Annapurna Base Camp Trek From Pokhara

The trek begins with a scenic drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, where the trail takes over. Crossing the Modi Khola, the path climbs gently through terraced rice fields and past Birethanti's permit checkpoint before rising into the forested hillside. Stone steps lead up through Kimche to Ghandruk, one of the largest Gurung villages in the Annapurna region, where Annapurna South and Machapuchare fill the skyline.

Leaving Ghandruk, the trail descends through terraced fields and forest to the Kyumi Khola, a steady drop that trades altitude for a change of scenery. From the riverbed, the path climbs back up through oak and rhododendron woodland, passing small Gurung hamlets along the ridge. The final push delivers you to Chhomrong, a dramatic cliffside village and the last major settlement before the Annapurna Sanctuary, with Annapurna South and Machapuchare rising directly ahead.

From Chhomrong, a steep stone staircase drops to the Chhomrong Khola before climbing hard to Sinuwa, the gateway into the upper Modi Khola valley. The trail then eases through Bamboo, a shaded rest stop wrapped in dense bamboo groves, before rising again to Dovan along the riverbank. Rhododendron gives way to thickening bamboo forest as the valley narrows, delivering you to Himalaya, a small teahouse settlement marking the edge of the alpine zone.

The forest thins quickly beyond Himalaya, opening into the alpine terrain of Deurali before the trail crosses avalanche prone slopes toward Machapuchare Base Camp. Here, Fishtail's sheer wall towers directly overhead, close enough to feel its scale. The final stretch to Annapurna Base Camp crosses glacial moraine into the heart of the Sanctuary, where Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South complete a full circle of giants around camp.

Leaving Annapurna Base Camp behind, the trail retraces its path down through Machapuchare Base Camp and Deurali, trading alpine exposure for the returning tree line. The descent continues through Himalaya and Dovan, where rhododendron and bamboo forest thicken again around the trail. Though mostly downhill, the long descent is steady work on the knees, ending at Bamboo, a quiet forest village that marks a welcome drop in altitude after two days above 3,700 m.

The trail climbs briefly from Bamboo through Sinuwa before dropping steeply to the Chhomrong Khola, then reversing back up the stone steps into Chhomrong for a final look at the Sanctuary behind you. From there, the path descends sharply toward the Modi Khola valley floor, arriving at Jhinu Danda. The reward waits by the riverbank: natural hot springs, perfect for easing two days of steady descent before the trek's final stretch.

The final trekking day follows the Modi Khola downstream through Syauli Bazaar and Birethanti, retracing familiar terraced fields and riverside villages in reverse. The descent is gentle compared to the days before it, giving legs a last easy stretch before the trail ends at Nayapul. From there, a private vehicle carries you back to Pokhara, trading trail dust for a hot shower and a proper bed, with the Annapurna Sanctuary now behind you and our team will host farewell dinner as a reminder of this trek.