Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary – 6 days (self-guided)

Annapurna Base Camp trek is a spectacular multi-day route in Nepal. The diversity of the scenery on the trek is impressive one of the best sceneries you can get trekking in Nepal. You start at the tropical rainforest full of birds and monkeys and in a couple of days, you find yourself among the snowy peaks of the Himalayas. It offers the best In this post, we’ve put together an optimal (in our opinion) Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary that hopefully will help you to plan your trip.

Similar Annapurna Base Camp trek itineraries with a tour

It’s possible to do the Annapurna Base Camp trek with a tour which means you don’t have to arrange, plan, and book anything yourself. It might be a good option if you have never done a high-altitude trek before.

Our 6-day Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary

If you’re thinking of doing a longer hiking route in Nepal I can recommend the Annapurna Circuit trek or the Everest Base Camp trek. Both routes take about 2 weeks to complete. You can combine the Annapurna Base Camp trek with the Annapurna Circuit trek itinerary or the Mardi Himal trek.

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Day 1. Kande (1850m) – Landruk (1730m), 16 km/10 mi

Route: Kande – Australian Camp – Pothana – Bhichok Deurali – Tolka – Landruk

• Distance – 16 km/10 mi
• Time – 5 hours
• Total ascent – 578 m/1896 ft
• Total descent – 700 m/2296 ft

The Annapurna Base Camp trek starts at the bus stop in Kande. You can ask locals to indicate the way. There are several signs along the route pointing to Australian Camp. From the Australian camp, there are more signs along the trail indicating the direction.

At Pothana there is a permit check-point. Keep your permit and TIMS card till the end of the trek, on the way back you’ll have to check out, the last check-point is just before Nayapul.

The walk was easy half of it was on a dusty road with not much traffic and with some beautiful views of the river and the rice paddies on the opposite side. It’s probably the easiest day in our Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary. You’ll see many signs along the route (mostly in the second half) that suggest a shorter or quicker way to Landruk in fact it’s usually not. The owners of shops and guesthouses that are off the trail sometimes put up these signs so hikers walk through their places and buy something. Following the road is the fastest way of getting to Landruk.

There are several villages along the route to stop if you start walking late and don’t have enough time to walk to Landruk. The best places to stop are Pothana which is about 4km from Kande and Tolka – 13km.

Highlights

• Stunning views from Australian Camp
• Beautiful scenery along the route
• Great views from Landruk

Challenges

• A steep and long ascent right in the beginning from Kande to Australian Camp, about 300m up.

Stops on the route between Kande and Bhichok

Stops on the route between Bhichok and Landruk

Day 2. Landruk (1730m) – Lower Sinuwa (2220m), 12 km/7,5 mi

Route: Landruk – Himalpani – New Bridge – Jhinudanda – Chhomrong – Lower Sinuwa

• Distance – 12 km/7,5 mi
• Time – 4h30min.
• Total ascent – 1141 m/3743 ft
• Total descent – 676 m/2217 ft

It was quite a tough walking day with a lot of uphill in the second half after the long suspension bridge. We decided to walk to Sinuwa but if you’re tired rather stay in Chhomrong, to get to Sinuwa you’ll have to go first downs and then up again. If you decide to stay in Chhomrong you can adjust our Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary to 7 days.

There are some ambiguous splits on the route in the first half of the day if you’re unsure which way to go it’s better to ask around. We took a wrong turn at the split at about 2km; one route goes down to the river (the wrong trail) and one continues up (the right trail). From Landruk to New Bridge there are not many places to stop for tea or coffee but many small streams to refill water. I wouldn’t recommend drinking water from streams and rivers without using a filter.

Many trekkers especially groups stop at Jinudanda because of the hot springs. We didn’t have time to go there, it’s about 1km from the village. I can’t really say if it’s nice and worth stopping or not.

If you decide to walk to Sinuwa I’d recommend stopping for tea and rest in Chhomrong. Hotel Super View Top Lodge has good coffee and food. There is a checkpoint at the exit from Chhomrong.

From Chhomrong to Lower Sinuwa it’s only 3km but it’s quite a tough walk. First, you go 200m down to the river and then 200m up to Sinuwa. It took us 1 hour to walk from Chhomrong to Lower Sinuwa. There are two Sinuwa villages, Lower Sinuwa and Upper Sinuwa. We didn’t know about it, on the map, it looked like there was only one. We arrived at Lower Sinuwa and assumed that was it. The two villages are only 1,4km apart but Upper Sinuwa is about 150m higher. Both places are very similar just a couple of guesthouses and not much else. You can stay at Lower Sinuwa but I’d recommend going to Upper Sinuwa (if you are not too tired) it’ll make your next day easier.

Highlights

• The beginning of the walk from Landruk on the right side of the river; lush green forest, many birds, and small waterfalls, very peaceful and beautiful.
• The long suspension bridge just before Jhinudanda. It is the longest suspension bridge I’ve ever seen, about 350m long.
• Hot springs in Jhinudanda.
• Views from Chhomrong.
• Views from Sinuwa.

Challenges

• A very long steep ascent from the suspension bridge to Chhomrong, 500m up.
• A long descent from Chhomrong to the river, about 300m down.
• A steep ascent from the river to Lower Sinuwa, 200m up.

Stops on the route from Landruk to Lower Sinuwa

Day 3. Lower Sinuwa (2220m) – Deurali (3200m), 14 km/8,6 mi

Route: Lower Sinuwa – Upper Sinuwa – Bamboo – Dovan – Upper Dovan – Himalaya – Deurali

• Distance – 14 km/8,6 mi
• Time – 4h40min.
• Total ascent – 1396 m/4580 ft
• Total descent – 341 m/1118 ft

It was one of the toughest days on our Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary. A lot of uphills mostly in the second half after Dovan. The scenery was very beautiful do take your time stop for photos and enjoy the stunning views. Make sure to stop for coffee (if you like coffee as much as we do) at Himalaya village, the toughest part of the day starts from there. You can get a good coffee at Himalaya Guesthouse.

Highlights

The scenery was truly fantastic; lush green forest, many waterfalls, huge boulders, gigantic trees covered in moss, many birds, small wooden bridges across the rivers, etc. It was like walking through an enchanted forest.

Challenges

• A steep ascent from Lower Sinuwa to Upper Sinuwa, 150m up.
• A steep descent to Bamboo, 150m down.
• Many short ups and downs on the way from Dovan to Himalaya.
• A steep and quite long ascent to Himalaya, about 300m.
• A very steep and long ascent from Himalaya to Deurali, 400m up.

Stops on the route between Lower Sinuwa
and Deurali

Day 4. Deurali (3200m) – Annapurna Base Camp (4147m), 9 km/5,5 mi

Route: Deurali – Machhapuchhre Base Camp – Annapurna Base Camp

• Distance – 9 km/5,5 mi
• Time – 3h.
• Total ascent – 954 m/3129 ft
• Total descent – 58 m/190 ft

The toughest day and the highlight of the Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary. It’s highly recommended to start walking early. In the morning the weather is usually good. Later in the afternoon it often gets overcast and windy. We started hiking at 7.30am.

We were very lucky with the weather we had an absolutely clear sky, it was very sunny with no wind a perfect day to enjoy the incredible scenery. From Deurali the trail starts climbing up and the ascent doesn’t stop till you reach Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). It was very challenging to walk up due to a lot of snow and increased elevation. The ascent itself is not steep like the previous days it is very gradual, with no stairs just a steady uphill.

Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) is the only place to stop between Deurali and Annapurna Base Camp. From there it takes between 1h30min. and 2 hours to get ABC. If it’s a sunny day make sure to put sunscreen on and wear sunglasses and a cap the sun up there is very strong. It got so hot on the way to ABC that we took off our jackets and walked in our T-shirts.

We didn’t use our microspikes or walking sticks on the way up but when we went down from ABC having them was very helpful.

Highlights

• Amazing scenery on the way from Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp.
• Breathtaking scenery on the way from MBC to ABC on a nice day you get a 360 panoramic view.
• From Annapurna Base Camp we had one of the most beautiful sceneries we’ve ever seen trekking in Nepal, it’s truly impressive.

Challenges

• Walking in the deep snow was exhausting.
• Very gradual but quite steady ascent all the way from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp.
• Once you reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp you start feeling the elevation. The walk from MBC to ABC is quite tiring.

Stops on the route Between Deurali and Annapurna Base Camp

Alternative option. Staying at Machhapuchhre Base Camp

There are two options to visit Annapurna Base Camp; going there and staying for the night (the above itinerary) or staying at Machhapuchhre Base Camp and doing a day hike to ABC. MBC is much lower than ABC, 3700m vs 4140m. If the elevation starts getting to you or if it’s your first high-altitude trek it’s better to sleep lower. If you feel 100% fine you can stay at ABC.

I’d recommend checking the weather forecast before making a decision. If it’s going to snow a lot I’d rather stay at MBC and do a day hike to ABC. When it snows a lot up there the risk of avalanches is quite high the trail might be closed and you can get stuck at Annapurna Base Camp for a day or two. It’s unlikely to happen in the peak season (warmer months) but in winter it’s very possible. In the winter the base camp gets closed quite often due to avalanches.

If you decide to stay at MBC you can come here in the morning from Deurali, 4km, it takes between 1h30min.-2h. Once at MBC, find a guesthouse, check in, leave your backpack in the room, go to ABC and come back. There are 5 lodges at MBC they all looked nice and new.

To walk from MBC to ABC and back takes about 2h30min., plus about 1 hour you spend up there taking photos, drinking tea, etc. The walk takes about 1h30min., the descent is much faster 50min.-1h.

Staying at MBC will make your next day 4km shorter and a bit easier.

Trekking route from Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp

• Distance – 4 km/2,5 mi
• Time – 1h30min.
• Total ascent – 483 m/1584 ft
• Total descent – 57 m/187 ft

Trekking route from MBC to ABC and back to MBC

• Distance – 7 km/4,3 mi
• Time – 2h30min.
• Total ascent – 456 m/1496 ft
• Total descent – 456 m/1496 ft

Day 5. Annapurna Base Camp (4147m) – Upper Sinuwa (2350m), 19 km/12 mi

Route: Annapurna Base Camp – Machhapuchhre Base Camp – Deurali – Himalaya – Dovan – Bamboo – Upper Sinuwa

• Distance – 19 km/12 mi
• Time – 5h.50min.
• Total ascent – 406 m/1332 ft
• Total descent – 2131 m/6991 ft

It was the longest day in our Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary with a lot of downhill all the way from ABC to Sinuwa. There are many places to stop before Sinuwa our plan was to go down as far as we could. Despite the distance, the descent was much easier than the previous days’ ascents we could cover a longer distance.

The first half from ABC to Deurali was a bit tricky due to a lot of snow but after Deurali it was easier and quicker. If you decide to stop earlier both Dovan or Bamboo are good alternatives to Sinuwa. Dovan is about 13km from Annapurna Base Camp and Bamboo is 15km away. Both villages have many guesthouses and good infrastructure.

The part from Bamboo to Upper Sinuwa has one steep ascent that starts right after Bamboo. You can walk to Lower Sinuwa as well, it’s about 20min. walk.

Highlights

• Beautiful scenery on the way from ABC to MBC, the most impressive part of the trek.
• Lush green forest on the way from Himalaya to Sinuwa; small and big waterfalls, a river, massive trees, and boulders, etc.

Challenges

• A descent from ABC to MBC and from there to Deurali is not very steep but if there is a lot of snow it’s difficult to walk.
• A steep downhill from Deurali to Himalaya, 400m.
• A steep ascent after Bamboo, about 150m.

Stops on the route from ABC to Dovan

Stops on the route from Dovan to Upper Sinuwa

Day 6. Upper Sinuwa (2350m) – Jeep station, Ghandruk (1730m), 10 km/6,2 mi

Upper Sinuwa – Lower Sinuwa – Chhomrong – Jhinudanda – jeep station

• Distance – 10 km/6,2 mi
• Time – 3h.20min.
• Total ascent – 500 m/1640 ft
• Total descent – 1134 m/3720 ft

The whole day is just a sequence of ascents and descents. First, you go down from Upper Sinuwa to the river, then up to Chhomrong, then down to Junudhanda, and then up to Ghandruk.

At the checkpoint in Chhomrong, you have to check out. Another check-out point is at the exit of the National park just before Nayapul. Buses and jeeps stop there you have to get out and go to the office to check out. Make sure to keep your TIMS card and permit till the very end.

If you want to visit the hot springs in Jhinudanda you can stop there and continue walking the next morning. The jeep station is only 3,5km from there.

Our plan was to walk to Ghandruk but when we reached the jeep station that is about 2,5km before the village and there were several jeeps ready to take us back to Pokhara immediately we couldn’t resist. Ghandruk is a nice village we stopped there when we did the Poon Hill trek. If you want to stay in Ghandruk you can walk there, stay for the night and the next day catch a bus or a jeep to Pokhara. For us taking a jeep on the same day was a better option.

We paid NPR 1500/US$12 per person, the jeep left immediately. It took less than 3 hours to get to Pokhara jeep station. From there it’s 10min. by taxi to Lake Side, NPR 400/US$3.

Highlights

• Great views from Chhomrong
• Beautiful views on the descent from Chhomrong to Jhinudanda
• Hot springs in Jhinudanda
• Long suspension bridge

Challenges

• A long descent from Upper Sinuwa to the river, 400m down.
• A long and sometimes very steep ascent from the river to Chhomrong, 300m up.
• A long and steep descent from Chhomrong to the suspension bridge, 500m down.

Stops on the route from Upper Sinuwa to the jeep station

Places to stay in Pokhara

The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.