Annapurna Base Camp Private Trek10 Days

Annapurna Base Camp sits in a natural amphitheatre at 4,130 metres, encircled by high peaks: Annapurna I (8,091m), Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre (the sacred peak, closed to climbers), Annapurna III and IV. On a clear morning, the silence is absolute and the scale is impossible to process in a single visit.

Our ten-day itinerary departs from Pokhara and follows the Modi Khola river valley through sub-tropical forest, rhododendron groves, terraced fields, and Gurung villages where the pace of life has been set by the altitude for generations. Nights are spent in teahouses selected for cleanliness, food quality, and the warmth of the family running them.

Your private team consists of a licensed Annapurna trekking guide and a porter for every two guests. Guides are from villages in the Annapurna Conservation Area, they know every teahouse owner by name and every weather pattern by experience. We pay fair wages and include tip guidance so gratuities are appropriate and understood.

The itinerary builds acclimatisation days at Chhomrong and Bamboo, giving your body time to adjust so the final push to base camp is achievable for fit recreational trekkers.

The trek starts from Pokhara, the lakeside town that is the gateway to the Annapurna region. A drive of around two hours takes you to the trailhead near Nayapul, from where the route follows the Modi Khola river upstream. The first days pass through villages such as Ghandruk, a large Gurung village with slate-roofed houses and a museum of local culture, and Chhomrong, perched on a ridge with a view of Machhapuchhre, known as the Fishtail, and Annapurna South. Beyond Chhomrong, the trail drops to the river and climbs through bamboo forest, then rhododendron and oak, with waterfalls and steep sections.

Above Deurali, the forest thins and gives way to alpine terrain. The last stages pass through Machhapuchhre Base Camp, at around 3,700 metres, and climb through a valley of rock and snow to Annapurna Base Camp. Sunrise at the base camp, with the peaks flushed pink, is the highlight of the trek, though weather can hide the view, so your itinerary includes a night at the base camp.

Teahouses along the route are run by local families and offer simple rooms, shared bathrooms and hot meals. Dal bhat, rice with lentil soup and vegetables, is the staple, and is often served with unlimited refills. Higher up, rooms are basic, and it gets cold, so a sleeping bag is useful. Hot showers and charging points are available at some teahouses, usually for a small fee.

Altitude is the main risk. The itinerary includes acclimatisation, but symptoms of altitude sickness can appear above 3,000 metres, especially for those who climb quickly. Drink plenty of water, tell your guide if you feel unwell and be prepared to descend if symptoms worsen. Travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation at altitude is essential, and it is mandatory for this trip.

Permits are required for the Annapurna Conservation Area, and we arrange them. Nepal has tightened its rules for trekking in recent years, including requirements for licensed guides on many routes, and local fees may change, so check the current requirements.

The best seasons are October to November, when skies are clearest after the monsoon, and March to May, when rhododendrons bloom. December to February can be very cold at altitude, and the monsoon, from June to September, brings rain and leeches.

You need to be able to walk for five to seven hours a day, on steps and uneven trails. Good boots, layers, a warm hat and gloves, and a waterproof jacket are essential.

The trek lasts around ten days. A private guide and porters, teahouse accommodation on a twin-share basis, all meals on the trek, permits, an airport or lakeside pickup in Pokhara, a first-aid kit and altitude medication are included.