Nepal16 days
Nepal: Annapurna Base Camp & Poon Hill Trek — 16 Days
Kathmandu to Pokhara via Ghorepani, Poon Hill (3,210m), and Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) — 16 days of structured high-altitude trekking through Gurung villages and rhododendron forest
This 16-day trek combines two of the Annapurna region's most well-traveled routes into a single continuous circuit: the Ghorepani–Poon Hill section in the west and the Annapurna Sanctuary approach to the east. The route begins in Kathmandu with a short orientation before a flight to Pokhara and an overland drive to the trailhead at Ulleri. From there, the trail climbs through rhododendron forest to Ghorepani at 2,874 meters, with an early-morning side ascent to Poon Hill (3,210m) — the standard viewpoint for a wide panorama across Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and the full Annapurna massif. The trek then moves east through the Gurung village of Ghandruk, crosses Komrong Danda, and enters the deeper Annapurna Sanctuary via Chhomrong, Sinuwa, and the Bamboo zone before the final ascent to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 meters. The base camp sits within a high glacial amphitheater ringed by Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli. The return route descends the same sanctuary corridor to the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda, then continues through New Bridge, Landruk, and Pittam Deurali — a trail junction connecting the Mardi Himal route — before finishing at the Gurung village of Dhampus (1,650m) and descending to Phedi for the drive back to Pokhara. The trek reaches a maximum elevation of 4,130 meters and does not require technical climbing equipment. Spring brings the rhododendron bloom across the Ghorepani and Ghandruk sections; the flower is Nepal's national flower, and the Poon Hill corridor holds a notable concentration of species.
Best time to go: Sept-Nov & Mar- May
Highlights
- Sunrise panorama from Poon Hill (3,210m) across Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna II, III & IV, Machhapuchhre (6,993m), Manaslu (8,156m), Nilgiri, and Tukuche Peak
- Ascent to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), surrounded by the glacial amphitheater of Annapurna I, Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli
- Trek through Ghorepani-area rhododendron forests — dense with multiple species of Nepal's national flower, particularly vivid in spring
- Visit to Ghandruk, a traditional Gurung village at 1,950m, with access to the Gurung cultural museum
- Deurali viewpoint section between Ghorepani and Tadhapani — forest trails and stream crossings with sustained Himalayan views
- Route through Komrong Danda (2,220m) to Chhomrong, one of the largest villages on the Annapurna Base Camp trail
- Sanctuary approach through Sinuwa, bamboo forest, and Dovan — a progressively narrowing gorge trail with suspension bridges and stone stairways
- Natural hot spring pool at Jhinu Danda (1,750m), accessed after the descent from ABC
- Return traverse through New Bridge, Landruk, and river crossings to Pittam Deurali — the trail junction for the Mardi Himal and Australian Camp routes
- Final trekking stage to Dhampus (1,650m), a Gurung village with open sightlines to the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu at Patan Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Day by day
1Arrival in KathmanduTribhuvan International Airport · hotel in Kathmandu
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, the group is met and transferred to the hotel in Kathmandu for check-in and an overnight stay.
2Kathmandu: Patan Durbar Square, Swayambhunath & Trek PreparationPatan Durbar Square · Swayambhunath Stupa · Thamel district
The morning is spent visiting two of the Kathmandu Valley's UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Patan Durbar Square, the historic civic and religious center of the former Patan kingdom, and Swayambhunath Stupa, the hilltop Buddhist complex west of the city. During the day, the trek guide reviews participants' gear and, where items are missing or need supplementing, time is allotted for rental or purchase in the Thamel district.
3Flight to Pokhara & Drive to UlleriUlleri · Kathmandu to Pokhara · Pokhara to Ulleri
A short domestic flight — approximately 25 minutes — connects Kathmandu to Pokhara, with views of the Himalayan ranges from the aircraft. From Pokhara, a roughly three-hour drive covering 52 kilometers brings the group to Ulleri at 2,050 meters (6,726 ft), the starting point for the trek. Overnight in Ulleri.
4Ulleri to Ghorepani via BanthatiUlleri to Ghorepani via Banthati · Ghorepani
A 10-kilometer uphill trek of four to five hours follows the trail through Banthati village to Ghorepani at 2,874 meters (9,429 ft). The ascent passes through rhododendron forest, which blooms heavily in spring. Overnight in Ghorepani.
5Poon Hill Sunrise Viewpoint, then Trek to TadhapaniPoon Hill · Ghorepani to Tadhapani
An early-morning ascent to Poon Hill (3,210m / 10,532 ft) precedes the main trekking day. From the viewpoint, the visible summits include Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Tukuche Peak (6,920m), Nilgiri (6,940m), Varaha Shikhar (7,847m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Annapurna III (7,855m), Machhapuchhre (6,993m), Annapurna IV (7,525m), Annapurna II (7,937m), Lamjung Himal (6,931m), and Manaslu (8,156m). After returning to Ghorepani, the 11-kilometer trek to Tadhapani at 2,680 meters (8,792 ft) begins — climbing to the Deurali viewpoint, then descending through forest and stream crossings before a gentle uphill approach to Tadhapani. Total trekking time is six to seven hours.
6Tadhapani to GhandrukTadhapani to Ghandruk · Ghandruk · Gurung cultural museum
A shorter stage of three to four hours covers 6.3 kilometers and descends to Ghandruk at 1,950 meters (6,398 ft). Ghandruk is a well-established Gurung community village where the Gurung cultural museum offers context on the community's traditions and way of life. Overnight in Ghandruk.
7Ghandruk to Chhomrong via Komrong DandaGhandruk to Chhomrong via Komrong Danda · Chhomrong
The day's 9.8-kilometer route heads east via Komrong Danda (2,220m / 7,284 ft) to Chhomrong at 2,170 meters (7,120 ft). Chhomrong is one of the largest settlements on the Annapurna Base Camp trail and serves as the main gateway into the Annapurna Sanctuary. Five to six hours of trekking.
8Chhomrong to Dovan Through Sinuwa and Bamboo ForestDovan · Sinuwa · Chhomrong to Sinuwa
Leaving Chhomrong, the trail descends stone stairways to a suspension bridge crossing, then climbs back up to Sinuwa village. Beyond Sinuwa, the path passes through a section of bamboo forest before reaching the settlement known as Bamboo — a cluster of tea houses at a lower elevation along the gorge. The route continues from there to Dovan at 2,600 meters (8,530 ft). Total distance is 8.7 kilometers over five to six hours.
9Dovan to Deurali: Gradual Ascent Through the SanctuaryDovan to Deurali · Himalayan Hotel
The 4.9-kilometer stage from Dovan to Deurali at 3,200 meters (10,498 ft) is mostly uphill but without steep gradients. The trail passes the Himalayan Hotel en route. Five to six hours of walking.
10Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m)Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp · Annapurna Base Camp
The final 6.8-kilometer ascent from Deurali reaches Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 meters (13,550 ft) after five to six hours of trekking. The base camp occupies a high glacial basin enclosed by Annapurna I (8,091m), Gangapurna, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. Overnight at ABC.
11Annapurna Base Camp Descent to BambooAnnapurna Base Camp · Bamboo · Deurali and Dovan
The descent covers 14 kilometers over six to seven hours, retracing the sanctuary corridor from ABC back down through Deurali and Dovan to Bamboo at 2,310 meters (7,578 ft). The sustained descent reverses the views of the ascent, with the Annapurna massif visible behind as the gorge widens. Overnight at Bamboo.
12Bamboo to Jhinu Danda via ChhomrongJhinu Danda · Chhomrong · Upper Sinuwa · Chhomrong Khola
From Bamboo, the 9.2-kilometer route climbs to Upper Sinuwa, descends the stone stairs to Chhomrong Khola, then regains elevation to Chhomrong before continuing down to Jhinu Danda at 1,750 meters (5,741 ft). Jhinu Danda is the site of a natural hot spring, where a soak in the thermal pool is a practical end to a four-to-five-hour descent day that follows several consecutive days of altitude.
13Jhinu Danda to Pittam Deurali via New Bridge and LandrukJhinu Danda · Pittam Deurali · New Bridge · Landruk village
The 13-kilometer stage from Jhinu passes through New Bridge and Landruk village, crossing rivers and suspension bridges at several points before climbing to Pittam Deurali at 2,130 meters (6,988 ft). Pittam Deurali functions as a trail junction: one branch leads toward the Mardi Himal route; the other continues as the standard path for the Australian Camp and Dhampus–Landruk circuit. Six to seven hours of trekking.
14Pittam Deurali to DhampusPittam Deurali to Dhampus · Dhampus
The 6.9-kilometer trek to Dhampus covers two to three hours, descending to the Gurung village at 1,650 meters (5,413 ft). Dhampus sits on a ridge with open views of the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges. As the final night on the trail, it offers a clear outlook over terrain crossed during the preceding days of the trek. The village retains the architectural and cultural character typical of Gurung settlements in the Pokhara foothills.
15Dhampus to Phedi, then Drive to PokharaPokhara · Dhampus to Dhampus Phedi · Dhampus Phedi to Pokhara
A downhill hike of one and a half to two hours covers the descent from Dhampus to Dhampus Phedi at 822 meters (2,696 ft), from where a 25-kilometer, roughly 30-minute drive returns to Pokhara. The remainder of the day is unstructured time in Pokhara. The lakeside district of Pokhara has a well-developed restaurant and nightlife area for those choosing to mark the end of the trek.
16Pokhara to Kathmandu: Return Flight and RestPokhara to Kathmandu · Kathmandu
A short domestic flight carries the group back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. Upon arrival, the remainder of the day is yours to spend as you wish—whether resting at the hotel, exploring the city at leisure, or attending to personal activities before the tour concludes.
Where you go
- 1Tribhuvan International Airport
- 2Swayambhunath Stupa
- 3Thamel district
- 4Ghorepani
- 5Ghorepani to Tadhapani
- 6Ghandruk
- 7Chhomrong
- 8Dovan
- 9Annapurna Base Camp
- 10Bamboo
- 11Chhomrong
- 12Dhampus
- 13Pokhara
- 14Kathmandu
Activities: TREKING, HIKING