Without Poon Hill · 10 days
Go straight to the Sanctuary from Ghandruk. See our [Annapurna Base Camp trek](/treks/annapurna-base-camp/).
Annapurna (Ghorepani and the Modi Khola valley)
Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Poon Hill
Poon Hill at dawn, then into the Annapurna Sanctuary
- Days12
- High point4,130 m / 13,550 ft
- GradeModerate to hard, 3 of 5
- Best monthsMar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Overview
Two classic Annapurna walks in one: the Poon Hill sunrise from Ghorepani, then across to Chhomrong and up into the Annapurna Sanctuary to sleep at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m).
Highlights
- Sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210 m) over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range
- Rhododendron forest between Ghorepani and Tadapani
- Rhododendron and bamboo forest in the Modi Khola gorge
- Machapuchare, the sacred "fishtail" peak no one is permitted to climb
- Sleep at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m), ringed by snow peaks
- Hot springs by the river at Jhinu Danda on the way down
- Twelve days from Kathmandu, with no mountain flights
Guide & safety
- A licensed trekking guide with you every day.
Is this trek for me?
Fitness & difficulty
Moderate to hard, 3 of 5 Moderate to challenging
- No climbing or technical skills needed. If you can walk uphill for several hours with a light pack, day after day, you can train for this.
- Expect long stone staircases, especially around Chhomrong, where the trail drops to a river and climbs back up the other side.
- Train with hill walks or stair sessions two or three times a week for six to eight weeks before you go.
- You sleep at 4,130 m on one night. The climb is gradual, but anyone can get altitude sickness, so read our safety approach before you go.
12 days · scroll to climb
Day by day
The marker follows you down the itinerary. Red figures are height gained since where you slept the night before.
Loading map…
Day 1: Tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Most of the day on the road. Night in Pokhara.
Day 2: Drive to Nayapul, trek to Ulleri
Day 3: Trek to Ghorepani
Day 4: Sunrise on Poon Hill, trek to Tadapani
Sleep at Tadapani.
Day 5: Trek to Chhomrong
Day 6: Trek to Bamboo
Day 7: Trek to Deurali
Day 8: Trek via Machapuchare Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp
Day 9: Descend to Bamboo
Day 10: Trek to Jhinu Danda and its hot springs
Day 11: Trek down and drive to Pokhara
Day 12: Tourist bus back to Kathmandu
Dates & price
Plan your dates
Pick the day you want to start walking. We'll lay out your whole trip and check the season.
- Arrive in Kathmandu by–
- Trek–
- Fly home from–
- Tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Drive to Nayapul, trek to Ulleri2,010 m
- Trek to Ghorepani2,860 m
- Sunrise on Poon Hill, trek to Tadapani2,680 m
- Trek to Chhomrong2,170 m
- Trek to Bamboo2,310 m
- Trek to Deurali3,230 m
- Trek via Machapuchare Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp4,130 m
- Descend to Bamboo2,310 m
- Trek to Jhinu Danda and its hot springs1,720 m
- Trek down and drive to Pokhara
- Tourist bus back to Kathmandu
Private trek
Your own guide and your own pace, starting on a date you choose in season.
Small group departures
Ask us for current details.
What's included
In the price
Included
- Licensed trekking guide
- Tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back
- Two hotel nights in Pokhara, before and after the trek
- Teahouse accommodation on the trek
- All meals on the trek: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Hotel nights in Kathmandu
- Porter (we can add one; ask us for the price)
- Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover
- Tips for guides and porters
You pay on the trail
- Hot shower
- On request
- Wi-Fi
- On request
- Phone or battery charging
- On request
- Boiled or filtered water (1 litre)
- On request
- Dal bhat (set meal)
- On request
Prices rise the higher you go. Bring cash in Nepali rupees.
No hidden costs, no surprise group merging, a named guide, and a descend-first safety plan. Read our promises → Ask us
Make it yours
Ask about these →Extend or change it
Other ways to walk it
Add-ons
Extra nights in Pokhara
Rest by Phewa Lake, take the cable car up to Sarangkot, or try paragliding over the valley.
Practicalities
Good to know
Where you'll stay
Teahouses are family-run lodges: simple twin rooms with foam mattresses and blankets, and a shared dining room warmed by a stove in the evening. Toilets are often shared, and hot showers and charging cost extra the higher you go.
Teahouse lodges, twin-share rooms
What you'll eat
Most teahouses serve a similar menu: dal bhat (rice, lentil soup and vegetable curry, usually with free refills), noodles, momos, eggs, porridge, pancakes and plenty of tea. Higher up the menu shrinks and prices rise, because everything is carried in.
Permits
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- NPR 3,000 (SAARC nationals NPR 1,000)
- TIMS card (arranged by your trekking agency)
- NPR 2,000 (SAARC nationals NPR 1,000)
Before and after, in Pokhara
Your bus from Kathmandu and hotel nights in Pokhara are included. For an airport pickup, extra nights or a rest day with the Sarangkot cable car, we help you arrange it.
Plan your Pokhara days →ABC + Poon Hill guides
Questions
FAQ
How difficult is the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
It's a moderate to challenging walk with no climbing skills needed. The hard parts are the long stone staircases around Chhomrong and the climb from Deurali into the Sanctuary, where you sleep at 4,130 m. Good general fitness and some training beforehand make a big difference.
Can a beginner do it?
Yes, if you're reasonably fit and train for six to eight weeks with hill walks or stairs. It needs no flights and doesn't go above 4,130 m, which makes it a good first trek at altitude. For something shorter and lower, see our Poon Hill trek.
Do I need a guide?
Since 1 April 2023, Nepal requires foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas to trek with a licensed guide. See our [guide rules explainer](/journal/do-i-need-a-guide-nepal/) for the details and sources; we confirm the current position when you book.
What permits do I need?
An Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Your guide arranges it and the fee is part of your quote. See the permits guide for current fees.
When is the best time to go?
March to May and late September to November. Spring brings rhododendrons in bloom; autumn has the clearest skies. Winter is possible but cold at the top, and the monsoon (June to September) brings rain, cloud and leeches.
Will I get altitude sickness?
You might. Altitude sickness can start above about 2,500 m and affects people regardless of fitness. The itinerary climbs gradually, and the most important rule is simple: if you feel unwell, don't go higher. Tell your guide straight away.
What is the accommodation like?
Teahouses: simple family-run lodges with twin rooms, blankets and a shared dining room. Rooms are basic and unheated, so bring a warm sleeping bag.
Is there Wi-Fi and phone charging?
Most teahouses offer Wi-Fi and charging for a small fee. Both get slower and less reliable the higher you go, so bring a power bank.
Can I drink the water?
Don't drink untreated tap or stream water. Buy boiled water at teahouses or bring a filter or purification tablets, which also cuts down on plastic bottles.
Is there avalanche risk?
The section between Deurali and Machapuchare Base Camp can be exposed to avalanches after heavy snow, mostly in winter and early spring. Guides check conditions locally and won't cross when it isn't safe.
What travel insurance do I need?
Insurance that covers trekking up to at least 6,000 m and helicopter evacuation. Check the altitude limit in the policy wording, not just the summary.
Ready?
Plan your ABC + Poon Hill
Tell us your dates. We'll send a day-by-day plan and full quote within 24 hours.
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The full Circuit, plus a high lakeABC + Poon Hill 12 days · 4,130 mGet a quote
