RoutesSouth Asia
Three Weeks in Nepal: Annapurna Base Camp
Kathmandu's temples, a teahouse trek into the Annapurna Sanctuary and Chitwan's rhinos.
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Dotted path is schematic (great-circle-ish arcs between stops), not a transport route.
Stop by stop
Click a stop (or its pin on the map) for costs, country facts and what to do there.
1Kathmandu NepalBoudhanath, Swayambhunath, Patan and Bhaktapur, plus permits and trek preparation.4 nights
$240 mid
Photo: Nabin K. Sapkota · CC BY-SA 4.0The front door to the Himalaya, chaotic, sacred and cheaper than almost anywhere.
Kathmandu is where trekkers assemble: Thamel's gear shops and bakeries, the permit offices, the guesthouses that have hosted expeditions since the 1960s. Around that is a valley of medieval cities (Patan, Bhaktapur, the old town around Durbar Square), living Hindu and Buddhist shrines (Pashupatinath, Boudhanath…
- Daily budget
- $23–$143 per person, backpacker to comfortable, editorial estimate, Oct 2026
- This stop
- $240 4 nights at the mid-range daily estimate
- Best months
- Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr
- Internet
- 25 Mbps typical fixed line, editorial
Things to do
- Boudhanath stupa at dusk Circle clockwise with the pilgrims; rooftop cafes face the dome.
- Patan Durbar Square and the museum The finest Newari architecture in the valley.
- Bhaktapur A medieval city 13 km east; stay overnight.
- Swayambhunath The Monkey Temple's 365 steps and the valley view.
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
tourist bus (or a short domestic flight) · about 8.0 hours
2Pokhara NepalLakeside rest day and final gear checks before the trek.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Pokhara yet, so there are no stop-level cost or climate figures here; the facts below are country-level. Nearest profiled destination: Kathmandu (about 140 km).
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
jeep to Kimche, then a short walk · about 3.5 hours
3Ghandruk NepalA stone-built Gurung village with views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Ghandruk yet, so there are no stop-level cost or climate figures here; the facts below are country-level. Nearest profiled destination: Kathmandu (about 170 km).
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
trek via Kimrong Khola · about 6.0 hours
4Chhomrong NepalThe last large village before the sanctuary, on a ridge above the Modi Khola.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Chhomrong yet, so there are no stop-level cost or climate figures here; the facts below are country-level. Nearest profiled destination: Kathmandu (about 170 km).
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
trek into the Modi Khola gorge · about 5.0 hours
5Dovan NepalForest teahouses deep in the gorge.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Dovan yet, so there are no stop-level cost or climate figures here; the facts below are country-level. Nearest profiled destination: Kathmandu (about 170 km).
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
trek via Himalaya · about 4.0 hours
6Deurali NepalAcclimatisation stop at about 3,200 metres below the sanctuary.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Deurali yet, so there are no stop-level cost or climate figures here; the facts below are country-level. Nearest profiled destination: Kathmandu (about 170 km).
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
trek via Machhapuchhre Base Camp · about 5.0 hours
7Annapurna Base Camp NepalSunset and sunrise on the ring of peaks around the sanctuary.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Annapurna Base Camp yet, so there are no stop-level cost or climate figures here; the facts below are country-level. Nearest profiled destination: Kathmandu (about 170 km).
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
descend the gorge on foot · about 7.0 hours
8Bamboo NepalA cluster of lodges in bamboo forest on the way down.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Bamboo yet, so there are no stop-level cost or climate figures here; the facts below are country-level. Nearest profiled destination: Kathmandu (about 170 km).
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
trek via Chhomrong · about 5.0 hours
9Jhinu Danda NepalSoak in the natural hot springs by the river.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Jhinu Danda yet, so there are no stop-level cost or climate figures here; the facts below are country-level. Nearest profiled destination: Kathmandu (about 170 km).
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
short walk to the road and jeep to Pokhara · about 4.0 hours
10Pokhara NepalRecovery days on Phewa Lake, the World Peace Pagoda and dawn at Sarangkot.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Pokhara yet, so there are no stop-level cost or climate figures here; the facts below are country-level. Nearest profiled destination: Kathmandu (about 140 km).
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
tourist bus · about 6.5 hours
11Chitwan (Sauraha) NepalJeep safari, canoe trip and guided jungle walk in Chitwan National Park.3 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Chitwan (Sauraha) yet, so there are no stop-level cost or climate figures here; the facts below are country-level. Nearest profiled destination: Kathmandu (about 80 km).
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
tourist bus · about 6.5 hours
12Kathmandu NepalA final evening in Thamel or Patan before departure.1 night
$60 midPhoto: Nabin K. Sapkota · CC BY-SA 4.0The front door to the Himalaya, chaotic, sacred and cheaper than almost anywhere.
Kathmandu is where trekkers assemble: Thamel's gear shops and bakeries, the permit offices, the guesthouses that have hosted expeditions since the 1960s. Around that is a valley of medieval cities (Patan, Bhaktapur, the old town around Durbar Square), living Hindu and Buddhist shrines (Pashupatinath, Boudhanath…
- Daily budget
- $23–$143 per person, backpacker to comfortable, editorial estimate, Oct 2026
- This stop
- $60 1 nights at the mid-range daily estimate
- Best months
- Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr
- Internet
- 25 Mbps typical fixed line, editorial
Things to do
- Boudhanath stupa at dusk Circle clockwise with the pilgrims; rooftop cafes face the dome.
- Patan Durbar Square and the museum The finest Newari architecture in the valley.
- Bhaktapur A medieval city 13 km east; stay overnight.
- Swayambhunath The Monkey Temple's 365 steps and the valley view.
Nepal: practical facts
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR) · 151.24 NPR/USD (Financial Modeling Prep (indicative mid), Nov 05, 2026)
- Language
- Nepali; English widely used in trekking and tourism
- Plugs and voltage
- C, D, M (230 V)
- Tap water
- Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
- Emergency
- 100 police, 102 ambulance
- U.S. advisory
- Level 2
Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu is the starting point, with the stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, and the riverside cremation ghats at Pashupatinath. The days here also cover trek logistics: permits, a licensed guide or porter, and gear hire or purchase in Thamel. The tourist bus to Pokhara follows the Trishuli and Marsyangdi river valleys for most of a day; flights take under half an hour when the weather allows.
The Annapurna Sanctuary trek
From Pokhara a jeep reaches the trailhead near Kimche, and the walk climbs to the Gurung village of Ghandruk, then on through Chhomrong, the last large village, into the Modi Khola gorge. Teahouse lodges at Dovan, Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp lead up to Annapurna Base Camp at about 4,130 metres, a natural amphitheatre ringed by Annapurna I, Annapurna South and the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre. The descent retraces the gorge to Bamboo and then Jhinu Danda, where natural hot springs sit beside the river. Most itineraries spend seven to ten days on the trail; this version allows seven nights, with extra days in Pokhara as a weather and recovery buffer.
Pokhara and Chitwan
Back in Pokhara, Phewa Lake, the World Peace Pagoda and dawn mountain views from Sarangkot fill the recovery days, along with tandem paragliding for those inclined. The final leg drops to the Terai lowlands at Sauraha, the gateway to Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where jeep safaris, dugout canoe trips and guided walks look for greater one-horned rhinoceros, gharials and, much more rarely, Bengal tigers. A tourist bus returns to Kathmandu for the flight home.
Practical notes
Visas: Many nationalities can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or complete the online form in advance; the Nepal Department of Immigration is the official source for current eligibility and fees. Transport: Tourist buses between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, jeeps on the trailhead roads and walking on the trek. The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is required, and rules introduced in 2023 require foreign trekkers in many protected areas to use a licensed guide; current requirements are published by the Nepal Tourism Board. Weather: October and November usually bring the clearest skies; March and April are warmer with rhododendrons in bloom but more haze. The June to September monsoon brings leeches, cloud and landslides, and December to February is cold with snow possible at the base camp. Budget: The mid figure assumes a licensed guide shared between two, teahouse rooms and meals on the trek, the conservation area permit, tourist buses, mid-range hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and a two-night Chitwan package. Safety: Altitude sickness is possible above about 3,000 metres. The section of trail between Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp carries avalanche risk after heavy snow, and lodges sometimes close it. Many trekking agencies require insurance that covers helicopter evacuation at altitude. Government travel advisories are worth checking before departure.