Trekking Partners NepalAnnapurna I Base Camp (North) Trek
A remote route from Narchyang in Myagdi to the north base camp of Annapurna I, the side of the mountain first climbed in 1950. Lodges end at Narchyang, so the upper nights are camping.
- Duration7–9 days
- Highest point4,190 m
- DifficultyChallenging
- Best seasonMar–May, Sep–Nov
Trekkers looking for partners
No open partner posts for Annapurna I Base Camp (North) yet. Be the first – post your dates and others heading this way will find you.
Post a tripWho the Annapurna North Base Camp trek suits
This is the side of Annapurna I that Maurice Herzog's French expedition climbed in 1950, the first 8,000 m peak ever summited. The route starts from Narchyang in Myagdi, near Beni, and climbs through forest and over high meadows to the north base camp at about 4,190 m, below the huge north face of Annapurna I.
It's challenging. Lodges end at Narchyang, so the upper nights are camping, the trail is steep and rough in places, and you'll see very few people. It suits experienced trekkers who want a real expedition feel, mountaineering history and complete quiet.
Do you need a guide or permit?
The route is in the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need the ACAP permit, which you can get yourself in Pokhara. No TIMS card, and no restricted-area permit. See the 2026 rules.
A guide isn't legally required, but on this route we'd treat one as essential. The trail above Narchyang is hard to find in places, you need tents, food and cooking gear, and help is far away.
Best months, and when it's easiest to find a partner
Late September–November and April–May are the windows. The upper meadows can be snowbound in winter, and the monsoon brings landslides and leeches in the lower forest.
Only a handful of trekkers go here each season, so team up before you start. Post your dates well ahead.
Doing it with a partner
- Why it matters here: a camping trek costs much the same for one or three people. Guides, porters, tents and food are far cheaper shared.
- Where to meet: Pokhara, then travel to Beni and Narchyang together.
- Plan contingency days: weather can pin you down at camp. Agree in advance how many spare days you have.
- Don't split up above Narchyang.
Trek Annapurna I Base Camp (North) with a local guide
A licensed guide isn't mandatory on Annapurna I Base Camp (North), and the rule isn't enforced on most of Nepal's trails, but we still recommend trekking with a local guide.
An experienced guide isn't only there to show you the way. They know the families who run the teahouses and homestays, explain the villages, monasteries, festivals and food you'd otherwise walk straight past, help you talk with local people, watch for altitude sickness and changing weather, and handle rooms, permits and transport so you can simply enjoy the walk. Many trekkers say their guide was the best part of the trip.
Discover Parbat is a licensed local trekking company from Parbat, near Pokhara, with experienced guides who know these trails and the people along them. Trekking with a partner? Share one guide and split the cost.
Annapurna I Base Camp (North): frequently asked questions
Where does the Annapurna North Base Camp trek start?
From Narchyang in Myagdi district, near Beni, about a day by road from Pokhara.
Are there lodges on the Annapurna North Base Camp trek?
Lodges end at Narchyang. The upper nights are camping, so you need tents, food and cooking gear.
Which permit do I need?
Only the ACAP permit. No restricted-area permit or TIMS card is needed.
Heading to Annapurna I Base Camp (North)? Post your dates and find someone to trek with. It's free.
Questions about Annapurna I Base Camp (North)
Trail conditions, permits and gear, answered by trekkers who were just there and our local team.
No questions about Annapurna I Base Camp (North) yet. Wondering about snow, permits or teahouses? Ask – we’ll answer.
All Annapurna I Base Camp (North) questions →More treks in Annapurna
All Annapurna treks →
Annapurna Base Camp
Walk through Gurung villages and bamboo forest into the Annapurna Sanctuary, a natural amphitheatre ringed by Annapurna I, Machapuchare and Hiunchuli.
Annapurna Circuit
The classic loop around the Annapurna massif, from subtropical valleys through Manang to the Thorong La pass and down to Muktinath.
Ghorepani Poon Hill
A short trek through rhododendron forest to the famous Poon Hill sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Great for first-timers.