Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek
10 days from Kathmandu via Pokhara: a gradual walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary, reaching ABC at about 4,130 m.
Photo: Samdesherpa · CC BY-SA 4.0
About this spot
Access check, 14 September 2026: Kathmandu-Pokhara road disruption was reported; confirm the operating route before departure. [access]
ABC follows the Modi Khola into a mountain amphitheatre, with Chhomrong as a key trail village. [abc] This plan uses the direct Jhinu approach and visits ABC from Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC), returning there to sleep. It splits the upper valley into shorter stages instead of compressing a large altitude gain into one day.
TRIP AT A GLANCE
10 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu.
Difficulty: Moderate to demanding: sustained stairs and altitude.
High point: Annapurna Base Camp, approximately 4,130 m.
Season: March-May and October-November; check avalanche and snow reports.
Keep 1-2 additional days for transport or trail closures.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Suggested planning stages, not guaranteed departures. Walking hours and elevations are approximate; your pace, weather and road access may change the plan.
Day 1 - Kathmandu to Pokhara
Travel by daytime bus; reserve the entire day and sleep in Pokhara. Confirm the route actually operating before buying a ticket.
Day 2 - Pokhara to Jhinu roadhead, walk to Chhomrong
Allow about 3 hours by jeep, then 2-3 hours uphill walking, depending on the usable roadhead. Sleep around 2,170 m. [abc-stages]
Day 3 - Chhomrong to Bamboo
Walk about 5-6 hours through Sinuwa. There are significant descents and climbs; sleep around 2,310 m. [abc-stages]
Day 4 - Bamboo to Himalaya
Continue via Dovan, roughly 4-5 hours. Stay around 2,920 m and check the next day's gorge conditions. [abc-stages]
Day 5 - Himalaya to Deurali
A short 2-3-hour stage to about 3,230 m. Keep the afternoon free rather than pushing straight to ABC. [abc]
Day 6 - Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp
Walk about 3-4 hours through the upper valley. Sleep near 3,700 m; this is MBC, not ABC. [abc]
Day 7 - ABC visit, return to MBC
If well, walk up to ABC at about 4,130 m and return, roughly 4-5 hours total. Take a packed layer and leave time to descend in daylight. [abc]
Day 8 - MBC to Bamboo
Retrace the gorge for about 6-7 hours. Sleep in Bamboo and pace the long downhill carefully. [abc-stages]
Day 9 - Bamboo to Jhinu, drive to Pokhara
Allow 5-6 hours on foot through Chhomrong, then a jeep transfer. Stay at Jhinu if the road or timing prevents a safe connection. [abc-stages]
Day 10 - Pokhara to Kathmandu
Travel home by daytime bus; do not attach an inflexible same-evening commitment.
PLANNING FROM KATHMANDU
Arrange the return jeep through the lodge before descending. Ask whether the quoted accommodation price includes dinner and breakfast, and budget separately for charging, hot water and showers. Keep a reserve of cash; QR payment depends on connectivity. Carry snacks for early starts and refill or treat drinking water. Ghandruk is the regional discovery bucket; ABC itself is deep inside the sanctuary, not in the village.
ENTRY AND IDENTIFICATION
Carry Nepali citizenship/national ID and check the Nepali entry category locally. Do not assume foreign-package permit charges apply. [fees]
TRAIL NOTES
The narrow upper valley can be affected by avalanche conditions; do not treat a spring departure as guaranteed access. Check with lodge staff and a local guide. [abc] Do not ascend with altitude symptoms; descend if worsening and seek medical help. [altitude]
SOURCES
Research checked 2026-09-14. The day plan is JamJam's adaptation of these route references for Nepali travellers.
[abc] Himalayan Social Journey: Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Undated page.
https://hsj.com.np/trip/annapurna-base-camp-…
[abc-stages] Travel Himalaya Nepal: Annapurna Base Camp Itinerary 2026: Day-by-Day 7 to 11 Day Plans. Undated page.
https://travelhimalayanepal.com/blog/annapur…
[access] The Tourism Times (reporting TAAN's September 10 update): Most trekking destinations safe, but access routes still disrupted: TAAN. 2026-09-11.
https://www.thetourismtimes.com/news/travel-…
[fees] Nepal Tourism Board: Park Entry Fees. Undated page.
https://ntb.gov.np/plan-your-trip/before-you…
[altitude] Himalayan Rescue Association Nepal: Health Problems. Undated page.
https://himalayanrescue.org/health-problems
Location
Annapurna Sanctuary, Kaski, GhandrukAnnapurna Sanctuary, Kaski, Nepal. Destination: Annapurna Base Camp Nepal. Nearby settlement / discovery location: Ghandruk. The suggested journey starts and ends in Kathmandu.
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