Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 7 Days

Annapurna Base Camp Overview

Located in the Northwest of Kathmandu and the northern part of Pokhara, the Southern Base Camp of Annapurna is one of the most popular and well-known trekking routes among both foreign travelers and locals. At an elevation of 4130 m above sea level, the base camp is situated at the center of the Annapurna South and Mt. Fishtail. Home to notable animals and birds such as the snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, musk deer, and the Himalayan Black bear, protected under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. The Southern Annapurna Base Camp is the destination of euphoria for every beginner and professional trekker.

Annapurna Base Camp in 2026/2027!

The naturally ever-changing valley of the Annapurna Range captivates visitors with its immeasurable beauty, snow-capped mountains, and peaks. From the lush, dense forest of oak trees to alpine grasslands, the path leads through rock spires from both sides. The trek gained vast recognition from the early period of travel and trekking in Nepal and is still considered the best short trek from Pokhara. Although the trekking region has faced several changes in the hospitality sector, nature here has preserved its beauty over the centuries. Year-round, the beauty of the valley seemingly swaps from dense snow to dry meadows, attracting thousands of trekkers.

If the trek is on your bucket list for the coming years, then it is worth the time value. The trails through the changing vegetation and glaciers, villages, and the humbleness of the villagers are imperishable, marking the Annapurna Base Camp as a tourist destination every year.

Best time for trekking

Nepal is one of the few countries where travelling on foot is more popular than using any modern transportation. Travelers start their journey from the lower regions, gradually ascend to the high passes, and eventually descend to the lower valleys. Such practice of travelling is one of the common methods of trekking, depending on the nature of the trek. Trekking is an adventure where reaching the destination isn’t the only priority, but exploring the valleys, which includes both natural scenery and indigenous culture. Many factors, such as the nature of the trek, weather, altitude level, and number of walking days, determine which season is best for the trek. For a moderate trek like Annapurna Base Camp, the widely preferred trekking season is the best possible choice. Currently, two seasons are considered the best time for doing any adventure in Nepal. The months from March to June and September to late December.  

Spring season (March-May) – Pre-monsoon

• Warm days and less rainfall make trekking pleasant.
• Trails are colorful with vibrant Rhododendron Forests.
• Less haze makes the Himalayan peaks visible.
• Festivals like Holi fall around the same time.
• Active Himalayan wildlife makes it easy to spot during the trek.

Autumn season (September-November) – Post-monsoon

• Crystal clear skies after rain make peaks exceptionally photogenic.
• Dry season with minimal rain, ideal for long treks.
• Warm days and cold nights.
• Major festivals of Nepal: Dashain and Tihar fall around the same time.
• locals celebrating the harvest season in villages.

Foreign and local trekkers alike choose trekking seasons based on what suits them best. Both seasons have perks, so your travel plan plays a vital role. What do you expect from the trek, what to experience, and holiday durations?

ABC – Difficulty level

Nepal is a paradise for trekkers. The hidden valleys of the Hills, the high passes of the Himalayas, and the flat region of Terai offer varying degrees of intensity. A trek's difficulty is measured based on multiple factors. Such as altitude level, walking days, rest days, sum of uphills and downhills. For a moderate trek like Annapurna Base Camp at an altitude of 4130M above sea level, with a walking day of 7, it can be marked as a beginner-friendly trek. Why?

Unlike a circuit or round trek, where you start from one point, pass through high altitude, and cross to a different region. Annapurna Base Camp is a simple trek, where you reach the destination and trace back to the same trail. The trails mostly pass through dense forest in the lower regions, and after a certain distance, walk along the Modi River till the Machhapuchre Base Camp. In accordance with our standard itinerary, only two areas have continuous uphill for hours, from the New Bridge to Chhommrong, and from the Modi River to MBC. With an average of 6-7 walking hours, Annapurna Base Camp is the perfect choice for beginners and all ages.

Accommodation and food in ABC

The Annapurna Base Camp is one of the most highly crowded trekking regions in the peak season. That is its downside, but the natural effect of it was what every trekker needed: improvement in resting places, camps, lodges, and warm foods & beverages. Before popularity, every trek faced similar challenges: a lack of proper accommodation. The very core definition of trekking used to be exploring the rural areas of Nepal, where modernization was still a dreamy imagination. It was a trip where one would immerse oneself in the native lifestyle and the scenery. With an increase in the number of travelers, well-established lodges and trekking camps brought new changes in trekking.

The trekking lodges in the upper region of Nepal have a standard etiquette of 1 room for 2 trekkers. It may seem problematic for solo travelers, but in a place that has limited space and options, such practice is the best possible solution. The rooms usually have two single beds and one optional drawer, which is fitting for a one-night stay. Although attached bathrooms are scarce near base camp and above certain altitudes, camps that used to be a settlement do provide enough room with attached bathrooms and fine warm dining halls. Foods differ depending on the region you are in. Fresh ingredients rely on the availability of the market and local production. Even with such difficulty, lodgings provide a variety of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and drinks. The menu may seem compromised the farther you trek from the nearest town, but places like Chhommrong, Sinuwa, and other areas near Pokhara provide quality food and drinks that are satisfactory.

Highlights of Annapurna Base Camp

The best part of Annapurna Base Camp is Mt. Annapurna South and Mt. Fishtail itself. The majestic giant mountains stand still, seeming within reach yet far. The scenery on the way from Annapurna Base Camp to Machhapuchhre Base Camp that couldn’t be described in words. To be precise, the highlight of the trek is the whole trek itself. How?

Trekking is an adventure where you venture deep into the wildlife and native life. It’s not bound to only reaching the destination and high spots. The trails, villages, and life there define the trek. From such a perspective, the Annapurna Base Camp is a short trek that gives an immeasurable experience of the Himalayas. The natural blend of vegetation from the sub-tropical zone to the alpine highlands, and the mixture of the Gurung and the Magar culture around the hills of Annapurna makes this trek special on its own. The highlight of Annapurna is divided into two: The flora and fauna, featuring the natural beauty and naturally woven settlement of the Gurungs and Magars. So, the Annapurna Base Camp trek is the trek defining the trekking area. Let’s highlight some of these apex features of the southern Annapurna Base Camp:

Flora (ACAP-listed & common)

• Rhododendron forests
• Oak–laurel woodland
• Himalayan bamboo
• Alpine grasslands

 Fauna (ACAP-recorded)

• Himalayan thar
• Barking deer
• Himalayan monal
• Leopard (elusive)

Heritage (Gurung–Magar)

• Gurung–Magar villages
• Stone-built houses
• Traditional farming terraces
• Indigenous mountain lifestyle

Alternative trekking routes and their costs
 

The Annapurna Base Camp trek can be altered and even joined with other popular treks in the region. Although the cost may differ, given the number of days, the price of such alternatives is given with a brief description of how the trek changes.

1. Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 5 Days (USD 399).

This is the shorter version of the original trek; the difference is the starting and ending points. Instead of trekking from the lower regions, the trek starts from Jhinu Danda (1780M) and ends there.

2. Annapurna Sanctuary Trek – 8 Days (USD 599).

The sanctuary trek is a day longer than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, with more resting days and fewer walking hours per day. This itinerary is made for those who want to spend more time in the Himalayas and requires more days to complete the trek.

3. Annapurna Base Camp with Mardi Himal Trek – 12 Days (USD 670).

Around the Annapurna Region, the Mardi trek is also considered one of the top alternatives for a short yet scenic trek. This itinerary merges both treks into one. You trek to Annapurna Base Camp from Jhinu Danda and trace back the same trails, and from Jhinu Danda, you head towards Landruk and trek uphill to the Mardi trek trail.

4. Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill – 10 Day (USD 749).

The trek from Ghodepani Poon Hill to Annapurna Base Camp is the most popular trekking route for those who want more adventure. The trek reaches the globally known viewpoint of the whole Annapurna Range, Poon Hill. From where you trek towards the base camp, making the whole journey memorable.

5. Annapurna Foothills Trek – 6 Days (USD 439).

As the name suggests, the foothills trek is a round trek in the lower region of the Annapurna. Unlike the base camp, the foothills trek is a viewpoint trek. You explore the nearby valleys of the Annapurna with the landscape view of the whole Annapurna Range on the trail.