Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Day 1 : Reach Pokhara on your own

Altitude – 4,600 feet

Pokhara lies 5/6 hours away from Kathmandu and is the opening to Annapurna region. It is easily accessible via road and plane too.

Today the stay will be in a hotel at Pokhara.

Day 2 : Drive from Pokhara to Lower Ghandruk and trek to Komrong

Total distance – 5 km (trek)

Time taken – 2/3 hours (Drive) 3 hours (trek)

Altitude – 7,380 feet

The vehicle will be arranged to reach the point from where the trek starts. After 2/3 hours of drive, reach the point and start trekking towards Lower Ghandruk. It is the biggest village on the trail which can be reached in an hour.

Come across some tea houses there and the others can be easily found ahead.Now, from Lower Gandhruk trek towards Komrong, it is a gradual descent till the stream, after crossing it the trail bifurcates, take the right and after a one hour steep ascent reach Komrong.

Stay at Komrong for the night.

Day 3 : Trek from Komrong to Chomrung

Trek Distance – 7 km

Time taken – 5/6 hours

Altitude – 7,120 feet

Chomrung is clearly visible from Komrong because it is located on the ridge top. After breakfast, start descending and cross a stream ahead. Now after a half an hour ascent reach Kimrong Khola.
Cross this part and follow Kimrong khola along the side of mountains. Further the ascent is gradual and on the other side Komrong is visible, go higher and get attractive views of rising peaks. The mountains visible from there are Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machapuchare and a bit of Gangapurna.
After hike of 1 hour reach the lodges in starting of Chomrung present at the mountain’s edge. Now, climb to the top and witness Annapurna South closely. Also, have a glimpse of Chomrung’s whole village and beautiful village of Sinuwa.

Annapurna Sanctuary is accessible only through Chomrung which offers delicious view of high Himalayan peaks. Many shops and tea houses are present here which are run by locals. Register yourself at the check-post. Do carry your original ID’s with you.

Day 4 : Trek from Chomrung to Dovan

Total distance – 10.5 km

Time taken – 6/7 hours

Altitude – 8,460 feet

Chomrug to Sinuwa (7,675 feet)

Today, post breakfast, descent through stone steps and move towards Chomrung village and in half an hour reach Chomrung Khola. The climb is steep on stones. After a 20 minutes steep hike reach Tilche hamlet, here come across few houses and ahead lies Lower Sinuwa, which can be reached in few minutes.
From here, reaching Upper Sinuwa will take 20 minutes. Further from the view point Annapurna III and Machapuchare are visible. Above upper Sinuwa is Annapurna Sanctuary area, it has dense forests and some grouped tea houses.

Sinuwa to Bamboo (7,675 feet)

Now, gradually climb through muddy trail from Sinuwa to Bamboo and after half an hour you will reach a clearing. Descend till bamboo and reach there in thirty minutes.
All the way through forest section, the sound of gushing Modi Khola can be heard.

Bamboo to Dovan (8,460 feet)

The trek is through the dense forest, ascent to Dovan starts from the end point of Bamboo lodges which isn’t too strenuous. Cross multiple bridges and reach there in 10 minutes.
There are lodges for accommodation, where you can spend a good night.

Day 5 : Trek from Dovan to Machapuchare base camp

Total distance – 10 km

Time taken – 6/7 hours

Altitude – 12,135 feet

Dovan to Himalaya (9,510 feet)

Post breakfast start the trek from Dovan to Himalaya. And, after a few minutes of trekking, cross the bridge and start climbing, after some short but steep ascents, two routes lead to Himalaya. Take the short one which opens up to Machapuchare and Modi Khola views. Reach Himalaya and halt there.

Himalaya to Deurali (10,595 feet)

From Himalaya, climb yp and reach Hinku cave then descend for 15 minutes till snow patches are visible. After crossing a stream and these snow patches you can reach Deurali. Now, trek through the boulder region and leave the alpine forests, ahead only grass and bamboos are found. Now, descend over small boulders.

Deurali to Machapuchare Base Camp

To reach Machapuchare base camp, cross Deurali’s last lodge by climbing for few minutes till the valley opens up, from here Gangapurna and Machapuchare can be seen from a distance.
Descending for more than 30 minutes will bring you to Bagar. Now, ascendand cross Modi Khola over a bridge, you can reach the base camp in half an hour from this point. The majestic views of Annapurna and Machapuchare from there will leave you awe struck.
You will cross some snow bridges and enter the grassy fields which have some Daphne trees, the vibrant flowers can be seen blooming on the way. Around 4000 feet altitude is gained so be careful of Altitude Motion Sickness.

Day 6 : Trek from Machapuchare Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp

Total distance – 3.5 km

Time taken – 2 hours

Altitude – 13,550 feet
Today, have breakfast early and leave Machapuchare Base Camp but do not miss the color changing sunrise view from there. The starting 1 km trek is steep but further the trail is a gradually ascending one. Go towards Annapurna South and the last walk is on moraines.

Annapurna Base Camp is surrounded by lofty Himalayan peaks. Have a look at extraordinary views of Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Annapurna South, Gandharvachuli, Gangapurna and Machapuchare. Get to the edge of the Annapurna glacier and relish the views.

Have dinner and spend your night there in serenity.

Day 7 : Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo

Total distance – 16 km

Time taken – 8/9 hours

Altitude – 7,675 feet
Today’s trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo is going to be the longest. Follow the same trail which you followed to reach Annapurna Base Camp.
Cross Machapuchare Base Camp, Deurali, Himalaya and Dovan.
The descent is steep and further there are some short ascends to reach Bamboo. Spend your night there.

Day 8 : Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu

Total distance – 10 km

Time taken – 6/7 hours

Altitude – 5,770 feet
Wake up early today and post breakfast leave for Jhinu. Follow the trail which lead to Sinuwa village and climb the steep steps to reach the check post. Reach there in forty five minutes; the descent is steep till Chomrung Khola followed by a steep ascent to Chomrung.

Checkout from the office, then take the trail which goes upwards. Then after descending through steep steps reach Jhinu in 2 hours. Now, a forest will be visible which faces towards Modi Khola. This place is famous for hot water springs.

Day 9 : Trek from Jhinu to Syauli Bazaar

Total distance – 6 km

Time taken – 4 hours

Altitude – 3,740 feet
The trek is from Jhinu to Syauli Bazaar which can be covered in 4 hours. Start descending from Jhinu ahead lies Kimrong Khola Bridge, cross it and take the trail which leads to Somrong. There are houses lined up on the side and the trek is a combination of ascents and descents. Further, the road divides one goes to Landruk and other to Kyumi.

Go on the trail which leads to Kyumi and further reach a mini village named Uppu Dandu. Descend through the stoned path and come to Kalchane, some tea houses are present there. Now, follow the trail of Kyumi and get there in about half an hour.

Kyumi is a village with few tea houses; you can rest there for sometime. Climb up towards Ghandruk and head towards Birethanti, then you can reach the road in 45 minutes. This is Sayuli Bazaar; the ending point of the Annapurna basecamp trek. Now get back to Pokhara from where the trek started.