North Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 7 Days
Annapurna
The North Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you to a side of the Annapurna massif that relatively few trekkers experience. Instead of following the busy southern trail through Chhomrong and Machhapuchhre Base Camp, this journey approaches Annapurna I from the north through Myagdi District, following a remote mountain valley towards Panchakunda and North Annapurna Base Camp. At approximately 4,190 metres, North Annapurna Base Camp places trekkers beneath the enormous northern face of Annapurna I (8,091 m). The mountain is the tenth-highest in the world and occupies an important place in mountaineering history: Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached its summit in 1950, completing the first successful ascent of an 8,000-metre mountain. Quick Trip Facts Trek Name: North Annapurna Base Camp Trek Duration: 7 Days Starting Point: Pokhara Ending Point: Pokhara Maximum Altitude: Approximately 4,190 m at North Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging Best Seasons: March to May and September to November Accommodation: Basic lodges, tent-houses and simple mountain accommodation Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trekking section Main Destination: North Annapurna Base Camp Major Attractions: Annapurna I, Panchakunda/Narchyang Lake, Maurice Herzog Trail, remote Myagdi valleys, waterfalls and alpine landscapes Trekking Style: Remote and off-the-beaten-track Himalayan trek Permit: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and any applicable trekking documentation Guide: Experienced trekking guide recommended North Annapurna Base Camp Trek Price The cost of the North Annapurna Base Camp Trek varies depending on group size: Solo Traveller: USD 602 per person Group of 2–3: USD 550 per person Group of 4–5: USD 500 per person Larger group? Contact Hop Nepal for a customised group rate. But history is only part of what makes this trek different. One of the defining places along the route is Panchakunda, a beautiful high-altitude lake area at roughly 4,050 metres. From here, the final trail leads towards North Annapurna Base Camp, where the scale of Annapurna I becomes dramatically apparent. Unlike Nepal's established teahouse treks, the higher section of the North ABC route has very limited trekking infrastructure. This gives the journey a more raw, expedition-like character, but it also means trekkers need to be better prepared for basic facilities, changing weather, and long days on the trail. Hop Nepal's 7-day North ABC itinerary is designed for travellers with limited time who still want to experience this emerging trekking route and stand beneath one of the most historically significant mountains in the Himalayas. Why Trek to North Annapurna Base Camp? Nepal has many famous trekking routes, but North Annapurna offers something increasingly difficult to find: a major Himalayan destination without a heavily developed trail around it. The classic Annapurna Base Camp route is lined with villages and established teahouses. North ABC feels very different. Beyond Hum Khola, you enter a quieter valley where mountain scenery, rivers, waterfalls, open alpine terrain, and basic camps dominate the journey. For trekkers who have already experienced Nepal’s established routes, or travellers specifically looking for something less conventional, the trek offers an interesting alternative without requiring technical mountaineering skills. It is particularly suited to travellers interested in remote trekking, mountain history, photography, camping and less-crowded Himalayan trails. What Makes North ABC Different from the Classic Annapurna Base Camp Trek? The North Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the classic ABC Trek are two very different approaches to the Annapurna massif. Classic ABC approaches the mountains from the south through places such as Chhomrong, Bamboo, Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp. It is one of Nepal's best-established trekking corridors, with teahouses available throughout much of the trail. North ABC approaches Annapurna I through Myagdi and the Miristi Khola valley. Its trekking trail begins around Hum Khola and continues towards Panchakunda before reaching the northern base camp. Accommodation and tourism infrastructure become much more limited once you enter the upper valley. This difference changes the entire nature of the trek. Classic ABC feels like a traditional Himalayan teahouse journey. North ABC feels closer to a short wilderness expedition . That is the real reason to choose it. North Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 7 Days Itinerary Overview Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Bhurung Tatopani and trek to Upper Narchyang (approx. 2,140 m) Day 2: Trek from Upper Narchyang to Chhotepa (approx. 2,370 m) Day 3: Trek from Chhotepa to Sandhi Kharka (approx. 3,164 m) Day 4: Trek from Sandhi Kharka to North Annapurna Base Camp (approx. 4,190 m) and return to Sandhi Kharka Day 5: Trek from Sandhi Kharka to Thulo Bugin (approx. 3,500 m) Day 6: Trek from Thulo Bugin to Lete (approx. 2,480 m) Day 7: Drive from Lete to Pokhara (approx. 822 m)
