Registration no: 398902/83/84
Tourism Licence No: 507
The North Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a short and adventurous journey into one of the least-explored corners of the Annapurna region. Reaching an altitude of 4,190 meters, this trek follows the remote northern approach to Annapurna I and is also associated with the historic Maurice Herzog Trail.
Destination
Nepal
Accommodation
Camping + Hotel in Tatopani
Walking Distance
Approx. 23 km
Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
Max. Elevation
4,130 m (13,550 ft)
Meals Included
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Best Season
Spring (Mar–May), Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Grade
Moderate-Challenging
The North Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a short and adventurous journey into one of the least-explored corners of the Annapurna region. Reaching an altitude of 4,190 meters, this trek follows the remote northern approach to Annapurna I and is also associated with the historic Maurice Herzog Trail.
Unlike the popular southern Annapurna Base Camp route, the North Annapurna trail offers a quieter wilderness experience with fewer trekkers, remote landscapes, dramatic waterfalls, dense forests, rocky mountain terrain, and the beautiful turquoise Narchyang Lake, also known locally as Panchakunda Lake.
The adventure begins with a scenic but rugged 4WD journey from Pokhara through Baglung, Beni and Tatopani before reaching Humkhola, the roadhead. From here, the trail enters a remote camping environment and gradually climbs through Busket Mela and the high campsite near Panchakunda Lake.
The final approach leads to North Annapurna Base Camp at 4,190 m, where magnificent views of Annapurna I, Nilgiri, Tilicho Peak, Khangsar Kang, Bharha Chuli and other Himalayan peaks create an unforgettable experience.
This is a moderate-to-challenging camping trek rather than a conventional teahouse trek. The route has limited facilities, rough sections and some landslide-prone areas, making a knowledgeable local guide and proper preparation particularly important
Best Time to Trek
Spring – March to May
Spring is one of the best periods for the North Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The weather is generally favorable, mountain visibility is good and the landscape becomes vibrant with vegetation and blooming rhododendrons.
Autumn – September to November
Autumn generally provides stable weather, clear skies and excellent Himalayan visibility. This is one of the most popular periods for trekking in Nepal.
Winter
Winter can bring heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures at higher elevations. Panchakunda Lake may freeze, creating a beautiful winter landscape, but the route can become considerably more challenging.
Monsoon
June to August brings rainfall, slippery trails, clouds and possible landslides. Trekking may still be possible depending on current trail conditions, but it is not our preferred season for this route.
The source identifies spring and autumn as the primary seasons, while also noting that the route can have changing conditions throughout the year.
Accommodation
The North Annapurna Base Camp Trek is primarily a camping adventure because proper teahouse infrastructure is not available along most of the route.
We provide tents, sleeping equipment and the necessary camping arrangements for the remote sections. The final night after returning from the base camp is spent at a hotel in Tatopani.
Travelers should be prepared for basic facilities, limited electricity and unreliable mobile connectivity during the high-altitude camping sections.
Food & Drinks
During the camping section, meals are freshly prepared by our experienced trekking crew, with a focus on providing enough energy for long days of walking while being practical for remote mountain conditions. Meals typically include Dal Bhat, rice with vegetable or egg curry, noodles, noodle soup, potatoes, eggs, bread with jam and honey, tea, coffee, and seasonal or dried fruits. We provide three meals a day during the trekking portion, along with tea and coffee breaks as included in the package. As this is a remote camping trek, food choices are naturally more limited compared to the wider variety available on popular teahouse routes.
Guide & Porter
A knowledgeable local guide is highly recommended for the North Annapurna Base Camp Trek, as the route is remote, has limited infrastructure, and includes sections where navigation can be challenging. Our experienced guide manages trail navigation, camp organization, daily trekking schedules, altitude monitoring, first-aid support, emergency communication, and coordination with the trekking crew. Porters mainly carry camping gear, kitchen supplies, and other group equipment, while additional porter services for personal luggage can be arranged upon request.
Weather & Trail Conditions
Health & Safety
Pokhara → Baglung → Kusma → Beni → Tatopani → Humkhola
Our journey into one of the least-explored corners of the Annapurna region begins with an early departure from Pokhara by private 4WD, following the Kali Gandaki valley through Baglung, Kusma, and Beni as the landscape gradually shifts from open valley to rugged mountain terrain.
Beyond Tatopani, the road roughens considerably as we push on toward Humkhola, passing dramatic river gorges and sections of active hydropower construction — a clear sign of how remote this route becomes.
Humkhola marks the final point accessible by road and the true start of the wilderness ahead. With no proper accommodation facilities here, our crew sets up camp for the night, and we settle in for our first evening under open Himalayan sky.
Humkhola → Futu Waterfall → Sandikharka → Gupha Phat → Busket Mela
We leave Humkhola behind and step properly into the wilderness today, the trail climbing gradually through a mix of rocky terrain and forested sections that feel increasingly untouched.
A highlight early on is Futu Waterfall, where we pause before continuing toward Sandikharka. From there, the trail passes through Gupha Phat, where distant Himalayan peaks and surrounding cliffs start to reveal themselves for the first time.
By the end of a long day's walk, we reach Busket Mela (3,650 m), a remote campsite with minimal infrastructure and no reliable electricity or mobile signal. Our crew sets up camp and prepares dinner while we take in the surrounding quiet — a genuine sense of isolation that defines this route.
Busket Mela → Sunkhola → Panchakunda Lake Campsite
We continue deeper into high Himalayan wilderness today, the trail growing progressively rockier as we gain elevation, with waterfalls, streams, and striking rock formations marking the route along the way.
Passing through the Sunkhola area, the terrain opens into a wide, dramatic alpine setting before we reach our high campsite beside Panchakunda Lake — also known locally as Narchyang Lake.
Although North Annapurna Base Camp sits close by, the lack of proper shelter there means we spend the night at this designated high camp instead, resting up for an early start to reach base camp itself tomorrow.
Panchakunda Lake → North Annapurna Base Camp → Humkhola → Tatopani (drive)
Today is the reason we've come this far. We set off early toward the turquoise waters of Narchyang Lake / Panchakunda, a site holding cultural significance for both Hindu and Buddhist visitors, before continuing on toward base camp itself.
Reaching North Annapurna Base Camp (4,190 m), we're met with an extraordinary Himalayan panorama — Annapurna I, Nilgiri, Tilicho Peak, Khangsar Kang, and Bharha Chuli all visible from this rarely-visited vantage point on the mountain's remote northern side.
After taking in the moment, we begin the long descent back toward Humkhola, where our 4WD vehicle meets us for the drive to Tatopani. Checking into a hotel here, we finally get the chance to relax in the region's famous natural hot springs — a well-earned reward after three nights of camping.
Tatopani → Pokhara (drive)
Before departure, we take some final time to enjoy the Tatopani hot springs, a relaxed morning after four demanding days on the trail.
From Tatopani, the drive follows mountain roads down toward the lower valleys before connecting with the main highway back to Pokhara.
After roughly four hours on the road, we arrive back in Pokhara, marking the close of a rare and rewarding journey into one of the Annapurna region's most remote corners.
| Day | Route | Distance | Walking/Driving Distance | Max. Altitude |
| Day 1 | Pokhara – Tatopani – Humkhola | ~115 km | 6–7 hrs drive | 2,890 m |
| Day 2 | Humkhola – Busket Mela | ~6 km | 6–7 hrs trek | 3,650 m |
| Day 3 | Busket Mela – High Campsite | ~6 km | ~4 hrs trek | ~4,050 m |
| Day 4 | Campsite – North ABC – Humkhola – Tatopani | ~11 km trek | ~6 hrs trek + drive | 4,190 m |
| Day 5 | Tatopani – Pokhara | ~102 km | ~4 hrs drive | ~822 m |
Let's customize this itinerary as per your time and budget, as you like.
Trekking Route
| Group Size | Price / Person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | USD 650 |
| 2 persons | USD 490 |
| 3 – 6 persons | USD 450 |
| 7 – 12 persons | USD 420 |
| 13 – 25 persons | USD 400 |
Trip Info & FAQs for North Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 5 Days
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USD 650 per person
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