The Express covers the same destination in 10 days by taking a more direct route via Ghandruk and Chomrong, skipping the Poon Hill detour. You gain 5 days and save $252. The trade-off is a faster pace with no rest days and longer daily walking hours. The 15-day version adds Poon Hill sunrise, extra acclimatisation time, and a more relaxed schedule. If you have the time, the 15-day is the better experience. If 10 days is what you have, the Express gets you to the same place safely.

Challenging (Level 3 on our scale). Daily hiking averages 5 to 7 hours with no rest days. The hardest day is Day 6, pushing from Himalaya Hotel through Machhapuchhre Base Camp to ABC in 6 to 7 hours at altitude. Day 7 is a 16km descent that puts real pressure on the knees. The faster pace means less time to adjust above 3,000m. Prior trekking experience and good cardiovascular fitness are strongly recommended. This is not a beginner trek. See our full trek difficulty guide for context.

You should be comfortable hiking 5 to 7 hours per day carrying a daypack of 3 to 5kg. Prepare with cardiovascular training four to five times per week for 8 weeks before departure. Running, cycling, stair climbing, and long hikes all work well. Practice hikes of 5 to 6 hours on consecutive days are the best preparation. Pay particular attention to downhill training — the 16km descent from ABC to Bamboo on Day 7 is demanding on the knees. Trekking poles are essential on this route.

Yes, if you are fit and have some prior trekking experience. The itinerary includes strategic overnight stops at Ghandruk, Chomrong, and Himalaya Hotel that allow gradual acclimatisation before the final push to 4,130m. The Express itinerary ascends faster than the 15-day version so your body has less time to adjust above 3,000m. Mild symptoms including headache and disrupted sleep are common above that altitude. If symptoms worsen your guide will always prioritise descent over the schedule.

Yes. ABC sits at 4,130m and the Express itinerary ascends faster than the standard version. Mild symptoms including headache, reduced appetite, and disrupted sleep are common above 3,000m. If symptoms worsen, particularly a persistent dry cough, loss of coordination, or confusion, descent is the only correct response. Your guide carries an oximeter and monitors your oxygen saturation from Himalaya Hotel onward. Talk to your doctor about Diamox before you travel. Read our full altitude sickness guide for a detailed breakdown.

Two permits are required: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS card. Both are included in the MountainKick package price. We handle all paperwork before you leave Kathmandu. Bring your passport and two passport-sized photos to the pre-trip briefing. Permits are checked at Birethanti near Syauli Bazaar and at Chomrong. Carry your originals at all times on trail. For full 2026 permit details read our Nepal trekking permits guide.

Yes. Since April 2023 Nepal requires all foreign trekkers on designated routes including the Annapurna region to trek with a licensed guide. Beyond the legal requirement, the trail above Chomrong involves avalanche-prone sections, navigation through the glacial moraine approaching ABC, and altitude monitoring that requires a guide with genuine experience. Your MountainKick guide has walked this route many times and knows the conditions above Machhapuchhre Base Camp in different seasons.

Teahouses serve dal bhat, garlic soup, noodle soup, fried rice, pasta, eggs, pancakes, and ginger tea from Ghandruk to ABC. Dal bhat is always the safest option, cooked fresh to order. Do not eat meat above Chomrong. Everything inside the sanctuary is porter-carried and freshness cannot be guaranteed. Vegetarian food is available at every stop. Prices increase significantly at ABC where all supplies arrive on foot. Budget $30 to $40 per day for meals on trail, slightly more at ABC.

Budget for: international flights, Nepal visa (15-day $30 / 30-day $50 / 90-day $125), travel insurance, all meals on trek ($30 to $40 per day), hot showers ($3 to $5), Wi-Fi available at Ghandruk and Chomrong only ($2 to $3), guide tips ($8 to $12 per day) and porter tips ($5 to $8 per day). Withdraw all cash before leaving Pokhara as there are no ATMs on trail. Most trekkers spend an additional $300 to $400 on top of the $568 package price.

Your policy must cover emergency helicopter evacuation to at least 4,500m. A helicopter evacuation from the ABC area without insurance can cost $2,500 to $4,000. Make sure your policy also covers trip cancellation, medical treatment, and altitude-related illness. Carry a printed copy of your policy and your emergency contact number throughout the trek. Do not assume your standard travel policy covers high-altitude trekking — check the fine print before you travel. Read our travel insurance guide for what to look for.

Poon Hill (9 days, $550) is easier and lower at 3,210m, focused on a sunrise viewpoint and village culture. Mardi Himal (10 days, $615) reaches 4,500m at High Camp and offers closer views of Machhapuchhre on a quieter trail. The Express ABC (10 days, $568) goes furthest into the mountains, reaching 4,130m inside the glacial Annapurna Sanctuary. Same number of days as Mardi Himal, similar price, but a bigger destination. Our Poon Hill vs Mardi Himal comparison and Annapurna region guide break down all three in detail.