Annapurna Base Camp Trek Distance and Elevation can vary depending on the trekking route. It comes as no surprise when we say that the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the popular trekking routes. Situated in the western part of Nepal, it is the second most popular route after Everest Base Camp.
Nayapul is the popular starting point of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. It takes around an hour and a half’s drive from Pokhara to reach there. The alternative to Nayapul is Phedi, which is also an hour’s drive from Pokhara. The route can further vary depending on the itinerary. Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts from Nayapul and our stops will be at the villages of Ghandruk, Chomrong, Bamboo, Deurali, and Jhinu Danda.
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Annapurna Base Camp Trek offers adventurous experiences along with unique nature and cultural exploration. You will get an opportunity to trek through the luscious forests and alpine meadows. Similarly, the trail goes through the Annapurna Conservation Area with diverse flora and fauna. The trek also offers a trek through picturesque terraced fields, landscapes, waterfalls, rivers, and glaciers.
The trek offers grand mountain views of Annapurna, Machhapuchre (Fishtail), Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, and more. It is an awe-inspiring trekking adventure and cultural exploration. Let us break down our Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary and learn about the Annapurna Base Camp Trek distance and elevation.
Daily Annapurna Base Camp Trek Distance and Elevation
Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara
We will travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara. We will hold a pre-trip meeting after breakfast and take a jeep journey to Pokhara. The whole drive takes around 7 to 8 hours and covers 52 km. Your accommodation at Pokhara is arranged at the 3-star hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ghandruk
The following day we will drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, a charming village that sits at an elevation of 1010 meters. The whole drive takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Nayapul we will begin our trek journey. We will pass by Birethanti village and then reach Ghandruk. Ghandruk is a picturesque Gurung village situated at an elevation of 1940 meters. It lies in the Modi Khola valley and offers a splendid view of the Annapurna massif The whole drive and trek covers 32.2 km.
Day 3: Ghandruk to Chomrong
Trekking from Ghandruk to Chomrong is a climb for the first hour until we reach Kimrungdanda. Then we will descend to Kimrong Khola while enjoying the mountain views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchre, Hiuchuli, and several other peaks. We will continue to descend and then walk on a gentle trail as we reach Chomrong. The village sits at an elevation of 2,170 meters. The whole trek takes around 5 to 6 hours while covering 9.8 km.
Day 4: Chomrong to Bamboo
From Chomrong it takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach Bamboo village. We will begin our trek by descending 2500 stone steps. Then we will cross Chomrong Khola on a bridge and start ascending uphill. On the way, we will pass by Sinuwa and Kuldihar village after which we will have to descend downhill to Bamboo. The village is situated at an elevation of 2310 meters. The whole trek distance is 11 km.
Day 5: Bamboo to Deurali
As we leave the Bamboo village, we will have to cross the dense bamboo forest. Then we will ascend uphill and reach the Himalayan hotel with a glacial river view. We will continue to ascend through the luscious forest and reach Hinku Cave. The trail goes along the river and then again ascends to reach Deurali situated at 3,230 meters. It’s a 4 to 5-hour trek and covers a distance of 10 km.
Day 6: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp via Machhapuchre Base Camp
From Deurali, we will ascend through a river bed and over a sharp trail. The trail becomes demanding as we reach the Machhapuchre Base Camp. The base camp offers excellent views of Mount Annapurna, Gangapurna, and Hiunchuli. We will continue with our climb. Finally, we will reach Annapurna Base Camp. The trail enters the Annapurna Sanctuary which offers 360-degree views of the mountain. The trek takes around 5 to 6 hours. Annapurna Base Camp is situated at an elevation of 4130 meters.
Day 7: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo
We will enjoy our morning at the Annapurna Base Camp then start our trek downhill to Bamboo. We will retrace our steps back to the Bamboo village situated at an elevation of 2,310 meters. This day’s trek will take the longest around 7 to 8 hours and covers a distance of 14 km. It is an easy downhill descent until we reach Bamboo.
Day 8: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda
The trail leaving Bamboo is uphill followed by a downhill descent to Chomrong Khola. We will climb up the stone staircase to Chomrong. Then we will descend as we reach Jhinu Danda. The trek duration for the day is around 5 to 6 hours and covers a 9.2 km distance. The charming village sits at an elevation of 1760 meters and is famous for its natural hot spring. The hot spring is 20-25 minutes walking distance from the village.
Day 9: Jhinu to Kathmandu
After a hearty breakfast with a mountain range view, we will take a short hike of around 30 minutes to Samrung. Then we will hop on a jeep and head back to Kathmandu. The whole drive will take 8 to 9 hours. The maximum altitude is 1400 meters at Kathmandu.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route Distance and Elevation Chart
During the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, trekkers have to trek from lowland to highland elevations. Similarly, they have to walk from 5 to 6 hours a day on average. To present the Annapurna Base Camp Trek distance and elevation more simply, we have prepared a table as follows:
| Itinerary | Distance | Max. Elevation |
| Kathmandu to Pokhara | 52 km | 800 meters |
| Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ghandruk | 32.2 km | 1940 meters |
| Ghandruk to Chomrong | 9.8 km | 2170 meters |
| Chomrong to Bamboo | 11 km | 2310 meters |
| Bamboo to Deurali | 10 km | 3230 meters |
| Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp via Machhapuchre Base Camp | 7 km | 4130 meters |
| Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo | 14 km | 4130 meters |
| Bamboo to Jhinu Danda | 9.2 km | 1760 meters |
| Jhinu to Kathmandu | 65 km | 1400 meters |
Is Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficult?
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a moderately difficult route. Beginners as well as children can do the trek. However, they have to be physically fit and mentally prepared. The trekkers have to climb uphill and descend on rocky and rugged terrains. There are no technical sections but it can still put physical strain on the trekkers. Trekkers have to ascend more than 3000 staircases and make steep descends.
Similarly, the Annapurna Base Camp is situated at an elevation of 4130 meters. There is a risk of altitude sickness. Therefore, it is important to acclimatize and take precautions. While the trail can be physically demanding, it can lead to mental stress. You have to walk 5 to 6 hours a day on average. Likewise, trekkers have to cover a distance of 8 to 14 km a day. The limited facilities and connectivity can also create difficulties. The weather also becomes unpredictable as you move to higher elevations. It can also create difficulties for the trekkers.
The trek can be challenging at times. It will test the trekkers’ stamina, endurance, and mental resilience. Trekkers have to prepare physically and mentally to overcome the Annapurna Base Camp Trek difficulty.
Foods and Accommodation During Annapurna Base Camp Trek
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek route has plenty of accommodation facilities like tea houses, lodges, and homestays run by locals. These accommodations are budget-friendly with basic facilities. The rooms are usually on a twin-sharing basis with shared bathrooms and communal dining spaces. But you can also find rooms with attached bathrooms. As you move to higher elevations, the facilities get further limited and the accommodations charge you for hot showers, charging devices, wifi/internet, etc.
The meals you will find during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek include Dal Bhat, momo, chowmein, pasta, bread, and other local and Western cuisines. You will mostly have Dal Bhat during lunch and dinner. It is a staple Nepali dish that is full of carbs and protein. It is perfect for energizing you for the challenging trek. The dish consists of rice, lentils, curries (veg or non-veg), and pickles.
With NAATA’s Annapurna Base Camp Trek, your accommodations and meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included. The accommodations during your trek will be at teahouses. Similarly, the meals will consist of Nepali and Western cuisines. You can rest assured that the tea houses are safe and comfortable. Note that our package does not include any drinks. Similarly, personal expenses like hot showers, laundry, charging, phone calls, etc are also not included in the package.
Guide and Porter For the Trek
As of April 1, 2023, it has become mandatory to hire a government-licensed guide while trekking in Nepal. The guides navigate the trails and make sure that the trekkers are on the right path. Similarly, they ensure the trekkers’ safety and security. It can be physically strenuous for trekkers to climb the trails with heavy baggage on their backs. It can even lead to injuries. Thus, porters play a crucial role in making the trek journey comfortable. They carry the heavy equipment and supplies which leave trekkers free to enjoy the journey.
NAATA provides an experienced, government-licensed trek leader. The guide is fluent in English so there will be no problem with communication. They are also well-equipped and trained to provide first aid during emergencies. Similarly, for every four trekkers, one assistant trek leader is provided. The porter service is one porter for every two trekkers. Their fees, insurance, equipment, food, and accommodation are all included in the trek package. Feel free to tip your guide and porter as you please.
Faqs
Is there an age restriction for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
There are no age restrictions for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. However, minors who are below 18 years old need to take parental consent for the trek. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a moderately difficult route that requires a good level of physical fitness. It is also ideal for beginners.
Do I need permits for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Yes, you will need to take the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP) and TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card for the trek. You can obtain these through government-registered trekking agencies in Kathmandu and Pokhara. There is no need to get a special restricted area permit for this trek route.
Is there a risk of altitude sickness during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Yes, there is a risk of altitude sickness during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The Annapurna Base Camp sits at an elevation of 4,130 meters. It is relatively lower than other treks like Everest Base Camp but there is still the risk of trekkers experiencing altitude sickness. Hence, proper acclimatization is necessary to minimize the risk.
How crowded is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route?
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is the second most popular trekking route in Nepal. Hence, during the peak season, i.e., spring and autumn, the route is crowded. The accommodations can get fully booked during these seasons. If you are thinking of trekking in one of these seasons, make sure you book your accommodations in advance.
Can I trek Annapurna Base Camp solo?
As of April 1, 2023, solo trekking has been banned by the government of Nepal. The new rule was updated to ensure the safety and security of the trekkers. It has become mandatory to hire a government-licensed guide to accompany you while trekking. The Nepal Tourism Board does not provide the TIMS card to solo trekkers anymore. They need to get it through a registered traveling agency.
