Nepal15 days
Annapurna Base Camp & Poon Hill — 15 Days
Kathmandu to ABC via Ghorepani: Poon Hill sunrise, Gurung villages, and the 4,130 m Annapurna amphitheater
This 15-day trek combines two of the Annapurna region's most-traveled routes: the Ghorepani–Poon Hill circuit and the Annapurna Base Camp trail. The itinerary opens in Kathmandu with a half-day visit to Patan Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa, followed by a 25-minute flight to Pokhara and a road transfer to the trailhead at Ulleri. The early trekking days move through rhododendron forest — Nepal's national flower grows here in several species, most visibly in spring — climbing to Ghorepani at 2,874 m before the pre-dawn ascent to Poon Hill (3,210 m) for a panoramic sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, and the four Annapurna summits. The route then descends through Deurali and the Gurung village of Ghandruk, where a community museum documents local culture and architecture, before turning into the Annapurna Sanctuary proper. From Chhomrong — one of the largest settlements on the ABC trail — the path threads through Sinuwa, bamboo groves, and the teahouse stops at Dovan and Himalayan Hotel before arriving at Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m, encircled by Annapurna I (8,091 m), Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. The descent retraces the sanctuary trail and concludes with a soak at the Jhinu Danda natural hot spring before a jeep transfer and final flight back to Kathmandu. At a maximum altitude of 4,130 m, the route sits within reach of trekkers without high-altitude acclimatization requirements, though the cumulative daily distances and stone-stairway ascents demand reasonable fitness.
Highlights
- Sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210 m) with sightlines to Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Manaslu (8,156 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna II, III & IV, Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, and Varaha Shikhar
- Reaching Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) — the highest point of the trek — surrounded by the Annapurna Sanctuary's ring of peaks
- Trekking through rhododendron forest between Ulleri and Ghorepani, home to multiple species of Nepal's national flower, in peak bloom during spring
- Visit to Ghandruk, a traditional Gurung community village at 1,950 m, with access to the Gurung cultural museum
- Passage through Chhomrong, one of the largest villages on the ABC trail, via the Komrong Danda ridge at 2,220 m
- Trail section through suspension bridges, stone stairways, and bamboo forest between Sinuwa and Bamboo settlement
- Half-day sightseeing at Patan Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa — two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley — before the trek begins
- Descent to Jhinu Danda natural hot spring for post-trek recovery after completing the Annapurna Sanctuary section
- 25-minute Kathmandu–Pokhara flight with aerial views of the Himalayan ranges
Day by day
1Arrival in KathmanduTribhuvan International Airport · hotel in Kathmandu
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, representatives transfer the group to the hotel in Kathmandu for check-in and an overnight stay.
2Kathmandu: Patan Durbar Square, Swayambhunath & Trek Gear CheckPatan Durbar Square · Swayambhunath Stupa · Thamel
The morning is spent in Kathmandu with visits to Patan Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the Kathmandu Valley. Later in the day, the trek guide reviews each participant's gear; any missing or required items can be purchased or rented in Thamel, the city's main equipment district.
3Flight to Pokhara & Drive to UlleriUlleri · Kathmandu to Pokhara · Pokhara to Ulleri
A 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara provides aerial views of the Himalayan ranges from the window seat. On landing, the group transfers by road to Ulleri — a 52 km drive of approximately three hours — reaching an elevation of 2,050 m for an overnight stop.
4Ulleri to Ghorepani via BanthatiUlleri to Ghorepani via Banthati · Ghorepani · rhododendron forest
The day's trek covers 10 km in four to five hours, climbing from Ulleri to Ghorepani (2,874 m) via Banthati village. The ascent passes through rhododendron forest, with several species of Nepal's national flower visible along the trail, particularly prominent in spring. The overnight stop is at Ghorepani.
5Poon Hill Sunrise, Then Ghorepani to Tadhapani via DeuraliPoon Hill · Ghorepani to Tadhapani via Deurali · Deurali viewpoint
An early start from Ghorepani allows the pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill (3,210 m / 10,532 ft), the trek's dedicated sunrise viewpoint. From the hilltop, the mountain panorama includes Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Tukuche Peak (6,920 m), Nilgiri (6,940 m), Varaha Shikhar (7,847 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Annapurna III (7,855 m), Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Annapurna IV (7,525 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Lamjung Himal (6,931 m), and Manaslu (8,156 m), along with several other snow-covered peaks. After returning to Ghorepani, the day's main trek toward Tadhapani begins with an uphill section to the Deurali viewpoint, then continues through forest on a descending trail crossing streams, before a gentle final climb into Tadhapani. Total trekking distance is 11 km over six to seven hours, finishing at 2,680 m.
6Tadhapani to GhandrukTadhapani to Ghandruk · Gurung cultural museum
A shorter day of 6.3 km and three to four hours of walking brings the group down to Ghandruk at 1,950 m, a village of the Gurung community. The Gurung cultural museum there documents the community's local traditions and way of life.
7Ghandruk to Chhomrong via Komrong DandaGhandruk to Chhomrong via Komrong Danda · Chhomrong
The 9.8 km route to Chhomrong (2,170 m) passes over Komrong Danda at 2,220 m. Chhomrong is one of the largest villages along the Annapurna Base Camp trail and serves as a key supply and rest point before the route enters the Annapurna Sanctuary. The walk takes five to six hours.
8Chhomrong to Dovan via Sinuwa and BambooChhomrong · Dovan · Bamboo · suspension bridge · Sinuwa village · bamboo forest
Leaving Chhomrong, the trail descends stone stairways to a suspension bridge crossing before climbing again to Sinuwa village. The path then passes through a section of bamboo forest, arriving at the settlement known as Bamboo, where a small cluster of teahouses marks a midpoint rest. The trek continues from Bamboo to Dovan (2,600 m), covering 8.7 km in five to six hours in total.
9Dovan to Deurali via Himalayan HotelDovan to Deurali · Himalayan Hotel
The 4.9 km ascent to Deurali (3,200 m) is largely uphill but without steep gradients. The trail passes through Himalayan Hotel before reaching Deurali, taking approximately five to six hours.
10Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m)Annapurna Base Camp
The final 6.8 km push from Deurali reaches Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m (13,550 ft) after five to six hours of walking. The base camp sits within the Annapurna Sanctuary, encircled by Annapurna I (8,091 m), Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.
11Annapurna Base Camp Sunrise, Then Descent to BambooAnnapurna Base Camp · Machhapuchhre Base Camp
The morning at ABC offers a sunrise view over the Himalayan amphitheater before the descent begins. The 14 km return trail drops through Machhapuchhre Base Camp, providing additional mountain perspectives on the way down, before continuing through Deurali and Himalayan Hotel back to Bamboo settlement (2,310 m). The descent takes six to seven hours.
12Bamboo to Jhinu Danda Hot Spring via ChhomrongBamboo · Jhinu Danda · Chhomrong · Upper Sinuwa
From Bamboo, the 9.2 km trail climbs through forest to Upper Sinuwa, then descends stone stairs to Chhomrong Khola before a short climb back up to Chhomrong village. The route then continues downhill to Jhinu Danda (1,750 m), where a natural hot spring allows for a post-trek soak — a common stop for trekkers looking to ease tired muscles before the final descent. The day's walk takes four to five hours.
13Jhinu Danda to Motkyu, then Drive to PokharaJhinu Danda to Motkyu · Motkyu to Pokhara
A one-hour hike from Jhinu Danda reaches Motkyu, where a jeep transfer covers the 55 km drive to Pokhara in three to four hours. The remainder of the day in Pokhara is unscheduled, available for rest or personal activities.
14Pokhara to Kathmandu by AirPokhara to Kathmandu · Kathmandu
After a relaxing day in Pokhara, a short flight carries the group back to Kathmandu for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is unscheduled, allowing time for personal activities and rest before the next day's plans.
15Kathmandu: Airport DepartureTribhuvan International Airport
An airport representative assists with checkout and escorts the group to Tribhuvan International Airport for onward departure from Nepal.
Where you go
- 1Tribhuvan International Airport
- 2Swayambhunath Stupa
- 3Ghorepani
- 4Deurali viewpoint
- 5Chhomrong
- 6Dovan
- 7Bamboo
- 8Annapurna Base Camp
- 9Bamboo
- 10Chhomrong
- 11Kathmandu
- 12Tribhuvan International Airport
Activities: TREKING, HIKING