The Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary — a natural amphitheatre surrounded by peaks above 7,000m on all sides. Over 12 days, you walk through subtropical forests, rhododendron groves, terraced farmland, and Gurung hill villages before ascending into the alpine zone and arriving at base camp (4,130m), where Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, and Gangapurna tower overhead.

This is one of Nepal’s most popular treks for good reason: the mountain scenery is extraordinary, the trail is well-established, and the cultural richness of the Gurung and Magar communities along the route adds depth that pure mountain treks often lack. Our guides are from the Annapurna region and know both the trails and the families who run the lodges you stay in.

Community Impact

The ABC trail passes through villages where families have converted their homes into teahouses over decades. Your lodge fees, meals, and guide wages stay in these communities. In Ghandruk and Chhomrong, community tourism cooperatives manage visitor flow and reinvest in local schools and trail maintenance.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel, trek briefing
• Day 2: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (tourist bus or flight)
• Day 3: Drive to Nayapul, trek to Tikhedhunga (1,540m)
• Day 4: Trek to Ghorepani (2,860m)
• Day 5: Sunrise at Poon Hill (3,210m), trek to Tadapani (2,630m)
• Day 6: Trek to Chhomrong (2,170m)
• Day 7: Trek to Dovan (2,600m)
• Day 8: Trek to Deurali (3,230m)
• Day 9: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) via Machhapuchhre Base Camp
• Day 10: Sunrise at ABC, descend to Bamboo (2,310m)
• Day 11: Trek to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara
• Day 12: Fly or drive Pokhara to Kathmandu, departure

Best Season

October-November (clear skies, cool temperatures) and March-May (warmer, rhododendrons in bloom). The Sanctuary can receive heavy snow in winter.

Permits

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card required. We handle all permits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Moderate. The highest point is 4,130m, well below the altitude of Everest-region treks. You walk 5-7 hours per day on well-maintained trails. Good general fitness is needed but no technical skills.

Can I do ABC without Poon Hill?

Yes. A direct route via Chhomrong skips Ghorepani and Poon Hill, reducing the trek by 2 days. However, Poon Hill offers one of the best sunrise views in Nepal and is worth the detour.

Is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek suitable for beginners?

Yes, for fit beginners. The altitude is moderate, the trail is well-marked, and teahouse accommodation is comfortable. We include acclimatisation time and our guides pace the trek to suit your fitness.

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is Nepal’s finest short trek — a 7-day journey through Gurung hill villages, rhododendron forests, and terraced farmland to one of the most celebrated viewpoints in the Himalayas. From Poon Hill (3,210m) at sunrise, you see Dhaulagiri (8,167m), the entire Annapurna massif, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain), and snow-capped peaks stretching across the horizon in every direction.

This is the trek we recommend most often to first-time visitors. The altitude stays moderate, the trails are well-established, the teahouses are comfortable, and the scenery is world-class. You walk through living communities — Gurung and Magar villages where farming, weaving, and traditional life continue alongside trekking tourism. Our guides are from these communities and introduce you to families, food, and stories along the way.

Community Impact

Ghandruk and Ghorepani are model examples of community-managed trekking tourism. Local cooperatives manage lodges, maintain trails, and distribute tourism income across the village. Your stay directly supports these systems — from the family cooking your dal bhat to the porter carrying your bag.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (6-7 hours or 25-minute flight)
• Day 2: Drive to Nayapul, trek to Tikhedhunga (1,540m)
• Day 3: Trek to Ghorepani (2,860m) through rhododendron forest
• Day 4: Sunrise at Poon Hill (3,210m), trek to Tadapani (2,630m)
• Day 5: Trek to Ghandruk (1,940m), explore the Gurung village
• Day 6: Trek to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara
• Day 7: Fly or drive to Kathmandu, departure

Best Season

October-November and March-May. Spring (March-April) is especially beautiful when the rhododendron forests are in full bloom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Poon Hill Trek suitable for beginners?

Yes. This is one of the most accessible treks in Nepal. The altitude is moderate (max 3,210m), trails are well-maintained, and you walk 4-6 hours per day. Good general fitness is sufficient.

Can I do this trek with children?

Children aged 10 and above who enjoy hiking can do this trek comfortably. We adjust the pace and provide additional porter support for families.

What is the best time for rhododendrons?

Late March to mid-April. The forests between Tikhedhunga and Ghorepani are spectacular during bloom season.

The Mardi Himal Trek follows a dramatic ridgeline directly toward the face of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) — one of Nepal’s most sacred and visually striking peaks. This relatively new route opened to trekkers in recent years and remains far less crowded than the nearby Annapurna Base Camp or Poon Hill trails. You walk through forests of oak and rhododendron, emerge onto open ridgelines above the clouds, and arrive at Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m) with Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South filling the sky ahead.

What makes Mardi Himal special is the feeling of walking on the roof of the world with very few other people around. The lodges are small and family-run, the trail passes through genuine rural Nepal, and the views — especially from High Camp at sunset — are among the most dramatic in the Annapurna region. Our guides know this trail intimately and can time the trek so you catch the best light and weather windows.

Community Impact

The Mardi Himal route is newer than classic Annapurna trails, meaning the communities along it are still building their tourism livelihoods. Your visit supports small lodge operators, local guides, and families in villages like Lwang and Siding who are just beginning to benefit from trekking tourism.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel
• Day 2: Drive or fly to Pokhara
• Day 3: Drive to Kande, trek to Pothana/Forest Camp (2,490m)
• Day 4: Trek through forest to Low Camp (2,990m)
• Day 5: Trek to High Camp (3,580m), ridge walking above the clouds
• Day 6: Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4,500m), return to High Camp
• Day 7: Descend to Siding village, drive to Pokhara
• Day 8: Return to Kathmandu

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mardi Himal Trek difficult?

Moderate. The trail involves some steep sections and the highest point is 4,500m. You walk 5-6 hours per day. Suitable for fit trekkers with some hiking experience.

How does Mardi Himal compare to Poon Hill?

Mardi Himal is higher (4,500m vs 3,210m), wilder, and less crowded. Poon Hill is easier and more established. Both have outstanding views. Choose Mardi for adventure and solitude, Poon Hill for accessibility.

The Khopra Danda Trek is one of Nepal’s best community-managed trekking routes — a 9-day journey to a high ridge with commanding views of Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna South, Nilgiri, and the entire western Annapurna range. The community lodge at Khopra Ridge (3,660m) is entirely owned and operated by local villagers, with profits reinvested in schools, health posts, and trail maintenance. This is community-based tourism at its most genuine.

The optional side trip to Khayer Lake (4,500m), a sacred lake below Annapurna South, adds an extra day of high-altitude walking through alpine meadows where few trekkers venture. The route connects with the Ghorepani-Poon Hill trail, so you can combine both for a comprehensive Annapurna experience without repeating any ground.

Community Impact

Khopra Danda is a flagship community tourism project developed with support from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). The lodge at Khopra Ridge was built by villagers from Swanta and nearby settlements, and all revenue stays in the community. Your trek directly funds local livelihoods, trail workers, and community development projects.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Drive or fly Kathmandu to Pokhara
• Day 2: Drive to Nayapul, trek to Tikhedhunga (1,540m)
• Day 3: Trek to Ghorepani (2,860m)
• Day 4: Sunrise at Poon Hill, trek to Swanta (2,200m)
• Day 5: Trek to Khopra Ridge Community Lodge (3,660m)
• Day 6: Side trip to Khayer Lake (4,500m) and return to Khopra
• Day 7: Descend to Tatopani or Ghara (1,890m)
• Day 8: Drive to Pokhara
• Day 9: Return to Kathmandu

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Khopra Danda Trek difficult?

Moderate. The highest point is Khayer Lake at 4,500m (optional). The main ridge at 3,660m is comfortable for fit trekkers. Some steep ascent sections between Swanta and Khopra.

What makes this a community trek?

The lodges, guides, and support staff are all from local villages. Profits go to community funds, not private operators. You eat locally grown food, sleep in community-built lodges, and walk with guides who grew up in these hills.