About ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP (ABC) TREK (12 DAYS)

The Annapurna Base Camp trek, commonly known as ABC trek, is one of the most popular treks of Nepal, almost rivaling the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek. Due to its short duration, affordability, and relatively easy trails, it is often considered to be a beginners' trek for people trekking in Nepal.

Your adventure begins in the lively city of Pokhara. It takes merely 30 minutes to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu by flight. You also have the option to drive to Pokhara, which takes about 8 hours. In Pokhara, you can spend the day engaging in various activities such as boating in Phewa Lake, spelunking inside Mahendra Cave, paragliding at Sarangkot, or just exploring the lakes and landscapes of this amazing city. The following day, you’ll take a short drive to Nayapul, from where your trek truly commences. Your first destination is Ghandruk, a small but incredibly beautiful village, where you will receive a warm welcome from the Gurung people, who are the main inhabitants of this place. You will immediately feel the stark difference between them and the people living in the cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu. The people here are simple individuals who have a leisurely pace of life and their own special culture and customs. They also have a strong sense of community and integrity. Their warm hospitality and genuine care for their guests can easily overwhelm you.

After spending a night in Ghandruk and interacting with the locals, you will head toward your destination the following day, passing through several similar villages. All through the way, you will be surrounded by green hills, rhododendron forests, bird songs and the stillness of the mountains faraway. The environment will gradually start changing as you go higher: the trees give way to alpine grasslands, and the views of snow-capped mountains become ever more intimate. As you approach the base camp, the high peaks surround you on all sides, offering a panoramic view that is nothing short of overwhelming. Annapurna I, the dominating peak, looms directly in front, while other peaks, such as Himchuli and Fishtail, constantly hover in the background. On the seventh day of your trip, you will finally arrive at your main destination: the Annapurna Base Camp. At the base camp, you’ll be surrounded by glaciers and pristine alpine lakes and, of course, the Annapurna mountain itself. The view you get there alone suffices to make the trip worth every penny. After spending a night at the base camp, you will begin your return journey following the same route unless stated otherwise in your itinerary.

Note: You can choose to drive or to fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara and from Pokhara to Kathmandu.