Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary and Route (5, 7 and 9 Days)

Updated on: 15 Jul, 2026

Reading time: 8 min

Quick answer: The Annapurna Base Camp trek route runs from Pokhara through Ghandruk and Chhomrong, up the Modi Khola valley past Machhapuchhre Base Camp, to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m, then back down through the Jhinu Danda hot springs. Most trekkers walk it in 7 to 9 days on the trail. A fit trekker can do a fast 5-day version from a higher start.

A good itinerary is really about altitude, not distance, so let me show you the route the way your body will feel it. The Annapurna Base Camp trek climbs steadily up one long valley. You gain height each day, until the mountains close in around base camp. So below are the village-by-village route and three itinerary lengths. There is the 9-day classic we run, a tighter 7-day, and a fast 5-day for the fit and time-poor.

Key Takeaways

• The route climbs from Pokhara (820 m) up to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m).
• Key stops: Ghandruk, Chhomrong, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp.
• Most trekkers take 7 to 9 days on the trail; a fit trekker can do 5 days.
• The descent passes the Jhinu Danda hot springs, a fine reward for your legs.
• You gain height gradually, which keeps the altitude risk low if you pace it.

What is the Annapurna Base Camp trek route?

It follows one valley, the Modi Khola, from warm farmland to a glacier basin ringed by giants. The route is a there-and-back up the valley, with a few variations low down. So you climb through the same beautiful villages twice, once up, once down.

So here is the classic line, the one our own Annapurna Base Camp Trek follows, with altitudes:

So you begin in terraced hills and Gurung villages. Then you climb through rhododendron forest, and follow the narrowing gorge up to the Sanctuary. The last stretch, from Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp, is the magic one. Here the valley opens into its ring of peaks.

The 9-day Annapurna Base Camp itinerary (classic)

This is the well-paced version we run, with time to enjoy it rather than endure it. Also, it includes the Kathmandu and Pokhara connections, so it is the full door-to-door trip.

The whole trek covers roughly 110 km on foot, round trip from the Nayapul area. You walk about 5 to 7 hours on the main days. Day 5 is the big one. If the timing is right, you reach base camp for the light on the peaks. Then the descent is quicker, and day 7 ends in the hot springs. Your legs will remember them fondly.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek 9-Days

9 Days | 1 Reviews

US$ 930 US$ 1290

Classic Route

The 7-day Annapurna Base Camp itinerary (trail only)

A tighter version for trekkers who start near Pokhara and want to skip the city days. This counts only the walking. So add your own travel to and from Pokhara on either end.

• Day 1: Pokhara to Nayapul, trek to Ghandruk (1,940 m).
• Day 2: Trek to Chhomrong (2,170 m).
• Day 3: Trek to Himalaya (2,920 m).
• Day 4: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) via Machhapuchhre Base Camp.
• Day 5: Descend to Bamboo (2,350 m).
• Day 6: Trek to Jhinu Danda (1,780 m).
• Day 7: Trek out to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara.

So seven days on the trail reaches base camp at a sensible pace. And it is popular with trekkers on a shorter holiday who still want the full Sanctuary.

Can you do the ABC trek in 5 days?

Yes, a fit trekker can, by starting higher and moving fast, but it trades rest for speed. The short version usually starts with a drive to a higher trailhead, like Siwai or Kimche. That cuts out the lowest day of walking. Then you push up and down quickly.

• Day 1: Drive to a high trailhead, trek to Chhomrong.
• Day 2: Trek to Deurali or Himalaya.
• Day 3: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp.
• Day 4: Long descent to Jhinu Danda or Chhomrong.
• Day 5: Trek out and drive to Pokhara.

Still, be honest with yourself about this one. Five days means long walking hours, thin acclimatization, and a punishing descent. So it works for strong, experienced walkers on a tight schedule. For most people, the 7 or 9-day plan is a much better trip, and not much longer.

The Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill (the scenic long way)

If you have a few extra days, the Poon Hill variation is the finest way to reach base camp. Here is how it works. Instead of heading straight up the Modi Khola valley, it first climbs to Ghorepani and the famous Poon Hill sunrise viewpoint. Then it crosses to Tadapani and joins the main ABC trail at Chhomrong.

It adds roughly two to three days. So the full trip runs about 10 to 13 days, depending on your pace and start point. Here is the shape of it.

• Nayapul to Ulleri: the climb up the long Ulleri stone staircase.
• Ulleri to Ghorepani (2,874 m): through rhododendron forest to the ridge village.
• Poon Hill (3,210 m): a pre-dawn climb for sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
• Ghorepani to Tadapani to Chhomrong: crossing into the ABC valley.
• Chhomrong to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m): the standard upper route past Machhapuchhre Base Camp.

So why take the long way? You get two headline views for one trip: the wide sunrise panorama from Poon Hill and the enclosed Sanctuary at base camp. The extra days also help you acclimatize gently. So it is our top pick for trekkers who want the complete Annapurna experience, not the fastest line to base camp. For the shorter sunrise-only option, see our Ghorepani Poon Hill trek guide.

How much do you climb each day?

Gently at first, then one big climbing day to base camp. The route gains height steadily. That is exactly why ABC handles altitude better than the higher treks. You rarely make a big single-day jump in sleeping height, until the push to base camp itself.

As ever on this trail, the physical challenge is the stone staircases rather than the thin air. The climb in and out of Chhomrong is the one everyone remembers. For the full picture on how high you go and how hard it feels, see our ABC altitude and difficulty guide.

Which way should you go, and where does it start?

Start from Pokhara, and let a guide pick the exact trailhead for the season. Pokhara is the base for the whole trek, a short drive from the trail, and the nearest airport. From there, the common entry points are Nayapul, Siwai, or Kimche. And the choice depends on how many days you have and the road conditions.

The route can also be walked as a loop on the lower section. You go up via Ghandruk and down via Jhinu, or the reverse. Either way, it keeps the scenery fresh in both directions. On our Annapurna Base Camp Trek we set the exact line to fit your dates, and for the bigger picture of the whole trek, our Annapurna Base Camp guide covers difficulty, cost, and the best season.

Accuracy note: the route, village altitudes, and day-by-day itinerary reflect Spade Himalaya’s own Annapurna Base Camp Trek (Pokhara 820 m to Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m via Ghandruk, Chhomrong, and Machhapuchhre Base Camp; retrieved 2026-07-14); the shorter 5 and 7-day variants are standard route options adjusted by trailhead and pace; reviewed by Yubaraj Katel, government-licensed trekking guide (Licence No. 19827) with 10 years of experience across Nepal’s regions.

Author

Pawan Bhattarai

Pawan Bhattarai is a co-founder of Spade Himalaya, a Nepal-based trekking and tour company he started to help share Nepal's mountains with the world. A keen traveller with a background in technology and content, he writes carefully researched guides to help people plan their trip. On the ground, Spade's treks are led by licensed local guides.