Route Breakdown
Pokhara to Ghandruk
Your trek starts from Pokhara, a beautiful city known for Phewa Lake. You can spend 1–2 days in Pokhara if you want to enjoy the city before the trek.
On the first day of your trek, you’ll travel from Pokhara to Ghandruk. To get there, wake up early in morning around 6 am and, you can either book a private jeep (good for 6–7 people) or join a shared jeep with other trekkers.
To catch the jeep, go to Harichowk — it’s about a 5–8 minute taxi ride from Lakeside.
When you reach Harichowk, you’ll find an open area with many jeeps parked and a ticket counter nearby.
A jeep can carry up to 7–8 people. The cost for a private jeep from Pokhara to Ghandruk is usually 6,000–7,000 NPR (about $50–60). If you’re sharing, this amount is divided among the passengers, making it cheaper for individuals.
The ride offers beautiful views on the way to Ghandruk — enjoy the scenery!.
Itinerary: Day 1
Cost: $50-$60
Time from Pokhara: 2.5 hours at max by road
Ghandruk To Jhinu
When you get off the jeep at Ghandruk, you’ll need to walk about 10 minutes to reach Ghandruk village. The path goes slightly uphill, but it’s not too hard,take it easy.
Once you’re in the village, you can ask locals where the jeep station for Jhinu is. It’s nearby,just head down to the left side of Ghandruk.
Important: As of November 2024, the direct road from Pokhara to Jhinu was under construction. So, you’ll need to change jeeps at Ghandruk.
When the road is complete, jeeps will go directly from Pokhara to Jhinu for the same price.
At the Ghandruk jeep station, you’ll find a few jeeps, and usually within 10–20 minutes one will be ready to leave. The fare from Ghandruk to Jhinu is about 2,000 NPR (around $20). Like before, you can share the jeep with others, and the cost will be divided among the passengers.
Itinerary: Day 1
Cost: $20
Time from Ghandruk: At max 45 minutes by road
Jhinu to Upper Sinuwa
This is when your real trek begins! You can stop for lunch at Jhinu , it usually costs between 500–1,000 NPR depending on what you order. You’ll need the energy for the hike ahead. By the time you finish lunch, it will likely be around 12–1 PM.
From Jhinu, you’ll start walking with the goal of reaching Upper Sinuwa before dark. Keep in mind,this first day has the toughest uphill climb, in my opinion.
You’ll cross a long suspension bridge from Jhinu and head towards Chhomrong, a village up on the hill. It usually takes 2–2.5 hours to reach Chhomrong.
From Chhomrong, you’ll continue to Lower Sinuwa, which is about 1 hour away. There are plenty of guest houses and tea houses where you can stop for the night if you’re too tired to continue.
But if you have the energy, I recommend pushing on to Upper Sinuwa,it’s about 2 more hours of trekking. The next morning, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Fishtail Mountain.
Your first day ends at Upper Sinuwa. Eat well, get a good night’s sleep, and get ready for the next day’s adventure!
Itinerary: Day 1
Cost:15-25$ per person to stay and eat at upper Sinuwa
Time from Jhinu 5-7 hours trek
Upper Sinuwa to Deurali
Day 2 of your trek starts with an early morning wake-up. Enjoy breakfast while taking in the stunning view of Fishtail Mountain.
Today’s goal is to reach Deurali by around 3–4 PM.
From Upper Sinuwa, you’ll trek to Bamboo, and from there, continue on to Dovan. (There’s both Lower Dovan and Upper Dovan.) I recommend stopping for lunch at Upper Dovan for an energy boost.
After Dovan, you’ll head to Himalaya. If you prefer, you can also have lunch at Himalaya — the food options there are usually better and more varied than at Dovan.
Finally, your last stretch for the day is from Himalaya to Deurali.
Even if you walk at a slower pace, you should reach Deurali by 4–5 PM.
Tonight, you’ll stay at Deurali. Rest well for the next part of your journey!
Itinerary: Day 2
Cost: 25$-30$ per person to stay and eat
Time from Upper Sinuwa 8-9 hours trek
Deurali to ABC
Day 3 of your trek is the big push to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). If you’re feeling very tired or unwell, it’s a good idea to rest for a day at Deurali to acclimatize before continuing.
Your goal today is to reach ABC. The trek will take about 8–9 hours at a slower pace.
From Deurali, you’ll trek towards Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC). This section is one of the toughest,it’s mostly steep uphill, with rocky and challenging trails. In late April and early May, it can also get foggy, cold, and damp, so be prepared with warm layers.
When you reach MBC, stop for lunch to recharge. After MBC, the trail becomes easier,not as steep, and the path to ABC is surrounded by breathtaking mountain views and small lakes.
By around 4–5 PM, you’ll arrive at ABC, your final stop. Rest, eat well, and don’t miss the stunning night view of the Annapurna range under the clear sky: it’s truly magical! (Check the photos below for a glimpse of what to expect!)
The next morning, wake up early before sunrise to witness the golden glow of the Annapurna mountains — an unforgettable sight.
Itinerary: Day 3
Cost: 30$-40$ per person to stay and eat
Time from Deurali 8-9 hours trek
Back to Pokhara
You can choose to stay an extra day at ABC or start your return. If you head back, pack up around 9–10 AM and aim for Bamboo or even Upper Sinuwa, where you stayed the first night.
On Day 4, stay at Sinuwa.
On Day 5, try to trek all the way back to Pokhara if possible.
From Pokhara, you can book a flight, night bus, day jeep to Kathmandu, or spend a bit more time relaxing in Pokhara.
In total, the Annapurna Base Camp trek usually takes 7–8 days to complete.
Itinerary: Day 4 and 5
Cost: same as previous
