Annapurna Base Camp Trek from Pokhara

Day 01: Drive to Ghandruk (3h) and trek to Chhomrong (2170m/7,119ft), (10km), (5-6h)

Your guide will come to pick you up at your hotel after breakfast. From your hotel, you will drive to Ghandruk in a private jeep to start your Pokhara to Pokhara short Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Your destination today is Chhhomrong, but you will first drive to Ghandruk to start the trek.  Ghandruk is located roughly 32 kilometers north-west of Pokhara and the drive takes about 3 hours. Leaving Pokhara, you will drive to Nayapul on the Pokhara-Baglung Highway. The distance is about 14 kilometers. However, at Nayapul, you will leave the highway and take a right turn to continue north of Nayapul to go to Ghandruk. From here it’s about 18 kilometers drive, which is very scenic and interesting. Ghandruk is a culturally rich Gurung (ethnic group in Nepal) village, that along with a pristine culture presents stunning views of the Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre to the trekkers. 

From Ghandruk you will commence your hike to Chhomrong located roughly 10 kilometers north-east of the village of Ghandruk. As you head up west from Ghandruk, you will come across a trail junction where the trail coming from Tadapani and the other one coming up from the Kimrong meet. Following the trail to Kimrong, you will continue down to Kimrong River enjoying the view of the wheat field, cross the bridge and hike up on a steep and strenuous trail to Chhomrong. Chhomrong is the last year-round settlement on the way to Annapurna Base Camp. In Chhomrong, you will check into the lodge and spend the rest of the time at leisure. Overnight in a lodge in Chhomrong.  

Please note: You also have an option to drive to Jhinu 4h and trek to Chhomrong or Sinuwa, instead of driving to Ghandruk. 

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 03: Trek from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m/13,549ft), (6 km), (5h)

Today you will finally reach the destination of the trek, that is, the Annapurna Base Camp, located roughly 6 kilometers from Deurali. It takes about 5 hours to complete this journey, for an average hiker. Like any other day, you will start after breakfast and leave Deuarli and hike further to Machhapuchhre Base Camp, continuing on the avalanche risk zone. Deurali to Bagar is an easy hike, however, from Bagar onwards, the trail grows strenuous all the way up to the Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m). Enjoy a 360 degree panorama that includes Machhapuchhre, Gandharwa Chuli, Annapurna III, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiun Chuli, and Tharpu Chuli. This view walks along with you all the way up to the Annapurna Base Camp. From Machhapuchhre Base Camp, the trail heads west. The trail now runs parallel to the lateral moraine of the South Annapurna Glacier. Soon you will reach the Annapurna Base Camp. You will check into the lodge and spend the remaining time either resting at the lodge, or walking to the nearby areas to view the Annapurna Mountains from different nearby viewpoints. Overnight in a lodge at the base camp. 

Please note: At this place the lodges are very limited in number and these lodges only provide dorm rooms. Therefore, you will spend the night in a dorm room and  share the room with more than one person.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 05: Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu (1,780m/5,839ft), (8 km), (5h)

Today you will hike down to Jhinu, located roughly 8 kilometers south of Bamboo. The hike takes about 5 hours. After breakfast, from Bamboo, continuing through the lush forest of Rhododendron, Oak and Bamboo, you will retrace your steps all the way down to Chhomrong. At Chhomrong the trail to Jhinu forks south east from the Annapurna Base Camp trek trail. Continuing on this trail you will hike down to Jhinu. About 15-20 minutes downhill walk from Jhinu, near the bank of Modi River lies a natural hot spring. If you want to relax your muscles, your guide will take you to this hot spring to take a relaxing dip. You will then get back to the lodge for overnight stay.   

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner