The Annapurna Base Camp trek is moderate. It needs no climbing skills, but you walk 5 to 7 hours a day for seven to nine days on steep stone staircases, and you sleep one night at 4,130 m. Fit beginners manage it with some training, a steady pace and a licensed guide, which has been compulsory since April 2023. October, November, March and April are the easiest months. Winter snow and the monsoon rain make it noticeably harder.
- GradeModerate, non-technical
- Highest pointAnnapurna Base Camp, 4,130 m
- Walking per day5 to 7 hours
- Days on the trailAbout 7 to 9
- Hardest climbUlleri, about 3,300 stone steps
- GuideLicensed guide required
- Easiest monthsOctober, November, March, April
The Annapurna base camp trek takes you to the foot of Annapurna I. Annapurna I is 8,091 m (26,545 ft) high and is the 10th highest mountain in the world. The base camp itself is situated at an elevation of 4,130 meters (13,550 feet) within the Annapurna Conservation Area. This area, the largest protected region in Nepal, was established in 1986 and spans an impressive 7,629 square kilometres.
The trek is well known for the mesmerising view of the snow-capped mountains like Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167 m / 26795 ft), Mt. Hiunchuli (6441 m / 21132 ft) and Mt. Machhapuchre (6993 m / 22943 ft), the natural hot springs, vivid landscapes, lush forests, and the colourful lifestyle of the Gurung and Magars. The classic route used to start and end at Nayapul. Roads now reach well beyond it, so most groups start at Birethanti, Ghandruk, Siwai or Kimche and finish at Jhinu Danda or Syauli Bazaar. Swotah's 14-day trip climbs through Ulleri and Ghorepani for the Poon Hill sunrise, then joins the main trail at Chhomrong.
How difficult is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is graded as moderately difficult. However, numerous factors determine its difficulty level for you. Some of them are the duration of the trek, previous trekking experience you have, your physical activeness and endurance, the season you trek in and the route you take.
There is no technical climbing or special skills required for the trek, but you walk 5 to 7 hours most days on rough paths and long stone staircases.
Annapurna Base Camp Difficulty at a Glance
| Factor | Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Technical skill | Easy | No ropes, crampons or climbing. It is a walk on teahouse trails. |
| Altitude | Moderate | One night at 4,130 m. Headaches are common, serious illness is rare with a sensible pace. |
| Daily walking | Moderate | 5 to 7 hours most days, with a long 6 to 7 hour push to base camp. |
| Steps and steep ground | Hard | Ulleri has about 3,300 stone steps, and Chhomrong to Sinuwa drops and climbs on long staircases. |
| Weather and season | Moderate | Easy in autumn and spring. Snow from January to March and rain from June to September make it hard. |
| Lodges and supplies | Easy | Teahouses every one to two hours below Deurali, simpler ones higher up. |
Let's examine the main factors that affect the difficulty of the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
Previous trekking experience
Your previous trekking experiences are truly the key to knowing how difficult the Annapurna Base Camp trek is for you. If you have a record of indulging in treks and have completed a few ones before, then the Annapurna Base Camp trek will feel manageable. But if you do not have the habit of treks and hikes, it gets a little hard to get the hang of it. For those new to trekking, you should go on small hikes and increase your physical endurance and stamina by doing all sorts of physical exercise for about a month before the actual trek. This helps your body adapt well to new environments and allows you to walk long distances without many issues.
Altitude
The problems with adjusting to increasing altitude are not new for Himalayas trekking. The minimum elevation of the Annapurna Base Camp trek is 1070 m / 3510 ft at the starting point (Nayapul), while Pokhara, the staging town, sits at 822 m / 2,697 ft. Elevation gradually increases and reaches the maximum altitude of 4130 m / 13550 ft at the base camp.
Above about 2,500 m (8,200 ft), some trekkers get mild symptoms of altitude sickness like nausea, headache, fatigue and dizziness. If you keep climbing with symptoms, it can turn into the dangerous (sometimes fatal) conditions HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema), and extreme difficulty in breathing due to lack of oxygen. In order to stay safe from altitude sickness, it is important to acclimatise properly, stay hydrated, and pay attention to what you eat. Our altitude sickness guide covers the symptoms and what to do.
Season for the Annapurna Base Camp trek
The season you pick for the trek plays an important role in determining its difficulty level. It is better to opt for the Spring season or the Autumn/Fall season to reduce the difficulty of the trek. The figures below are rough ranges, from daytime in the lower valleys to night at base camp. The average maximum temperature and minimum temperature during the Spring season are 8 degrees Celsius / 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit and -7 degrees Celsius / 19.4 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Similarly, during the autumn season, the average temperature ranges from 20 degrees Celsius / 68 degrees Fahrenheit to -10 degrees Celsius / 14 degrees Fahrenheit. These two seasons are neither too hot nor too cold, which makes it perfect for the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
Deciding to trek during the winter season and summer/rainy season, however, increases the difficulty of the trek. In winter, the temperature is cruelly cold, ranging from 9 degrees Celsius /48.2 degrees Fahrenheit to -20 degrees Celsius / -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Heavy snow can close the trail above Deurali for days, avalanches come down between Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp (mostly January to March), and frostbite is a real risk. Summer experiences heavy and continuous rainfall, making trekking harder than it already is. The average temperature in the Summer season is 3 degrees Celsius / 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit to 19 degrees Celsius /66.2 degrees Fahrenheit. At lower altitudes, the summer is scorching hot, and it gets hard to trek continuously for 6 to 7 hours a day.
Choosing the trail for the Annapurna Base Camp trek
As mentioned above, there are few trails known for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. The route you take and the duration of the trek are affected simultaneously. The duration of the Nayapul route is 7 days to 12 days long, the Ghandruk route is 7 days to 9 days, and the one from Jhinu Danda is 7 days to 10 days long.
The Ghandruk and Jhinu Danda routes save days and are busy teahouse trails, so they are a sensible choice if you are short on time. Getting lost is less of a worry now that a licensed guide is compulsory. The routes to avoid are the small unmarked side trails, which have few lodges and no signboards. Physically, there is little difference between the main routes.
Stage by Stage: How Hard Each Day Is
This is the walking part of Swotah's 14-day trip. The hours are typical walking times without long breaks, and the bar shows where you sleep. The hardest days are the climb from Birethanti to Ulleri, the long staircases between Chhomrong and Himalaya, and the 1,210 m push to base camp. The descent from base camp is long but feels easier because the air gets thicker with every hour.
| Day | Stage | Walking | Height change | Sleeping altitude | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birethanti to Ulleri | 4 to 5 h | +1,000 m | 2,050 m | |
| 2 | Ulleri to Ghorepani | 4 to 5 h | +810 m | 2,860 m | |
| 3 | Poon Hill (3,210 m) to Tadapani | 6 to 7 h | -230 m | 2,630 m | |
| 4 | Tadapani to Chhomrong | 5 to 6 h | -460 m | 2,170 m | |
| 5 | Chhomrong to Himalaya | 6 to 7 h | +750 m | 2,920 m | |
| 6 | Himalaya to Annapurna Base Camp | 6 to 7 h | +1,210 m | 4,130 m | |
| 7 | Base camp to Bamboo | 6 to 7 h | -1,820 m | 2,310 m | |
| 8 | Bamboo to Jhinu Danda | 5 to 6 h | -530 m | 1,780 m | |
| 9 | Jhinu Danda to Syauli Bazaar | 2 to 3 h | - | 1,200 m |
Syauli Bazaar is the roadhead, about 1,200 m, before the drive to Pokhara. Shorter itineraries start by jeep at Ghandruk or Siwai and cut out the Ulleri climb, but they gain height faster.
The Steepest Sections: Ulleri and Chhomrong
Ulleri is the climb people remember. From Tikhedhunga the trail goes up a stone staircase that locals put at about 3,280 steps, and it takes most groups three to four hours. Later, between Chhomrong and Sinuwa, the path drops on a long staircase to the Chhomrong Khola and climbs straight back out of the side valley. Neither is dangerous. They are hard on knees and calves, so trekking poles and slow, short steps make a big difference.
The One Real Hazard: Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp
Between Deurali (about 3,230 m) and Machhapuchhre Base Camp (about 3,700 m) the trail runs along a narrow gorge under steep slopes. Avalanches come down here after heavy snow, mostly from January to March. In January 2020 an avalanche near Deurali buried four South Korean trekkers and three Nepali guides. Guides hold groups at Deurali or Himalaya when the risk is high, and lodges close the upper trail when it is unsafe. In October, November, April and May the risk is low.
Is the Annapurna Base Camp trek beginner-friendly?
Yes, the trek to Annapurna’s base camp is actually beginner-friendly. Newbies can go for this trek with few preparations like improving themselves physically, learning about acclimatisation, doing research on the trek, short hikes, hiring certified guides to accompany them, knowing all the first aids required, being aware of the possible natural hazards and eating high energy food. As long as you do these things, Annapurna Base Camp can surely be your first embarkment to the Himalayas.
Annapurna Base Camp vs Poon Hill vs Everest Base Camp
If you are unsure whether Annapurna Base Camp is the right step up, compare it with the easier Poon Hill trek and the higher Everest Base Camp trek. The figures match our Annapurna Base Camp vs Everest Base Camp guide.
| Poon Hill | Annapurna Base Camp | Everest Base Camp | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | Easy | Moderate | Hard |
| Highest point | Poon Hill, 3,210 m | Base camp, 4,130 m | Kala Patthar, 5,545 m |
| Highest night | Ghorepani, 2,860 m | Base camp, 4,130 m | Gorak Shep, 5,170 m |
| Nights above 4,000 m | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Days on the trail | 3 to 4 | About 9 | 12 |
| Getting there | Road from Pokhara | Road from Pokhara | Flight to Lukla |
| Licensed guide | Required | Required | Optional in the Khumbu |
Many people trek Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp first and save Everest Base Camp for a second trip. The main jump is altitude: on the Everest trek you spend five nights above 4,000 m, against one on the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
What can you do to make the Annapurna Base Camp trek less difficult?
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Pack clothes and trekking equipment according to the weather conditions.
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Always carry a protein-filled snack with you for instant energy gain.
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Stay hydrated at all times.
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Carry an offline map on your phone as a backup to your guide.
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Before hiring a guide, make sure to do their background check, look for the reviews online, and ask to see all the authorised certificates.
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Stick to the main teahouse trails. Small side trails often have no signboards or lodges and are riskier.
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Do not eat very greasy food, and avoid smoking and drinking while on the trek.
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Have travel insurance so that if anything bad happens, you are covered for the loss.
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Never rush to complete the trek. Such behaviour in high altitudes can be extremely fatal. Gaining elevation very quickly is not good for your body. Therefore, maintain a steady pace while trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp.
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Always have a first aid kit with you. Ask your doctor about acetazolamide (Diamox), which needs a prescription in most countries, and carry ibuprofen for headaches. Dexamethasone is an emergency drug that guides and doctors carry for severe cases.
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To avoid altitude sickness, make sure to acclimatise enough. If you do feel the symptoms of acute mountain sickness, then pause the trek and rest up until you feel completely fine, and then only resume walking further ahead. If the symptoms get worse, go down.
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Always check the weather forecast on the morning of the trek to avoid the possibility of being caught in bad weather conditions and natural calamities.
Can you do the Annapurna Base Camp trek without a guide?
No, you cannot trek to Annapurna Base Camp without an experienced guide. Since 1 April 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board has required foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas, including the Annapurna region, to walk with a licensed guide. The rule was still in force in October 2026. It's crucial to ensure that your guide is licensed and registered with the government.
Without a licensed guide and a registered agency you cannot get the TIMS card for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. The agency arranges it together with the ACAP permit (see our Nepal trekking permits guide). While this might seem a little unreasonable, the government states the rule of mandatory guides is for the safety of the trekkers. Unfortunately, there have been cases of trekkers getting lost in the trails, scammed, caught in natural calamities, etc. Having a person who can help you out in these situations is the main intent of the rule. More or less, this rule aims to create more employment opportunities for the locals, leading to a better economic status for the country in the long run.
Note: This rule applies only to foreign trekkers. Nepali trekkers do not have to hire a guide.
Also Read: Permit-free treks in Nepal 2026: which ones really need no permit or guide
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty: FAQs
Can a beginner do the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Yes. It needs no climbing skills, and many people do it as their first Himalayan trek. Train for six to eight weeks with long walks and stairs, and pick an itinerary that does not rush the last climb to base camp. Our Annapurna Base Camp training plan sets out a week-by-week programme.
How many hours a day do you walk?
Usually 5 to 7 hours, including short breaks. The last day to Syauli Bazaar is only 2 to 3 hours.
Is altitude sickness a problem on the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Mild headaches are common above 3,000 m, and you sleep only one night at 4,130 m, so serious cases are rare. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide about any symptoms. If they get worse, go down. See our Annapurna Base Camp elevation guide for the height of each stop.
Which is harder, Annapurna Base Camp or Everest Base Camp?
Everest Base Camp is harder. It goes 1,400 m higher, takes about three more days on the trail and has five nights above 4,000 m. Annapurna Base Camp has more steep staircases, but the altitude is far kinder.
What is the hardest month for the trek?
January to March, when snow can close the trail above Deurali and avalanches are most likely, and July to August, when rain, leeches and landslides slow everything down.
