Pokhara: 7-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek
About This Experience
The route starts with a drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and a walk up through terraced fields to Ghandruk, one of the largest and best-preserved Gurung villages in Nepal — slate roofs, stone-paved lanes and a direct view of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre from the upper terraces.
From Ghandruk the trail drops to the Kimrong Khola and climbs again to Chhomrong, the gateway village where the Sanctuary trail properly begins. Days three and four follow the Modi Khola through Bamboo, Dovan and Himalaya — dense oak and rhododendron forest, suspension bridges, and the gorge walls closing in on either side — up to Deurali at 3,230 m.
Day five crosses Machhapuchhre Base Camp and enters the Sanctuary itself: a near-complete ring of peaks with Annapurna I (8,091 m) at its head. You overnight at Annapurna Base Camp, then descend over two days with the option of the Jhinu Danda hot springs before the drive back to Pokhara.
Accommodation is in standard tourist lodges booked privately for your group, and the operator supplies a duffel bag and trekking poles if you need them. Porters can be hired locally for around $15 a day.
Highlights
- Trek to the base of Annapurna I, the world's tenth-highest mountain, at 4,130 m
- Overnight in Ghandruk, a traditional Gurung village with slate roofs and stone lanes
- Walk from terraced rice fields through rhododendron forest to glacial moraine in one route
- Face-on views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Hiunchuli from the Sanctuary floor
- Seven-day pacing that leaves room to wait out a cloudy morning at base camp
What's Included
- ✓ Government-certified English-speaking trekking guide
- ✓ Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) permit and all government paperwork
- ✓ Private return transport Pokhara–Nayapul
- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off in Pokhara
- ✓ Private accommodation in standard tourist lodges
- ✓ Duffel bag and trekking poles if needed
- ✓ First-aid kit carried by the guide
- ✓ Luggage storage in Pokhara during the trek
Not Included
- Food and drinks along the trail (available to buy at every lodge)
- Porter — available to hire at roughly $15 per day
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide and porter
- Personal expenses, hot showers, Wi-Fi and charging
What to Bring
- Passport or ID card for permit checkpoints
- Hiking boots already broken in
- Warm layers and a windproof jacket for base camp
- Waterproof shell — the gorge catches weather even in clear seasons
- Cash in Nepali rupees for meals, drinks and charging
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a headlamp
Good to Know & Caveats
- Meals are not included on this package — budget roughly $25–35 a day for food and drinks on the trail
- Porters are hired locally rather than bundled into the price; arrange one with your guide on day one if you want it
- The Chhomrong and Sinuwa stone staircases are the hardest physical sections, not the altitude
- Lodges above Deurali have no heating in the rooms — the dining room stove is the warm space
Not Suitable For
- Travellers with serious mobility limitations
- Anyone unable to walk 5–6 hours on consecutive days
Meeting Point
Hotel pickup in Pokhara on the morning of day one; the operator confirms the exact time after booking.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.9/5 by 59 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
I had the most unbelievable time trekking to ABC with my guide Deepak and the rest of the group. We were blessed with incredible weather throughout and were treated to astounding views of the Annapurna range.
— Josiah, 2026-06
The hike was absolutely incredible. Breathtaking views, and even though each step was draining, the view at the end was worth every drop of sweat. Our guide Jivan was fantastic every step of the way.
— Soham, 2026-06
We had a wonderful time. Our guide Sushil was very professional and helpful during the more challenging parts of the trip, and good company at the lodges in the evenings.
— Ingvild, 2026-05
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose seven days over the five-day Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Seven days adds a night in Ghandruk and a gentler daily altitude gain, plus a spare margin if the weather closes in at base camp. It is the pacing most Nepali guides recommend for first-time Himalayan trekkers.
Are meals included in the price?
No. Food and drinks are bought at the lodges as you go, which typically works out at around $25–35 per day. Your guide will point out which lodges are best value on each stage.
Do I need a porter?
It is optional. A porter costs roughly $15 per day and carries up to about 25 kg, usually shared between two trekkers. Most people who hire one say it transformed the steep Chhomrong staircase days.
What permits do I need for the Annapurna Sanctuary?
You need the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) permit and the trekker registration paperwork. Both are included and arranged by the operator before you set off.
How hard is the trail?
The difficulty is stamina rather than technical skill — five to six hours of walking a day, with long stone staircases around Chhomrong and Sinuwa. No climbing equipment or previous altitude experience is required.
