Both of Exotic Mountains’ Annapurna Base Camp itineraries reach the same destination at 4,130 m (13,549 ft). The five-day trek starts in Pokhara and compresses the approach into five active walking days. The 14-day itinerary starts and ends in Kathmandu, follows the Ghorepani and Poon Hill route, and includes travel between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Choose by the route you want and the time you have, not the day count alone. The shorter trek skips Poon Hill and the low-valley approach on foot; the longer trek includes both.
| Trip detail | 5-day ABC | 14-day ABC |
|---|---|---|
| Start and finish | Pokhara | Kathmandu, via Pokhara |
| Approach | Jeep to the planned lower trail access, then via Chhomrong and Sinuwa | Via Nayapul, Ghorepani, Poon Hill, Tadapani and Chhomrong |
| Poon Hill | Not included | Included, at 3,210 m |
| Highest point | Annapurna Base Camp, 4,130 m (13,549 ft) | |
| Walking schedule | Five active days; the return to Sinuwa on Day 4 is generally the longest walking day | Ten trekking days within a 14-day Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu itinerary |
| Best fit | Limited time and a Pokhara start; comfortable with a compressed schedule | Time for the Poon Hill approach and Kathmandu–Pokhara travel |
What the five-day ABC trek includes
The five-day program begins in Pokhara. A jeep takes you to the planned lower trail access point, from where the route goes through Jhinu Danda and Chhomrong to Sinuwa. You then continue up the Modi Khola valley through Himalaya and Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp.
The fifth day is not the only demanding part of the schedule. On Day 4, the itinerary descends from ABC through Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Deurali, Himalaya, Dovan and Bamboo to Sinuwa. The trip record identifies this as generally the longest walking day. It lists approximately four to eight hours of walking, with the longest days potentially taking more. Overnight plans depend on pace, trail conditions and lodge availability.
There is no separate rest or acclimatization day in the five-day itinerary. These five days describe the trek program, not the time you need to reach Pokhara or travel internationally. Confirm the current vehicle access and itinerary arrangements for your dates.
What changes on the 14-day itinerary
The 14-day trek includes arrival and departure in Kathmandu and travel between Kathmandu and Pokhara. On foot, its approach follows the route from Nayapul through Tikhedhunga and Ghorepani, with an early morning visit to Poon Hill before continuing via Tadapani and Chhomrong into the Sanctuary.
This is the option to consider if Poon Hill and the longer foothill approach are part of what you want from the trip. The itinerary still includes consecutive walking days and substantial stair climbing. Fourteen days is the full Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu trip length, not fourteen days of walking.
Which Annapurna Base Camp trek fits your plans?
The five-day trek may fit if
- You will be in Pokhara and can keep five consecutive active days available.
- Your priority is reaching the Sanctuary within a compact trek schedule.
- You are comfortable with the listed walking hours and the long descent day.
- You are happy to leave Poon Hill and the longer foothill approach for another trip.
The 14-day trek may fit if
- You want the itinerary to include Kathmandu–Pokhara travel.
- You want to walk via Ghorepani and include the Poon Hill sunrise visit.
- You have time for the longer route and its additional travel days.
- You prefer to compare the complete Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu plan rather than only the trek days.
Neither itinerary is a rest-day plan. Compare the actual day-by-day routes and walking schedule, and ask the trip team to confirm the current access and arrangements for your dates.
There is also a 13-day Annapurna Sanctuary trek
Exotic Mountains lists a separate 13-day Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. It also includes Poon Hill and reaches 4,130 m, but it is a distinct itinerary. Check its current trip page alongside the five-day and 14-day options rather than assuming all three schedules cover identical routes.
Review the itineraries
- See the five-day Annapurna Base Camp trek from Pokhara.
- See the 14-day Annapurna Base Camp trek.
- Read the Annapurna Base Camp route and planning guide.
If you are deciding between them, share your available dates, where you will start, and whether you want to include Poon Hill. Ask the team to confirm route access and the walking schedule before booking.
Photo: Annapurna Base Camp on 16 November 2013. By Bijaya2043 (Bijaya Kumar Shrestha), licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized and compressed for this page.
