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AI-Curated Day-by-Day Plan

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Pokhara → ABC (4,130 m)

Best season: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov·Pokhara → Pokhara

Days
10
Total
108 km
Max Altitude
4,130 m
Total Ascent
3,750 m

Choose your route

2 presets · or build your own below

Classic Sanctuary · at a glance

Recommended

The 'sanctuary' route — climb the Modi Khola gorge through rhododendron forest into a sacred amphitheatre ringed by Annapurna I, South, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre and Gangapurna. Lower elevations than EBC, walkable without acclimatization stops below 3,000 m.

Best for

First-time trekkers · two clear weeks · the full Annapurna experience

What you'll see
Poon Hill sunrise on Dhaulagiri & Annapurna massifRhododendron forest above GhorepaniABC sanctuary 360° wall (Annapurna I, S, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre)Jhinu Danda hot springs on the way back
Permits
ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) · TIMS card
Group
Solo OK with TIMS · Guides recommended above Chhomrong
Stay
Tea-house lodges every 1–2 hours, dorms above Deurali
Walking time
~53 h total
Start · PokharaEnd · PokharaModerate

Route waypoints

10 stops · hover days to highlight
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Day-by-day plan · Classic Sanctuary

1
Trek

PokharaTikhedhunga

End altitude
1,540 m
9 km4 h+470 m

Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul (1.5 h on the Pokhara-Beni road), permits checked at Birethanti, then a gentle climb beside the Bhurungdi Khola through Hile to Tikhedhunga.

Landmarks today
Nayapul trailheadBirethanti TIMS check-postHile villageBhurungdi Khola bridges

Tip · Carry rupees in small denominations — tea-houses don't accept cards from here.

2
Trek

TikhedhungaGhorepani

End altitude
2,860 m
12 km7 h+1320 m

The legendary 3,280 stone steps to Ulleri — 1,000 m gain in two hours. Past Ulleri the gradient eases through Banthanti and Nangethanti's mossy rhododendron forest into Ghorepani.

Landmarks today
Ulleri stone staircaseBanthanti rhododendron canopyNangethantiGhorepani saddle

Tip · Start by 7 AM — Ulleri is brutal in midday sun.

3
Trek

GhorepaniTadapani

End altitude
2,630 m
11 km6 h-230 m

Pre-dawn 45 min climb to Poon Hill (3,210 m) for sunrise on Dhaulagiri and the entire Annapurna massif. Back to Ghorepani for breakfast, then a forested ridge walk via Deurali and Banthanti to Tadapani.

Landmarks today
Poon Hill sunrise (3,210 m)Deurali passBanthanti deep forestTadapani meadow
4
Trek

TadapaniChhomrong

End altitude
2,170 m
10 km5 h-460 m

Steep descent through Chhuile and Gurjung Khola valley, then a short climb up the famous Chhomrong stone steps. First clear view of Machhapuchhre's twin summits.

Landmarks today
Gurjung Khola suspension bridgeChhomrong stone stepsMachhapuchhre face view

Tip · Last reliable mobile signal is at Chhomrong — message family from here.

5
Trek

ChhomrongDovan

End altitude
2,600 m
13 km6 h+430 m

Drop into the Modi Khola, climb past Sinuwa, then Bamboo's namesake groves and a long shaded forest walk to Dovan. Leech country in monsoon.

Landmarks today
Lower SinuwaBamboo lodgesModi Khola gorge wallsDovan tea-house cluster
6
TrekAcclimatization Day

DovanDeurali

End altitude
3,230 m
7 km4 h+630 m

Short, deliberate day for acclimatization — pass the sacred Hinku cave and the avalanche-prone Himalaya Hotel section to Deurali, where the gorge starts to open.

Landmarks today
Hinku CaveHimalaya HotelAvalanche zone signageDeurali

Tip · Avalanche zone between Himalaya and Deurali — cross before noon.

7
Trek

DeuraliAnnapurna Base Camp

End altitude
4,130 m
8 km5 h+900 m

Enter the Sanctuary — a glacial moraine walk past Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) and a final gentle climb to ABC. Sunset on Annapurna I (8,091 m) and a 360° wall of seven summits.

Landmarks today
Machhapuchhre BC (3,700 m)Annapurna Sanctuary entryGlacial moraineABC sunrise/sunset deck

Tip · Watch for AMS — drop to MBC if symptoms worsen.

8
Trek

Annapurna Base CampBamboo

End altitude
2,335 m
18 km8 h-1795 m

Long descent — sunrise on Annapurna, then retrace through Deurali and Dovan to Bamboo. Knees burn but the lower greenery is a relief.

Landmarks today
ABC sunriseDeuraliDovanBamboo
9
Trek

BambooJhinu Hot Springs

End altitude
1,780 m
12 km5 h-555 m

Climb back to Chhomrong, then drop down to Jhinu Danda's natural sulphur hot springs — a 20 min descent from the village to the riverside pools.

Landmarks today
Chhomrong recheck-postJhinu Danda lodgesModi Khola hot springs

Tip · Pack a swimsuit and a 20 NPR coin for the spring entry box.

10
Drive

Jhinu Hot SpringsPokhara

End altitude
822 m
8 km3 h-958 m

Walk down to New Bridge, jeep-share to Siwai or Nayapul (rough road), then a 1.5 h drive back to Pokhara on the Beni highway.

Landmarks today
New BridgeSiwai jeep standNayapul exitPokhara Lakeside

Ready to lace up?

Save this trek to your dream list and tick villages off as you walk them.

Plan based on standard tea-house schedules · always carry buffer days for weather and AMS