Illustrative artwork — an impression of Annapurna Base Camp — the Sanctuary, not a literal photograph.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a teahouse walk in Nepal's Annapurna Conservation Area, following a river gorge up into the Annapurna Sanctuary — a glacial amphitheater ringed by peaks on nearly every side. Family-run teahouses line the route through villages like Chhomrong, Sinuwa and Deurali, all the way up to Machapuchare Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp itself, so nobody carries a tent and where you sleep each night is set by the trail, not by choice.
Why hike here
What makes the Annapurna Sanctuary different from a typical mountain hike is the reveal: days of climbing through forest and a narrowing river gorge, walls rising overhead, before the trail suddenly opens into the amphitheater itself and peaks appear on every side at once. Teahouses make this possible without carrying your own shelter — simple rooms, a shared dining hall with a wood stove, the same faces from the trail turning up again at dinner. Sleeping progressively higher each night, from Chhomrong through Sinuwa and Deurali toward Machapuchare Base Camp before the final push to Annapurna Base Camp, is also how your body adjusts to the altitude — here, the itinerary and the acclimatization schedule are effectively the same thing.
Getting there
There's no single road to the trailhead: most hikers fly into Kathmandu, then take a short domestic flight (or a long day of road travel) to Pokhara, the lakeside city that serves as the staging base for the whole Annapurna region. From Pokhara, a road transfer covers the last stretch to the trailhead area, and the trek continues on foot from there. Because a licensed guide is now required for trekking in much of Nepal, most hikers arrange their guide, porter and permit paperwork in Pokhara or Kathmandu before setting out, rather than at the trailhead itself.
Where to stay
The realistic options, closest-to-the-trail first. Book through the official links — we don't list prices or availability because they change all the time.
Illustrative — evokes the setting, not a specific property. For example: Family-run lodges in the villages up the gorge (Chhomrong, Sinuwa, Deurali) and at Machapuchare and Annapurna Base Camp
Every trekker — teahouses are the only lodging in the Sanctuary.
Higher lodges are simpler and colder; space is tight in peak season.
Via a licensed trekking operatorFor example: Hotels and guesthouses in the lakeside city of Pokhara before and after
Everyone — Pokhara is the staging city for the trek.
Spend a night here to organize permits, a guide and transport.
Nearby-city lodgingPermits & rules
You need the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) permit and the required trekker registration, and a licensed guide is now required in much of Nepal. Build in a rest/acclimatization day and manage the altitude gain into the Sanctuary.
Gear you'll want for this trip
Matched to the terrain and conditions here. Real products — check current price on Amazon.
Common questions
Do I need to bring a tent for the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
No — family-run teahouses line the entire route, from the lower villages up through Machapuchare Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp itself, so most nights you'll have a room and a shared dining hall rather than a tent. Rooms get simpler and colder the higher you climb, so pack for genuinely cold nights near the top.
What permits do I need for the trek?
You'll need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) plus trekker registration, and current rules require a licensed guide for trekking across much of Nepal. These are typically arranged in Pokhara or Kathmandu before you set out. Because permit rules can change, it's worth confirming the latest requirements with a licensed trekking agency ahead of your trip.
When is the best time to hike into the Annapurna Sanctuary, and does that affect finding a room?
The main windows are October–November and March–April, when trails and mountain views are at their best — and also when teahouses see the most trekkers. Traveling with a guide helps, since they typically handle rooms as the group moves; if you're going independently in peak season, ask about a room as early in the day as you arrive.
Complete gearsets for this trip
Full curated kits built for exactly this kind of hike — what to bring, why, and links to similar gear.
Lodging details are compiled from official parks, refuge associations and reservation systems and can change without notice. We publish no prices, availability or ratings — always confirm current information on the official site before booking or setting out. Product links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; prices and availability are shown on Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.