How to get to Annapurna Base Camp?

Wondering how to get to Annapurna base camp (ABC)? You can get there mainly by foot or by helicopter. Annapurna base camp is only about 37.1 kilometers away from Pokhara and at an altitude of 4130 m. It is present in the lap of Mount Annapurna (10th highest mountain in the world -8,091 m) inside the Annapurna conservation area (7,629 sq. km). You can view the Annapurna Himalayan ranges from a closer point.

You can choose your mode of transportation according to the budget, travel style, time, and comfort. If you love to trek and want to explore the natural and cultural diversities, then trekking is the best option. Reaching to Annapurna base camp by foot is budget-friendly.

For those who do not have enough time and want to escape a day from a bustling city in the lap of the mesmerizing mountain in the easiest way, then the taking flight is the best option. You can reach to ABC via chartered plane directly from Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Pokhara is the starting point to get to the base camp. You can reach there by tourist bus or by local bus or by flight or chartered helicopter from Kathmandu or different places of Nepal.

Recommended Read: Best Time To Visit Annapurna Base Camp

Annapurna Base Camp By Helicopter

It is the quickest and easiest way to get to the Annapurna base camp. You can either get there directly from Kathmandu in a chartered helicopter or from Pokhara.

You will reach there in about 15 minutes from Pokhara and about 1 hour from Kathmandu by Helicopter. During the landing period in the base camp, you can rest at the tea house and enjoy the stunning mountain views with a cup of coffee and capture some pictures.

Helicopter price is variable based on season, availability, and the distance you are willing to cover. Most importantly, it depends on whether you are going on a chartered helicopter on your own or with the group. Flying from Pokhara with a group will cost you less than going on a chartered helicopter from Kathmandu. 

Getting Annapurna Base Camp By Foot(Trekking)

You have to allocate for about 5-7 days to get to the Annapurna camp only if you wish to go by trekking. Pokhara is the gateway for the Annapurna base camp. It is one of the best tourist destinations in Nepal which offers all kinds of adventure to the tourists. Besides the beautiful views of the mountain peaks, there are three eye-catching lakes in the city Phewa, Begnas, and Rupa. Most trekkers heading for the base camp make this valley their first relaxing point before starting a hectic trek.

Trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp is the most popular and thrilling experience. There are mainly three trekking routes (Ghorepani Poon Hill trek route, Ghandruk trekking route, and Dhampus trekking route.) used by trekkers to get to the Annapurna base camp. All these routes lead to the Chomrong village and from this village, there is only one path to get to the base camp. Among these routes, the popular trekking routes are Ghorepani Poon Hill and Ghandruk.

Recommended Read: How Difficult Is The Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Option 1: Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill

This is the most popular trekking route among trekkers for getting to Annapurna base camp. The Annapurna Base Camp trekking route offers more beautiful trekking trails than the other two routes. But you will have to allocate about 7 days to reach there. But the days to get there may vary from person to person according to their walking speed. The trek route goes through Poon Hill, the most popular viewpoint of the Annapurna region. From Poon Hill, you will be able to see 360-degree Himalayan views.

Day 1: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri and overnight at Ulleri (1,970m/6,462ft)

You have to drive to Nayapul from Pokhara. You can take public buses if you want to travel like locals. You can reach Birethanti after half an hour trek from Nayapul. This river lies at the height of 1,025m above sea level. After walking through the prosperous villages along the bank of Modi Khola, you will reach at Hile. Further, walk through the sub-tropical forest to get to a beautiful Village Ulleri in about 3-4 hours.

Day 2: Hiking up to Ghorepani (2,874 m/9,427ft), Trekking distance- 9 km

The next morning depart from Ulleri to reach Ghorepani. About 5 hours of walk, you will be at Ghorepani that lies at the elevation of 2874m. On the path, you will pass a place called Tirkhedhunga and also cross the Bhurungdi River through a suspension bridge. The trail offers an occasional glimpse of the mountain vistas, oak and rhododendron woods, grazing landscape, and cultivated areas. The walk to the place called Nangethanti takes you to Ghorepani. Over the village, you can enjoy the overnight stay in a peaceful environment.

Day 3: trekking Poon hill (3,210m/10,529ft) before sunrise and hike to Tadapani (2,600m/8,528ft), Trekking distance- 9.5 km

You can reach Poon hill for an hour of hiking from Ghorepani. It is one of the famous viewpoints of Nepal from where you can see the panoramic view of the Himalayas and sunrise. After watching dawn breaking over the snowy ridges, return to Ghorepani and then move towards Tadapani. After the upward trail of dense rhododendron and pine forests, you will reach the village called Tadapani. It will take a total of 5-6-hour trek.

Day 4: Trek to Chhomrong (2,170m/7,118ft) , Trekking distance- 10 km

From Tadapani, you have to head to a Gurung village Chhomrong. The trail to this village goes through the dense rhododendron forest. You will then take towards downward hillside settlements on Modi Khola and the Annapurna Mountain. This place offers you a close-up view of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. You will reach here for about 5-6 hours of trek from Tadapani. 

Day 5: Trek to Bamboo (2,310m/7,577ft), Trekking distance- 7 km

First, you have to cross Chhomrong Khola and take a long trail that goes through dense bamboo and rhododendron forests. Bamboo is the rest stop for trekkers with few tea houses.

Day 6: Trek to Deurali (3,230m/10,595ft), Trekking distance-8.5 km

It will take about 4-5 hours to reach Deurali from Bamboo. Until you get to the Himalaya Hotel, the trail is led by a bamboo forest. You have to trek to the place called Dovan. Pass along the cold shadow of the forest. Since you need to reach Deurali for the night, you have to ascend to the Hinko cave. Then, departing from the forest area and walking to a small bridge, you will reach Deurali. Deurali has many beautifully decorated lodges.

Day 7: Hike to Annapurna base camp (4,130m/13,547ft), Trekking distance- 8 km

It is the most important day to get to Annapurna base camp. The Camp seats at the height of 4,130m. Leave Deurali after having breakfast in the morning. You can witness the magnificent look of the south face of Annapurna on the top of the sanctuary. Since the waking hours are short, you call walk slowly. Your body must adapt to the increasing altitude. You will reach the base camp about 4 hours of trek.

From the base camp, you can witness some mesmerizing peaks such as Singu Chuli (6501m), Tharpu Chuli (5663m), and Hiunchuli (6441m) as well. You will spend the rest of the evening at the Base Camp. You can capture the majestic mountains in the cameras and make the memories last forever. The night in the Annapurna Base Camp is going to the most adventurous one. It will take 2-3 days to back Pokhara by trekking.

Option 2: Annapurna Base Camp via Ghandruk

This trekking route for those who do not have enough time but willing to get to the Annapurna base camp. You can reach the base camp in about 5 days but from another route, it will take you about 7 days. The days required will be less if you can trek fast. On average you can save two days from trekking than other trekking routes. The trek goes through the beautiful Ghandruk village. You will get a chance to explore the Gurung culture, their lifestyle, and also the stunning view of Annapurna range from the village. Besides this, the route goes through the dense rhododendron forests, cultivated farmlands, and crossing bridges. 

Outline Itinerary