trekhigh

Annapurna Base Camp Trek — 7 Days

Trekkers at Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal
Length
7 days
Highest point
4,130 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Best months
Oct–Nov, Mar–May
Starts
Nayapul / Pokhara
Group size
2–12 People
Sleeping
Tea House

Seven days, one base camp, a lifetime of mountain views — the ABC trek at a pace that lets you arrive strong and leave wanting more.

  • Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) — Nepal's most iconic glacial amphitheatre
  • 360° close-up views of Annapurna I, Machapuchare, Hiunchuli, and Gangapurna
  • Fast-paced 7-day route: covers all major ABC landmarks without filler days
  • Modi Khola gorge and rhododendron forest approach through Chhomrong
  • Machapuchare Base Camp (3,700 m) and Deurali Glacier viewpoints
  • Ideal for fit trekkers with limited holiday time wanting the real base camp experience

The climb, day by day

1,000 m2,000 m3,000 m4,000 m4,130 m, day 5
1234567
Altitude reached each day of the itinerary
  1. Day 1Drive Pokhara → Nayapul → Trek to Tikhedhunga (1,540 m)1,540 m

    Drive 1.5 hrs to Nayapul trailhead. Trek through terraced farmland and traditional Gurung villages to Tikhedhunga beside a cascading waterfall.

    Distance
    9 km
    Walking
    3–4 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  2. Day 2Tikhedhunga → Ghorepani (2,850 m)2,850 m

    The classic staircase climb through rhododendron and oak forest. In spring the entire hillside blazes with pink and red blooms. Arrive Ghorepani perched on the ridge.

    Distance
    13 km
    Walking
    5–6 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  3. Day 3Poon Hill Sunrise → Trek to Chhomrong (2,170 m)2,170 m

    Pre-dawn ascent of Poon Hill (3,210 m) for the most iconic sunrise in Nepal — 10 Himalayan giants spread across the horizon. Descend via Tadapani to Chhomrong, gateway to the Sanctuary.

    Distance
    16 km
    Walking
    7–8 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  4. Day 4Chhomrong → Dovan (2,600 m)2,600 m

    Enter the Annapurna Sanctuary via the steep Chhomrong staircase descending to the Modi Khola. Trek through bamboo and rhododendron corridors as the valley narrows.

    Distance
    12 km
    Walking
    5–6 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  5. Day 5Dovan → Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m)4,130 m

    The dramatic final approach through Himalaya Hotel, MBC (Machapuchare Base Camp) and into the glacial amphitheatre of ABC. Annapurna I's south face towers above. Arrive by mid-afternoon for sunset views.

    Distance
    14 km
    Walking
    6–7 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  6. Day 6ABC Sunrise → Descend to Jhinu Danda (1,760 m)1,760 m

    Wake early for dawn light on the Annapurna Sanctuary walls. Then begin the long descent all the way to Jhinu Danda hot springs — a perfect way to soak tired legs on the final evening.

    Distance
    22 km
    Walking
    7–8 hours
    Meals
    B, L, D
    Night
    Tea House
  7. Day 7Jhinu Danda → Nayapul → Drive Pokhara820 m

    Short descent to Nayapul then drive back to Pokhara. Arrive by noon for a Lakeside lunch and celebration.

    Distance
    8 km
    Walking
    2 hours
    Meals
    B
    Night
    Pokhara hotel

The price includes

  • Government-registered English-speaking guide
  • Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
  • ACAP permit and TIMS card
  • Pokhara–Ghandruk/Nayapul private jeep (both ways)
  • All teahouse accommodation on trek
  • 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Altitude illness kit and pulse oximeter
  • Hotel and airport transfers
  • All government taxes and service charges

You pay separately

  • International airfare to/from Kathmandu
  • Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
  • Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation
  • Meals not listed in daily itinerary
  • Personal trekking gear and equipment
  • Tips for guides and porters
  • Beverages, hot showers, and battery charging at teahouses (payable direct)
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Any costs arising from illness, injury, or early departure

The 7-day ABC Trek is our fastest-paced Annapurna Base Camp itinerary — reaching the 4,130 m Annapurna Sanctuary from Pokhara in the shortest responsible timeframe. The route follows the standard Modi Khola valley approach via Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Chhomrong, Deurali, and ABC, with Jhinu Danda hot springs on the descent. Daily stages are 6–8 hours of active walking — appropriate for experienced trekkers with prior altitude exposure (3,500+ m preferred).

The Annapurna Sanctuary amphitheatre — Annapurna I, Machapuchare, Hiunchuli, and twelve peaks above 6,000 m encircling a single viewpoint — is the destination. The 7-day schedule delivers it without the padding of longer programmes, for trekkers who are confident in their altitude acclimatisation history.

Prior altitude experience: Recommended. Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Max altitude: ABC 4,130 m.

Questions people ask

How does the 7-day itinerary differ from the 6-day version?
The extra day is used for a more relaxed ascent from Chhomrong to Himalaya Hotel, reducing daily elevation gain and giving your body more time to adjust to altitude. Most trekkers find this pacing significantly more comfortable, especially above 3,000m.
What fitness level is required?
Moderate fitness is sufficient — you should be comfortable walking 5-6 hours daily over several consecutive days. Prior hiking experience is helpful but not essential. Training with loaded day hikes for 4-6 weeks beforehand makes a noticeable difference.
What permits are required and are they included in the $680 price?
Both the ACAP permit (NPR 3,000, about US$23) and TIMS card (NPR 2,000, about US$15) are included in your package. Our team handles permit acquisition in Pokhara before the trek begins, so you have nothing to arrange on arrival.
What are teahouse accommodations like along the route?
Teahouses are simple mountain lodges offering twin-share rooms with basic furnishings, shared toilets, and a communal dining area. Higher on the route (Himalaya Hotel, Deurali, ABC), facilities are more basic but adequate. Hot showers are available at most lodges for a small fee.
Is altitude sickness a risk on this trek?
Annapurna Base Camp sits at 4,130m — high enough that altitude awareness is important but lower than most EBC or Everest routes. The 7-day schedule builds in enough daily gain to manage acclimatisation safely. Your guide is trained in altitude recognition and evacuation protocols.
When is the best season and can I trek in winter?
March–April and October–November offer the clearest mountain views and best trail conditions. Winter trekking (December–February) is possible but temperatures at ABC can fall to -15°C at night and snowfall occasionally closes the upper trail. We advise against winter departures for first-time high-altitude trekkers.

Similar height, similar effort

Evening view of Annapurna Base Camp

Annapurna Base Camp Trek — 5 Days

5 daysUp to 4,130 m$580 solo

Groups from $420, save 28%

A trekker stands in awe of the majestic Annapurna mountain range in Nepal.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek — 6 Days

6 daysUp to 4,130 m$695 solo

Groups from $505, save 27%

A stunning sunset captures the snow-covered Machapuchare Peak in the Annapurna range, Nepal.

Ghorepani – Poonhill Mardi Himal Trek 9 days

9 daysUp to 4,130 m$1,320 solo

Groups from $955, save 28%

$800 solo

Ask about dates