Trek booking opened for 2024/25 ! A notice for Lukla flight diversion through Manthali Airport from March, April and October and November 2024 !
There are several options for traveling from Kathmandu to Annapurna Base Camp. You can take a helicopter or trek to reach the base camp. Situated at an altitude of 4,130 meters, Annapurna Base Camp is a popular trekking route. As a result, the trails are well-established and helicopter rides are available to reach the base camp.
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Annapurna Base Camp lies in the Annapurna region, the western part of Nepal. It is popular for its natural and scenic beauty, vibrant landscapes, alluring villages, and mountain views. The trail passes through Annapurna Conservation Area, forests of rhododendrons, bamboo, and alpine meadows. Similarly, you can witness majestic snow-peaked mountains like Annapurna, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Dhaulagiri, and many more. It is truly a trekking paradise.
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and lies in the central part. To access the Annapurna Base Camp from Kathmandu, you have to first travel to Pokhara which also lies in the western part of Nepal. Both cities are well connected by road. It takes 6 to 8 hours’ drive (depending on the transportation method) to reach Pokhara via road.
Meanwhile, it takes only around 30 minutes to fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara. After reaching Pokhara, you can either trek or take a helicopter ride to reach the Annapurna Base Camp. Let us explore the different ways you can get from Kathmandu to Annapurna Base Camp.
Kathmandu To Annapurna Base Camp Via Flight
Note that there is no direct flight from Kathmandu to Annapurna Base Camp. To reach the destination, you have to first take a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The domestic flight takes off from Tribhuvan International Airport to Pokhara Airport. The flight duration is around 30 minutes.
After reaching Pokhara, you will have to drive to Nayapul or Sudame. Both are the starting points of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. But Nayapul is commonly used starting point for the trek. Sudame on the other hand is the lesser-known starting point. It takes around a 2-hour drive from Pokhara to reach either destination. You can get a private or shared jeep for transportation.
Our 10-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek package’s starting point is Sudame.
Kathmandu To Annapurna Base Camp via Trek
To provide a general idea of how to get from Kathmandu to Annapurna Base Camp via trek, let us break down our 10-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary. Our itinerary begins from Pokhara.
You can get to Pokhara by either road transportation or via flight. For road options, there are plenty of tourist buses, local buses, microvans/microbuses, and jeeps options available. You can choose the method based on your preferences and budget.
Here is an overview of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
As we mentioned before, our trek will begin from Sudame (1,350m/4,455ft). We will walk alongside the terrace fields and charming villages of Hile and Trikhedhunga. The trail will slowly start to climb uphill towards Ulleri as we head to Banthanti (2,100m/6,930ft). It covers a 12 km hike that takes around 4 hours.
The following day we will walk through the rhododendron forest towards Nangethanti. After trekking uphill for an hour and a half, we will reach our day’s stop, Ghorepani (2,800m/9,240ft). It’s a 10 km hike which takes 4 hours.
After enjoying a beautiful sunrise from Poonhill View Tower (3,193m), in the morning, we will leave Ghorepani. Again we will trek through the rhododendron forests. We will pass by the villages of Gurung Hill, Deurali, and Banthanti and reach Tadapani (2,650m/8,745ft). The day’s hike takes an average of 5 hours and covers around 14 km distance.
We will start to climb northeast through the rhododendron forests. The trail will descend as we reach Chuile village before ascending uphill again. We will pass by Ghurjung village and reach the day’s stop at Chhomrong (2,130m/7,029ft). The hike from Tadapani to Chhomrong takes around 5 hours and 14 km distance.
As we leave Chhomrong, we will climb downhill towards Chhomrong Khola. The trail starts to ascend as we cross Chhomrong Khola towards Sinuwa village. After hiking through bamboo forests, covering a 14 km distance we will reach Bamboo (2,300m/7,590ft). The day’s trek takes around 6 hours.
Leaving Bamboo, we head towards Deurali (3,200m/10,560ft). The paths get rocky and the scenery changes to an alpine meadow. We will trek alongside the glacial Modi River and take a detour to Hinku Cave(optional). It’s a 12 km hike and we walk for around 5 hours.
The following day, we will gradually ascend to a higher elevation alongside the Modi River. As we climb uphill witnessing the majestic mountain view, we will reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m). Then, we will reach the Annapurna Base Camp. The whole trek takes around 5 hours and 8 km hike.
After spending a night at the base camp, we will retrace our path back to Bamboo. It’s an 18 km hike that takes around 7 hours. We will rest at Bamboo for the night.
The next day, we will trek through the rhododendron forests towards Sinuwa village. After trekking for around 6 hours and covering a 14 km distance, we will stop at Jhinu Danda.
The final day’s trek will take you through the forest path towards Samrung (1,500m/4,950ft). Its a 20 minutes hike. Then we will take a jeep and drive through Nayapul towards Pokhara. After reaching Pokhara, you can head back to Kathmandu using the transportation method mentioned above.
The Best Time For Annapurna Base Camp Trek is in March and April Month.
Kathmandu to Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour
The Helicopter tour is a luxurious way of getting from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You can enjoy magnificent views of the mountains, landscapes, and scenery. Similarly, you can also view the Annapurna Sanctuary lying in the north of the Pokhara. You can get an up-close view of Mt. Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri ranges.
You can get our Annapurna Base Camp Heli Tour package if you are thinking of taking the Annapurna Base Camp helicopter tour. Our package includes airport transfer, public liability insurance, a 30-minute photo session, exploration around the base camp, and a tour completion certificate. Likewise, you will journey via helicopter for a 40-minute round trip to Annapurna Base Camp.
Accommodation During
As one of the popular trekking routes, there are plenty of accommodations along the trail. Tea houses, lodges, and guest houses are the most common type of accommodation facilities available. These accommodations provide basic amenities like beds, blankets, and bathrooms.
These accommodations are budget-friendly and provide trekkers with an authentic rural experience. They are not luxurious but comfortable. You can find rooms with attached bathrooms in these accommodations. But most often, they have shared bathrooms. Similarly, the accommodations in higher altitudes mostly have shared bathrooms.
Our 10-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek package covers all your accommodation expenses. The accommodations are arranged on a twin-room sharing basis. We also provide you with a sleeping bag. So rest assured, we will arrange comfortable accommodations during your Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Annapurna Base Camp Route Map
To provide you with a better picture of the route, here is a map for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route.
Frequently Asked Questions By Travelers
How to get from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
You can get from Kathmandu to Pokhara in several ways. You can choose the local bus, tourist bus, private jeep, microbus/microvan, or via flight. The tourist bus is the most common way of traveling from Kathmandu to Pokhara. It ultimately comes down to your preference and budget.
Which is the best way to travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
The best way to travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara depends on personal choices, preferences, and budget. A common way of traveling and enjoying the scenery is traveling via road. Flying to Pokhara is expensive but the quickest and most comfortable way to travel. So, you can choose the transportation based on your needs.
Is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek difficult?
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is considered to be a moderately difficult trek. However, trekkers must be prepared for ascending and descending through diverse terrain. The route does not require technical climbing skills. But the trail does have challenging sections, steep stone staircases, and rough terrain.
Which time is best for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
The best time for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is the spring and the autumn season. These two reasons have low chances of rainfall and snowfall. So, the trails are safe and in good condition. Similarly, the weather is warm and stable. The visibility is also excellent for witnessing sunrises, sunsets, and panoramic mountain views.
Is Annapurna for beginners?
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is considered a suitable trekking route for beginners. The route is challenging but with proper preparation, beginners can complete the trek successfully. Likewise, there are no age restrictions for Annapurna Base Camp Trek. It is situated in a comparatively lower elevation of 4,130 meters so there is less chance of altitude sickness.
Do I need permits for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Yes, you will require two permits for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. You will need a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems) Card and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). You can get these permits in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Our 10-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek package comes with both permits.
Can I trek alone without a guide?
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek route is well-established and safe. According to the latest trekking rule of Nepal, we require a guide to trek for every region in Nepal. They not only help you to navigate the route but also ensure your safety during the trek. Similarly, they also help you to communicate with the locals and provide you with insights into their livelihood and culture.
What kind of accommodations are available during Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
There are tea houses, lodges, and guest houses available on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route. These accommodations are usually budget-friendly and provide basic facilities. While some accommodations have attached bathrooms, most of them have shared bathrooms. Expect the accommodations to be comfortable but do not expect luxurious ones.
