Annapurna Base Camp Trek 13 Days

Thrill Himalaya is a Kathmandu-based, government-registered trekking company (NTB Reg. No. 3303/81/82) and a TAAN member operating out of Thamel. Every departure on this route is led by a government-licensed guide with direct, first-hand experience on this exact itinerary, backed by an insured porter and standard emergency-evacuation planning. This 13-day package is arranged door to door — airport pickup, Kathmandu and Pokhara hotel nights, tourist bus transport, ACAP and TIMS permit processing, and the full trekking itinerary are all handled as one booking, so you don't have to organize a single transfer yourself. Other reasons trekkers book with us specifically for this trip: a complimentary sleeping bag, down jacket, and duffel bag; 24/7 WhatsApp contact with our Kathmandu office throughout your trip; an eco-friendly approach that briefs every group on Leave No Trace principles and prioritizes family-run local guesthouses over large commercial lodges; and transparent, itemized pricing sent within 24 hours of enquiry rather than a vague "from" price. We're rated 5.0/5 on TripAdvisor from client reviews and hold a 2026 Travelers' Choice award.

Yes. This is one of the most beginner-friendly multi-day treks in Nepal. The trail follows well-established teahouse infrastructure the entire way, altitude gain is gradual (you don't cross 4,000 m until Day 8), and no technical climbing skills, ropes, or prior mountaineering experience are needed. What does help is a reasonable baseline of cardio fitness, since several days involve 5–8 hours of walking with sustained uphill and downhill sections. If you can comfortably manage a full day of hiking on hilly terrain with a light daypack, this itinerary — with its built-in rest nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara and a licensed guide managing the pace — is a realistic first big trek.

ABC is generally considered less physically and logistically demanding than Everest Base Camp (EBC). The main differences:

• Altitude: ABC tops out at 4,130 m; EBC trekking routes go up to around 5,364–5,545 m (Everest Base Camp itself and the Kala Patthar viewpoint), which puts EBC trekkers into thinner air and a higher risk zone for altitude sickness.
• Access: ABC starts with a road drive from Pokhara, avoiding the short, weather-dependent mountain flight to Lukla that EBC requires — a flight that regularly causes delays or cancellations.
• Duration on trail: ABC's core trekking portion (8 days on this itinerary) is generally shorter than EBC's typical 10–12 trekking days.
• Terrain: Both routes involve long daily walking hours and significant elevation gain/loss, but EBC's high-altitude stretches (above Namche/Dingboche) are colder, drier, and more physically taxing.

In short: both are moderate-to-challenging non-technical treks, but ABC is the gentler introduction to Himalayan trekking, while EBC demands more altitude preparation and a bigger fitness and time commitment.

Autumn (September–November) is widely considered the single best window — stable skies and the clearest Poon Hill sunrise panorama of the year. Spring (March–May) is a close second, with mild daytime temperatures and rhododendron forests in bloom around Ghorepani and Chuile. Winter (December–February) is also doable on this route: expect cold nights at Deurali and Base Camp and occasional snow above Sinuwa, but trails and guesthouses are much quieter. Monsoon season (June–August) is not recommended for this trek — the lower sections (Days 3–4) get wet and leech-prone, and cloud cover limits Poon Hill visibility.

This package runs 13 days from arrival in Kathmandu to final departure. That breaks down as: 2 travel/arrival days at the start (Kathmandu, then the drive to Pokhara), 8 days of actual trekking (Days 3–10, from Birethanti through Poon Hill and the Annapurna Sanctuary to Base Camp and back down to Jhinu), and 3 days of return travel and departure (Syauli Bazaar back to Pokhara, then Pokhara to Kathmandu, then your flight home). If your schedule is tighter, shorter formats of this same trek are also available (4–5 days, 6–7 days, or 10 days), each with its own separate itinerary.

On this route (via Birethanti, Ulleri, Ghorepani, Poon Hill, Chuile, Sinuwa, Deurali, Annapurna Base Camp, Bamboo, and Jhinu), total walking distance is approximately 70–80 km (roughly 43–50 miles) round trip over the 8 trekking days. Daily distances vary considerably more than daily hours because of steep terrain — some days cover only 8–10 km but take 6–7 hours due to elevation change, while lower-altitude descent days cover more ground faster.

The highest point is Annapurna Base Camp itself, at 4,130 m (13,550 ft), reached on Day 8 of this itinerary. It sits inside a natural amphitheater ringed by Annapurna I, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre (the "Fishtail" peak). This is significantly lower than Everest Base Camp (~5,364 m), which is one reason ABC carries a comparatively lower altitude-sickness risk.

Yes, this is a legal requirement, not just a recommendation. Since April 2023, Nepal has required all foreign trekkers entering national parks, conservation areas (which includes the entire Annapurna Conservation Area), and restricted regions to be accompanied by a licensed guide employed through a government-registered trekking agency. This rule remains fully in force for the 2026 season and is checked at trail entry checkpoints, including near Birethanti on Day 3 of this itinerary. Trekking without a licensed guide in the Annapurna Conservation Area can result in fines or being turned back at a checkpoint. On this package, your guide is included and government-certified.

Not entirely unguided, no; independent trekking without a licensed guide is no longer permitted inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. However, "solo" in the sense of traveling as an individual rather than in a group is absolutely possible: you can book a private departure with your own licensed guide and porter, or join a small group-join departure and trek among other travelers while still being accompanied by a licensed guide throughout. The old system where independent trekkers could get their own "green" TIMS card and walk the route alone no longer exists: TIMS registration is now issued only through a registered agency as part of a guided booking.

Yes. Two permits are mandatory for this entire route, and rangers do check for them at trail checkpoints,  trekking without them can result in fines or being turned back. We process both for every client on this package as standard; you just send us passport copies and passport-sized photos in advance.

• ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit): issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation, this funds conservation work, trail maintenance, and community projects inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. Cost: NPR 3,000 (~US$25) per person for non-SAARC foreign nationals; NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals.
• TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System): a safety-tracking document recording your route and dates so authorities can locate trekking groups in an emergency. Cost: NPR 1,000 per person when processed through a registered agency (the only way it's issued in 2026).

Both are included and organized for you as part of this package's cost.

Officially, ACAP permits are issued through National Trust for Nature Conservation counters and the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu (Bhrikutimandap) and Pokhara (Damside), and TIMS cards are now issued only through a registered trekking agency as part of a guided booking — there's no longer a walk-in "independent" TIMS option. In practice, almost no one queues for these themselves anymore: as part of this package, we handle both permits on your behalf once you send us passport copies and photos, so you arrive in Kathmandu with everything already processed.

Cost depends on your group size, season, and whether you book a private or group-join departure. As a guide, our per-person pricing for this 13-day package ranges from around US$847 (groups of 11–15) up to US$1,149 (solo/private, 1 person), with mid-range group sizes falling in between. This covers considerably more than the trekking days alone — it includes Kathmandu and Pokhara hotel nights, transport, permits, guide and porter service, and all trek meals. We send a full, itemized quote within 24 hours of enquiry based on your exact dates and group size, since prices are more accurate that way than a generic "from" figure.

For this 13-day package, inclusions typically cover:

• Airport pickup on arrival and airport drop-off for final departure
• Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (bed & breakfast basis)
• Hotel accommodation in Pokhara Lakeside
• Tourist bus transport Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu
• ACAP and TIMS permit processing
• A government-licensed guide and insured porter for the full trek
• Guesthouse/teahouse accommodation for every trekking night
• Three meals a day while on trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• A complimentary sleeping bag, down jacket, and duffel bag
• Water purification tablets
• All government and local taxes

Typically not included: international flights and Nepal visa fees, personal travel insurance (mandatory, must cover trekking to at least 4,500 m), drinks and extra meals off the standard menu, meals in Kathmandu/Pokhara beyond breakfast, hot showers/Wi-Fi/device charging at teahouses (small local fees apply), tips for guide and porter, and any optional sightseeing or add-on activities.

Beyond what's covered in your package, budget cash for: hot showers, Wi-Fi, and device charging at teahouses (each usually a small per-use fee that increases with altitude), snacks and extra drinks, bottled or boiled water if you're not using purification tablets, souvenirs, and tips for your guide and porter (customary and appreciated, though not mandatory). A reasonable daily allowance for personal extras on trek is roughly US$15–25 per day, more if you plan to shower daily and use Wi-Fi at every stop. Carry Nepali rupees in cash — cards are not accepted at teahouses, and there are no ATMs once you leave Pokhara.

No reliable ones. Kathmandu and Pokhara have plenty of ATMs, and Pokhara is your last realistic chance to withdraw cash before starting the trek. Once you're on the trail (from Birethanti/Ulleri onward), there are no functioning ATMs, and card payments aren't accepted at teahouses. Withdraw and carry all the Nepali rupees you'll need for the full 8 trekking days before leaving Pokhara.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you'll stay in comfortable hotels (typically 3-star category on this package) on a bed-and-breakfast basis. On the trail itself (Days 3–10), accommodation is in local teahouses/guesthouses — simple, twin-share rooms with a bed, pillow, and blanket, generally with shared bathroom facilities, especially at higher altitude. Rooms are basic but clean, and the family-run lodges along this route are part of what makes the trek feel personal rather than commercial. Heating (usually a wood or gas stove in the communal dining area) is standard in the evenings at higher elevations.

Usually yes at lower-altitude teahouses, often for a small single-supplement fee, and we're happy to arrange this on request. At the higher, smaller lodges near Deurali and Base Camp itself, room availability is more limited, especially in peak autumn and spring season, so a single room can't always be guaranteed at every stop — occasionally trekkers may need to share a twin room with another group member on the busiest nights. Let us know in advance if a private room matters to you and we'll do our best to accommodate it throughout.

Teahouse menus along this route are surprisingly varied: the Nepali staple dal bhat (lentils, rice, vegetable curry, usually with free refills) is the most filling and commonly recommended option, alongside noodle and pasta dishes, fried rice, soups, momos (dumplings), potato dishes, porridge, pancakes, toast, and eggs for breakfast. Menus get simpler and prices rise slightly the higher you climb, since everything has to be carried in. Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included in this package.

Vegetarian food is widely available and easy — dal bhat, vegetable curries, fried rice, noodles, and soups are all naturally vegetarian, and it's genuinely one of the easiest trekking regions in Nepal to eat vegetarian throughout. Vegan food is possible but takes a bit more communication, since dairy (milk tea, ghee, cheese) appears in a lot of dishes; plain dal bhat without ghee, vegetable curries, and plain rice/noodle dishes are usually workable. Let your guide know your dietary needs on Day 1 so they can flag it to teahouse kitchens throughout the trek.

Not straight from taps or streams — you'll need to treat it. This package includes water purification tablets, and teahouses also sell boiled water and bottled water along the route (though bottled water gets pricier at altitude and creates plastic waste in a fragile environment). Many trekkers use a combination of purification tablets or a filter/UV device plus refilling from teahouse-boiled water stations. Avoid drinking directly from streams or taps regardless of how clear the water looks.

Yes, at most teahouses, for a small extra fee (usually gas or solar heated). Availability and water temperature become less reliable the higher you go — expect a proper hot shower at Ulleri or Ghorepani, but a lukewarm bucket wash or no hot water at all near Deurali or Base Camp, particularly in winter when solar systems struggle. Jhinu, on the way down, has natural hot springs as a bonus soak.

Yes, most teahouses offer charging for a per-device or per-hour fee, which increases with altitude as it typically runs on solar or generator power. It's worth bringing a power bank as backup, since charging can occasionally be slow, expensive, or limited to certain hours at the higher, smaller lodges near Base Camp.

Wi-Fi is available at most teahouses along the route for a small fee, generally reliable at lower altitude and patchier (or absent) near Deurali and Base Camp. For mobile data, Nepali SIM cards (NTC/Namaste or Ncell) offer partial coverage along the trail — NTC tends to have better reach in the Annapurna Sanctuary section, but expect gaps, especially between Sinuwa and Base Camp. Don't rely on constant connectivity on this route; treat any signal as a bonus rather than a given.

Weather varies a lot by season and altitude. Lower sections (Birethanti to Ghorepani) are mild and forested most of the year. Higher up, especially from Deurali to Base Camp, conditions turn noticeably colder, windier, and more exposed. Autumn and spring bring the most stable, clear conditions; winter brings cold, dry air with occasional snow; monsoon brings daily rain, humidity, and low cloud that can block mountain views for days at a time.

Approximate ranges at Base Camp (4,130 m):

Lower elevations on the itinerary (Ghorepani, Sinuwa) run noticeably warmer than these figures at every season.

Yes, it's possible, mainly above roughly 3,000 m from December through February, with occasional light snow in the shoulder months of November and March as well. Snow can dust the trail between Deurali and Base Camp and occasionally cause short delays or require extra care underfoot, but it doesn't typically require technical gear like crampons on this particular route. Heavy snow years can occasionally affect trail conditions above Sinuwa — your guide will assess this daily and adjust pace or timing if needed.

Start 4–6 weeks out with a mix of: regular walking or hiking (ideally on hills or inclines, building toward 5–6 hours), stair climbing to build leg and lung capacity, general cardio (running, cycling, or swimming) 3–4 times a week, and some strength work for your legs and core to help with the sustained climbs (like the stone staircase above Ulleri) and long descents. Practicing a few hikes with a loaded daypack — similar to what you'll actually carry on trek — helps your shoulders and back adjust before you're on the mountain.

Moderate. You don't need mountaineering experience, technical skills, or elite athletic conditioning, but you do need to be comfortable walking 5–8 hours a day on uneven, hilly terrain for multiple consecutive days, including some genuinely steep, sustained sections (the Ulleri staircase and the long Poon Hill-to-Chuile day in particular). If you can comfortably manage a full day of hiking with a light daypack, you're at the right fitness level for this itinerary.

Key categories:

• Layers: moisture-wicking base layer, fleece or light down mid-layer, waterproof outer shell
• Footwear: broken-in waterproof trekking boots, comfortable camp shoes, wool trekking socks
• Sleep system: a warm sleeping bag rated to at least −10°C (provided as part of this package)
• Accessories: sun hat, warm hat, gloves, UV-protective sunglasses, buff or scarf
• Health: personal first-aid kit, blister care, water purification tablets or a filter bottle
• Gear: headtorch, trekking poles, a 20–30L daypack, power bank
• Documents: passport copies, passport-sized photos for permits, proof of travel insurance

Adjust seasonally — add a heavier down jacket, insulated gloves, and thermal base layers for winter departures; add a rain cover, quick-dry clothing, and anti-leech socks if trekking in monsoon season. A detailed, printable packing checklist is sent to every client once their booking is confirmed.