Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary & Guide
The ABC trek is a teahouse journey through Gurung villages. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC).
The Annapurna Base Camp trek in 10 days is the sweet spot for trekkers who want the white-knuckle amphitheater of ABC (4,130 m) without the longer Annapurna Sanctuary detours. In ten days you move from Kathmandu to Pokhara and up through Gurung villages, rhododendron forest, and glacial moraine to stand beneath Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, and Machapuchare. This guide gives a realistic day-by-day plan, difficulty, season, and permit detail for our Annapurna Base Camp trek 10 days package.
Why choose the 10-day ABC trek
Ten days balances travel and trekking without feeling rushed. It includes the drive/flight to Pokhara, the full ascent to base camp, and a buffer day for weather or acclimatization. Shorter versions skip the hot springs or the cultural stop at Ghandruk; longer ones add Poon Hill. Ten days is the standard that most international trekkers book.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara (drive or flight). Day 2: Drive to Nayapul, trek to Ghandruk (a large Gurung village with monastery views). Day 3: Ghandruk to Chhomrong. Day 4: Chhomrong to Bamboo. Day 5: Bamboo to Deurali. Day 6: Deurali to ABC via Machapuchare Base Camp. Day 7: Sunrise at ABC, descend to Bamboo. Day 8: Bamboo to Jhinu (hot springs). Day 9: Jhinu to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara. Day 10: Pokhara to Kathmandu.
The villages and culture
Ghandruk and Chhomrong are Gurung hubs with stone houses, monasteries, and views of the south face. The Gurung museum in Ghandruk explains the community's history and Gurkha connection. Staying in family teahouses puts the culture directly in front of you — far richer than the mountain views alone.
The Sanctuary and base camp
The final climb enters the Annapurna Sanctuary, a natural amphitheater walled by Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the unclimbed Machapuchare. At ABC the peaks rise 4,000 m above you. Sunrise lights the south face gold; pre-dawn is the photographic moment.
Difficulty and fitness
ABC is moderate — no technical climbing, but daily 5–7 hour walks with 600–1,000 m gains. You should be comfortable on stone steps (there are many) and able to handle cold at altitude. Compared with EBC it is shorter and lower, which makes it a good first Himalayan trek. Training with hill walks beforehand pays off.
Altitude on the ABC trek
ABC at 4,130 m is high enough for AMS, but the staged ascent and the Jhinu buffer day help. The rule is simple: if you feel unwell, descend. Our guided trek keeps a guide watching your adaptation every day.
Best season for ABC
October–November (clear, stable, busy) and March–May (rhododendrons, warmer) are best. December–February is cold with snow on the upper trail; June–August is monsoon — leeches low, clouds high. The best time to visit Nepal guide breaks this down month by month.
Permits you need
You need the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and the TIMS card, arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Our package handles both. Carry your passport; checks happen at entry posts. The permits fund trail maintenance and conservation in the region.
Food and lodging
Teahouses serve dal bhat (refillable), momos, noodles, pancakes, and coffee. Rooms are twin-share with shared baths; the higher you go, the simpler it gets. The dining room bukhari is the social heart of the evening. Vegetarian food is easy and recommended for safety at altitude.
The Jhinu hot springs
On the descent, Jhinu Danda has natural hot springs a short walk below the village — a perfect soak for tired legs. Many itineraries build in an extra night here. It is one of the small luxuries that makes the 10-day version better than a compressed sprint.
Packing for ABC
Layered clothing, a good sleeping bag (rated to -10°C for the cold ABC night), broken-in boots, trekking poles, a daypack, and a rain shell. A power bank matters — charging costs extra up high. Keep your pack light; porters carry the big load but you carry essentials.
Combining ABC with other treks
ABC pairs naturally with Poon Hill (the ABC–Poon Hill combo is a classic) or a Chitwan wildlife add-on afterward. Some trekkers add a helicopter return from ABC to save the descent.
ABC vs Ghorepani Poon Hill
Poon Hill is shorter, lower, and focuses on sunrise views; ABC goes deeper into the range to stand at the base of 8,000 m peaks. If you have ten days, ABC is the fuller experience. If you have five, Poon Hill is the better fit. Both start near Pokhara.
Why book the 10-day package
Our Annapurna Base Camp trek 10 days package covers permits, transport, lodges, a licensed guide and porter, and the Jhinu soak — so you walk without logistics worry. We pre-book teahouses in peak season when the trail is full.
Responsible trekking on ABC
Carry out your trash, use refillable bottles with purification, respect village customs, and tip guides/porters fairly. The Sanctuary is sacred to many — keep it clean. Small choices protect the trail for the next trekker.
How long is the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
The standard trek is 7 to 12 days; the 10-day version includes travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara, the ascent to base camp at 4,130 m, a buffer day, and the Jhinu hot springs on the descent. Ten days is the common balance between a relaxed pace and a full sanctuary experience.
Is the ABC 10-day trek difficult?
It is moderate. There is no technical climbing, but you walk 5 to 7 hours daily with 600 to 1,000 m gains and many stone steps. Good fitness and some hill training help. At 4,130 m altitude sickness is possible, so the staged ascent and a buffer day matter for safe acclimatization.
What is the best season for Annapurna Base Camp?
October to November brings clear, stable weather and the busiest trail; March to May adds rhododendron blooms and warmer days. December to February is cold with snow up high, and June to August is monsoon with leeches low and clouds high. Autumn and spring are best.
What permits do I need for ABC?
You need the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and the TIMS card, available in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Carry your passport for checks at entry posts. Booked packages usually arrange both permits for you as part of the trek logistics.
Can I add Poon Hill to the ABC trek?
Yes. The ABC and Poon Hill combination is a classic, usually 12 to 14 days, adding the famous Poon Hill sunrise viewpoint to the base camp journey. If you have only ten days, the pure ABC route is fuller; if you have two more, the combo is worthwhile.
About Enticing Himalayas
Enticing Himalayas (legal name Enticing Himalayas Travels) is a Kathmandu based, Nepal licensed travel operator under the brand Explore Heal Thrive. This guide covers the 10-day Annapurna Base Camp trek — itinerary, difficulty, best season, and permits.
Our services
- Trekking and slow trekking with daily meditation and breathwork
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We are a recognized partner of the Nepal Tourism Board and list experiences through established global platforms. Every wellness provider we send guests to is met in person and vetted.
About the author
Written by the Enticing Himalayas editorial team in Kathmandu, with input from our resident guides and partners. We update this guide as our programs develop.
Why trust Enticing Himalayas
We are based in Kathmandu and our guides run these routes every season. We vet every provider on three things: verifiable training, a resident qualified practitioner, and a track record with international guests. If a provider cannot clear that bar, we do not send you there.