Annapurna Base Camp Trek

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A moderate 14-day trek from Pokhara into the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 m, with Poon Hill sunrises, rhododendron forest and a glacial basin ringed by Himalayan peaks.

Duration
14 Days
Max Altitude
4,130 m / 13,549 ft
Difficulty
Moderate
Group Size
Max 8 trekkers
Region
Annapurna Trekking Packages, Nepal
Best Season
Spring · Autumn
Accommodation
Teahouse & hotel
Meals
All meals on trek
Transport
Coach / jeep / flight
Dates & Prices

Choose your date

All dates are guaranteed departures — we never cancel for low numbers. Book online or send a quick enquiry.

Year
Month
15 departures · 2026
Jun
16
Jun 16, 2026Jun 29, 2026
8 seats left
Available
USD1,120
per person
Jun
30
Jun 30, 2026Jul 13, 2026
8 seats left
Available
USD1,120
per person
Jul
14
Jul 14, 2026Jul 27, 2026
8 seats left
Available
USD1,120
per person
Jul
28
Jul 28, 2026Aug 10, 2026
8 seats left
Available
USD1,120
per person
Aug
11
Aug 11, 2026Aug 24, 2026
8 seats left
Available
USD1,120
per person

Can’t find a suitable date? We run private departures on any date with as few as 2 trekkers.

Trip Overview

About the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a 14-day lodge-to-lodge trek to a glacial basin at 4,130 m (13,549 ft), ringed by the peaks of the Annapurna massif in north-central Nepal. Trekkers call this basin the Annapurna Sanctuary, and it sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal's first and largest protected area at 7,629 km², roughly five percent of the country.

Annapurna I anchors the skyline at 8,091 m, the tenth-highest mountain on earth and long regarded as its deadliest 8,000-metre peak. The massif is not a single mountain but a 55 km range of thirteen summits above 7,000 m and sixteen more above 6,000 m, among them Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and the unclimbed Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) at 6,993 m. The conservation area shelters 1,226 species of flora and fauna, including 195 mammals and 518 birds.

The route climbs from the subtropical valleys near Pokhara through Gurung villages and the rhododendron forests above Ghorepani, pauses for sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna from Poon Hill (3,210 m), then follows the Modi Khola into the Sanctuary itself. It is a moderate trek with no technical climbing, but it has several long days of stone-step ascent and a high point where altitude matters.

A licensed guide is mandatory in Nepal as of 2023, and no prior trekking experience is required; a month of cardio beforehand is enough for most people. The sections below cover difficulty, permits, seasons, food and everything else to settle before you go.

Last updated June 2026

Trip Highlights

Highlights

  • Reach the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 m, ringed by 7,000 and 8,000-metre peaks

  • Watch sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna from Poon Hill (3,210 m)

  • Walk through Nepal's largest rhododendron forest above Ghorepani

  • See the unclimbed Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), 6,993 m, up close

  • Soak in the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda on the way down

  • Trek the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal's first and largest protected area

Day by Day

Full 14-day itinerary

Tap any day to expand — altitudes, walking times, meals, and overnight details for every stage of the journey.

What’s included

What's included

Every cost on the trail is broken out below — no hidden fees, no surprises at the trailhead.

Included

11 items

  • Airport transfers
  • Medical kit
  • Trekking permits, all necessary paperwork, and Trekkers' Information Management System fee(s)
  • All applicable government tax
  • Available accommodation during the trek
  • All meals (Breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek
  • Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu from a professional guide
  • Transportation as per the itinerary, as per the number of pax
  • Deluxe rooms in standard hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara on twin/double sharing with breakfast
  • Authorized English-speaking guide with porters (2:1) for the trek (15 kg per porter)
  • All expenses for staff: meals, accommodation, salary, equipment, insurance, and transportation.

Not included

9 items

  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Entrance fee(s) during sightseeing
  • International flights; Nepalese visa fee
  • Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Excess baggage charge(s) for the domestic flight
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara because of early arrival, late departure, or early return from the mountain due to any reason other than the scheduled itinerary
  • Private vehicle upgrades: Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu: $200 for 3 pax (Flight Upgrades: $260 pe person roundtrip)

How hard is this trek?

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is graded moderate. There is no technical climbing, but long days on stone steps and a high point of 4,130 m make altitude the main challenge.

Moderate. 5-7 hr days, max altitude 4,130 m. No experience needed; a month of cardio helps. The gradual profile keeps altitude-sickness risk lower than the Annapurna Circuit.
Overall Rating
4
Moderate
out of 10 · physical effort scale
Max altitude4,130 m
Trekking days12 days
Trip Details

Everything you need to know

In-depth guides on accommodation, food, permits, insurance and special considerations — tap any topic to expand.

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is graded moderate: there is no technical climbing, but the route gains and loses height all day and tops out at 4,130 m (13,549 ft), where thinner air becomes the main challenge. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the body's reaction to low oxygen at altitude, and it can begin above roughly 2,500 m with headache, broken sleep, loss of appetite and nausea.

Most trekkers feel it mildly or not at all, because the profile climbs gradually and you sleep lower than the highest point reached each day. Two rarer and serious forms exist: HAPE affects the lungs and HACE the brain, and both need immediate descent. Days run 5-7 hours on stone steps and valley trail, so a month of cardio (running, cycling or hill walking) makes the trek far more comfortable. Swotah guides set an acclimatisation pace, watch for symptoms and carry a first-aid kit; drinking 3-4 litres of water a day is the simplest prevention.

What to pack

What to pack

The full kit list. Anything we loan (sleeping bag, down jacket) is called out — bring everything else.

    • 100L duffel bag (carried by porter)
    • Daypack (25-30L)
    • Dry bag or rain cover
    • Packing cubes
Frequently Asked

Questions & Answers

Everything trekkers ask before booking. Don't see yours? Tap Enquire — we usually reply within a few hours.

  • Nepal is a safe country for anyone who wants to explore on their own although professional guidance is highly recommended by our team for the safety in remote mountainous lands.
Why Travel with Swotah

Eight reasons to book with us

Most Nepal operators look the same from the outside. Here's what actually makes the difference.

  • Born in Nepal

    100% locally owned since 2016. Trek profits support Sherpa families and village schools directly.

  • Guaranteed Departures

    Every date on our calendar runs — no minimum group size. You never pay to be cancelled.

  • Certified Guides

    NATHM-licensed, WFR-certified, English-speaking. Most were born within two valleys of the trail.

  • Small Groups

    Small groups, typically 6–8 trekkers. You get a real experience, not a convoy.

  • Gear Included

    Sleeping bag and down jacket loaned at no extra charge — both rated to –20°C.

  • Flexible Payment

    Deposit from 10% to confirm, balance before departure or in cash on arrival. Reschedule up to 30 days prior.

  • 24/7 Support

    Kathmandu office and dedicated WhatsApp emergency line. We answer at 2am if needed.

  • Hall of Fame

    TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2023, 2024 and 2025. Hundreds of verified five-star reviews.

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