The Annapurna Sanctuary trek, also known as Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek, is in Nepal. It climbs from the Pokhara foothills through Gurung villages and terraced fields into a high glacial amphitheatre ringed by Annapurna I (8,091 m), Hiunchuli and the sacred Machhapuchhre, finishing at Annapurna Base Camp at about 4,130 m. Using the stages listed here, the distance from Phedi to ABC is about 38 km one way, with a typical out-and-back total of roughly 75-80 km depending on whether you exit via Phedi or Nayapul. The route follows old paths along the Modi Khola, passes bamboo and rhododendron forest, and has teahouses throughout.
Understand
[edit]- See also: Trekking in Nepal
The Annapurna Sanctuary trek is a trek in the Annapurna region which commonly starts or finishes in either Phedi or Nayapul and reaches the Annapurna Base Camp. Phedi is situated at a distance of 165 Kilometers (via Baglung Highway) from the capital city, Kathmandu. A total of 5 to 7 days is necessary for the whole trek to finish.
Prepare
[edit]Before you go, get ACAP and TIMS in Pokhara or Kathmandu and check the current rules. The trek is most pleasant from October to November and from March to May, while winter can leave snow and ice above Deurali and the monsoon brings heavy rain and leeches. Pack warm layers, waterproofs, sturdy boots, poles and a headlamp, with micro crampons useful in early winter. Teahouses provide meals, but carry snacks and two water bottles with purification since single-use bottles are not sold above Chomrong. Bring enough cash from Pokhara and expect paid charging and patchy Wi-Fi. Make sure your insurance covers helicopter evacuation and carry a small first-aid kit. Guides and porters are easy to hire, though enforcement of guiding rules changes, so confirm the latest before setting out.
Get in
[edit]Travelers can take a bus to either Phedi or Nayapul from Pokhara. It takes around 2 hours to Nayapul by bus and costs around NRs 110-200. There are several bus stations in Pokhara from which you can begin your journey. The bus to Nayapul is usually taken from the Baglung bus station which lies north of the Phewa Lake. The walk to the bus station takes about 45 minutes from the lakeside.
Taxi service charges on the route from Pokhara to Nayapul costs around Rs 1500 for 1½ hrs, however on the way back Nayapul-Pokhara, it's possible to arrange it for as little as Rs 300. Taxi Service from Pokhara to Phedi costs around Rs 700 to 1000 which takes around 20 mins; the taxi service from Pokhara to Dhampus costs around Rs 2000.
It's also possible to catch a jeep from Kimche to Pokhara at Rs 700/per person but the connection is infrequent and may delay at times.
Walk
[edit]
There are a myriad of trails that traverse the Annapurna and lead to Chomrong from where there is only one path up to Annapurna Base Camp. Usually, hikers choose to hike a different route on the way down.
Phedi - Landruk
[edit]- Distance
- 11 km
- Duration
- 6½-7½ hr
From 1 Phedi (1130 m) the trail climbs steeply for about 1.5 hours on stone steps through terraced fields and forest to 2 Dhampus (1650 m) with big views of Machhapuchhre. An easy, well-trodden path continues for another 1.5 hours to 3 Pothana (1890 m), then rises for an hour to Bhichok (2080 m). From there, a longer forested descent of about an hour brings you to Tolka (1700 m), passing 4 Ghyamu. The final, easy leg undulates for another hour on a mixed stone-and-dirt path to 5 Landruk (1640 m), a spread-out village on the east side of the valley with plenty of teahouses. From Landruk, the trail continues towards Chomrong, the last stop before the single path to Annapurna Base Camp.
Landruk - Chomrong
[edit]- Distance
- 7 km
- Duration
- 5½ hr
From Landruk (1640 m) the trail contours and drops easily for about 1.5 hours to 6 New Bridge (1340 m) on the Modi Khola. The trail then begins a serious, sustained climb of about 2 hours to reach 7 Jhinu Danda (1780 m), a section known for its long, steep staircases. Down by the river below Jhinu are natural hot springs. The last push to 8 Chomrong (2170 m) is another step-heavy ascent of roughly 2 hours through farms and scattered lodges, with frequent suspension bridges and stone paving underfoot. Chomrong is a major junction and the last village before the trail narrows to the single path leading into the Annapurna Sanctuary and on to Base Camp.
Alternative: Nayapul - Chomrong
[edit]- Distance
- 16 km
- Duration
- 8-9 hr
Starting at 9 Nayapul (1070 m), a collection of roadside shacks functioning as a bus and taxi stop, follow the jeep track down to a swingbridge. Cross the river, turn left, and walk for about half an hour along the Modi Khola to reach 10 Birethanti (1120 m). In Birethanti you must cross another bridge to present your ACAP conservation permit and TIMS card at the checkpoints. The easy valley trail continues for an hour to 11 Chimrong (1130 m) and another thirty minutes to 12 Syauli Bazaar (1220 m) before continuing on to New Bridge. From there the route matches the section above: climb to Jhinu Danda and continue on the staircases to Chomrong. Surfaces are a mix of dirt road, stone-paved trail, and long stepped sections.
Chomrong - Dobhan
[edit]- Distance
- 7 km
- Duration
- 5½ hr
Leave Chomrong (2170 m) on a clear stone stairway for the 2.5-hour trek to 13 Sinuwa (2360 m), then continue gradually for about 2 hours through cool forest to Kuldhigar (2540 m). A subsequent 1-hour descent on a stepped trail drops to 14 Bamboo (2310 m), where the path narrows in lush bamboo and rhododendron. The final stretch is a 1-hour climb on a mix of steps and earthen track beside the river to reach 15 Dobhan (2600 m). This whole section is mostly shaded forest with occasional rocky gullies and simple bridges.
Dobhan - Machhapuchhare Base Camp
[edit]- Distance
- 11 km
- Duration
- 6 hr
The forest thins during the 1.5-hour climb from Dobhan (2600 m) to 16 Himalaya (2920 m). From there, it's an hour's traverse past the overhang at Hinku Cave (3170 m), and another hour on gentle but relentless gradients to reach 17 Deurali (3200 m). The trail continues for an hour to Bagar (3300 m) as the valley opens and its walls steepen. The final 1.5-hour rise to 1 Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3700 m) is on stony, often braided paths over glacial moraine. Watch for rockfall zones and give yourself time; after Hinku Cave, you will be trekking above 3000 m for the rest of the day.
Machhapuchhare Base Camp - Annapurna Base Camp
[edit]- Distance
- 2 km
- Duration
- 2 hr
The final stage is a steady, 2-hour high-altitude climb from MBC (3700 m) up the broad moraine into the natural amphitheater of 2 Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m). The underfoot is mostly gravel and stone with occasional snow patches early or late in the season. Views expand with every step, and the gradient stays manageable, but pace yourself due to the altitude.
The descent is much faster; the return trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Chomrong takes approximately 14 hours of walking (e.g., 7.5 hours to Dobhan, 6.5 hours from Dobhan to Chomrong) and is typically completed over two days. From Chomrong, the trail continues down to Nayapul via villages like Ghandruk and Birethanti, which takes another full day or two of trekking.
Stay safe
[edit]There are official safe drinking water stations located at Landruk, Ghandruk, Jhinu and Chomrong. Past Chomrong, plastic water bottles are not permitted to be sold so trekkers will have to supply their own containers to be refilled. Lodges offer boiled or reverse osmosis water for around Rs. 130 per litre and untreated water for free.
Above Deurali, snow may be present as early as mid-November. Foot traffic quickly compacts the snow into ice making the trail treacherous, especially travelling downhill. Trekking poles and micro crampons can make the going considerably easier and some trekkers resort to wearing socks on the exterior of their boots or wrapping them in rope for extra traction.
The trail is exposed to avalanche danger where it crosses several slide paths, trekkers should practice appropriate Snow safety as conditions warrant.
Go next
[edit]- Annapurna Circuit: classic high-route around the Annapurna massif via Thorong La, longer and higher than the Sanctuary trek with teahouses throughout.
- Mardi Himal trek: short ridge trek from the Pokhara side to viewpoints below Machhapuchhre, usually 4–6 days with simple teahouses.
- Everest Base Camp trek: iconic path in Sagarmatha National Park to the south base camp of Everest; typically accessed by flight to Lukla from Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Numbur Cheese Circuit: quieter loop in Ramechhap District around Numbur Himal, known for village homestays, yak pastures, and big valley views.