Annapurna Base Camp Classic Trek via Ghandruk

This is the benchmark Annapurna Base Camp itinerary and the shape most agencies default to for first-time visitors to the region. From Nayapul, a short walk via the permit checkpoint at Birethanti reaches Ghandruk (1,940-2,020 m) — one of the largest, most historically significant Gurung villages in the entire Annapurna region — for the first overnight. From there the trail descends to Chhomrong (2,140-2,170 m), the genuine junction point of the whole trekking network, before climbing steadily through Sinuwa, Bamboo, Dovan, and Himalaya into increasingly alpine terrain, overnighting at Deurali (3,200-3,230 m) ahead of the final push. The defining day crosses a known rockfall-prone gorge stretch to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 m) before the last, gentler two hours to Annapurna Base Camp itself (4,130 m) — a full 360-degree glacial amphitheater beneath Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre. The descent retraces the route to Bamboo, then branches through Chhomrong to Jhinu Danda for the trek's traditional finale: a soak in the natural hot springs beside the Modi Khola, before the final walk out and drive back to Pokhara. With gradual, multi-stop acclimatisation and no single extremely long day, this route suits reasonably fit first-timers as readily as experienced trekkers wanting the complete, proven version of the trek.