Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Self-Launched 12-Day Version
12 days · Nepal
Glorious Himalaya Trekking Pvt. Ltd. charges £700
No-markup version: ~£540 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A do-it-yourself version of the classic 12-day Annapurna Base Camp trek from Kathmandu, following the same route through Ghandruk, Chhomrong, Bamboo, Deurali and the Annapurna Sanctuary. Instead of a fully guided private tour, you'll organise your own permits (ACAP + TIMS), ride the tourist bus to Pokhara and hike with the well-marked trail, staying in the same network of teahouses the operator uses. Budget roughly £450–£550 per person for the loop excluding international flights — well under half the tour price. Daily costs here are rough estimates based on current teahouse and backpacker rates and will vary with season, altitude and comfort level.
Day-by-day
Arrive Kathmandu & Thamel orientation
Kathmandu
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport, pick up a local SIM with data (Ncell or NTC, ~£4 for 7 days of data), and take a prepaid airport taxi to Thamel (~£4–5, or public bus ~£0.60). Settle into a hostel or guesthouse in Thamel. In the afternoon, walk to the Nepal Tourism Board office (Bhrikutimandap) or a nearby trekking agency to buy your ACAP permit (~£24) and TIMS card (~£8) for the Annapurna Conservation Area — bring passport photos and cash. Evening: wander Thamel's lanes, eat dal bhat at a local spot (~£2.50), and pick up any gear you still need (rentable down jackets and sleeping bags ~£3–4/day).
🚌Airport taxi to Thamel (~£4)
🛏Hostel private room in Thamel (~£10)
- →Buy ACAP permit + TIMS card
- →Buy/activate local SIM
- →Thamel evening walk and gear shopping
Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus
Pokhara
Book a tourist bus the day before (through your guesthouse, ~£10–13) departing from Sorhakhutte or Kalanki around 7am. The scenic drive to Pokhara takes 7–8 hours with a lunch stop (dal bhat ~£3). Alternatively, fly (Yeti/Buddha Air, ~£60) if you want to save a day. Arrive Pokhara in late afternoon, walk along Phewa Lake, and stay in Lakeside. Confirm your return bus and buy a map or download offline maps before heading out.
🚌Tourist bus Kathmandu–Pokhara (~£12)
🛏Guesthouse in Pokhara Lakeside (~£10)
- →Scenic bus ride to Pokhara
- →Phewa Lake sunset walk
Pokhara to Ghandruk via Nayapul/Birethanti
Ghandruk
Take a local bus or shared jeep from Pokhara's Baglung Bus Park to Nayapul (~1.5 hrs, ~£1.50), or direct to Birethanti. Check in at the ACAP counter, then hike the classic Ghandruk trail: Birethanti → Syauli Bazaar → Kimche → Ghandruk (approx. 5–6 hrs, ~1,900m). The final climb to Ghandruk is steep but views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre open up along the way. Stay in a teahouse in the Gurung village, eat dal bhat for dinner and explore the old stone lanes at dusk.
🚌Local bus Pokhara–Nayapul (~£1.50)
🛏Teahouse in Ghandruk (~£5–7 incl. simple room; meals extra)
- →Trek Birethanti to Ghandruk
- →Explore Ghandruk village
- →Mountain viewpoint at sunset
Ghandruk to Chhomrong
Chhomrong
Trek Ghandruk → Kimrong Khola → Komrong Danda → Chhomrong (approx. 5–6 hrs, ~2,170m). The morning descent to the Kimrong Khola is tough on the knees, then a long stair climb up through terraced fields. Chhomrong is the gateway village to the Annapurna Sanctuary — great views of Annapurna South and Fishtail at sunset. Note the teahouse prices rise with altitude; budget ~£12–15/day for food from here on.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Chhomrong (~£5)
- →Full-day trek to Chhomrong
- →Sunset viewpoint over Annapurna South
Chhomrong to Bamboo
Bamboo
Cross the long suspension bridge over the Chhomrong Khola, climb steeply to Sinuwa (~2,340m), then follow the bamboo forest trail through Kuldhigar to Bamboo (~2,310m). About 4–5 hours. This is where the trail becomes noticeably quieter and cooler. Register at the checkpoints (ACAP and army post) — carry your permit and passport. Afternoon rest, hot lemon ginger tea and an early night.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Bamboo (~£6)
- →Trek Chhomrong to Bamboo
- →Suspension bridge crossing over Chhomrong Khola
Bamboo to Deurali
Deurali
Trek Bamboo → Dovan → Himalaya Hotel → Hinku Cave → Deurali (~3,230m), around 4–5 hours. The trail climbs steadily through mossy rhododendron and bamboo forest, then opens into the Hinku valley with a waterfall section. Hinku Cave is a good lunch stop. At Deurali, take it slow — altitude is now a real factor. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and sleep early. Keep an eye out for symptoms of altitude sickness; descending is always the fix.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Deurali (~£6)
- →Trek Bamboo to Deurali
- →Hinku Cave stop
- →Altitude acclimatisation rest
Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp
Annapurna Base Camp
The big day: Deurali → Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC, 3,700m) → Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m). Around 4–5 hours, the last hour on exposed snow-line terrain in season. Arrive by early afternoon, leaving time to watch the 360° panorama — Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Gandharvachuli and Machhapuchhre. Stay at a teahouse at ABC (rooms are basic and cold, ~£7–10; bring a warm sleeping bag). Wrap up, drink hot tea and enjoy sunrise views the following morning.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse at ABC (~£8)
- →Trek to Machhapuchhre Base Camp
- →Reach Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m)
- →Sunrise/sunset Annapurna panorama
Annapurna Base Camp back to Bamboo
Bamboo
Watch sunrise over Annapurna I from the ABC viewpoint, have breakfast, then descend: ABC → MBC → Deurali → Himalaya → Bamboo. About 6–7 hours, mostly downhill, so take care on the steep, slippery sections. Descending to lower altitude helps if you felt any symptoms the previous night. Back in the forest, food and rooms get cheaper again.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Bamboo (~£5)
- →Sunrise at Annapurna Base Camp
- →Long descent to Bamboo
Bamboo to Jhinu Danda hot springs
Jhinu Danda
Trek Bamboo → Sinuwa → Chhomrong → Jhinu Danda (~4–5 hrs). Drop your pack at a teahouse in Jhinu (1,780m) and walk 20 minutes down to the natural riverside hot springs on the Modi Khola — entry is a few pounds (~£2). Soak your knees, then hike back up to the village for dinner. A well-earned recovery day.
🚌On foot
🛏Teahouse in Jhinu Danda (~£5)
- →Trek Bamboo to Jhinu Danda
- →Jhinu natural hot springs soak
Jhinu to Pokhara
Pokhara
Short morning walk (about 30–40 mins) to the road head at Samrung/New Bridge, cross the suspension bridge, then take a shared jeep or local bus from Siwai/Matkyu back to Pokhara (~2.5–3 hrs, ~£3–4). Exchange numbers with jeep drivers the night before, or ask your teahouse to arrange it. Check back into Lakeside, shower, eat a big meal, and enjoy the evening by Phewa Lake.
🚌Shared jeep/bus Jhinu–Pokhara (~£4)
🛏Guesthouse in Pokhara Lakeside (~£10)
- →Short walk to road head
- →Shared jeep to Pokhara
- →Lakeside evening
Pokhara to Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Morning tourist bus back to Kathmandu (7–8 hrs, ~£12) or an optional sunrise hike to Sarangkot first if you have energy. Arrive Kathmandu late afternoon, check into a Thamel guesthouse, and spend the evening on a celebratory dinner — momos and a beer. Rest and repack.
🚌Tourist bus Pokhara–Kathmandu (~£12)
🛏Guesthouse in Thamel (~£10)
- →Bus to Kathmandu
- →Thamel evening
- →Celebration dinner
Departure from Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Depending on your flight time, do a last bit of souvenir shopping in Thamel or visit Boudhanath or Swayambhunath (entry ~£2–3) by local taxi or bus. Head to Tribhuvan International Airport by prepaid taxi (~£4) 2–3 hours before your flight. If you want to extend, consider a few days in Pokhara, Bandipur or Chitwan by onward bus.
🚌Taxi to airport (~£4)
🛏—
- →Optional Boudhanath or Swayambhunath visit
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. Glorious Himalaya Trekking Pvt. Ltd.
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Glorious Himalaya Trekking Pvt. Ltd. | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£540 | £700 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £160 per person (23%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Glorious Himalaya Trekking Pvt. Ltd.-style trips? Check them out here.~£540
estimated per person
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Self-Launched 12-Day Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £540 per person for 12 days in Nepal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Glorious Himalaya Trekking Pvt. Ltd.?+
Yes — Glorious Himalaya Trekking Pvt. Ltd. charges around £700 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £540 — a saving of roughly £160 (23%) per person.
How long is the Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 day-by-day stops through Nepal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, budget trip through Nepal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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