Annapurna Base Camp Best Itineraries

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal’s most popular multi-day hikes, and one of the few 4,000m-plus treks that genuinely works on a short timeline. Annapurna I stands at 8,091m, the tenth-highest mountain on earth, and its base camp sits at 4,130m inside a natural amphitheater ringed by Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and the sacred Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). For a broader look at permits, packing and full trip planning, see our complete Annapurna Base Camp Trek guide. This page focuses on one specific question: how many days should your trek take.

There is no single correct itinerary. The route into the Annapurna Sanctuary can be walked in as few as six days or stretched to ten, depending on your fitness, available time and how much of the surrounding region you want to see. Below are five tested itinerary options, each with a full day-by-day breakdown, so you can match the trek to your trip rather than the other way around.

7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

A slightly more paced version of the six-day route, with an extra day spread across the approach. It still moves quickly but gives the body one more night at altitude before pushing to base camp.

• Day 1: Drive to Phedi, trek to Tolka (1,750m, 5-6 hours)
• Day 2: Trek to Sinuwa (2,100m, 5-7 hours)
• Day 3: Trek to Deurali (3,230m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 4: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m, 5-6 hours)
• Day 5: Trek down to Bamboo (2,310m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 6: Trek to Ghandruk (1,940m, 7-8 hours)
• Day 7: Drive to Pokhara

8 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

This itinerary routes through Ghorepani and Poon Hill, adding one of the region’s best sunrise viewpoints to the trip. It suits trekkers who want the classic Annapurna panorama, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Nilgiri from a single vantage point, without adding much extra walking time versus the direct routes above. For a shorter version of this same corridor, see our Mardi Himal Trek guide, a nearby alternative for trekkers with less time.

• Day 1: Drive to Nayapul from Pokhara, trek to Ulleri (2,070m, 5-6 hours)
• Day 2: Trek to Ghorepani (2,875m, 5-6 hours)
• Day 3: Sunrise at Poon Hill, trek to Tadapani (2,650m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 4: Trek to Sinuwa via Chhomrong (2,340m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 5: Trek to Deurali (3,230m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 6: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 7: Trek down to Sinuwa (2,340m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 8: Trek to Siwai via Jhinu Danda, drive to Pokhara (800m, 7-8 hours)

9 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Also called the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. This route builds in a slightly gentler pace through Pothana and Chhomrong before the final push to base camp, with close-up views of Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South along the way, and a stop at Jhinu Danda’s natural hot springs on the way down.

• Day 1: Pokhara to Ulleri (2,050m)
• Day 2: Ulleri to Ghorepani (2,874m)
• Day 3: Poon Hill sunrise hike, trek to Tadapani (2,630m)
• Day 4: Tadapani to Sinuwa (2,057m)
• Day 5: Sinuwa to Deurali (3,200m)
• Day 6: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m)
• Day 7: ABC to Bamboo (2,620m)
• Day 8: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1,780m), hot spring soak
• Day 9: Jhinu Danda to Pokhara (822m)

10 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The most gradual option, built for trekkers who want maximum acclimatization time and the lowest realistic risk of altitude sickness. It follows the same Ghorepani, Poon Hill and Chhomrong corridor as the 8 and 9 day versions but spreads the climb over more days, passing through Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m) shortly before reaching Annapurna Base Camp itself (4,130m).

• Day 1: Drive to Nayapul from Pokhara, trek to Ulleri (2,100m, 4-5 hours)
• Day 2: Trek to Deurali (2,850m, 5-6 hours)
• Day 3: Hike Poon Hill, trek to Tadapani (2,570m, 5-6 hours)
• Day 4: Trek to Chhomrong (2,170m, 4-5 hours)
• Day 5: Trek to Dovan (2,630m, 6-7 hours)
• Day 6: Trek to Deurali (3,230m, 6 hours)
• Day 7: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp via Machhapuchhre Base Camp (4,130m, 5-6 hours)
• Day 8: Trek down to Dovan or Bamboo (2,310m, 7 hours)
• Day 9: Trek to Jhinu, New Bridge (1,580m, 7-8 hours)
• Day 10: Trek to Siwai, drive to Pokhara

Note: All five itineraries can start from Kathmandu instead of Pokhara by adding a scenic drive or short flight beforehand. Ask your operator to adjust the plan if you’re not already based in Pokhara.

Permits and Cost for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Every itinerary above requires the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs NPR 3,000 (roughly USD 22-25) for foreign nationals and is checked at Birethanti and Chhomrong. TIMS card requirements for Annapurna routes have shifted since 2023 regulatory changes and enforcement has been inconsistent in practice, so confirm the current requirement with your trekking agency before departure. Both permits, where required, must be arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you reach the trail. There are no permit offices at Nayapul, Ghandruk or any other trailhead.

A fully organized package covering permits, guide, porter, teahouse accommodation, meals and transport typically runs USD 500 to 1,100 per person, depending on itinerary length, group size and service level. Shorter 6 and 7 day itineraries cost less overall but pack more altitude gain into fewer days, so budget the same care into gear and acclimatization regardless of trip length.

Difficulty and Best Season

All five itineraries are rated moderate. Daily walking runs five to eight hours on stone stairs, forest trail and ridgeline paths, and the trek tops out at 4,130m, well below altitudes that typically cause severe AMS, but still high enough to require sensible pacing. Trekkers who want more acclimatization built in should choose the 9 or 10 day version over the 6 or 7 day one. If you’re unsure which pace suits your fitness level, our Annapurna Base Camp Trek difficulty guide breaks down training expectations in more detail.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the strongest seasons across all five itineraries: stable weather, clear mountain views and blooming rhododendron forest in spring. Winter is walkable at lower altitudes with fewer crowds, though upper sections get cold. Monsoon season (June to August) brings leeches, slippery trail and obscured views, and is best avoided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Annapurna Base Camp itinerary length?

For most trekkers, 8 or 9 days offers the best balance: enough acclimatization to trek comfortably, plus Poon Hill sunrise and the Jhinu Danda hot springs. Trekkers short on time can do it in 6 or 7 days if reasonably fit; those wanting maximum safety margin should choose 10 days.

How hard is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Moderate. It involves five to eight hours of walking most days on established stone trail, reaching a maximum altitude of 4,130m. No technical climbing is required.

What permits do I need for Annapurna Base Camp?

An Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is mandatory for every itinerary. TIMS card requirements have been inconsistent since 2023, so confirm the current status with your trekking agency.

Can I do Annapurna Base Camp in 6 days?

Yes, starting and ending in Pokhara, though it compresses acclimatization into a shorter window. It suits trekkers who are already fit and comfortable with less rest-day buffer.

Which itinerary includes Poon Hill?

The 8, 9 and 10 day itineraries route through Ghorepani and Poon Hill. The 6 and 7 day versions take a more direct path via Jhinu Danda and skip the Poon Hill viewpoint.

Plan Your Trek

Whichever length fits your schedule, the trail rewards you with the same sanctuary views at the end. If you want help choosing dates, comparing the Annapurna Circuit against Base Camp, or building a custom itinerary around your fitness level, get in touch and we’ll put together an option that fits.