Annapurna Base Camp sits at 4,130 m, but getting there from Pokhara starts with a jeep ride, not a hike.
Drive 2.5 to 4 hours to a trailhead such as Siwai, Kimche or Ghandruk, then trek 3 to 4 days up the Modi Khola valley. Plan 6 to 8 days for the round trip.
Picking the right trailhead matters more than most first-timers expect. It decides how long you walk, how high you sleep on night one and which villages you pass. Here is how to choose.
Quick answer
- Transport: local bus, shared jeep or private jeep from Pokhara. Private jeep is the most common choice for guided groups.
- Most-used trailheads: Siwai, Kimche and Ghandruk. Nayapul is now mainly a drive-through point.
- Drive time: about 2 to 3 hours to most trailheads, depending on road conditions.
- Trekking days: 5 to 6 days (fast), 7 to 8 days (standard), 9 to 10 days with Poon Hill.
All drive times and days in this guide are approximate. Road access changes by season, so confirm the current roadhead before you go.
The route at a glance
Whichever trailhead you choose, the routes converge at Chhomrong and follow one trail up the Modi Khola valley to ABC.
Getting to Pokhara first
Every ABC trip starts in Pokhara. From Kathmandu, you can fly in about 25 to 30 minutes or take a tourist bus or private car for 6 to 8 hours. Plan at least one night in Pokhara before the trek to sort permits, rent gear and leave spare luggage at your hotel.
Arriving from Kathmandu and starting the trek on the same day is possible with an early flight, but it leaves no buffer for delays.
Transport options from Pokhara to the ABC trailhead
Private jeep is the easiest way to reach the trail, local bus is the cheapest, and shared jeep sits in between. Taxis can reach Nayapul on the paved highway, but the roads beyond to Siwai, Kimche and Ghandruk are rough and usually need a 4WD.
| Option | Time to trailhead (approx.) | Leaves from | Best for | Downsides |
| Private jeep | 2.5–4 hours | Your hotel in Pokhara | Guided groups, families, early starts | Highest cost unless shared by a group |
| Shared jeep | 3–4 hours | Pokhara bus parks or arranged pickup | Solo trekkers and couples on a budget | Fixed times, waits until full, cramped |
| Local bus | 3–4+ hours | Baglung Bus Park, Pokhara | Lowest cost | Slow, crowded, may need a jeep for the last stretch |
| Taxi | 1.5–2 hours (to Nayapul only) | Anywhere in Pokhara | Reaching Nayapul quickly | Cannot handle the rough roads beyond |
If you book a guided trek, transport to and from the trailhead is usually included. Check this before comparing package prices. For a full cost breakdown, see our ABC trek cost guide. You can also hire a jeep directly through our vehicle rental service.
ABC trailheads compared
Siwai suits short trips, Ghandruk suits travellers who want culture on day one, and Phedi or Poon Hill suit those with extra days. All routes meet at Chhomrong, the last big village before the trail climbs into the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Nayapul
Nayapul sits on the Pokhara–Baglung highway, about 1.5 to 2 hours from Pokhara. It was the classic start for decades. Today, a dirt road continues from Nayapul past Birethanti and Syauli Bazaar, so starting on foot here means walking a dusty jeep road. For ABC, most groups now drive past Nayapul and start higher up. Poon Hill itineraries, including ours, still start walking here.
- Choose it if: you are combining Poon Hill with ABC, or travelling by local bus.
- Skip it if: you want to save time or avoid walking on the road.
Siwai
Siwai lies up the Modi Khola valley beyond Syauli Bazaar, about a 2.5- to 3-hour jeep ride from Pokhara. From here, the trail heads to Jhinu Danda and then climbs the long stone staircase to Chhomrong. It is the most direct approach to ABC.
- Choose it if: you have limited days and want the shortest route.
- Skip it if: you want a gentler first day or a night in a traditional village.
Kimche
Kimche is a jeep roadhead on the road to Ghandruk, about 2.5 to 3.5 hours from Pokhara. Your jeep drops you here, and you walk about 3 km uphill to Ghandruk, which takes 1 to 2 hours. Jeeps can also continue all the way to Ghandruk, so walking from Kimche is a choice, not a requirement. Many trekkers take it as a short warm-up before the longer days ahead.
- Choose it if: you want a short first-day walk with a Ghandruk overnight.
- Skip it if: you would rather drive straight to Ghandruk.
Ghandruk
Ghandruk is a large Gurung village at about 2,012 m, around 3 to 4 hours from Pokhara by jeep. It offers stone houses, a Gurung museum and views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. From here, the trail drops to Kimrong Khola and climbs to Chhomrong. This is the start our standard ABC trek uses.
- Choose it if: you want culture, views and an easy first afternoon.
- Skip it if: you want the fastest possible route.
Jhinu Danda and New Bridge
In recent seasons, jeep access has extended along the Modi Khola toward New Bridge, close to Jhinu Danda. Starting here can cut half a day from the Siwai route. Road reach varies with weather and repairs, so treat this as a bonus rather than a plan.
- Choose it if: the road is open and you are short on time.
- Skip it if: you want to enjoy the walk up rather than rush it.
Phedi (via Dhampus and Landruk)
Phedi, or nearby Kande, is only 30 to 45 minutes from Pokhara on the Baglung highway. From here, you climb to Dhampus and Australian Camp, then walk through Pothana and Landruk before dropping to New Bridge and Jhinu. It adds 1 to 2 days but gives quieter forest trails and early mountain views.
- Choose it if: you want a scenic, less crowded approach and have spare days.
- Skip it if: you are on a tight schedule.
Poon Hill side (via Ulleri or Ghorepani)
To combine Poon Hill with ABC, drive about 1.5 hours to Nayapul, trek up via Ulleri to Ghorepani for the Poon Hill sunrise, then cross via Tadapani to Chhomrong. This adds 2 to 3 days.
- Choose it if: you want the famous sunrise and rhododendron forests as well as ABC.
- Skip it if: you have fewer than 9 days.
Trailheads at a glance
| Trailhead | Drive from Pokhara (approx.) | Extra days vs Siwai | Best for |
| Siwai | 2.5–3 hours | 0 (shortest) | Short trips |
| Jhinu / New Bridge | 3 hours, when open | Saves about half a day | Very tight schedules |
| Kimche | 2.5–3.5 hours, then 1–2 hr walk (optional) | +0.5 day | Short warm-up, Ghandruk night |
| Ghandruk | 3–4 hours | +0.5 to 1 day | Culture and views |
| Nayapul | 1.5–2 hours | +1 day | Bus travellers, full walk |
| Phedi | 30–45 minutes | +1 to 2 days | Quiet forest approach |
| Poon Hill side | About 1.5 hours (to Nayapul) | +2 to 3 days | Poon Hill sunrise + ABC |
Where the ABC trek actually begins now
For most trekkers today, real walking starts at Siwai, Kimche or Ghandruk, not Nayapul. Roads now reach well into the lower valley, and walking those sections means sharing dust with jeeps for little reward.
The true trail, with no vehicles at all, begins around Chhomrong. From there, every route follows the same path through Sinuwa, Bamboo, Dovan, Himalaya and Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) and finally ABC (4,130 m).
This matters for planning in two ways:
- Older itineraries overcount walking days. A plan that starts with “Day 1: Nayapul to Tikhedhunga” or “Nayapul to Ghandruk on foot” is likely outdated.
- Driving higher means gaining height faster. Starting at Ghandruk puts you around 2,000 m on day one. That is still comfortable, but it shortens the time your body has to adjust before ABC.
How many trekking days to allow
Allow 7 to 8 days from Pokhara back to Pokhara for a comfortable ABC trek. Fit trekkers can do it in 5 to 6 days from Siwai, and adding Poon Hill takes it to 9 or 10.
| Start point | Fast | Standard | Relaxed / with side trips |
| Siwai or Jhinu / New Bridge | 5 days | 6–7 days | 8 days |
| Kimche or Ghandruk | 6 days | 7–8 days | 9 days |
| Phedi (via Landruk) | 7 days | 8–9 days | 10 days |
| Poon Hill side | 8 days | 9–10 days | 11 days |
Days are counted from leaving Pokhara to returning, all approximate.
A few tips for choosing:
- The “fast” column means long days. Expect 6 to 8 hours of walking and a quick push from Deurali to ABC and back down.
- Add a buffer day in autumn and spring. Lodges near ABC fill up, and weather can hold you at Deurali or Machhapuchhre Base Camp.
- Plan one night at ABC. Sunrise over Annapurna I is the reason most people come. Arriving and leaving the same afternoon wastes it.
For a full day-by-day plan, see our ABC trek itinerary.
Popular route combinations
The best ABC routes go up one way and come down another, so you see more without adding much time.
- Ghandruk up, Jhinu down: Drive to Ghandruk, trek via Chhomrong to ABC, return via Jhinu Danda for the hot springs, then walk via New Bridge to Syauli Bazaar for the drive back to Pokhara. This is the most popular loop and the one our standard trek follows.
- Siwai in and out: Shortest option. Up and down through Jhinu and Chhomrong. Good for 5 to 6 days.
- Poon Hill + ABC: Nayapul, Ulleri, Ghorepani and Poon Hill, then Tadapani to Chhomrong and up to ABC, returning via Jhinu. Best for 9 to 10 days.
- Phedi approach: Dhampus, Australian Camp, Pothana and Landruk to Jhinu, then ABC, returning via Ghandruk or Siwai. Quieter, with early Annapurna views.
Going further? The Mardi Himal trail and North ABC are separate routes with different starting points, not alternative ways into this trek.
Getting back to Pokhara
Most trekkers walk down to Jhinu Danda, soak in the hot springs, then continue to Siwai, New Bridge or Syauli Bazaar for a jeep back to Pokhara, about 2 to 3 hours.
- Pre-arrange your jeep. If you booked through an agency, your guide will call ahead. Shared jeeps run from Siwai, but seats can run out in peak season.
- Fly back if you are short on time. A helicopter return from ABC to Pokhara is possible, weather permitting. See our ABC helicopter tour for options.
- Do not book a same-day onward flight from Pokhara. Road or weather delays on the last day are common.
Permits, checkpoints and guide rules
You need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) to trek in the Annapurna region. The permit currently costs NPR 3,000 for most foreign nationals.
Although some official websites still mention TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) as a requirement, it is generally not checked at checkpoints along the Annapurna Base Camp route.
A licensed guide is also recommended but not generally mandatory in practice for this trek. Hiring a guide can improve safety, help you navigate the trail, provide local insights, and assist with accommodation and unexpected situations.
If you book through a registered trekking agency, they can arrange your ACAP permit and help organize a guide if needed. Keep your ACAP permit with you, as it may be checked at checkpoints along the route, including Birethanti and Chhomrong.
Before departure, confirm the latest permit requirements with the relevant authorities or your trekking agency.
Details are in our ABC cost guide and solo trekking rules guide.
Road, season and practical tips
The roads to the ABC trailheads are the least reliable part of the trip, especially in monsoon.
- Monsoon (June to August): landslides can block the roads to Siwai, Kimche and Ghandruk. Expect delays and keep a spare day. See our best time for ABC guide.
- Winter (December to February): roads are usually fine, but snow and ice can make the trail above Deurali slow and slippery. Read our ABC in winter guide.
- Leave early. A 7 am departure from Pokhara gets you walking before midday heat and afternoon cloud.
- Book your jeep the evening before. Your hotel or agency can arrange it. Confirm the pickup time and exact drop-off point.
- Store spare luggage in Pokhara. Most Lakeside hotels keep bags free or for a small fee while you trek.
- Carry cash. There are no ATMs on the trail. Withdraw enough Nepali rupees in Pokhara.
- Buy snacks and supplies before you leave. Prices rise with altitude.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Annapurna Base Camp trek start?
Most treks now start at Siwai, Kimche or Ghandruk, 2.5 to 4 hours by jeep from Pokhara. Nayapul was the traditional start, but roads now continue beyond it.
How long does it take to get from Pokhara to Annapurna Base Camp?
About 2.5 to 4 hours by jeep to the trailhead, then 3 to 4 days of trekking to ABC. The full round trip takes 6 to 8 days on average.
Can I take a bus from Pokhara to the ABC trailhead?
Yes. Local buses leave from Baglung Bus Park in Pokhara toward Nayapul and the trailhead villages. They are cheap but slow, and you may need a shared jeep for the last section.
Can I drive all the way to Chhomrong?
No. Jeeps reach Siwai, Kimche, Ghandruk and, when the road is open, Jhinu Danda. From there you walk. Above Chhomrong there are no roads at all.
What is the shortest way to reach ABC from Pokhara?
Drive to Siwai or New Bridge, trek via Jhinu Danda and Chhomrong, and walk up the Modi Khola valley. Fit trekkers can complete the round trip in 5 to 6 days.
Is Nayapul still the starting point for ABC?
Only for some budget or bus-based trips. Most guided ABC groups drive past Nayapul to avoid walking on the jeep road. It is still the usual start when combining Poon Hill with ABC.
Is North Annapurna Base Camp the same trek?
No. North ABC is a separate, remote trek in Myagdi district with a different starting point. See our North ABC vs ABC comparison.
Conclusion
Reaching Annapurna Base Camp from Pokhara is straightforward once you pick the right trailhead. For most people, a private jeep to Ghandruk or Siwai, 7 to 8 days on the trail and a night at ABC is the sweet spot.
Short on time? Start at Siwai. Want culture and views from day one? Start at Ghandruk. Have extra days? Add Poon Hill or the quiet Phedi approach.
Ready to plan your trek? Hi Nepal Travels & Treks is based in Lakeside, Pokhara, and runs Annapurna Base Camp treks with transport, permits and local guides included. Tell us your dates and we will suggest the best starting point for your schedule.
Annapurna Base Camp sits at 4,130 m, but getting there from Pokhara starts with a jeep ride, not a hike.
Drive 2.5 to 4 hours to a trailhead such as Siwai, Kimche or Ghandruk, then trek 3 to 4 days up the Modi Khola valley. Plan 6 to 8 days for the round trip.
Picking the right trailhead matters more than most first-timers expect. It decides how long you walk, how high you sleep on night one and which villages you pass. Here is how to choose.
Quick answer
- Transport: local bus, shared jeep or private jeep from Pokhara. Private jeep is the most common choice for guided groups.
- Most-used trailheads: Siwai, Kimche and Ghandruk. Nayapul is now mainly a drive-through point.
- Drive time: about 2 to 3 hours to most trailheads, depending on road conditions.
- Trekking days: 5 to 6 days (fast), 7 to 8 days (standard), 9 to 10 days with Poon Hill.
All drive times and days in this guide are approximate. Road access changes by season, so confirm the current roadhead before you go.
The route at a glance
Whichever trailhead you choose, the routes converge at Chhomrong and follow one trail up the Modi Khola valley to ABC.
Getting to Pokhara first
Every ABC trip starts in Pokhara. From Kathmandu, you can fly in about 25 to 30 minutes or take a tourist bus or private car for 6 to 8 hours. Plan at least one night in Pokhara before the trek to sort permits, rent gear and leave spare luggage at your hotel.
Arriving from Kathmandu and starting the trek on the same day is possible with an early flight, but it leaves no buffer for delays.
Transport options from Pokhara to the ABC trailhead
Private jeep is the easiest way to reach the trail, local bus is the cheapest, and shared jeep sits in between. Taxis can reach Nayapul on the paved highway, but the roads beyond to Siwai, Kimche and Ghandruk are rough and usually need a 4WD.
| Option | Time to trailhead (approx.) | Leaves from | Best for | Downsides |
| Private jeep | 2.5–4 hours | Your hotel in Pokhara | Guided groups, families, early starts | Highest cost unless shared by a group |
| Shared jeep | 3–4 hours | Pokhara bus parks or arranged pickup | Solo trekkers and couples on a budget | Fixed times, waits until full, cramped |
| Local bus | 3–4+ hours | Baglung Bus Park, Pokhara | Lowest cost | Slow, crowded, may need a jeep for the last stretch |
| Taxi | 1.5–2 hours (to Nayapul only) | Anywhere in Pokhara | Reaching Nayapul quickly | Cannot handle the rough roads beyond |
If you book a guided trek, transport to and from the trailhead is usually included. Check this before comparing package prices. For a full cost breakdown, see our ABC trek cost guide. You can also hire a jeep directly through our vehicle rental service.
ABC trailheads compared
Siwai suits short trips, Ghandruk suits travellers who want culture on day one, and Phedi or Poon Hill suit those with extra days. All routes meet at Chhomrong, the last big village before the trail climbs into the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Nayapul
Nayapul sits on the Pokhara–Baglung highway, about 1.5 to 2 hours from Pokhara. It was the classic start for decades. Today, a dirt road continues from Nayapul past Birethanti and Syauli Bazaar, so starting on foot here means walking a dusty jeep road. For ABC, most groups now drive past Nayapul and start higher up. Poon Hill itineraries, including ours, still start walking here.
- Choose it if: you are combining Poon Hill with ABC, or travelling by local bus.
- Skip it if: you want to save time or avoid walking on the road.
Siwai
Siwai lies up the Modi Khola valley beyond Syauli Bazaar, about a 2.5- to 3-hour jeep ride from Pokhara. From here, the trail heads to Jhinu Danda and then climbs the long stone staircase to Chhomrong. It is the most direct approach to ABC.
- Choose it if: you have limited days and want the shortest route.
- Skip it if: you want a gentler first day or a night in a traditional village.
Kimche
Kimche is a jeep roadhead on the road to Ghandruk, about 2.5 to 3.5 hours from Pokhara. Your jeep drops you here, and you walk about 3 km uphill to Ghandruk, which takes 1 to 2 hours. Jeeps can also continue all the way to Ghandruk, so walking from Kimche is a choice, not a requirement. Many trekkers take it as a short warm-up before the longer days ahead.
- Choose it if: you want a short first-day walk with a Ghandruk overnight.
- Skip it if: you would rather drive straight to Ghandruk.
Ghandruk
Ghandruk is a large Gurung village at about 2,012 m, around 3 to 4 hours from Pokhara by jeep. It offers stone houses, a Gurung museum and views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. From here, the trail drops to Kimrong Khola and climbs to Chhomrong. This is the start our standard ABC trek uses.
- Choose it if: you want culture, views and an easy first afternoon.
- Skip it if: you want the fastest possible route.
Jhinu Danda and New Bridge
In recent seasons, jeep access has extended along the Modi Khola toward New Bridge, close to Jhinu Danda. Starting here can cut half a day from the Siwai route. Road reach varies with weather and repairs, so treat this as a bonus rather than a plan.
- Choose it if: the road is open and you are short on time.
- Skip it if: you want to enjoy the walk up rather than rush it.
Phedi (via Dhampus and Landruk)
Phedi, or nearby Kande, is only 30 to 45 minutes from Pokhara on the Baglung highway. From here, you climb to Dhampus and Australian Camp, then walk through Pothana and Landruk before dropping to New Bridge and Jhinu. It adds 1 to 2 days but gives quieter forest trails and early mountain views.
- Choose it if: you want a scenic, less crowded approach and have spare days.
- Skip it if: you are on a tight schedule.
Poon Hill side (via Ulleri or Ghorepani)
To combine Poon Hill with ABC, drive about 1.5 hours to Nayapul, trek up via Ulleri to Ghorepani for the Poon Hill sunrise, then cross via Tadapani to Chhomrong. This adds 2 to 3 days.
- Choose it if: you want the famous sunrise and rhododendron forests as well as ABC.
- Skip it if: you have fewer than 9 days.
Trailheads at a glance
| Trailhead | Drive from Pokhara (approx.) | Extra days vs Siwai | Best for |
| Siwai | 2.5–3 hours | 0 (shortest) | Short trips |
| Jhinu / New Bridge | 3 hours, when open | Saves about half a day | Very tight schedules |
| Kimche | 2.5–3.5 hours, then 1–2 hr walk (optional) | +0.5 day | Short warm-up, Ghandruk night |
| Ghandruk | 3–4 hours | +0.5 to 1 day | Culture and views |
| Nayapul | 1.5–2 hours | +1 day | Bus travellers, full walk |
| Phedi | 30–45 minutes | +1 to 2 days | Quiet forest approach |
| Poon Hill side | About 1.5 hours (to Nayapul) | +2 to 3 days | Poon Hill sunrise + ABC |
Where the ABC trek actually begins now
For most trekkers today, real walking starts at Siwai, Kimche or Ghandruk, not Nayapul. Roads now reach well into the lower valley, and walking those sections means sharing dust with jeeps for little reward.
The true trail, with no vehicles at all, begins around Chhomrong. From there, every route follows the same path through Sinuwa, Bamboo, Dovan, Himalaya and Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) and finally ABC (4,130 m).
This matters for planning in two ways:
- Older itineraries overcount walking days. A plan that starts with “Day 1: Nayapul to Tikhedhunga” or “Nayapul to Ghandruk on foot” is likely outdated.
- Driving higher means gaining height faster. Starting at Ghandruk puts you around 2,000 m on day one. That is still comfortable, but it shortens the time your body has to adjust before ABC.
How many trekking days to allow
Allow 7 to 8 days from Pokhara back to Pokhara for a comfortable ABC trek. Fit trekkers can do it in 5 to 6 days from Siwai, and adding Poon Hill takes it to 9 or 10.
| Start point | Fast | Standard | Relaxed / with side trips |
| Siwai or Jhinu / New Bridge | 5 days | 6–7 days | 8 days |
| Kimche or Ghandruk | 6 days | 7–8 days | 9 days |
| Phedi (via Landruk) | 7 days | 8–9 days | 10 days |
| Poon Hill side | 8 days | 9–10 days | 11 days |
Days are counted from leaving Pokhara to returning, all approximate.
A few tips for choosing:
- The “fast” column means long days. Expect 6 to 8 hours of walking and a quick push from Deurali to ABC and back down.
- Add a buffer day in autumn and spring. Lodges near ABC fill up, and weather can hold you at Deurali or Machhapuchhre Base Camp.
- Plan one night at ABC. Sunrise over Annapurna I is the reason most people come. Arriving and leaving the same afternoon wastes it.
For a full day-by-day plan, see our ABC trek itinerary.
Popular route combinations
The best ABC routes go up one way and come down another, so you see more without adding much time.
- Ghandruk up, Jhinu down: Drive to Ghandruk, trek via Chhomrong to ABC, return via Jhinu Danda for the hot springs, then walk via New Bridge to Syauli Bazaar for the drive back to Pokhara. This is the most popular loop and the one our standard trek follows.
- Siwai in and out: Shortest option. Up and down through Jhinu and Chhomrong. Good for 5 to 6 days.
- Poon Hill + ABC: Nayapul, Ulleri, Ghorepani and Poon Hill, then Tadapani to Chhomrong and up to ABC, returning via Jhinu. Best for 9 to 10 days.
- Phedi approach: Dhampus, Australian Camp, Pothana and Landruk to Jhinu, then ABC, returning via Ghandruk or Siwai. Quieter, with early Annapurna views.
Going further? The Mardi Himal trail and North ABC are separate routes with different starting points, not alternative ways into this trek.
Getting back to Pokhara
Most trekkers walk down to Jhinu Danda, soak in the hot springs, then continue to Siwai, New Bridge or Syauli Bazaar for a jeep back to Pokhara, about 2 to 3 hours.
- Pre-arrange your jeep. If you booked through an agency, your guide will call ahead. Shared jeeps run from Siwai, but seats can run out in peak season.
- Fly back if you are short on time. A helicopter return from ABC to Pokhara is possible, weather permitting. See our ABC helicopter tour for options.
- Do not book a same-day onward flight from Pokhara. Road or weather delays on the last day are common.
Permits, checkpoints and guide rules
You need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) to trek in the Annapurna region. The permit currently costs NPR 3,000 for most foreign nationals.
Although some official websites still mention TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) as a requirement, it is generally not checked at checkpoints along the Annapurna Base Camp route.
A licensed guide is also recommended but not generally mandatory in practice for this trek. Hiring a guide can improve safety, help you navigate the trail, provide local insights, and assist with accommodation and unexpected situations.
If you book through a registered trekking agency, they can arrange your ACAP permit and help organize a guide if needed. Keep your ACAP permit with you, as it may be checked at checkpoints along the route, including Birethanti and Chhomrong.
Before departure, confirm the latest permit requirements with the relevant authorities or your trekking agency.
Details are in our ABC cost guide and solo trekking rules guide.
Road, season and practical tips
The roads to the ABC trailheads are the least reliable part of the trip, especially in monsoon.
- Monsoon (June to August): landslides can block the roads to Siwai, Kimche and Ghandruk. Expect delays and keep a spare day. See our best time for ABC guide.
- Winter (December to February): roads are usually fine, but snow and ice can make the trail above Deurali slow and slippery. Read our ABC in winter guide.
- Leave early. A 7 am departure from Pokhara gets you walking before midday heat and afternoon cloud.
- Book your jeep the evening before. Your hotel or agency can arrange it. Confirm the pickup time and exact drop-off point.
- Store spare luggage in Pokhara. Most Lakeside hotels keep bags free or for a small fee while you trek.
- Carry cash. There are no ATMs on the trail. Withdraw enough Nepali rupees in Pokhara.
- Buy snacks and supplies before you leave. Prices rise with altitude.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Annapurna Base Camp trek start?
Most treks now start at Siwai, Kimche or Ghandruk, 2.5 to 4 hours by jeep from Pokhara. Nayapul was the traditional start, but roads now continue beyond it.
How long does it take to get from Pokhara to Annapurna Base Camp?
About 2.5 to 4 hours by jeep to the trailhead, then 3 to 4 days of trekking to ABC. The full round trip takes 6 to 8 days on average.
Can I take a bus from Pokhara to the ABC trailhead?
Yes. Local buses leave from Baglung Bus Park in Pokhara toward Nayapul and the trailhead villages. They are cheap but slow, and you may need a shared jeep for the last section.
Can I drive all the way to Chhomrong?
No. Jeeps reach Siwai, Kimche, Ghandruk and, when the road is open, Jhinu Danda. From there you walk. Above Chhomrong there are no roads at all.
What is the shortest way to reach ABC from Pokhara?
Drive to Siwai or New Bridge, trek via Jhinu Danda and Chhomrong, and walk up the Modi Khola valley. Fit trekkers can complete the round trip in 5 to 6 days.
Is Nayapul still the starting point for ABC?
Only for some budget or bus-based trips. Most guided ABC groups drive past Nayapul to avoid walking on the jeep road. It is still the usual start when combining Poon Hill with ABC.
Is North Annapurna Base Camp the same trek?
No. North ABC is a separate, remote trek in Myagdi district with a different starting point. See our North ABC vs ABC comparison.
Conclusion
Reaching Annapurna Base Camp from Pokhara is straightforward once you pick the right trailhead. For most people, a private jeep to Ghandruk or Siwai, 7 to 8 days on the trail and a night at ABC is the sweet spot.
Short on time? Start at Siwai. Want culture and views from day one? Start at Ghandruk. Have extra days? Add Poon Hill or the quiet Phedi approach.
Ready to plan your trek? Hi Nepal Travels & Treks is based in Lakeside, Pokhara, and runs Annapurna Base Camp treks with transport, permits and local guides included. Tell us your dates and we will suggest the best starting point for your schedule.