The Annapurna Sanctuary at Annapurna Base Camp

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Into the sanctuary, ringed by ten thousand metres of peaks.

Annapurna Base Camp sits inside the Sanctuary, a glacial amphitheatre ringed almost the whole way round by peaks over seven thousand metres. Standing in the middle of it at dawn is one of the great experiences in the Himalaya.

The route climbs through Chhomrong and up the gorge past Machapuchare Base Camp, then into the Sanctuary itself. The hot springs at Jhinu on the way back are well earned.

Highlights

The Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 m
Machapuchare Base Camp on the way in
Hot springs at Jhinu on the return

A typical 7-day shape

A typical 7-day shape. It flexes: start higher to save a day, add Poon Hill on the front for the sunrise, or take it slower with an extra night to acclimatise. We set the pace to you.

Day 1By road + On foot
Pokhara to Chhomrong
A morning drive to the trailhead beyond Kyumi, then a walk up to the stone village of Chhomrong, the last village before the Sanctuary.
Time
4–5 hours
Distance
8 km
Elevation
2,170 m / +600 m
Stay
Teahouse, Chhomrong
Day 2On foot
Chhomrong to Dovan
Down the long stone steps to the river, then up the gorge through bamboo forest to the lodges at Dovan.
Time
6–7 hours
Distance
13 km
Elevation
2,600 m / +900 m, -400 m
Stay
Teahouse, Dovan
Day 3On foot
Dovan to Deurali
A steady climb deeper into the narrowing gorge, past Himalaya to the high lodges at Deurali below the Sanctuary gate.
Time
4–5 hours
Distance
9 km
Elevation
3,230 m / +630 m
Stay
Teahouse, Deurali
Day 4On foot
Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp
Through Machapuchare Base Camp and into the Sanctuary itself, a glacial amphitheatre ringed by peaks, arriving at ABC by early afternoon.
Time
4–5 hours
Distance
9 km
Elevation
4,130 m / +900 m
Stay
Teahouse, Annapurna Base Camp
Day 5On foot
ABC sunrise, descend to Bamboo
Dawn light filling the amphitheatre, then a long descent back down the gorge to the lodges at Bamboo.
Time
6–7 hours
Distance
16 km
Elevation
-1,800 m
Stay
Teahouse, Bamboo
Day 6On foot
Bamboo to Jhinu hot springs
Back up to Chhomrong and down to Jhinu Danda, with an evening soak in the riverside hot springs.
Time
5–6 hours
Distance
11 km
Elevation
1,780 m
Stay
Teahouse, Jhinu
Day 7On foot + By road
Out to Pokhara
A short walk to the road at New Bridge, then the drive back to the lake by afternoon.
Time
2–3 hours
Distance
5 km
Elevation
-400 m to the road
Stay
Back in Pokhara

Ways to do it

The classic 7-day walk7 days
Drive to Chhomrong, into the Sanctuary and back via the Jhinu hot springs. The steadiest way to acclimatise.
Shorter, 5 to 6 days5 to 6 days
A higher drive-in and a firmer pace for fit walkers short on time. Fewer nights on the trail, same Sanctuary dawn.
With Poon Hill on the front9 to 10 days
Add Ghorepani and the Poon Hill sunrise before turning up into the Sanctuary. The fullest version of the classic loop.

Getting there

We drive you from Pokhara to the trailhead near Chhomrong, then it is all on foot, climbing the gorge into the Sanctuary and back, with a guide and optional porter.