Annapurna Base Camp & Sanctuary Trek — Self-Launched

Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport. Take a prepaid taxi from the airport to Thamel (the backpacker hub), around £5–8. Check into a guesthouse and spend the evening exploring Thamel's restaurants and streets. Grab a local dal bhat dinner and get an early night ahead of tomorrow's flight to Pokhara.

🚌Prepaid taxi from airport to Thamel (~£6)

🛏Guesthouse in Thamel, Kathmandu — e.g. Hotel Encounter Nepal or similar (~£12–15/night)

• →Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and take a prepaid taxi to Thamel (~£6)
• →Check into a guesthouse in Thamel
• →Explore Thamel neighbourhood and grab a welcome dal bhat dinner
• →Purchase your ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and TIMS card online or at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Thamel (£25–30 combined)

Take an early morning Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara (~20 mins, book in advance). From Pokhara airport, catch a local bus or shared jeep to Nayapul (the trailhead near Birethanthi), approximately 1.5–2 hours. This is where the trek officially begins. If you arrive with time to spare, take an optional warm-up walk to the nearby Gurung village of Tomijung.

🚌Flight Kathmandu–Pokhara (~£70); local bus/jeep Pokhara–Nayapul (~£4)

🛏Teahouse in Birethanthi (~£5–8/night)

• →Morning flight Kathmandu to Pokhara with Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines (~£60–80, book in advance)
• →Take a local bus or shared jeep from Pokhara to Nayapul/Birethanthi (~£3–5, ~2 hours)
• →Register trekking permits at the checkpoint in Birethanthi
• →Optional afternoon warm-up walk to Tomijung Gurung village

Start the trek by following the Burungdi River upstream. Stop for lunch in Tirkhedunga (famous for local chang beer). Then tackle the steep stone staircase up through terraced hillsides to Ulleri, continuing a little further to the lodge at Banthanti. Around 11km / 6.8 miles, 5–6 hours walking.

🚌On foot (11km / 6.8 miles)

🛏Teahouse in Banthanti (~£5–8/night, sleeping altitude 2,190m)

• →Follow the Burungdi River trail upstream from Birethanthi
• →Lunch stop in Tirkhedunga — try local chang (millet beer)
• →Steep stone staircase ascent (~3 hours) through terraced hillsides to Ulleri
• →Continue to overnight lodge at Banthanti (2,190m)

A beautiful day's walk through dense rhododendron forests, crossing suspension bridges and climbing many stone staircases. Mule trains are a common sight on this section. As you emerge from the forest at Ghorepani, a spectacular Himalayan panorama opens up — Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhare and Lamjung. Continue up to Upper Ghorepani (2,900m). Around 6.5km / 3.7 miles, 4–5 hours.

🚌On foot (6.5km / 3.7 miles)

🛏Teahouse in Upper Ghorepani (~£5–8/night, sleeping altitude 2,900m)

• →Trek through rhododendron forest on well-marked trail
• →Cross multiple suspension bridges
• →Arrive at Ghorepani for first panoramic Himalayan views
• →Continue to Upper Ghorepani (2,900m) — usually arriving by lunchtime

Rise early (around 5am) for the optional ascent of Poon Hill (3,210m), about one hour uphill from Ghorepani — the most famous viewpoint on the circuit, with jaw-dropping sunrise views over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range. Note: there is a small entrance fee (~£1–2). After breakfast, head east following a ridge to cross a pass at 3,150m, then descend through jungle on stone steps to Banthanti and Tadapani (superb views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare), then down to Chuili. Around 12.7km / 7.5 miles.

🚌On foot (12.7km / 7.5 miles)

🛏Teahouse in Chuili (~£5–8/night, sleeping altitude 2,290m)

• →Pre-dawn ascent of Poon Hill (3,210m) for sunrise views over Dhaulagiri and Annapurnas (~£1–2 entry fee)
• →Watch sunrise over the Himalayan giants
• →Post-breakfast trek east over ridge pass at 3,150m
• →Descend through jungle and past teahouses to Banthanti and Tadapani
• →Arrive at Chuili lodge with mountain views from the garden

A shorter but varied day. The trail descends steeply through forest to the Siprong Khola, then climbs up to Gurjung for an early lunch. Continue ascending to Chhomrong (2,220m), the last permanent settlement in the valley — a classic Gurung village with great views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare. Around 7km / 4.3 miles.

🚌On foot (7km / 4.3 miles)

🛏Teahouse in Chhomrong (~£5–8/night, sleeping altitude 2,220m)

• →Steep forested descent to the Siprong Khola river crossing
• →Ascent to Gurjung for early lunch break
• →Continue climbing to Chhomrong (2,220m) — last permanent settlement in the valley
• →Enjoy views of Annapurna South and twin-peaked Machhapuchhare (Fishtail)

Descend from Chhomrong on stone staircases to cross the Chhomrong River, then climb steeply to Sinuwa and the main Modi River valley. After a tea break, descend through dense jungle to Bamboo (a cluster of lodges surrounded by bamboo thickets) for lunch. Continue through bamboo forest to Dobhan (2,500m), a small forest clearing with several teahouses. Around 9.6km / 5.6 miles.

🚌On foot (9.6km / 5.6 miles)

🛏Teahouse in Dobhan (~£5–8/night, sleeping altitude 2,500m)

• →Stone staircase descent from Chhomrong to cross the Chhomrong River
• →Steep climb up to Sinuwa and main Modi River valley
• →Lunch at Bamboo lodge clearing
• →Continue through bamboo forest to Dobhan (2,500m)

A longer and more demanding day as the trail climbs above 3,000m. Pass the lodges at Himalaya Hotel, then the trail steepens and becomes rocky. Pass Hinko Cave (used by early Annapurna expeditions), cross a ravine, and lunch at Deurali. From here the valley broadens into wilder, more dramatic scenery — you're approaching the gates of the sanctuary. The final 1.5-hour climb between Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhare brings you to MBC (3,700m) with stupendous panoramic views. Around 9km / 5.6 miles.

🚌On foot (9km / 5.6 miles)

🛏Teahouse at Machhapuchhare Base Camp (~£5–8/night, sleeping altitude 3,700m)

• →Trek past Himalaya Hotel lodges on increasingly steep, rocky trail
• →Pass Hinko Cave — a historic early expedition shelter
• →Lunch at Deurali as the valley opens up dramatically
• →Final 1.5-hour climb to Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3,700m)
• →Take in panoramic views of Huinchuli, Annapurna 1, 3, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhare

An early two-hour walk from MBC brings you to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) — one of the great Himalayan destinations. You are encircled by an unbroken ring of soaring snow-capped peaks: Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna Fang, Annapurna 1 and 3, Gangapurna, and Machhapuchhare. Spend the day exploring this extraordinary high-alpine arena, and catch both sunset and (the next morning) sunrise from the sanctuary. Visit the ridge from which Bonington led the ascent of Annapurna's South Face. Around 3km / 1.9 miles.

🚌On foot (3km / 1.9 miles)

🛏Teahouse at Annapurna Base Camp (~£6–10/night, sleeping altitude 4,130m)

• →Early morning 2-hour walk from MBC to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m)
• →Arrive surrounded by the full 360° ring of Annapurna peaks
• →Explore the Annapurna Sanctuary high-alpine wilderness
• →Visit the ridge above basecamp associated with Chris Bonington's South Face ascent
• →Watch sunset over the Annapurna massif

A long but mostly downhill day leaving the Sanctuary. Watch sunrise from ABC before departing, then retrace your steps back past Machhapuchhare Base Camp, Deurali, Himalaya, and Dobhan, all the way back down to the lodge at Bamboo. Take it steady on the rocky descent. Around 14km / 8.7 miles.

🚌On foot (14km / 8.7 miles)

🛏Teahouse in Bamboo (~£5–8/night, sleeping altitude 2,330m)

• →Watch sunrise over the Annapurna massif from base camp
• →Begin descent back down the Modi River valley
• →Pass through MBC, Deurali, Himalaya and Dobhan
• →Arrive at Bamboo lodge clearing for the night

A challenging day of ups and downs. Climb up to Sinuwa, then descend to the river and climb the stone steps back up to Chhomrong. A final steep descent on stone steps brings you to Jhinnudanda. Nearby hot springs are worth the 20-minute detour down to the valley floor — a perfect remedy for tired trekking legs. Around 10km / 6.2 miles.

🚌On foot (10km / 6.2 miles)

🛏Teahouse in Jhinnudanda (~£5–8/night, sleeping altitude 1,710m)

• →Climb up from Bamboo to Sinuwa
• →Descend to the Chhomrong River and climb back up to Chhomrong
• →Final steep stone step descent to Jhinnudanda
• →Optional detour to nearby natural hot springs (~20 mins descent, small entry fee ~£1–2)

The final day on the trail — trek down to Sinwai (8km), then catch a local bus or shared jeep back to Pokhara (~1.5–2 hours, ~£3–5). Check into a lakeside guesthouse in Pokhara's Lakeside district (Phewa Lake), treat yourself to a hot shower and a proper meal at one of the many restaurants.

🚌On foot (8km); shared jeep/bus Sinwai–Pokhara (~£4)

🛏Guesthouse in Pokhara Lakeside — e.g. Hotel Middle Path or similar (~£12–18/night)

• →Final 8km trek down to Sinwai
• →Local bus or shared jeep back to Pokhara (~£3–5, ~2 hours)
• →Check into a lakeside guesthouse in Phewa Lake area
• →Celebratory dinner in Pokhara Lakeside

A well-earned rest day in one of Nepal's most beautiful cities. Take a morning boat ride on Phewa Lake to the Tal Barahi Temple on its island, visit the International Mountain Museum, explore the old bazaar, or take a short hike to the World Peace Pagoda for views over the lake and Annapurnas. Lakeside is packed with excellent restaurants — try some thali, momo dumplings, and fresh apple pie (a Pokhara tradition).

🚌Local taxis/walking (~£3–5)

🛏Guesthouse in Pokhara Lakeside (~£12–18/night)

• →Morning rowing boat hire on Phewa Lake (~£3) and visit to Tal Barahi Temple island
• →Visit the International Mountain Museum (~£3 entry)
• →Hike or taxi to the World Peace Pagoda for panoramic views
• →Explore Pokhara's old bazaar and Lakeside shops
• →Momo dumplings and apple pie lunch/dinner in Lakeside

Take a morning Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines flight back to Kathmandu (~20 mins, book in advance). Spend the afternoon exploring Kathmandu's World Heritage Sites — the Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, or Pashupatinath Temple are all reachable by taxi or local bus. Head to Thamel for a final night of great food, souvenir shopping, and lively atmosphere.

🚌Flight Pokhara–Kathmandu (~£70); local taxis (~£5)

🛏Guesthouse in Thamel, Kathmandu (~£12–15/night)

• →Morning flight Pokhara–Kathmandu with Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines (~£60–80)
• →Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) by taxi (~£4 return)
• →Explore Boudhanath Stupa or Pashupatinath Temple
• →Final evening in Thamel — dinner and souvenir shopping

Your adventure ends today. Depending on your flight time, you may have time for a final breakfast in Thamel or a last-minute visit to one of Kathmandu's markets. Take a prepaid taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport (~£6). Allow 3 hours before your international departure.

🚌Prepaid taxi to airport (~£6)

🛏No accommodation (departure day)

• →Final breakfast in Thamel
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping at Asan Bazaar or Thamel markets
• →Prepaid taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport (~£6)