The trek to Annapurna Base Camp will definitely be a highlight of any trekkers career. However, you will want to make sure you put in the right preparations before you take on this stunning treks. You will want to read about the daily distances you will cover each day, then look at the elevation gains on the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Once you have looked over both of these posts, you will then be able to formulate an appropriate training plan for the trek! Check out our upcoming trips here!
Lets Get Started
Your journey to Annapurna Base Camp starts when you arrive to the bustling city of Kathmandu at 1,400m/ 4,593 feet a day or two before you fly to Pokhara at 800m/ 2,624 feet. You may choose to spend your time there relaxing, exploring the Kathmandu Valley, rafting, cycling or just walking around the busy district of Thamel. Likewise, you can spend time in Pokhara to do some parasailing, zip lining or relax in the beautiful lake side town.
Picking the Right Itinerary
Once you leave Pokhara, you will be in a private transport to the start of the trail. The drive will start traveling to the town of Nayapul, where we will then get into a 4 wheel drive vehicle for the remainder of the drive. The road will continue through Biretahanti at 1,025m/ 3,363 feet, where our permits need to be checked with the local authorities. Then, we continue the drive uphill to Tikhedhungga 1,577m/ 5,173 feet. This is where we will have lunch and then, our adventure begins.
Trekking for How Many Days?
On the trek, you will be walking for ten days straight. Our Itinerary has an additional three nights to give additional acclimatization, therefore giving you the best chance at making it safely to Annapurna Base Camp. Remember you will be covering thousands of steps and stairs of ascent and decent. This is physically demanding and in a low oxygen environment. Therefore, you must come prepared! We have put over 400 people in Annapurna Base Camp, so why not join one of our teams.
Read Some Reviews
You can also CLICK HERE for our top 10 tips for a successful trip to Annapurna Base Camp. Read some REVIEWS.
These are the daily distances traveled on our Ian Taylor Trekking Annapurna Base Camp Trek. When mapping at a training plan you need to consider the elevation gains, terrain and lack of oxygen and that will help with your training.
Day 1). Ulleri
Ideally, you will arrive in Tikhedhungga 1,577m/ 5,173 feet by 11am, so that you can have lunch and start walking. The trail will lead you up hill, on stairs, for two or two and a half hours, before reaching Ulleri 2,020m/ 6,627 feet. The total hike should take 2-3 hours, depending on the group. The terrain is all stairs, and steep ones at that. When you arrive, you will check into your room and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and starting the acclimatization process. Make sure you keep well hydrated, drinking 4 to 5 liters of water a day is essential all the way through the trek. 1.8km/ 1.1 miles from Tikhedhungga to Ulleri. If the road is impassable, and you are hiking from Birethanti 1,025m/ 3,363 feet to Tikhedhungga 1,577m/ 5,173 feet, then it is 7km/ 4.3miles.
Day 2). Ghorepani
For the first hour of the day, you will gradually be moving up-hill, as we traverse around the side of the the mountain, towards Ghorepani. We then head gradually down hill, and after a couple of hours, reach Nangethanti in a beautiful gorge as we cross a small bridge with a couple of toilets and place to have tea and biscuits. From here it is all uphill all the way to Ghorepani. This will take 2 hours from the tea break up through the rain forest and on mixed terrain and steps all the way to our lodge at Ghorepani at 2,820m/ 9,252 feet. There are no exposed parts on the trail, and very few animals, however, there are some donkeys bringing supplies up the trail. From Ulleri to Ghorepani is 10.3km/ 6.4 miles.
Day 3). Poon Hill to Tadapani
All our treks head to Poon Hill before moving towards the main Annapurna Base Camp trail. We have found that these extra days give some additional acclimatization and give your world class mountain viewing in this amazing region of Nepal. We will wake up at 3:45am and start walking up the long stairs to Poon Hill at 4am. This will take 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on how many breaks we take. We will then move from 2,820m/ 9,252 feet up to 3,210m/ 10,531 feet on Poon Hill. You can enjoy amazing views of sunrise over the stunning snow-capped mountains.
After spending about an hour on Poon Hill, we then will return back to Ghorepani to have breakfast. After breakfast, we continue climbing along the ridges through the forest of pines and rhododendron. The climb brings us to Deurali at 2,960m/ 9,711 feet, and we then descend to Tadapani 2,610m/ 8,562 feet, to sleep for the night. The distances up and down Poon hill is 2.9km/ 1.8 miles. The full distance for the day is 11km/ 6.8miles.
Day 4). Chhomrung
Leaving Tadapani, you will start descending steeply through the rain forest and through some small villages in the mountains. This takes a few hours as we drop down 700m/ 2,296 feet down. Keep in mind that on this portion of the trek, you could encounter some leeches throughout this area, therefore, you need to keep an eye out! We will reach a bridge at 1,900m/ 6,233 feet and continue steeply back up hill to Gurung village. We will then have a tea break in Gurjung and continue for 3 hours walking up hill to Chhomrung, at the elevation of 2,140m/ 7,020 feet, where we stay overnight at a lodge. The hike today is approximately 5 hours. The full distance for the day is 11km/ 6.9 miles.
Day 5). Dovan
Today, we will trek from Chhomrung to Dovan 2,500m/ 8,202ft, which will take approximately 5½ hours. The trail drops steep down stairs to the Chhomrung Khola river. We cross a suspension bridge at 1,900m/ 6,233 feet and then climb steeply back up hill on stairs to Sinewa 2,340m/ 7,677 feet where we stop for a cup of tea. The trail climbs again up to Khuldighar. We continue on mixed gradual trails and steep steps up and down to Bamboo at 2,300m/ 7,546 feet. We leave the forest and then continue steeply downhill to the village of Dovan 2,505m/ 8,218 feet, where we stay overnight at a lodge. Today’s distance is 11.2km/ 7 miles.
Day 6). Machhapuchchhre Base Camp
Today we will trek all the way to Machhapuchchhre Base Camp (or MBC). This is a longer day. We will trek from Dovan to Deurali for lunch, at 3,230m/ 10,597 feet. We start by climbing through bamboo forest and then through the forest of rhododendron on to Hinku Cave. This is all up hill 6.7km/ 4.2 miles. After lunch we have another 2 hours and 30 minutes, mostly up hill all the way through the amazing Annapurna Valley as we move to Machhapuchchhre Base Camp at 3,700m/ 12,140 feet. The total hiking distance today is 13km/ 8.1 miles
Day 7). Annapurna Base Camp
As you wake to to world class mountain views at Machhapuchhre Base Camp, you will be glad you did the extra distance the day before. Today is exciting as we hike to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130m/ 13,550 feet. From MBC below Machhapuchre, or Fishtail mountain, we head up hill on a easier trail deep into the Annapurna Sanctuary. This trail is surrounded by massive mountains.
The trek into Annapurna Base Camp is stunning, you walk parallel to glacial water coming off Annapurna with beautiful flowers and mountains all around. As you get closer you then can see the famous signs and lodges in the background. The mountain views are simply remarkable. We will stay overnight at a lodge and we can explore the region during the late morning and afternoon. The distance from Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp is 2.9km/ 1.8 miles and should take 2 hours.
Day 8). Bamboo
We then pack up our bags, have breakfast, and then start the trek from Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) to Bamboo 2,300m/ 7,546 feet. Today will be a longer day, as we will hike for 6 hours as we retrace our steps to Bamboo. The trail drops 1,830m/ 5,577 feet, to the bank of Modi Khola to Bamboo at 2,300m/ 7,693 feet. We stay overnight at a lodge. Today’s distance is 13.5km/ 8.4 miles.
Day 9). Jhinu
Today it is worth getting up early in the morning and starting the trek early, as you want to get to the hot springs. Bamboo to Jhinu Danda 1,740m/ 5,709 feet, which will take approximately 5 hours. We continue to retrace our steps through the rhododendron and bamboo forest, where the trail then descends very steeply from Chhomrung to Jhinu and the Hot Springs. On arrival, we can relax in Jhinu at the nicest lodge in the village. After lunch we will then head down to the river’s edge to the hot springs to enjoy the afternoon. The distance today is 11.7km/ 7.3 miles. The distance up and down to the hot springs is 1.4km/ .9 of a mile.
Day 10). Pokhara
Today is our final day of trekking where we will walk the two hours to Siwai jeep pick up. There is some down hill to the river and then back up the other side to a narrow trail that takes us to the pick up point. This is one of the most relaxing and shortest walks of the entire trip. From Siwai we drive all the way back to Pokhara. This drive will take about two to two and a half hours. We will stay overnight at the white Pearl Hotel in Pokhara, before heading back Kathmandu the following morning. The walking distance today is 4.3km/ 2.7 miles.
Get in Touch Today
Check out our unique itinerary, as we skip all the areas you do not want to be walking on so you can maximize your time in the areas we know you will love. We have a decade of experience running treks into the Annapurna Region, so just get in touch. Hopefully, this post on the daily distances for your Annapurna Base Base Camp Trek helps you in your preparation. Join us and we will help you experience the Annapurna region in style.