Annapurna · Base Camp Fastpack

THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL

Running into an amphitheatre of 8,000ers.

Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) sits in a glacial cirque beneath Annapurna I (8,091 m), Machapuchare and Hiunchuli. The usual trek takes 7–10 days; we do it fastpacking style with light packs, teahouse nights and running where altitude allows. A travelling camp for strong trail runners who want the Himalaya without stopping training.

• Sunrise at Annapurna Base Camp beneath the 8,091 m wall
• The stone stairways of Chhomrong and Ulleri at running pace
• The Jhinu hot springs
• Poon Hill (3,210 m) with its Dhaulagiri view

1. 01
   DAY 1 · 8 km, 300 m of climbing

   Pokhara on Lake Phewa

   We meet in Pokhara (820 m). An easy run along Phewa lake and up to the Peace Stupa, kit check and packing to 6–7 kg.

   Overnight: Hotel in Pokhara
2. 02
   DAY 2 · 14 km, 1,100 m of climbing

   Kimche — Ghandruk — Chhomrong

   Jeep to Kimche (1,640 m). We run through the Gurung village of Ghandruk, drop to the Kimrong river and climb the stairs to Chhomrong (2,170 m). First views of Annapurna South.

   Overnight: Teahouse in Chhomrong, 2,170 m
3. 03
   DAY 3 · 11 km, 900 m of climbing

   Chhomrong — Bamboo — Dovan

   Down the 2,500 steps to the Chhomrong river, then up through Sinuwa into bamboo forest. Night at Dovan (2,600 m), pace deliberately relaxed.

   Overnight: Teahouse in Dovan, 2,600 m
4. 04
   DAY 4 · 9 km, 1,100 m of climbing

   Dovan — Deurali — Machapuchare Base Camp

   The Modi Khola gorge narrows, forest gives way to rhododendron and avalanche chutes. Night at Machapuchare Base Camp (3,700 m) — the acclimatisation stop before the final push.

   Overnight: Teahouse at MBC, 3,700 m
5. 05
   DAY 5 · 18 km, 450 m up and 1,850 m down

   Annapurna Base Camp and descent

   A 5:00 start for Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) and sunrise over Annapurna I. Then a long running descent through Deurali and Dovan to Bamboo (2,310 m).

   Overnight: Teahouse in Bamboo, 2,310 m
6. 06
   DAY 6 · 12 km, 700 m of climbing

   Bamboo — Jhinu, hot springs

   Back up to Chhomrong and down to Jhinu Danda (1,780 m). After lunch the hot springs by the Modi river — recovery nothing else can replace.

   Overnight: Teahouse in Jhinu, 1,780 m
7. 07
   DAY 7 · 16 km, 400 m of climbing

   Jhinu — Nayapul — Pokhara

   Run down the Modi valley via Landruk and Syauli Bazaar to Nayapul (1,070 m) over suspension bridges and rice terraces. Jeep to Pokhara, an evening by the lake.

   Overnight: Hotel in Pokhara
8. 08
   DAY 8 · 5 km, easy

   Rest and departure

   A late breakfast, an easy lake run, a debrief and a chat about the next Himalayan goal.

   Overnight: —