Annapurna Base Camp Trek
From
$1,199
$1,050
per person
Trekking region
Annapurna Region Trekking
Nepal’s most varied trekking region, a short drive from Pokhara: the Annapurna Sanctuary, the full Annapurna Circuit over Thorong La, Poon Hill’s famous sunrise and quiet community-run ridges.
- Highest point
- Thorong La 5,416 m
- Trek length
- 5–19 days
- Gateway
- Pokhara (drive)
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Compare the routes
Treks in the Annapurna Region
Every trek below runs as a private trip on your dates or with a small group. Compare the length, height and grade, then open a trek for its full day-by-day plan.
| Trek | Days | Max altitude | Grade | Best for | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Annapurna Base Camp Trek
|
14 | 4,130 m | Moderate | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | $1,050 |
 Annapurna Circuit Trek
|
19 | 5,416 m | Challenging | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | $1,380 |
 Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
|
5 | 3,210 m | Easy | Oct–May (Mar–Apr for flowers) | $480 |
 Khopra Danda Ridge Trek
|
9 | 4,500 m | Moderate | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | $740 |
 Mohare Danda Community Trek
|
11 | 3,300 m | Moderate | Oct–May | $790 |
 Jomsom Muktinath Trek
|
10 | 3,710 m | Moderate | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | $1,190 |
 Royal Trek
|
9 | 1,730 m | Easy | Oct–Apr | $620 |
 Panchase Trek
|
9 | 2,500 m | Easy | Oct–May | $590 |
Annapurna Circuit Trek
From
$1,490
$1,380
per person
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
From $480 per person
Khopra Danda Ridge Trek
From $740 per person
Mohare Danda Community Trek
From $790 per person
Jomsom Muktinath Trek
From
$1,250
$1,190
per person
Royal Trek
From $620 per person
Panchase Trek
From $590 per person
Why go
Why trek in the Annapurnas
The Annapurna region has something for everyone, and it starts just an hour’s drive from Pokhara — no mountain flight needed. In a single trek you can walk from rice terraces and subtropical forest into alpine valleys and, on the Circuit, all the way to the Tibetan-style high desert beyond the main range.
It is also the region with the widest choice of trek lengths: a 5-day sunrise walk to Poon Hill, a 2-week trek into the Annapurna Sanctuary, or three weeks around the whole massif.
-
Inside the Sanctuary
Annapurna Base Camp sits in a glacial amphitheatre ringed by Annapurna I, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre.
-
Poon Hill sunrise
Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas light up in one of Nepal’s most famous views.
-
Gurung and Thakali villages
Ghandruk, Chhomrong, Marpha and Manang — each with its own culture and food.
-
The great circuit
Cross Thorong La (5,416 m) and descend into the Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge on earth.
When to go
Trekking conditions month by month
Jan: Possible
Feb: Good
Mar: Best
Apr: Best
May: Good
Jun: Possible
Jul: Avoid
Aug: Avoid
Sep: Good
Oct: Best
Nov: Best
Dec: Good
- Best
- Good
- Possible, with trade-offs
- Not recommended
Spring (Mar–May)
Rhododendron forests in full bloom around Ghorepani and the Sanctuary. Warm and busy.
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Clear, stable weather and the best views. The most popular time for Thorong La.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Excellent for Poon Hill and lower treks; snow can close Thorong La and raise avalanche risk below ABC.
Monsoon (Jun–Sep)
Wet and leech-prone in the south. Upper Manang and Mustang, in the rain shadow, stay much drier.
Permits & cost
Permits you need
All permits are arranged by us and included in the trek price. Fees are set by the government and can change — we always charge the current rate.
NPR 3,000 (about US$23)
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
Required for all treks in the region. Included in our treks.
NPR 1,000 (about US$8) through an agency
TIMS card
Trekkers’ Information Management System card, checked along the trail. Included.
Included
Licensed guide
A licensed guide has been compulsory for foreign trekkers in the region since April 2023.
Choosing an Annapurna trek
- Poon Hill Trek — 5 days from Pokhara. Sunrise on Poon Hill, rhododendron forest and Ghandruk. The best short trek in Nepal.
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek — 14 days. Poon Hill plus the walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130 m.
- Annapurna Circuit Trek — 19 days. The full loop over Thorong La (5,416 m), Manang and Muktinath.
- Khopra Danda Ridge Trek and Mohare Danda Trek — quiet ridges with community lodges and Dhaulagiri views.
- Jomsom Muktinath Trek — the Kali Gandaki valley to the holy temples of Muktinath without the pass.
Getting there
Pokhara is 6–7 hours from Kathmandu by tourist bus or 25 minutes by air. Most treks start 1–2 hours from Pokhara at Nayapul, Kimche or Siwai; the Circuit begins at Besisahar or Bhulbhule; the Jomsom trek flies or drives up the Kali Gandaki.
Difficulty
Altitude is less of an issue than in the Everest region except on the Circuit. What tests people here are the stone staircases — thousands of steps up and down between villages. Read how difficult the ABC trek really is.
Lodges and food
Annapurna lodges are comfortable and good value, many with attached bathrooms below 3,000 m. Ghandruk and Chhomrong have bakeries; Marpha is famous for apples and apple brandy. Dal bhat with unlimited refills is the trekker’s staple everywhere.
Roads on the Circuit
Roads now reach Manang and Muktinath, but new trails avoid most of them. Our itineraries use these trails and take a jeep only where the walking isn’t worth it. More in trekking the Annapurna Circuit.
Annapurna Region Trekking: your questions
Annapurna Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit?
ABC is shorter (about 2 weeks), lower and forested. The Circuit is about 3 weeks, crosses a 5,416 m pass and has more varied scenery. First Himalayan trek? Choose ABC.
Do I need a guide in the Annapurna region?
Yes. Since April 2023 foreign trekkers must walk with a licensed guide. All our treks include one.
What is the easiest Annapurna trek?
The Poon Hill Trek: 5 days, a maximum of 3,210 m and comfortable lodges. The Panchase and Royal treks are even lower.
Can I trek in the Annapurnas in winter?
Yes, below 3,500 m. Poon Hill, Khopra and Mohare are excellent in December–February. Thorong La and ABC can be snowbound.
Didn’t find your answer? Ask the guide who leads this trek.
Free trip planning
Not sure which Annapurna Region trek to choose?
Tell us how many days you have and how fit you feel. We’ll suggest the route that fits — or design one around you.
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