Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)

★★★ The Amphitheater of the Gods

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is shorter and lower than EBC or Circuit, but hardly less spectacular in terms of scenery. In 7–12 days, you hike through lush rhododendron forests, Gurung villages, and bamboo groves into a massive glacial amphitheater, surrounded by Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Machhapuchhre (Fishtail, 6,993 m), and Gangapurna (7,455 m) — a 360° panorama that leaves you speechless.

Why ABC?

• Shorter: 7–12 days instead of 14–21 (Circuit) or 12–14 (EBC)
• Lower: Maximum height 4,130 m — significantly fewer problems with altitude sickness
• Diverse: From subtropical forests through seas of rhododendrons (spectacular in bloom in March/April!) to the high mountains
• Machhapuchhre (Fishtail): The sacred mountain with the distinctive fishtail shape accompanies you throughout the trek. It has never been climbed — the Nepalese government has banned all climbing attempts because the mountain is sacred to Shiva
• Gurung Villages: The Gurung are one of Nepal's most fascinating mountain peoples — famous as Gurkha soldiers and for their warm hospitality

Route & Daily Stages

Start in Nayapul (by bus from Pokhara, 1.5 hours):

Day 1: Nayapul (1,070 m) → Ghandruk (1,940 m)
5–6 hours, ↑870 m
Through rice terraces and Gurung villages. Ghandruk is a beautiful Gurung village with stone houses, a Gurung museum, and the first view of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South.

Day 2: Ghandruk → Chhomrong (2,170 m)
4–5 hours, ↑600 m / ↓370 m
Over a deep gorge and back up to Chhomrong — the last permanent village before the Base Camp. Dreamy view of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. Last chance for Snickers and Cola!

Day 3: Chhomrong → Bamboo (2,310 m)
4–5 hours, ↓860 m / ↑1,000 m
Steep descent into the Modi Khola Gorge and ascent through dense bamboo forest. Red pandas live here (extremely shy, but with luck, you might see one!).

Day 4: Bamboo → Deurali (3,230 m)
4–5 hours, ↑920 m
Through rhododendron and oak forests, which explode in pink, red, and white in spring. The air gets cooler, the mountains closer.

Day 5: Deurali → ABC (4,130 m)
4–5 hours, ↑900 m
Over the Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC, 3,700 m) with a spectacular close-up view of the Fishtail. Then the final ascent to ABC — the amphitheater opens up, and you stand amidst a ring of seven-thousanders and the eight-thousander Annapurna I. At sunset, the peaks glow in all shades of red.

Day 6–7/8: Descent to Nayapul
2–3 days, alternatively via Ghorepani/Poon Hill (combination trek)

Costs: 600–1,200€

• ACAP: ~22€
• TIMS: ~15€
• Tea Houses: 20–30€/day × 10 days
• Guide (optional): 25–30€/day
• Transport Pokhara–Nayapul: 5–10€