination for these trips 45 days before the departure date.
Private Trips
Traveling in perfect company is a wonderful thing! With our private trip offerings you can book a trip exclusively for your group. Whether it’s with family, friends or colleagues, private trips are a fun and enriching way to explore the outdoors.
Private trip pricing is based on a sliding scale, depending on the number of people in your party. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax and national park fees (where applicable) or guide gratuity. Give us a call at 800-715-HIKE to get the ball rolling!
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2
- 3 People: Rate x 1.5
- 4-5 People: Rate x 1.3
- 6-7 People: Rate x 1.2
- 8-10 People: Rate x 1.1
- 11-12 People: Rate x 1
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsItinerary
DAY 1
On this Nepal hiking tour, we will pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal and transport you to our hotel in Thamel (tourist section of Kathmandu). We will have some free time to rest, eat and have showers. This evening we meet for team introductions and general questions. We then go out to dinner at our favorite local Tibetan restaurant. Be sure to drink copious amounts of water in route, as flying and traveling will certainly dehydrate you. Self care begins immediately.
DAY 2
This morning, after breakfast on your own at our hotel, we’ll visit the famous “Monkey Temple” of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath. Once we are ready to leave Swayambhunath, we travel to the largest Buddhist stupa in the world, Boudhanath. After our temple tours, we travel back to Thamel where you’ll have free time to wander the streets of Thamel, have lunch on your own, purchase last minute trekking supplies and or rest at the hotel. Additionally, we meet our Nepali guides tonight for a thorough introduction on our itinerary to Annapurna Basecamp. Dinner tonight is on your own and your guides will have great recommendations for you in the area if you want.
DAY 3
This morning we depart Kathmandu around 7 am. We board the tourist bus and set off for roughly 6 hours to Nepal’s second largest city, Pokhara! Enroute to Pokhara we will be immersed in the Nepali countryside being exposed to rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain scenery. When we arrive in Pokhara, we check into our hotel and you’ll have the afternoon and evening free to explore and dine in this wonderful destination city.
DAY 4
- Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
- Lowest Elevation: 2750 feet
- Highest Elevation: 6363 feet
- Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
After breakfast, we will drive for 2 hours in a private vehicle to the village of Shyaule Bazar. This is where our trek officially begins. At the trailhead, our guides will conduct a final brief on effective trekking techniques before heading off towards the village of Ghandruk. Hiking on a stone paved trail we will reach the small village of Kimche. After a short break, we will finish our day’s trek at the village of Ghandruk. Upon arrival in Ghandruk, we can check into our guest house, freshen up and will have free time until dinner our is served. Your guides will provide the plan for the next day after dinner.
DAY 5
- Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
- Lowest Elevation: 6245 feet
- Highest Elevation: 7120 feet
- Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours
Today’s trek from Ghandruk leads higher past many farm terraces and into the cool shade of the local forests. We will head up to the Kimrong ridge, eventually descending into the Kimrong River Valley. After a brief rest, our afternoon climb will lead us on a nice winding trail to reach the top of a hill with spectacular views of the Annapurna regions alpine peaks. After an easier downhill walk, we will reach the village of Chhomrong; the last village and the gateway to Annapurna base camp and scenic sanctuary. Upon arrival in Chhomrong, we will check into our guest house and have free time until our dinner is served. This town is known for a special desert we will definitely try!
DAY 6
- Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
- Lowest Elevation: 7000 feet
- Highest Elevation: 7575 feet
- Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
This morning after breakfast, we will begin our trek to the village of Bamboo. The trail leading out of Chhomrong descends down a section of stone steps before crossing the Chhomrong river. After taking in the views of this river we will begin ascending up to the village of Sinuwa. During this section we pass through a beautiful forest and the village of Kuldihar. Upon arrival in Bamboo, we will check into our guest house and have time to relax before our dinner is served. Your guides will deliver the plan for the next day after dinner.
DAY 7
- Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
- Lowest Elevation: 7575 feet
- Highest Elevation: 10,600 feet
- Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
This morning after breakfast, we begin ascending slowly through a bamboo forest. Due to the nature of this forest, we are hidden from the sun, so make sure to have your puffy jacket accessible. Eventually, the forest opens up and we are out in the sun again with amazing views of the glacial river below. The vegetation becomes sparser the higher we climb, allowing magical views of the surrounding mountains. When we arrive in Deurali, we will check into our guest house and have free time until our dinner is served. After dinner, we will gather by the warm fire to read books or play cards due to the colder weather at this higher elevation. Our guides will deliver our plan for the next day’s hike after dinner by the fire.
DAY 8
- Hiking Mileage: 3 miles
- Lowest Elevation: 10,600 feet
- Highest Elevation: 12,140 feet
- Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
Today is our shortest day of hiking of the trek which allows us some rest and extra time for our bodies to adjust to the higher elevations. We will begin our walk over a glacial river bed and then the trail becomes steeper. We continue to hike slowly, to allow our bodies to acclimatize effectively, for a couple of hours until we reach the Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC). MBC has outstanding views of Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mt. Hiunchuli, Mt. Annapurna South and Mt. Annapurna 1. Upon arrival at MBC, we check into our guest house and will eat lunch. After some time to relax and before dinner, we will go on a short acclimatization hike which allows our bodies to adjust better to the higher sleep elevations of MBC. This afternoon’s hike, a warm nutritious dinner and a good night’s rest will prepare us properly for tomorrow’s hike up to the Annapurna Base Camp and our decent back down to the village of Bamboo!
DAY 9
- Hiking Mileage: 9.5 miles
- Lowest Elevation: 7575 feet
- Highest Elevation: 13,550 feet
- Trekking Duration: 8-9 hours
This morning we will get an early start and head to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). This is often the highlight of the trip due to the sweeping high alpine views of the surrounding Himalayas and specifically the towering Annapurna during sunrise. After spending some time taking in the views, photographing the surrounding area and enjoying a hot drink we will start our decent away from ABC.
Our return journey takes us back down to MBC for lunch and in the afternoon back to the village of Bamboo. Upon arrival in Bamboo, we will check into our guest house and have time to rest and relax until being served our dinner. What a day it has been!
DAY 10
- Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
- Lowest Elevation: 5770 feet
- Highest Elevation: 7575 feet
- Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
From Bamboo, we will trek through the village of Kuldighar and descend to the Chhomrong river before climbing the stone steps up to the village of Chhomrong. In Chhomrong, we will have a break for lunch. After eating, we will take a quieter less travelled path to the village of Jhinu. Here we will check into our guest house for the night. Tonight, we have an extra special treat, a local hot spring is just a short walk from our guest house and is a perfect way to spend the afternoon. Getting to soak and relax our muscles is a perfect way to end today’s hike. We will arrange a time to meet back at the guest house for our dinner and make plans for our final day of trekking.
DAY 11
- Hiking Mileage: 4.5 miles
- Lowest Elevation: 2750 feet
- Highest Elevation: 5770 feet
- Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
Our trek today takes us through amazing scenery as we pass through the many small Nepali villages clinging to the hillsides surrounded by farming terraces. We will stop in one of these villages to have lunch before continuing on our final stretch of our trek. We end this amazing 8 days of trekking in the village of Siwi. Upon arrival in Siwi, we will meet our awaiting private vehicle and be shuttled back to Pokhara. Upon arrival in Pokhara, we will say goodbye to our porters, check into our hotel, take showers and have free time. You will have the afternoon and evening free to wander around the pleasant lakeside markets, souvenir shops and parks. Dinner today will be on your own and your guides will have great recommendations for you if you want.
DAY 12
After breakfast in Pokhara, we will start on our 124-mile drive back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will check into our hotel. The afternoon is free for you to have lunch, rest or explore Thamel on your own. We will set a time to meet and have one final farewell dinner together celebrating our achievements and new friendships. What a trip it has been!
DAY 13
Today is the final day of the trip. Our shuttle driver will come to your hotel 3 hours before your flight departure and deliver you to Tribhuvan International Airport. If you are remaining in Nepal, please let us know. We can arrange extra activities in Nepal. Thanks for choosing Wildland Trekking.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: extreme weather, political or bureaucratic obstacles, earthquakes, fires, flooding and more.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- A detailed trip packet that takes the guesswork out of your travel, training, packing, and preparing for the trip
- Access to our Adventure Consultant team 7 days a week
- Transportation for the duration of the tour starting on Day 1 and ending on the day you depart
- Hotel lodging before and after the trekking portion of the trip, and teahouse lodging during the trek (Lodging Details)
- Use of a day pack and trekking poles
- Professional, certified Wildland Himalayan hiking guides
- Himalayan porters
- TIMS Card and fees (please bring 2-4 passport photos and copy of passport)
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner for the duration of the trekking portion of the trip
- Welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu
- All breakfasts in Pokhara and Kathmandu
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and kids to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Transportation to Kathmandu, Nepal
- Bar bills, drink bills, extra snacks, telephone bills , wifi bills and other personal expenses (shopping/ laundry)
- Day 2 & 3 lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Day 11 dinner in Pokhara and Day 12 lunch in Kathmandu
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (Oboz hiking shoes and boots recommended)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. flight cancellation, personal illness, strikes, etc. (we recommend trip insurance coverage for these variables)
- Trip insurance that includes medical coverage and at least $200,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage (required in Nepal)
- Gratuity for tipping your guide(s) and local crew. Tipping is optional but appreciated; the industry recommendation is 10-20% of total trip cost split between all staff, based upon the quality of your experience. USD is recommended. (Please see packlist for details.)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
MEALS: WHAT TO EXPECT
This Nepal hiking tour features a combination of in-town meals and meals prepared by your guide. We’ll have dinners at carefully selected, wonderful restaurants in Kathmandu as well as meals prepared on the trail by your guides and/or support staff, and meals in our nightly tea houses.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We can often accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee, and in some countries may be more difficult to accommodate than others. Please inquire with us for more information about the specific trip you’re interested in.
GEAR WE PROVIDE
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Backpacks
- Trekking poles
- Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Satellite phone
WHAT GEAR TO BRING
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person and basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
WHAT CLOTHES TO BRING
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
Trip Logistics
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
WHERE DO WE MEET?
We will meet you at the airport on Day 1 and transport you to the first night’s hotel (included), where we’ll conduct an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the first evening (your flight should arrive in Kathmandu before 5PM). Your guide will be in contact approximately 45 days before your trip to coordinate your rendezvous and answer any last-minute questions you have.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Your safety is our top priority. Our Global Destination trips are led by professional hiking guides along with additional support staff. All of our guides are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Finally, we’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and all tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
In the interest of your safety, it’s important to refer to the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date recommendations on immunizations before your trip.
GUIDES
This trip is led by expert, local Wildland guides. Our approach to international travel is to combine the best of two worlds: the dialed-in details, professionalism and consistency Wildland trips are known for; and the cultural immersion and intimate regional knowledge that only locals can provide. To excel with this approach, we vet and hire the best local guides, welcome them into the Wildland family and train them to meet our standard of excellence with every aspect of a trip. But along with managing logistics and safety, your guides will teach you about the area’s history and culture, and provide a level of familiarity and intimate detail only locals can.
Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
GUIDE WORKING PARAMETERS
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
GROUP SIZE AND AGE RESTRICTIONS
The maximum group size on this hiking tour is 15 guests and 3 guides, with a minimum of 2 guests and 1 guide. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
TRIP INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Field evacuation and repatriation insurance is required on all Nepal trips as a condition of partnership terms with our Nepali vendors. We also recommend medical insurance.
If you need to purchase field evacuation or repatriation insurance, we recommend IMG/iTravelinsured. They are one of the world’s leading providers of travel insurance and policies meet all Nepali requirements.
For information on the recommended IMG/iTravelinsured policies please click here.
For even greater information, or if you simply prefer communicating with a real, live person, feel free to contact our exclusive agent Michael Bennett. Michael will help you identify the best product for your needs, and there is no cost associated with his assistance. You may contact him at:
Email: WildLandTrekking@EasyToInsureME.com
US by Phone: 877-305-9083
Direct/International by Phone: 702-448-3664
If you already have the required insurance or wish to purchase from anyone other than IMG/iTravelinsured, we recommend careful consultation with the provider to ensure appropriate coverage. This is because many providers have a number of policy exclusions (of particular note for Nepal is to check field evacuation elevation limits).
Please bring a copy of your insurance policy to provide to your guides at the orientation meeting.
WEATHER IN NEPAL
Nepal is home to the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas. Kathmandu is at an elevation of 4600 feet (1400 meters), but the high points on our Nepal Treks are very high (13,000 to 18,000 feet). Because of these wild elevation changes, the temperatures and weather can also vary wildly.
The average temperatures and precipitation in the Himalayan region are:
| Kathmandu | Himalayas (11K ft) | |||||
| Month | Hi | Low | Precip | Hi | Low | Precip |
| March | 75° F | 46° F | 10 mm | 49° F | 27° F | 31 mm |
| April | 82° F | 54° F | 29 mm | 55° F | 31° F | 36 mm |
| May | 84° F | 59° F | 70 mm | 57° F | 38° F | 55 mm |
| June | 84° F | 63° F | 129 mm | 59° F | 42° F | 171 mm |
| July | 81° F | 64° F | 325 mm | 60° F | 45° F | 283 mm |
| August | 81° F | 64° F | 239 mm | 60° F | 45° F | 261 mm |
| September | 81° F | 63° F | 175 mm | 58° F | 42° F | 161 mm |
| October | 77° F | 57° F | 67 mm | 54° F | 34° F | 63 mm |
Accommodations
MANANG HOTEL
3 NIGHTS
We love this hotel and it is one of the original, well-known and best 3 star hotels in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is perfectly situated 8 KM away from the Tribhuwan International Airport and is located in the exciting district of Thamel; making it very enjoyable and convenient to our guests. We know you will love the view from the rooftop!
(wifi)
HOTEL CITY INN
2 NIGHTS
This hotel in Pokhara offers extraordinary service, a phenomenal location for to begin the Annapurna Trek, plenty of space, and comfortable, modern amenities. Add great views from the rooms’ picture windows, and the result is a lodge that does not disappoint!
NEPALI TEA HOUSES
7 NIGHTS
Tea houses are inns/guest houses with sleeping rooms and home cooked meals. They vary depending on their remoteness. Lower ones have more amenities, such as flush toilets, showers and nicer dining rooms. As we ascend, they get more rustic with simpler toilets and more basic amenities. Rooms are communal with 2 or 3 beds.
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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Stuart S.
Well Organized Trek
Wildland organized a private trek in Nepal to Annapurna Base Camp for me and my adult son and daughter. The trip surpassed my expectations. Our guide Jangbu was fantastic, he kept us safe and shared many insights on the culture and history of the mountain regions of Nepal. Javeen, our in-country coordinator, was also fantastic and very responsive in making real-time adjustments our itinerary. Without hesitation I would recommend Wildland.
Karen K.
What an Adventure!
My husband and I just returned from Wildland's Annapurna Base Camp trip. What an adventure! It was the trip of a lifetime. We had gorgeous mountain views and loved the cultural experiences included in the tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and experienced and our Nepali guide and porter were also wonderful. The entire trip was well organized and we really appreciated having the comfort and security of an American guide to help us navigate the customs of another country. This is a trip that anyone who is physically fit and has trained for can do. My husband and I are in our 60's and we did it. So glad we did! I have also traveled with Wildland in the states and we definitely would recommend Wildland for anyone seeking a guided hiking adventure.
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