ABC Trek

After a leisurely breakfast, we depart Kathmandu for the scenic overland journey to Pokhara (820 m), the gateway city to the Annapurna region. The drive follows the Prithvi Highway westward through a landscape of terraced hillsides, subtropical river valleys, and bustling roadside bazaars. Along the way, the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers accompany the road, their blue-green waters cutting through gorges draped in lush vegetation. After approximately seven to eight hours of driving, the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges suddenly appear on the horizon as you descend into the Pokhara valley, a dramatic and memorable first sight of the peaks you will soon be walking among. On arrival, transfer to your hotel on the shores of Phewa Lake. The evening is yours to explore Lakeside, sample local food, and rest well before the trek begins tomorrow. Arrange for any last-minute gear or trekking supplies in the market nearby.

After an early breakfast in Pokhara, we drive towards Jhinu Danda (1,220 m), a small hillside settlement known for its natural hot springs, taking around one and a half to two hours by jeep. The journey follows winding roads along the Modi Khola valley before reaching the trailhead, where the trek into the Annapurna region begins in earnest. From Jhinu, the route ascends steadily through terraced fields and scattered forest patches, gradually gaining elevation as the landscape becomes greener and more enclosed. The trail continues upward to Chhomrong Khola, where a suspension bridge crosses the river, and the path begins a steep, stone-stepped climb through lush vegetation. As you gain height, sweeping views of Annapurna South (7,219 m) and Hiunchuli (6,441 m) begin to appear, framed dramatically against the valley backdrop. The final stretch is a sustained ascent of stone steps leading to Chhomrong (2,170 m), a large Gurung settlement perched on a ridge. Chhomrong offers one of the best viewpoints on the lower Annapurna Sanctuary trail, with Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South dominating the skyline. With its well-established teahouses and warm local hospitality, it serves as an important overnight stop before entering deeper into the Annapurna region.

Leaving Chhomrong, the trail descends steeply down hundreds of stone steps to cross the Chhomrong Khola river on a suspension bridge before climbing back up to Sinuwa (2,340 m), a small settlement perched on a ridge above the treeline. From Sinuwa, the route enters the Annapurna Sanctuary corridor in earnest, dropping into a dense, atmospheric bamboo and rhododendron forest. The air turns cool and moist as the canopy closes in. The trail passes through Bamboo (2,310 m), a teahouse cluster known for Himalayan thar and langur monkey sightings, then continues through Dovan (2,600 m) alongside the roaring Modi Khola river, its glacial waters thundering below on the valley floor. As the vegetation gradually thins, the trail opens to reveal increasingly dramatic canyon walls. Himalayan Hotel (2,930 m) sits in a scenic clearing with unobstructed views up the valley toward Machhapuchhre. This is a good elevation to rest and acclimatise before the high-altitude days ahead.

Today, the landscape transforms dramatically as you leave the last remnants of forested terrain behind and enter the true high-altitude sanctuary. From the Himalayan Hotel, the trail continues northward through Deurali (3,230 m), where a rickety teahouse marks the passage into a world of glacial moraines and bare rock. The valley narrows here, and avalanche-prone slopes above demand steady movement without lingering. Beyond Deurali, the Modi Khola gorge opens wide into the Annapurna view, a natural scenery ringed by some of the world's highest peaks. The trail crosses the glacial riverbed and begins climbing steadily over rocky terrain, with occasional snow patches underfoot as the altitude takes hold. Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) announces itself with a cluster of teahouses and a jaw-dropping northern face view of the sacred and unclimbed Machhapuchhre, whose twin summits loom directly overhead. Annapurna South and Hiunchuli bookend the horizon. Rest, hydrate well, and take a short acclimatisation walk to prepare for tomorrow's summit push to ABC.

An early start is essential. From MBC, the trail climbs over the right lateral moraine of the Annapurna Glacier, a broad, gravelly ascent through a barren, otherworldly landscape. The altitude is felt with every step. Walking slowly and breathing steadily is key. After approximately two hours, the trail crests a final rise and Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) reveals itself in full: a natural arena completely encircled by eight-thousanders and seven-thousanders, including Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Gangapurna (7,455 m), Khangsar Kang, and the towering walls of Hiunchuli. The scale is humbling. Spend time here, photograph the peaks, sign the logbook, and absorb the silence of this extraordinary place. After lunch at the base camp teahouse, begin the descent back through MBC and continue all the way to the Himalayan Hotel (2,930 m) to descend to a safer sleeping altitude and reduce altitude sickness risk overnight.

The mood on descent days is light, the hard work is done, and the body moves freely with the aid of gravity and more oxygen. From the Himalayan Hotel, retrace the trail south through Dovan, Bamboo, and Sinuwa, the forest path now familiar but no less beautiful. At Sinuwa, the trail branches toward Chhomrong, climbing the stone steps back into the village for a well-earned lunch stop with mountain views. After Chhomrong, a quieter side trail descends steeply to Jhinu Danda (1,780 m), a small riverside settlement famous throughout the trekking world for its natural hot springs. Just a fifteen-minute walk below the village, three rock pools of naturally heated geothermal water sit beside the Modi Khola, the perfect reward after seven days of hard trekking. Soak sore legs and tired muscles to your heart's content. After this restorative stop, a jeep from Jhinu Danda drives via Syauli Bazaar and Birethanti to Pokhara, arriving in the evening. Check into your hotel and enjoy a well-deserved lakeside dinner.

After a relaxed breakfast in Pokhara with possible final views of the Annapurna range across Phewa Lake, we begin the return journey to Kathmandu by tourist bus or private vehicle. The approximately seven-to-eight-hour drive follows the same scenic Prithvi Highway, but now the mountains feel familiar, a reminder of what you have just accomplished among them. Alternatively, a short thirty-minute domestic flight from Pokhara airport delivers you to Kathmandu with aerial views of the Himalayas. On arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel in Thamel. The evening is free for a celebratory dinner, souvenir shopping along the Thamel lanes, or simply resting after the exertions of the trek. Reflect on the days of extraordinary Himalayan experience, from the temples of Kathmandu to the snows of the Annapurna Base Camp.

After breakfast at the hotel, our representative transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your departure. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be a few hours for last-minute exploration of Thamel, Asan Bazaar, or a peaceful visit to Boudhanath or Swayambhunath for a quiet moment of reflection. This marks the conclusion of your Annapurna Base Camp adventure, a journey through Gurung culture, ancient forests, glacial valleys, and the world's tenth-highest mountain.