Annapurna Base Camp Regular Trek via Poon Hill

What to Expect

The first thing you have to do is get up in the middle of the night at Ghorepani to hike up Poon Hill. It’s cold, it’s dark, and you’ll be thinking it’s a crazy thing to do. But then you get to the top, and as the sun comes up, it hits the top of these massive, snow-covered mountains, and they just light up. It’s this incredible golden color. The whole crowd just goes silent. That part is as good as they say.

You start out walking through these green, terraced hills that look like they’re straight out of a book. Then you’re in this deep, wet jungle with moss hanging off everything. And the very next day, you’re out of the trees completely, and it’s just this huge, wide-open space with rock and snow and sky. It’s like walking through three different worlds.

And you’re not staying in hotels. You stay in these little places called teahouses, which are just family homes with a few rooms for trekkers. You’ll eat what they eat, a ton of dal bhat, and just get a feel for what life is like for the people who live there.

But not going to lie, the trail will wear you out. There are these stone staircases that go up, and up, and up. Your legs will be burning. It’s not mountain climbing, but you have to be able to just keep putting one foot in front of the other when you’re tired.

The best part, though, might be on the way down. There’s a village called Jhinu Danda, and you can hike down to these hot springs right by the river. Sinking into that hot water after days of walking is maybe one of the best feelings you’ll ever have.

When you finally walk into that circle of mountains at Base Camp, it's something else. You're just surrounded by these giants. Annapurna is right there, and it looks so big it doesn’t even seem real. You just feel small. But in a good way. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe, but you earn it with every step you take to get there.

How to Reach ABC?

To reach ABC, first you take a flight or drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu. It takes around 30 minutes by air and 7 hours by bus or private vehicle. From Pokhara, take a short scenic drive to Nayapul, which takes 1.5-2.5 hours. 

From Nayapul, your trek to ABC via Poon Hill starts. You trek for around 7–9 days, passing through a local village, dense forest, and green grassland, and enjoying the magnificent views of the snow-capped Himalayas. The return journey takes around 2-3 days. Drive back to Pokhara. 

Best Season to Trek

The best seasons to trek to Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill are spring (March to May) and autumn (mid-September to November). During spring, the weather is mild, visibility is excellent, and the rhododendron forests along the trail burst into vibrant bloom, especially around Ghorepani and Tadapani. In autumn, after the monsoon rains have cleared the skies, trekkers enjoy crisp air, stable weather, and the clearest views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. These months offer ideal trekking conditions—dry trails, comfortable temperatures, and spectacular mountain scenery, making them the most popular times for the trek.

Trekking Difficulty

The ABC Regular Trek via Poon Hill is moderate to difficult. There are days when you will be climbing for hours, mostly up stone steps that feel like they were built by giants. There’s a stretch going up to Ulleri that’s pretty much famous for making people question their life choices. Your legs will feel it. You will get out of breath. You will sweat.

It’s not about being some super-fit athlete. It’s about having grit. It’s about just being able to put one foot in front of the other, even when you’re tired. I’ve seen marathon runners struggle, and I’ve seen chain-smoking granddads make it to the top with a smile on their faces. It’s a mind game more than anything.

And the altitude? You’ll feel it. It’s like everything is just a little bit harder. You’re not going to be sprinting anywhere. But that’s the whole point. You go slow. Like, slow. Your guide’s job is basically to stop you from going too fast. You just plod along, take lots of breaks, drink tea, and let your body do its thing.

If you’re worried, just go for some long walks before you leave. Find a hill and climb it a few times. Wear your boots around the house. You just need to get your body used to the idea of moving for a long time.

Honestly, the trial has a way of sorting things out. You just have to show up and be willing to walk. And that feeling when you finally make it, when you stand there surrounded by those massive peaks, knowing you walked all the way there yourself? Man. You’ll forget all about the stairs.

Permits for ABC Trek

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

This permit is required to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area

Cost: 

• Foreign nationals: ~US$30 (≈NPR 3,000)
• SAARC citizens (e.g., India): ~US$10 (≈NPR 1,000)
• Nepali nationals: Free

Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS)

This permit is required to track trekkers for safety and rescue purposes. 

Cost:

• Foreign solo trekkers: US $20 (NPR 2,000)
• Foreigners trekking in a group via a licensed agency: US $10 (NPR 1,000)
• Nepali nationals: NPR 600 (US$ 6) per group; solo TIMS typically not required

What Makes Nepal Trekking Rangers Unique?

We are Nepal Trekking Rangers. We have been arranging treks and Himalayan tours and take pride in being a trusted local trekking partner you can rely on, depend on, and count on. We are guiding and organizing hundreds of adventurers like you on the Annapurna Base Camp trek each season. We do our best to provide each of you with a departure from the ordinary Himalayan experience that is safe, enjoyable, and remembered by you forever. Our experienced staff of local trek leaders have done the Annapurna Sanctuary numerous times and know every step of the way! Your safety and adventure are top priority with local departure!.

We offer fantastic value, all-inclusive Annapurna Sanctuary Trek packages without sacrificing quality and safety. Whatever your choice of trekking alone or as a small or large group, we can organize private trips with a totally flexible and customized approach to your interests, physical fitness, and travel season. We also welcome fully flexible itineraries and support for your Annapurna Sanctuary Trek in 2025/2026.

You are in good hands with Nepal Trekking Rangers, no hassle, no surprises, no stress, pure Himalayan adventure! We would love to organize your Annapurna Sanctuary Trek for 2025/2026—book direct with us today!

Food and Accommodation on Trek

Accommodation

About the places you'll sleep. We call them teahouses, but really, they’re just simple little lodges run by local families. After walking all day until your legs are jelly, seeing that little village come into view is the best feeling in the world.

Don't expect a Hilton. The rooms are basic—a couple of wooden beds, a window, and that's about it. Down in the lower hills, you might get lucky with your bathroom and a hot shower. You'll happily pay a few extra bucks for it. As you climb higher, the facilities are basic, but you’ll love these basic settlements. The rooms are cold. Not chilly, but properly cold. You'll see your breath. Wriggling into that warm cocoon at night is a feeling you’ll never forget. The real soul of these places, though, is the dining room. It's the one heated spot, with a big stove in the middle where everyone hangs their wet socks and gathers around to thaw out, drink tea, and just be together.

Food

You're going to live on a thing called dal bhat. It’s a huge pile of rice with a bowl of lentil soup poured over it, some curried vegetables, and a little pickle for kick. It’s the stuff that powers Nepal. And when you finish your plate, they’ll just keep scooping more on until you beg them to stop. They have a saying: "Dal Bhat power, 24 hours." It’s no joke.

But you’re not just going to eat that. You’ll see handmade dumplings called momos on every menu, and you should eat them at every opportunity. You'll find big, steaming bowls of noodle soup and fried rice, and for breakfast, it's usually warm porridge or a flat, doughy thing called Tibetan bread. Just know this: every single grain of rice and packet of tea was carried up that mountain on the back of a person or a mule. So when you see a Snickers bar costs three times what it does back home, you’ll get it. It’s not a rip-off; it's reality. As for water, just get used to buying a big thermos of boiled water every night to fill up your bottles for the next day. It's the easiest way to stay healthy and hydrated.

Packing Essentials

Here is the basic packing list that you need to carry while trekking in ABC. 

• Base layers 
• Moisture-wicking trekking shirts
• Fleece or insulated jacket 
• Down jacket
• Trekking pants 
• Waterproof and windproof jacket
• Quick-dry underwear and sports bras
• Warm hat/beanie and sunhat
• Gloves
• Buff or neck gaiter 
• Lightweight sleepwear
• Backpack rain cover
• Well-broken-in trekking boots
• Comfortable camp shoes/slippers
• Warm trekking socks (4–5 pairs)
• Duffel bag 
• Daypack (25–35 L) with rain cover
• Trekking poles 
• Sleeping bag (rated -10°C or below)
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Water bottles or hydration bladder (2–3 L)
• Water purification tablets or a filter
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
• Lip balm
• Wet wipes & hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper & biodegradable soap
• Small towel & personal hygiene items
• Toothbrush/paste & nail clippers
• Altitude sickness medication
• Painkillers
• Band-aids, blister care
• Personal medications
• Electrolytes & rehydration salts
• Phone with charger & power bank
• Travel adapter
• Camera or GoPro (optional)
• Passport copy & permits
• Travel insurance
• Energy bars, trail mix, candy chocolates
• Reusable shopping bag
• Notebook & pen
• Small lock for your bag
• Cash (Nepali rupees) for food, charging, and showers