The Annapurna Base Camp trek is moderate, and we rate it 6 out of 10 for fitness. You need no climbing skills. Our 11-day route covers about 90 kilometres over nine walking days, with 3 to 7 hours of walking a day, to a high point of 4,130 metres. The hardest parts are thousands of stone steps and one big climb to base camp. A fit beginner can do it with some training.
What makes the Annapurna Base Camp trek hard?
Four things add up: steps, repeated ups and downs, altitude and long days. None of them is extreme alone, but you face them day after day. Distance alone can mislead you, because a short day on steep steps can feel harder than a long, gentle one.
- Stone steps. Our route climbs about 3,600 steps from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri, and there are many more around Chomrong.
- Ups and downs. You lose height and climb it again, so your total climbing is far more than the 3,000 metres or so between the start and base camp.
- Altitude. You sleep at 3,200 metres at Deurali, then 4,130 metres at base camp the next night.
- Repeated days. Sore knees and thighs build up. The way down can be as tiring as the way up.
How hard is each day?
This table follows our 11-day itinerary, which goes through Ghorepani and Poon Hill. Shorter versions skip those days. Times are walking times at a steady pace, with stops added on top.
| Day | Stage and sleep altitude | Walking | How it feels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Pokhara to Tikhedhunga (1,540 m) | 3 hrs, 8 km | Easy start |
| 3 | Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2,840 m) | 6 hrs, 10 km | Very hard: the Ulleri steps |
| 4 | Poon Hill, then Tadapani (2,630 m) | 6 hrs, 11 km | Early start, with many ups and downs |
| 5 | Tadapani to Chomrong (2,170 m) | 5 hrs, 10 km | Steep descent, then steps |
| 6 | Chomrong to Dovan (2,600 m) | 5 hrs, 9 km | Steps down, then forest climb |
| 7 | Dovan to Deurali (3,200 m) | 5 hrs, 8 km | Steady, and you start to feel the height |
| 8 | Deurali to base camp (4,130 m) | 6 hrs, 9 km | Very hard: thin air and 930 m of gain |
| 9 | Base camp to Bamboo (2,310 m) | 7 hrs, 14 km | Hard on knees: the longest day |
| 10 | Bamboo to Jhinu, then Pokhara (822 m) | 5 hrs, 11 km | More steps, then hot springs |
Day 3: the Ulleri steps
Many people find this the toughest day of the lower trail. The climb to Ulleri comes early in the trek, before your legs have adjusted. Start early, go slowly, and take short breaks often.
Day 8: Deurali to base camp
This is the hardest day because of altitude, not the path. You climb to Machhapuchhre Base Camp at 3,700 metres, then on to 4,130 metres. Walk slowly and report any headache to your guide. Our guides check oxygen levels daily from Dovan.
Day 9: the long way down
Coming down 1,820 metres in one day hurts tired knees. Trekking poles help a lot on this stretch. Many people say this was harder than they expected.
How does it compare with other treks?
Annapurna Base Camp is harder than Poon Hill and easier than Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, mainly because it stays lower. It has more steps than many people expect, however, and some trekkers find that part harder than Everest's more gradual paths.
| Trek | Days | Highest point | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poon Hill | 5 | 3,210 m | Easy |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 11 to 13 | 4,130 m | Moderate |
| Annapurna Circuit | 14 | 5,416 m | Moderate to strenuous |
| Everest Base Camp | 14 | 5,545 m | Strenuous |
Choosing between them? Read Annapurna vs Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit vs Base Camp.
Is altitude sickness a problem on this trek?
It can be, especially from Deurali upward, because your sleeping altitude jumps 930 metres in one day. Most symptoms are mild, but take them seriously. Stop going up if you have a headache, nausea or unusual tiredness, and go down if they get worse. Confusion, poor balance or breathlessness at rest mean an emergency. Our altitude sickness guide covers the warning signs and Diamox.
Is the Annapurna Base Camp trek dangerous?
For most trekkers in the main seasons, the risk is manageable. The upper valley between Dovan and Machhapuchhre Base Camp sits below steep slopes, which makes avalanches a real concern after heavy snow. In January 2020 an avalanche near Deurali buried trekkers and guides. Follow local advice after a snowfall, and turn back if your guide or the local authorities say so. Our Annapurna Base Camp safety guide covers each risk in detail.
Helicopter evacuation is possible from several points on the route, so carry insurance that covers it. Our guide to helicopter rescue fraud explains what to do if someone pushes you to fly without a clear reason.
How does the season change the difficulty?
The same trail feels very different through the year. March, April, October and November are our top-rated months. July and August bring mud, leeches and landslide risk. January is cold, with snow and ice on the upper trail, and our winter guide explains what to expect. See our month-by-month guide to compare dates.
How should you train for it?
Start two to three months before your trek. Aim to walk uphill and downhill for several hours while carrying a small pack, because stairs and hills prepare you better than flat walking.
- Weeks 1 to 4: Walk or do other cardio 3 or 4 times a week for 30 to 45 minutes. Add squats and lunges.
- Weeks 5 to 8: Do one long hill walk each week, building to 4 hours with a daypack. Add stairs if you have no hills.
- Weeks 9 to 12: Walk on two days in a row, building to 5 or 6 hours. Wear the boots you will use on the trek.
Here is a simple test. If you can walk for 5 to 6 hours on hills with a daypack and feel fine the next morning, you are probably ready. If you have a heart, lung or joint condition, talk to your doctor first.
Who should choose a different trek?
Most reasonably fit people can do this trek, including older trekkers who take their time. Consider Poon Hill or another easy trek if you have serious knee problems, or if you only have a few days. Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek runs from USD 890 and includes a licensed guide and a porter. If you are unsure, you can tell us your fitness and dates and we will suggest the right pace. See our cost guide and full itinerary for details.
Frequently asked questions
Can a beginner do the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Yes. A fit beginner with two to three months of training can do it, because the route needs no ropes or climbing skills. Choose an itinerary that does not rush, and walk at a slow, steady pace.
How many steps are on the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Our route climbs about 3,600 stone steps from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri alone. Chomrong adds many more, and the total depends on your route. There is no official count, so treat any figure as an estimate.
How many hours a day do you walk?
On our 11-day itinerary, you walk 3 to 7 hours a day, with most days around 5 or 6. Stops add more time. Slower walkers should expect longer days, particularly on steps.
Is Annapurna Base Camp harder than Everest Base Camp?
Usually not. Everest Base Camp goes higher, to 5,545 metres at Kala Patthar, and takes longer. Annapurna Base Camp has steeper steps, so some people find parts of it harder on the legs.
Do I need a guide for Annapurna Base Camp?
Yes. Nepal's rules require foreign trekkers to use a licensed guide in this area. Our guide rule explainer covers the details. A good guide also helps you pace the hardest days safely.
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Founder & Lead Guide, Annapurna Trekking
AJ founded Annapurna Trekking in 2016 and has personally guided treks across Nepal ever since. More about our team →
