Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Ghorepani
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Annapurna Region, Nepal (ABC, Poon Hill, Ghorepani, Chhomrong) -
16 Days
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The ultimate Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poon Hill. 16-day expedition through rhododendron forests, witness famous sunrise at Poon Hill, and stand at the foot of Annapurna I. Includes natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda.
The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek via Ghorepani is a masterclass in Himalayan contrasts. Over 16 days, you will journey from the warm, subtropical tranquility of Pokhara's lakesides straight into the freezing, high-altitude amphitheater of the Annapurna Sanctuary. This optimized route begins by winding through dense, ancient rhododendron forests, culminating in a pre-dawn summit of Poon Hill (3,210m) to witness one of the most famous sunrise panoramas on Earth. From there, your expedition plunges deep into the narrow, plunging gorge of the Modi Khola river. As the jungle fades into alpine scrub, you will walk through the "gates" of the Sanctuary at Machapuchare Base Camp, completely surrounded by a towering 360-degree wall of vertical rock and cascading glaciers. Standing at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) directly beneath the sheer, terrifying south face of Annapurna I, you will experience the absolute raw power of the high Himalayas before retreating to soothe your battered muscles in the natural hot springs of Jhinu Danda.
Your monumental Himalayan adventure begins as you touch down in the vibrant capital of Kathmandu. Upon clearing customs, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Your evening is dedicated to an official welcome briefing with your lead trekking guide. You will run through a comprehensive check of your cold-weather gear, finalize your ACAP permits, and ensure your pack is perfectly dialed in for the extreme temperature variations of the circuit.
You will leave the bustling capital behind and transition to the gateway of the Annapurnas. Whether you opt for a short, scenic domestic flight or the winding drive along the Prithvi Highway, you will arrive in the lush, subtropical paradise of Pokhara. You will check into your lakeside hotel, spending the afternoon relaxing by the tranquil waters of Phewa Lake and mentally preparing for the foot journey.
Your trek officially begins today. A short drive brings you to the bustling road-head at Nayapul. Shouldering your daypack, you will begin hiking along the banks of the Bhurungdi Khola river. The air is warm and deeply humid as you walk through vibrant, terraced agricultural villages and bamboo forests. Crossing a few suspension bridges and navigating a relatively gentle, undulating trail, you will arrive at the picturesque stone-paved settlement of Tikhedhunga to rest for the night.
Prepare for one of the most physically demanding days of the lower circuit. Immediately leaving Tikhedhunga, you will cross a suspension bridge and face the infamous Ulleri stairs—a relentless, punishing climb of over 3,200 steep stone steps. Sweating heavily, you will eventually break through the steep terraces and plunge into a massive, ancient forest of oak and rhododendron. The air cools noticeably as you gain altitude, eventually arriving at the blue-roofed teahouses of Ghorepani, perched on a high ridge with spectacular views of the Dhaulagiri range.
You will wake over an hour before dawn, strapping on your headlamp to tackle the steep, 45-minute climb up to Poon Hill (3,210m). As the sun breaks over the horizon, you will be rewarded with a mind-blowing, unobstructed panorama of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and the iconic Machapuchare (Fishtail). After absorbing the golden hour, you will descend back to Ghorepani for a massive, well-deserved breakfast. You will spend the rest of the day resting, hydrating, and properly acclimatizing your body to the 3,000m mark.
Leaving Ghorepani, you will climb the forested Deurali pass before beginning a long, undulating trek eastward. You will hike through deep, moss-draped jungles, navigating narrow trails that hug the steep hillsides. After a massive, knee-jarring descent to the Kimrong Khola river and a steep climb back up the opposite bank, you will arrive at Chhomrong. This sprawling, prosperous Gurung village is the gateway to the Sanctuary, offering unbelievable, impossibly close views of Annapurna South and Machapuchare.
You will begin by plunging down thousands of steep stone steps to the valley floor, crossing the swaying Chhomrong Khola suspension bridge. The trail then violently pitches upward, demanding a deeply fatiguing climb through forests of bamboo, oak, and rhododendron. You have now officially entered the deep, V-shaped Modi Khola gorge. Passing through the tiny settlements of Sinuwa and Bamboo, you will eventually arrive at the damp, deeply shaded riverside teahouses of Dovan.
As you push deeper into the gorge, the landscape becomes significantly wilder and colder. The thick bamboo forests transition into sparse alpine scrub. You will trek through a steep, avalanche-prone valley, passing the massive overhanging rock known as Hinku Cave. The roaring Modi Khola is a constant companion as you navigate the rocky, narrow trail, finally arriving at Deurali, the last stop before the Sanctuary gates.
You will leave the tree line entirely behind today, entering a stark, high-alpine environment. The gorge finally widens out, revealing the spectacular "gates" of the Sanctuary. You will climb steadily up the glacial moraine, feeling the deep chill of the mountain air. Arriving at Machapuchare Base Camp (MBC), you are immediately confronted by the sheer, terrifying vertical face of the unclimbed Fishtail peak soaring directly above your teahouse.
The absolute climax of your expedition. You will embark on a short but visually staggering trek into the true heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary. The trail climbs gently along the snow-covered moraine. As you crest the final rise, the 360-degree amphitheater of ice completely surrounds you. You will arrive at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), standing directly beneath the colossal, 4,000-meter sheer ice face of Annapurna I. You will spend the afternoon listening to the distant thunder of avalanches crashing down the surrounding peaks.
You will wake up at Base Camp to witness the sunrise illuminating the icy faces of Annapurna and Tent Peak in brilliant pink and gold. You have the entire morning to explore the glacial basin, take photographs, and absorb the profound isolation of this mountain sanctuary. To ensure you sleep better in richer oxygen, you will pack your bags in the afternoon and make the rapid, easy descent back down to MBC for the night.
Your retreat from the extreme altitude begins in earnest today. Because going downhill demands much less cardiovascular effort, you will cover a massive amount of ground. You will plunge rapidly back down the Modi Khola gorge, passing through Deurali and Dovan. The sudden return of thick, oxygen-rich air and the dense bamboo forests will provide you with a huge surge of physical energy and warmth as you settle into your teahouse at Bamboo.
You will continue your descent, tackling the massive Chhomrong stone steps from the opposite direction. After a sweaty climb back up to the village, you will take a new, steeply descending trail down the hillside. You will arrive at Jhinu Danda early in the afternoon. Dropping your heavy gear, you will take a 20-minute walk down to the riverbank to absolutely luxuriate in the natural, geothermal hot springs—the perfect, soothing reward for your battered trekking muscles.
Your final hours on the trail. You will hike along the undulating, subtropical paths following the Modi Khola river, passing through the villages of Birethanti and Syauli Bazaar. The air is intensely warm and humid as you make the final push into the bustling road-head of Nayapul. Your trekking boots finally come off! You will board a private vehicle for the short drive back to Pokhara, checking into your hotel for a long, luxurious shower and a celebratory dinner by the lake.
You will make the final journey back to the capital. Whether you opt for the short domestic flight or the winding drive along the Prithvi Highway, you will arrive back in the sensory overload of Kathmandu by the afternoon. The evening is yours to shop for souvenirs in Thamel and enjoy a massive farewell dinner with your trekking team to celebrate your success.
Your epic 16-day journey into the heart of the Annapurnas comes to an end. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey, heading home with the elite accomplishment of standing at Annapurna Base Camp.
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